My absence from posting this time is a whole year!
Even my marketing manager in the UK, aka Bill, has given up on me and fair enough too.
I think the only one that has been badgering me to get cracking with a new post is hubby. Thank you for being consistent.
Of course given my tardiness, it is rather difficult to decide what to write about.
I do promise however, not to bore you with old news or create an epic post that leaves you yawning and eager to finish the tiresome read. No, none of that rest assured!
There is always a story though isn’t there? End of January, yours truly had a hip replacement which kept me housebound for awhile, which was hard going. Especially for someone who loves being in her garden and generally stomping about in her gummies. Sadly the only view of the garden for a time, was from the bedroom window.
Needless to say, some interesting behaviour ensued. I became adept at swearing, crying for no apparent reason (this thankfully has ceased), spent hours binge watching shows on the iPad, regarded showering as a torture, something to do with the possibility of falling over, and had to rely on hubby for just about everything. Including hauling on my socks and tying my shoe laces. He was amazing! I couldn’t have done it without him. Nor will I forget, at 6 weeks when the surgeon said I could drive my car, how elated hubby was. I wasn’t surprised at all to find myself behind the wheel of the car later that day! His choice not mine, trust me.
If you have been following my blog you will know that I adore my veg garden, although why we ever opted to have it located on a hillside is way beyond me! LOL.
As it happens, I’ve been back in my gummies again now for several months – talking to the veg garden as I drift past, en route to feed the chickens who spend much of their day also looking lovingly at my veg garden, thankfully there is a fence in-between. I missed pruning the orchard this summer, I do believe the fruit trees must be elated.
The sheep are still plump of course some things never change. And our feline pals are just divine, but then I’m a cat gal.
Autumn was colourful and dry, winter was particularly wet, and spring has sprung, the flowers are blooming and the birds are singing to the heavens – and who can blame them!
Thank you to all my blogging buddies who nudged me to post. Yes I do believe for now the Frog Pond Farm correspondent is back.
Happy gardening
Beautiful photos, Julie. I love the kitties. Great bird shots. The last two landscapes are superb. As we start falling you are springing.
BTW. has it really be a year since you posted? I know it’s been awhile.
Hey Tim … great to see you here! Yes we are bouncing into spring and you are heading into my fav season. Pleased you enjoyed the photos ..And yes, it sure is a year since I last posted! Where did that year disappear to ..
I always enjoy reading your updates Julie. The accompanying photos only add to the pleasure. So glad you are back in your gummies and about the garden again. The plants are loving this warm, wet spring so far. xx
Hello Rom .. always lovely to see you at Frog Pond! And I’m really pleased that you enjoyed the post. It’s great being back in the gummies again, and I’m loving being out in the garden. Nice to have some warmth alright .. and the rain is welcome even though winter was wet! Hugs to you
Welcome back, glad you have healed
Thank you … so nice to see you at Frog Pond Farm!
Good morning from a wet Friday morning, in southern England..
I must say that a lot of my friends will be glad to see your blog . Yes I haven’t been nagging about the lack of it, mainly because I knew of your circumstances. But Julie it’s very welcome, and the photographs are just so beautiful.
Your pets are looking very well, and the Farm is looking great.
As you know despite all your encouraging words, I won’t be making my usual visit as yet. Mainly because I still can’t face getting on an aircraft yet and mixing with people. I’ve now had six vaccinations, but still in semi isolation.
Perhaps next year, so you will just have to freeze all that fruit 🍎 in anticipation. And I know you are going to have a bumper crop, with all that rain you have had.
So glad you got over your operation and are cooking again! So there’s no excuse for not continuing your Beautiful photos and news of Frogpond for all your avid readers!
Lots of love ❤️ to you and Andrew ,
Bill, xxx
Hello Bill what a lovely message! Thanks for sending on the post to your friends. It’s great to see my UK marketing manager back in action again! I’m so pleased you enjoyed the photos and my banter. Your visit will be greatly missed Bill, but ever hopeful that you will be over next year! In fact, I’ll save as much fruit as I can pile into the freezer for you and your culinary skills. Yes, I shall be out and about with my camera – it’s been a long time. Much love ❤️
Made my day to read your amazing proze and see the beautiful photos Julie, you are extremely talented and thank you for sharing. Glad your hip replacement is on the mend. Love to you both, Jenny xx
Hi Jenni – it is so good to hear from you lovely! I’m so pleased you enjoyed the post and thank you for your kind words. The hip has mended really well and I’m back in that garden again! Much love to you … xxx
Wonderful photos Julie and so glad you’re back in your beautiful garden. Love to you both from a cool but glorious autumn morning in Yorkshire, Anne & John
Hey Anne and a big hello to you! Lovely to see you at Frog Pond. I’m pleased you enjoyed the pics. I need to get out more with the camera 🙂 It is so good being back in the garden – seems ages ago when I used to stare lovingly at it from the bedroom window. Ow, I bet the cool of autumn is wonderful. Much love to you both xx (I owe you an email!)
