Arrival of our Alpaca Wool
Our little family of alpacas have their fleeces clipped once a year in the late spring to keep them feeling cool and comfortable for the summer months.
Their soft wool has been expertly spun into yarn that now returns to us as bundles of warmth.
As the winter chill sets in, we are dreaming of being wrapped up in a hand knitted cosy jumper.
As you can see Jasper looks so cuddly with his grade A fur coat!
Hibernating Ladybirds
Every year we put loads of Poppies on the avenue to Combe Hay Village to commemorate remembrance Sunday with particular memory of a young serviceman killed in Afghanistan on active service who was born and raised in the village. I was thrilled to find, when removing the poppies, hundreds of ladybirds had taken up residence along the railings to hibernate for the winter.
Forcing bulbs
The joy of watching bulbs grow roots is a fascinating experience. There’s something touching about seeing every step of growth. Their delicate white roots, the first signs of green shoots; it’s wonderfully uplifting in the dark days of winter.
“It is extraordinary just how much they grow each day.”
Phil Honey
Bulb planting in Autumn
In preparation for our planned 2024 garden open days, we have been very busy dodging the rain and furiously planting thousands of perennial and species bulbs. Our main interest is around planting bulbs to grow and flower in grassland areas. This connects with our regenerative successional planting approach giving a wonderful January to May layered affect.
“It’s that wonderful feeling of planting something that will make the garden burst into life in spring.”
Amanda Honey
Lock preservation 2023
We’re very grateful to welcome the Canal Trust for sending in a team of volunteers to review and maintain the lock system throughout Caisson. They have made a brilliant start on Lock 5 and will continue the process.
The team are revealing the wonderful quality of the stonework and patina created by the mosses and lichens growing in the unique micro-climate of each lock. At this time of year, the winter sunshine amplifies the colour palette beautifully and shows up the amazing diversity of flora.
A recent visit from a local stonemason told us that in his opinion the marks on the stone indicated that they had been built by French stonemasons who used different tools and techniques.
From our point of view the lock system is the making of Caisson. From the detail and historical marking of a bygone era revealed by their work is thrilling to us. It creates a very special character to the place, unlike any other.