Demise of a tree

Today Dad had to let this tree come down. It's roots had rotted and we had tied it to other trees in the Spring to support it. But the strong winds have weakened it so much, Dad said it was a danger to small dogs! Afterwards, I had a good inspection of the roots and they were very rotten.

The Stag is migrating

Today the artist Dido Crosby came to remove the lovely Stag she has been exhibiting in our Mythic Garden Sculpture Exhibition. It is very heavy and needs a crane to lift it. Dad helped her to take it apart and transport it on his tractor.
As you can see, I am helping to supervise all this........in my own special way!

My new bridge

A new bridge....and it's all MINE !
Yesterday the Chagford Conservation Group came to help in the garden. They worked very hard doing lots of important jobs. Some of them made this lovely new bridge. Dad likes having help in the garden. There's a lot to do.

A friend of Winnie the poo

Just inspecting our new toilets. The latest in waterless loos. They look like a toilet and there is no smell !!  And I know about smells.
Mind you, I don't know what the fuss is about.....what's wrong with a tree! And I know about trees.....

Ancient Dartmoor Trees

If you go down to the woods today.....

....you might find a particularly appealing hound.

The other day I joined my Dad for a wander on the moor to see some very old trees.

I know...I know...but the scenery was quite nice.

Wistman's Wood is a remnant of Dartmoor's ancient oak woodland, full of mossy boulders, lichen, ferns and gnarled (slightly frightening) trees. Think 'Lord of the Rings' and you're pretty much there.

Dad seemed to be enjoying himself - Some of these trees must be nearly as old as him !!!

Planting trees....lots of trees !

 

Today I have been busy planting trees in our nursery. All the young trees in the poly tunnel have to be transported to the nursery and lined out in rows in an orderly way. This is very important, we don't want to get them mixed up!

There are hundreds to plant, which means lots of rotovating (very noisy!) and lots of hole-digging (just Dad grunting and Alison chattering). No-one seems to know what my role is, although I am quite good at getting in the way !!

It's a dogs life

It's Tuesday and I am showing a large group of schoolchildren around the garden.

They are here to study the sculptures and trees and also make some creatures out of clay.

It all looks good fun!

The trouble with being a particularly adorable hound (so I am told) is that I get a lot of attention.

It's a tough job, but someone has to do it.

Dad tackling a deer

It's a warm afternoon in the garden and I am helping move some of the sculptures into position. This year's Mythic Garden Sculpture Exhibition starts on 2nd May and runs until October.

As you can see it is hard work. Dad needs a bit of help. "No , I think it needs to go left a bit...or is that right...."

Bailey's big adventure

The other day I caused a bit of bother by wandering off - apparently!
Really don't know what the fuss was about. Honestly, you would think the world had ended. Humans, eh !!

All I did was wander off up the road for 4 hours. Some neighbours found me eventually, a bit muddy but none the worse for wear. Well, it's Dad's chainsaw, you see. I really don't like the noise.
Anyway, rather than being cross, Mum and Dad gave me extra treats.

So if any dogs are reading this, I would recommend the occasional wander - honestly, these humans are complete suckers! And if you act all glad to see them when you are re-united, extra food and cuddles are guaranteed.

Mouse hunting

Aarhhh, I smell a mouse......Where is it?........I know it's in here somewhere.

Don't worry, Dad. I'll flush it out in no time.

Bailey greets our new Education Officer

On Friday I met our new Education Officer, Alison Couch (rhymes with pooch!).
Alison now works 2 days a week at Stone Lane Gardens, thanks to the genorous support of The Ernest Cook Trust. She is responsible for enhancing our Education Programme, as one of our charitable aims is to educate the public about our important work here, both in the sciences and the arts.
We hope to encourage many more schools to visit the Gardens, which I am really looking forward to - as the children all think I'm CUTE !!!