AMPHIBIANS !

ISOLATION 4 :-

FROGS, TOADS and NEWTS

Perhaps because we have a reservoir - now a nature reserve - at the end of the garden, we are frequently visited by little amphibian friends.

Frogs come to our little pond to spawn. Toads live in our greenhouse during the winter and from time to time newts appear on the garden paths looking lost and bewildered. 

I have searched the garden this morning but there are none to be found at the moment . After weeks of dry weather they are probably hidden safely away in a cool, damp hiding place.

BUT NEVER MIND WE HAVE OUR OWN FROGS IN THE GARDEN

You will remember I mentioned a large frog in a previous blog.

It is not the only frog inhabiting our garden.

This one lives on the edge of the pond quite close to the "Ancient Mariner"  (see previous blog) and I suspect they spend the day chatting to each other.

A rather superior frog (possibly thought to be a bit "Brassy") keeps it's eye on the wrought iron bistro set. It also has delusions of being an excellent time keeper.

At least two of the frogs have actually been set to work in the garden. This little chap is holding fast to a young Clematis and making sure it climbs up the arch where it is intended.

As we enter the "Far" garden we can find another little frog also tasked with a job. She guards the entrance to the garden and wouldn't dream of sharing her secret with anyone.

Our final frog has been with us for many years. He's a happy little chap and sits on the window frame of the conservatory singing cheerily to anyone who will listen.

With so many frogs in the garden perhaps this pot is well named

Please don't think I am being disrespectful to our cross channel Gallic cousins. Our Daughter-in-law is French (Parisienne) and when our son got married in France. Invitations and place labels bore the inscription "Froggy & Biftec" invite you to their wedding etc. Biftec being the name the French use for the English ("All they eat is Beef steak"). So if the French don't mind the use of the nickname "froggy" I feel able to risk it myself.

John W.