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 !!!

When the going gets tough...

Whew ! It's been hot at the garden this afternoon. Dad and son Rowan have been toiling away digging up weeds from a particularly muddy, boggy bit of the garden. It looked like hard work so I slunk away to this soft, cool mossy bed. Well, honestly, gardens were made to be enjoyed, weren't they !
Keep up the good work , you two. No slacking.

Rare birch !

Well this is really exciting! Beleive it or not, these tiny plants are a very rare birch tree from Georgia in the Caucasus mountains. (Look it up, you heathens!).

Dad was out in Georgia last year looking for them, and he brought back seed to germinate.
Well, now it has germinated and as you can see the little fellahs are just getting going. At this point they can be teased out of the compost and put into individual pots to grow bigger. It is a very delicate operation but Dad has a lot of experience at this.
Because these trees are rare, they will be carefully grown into bigger plants that we will give to other collections and botanic gardens around the UK.
If you want to know more about this important bit of conservation work we are involved with see here.