Phew! At last I have finished gravelling the area and am pleased with the results! I now have a garden around and beyond the veranda with a separate lawn area which is slowly emerging.You can see how I have created a divide between both the emerging lawn and the gravel garden. This means I have a smaller area of gravel to hoe in order to keep weed free. All the new design I have put in place since the beginning of the year is so as I can enjoy the garden more with less work involved.I have kept the area where the Adjuga and London pride both grow. This has been blocked off with some newly laid stones as you can see.I will add pots of seasonal flowers and herbs which will stand on the gravel as a movable feast, akin to my container garden that flourished last year.
I have yet to mow the lawn as I call it!
Earlier today I devised this new water draining system using an old watering can which I connected to an old vacuum hose running under the ground and releasing its water well away from the cottage. This design was forged from necessity, as funds did not stretch as far as a regular system. The main thing is, it works!Next, I will paint the stone pillars and put some more wood preservative on the posts.So, truth be told, it isn’t really finished yet! However in my mind it is finished and the painting is simply a relaxing afternoon ahead!I want to add a little something about your comments, which I appreciate very much. Some of your comments are held in queue for me to approve and I don’t really know why this is but that is how it is. This means that when you leave a comment, it may not appear straight away. I will be back posting videos on my YouTube platform, but for the moment I really don’t have the heart to film, for as you all know I am upset over what is happening in Gaza and I don’t really want to breakdown on film. This is my safe place and has always been my sanctuary on the Internet.Lots of butterflies have been flitting around me and Patsy all day! It’s been lovely! Blessings to each and every one of you XXX Colette and Patsy ❤️
What work! Goddess bless you! How can it be both sparse AND lush – and yet it is! It must have been terrible work, to move all the plantings and bring in the gravel. I noticed the bottoms of the support beams are in concrete now – I am assuming, to prevent their rotting out right at the ground level – clever!
Thank you for sharing your beautiful sanctuary Colelette. We all need to retreat to our safe haven , if not physically then in our hearts and minds.
Jan More
What a lovely area you have created and so wise to try to minimise the upkeep of the land as much as possible at this time. Blessings of support at this time which I know you find so hard to comprehend.
Wow, you have done so much and it looks fabulous. Well done and thank you for sharing your work. I appreciate your inspiration. Blessings from New Zealand
Thankyou Colette, the garden is beautiful and you are amazing. I think we are all feeling the same helplessness and horror and spending time in our gardens to escape it and create some love, life and beauty. We so appreciate you sharing yours… ❤️
Beautiful calming, restoring views of Bealtaine Cottage. I have withdrawn from most social media platforms as I too am struggling with what is going on in Gaza. I am reminded of your words ‘in times of destruction- create’ ( I am probably paraphrasing wildly but hope you know what I mean) so in addition to trying to raise funds for Gaza I am also planting my own garden having taken on a small but badly overgrown wilderness a year ago. Thank you for what you do. Blessings.
Thank you for sharing your work. The drainage idea is ingenious! You are amazing. I’ve also had to distance myself from the Gaza situation it was actually affecting my health, it is awful when you feel powerless to help. I just pray every day for them.
Hello Collette. Your garden is looking beautiful as always. I always get inspired after watching one of your videos to get out in my tiny patch and get busy.
I agree with you about The situation in Gaza. It’s heartbreaking and maddening. The cruelty that has been inflicted on innocent people is unimaginable and despicable.
Sending my thanks for the enjoyment and inspiration over the past many years.
Deb Elwood 🇨🇦
Colette, you’re doing an amazing job! I’m very much preferring keeping up with you on your website at the moment rather than YouTube … the ads are a real nuisance and yesterday it wouldn’t let me to comment, I was obviously saying something YouTube didn’t like. Frustrating 🙁 I’m enjoying working through your masses of posts and photos and listening to your podcasts, and seeing how Bealtaine is constantly evolving. Hope you’ve got your feet up now enjoying your Sunday evening with Patsy. Jayne xx
You may be interested to know that I will be posting all my videos on my Patreon platform as well as YouTube. My Patreon is €3 per month and you can cancel at any time and you will have access to everything I post on the platform. There are no advertisements on my Patreon platform.
This is beautiful Colette! I just got an email update featuring your beautiful garden that put a small on my face. I can’t wait to follow your adventures in this space now that it is time to enjoy it!
Such a lovely job done Colette. Thank you for sharing and your inspiration. It NEVER gets old. I appreciate both you and your down-to-earth content. Looking forward to each and every post.
\
Thank you,
The area around the veranda looks dreamy and beautiful and lush. Love the improvised drainage system, and the fact that it works 😊
And I’m glad the butterflies came to lift your spirits.
With prayers for a free Palestine ❤️🩹
Thank you, Colette. Those of us with a conscience are all needing a place of safety and peace right now. Take as long as you need to and, in the meantime, much love to you and Patsy ❤️
Lovely photos Colette. You have worked hard there. It all looks so good. Sending love to you and Patsy. Enjoy your beautiful garden, you have earned it. xx
It’s all looking so wonderful, Colette! Thank you for taking the time to photograph and document your progress….I adore your videos but sometimes it’s nice to just quietly read and absorb. 🙂 Wishing you peace xo
The gravel is wonderful! Makes it look so fresh and clean. Keep busy and enjoy the butterflies. Sometimes it’s what we need or have to do is stay within ourselves and outside with nature. Take care and stay positive.
I love this! Your work is motivating and stimulating as I just relocated to West Cork from Florida and learn so much through you about Irish gardening.
