NGS Weekend

"It rains on the umbrellas here"

Rain

The rain is raining all around,
It falls on field and tree,
It rains on the umbrellas here,
And on the ships at sea.

Robert Louis Stevenson

 

Stevenson's poem sums up the NGS weekend which was plagued with sudden heavy rainstorms but this did not deter the helpers nor the visitors to our garden.  Saturday was the worse day and by 3pm it was decided to throw the towel in.  A valiant effort by the helpers got all the equipment in and under cover in record time.Sunday though was better and the rain did not arrive until late in the afternoon and once again our helpers and garden visitors were not put off

Saturday in the rain

Sunday in the rain

Some helpers were marooned under the pond dipping platform well away from the teapot and cakes.

On a brighter note though the weekend was enjoyed by many visitors to our garden who heaped much praise on it. Class 2P made some magnificent bees to enhance the blue flower bed planted especially for bumblebees

The wonderful bees from class 2P

Begonia "Inferno orange"

Hollyhock

Canary Creeper in the greenhouse

Rove Beetle Staphylinus caesareus

Mining Bee Lassioglossum calceatum

Common Carder Bee

Oedemera nobilis

 

Despite the weather many interesting bugs and bees were also found but perhaps one of the best finds was by Lauren who turned up with this magnificent Privet Hawk Moth caterpillar.

 

 

Privet Hawk Moth caterpillar

 

The maths are still being worked out and we hope to give visitor numbers and takings in the next blog.  Finally a very big 'thank you' to all the helpers on both Saturday and Sunday but more importantly to those visitors who braved the elements to enjoy our garden.