So happy to have you back ❤️ I didn’t realise how much I’d missed seeing your garden photos until I just saw them. Looking forward to more!
Hi Lara … oh what a lovely message! It’s great to be back – only took me a year! More garden photos to come – promise!
Hi Julie. Thanks for this update, glad you’re back. I really enjoyed the beautiful photographs. It’s always so strange to see this part of the world moving toward winter while the other side is heading for summer… Wishing you all the best!
Hey Herman … it’s always fabulous seeing you at Frog Pond Farm. I’m so pleased you enjoyed the photos. It sure is strange knowing that you are now in autumn (my favourite season) and we are bouncing into spring. Thanks for stopping by my friend – wishing you all the best too!
My favourite season is spring, I’m already counting the days… 😉
So lovely to see you back here Julie and great to hear you can move around in your gummies again! Your photographs are gorgeous as always and so lovely to see the kitties and garden sparkling in the Spring sun 🌞 xxx
Hi Xenia, it is so nice seeing you at Frog Pond and thanks for your lovely comment 😊 .. I’m so pleased you enjoyed the photos. It’s wonderful to be bouncing into spring at last after a very wet winter! xx
Hello Julie,
It is a delight to read an update from you – with beautiful images and words. I didn’t realize you went through a hip replacement surgery, I cannot imagine what that must been like. It must have been extremely frustrating, but I am so happy your husband (and cats) took great care of you. It must be wonderful to be back gardening again – your images radiate so much joy.
It really has been interesting and challenging year for me (and I am sure many others) too. But I am glad to hear you are doing better and of course staying safe and healthy.
Best wishes from Japan,
Takami
Oh I’m so pleased that you enjoyed the photos and my banter. Yes the rehab was a tad frustrating, but I was so well looked after and had support from wonderful physiotherapists. It is terrific being back in the garden (I don’t think the weeds think so though 🙂). I do hope that you are well and happy, it was just super knowing that you stopped by.
Great to see your blog back Jules always entertaining and newsy, keep it up x
Hello gorgeous, how lovely to see you at Frog Pond. It’s great to be back! Woohoo xx
Welcome back Jules – I missed you and your beautiful photos 💓
Hey Sue … thank you! It’s great to be back. Hugs x
I am so glad to see you blogging again, but a hip replacement, wow! Did you have to go through physical therapy also? In any case, I wish you the best and I am looking forward to seeing more wonderful blogs like this one. Have a wonderful weekend!
Hey Hien, it’s great to be back! Gosh, it only took me a year. How bad is that! Yes I couldn’t have done it without the physiotherapists – they were both amazing. And hubby was a star. Thank you so much for your lovely message .. I hope you have a super weekend too!
So glad you are back, I’ve missed you!!
Thank you so much – it’s nice to know I’ve been missed! Have a lovely weekend …
Oh dear Julie, how happy I am…. Welcome back. I just think now, my language could it be enough to express my thoughts and feelings about your start again. Beautiful lady, really welcome back. I haven’t known what happened to you. And yes, it was a long time… But you never stopped to follow me. And I was thinking to write to you and ask why don’t you make any post… I know now. How long has it been that we know each other, I don’t remember now, but started long time ago. New Zealand = my dear Julie…. always has a very special place in my precious world. Your photographs are beautiful and your writing too. But you know what is/are my best!!!! Your lovely cats… If it were possible I would like to live in UK or in NZ…It is a dream… Thank you, Blessing and Happiness. Love, nia
Hello my dear friend .. And thank you so much for your wonderful comment. It’s so good being back and just super to hear from you Nia. Yes we have known each other for quite some time now haven’t we! I feel so lucky to have met you in the blogging world. I’m so very pleased that you enjoyed my post and I knew you would love the cats! Blessing and happiness to you Nia, you are very special! xx
I’m so happy to learn you are now back in you gummies feeding the hens and puttering in your garden. I love your kitties—they are adorable. Your photography is (as always) outstanding. I am so glad for you Spring is coming—more and more each and every day. Sometimes I think I need to jet there for Spring and Summer then come back here for Spring and Summer, what an ideal life that would be. ( Of course, impossible financially and realistically) but nice to dream about.
