What are you all up to
Comments
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. I think WN mentioned getting some help, we have two hours once a fortnight and it's been a life saver.
Thanks Brue. We don't need it at the moment but I suspect we will in the next year or so. We've been having a bit of a chat between the OH and self. We've considered moving but can't find a reasonable alternative that doesn't affect MiL too much. plus Mrs WN doesn't want the stress that such a decision will bring. Frying pan and fire spring to mind.
So the alternative will be getting some help. We do have a gardener that comes once a fortnight but that is just grass cutting so that MiL doesn't have to do it when we are away. It's a bit awkward as well as one of the neighbours sons has started doing this business and we are quite happy with our current chap who doesn't have time to do much else as he is so in demand so if we did look elsewhere and ignore the new boy on the block it might not go down well with people we get on with.
Decision doesn't have to be taken for a while especially as we have got the garden into shape now. Our own fault really for just tickling the problem instead of grabbing it by the horns.
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Bit of a panic this morning. Firstly we were lying there happily discussing the day when we realised the electricity was going to be off soon as already notified. So jumped into the shower. Phew just made it in time.
Next we got everything ready for a trip up the Wirral for some birdwatching. Sandwiches, binoculars, rucksacks etc. packed away into the boot of the car. Just setting off when Mrs WN asks where the membership cards were. No problem, they're in the other car in the glove compartment so a quick stop and search. No cards! Looked everywhere. Turned the house and coats and cars upside down. Last used in June so we knew we had them. Day abandoned. Had lunch then we decided to do a systematic look, carefully. Yep, you guessed it. They were in the original place we always keep them but the wallet stitching had come away and partly hidden them! The only saving grace ( as far as I'm concerned that is) is that I didn't do the original search for them.
Never mind. Worse things in life.Quite cool this morning. Now heating up to a normal day. Plenty of rain last night so garden feeling pleased.
Electric back on before lunch.
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We collected our visiting Granddog yesterday. So far he’s been really good, not so much barking at people passing as he does at home. Although as OH says he isn’t in his own territory so doesn’t care so much, I’m hoping that doesn’t change over the 2 weeks! So glad we didn’t have him during the latest heatwave, I didn’t envy you that DEBSC. He was very good at bedtime, we did the usual crate covering routine that he’s used to and he did bark a bit for 15 minutes on and off, then good as gold until we came downstairs at 7.45 this morning. Hope that continues too. We have a garden help, she comes once a month just to tidy up, do weeding, and cut down the odd shrub. It seems a bit unnecessary sometimes but I’d hate to stop her, as it’s great when we’re away to keep things tidy.
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Yes, sensible plans. Best made sooner rather than later. We do far more than our gardener but she keeps us in check and we're used to each other's little ways....
and we are forgiving when the wrong plants get dug up...by who ever does it!? 
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OH doesn’t know a dandelion from a rose. In our 50 years of marriage he has never touched the garden. He says if he had his way he’d live in an apartment, or concrete ours over. When we thought of moving one house had a large garden covered in weeds and ivy. I told him that I just couldn’t manage to clear it all, he wanted the house and replied, I’ll help, pigs flying came to mind. We have a steep bank at the end of our garden, I used to be up and down it like a mountain goat to weed etc. but lately I just can’t get down. So recently I have been making sure that he’s around and when I call he gives me a hand to help me down, but I can see a time in the not too distant future that I might need some help with it.
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Spent part of this morning apologising to folk for the alarm. I always keep the keys in a ferraday bag to avoid anyone trying to get into the car 'electronically', so I know it wasn't even me who set it off in error..... 😀
David
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WN, I organised a gardener for Mum’s garden, and it’s been really good. Mum loves her garden, her and Dad always took great pride in it, so we wanted to keep it nice for her. Over time I got stuck in and made it significantly easier to manage, but knew that we wouldn’t be able to live our lives, care full time for Mum and her home, and tackle the garden as well.
We had some trial runs, some gardeners we tried were frankly abysmal, all they could do was cut grass and cut hedges, which I think of as grounds maintenance rather than gardening. They didn’t know a rose from a daisy frankly. We have a much better crew in now, mainly youngsters overseen by an older employer. They ask us what we want doing, and really get stuck in, still cutting grass and hedges, but they are interested in what’s in the garden, and happy to do most tasks. Once a fortnight for an hour covers all our needs, so not hugely expensive. I have used them to do some big tasks in my own garden as one offs as well. Staggering just how much youngsters with decent tools can get through.2 -
We have a climbing hydrangea that I got about 4 years ago to try and hide the water butt that is next to the conservatory door. It has really taken off this year although most of the blooms have been victims of the hot sun. Having seen bakers2's photo of hers I realise we need to keep it in check. When is the best time to cut it back to try and make sure it flowers well next year?
