The gales finally abated, but they left behind plenty of evidence of their power.
Work continued on preparing the border at the side of our house.
I completed a long-overdue job on the allotment, and Martyn got digging.
Ruby managed to collect two more stamps for her Pooch Passport, and we said a bittersweet goodbye to a little friend who had become a familiar face in our garden.
In the Garden
Martyn continued preparing the border at the side of our house ahead of its redesign. He is also planning to replace some of the fence panels at the end of the border, so he removed the shrubby growth that had spread along the fence.
Meanwhile, we finally made some progress with the little cat that has been living in our garden, garage and greenhouse.
Someone came to scan it for a microchip, but unfortunately, there wasn’t one, so we couldn’t trace an owner. However, we did discover something rather surprising: the little cat is a pedigree ragdoll. This makes it even more puzzling that it wasn’t microchipped.
With the weather worsening and Bonfire Night approaching, we were becoming increasingly concerned about the cat remaining outside. We know very little about looking after cats and aren’t really equipped to care for one indoors, particularly with Ruby around.
To cut a long story short, arrangements were made for the cat to go into foster care with one of the rescue’s volunteers.
Although we will miss it, as we had become really attached to it, we realised that this was the best thing for the little cat. Now we just have to wait and see whether anyone responds to the appeal on the rescue’s Facebook page.
If no owner comes forward, the rescue will assess the cat’s personality and any prospective new owners to find the best possible match.
I haven’t included any photographs of the cat or mentioned whether it is male or female. As it is a pedigree, there is a possibility that someone might try to claim it, so the rescue will ask anyone coming forward to provide proof that it belongs to them.
The cat has been taken to the vet for a check-up and has settled well into its foster home, which is reassuring.
We’ve really missed our little visitor. It was always there to greet us first thing in the morning and followed us around the garden whenever we were outside, just like a little dog.
If we had ever wanted a cat, this would have been exactly the sort we would have chosen. It was so friendly and rarely seemed to leave the garden, which makes it difficult to believe that it had simply wandered away from its home.
At least we know that it now has somewhere safe and cosy to stay while the rescue tries to trace its owner or find it a permanent home. We can only hope that things work out well for it.
On the Allotment
We escaped any serious damage from the gales. Some weed-control fabric had been partly blown off one of the beds, and the enviromesh covering the brassicas had blown off. Both problems were easily put right.
At last, I finished weeding the strawberry bed — a job I’d had to abandon after surgery on my finger. It was satisfying to get it finished at last! The plants are still producing berries which are unlikely to ripen.
Martyn dug over some more beds. The recent rain has improved the condition of the soil, although it is still hard going once you get down to about the depth of a spade.
Surprisingly, we managed to gather a few tomatoes from plants growing outdoors. We also cut a cabbage, which we enjoyed with dinner.
It’s always good to bring something home from the allotment, even as the growing season draws to a close.
Out and About
Temple Newsam
Monday was damp and dreary, and we nearly decided not to go to Temple Newsam. However, Ruby really needed some exercise, so we wrapped up warmly and headed out.
In the end, the weather brightened up, and we managed our usual walk around the grounds, admiring the autumn colour
One tree had suffered damage in the recent gales, a reminder of just how powerful the winds had been.
The recent rain has also helped the newly seeded grassed area in the Walled Garden to green up nicely.
The pumpkin patch had been cleared, and as it was the school half-term holiday, a pumpkin-carving session had been arranged so that the pumpkins could be put to good use.
Beningbrough Hall
On Thursday morning, we set off for North Yorkshire. Our first stop was Beningbrough Hall, where Ruby collected her fifth Pooch Passport stamp and earned herself a packet of treats.
We spent the morning wandering around the gardens.
One of the more recent additions is a Mediterranean garden designed to withstand drought conditions.
The timing of this new garden seems particularly appropriate, and it had clearly thrived during this year’s hot, dry summer. It was interesting to see how well the plants had coped with the conditions.
Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden
In the afternoon, we moved on to Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden. We had booked tickets for the evening event, when the abbey ruins are illuminated.
Ruby recognised the reception desk as somewhere she is usually given a treat. She stood up on her hind legs to peer over the desk, making absolutely sure that the staff noticed her!
Her tactics worked, and she was rewarded with a treat and another stamp in her Pooch Passport.
We had just enough time for a walk around the water gardens before it began to get dark. Building work was underway to improve the lower entrance to Studley Royal Water Garden. The plans include a new visitor centre and café at this end of the garden.
Our walk was accompanied by an avian soundtrack, provided by the numerous male pheasants strutting their stuff and the geese making their way to their overnight resting places.
As darkness fell, the pheasants became even more vocal. Then, as we headed towards the abbey, eerie ecclesiastical music joined in, adding to the atmosphere.
Fountains Abbey was celebrating the 94th year of illuminating the ruins at night. I found this fact quite surprising, as I would never have imagined that the event had been running for so long.
This year’s main new feature was a six-minute animated projection show on the West Door, telling 900 years of the abbey’s history.
It was a fascinating way to bring the past to life, and the combination of the illuminated ruins, the music and the surrounding darkness made for a memorable end to our day.
Finally
It has been a week of contrasts, from clearing up after the gales and catching up with jobs on the allotment to enjoying the autumn colours and the spectacular display at Fountains Abbey.
The hardest part has been saying goodbye to our little garden visitor. We had grown surprisingly fond of it, and the garden seems a little emptier without it greeting us each morning. Nevertheless, we know that arranging foster care was the right decision, and we are sure that its story will have a happy ending.
Meanwhile, Ruby continues to enjoy her adventures, especially when treats and games of Chase are involved, and there is always something new to discover when we get out and about.
As autumn settles in, we have plenty to be thankful for — and we’ll be keeping our fingers crossed for good news about the little cat.
Don’t forget to check out Martyn’s diary page
As always until next time stay safe and stay well,
Those must have been some winds indeed! Hopefully the cat will find a good home and your finger will continue to recover.