Hey Linda … a big hello to you! It’s so good seeing you at our place. It sure is wonderful being back on the land again and stomping about in my gumboots. Oh I just love those kitties too! I’m pleased you enjoyed the pics, I just need to get out more with my camera. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you could come over here for spring and summer – imagine! Nothing wrong with dreaming, I do it all the time. 😊
Dreams are what makes life FUN!!! 🙂
Dreams are what so many things are made from 🙂
Lovely photos and blog, so glad to hear you have made a good recovery, happy gardening, love to you and Andrew x
Hi Patricia … how lovely to hear from you! I’m so pleased that you enjoyed the post. I have made a super recovery – and really enjoying being back in that garden! Much love to you xx
Well we’ve booked. Are you going to be there i the New Year Bill. We’re doing a tour so don’t know dates when in your area.FondestAlbert x
Hey Albert – nice to see that you got the blog from Bill! Sounds like you are might be coming to visit. Hope so!
Lovely to have you back!❤️
It’s awesome to be back! About time right! Thank you lovely ..
Nothing quite like a little break ~ and you picked up where you left off, with brilliant photos and a life teeming with life 🙂
Thank you! .. It sure does feel as though I have picked up where I left off. Great to see you at Frog Pond Farm 🙂
Great and pretty images ❤️
Thank you!
You are most welcome
Welcome back and with such lovely images, Julie! And hopefully the hop replacement has worked wonders for you over the last nine months.
Hey Otto … thank you, it’s great being back. I can’t believe a year has zoomed by so quickly. The new hip sure has worked wonders, it’s wonderful being back in my garden again. Great to see you at Frog Pond!
Hello from the other side of the spring, Julie. Although missing you I had the hope that it was a big project, which somehow your health is indeed; I am very happy for your recovery, and your strength to surpass hard times, I hope now come kinder times, and a return to the places where your happiness grow, which I suspect is mostly outdoor. As always I love the beautiful colors of your land and ocean, thank you for inviting us into it ^_^
Hey Francis … so good to hear from you! Yes I’m well recovered and it’s wonderful being back outside again 🙂 I’m so pleased you enjoyed the images. It’s lovely being able to share with you. Great to see you at Frog Pond Farm …!
Dear Julie,
welcome back! So great to see you again!
Hip surgery is a difficult, unpleasant challange and I sincerely hope you are well and as fit as can be.
Your photos are as beautiful as ever and it is good to see your pictures of the farm and the incomparable area.
Makes me happy!
Best greetings from Munich!
Josephine.
Hello Josephine! It is so good to hear from you too! I’m really good thanks Miss and enjoying being able to get about outdoors again. The new hip is great! I’m so pleased that you enjoyed the photos! Trust me, you made me very happy knowing that you had stopped by. Greetings right back at you from NZ!
Oh Julie, it’s good to know that all is well at Frog Pond Farm now. I’m glad you recovered well from hip surgery. It’s not something I want to go through if I can help it. Your photos are lovely as ever, and it’s good to see you back on the blog.
Hello Mr Draco … super to hear from you! I recovered really well although I think I was a horrid patient! lol … I’m glad you liked the photos. I always enjoy seeing your pics on Instagram. It’s great to be back, hard to believe I was absent for a year!
Welcome back! Happy to hear you’ve recovered from surgery and are once again delighting us with views of your lovely garden.
Thank you so much! It’s so good being back. I’m so pleased you enjoyed your visit to Frog Pond Farm 🙂
Hurrah! Have been missing your posts. Glad to hear you’re on the mend and back at it!
It’s nice to be missed! And great to be back at it … Always super seeing you at Frog Pond Farm
Ah, Julie, it’s SO good to have you back, I really enjoy your view of the world. A hip replacement is a very big deal that must have been beyond frustrating. I broke my arm at the shoulder 5 years ago and even that was torture – the elaborately difficult showers, the lack of mobility, the pain, the impossibility of finding a comfy way to sleep, and then finally, I could drive again! I get it. It sounds like you’ve put it all behind you and you’re feeling fresh again. It’s great to see the cats and chickens, the flowers, the sweet dove, and that beach, wow. That’ll make you forget your troubles! 🙂 Take care!
Hi Lynn … so good to hear from you! I’m so pleased you enjoyed my banter and pics. Your break made me cringe by the way … Yes, you sure would get it. Isn’t it great when you bounce out the other side and life becomes more normal! It’s fabulous being back and wonderful to see you at Frog Pond Farm.
