I can walk and I can drive and it is still raining. I am delighted with my progress! I have just one more hospital visit to have the last stitches out and then I am done. I have my freedom back and it feels great.
I was able to drive up to Casa Debbio on the weekend. Work continues on the road to the house but the kind workmen move their equipment when work is done so that I can drive up to the house. I would not be able to walk that far yet. They should be finished in the next few weeks and I will be able to show you our new road.
It was lovely to wake up to a misty morning at Casa Debbio.
The sun did come out and I was able to plant a few things. It was great to be able to walk around the garden and see all the things I have not been able to get to for the last 2 months.
My herbaceous peonies are mostly still buds.
Ants love peonies. They are attracted by the sticky nectar, but don’t seem to hurt the flowers.
This time last year at this time they looked like this.
One peony on a new plant has bloomed.
The hydrangeas behind the house have no flowers yet.
Last year they looked like this.
The area at the back of the house was a difficult area to get right. It is damp and shady all winter then it is in full sun in summer. It is finally working well. The aquilegias have self seeded and have grown wild. I love it when plants come up all by themselves each year.
Last year it looked like this.
The sambuco trees are covered in flowers.
Acanthus and wild daisies are doing a good job covering a slope.
Photinia and beech hedges have grown without the wild goats around to eat them this year. At least one has returned this week and ring barked the new magnolia tree. I hope it survives.
Wisteria has covered the pergola well, but there were few flowers this year.
Last year it looked like this.
I never tire of this view.
The roses in front of the house are blooming finally.
Every year is different in the garden. This spring has been disappointing, but the garden still look lovely. Filippo has done a wonderful job of taking care of everything this year. I have been no use at all.
I am now back at Ponte a Serraglio and it is raining again. I planted new flowers on the bridge and a miserable skunk has come along and stolen some. I hobbled out in the rain today to replace them. Someone does this almost every year. I wish I could catch them at it.