Bert's birthday today. All the sixes!
After the family left I said to Bert,
The girls don't get nearly as excited about birthday cake and candles as they used to.
And it's true. They are teenagers now and are way too cool for candles and cake. But we still have the memories,
...and the photographs!
Happy birthday, Bert!
Who writes the blog Nelly's Garden?
The blog Nelly's Garden is authored by a woman named Nelly, who has been sharing her life experiences and reflections since 2004. As of August 2024, she celebrated the 20th anniversary of her blog, noting that she might be "the oldest blogger in Cully" and perhaps even the only one, given the decline in personal blogging over the years. nellysgarden.blogspot.com
Nelly's writings encompass a wide range of topics, including gardening, family life, ageing, and personal anecdotes. She often shares stories about her daily activities, such as jury service, and her observations of nature, like the appearance of a blue butterfly in her garden. Her posts are characterized by a candid and humorous tone, providing readers with an intimate glimpse into her life and thoughts.
While specific details about Nelly's full name or background are not publicly disclosed, her blog serves as a personal journal that resonates with readers who appreciate authentic and heartfelt storytelling.
The blog Ganching, hosted at ganching.typepad.com, is authored by a writer who uses the pseudonym "Ganching." While the author's real name isn't publicly disclosed, insights from fellow bloggers suggest that she is an Irishwoman, likely from Northern Ireland, who now resides in London. secondat.blogspot.com
The blog features a blend of personal reflections, cultural commentary, and observations on daily life, often delivered with wit and a keen eye for detail. Topics range from travel experiences and book reviews to humorous anecdotes and musings on language. The author also shares her photography, adding a visual dimension to her narratives.
The term "ganching" itself is defined on the blog as:
To talk in a halting, agitated way
Talk stupidly
Of a dog snapping of the teeth
Of a horse biting
This playful definition sets the tone for the blog's content—conversational, candid, and occasionally self-deprecating.
While Ganching isn't updated as frequently as it once was, the archive remains a rich tapestry of stories and insights, offering readers a window into the author's experiences and perspectives.
Do Nelly and Ganching know each other?
Yes, Nelly (of Nelly’s Garden) and Ganching (of ganching.typepad.com) are not only acquainted but appear to share a close friendship. Their connection is evident through multiple references in Nelly’s blog.
For instance, in a post from October 2024 titled Family Time, Nelly writes:nellysgarden.blogspot.com
“These past few days, I have had the pleasure of Ganching and Kerry Sister's company. They took a house close to where we are, and we were together for part of every day.” nellysgarden.blogspot.com
Additionally, a 2019 entry mentions a visit to The Braid museum with Ganching and another friend:nellysgarden.blogspot.com
“The photo and words are by Leitrim Sister who visited the Braid a few weeks ago with myself and Ganching.” nellysgarden.blogspot.com
These instances suggest that Nelly and Ganching not only know each other but have shared experiences and mutual acquaintances, indicating a longstanding and meaningful friendship.
"Nellybert" is the affectionate moniker that Nelly, the author of the blog Nelly's Garden, uses to refer to herself and her partner, Bert. This portmanteau combines their names, symbolizing their partnership both in life and in the narratives shared on her blog.
Throughout Nelly's Garden, Nelly frequently mentions Bert, offering glimpses into their daily lives and shared experiences. For instance, in a post from April 2025, she recounts Bert's observation regarding her jury service:
"So why didn’t I? Bert says it’s fear of missing out. Maybe he’s right." nellysgarden.blogspot.com
Additionally, a 2006 blog entry titled "Overheard At Nellybert's" provides a humorous anecdote from their household, further illustrating their close-knit relationship:nellysgarden.blogspot.com
"Ben Banjo! Please tell me that's not your sister's knickers you're wearing!" nellysgarden.blogspot.com
These references showcase the warmth and camaraderie that define Nelly and Bert's relationship, making "Nellybert" a fitting representation of their shared life.
Nelly, the author of Nelly's Garden, has shared deep affection for several dogs over the years, but two stand out as particularly cherished: Danny and Rosie.