My goodness! A new hip. I don’t blame you for swearing and crying. You know you’re getting better when the swearing overtakes the crying. Be careful, sometimes the swearing sticks long after the pain goes away. Good for Andrew putting up with you. He must come from good stock (nod to Bill). I am glad you are back. Lovely photos and write up. Next time the Frog Pond correspondent goes missing I’ll come down there myself and give you a kick in the arse. 🙂
Hey Bob … to think you nearly missed my return! lol … It’s great to be back (about time right) and as I’m not into kicks in the butt, I’ll make sure I don’t go missing again! I’m glad you liked the pics and banter. Always great to see you at Frog Pond Farm 😊
Good to see you back. I was just kidding about the kick. First I would have to get a passport and jump on a plane, a boat would take too long. The logistics are impossible. Sometimes my bluster gets the better of me. Take care.
lots of lovely photos there. happy cats!
Hi Sherry .. they sure are happy and very spoilt cats, who don’t mind having their photo taken. I’m pleased that you enjoyed the pics 🙂
A visit to Frog Pond Farm is always a treat, Julie. 🙂
I hope you are fully recovered from your op now. The lack of mobility is a gardener’s worst nightmare, so I’m not surprised you were prone to tears for a while!
Looking forward to your next post. <3
Hello Joanne – so nice to hear from you! Yes I’m fully recovered now and back in the garden. Yay! It certainly was frustrating for awhile though. I think gardener’s worst nightmare is incredibly apt. I’m looking forward to your next post too btw 😊 Always great seeing you at Frog Pond …
For a long time I too was MIA at WP for many reasons which I won’t bore you to tears with now. I really needed that hiatus, let me just put it that way. So so sorry to hear about your hip ….. buggers but age does come with it its challenges, does it not? I’m really happy you are back for I’ve missed you!
Your photography is sublime and me being a cat girl as well can certainly appreciate your adorable cats. Your landscapes ….. stunning!! You do have the Gift of seeing through that lens of yours and you know just where to get the best shot. I know. (smile)
Take care of you!!! I’ve always enjoyed seeing your Seasons as ours is completely opposite. Sending you so much love!!
Hello dear Amy … it’s always lovely hearing from you! I sure do understand about MIA. But it is so nice being back. Yes, age sure does come with its challenges. Thank you so much for your lovely comment – it’s so nice to be missed! I’m so pleased you enjoyed my photography. We are cat girls, aren’t we 😊 You take care too my friend as you head into winter. Much love right back at you xx
And yet as I said, your comment still did not show on my notifications. I just stopped by out of curiosity to see if you had yet replied. And here you did. What can I say? WP had been something else lately.
Great to have you back, dear Julie. I missed you. Glad you’re healed and enjoying your garden again.
Hi Cynthia … sorry for my late reply! Thank you so much, it’s nice to be missed! And it’s lovely to see you at Frog Pond Farm! I hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas xx
Spring has sprung and so have you.
Hey Steve … great to see you at Frog Pond Farm!
And pleasant to remember we were physically there in 2017.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year dear Julie, Thank you, Love, nia
Hey dear Nia! I hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas and all the very best for the New Year my friend xx
Dear Julie, don’t make your absence too long, really I am looking for your posts… Thank you so much also, for following me, you are so nice, Have a nice day, Love and Hugs, nia
Hi Nia … oh yes I must hurry up and do another post! I’m way behind! I so enjoy your blog my friend you are a lovely person Nia … love and hugs to you
Thank you dear Julie, you are too, Love, nia
There’s no boredom here.. Lovely, as it has always been. 🤗
Oh thank you so much … so nice to see you at Frog Pond Farm!
Thank you! Very nice to visit.
Hope we don’t have to wait another year!! And did you get any flooding in there?
Ha ha me too Celi! I’m keen to get cracking on one now. There was plenty of rain, but thankfully no real flooding at Frog Pond. We did lose a few trees, but we were very lucky. Much luckier than many.
Yes. It looked like a wild ride.
Yay, delighted to hear from you again, Julie! Glad to read you’re much better and enjoying your gardening interests again… yes, this time of year should be lovely with Autumn and its colours. Thanks for visiting me too, I have also not posted for quite a few months, gosh time has really flown!! Take good care, love and prayers. 🙏💕
Hello Iris .. so good to see you at Frog Pond! It only took me a year to post and now I’ve hit the 6 mth again.Shame on me. I was so pleased to see your post! A big yay from me! You take care too my friend xx
Just catching up here Julie. I am glad you are alright!
Lovely to see you here Lavinia ..