I had to speak quite harshly to myself today while I was walking around my garden during Lockdown
'You really have nothing to moan and groan about old gal, just take a look and smell the roses for a change, listen to the sound of the birds, drink in the fresh air and soak up that gorgeous sunshine that you have here in your own backyard!'
Many don't even have a home, let alone a garden!
So put on your walking shoes and join me on a walk through my garden.
We'll start at the pool area and work our way up from there.
The pool area looking calm and serene but when we have guests in our bnb Lily's Cottage, you can hear the sound of children laughing and splashing; I miss that!
Two Palm Trees each bearing its own fruit happily growing next to a citrus tree heavy with fruit that looks like a cross between a Lemon and an Orange, but tastes a bit like Grapefruit.
It has many pips, yields a ton of juice which we dilute with water and enjoy as a refreshing drink. Funnily it's not bitter nor as sour as regular Lemons, so we've been getting a dose of free Vitamin C every day.
Does anyone know what this fruit is called?
A weaver tried building a nest here but I don't think this male was very successful in attracting a mate as this nest is not attractive at all. Apparently if he manages to attract a female, she would help him finish the nest; almost like us humans where the wife adds the finishing touches with decor etc etc!
Our beautiful green valley comes into view as we walk up, lush Crotons which I planted along the boundary wall always make a bright colourful show come winter or summer.
A spiky container plant keeps watch over the pool area - a warning to those little daredevils who are tempted to jump from the wall into the pool!
...and then the flowers - Hibiscus, Bougainvilleas and other really pretty flowering shrubs which all thrive in our climate.
The weavers are here all year round, looking for seed we scatter on the lawn and some having a refreshing bath.
The little bird on the left was stunned after flying into the window so I fed him/her sugar water and some 20 minutes later it flew off again.
The Swallow's nest which has been at our door entrance for many many years; you can see how it gets repaired by these migrating birds who come back to Lily's Cottage year after year.
We'll have a peek at the herb garden - Mint & baby Lettuce, Cherry Tomatoes and gorgeous Fennel which is flowering at the moment.
Fennel flowers which the bees just love; no wonder as they are deliciously fragrant!
Bulbinella happily grows on a dry stack wall with other colourful ground covers.
This succulent is a wonderful healing plant - great for burns and insect bites or any skin irritations, the bees love their flowers as well!
Our lady who faithfully waters the flowers each day is standing beyond the archway;)
As we walk toward the top level of our garden, the leader of the pack is sitting on top of the wall eating a Papaya that he helped himself to from our giant trees. He chased the rest of the monkey troop who just a little earlier were busy grooming each other, he obviously did not want to share any of his loot with his family!
A Staghorn Fern thriving on its host the giant Papaya tree.
Walking up along the driveway to the top level where we'll come to the end of our walk.
I hope you enjoyed walking through my autumn garden for 
We are blessed indeed!
I felt much better after this little walk and was reminded again what a balm to the soul nature can be!
A last thought, if you live in an apartment with a balcony, I challenge you to start planning your own little green space now that you have the time.
Many of my plants were tiny little cuttings that friends shared so it need not be a costly exercise.
Have a look at The Almanac for some great advice. You could even use a window sill if you don't have a balcony.
Thank you for stopping by