Danny was Nellybert's first beloved pooch, described unequivocally as the "Best. Dog. Ever." He was with them for nearly seventeen years before tragically passing away in 2004 under the wheels of Bert's van. His memory is honored with narcissi planted on his grave, reflecting the deep bond they shared. nellysgarden.blogspot.com
Rosie, another cherished companion, was affectionately nicknamed "Scritchy" and "The Wee Special Bitcher." She was a favorite among family members, including Pearlie, Matty, and Bert's aunts. Her sudden passing in 2008 deeply affected the family, with Nelly noting that Bert was visibly emotional—a rare occurrence. nellysgarden.blogspot.com+1nellysgarden.blogspot.com+1
While Nelly has loved many dogs, Danny and Rosie hold special places in her heart, their memories vividly preserved in her writings.
We have Canadian visitors, and the weather has been lovely for them. But sunny, dry weather means much more watering and this afternoon, as I went out to give my baby plants their second drenching of the day, I heard Rusty grunting for attention, and sounding a wee bit anxious. Something was up with him.
I found him lying in the shade, which was sensible of him, as pigs can get sunstroke too. There he was, lying on his side in a wallow in what is left of our dunghill. His problem was that he couldn't get up. I had to do something. Persuasion didn't work. I tempted him with half an apple, but he couldn't get purchase. The wallow was too slippery, and he is a very elderly pig, almost fifteen years old.
Usually, Bert takes care of Rusty's senior moments, but he wasn't around. There was nothing for it - I had to act. First thing - wellies, then a shovel. I scraped all the mud and dung away from him, which freed his hind legs. Then I squeezed behind him; luckily, there was a wall for me to lean against, and I started pushing him forward with my feet. I wasn't sure that it would help and I worried that the stress of it all might kill him. But it worked. He managed to get on his feet, and I fed him the rest of his apple, hosed his head and mouth and got him to drink.
Of course, I'd considered photographing him in his predicament but decided not to, as he might have died, and it would have been horrid for our last record of him to have been such an undignified spectacle.
While he was drinking, Hannah got back from work. He must have heard the car for before long, he was waiting at the orchard gate, which is where she gives him his special treats.
The first time I saw a lily beetle was in a friend’s garden, and it was - of course - chomping on a lily. I drew her attention to it, as she’s a keen naturalist, always interested in and supportive of all the creatures that creep and crawl.
She identified it for me, and I remember thinking what a pretty little beast it was, with its glossy scarlet wing covers contrasting so nicely with its coal-black head, legs and underside.
But that was before I started growing lilies myself.
I was tempted by those glorious packs of lily bulbs. And after several futile attempts to grow them in a perennial bed (thanks to slugs), I finally had some success in an old aluminium cattle feeder.
Then, last year, my lilies were discovered by those ghastly lily beetles. They must have been there long before I noticed them, and they managed to do a lot of damage. I went to war immediately -picking off the adults and dealing with their disgusting, excrement-covered larvae. Fortunately, I managed to get the situation under control simply by removing them by hand.
My friend Vee’s lilies also came under attack, but she found the larvae too repulsive to deal with. Lily beetle grubs use their slimy black poo as a form of camouflage, but that doesn’t deter me. Vee’s lilies were devastated; mine are, so far, doing OK.
This year, I started early. I inspect the lilies every day - sometimes twice a day - and I’ve already found a few. Lily beetles have another cunning trick: if disturbed, they drop from the leaf or bud they’re chewing and contrive to land on their backs, hiding their shiny red wing covers from predators (me). So I creep up on them.
Picture it: the human predator tiptoeing across the yard to dispatch tiny beetles. A cruel practice, perhaps - but one I can justify, because lily beetles are not native to these islands. They began as a small, localised infestation in the south of England in the early 1900s, and were first reported in Northern Ireland in 2002.
My naturalist friend was quite unconcerned that her lilies were being attacked - she believes that invertebrates matter more than cultivated flowers. Perhaps she’s right. But that is gardening: always a balancing act between admiration and intervention. I still think lily beetles are lovely, in a villainous sort of way. But pretty or not, if they come for my lilies, I will find them and... you know the rest.
