 |
| Laburnum in full bloom. |
Last Monday I had to go into hospital for a sleep study, no one likes hospitals they normally seems so alien from normal life, however, Merlin Park hospital in Galway is an exception. Proper disabled ramps and staff that rush to give assistance, whatever procedure you are about to have is explained in detail. Maximum of three patients to a room and of course on-suite facilities, plus TV in every room. Nothing was too much bother for the staff. Although this hospital is quite old, everything is spotless.
However, what had not been explained to me was that I might end up staying more than one night, so it came as a bit of a shock at 8am to be awoken by a very nice Dr. saying he had to take an arterial blood test as the readings that they had from the sleep study showed I had very low oxygen levels. Anyone who has ever had one of these blood test taken is not likely to forget it, it's a very painful procedure. The results meant I had a prolonged stay, until home oxygen had been installed, it also meant I ended up having five of these painful blood tests which leave your wrist black and blue for some considerable time. Still, after four days in hospital and everything ready for me at home I was allowed to go home.
 |
| Our red hawthorn, looking beautiful |
Just four days away and it was unbelievable how many things had come into bloom in the garden,
 |
| Astrantia. |
it is a riot of colour,
once again the Amaryllis is flowering, that's the third time this year, and there are lots of good things to eat from the garden.
The peaches are filling out nicely,
there are plenty of new potatoes,
and it wont be long before the first courgettes are ready,
the second cauliflowers are far better than the earlier ones,
 |
| Mangetout peas |
we have at last had a little rain. The tomatoes are showing flowers
and we are eating broad beans picked as mangetout, no waste at all that way.
 |
| Euphorbia, at Strokestown House. |
The day before my hospital visit we went to Strokestown House plant sale,
there were far fewer stall holders there this year,
 |
| Rhododendron, it looks lovely against the copper beech. |
no doubt put off by the seventy euro charge to have a stall, visitors also have to pay five euros to attend the sale but this cost includes a fee for visiting the gardens, fine if you are not in a wheelchair, all the pathways are gravel and not wheelchair friendly, so I had to let Simon visit the gardens and take some photos for me,
it was looking nice, but our garden probally has more colour so I will settle for seeing our own garden and seeing new things appearing daily.
 |
| One of our few yellow roses. |
 |
| Foxgloves looking majestic. |
 |
| Pink Lupin. |
 |
| Deep blue iris. |
 |
| Not a day lily, I have lost the label. |
 |
| Lovely shape to this rose. |
 |
| Double Campion. |
I now know that exciting visits are now no longer possible for me as I'm on 16hours oxygen a day, and having to use a wheel chair most of the time rather limits us, but trips to the coast and other beauty spots are possible with the mobile oxygen, we are hoping for a day out tomorrow but to where has yet to be decided.
 |
| Lots of Aquilegia. |
 |
| Another Aquilegia. |
 |
| And another. |
 |
| One of my favourites. |
 |
| Love this new blue Lupin. |
 |
| Our first Delphinium in flower. |
So sorry for your health issues. But you must be pleased to spend time in that spectacular garden! Just stunning. On our trips into Lugo to the vet, we pass by 2 nurseries. You´ve inspired me so, I´ll have to stop to look and see what´s on offer.
ReplyDeleteThanks Coco, the health problems are somewhat life limiting, but we still manage the odd day out.
ReplyDeleteI found that there was virtually nothing that didn't grow in Galica. We used to buy quite a few plants in Lugo's farmers market and there was a great tree and shrub nursery that we used as well. We don't do bedding plants except for the window boxes, so everything that we grow are herbaceous plants, after a year or so most require splitting so you end up with twice as many plants then when you started.
I'm sorry to hear about the problems you've got with your health. Is the oxygen requirement going to be something that's ongoing? It's good to know that you had a good experience in the hospital but a shame you couldn't get to see the gardens at Strokestown House, you'd think in this day and age, places would be geared up for wheelchairs.
ReplyDeleteOngoing I'm afraid Jo, no cure for C.O.P.D, The hospital was great unlike the far newer one in Galway, the pavements there are hard enough for abled bodied people let alone wheelchairs.
ReplyDeleteFrom what Simon and friends said our garden is better although somewhat smaller than Strokestown House. Apparently the veg gardens are no longer tended neither are the glasshouses.
Glad you had your beautiful blooming garden to go back to after your hospital stay. Flowers are beautiful, I agree with your favourites! I probably write this everytime you post a pic of the Laburnum, but I ate a lot of the pods when I was 2 and was severely ill! No memory of it...or lasting damage...I hope, ha! xxx
ReplyDeleteThe gardens are l0ooking god Lauren, shame you wont see them this year. No, you have never mentioned eating Laburnum pods, you were very lucky.
ReplyDelete