Wonderful dear Colette…….I have also a butterflybush in my Garden…….. wonderful…. Blessings and Greetings from Daggy Kiel Germany ☘️☘️☘️ and for Patsy a big hug
What work! Goddess bless you! How can it be both sparse AND lush – and yet it is! It must have been terrible work, to move all the plantings and bring in the gravel. I noticed the bottoms of the support beams are in concrete now – I am assuming, to prevent their rotting out right at the ground level – clever!
Thank you for sharing your beautiful sanctuary Colelette. We all need to retreat to our safe haven , if not physically then in our hearts and minds.
Jan More
Take all the time you need. We are all grieving together
Job well done, it look wonderful Colette as always you have added you magical touch. Blessings to you & dear little Patsy
What a lovely area you have created and so wise to try to minimise the upkeep of the land as much as possible at this time. Blessings of support at this time which I know you find so hard to comprehend.
Blessings to you too
Everything looks so beautiful. I always like looking at your staturary❤️
That is a lot of hard work Colette but it looks great,💚💚
SUCH nice improvements. Watching from the central highlands of Mexico.
Very impressive! It looks great!
Wow, you have done so much and it looks fabulous. Well done and thank you for sharing your work. I appreciate your inspiration. Blessings from New Zealand
A mini Eden.
Thankyou Colette, the garden is beautiful and you are amazing. I think we are all feeling the same helplessness and horror and spending time in our gardens to escape it and create some love, life and beauty. We so appreciate you sharing yours… ❤️
Beautiful calming, restoring views of Bealtaine Cottage. I have withdrawn from most social media platforms as I too am struggling with what is going on in Gaza. I am reminded of your words ‘in times of destruction- create’ ( I am probably paraphrasing wildly but hope you know what I mean) so in addition to trying to raise funds for Gaza I am also planting my own garden having taken on a small but badly overgrown wilderness a year ago. Thank you for what you do. Blessings.
Thank you for sharing your work. The drainage idea is ingenious! You are amazing. I’ve also had to distance myself from the Gaza situation it was actually affecting my health, it is awful when you feel powerless to help. I just pray every day for them.
Hello Collette. Your garden is looking beautiful as always. I always get inspired after watching one of your videos to get out in my tiny patch and get busy.
I agree with you about The situation in Gaza. It’s heartbreaking and maddening. The cruelty that has been inflicted on innocent people is unimaginable and despicable.
Sending my thanks for the enjoyment and inspiration over the past many years.
Deb Elwood 🇨🇦
Colette, you’re doing an amazing job! I’m very much preferring keeping up with you on your website at the moment rather than YouTube … the ads are a real nuisance and yesterday it wouldn’t let me to comment, I was obviously saying something YouTube didn’t like. Frustrating 🙁 I’m enjoying working through your masses of posts and photos and listening to your podcasts, and seeing how Bealtaine is constantly evolving. Hope you’ve got your feet up now enjoying your Sunday evening with Patsy. Jayne xx
You may be interested to know that I will be posting all my videos on my Patreon platform as well as YouTube. My Patreon is €3 per month and you can cancel at any time and you will have access to everything I post on the platform. There are no advertisements on my Patreon platform.
This is beautiful Colette! I just got an email update featuring your beautiful garden that put a small on my face. I can’t wait to follow your adventures in this space now that it is time to enjoy it!
It is beautiful. Many blessings to you. Your healing energy and intent reaches to the far corners of our earth.
Such a lovely job done Colette. Thank you for sharing and your inspiration. It NEVER gets old. I appreciate both you and your down-to-earth content. Looking forward to each and every post.
\
Thank you,
Julie
Beautiful job! So peaceful!
Absolutely fabulous Colllette . You work is amazing , everything looks so peaceful.
Take care , Bernie
Oh wow…looks great!!!
L
It’s looking great Collette. Take time to enjoy the fruits of your labours.
Thanks for all the lovely pictures and sharing the amazing results of your efforts. You are truly an inspiration ❤️
The area around the veranda looks dreamy and beautiful and lush. Love the improvised drainage system, and the fact that it works 😊
And I’m glad the butterflies came to lift your spirits.
With prayers for a free Palestine ❤️🩹
Thank you, Colette. Those of us with a conscience are all needing a place of safety and peace right now. Take as long as you need to and, in the meantime, much love to you and Patsy ❤️
Well done! I’m sure there’ll be time for you to enjoy the new garden before bad weather comes.
❤️
Lovely photos Colette. You have worked hard there. It all looks so good. Sending love to you and Patsy. Enjoy your beautiful garden, you have earned it. xx
Love it all! Just stay in your happy place as long as you need to. ♥️
It’s all looking so wonderful, Colette! Thank you for taking the time to photograph and document your progress….I adore your videos but sometimes it’s nice to just quietly read and absorb. 🙂 Wishing you peace xo
The gravel is wonderful! Makes it look so fresh and clean. Keep busy and enjoy the butterflies. Sometimes it’s what we need or have to do is stay within ourselves and outside with nature. Take care and stay positive.
I love this! Your work is motivating and stimulating as I just relocated to West Cork from Florida and learn so much through you about Irish gardening.
Such a beautiful , well loved cottage garden !
So inspiring.
Enjoy your beautiful sanctuary and big thanks for sharing
Wonderful dear Colette…….I have also a butterflybush in my Garden…….. wonderful…. Blessings and Greetings from Daggy Kiel Germany ☘️☘️☘️ and for Patsy a big hug