I am trying to persuade OH that we should get some help in the garden. OH has always enjoyed gardening and has spent a lot of time out there. I do a bit and do the pots on the patio but it is mainly OH. The thing is he wont admit it is getting a bit much for him, plus he is a control freak over his garden! So I have a job on my hands. Also I dont know where to start with finding someone for a couple of hours occasionally. The help any friends have in their gardens have a long waiting list.
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milliehull just had a look in my RHS pruning book and it say a light pruning after flowering if it is an older plant it can be pruned a bit harder in Spring but as it flowers more on the top of the plant try retain as much of the top growth, hope this helps if not will try to put more information to you.
Had friends around today as OH not good at dry stone walling and our friend thinks a different way so all done and looks good and hope it stays that way, I took our friend for a physio session for her frozen shoulder and the exercises have improved it and now more exercises to do and go back on 1st September the physio wanted her to go every week but unable with guests at their b&b still it is better news but could be a long haul to get it moving more.
Had another storm overnight but not as much rain as hoped but better than nothing but a lot of thunder and lightening some areas got more than we did also our friends said all water cuves now full and garden looking better.
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We tried various so called gardening services. Some were big mistakes like the chap who literally hacked a lilac tree to death (I did patiently explain the difference to him between hacking and pruning🤷♀️) There are a lot of folks out there that see it as a quick way to earn money, but have nothing more than muscle in their favour, including brains at times. I took our gardeners round our gardens and told them a bit about some of the plants, such as my Grandad’s 1940’s roses, some of the more unusual stuff I have in my garden, and you can tell if they are genuinely interested or not. Thankfully these are and they respect the plants and we now have a nice little system where they do the regular stuff, but don’t mind getting involved in a bit of more unusual stuff as well. Really good if you can get references, or see the work they do.
My Grandad worked as a Gardener in a big house after he retired, he was a proper plantsman, totally green fingered. I worked for a friend when I left work, for a few months, when she wanted her garden given a makeover. Enjoyed it, but some of the tasks required needed a lot more muscle than I could give, and some specialist equipment that I hadn’t trained on.Re climbing hydrangea, light pruning after flowering in Summer is the norm, don’t cut too far back. I am giving one a serious cut back at the moment, and know it probably won’t flower well next Summer, but I need to get it back down in size. Along with a gone mad Clematis Montana, which will come back!
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Had our first proper rain, since we left home more than 2 weeks ago,last night and today has been much cooler than if late.
Here are a couple of photos from our walk yesterday, a castle where we sat and had lunch and something we didn't expect to see considering where we were. Any one any idea of our location yesterday?
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Thanks for the quote from Pam Ayres ABM.
Tda I have in the past cut a Clematis Montana down to about 1 foot high twice and it came back with more vigor, I have a honeysuckle which I have cut back before and still not doing much although did have flowers on it this year so will try and move it later in the year as it is in full sun on a small arbour.
Will wait until October as I have decided to have a major reshuffle that will keep me quiet for awhile.
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Always good for a 'misplaced ' quote, RK !!
I even have one for a certain motorhomer BUT it is a bit too close to my home :~~
" Who are these in Rags and Rotten Shoes
These dirty bearded, blocking up the way ?? "
Not Pam Ayres this time, but James Elroy Flecker ( 1884 -- 1915 )
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Just another hydrangea suggestion beware early frosts and only trim them when temps are OK. Our climbing hydrangea dies back every year even with a hint of frost. Which means we've probably planted it in the wrong place, they do like nice warm walls. 🌞
We've had quite a week due to a local jobsworth complaining about footpath conditions and our right of way being wrongly identified by council contractors and the person in charge being away on holiday. Nothing could be done due to the tinder dry conditions but in torrential rain a team arrived at our gate and proceeded to start work. Stressful all round but we have had an apology.
Yesterdaty we decided to escape from all the emails, on line map pointers and general annoyance and had a cup of coffee and cake at our local willow centre. Ironically this was on display.
(I could go off village life sometimes) 2 -
We drove home by a different route as so many local Somerset roads are closed and diverted. It's a daily game round here. We went over the river Tone, which gives Taunton it's name, at Curload, the scene of major flooding a few years back. The Tone is tidal at this point but still very low, quite a contrast to winter time levels.
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I spend the bad winter months making rag rugs, I used to watch my grandmother and her sister making them years ago. They last for ages, we have one in our hall that is ‘getting on’ but still bright and vibrant. And I can choose the colours. Before any of OH’s old clothes go to the charity shop I always have a sort through for some suitable coloured material. On him buying a new shirt I commented today that it would be perfect for me to use. He said it’s a bit much when I have my eye on it and he hasn’t even worn it yet!
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Just received. September. Ccc magazine and it has a flyer in side advising. that "life is about to take very different. pace on club sites as schools will be back"
Plan your stay and save up to 30% on every trip ,bookings down?
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