What are you all up to
Comments
-
Rather a grey day here in the Loire, temperature OK though. After its mention on this thread a week or so ago, decided to stop off at Villandry on our journey North. We visited both the chateau and gardens this morning and despite being a weekend it was very quiet. We had the chateau more or less to ourselves and the aerial view of the gardens from the keep was worth the admission fee alone.
3 -
Meanwhile back here in an untidy UK garden I have been clipping hedging, ordering hedging, planting a few bulbs and sweeping leaves.
We have a Rowan tree grown from a Speyside seedling near Aviemore. We've never been able to get a cutting to grow so I'm trying some seeds this year. They won't come true to type but at least we might have something we like. Nice day for gardening, a bit damp and not too chilly.
More bulbs to go in soon but I have resisted this year, just a few to plant.
1 -
Popped in for a drink and sit for 5 minutes. I'm doing the same as brue. Decent day for gardening chilly if you stop. Filled a brown bin with mostly leaves, wish I had the space to make leaf mould. Started on nextdoors bin, they dont need it before Friday 😀. So that'll leave me a half bin of my own for pottering in the week. Just cutting the grass before I do more in case the rain arrives earlier than forecast. It keeps feeling like it might! I have resisted bulbs but still have several preto plant. Chopped back golden rod which had collapsed and other perennials in that bed 😱 looks very bare!
Hope your seedlings Rowan tree succeeds ours looks VERY sick after our dry summer I fear for it.
Great photos Steve.
Onwards and upwards............
0 -
Sitting down now waiting for the athletics to start
after a serious, stressful morning 
.Into surgery for the FLEW DJAB ** !! then buttonholed for the annual charity draw they hold { Did not dare try to wriggle out of it 'cos I was wearing a shirt with their logo on it [ Help For Heros ] } Then had to return the one prize I'd won __ I was NOT going to walk through the waiting room clutching a blithering DOLLS HOUSE
. Not for anybody will Brian do THAT 
.( ** you might have gathered I've spent too much time watching the athletics in DOHA
)1 -
Wet and miserable here now, this morning wasn't bad at least it was dry. Managed to get the van and car emptied so now the house looks like a tip.
Went to see sister this afternoon to discuss details of Mum's funeral
Their news the other day about her OH isn't good, didn't want to ask to many details but he is on tablets for a month and after 1 week on them he starts injections as well, he is taking it well but my sister isn't so good. What a horrible week they have had.
Don't think I will manage into the garden for quite awhile, the weather is heavy rain for the next 2 days. Massive toadstools in the grass and the silver birch is shedding its leaves.
0 -
Tough times at the moment TG. Hope your BiL comes through his treatment.
Had a busy day. Had an early morning circular walk from Weybourne, up onto Kelling Heath and back (obviously). Then went to Sheringham as Mrs WN wanted to visit an exhibition at the towns museum about a local artist/craftsman/fisherman that she thoroughly enjoyed.
Then we went and met Oneputt and spent a most enjoyable couple of hours pottering around Cley Nature Reserve before finishing with a pint in the Three Swallows. Nice putting a face and personality to the name.
Lazy day tomorrow methinks.
3 -
Great photos Steve a few years since we were there and have been twice must go again went to Chateau Chaumont garden festival last year very enjoyable.
We have been on our conservation day for GR65 route through our area weather was not good to start you are put into groups with a local leader to the area, a bit of a hike once parked the car about 1 mile hike with all the tools and lunch etc but did clear a good area but not as good an area we did three years ago, had a slight issue with my old walking boots the heel decided to part from the boot so had to walk back to the car not easy with a lot of loose stones on the path but another pair of trainers changed into and another 1 mile walk back only to find it was lunchtime and 1 couple had got a bottle of Cahors wine out to early for a drink but an enjoyable time but due to OH had problems with his brushcutter and his knee was playing up so we finished early and came back home, shame some folk did not turn up will miss next year as we are away in van in UK next September/October.
1 -
Great pics Steve.
Mrs One had to return home this morning to run a competition for her scout group so I was left to my own devices. In the morning had a mooch in Holt then back to the van. Mr & Mrs WN kindly picked me up from site and we spent a very pleasant couple of hours sort of bird watching at Cley. Really nice pint of TT Landlord before they dropped me back at site. Thank you very much WN.
Decided not to go out this evening so got F&C from Eric’s
1 -
Got back this morning, after our 2 week cruise. Our itinerary had to be changed because of hurricane Lorenzo. So, we lost two destinations, Genoa and Lisbon, replaced by 2 days/nights in Le Havre (cold and windy). This resulted in what seemed like lots of days at sea, with only 6 ports of call. I don’t think I’ll be doing another 2 week cruise anytime soon sailing from Southampton. Our previous cruises (7 day) always began with a flight to where the ‘action’ was, with only 1 day at sea. Already looking ahead to next year, and eyeing up a cruise in the ‘Canaries’, flying to Tenerife. Weather dependent, we’re looking at getting away in the van sometime late October/early November for 3-4 nights, probably a CL.
0 -
Our first cruise was a bit like that. It was fine going south to Morocco but on the way back we were due to stop at Porto but the weather was too bad so we had another day at sea. On our second cruise we went to the Fjords and it was like a mill pond for seven days! Quite like to do a river cruise.
David
1 -
Brue, Forgive me if I'm miles off in my thinking but :--
Can you not get a rowan seedling of any similar variety, then, when its established, splice in a cutting from your preferred variety ??
I think ( occasionally ) no no I mean I'm sure that's the trick they use on apple trees and such. Not an instant result but if needs must , , , , , ,
0 -
Such a shame!!
0 -
Thanks, tda. We found that there was too much traffic noise at the Durham site when we were there. I did have a look Finchale Abbey, but it's way above our normal site price, and the Rowing Club site is a bit close to the city centre for our liking. However we have booked a H/S pitch on a CL just north of Durham, Old Bridge End, which has had a recommendation on here.
Enjoy your stay at Helmsley, hope the weather holds up for you.
1 -
Just spotted your post, TG. I've booked a H/S pitch there this afternoon.
0 -
Today we crossed the border into Spain (much to the disgust of our Portuguese guide!) to visit Salamanca, a fascinating historic city with one of the largest main squares in Europe, not one but two ancient cathedrals, a Roman bridge and and some amazing architecture including this palace with the exterior decorated with stone shells. The city is on the pilgrim route to Santiago de Compostela and I believe shells are the symbol of St James (but I'd had an information overload by the time we arrived!)
Tomorrow we start cruising back towards Porto past the classic Douro vineyard landscape; we have a visit to Sandeman's port cellars to look forward to (with much tasting) in the afternoon and then dinner at a local vineyard (with much more tasting!) There is an awful lot of eating and drinking possible on this river cruise and I think an awful lot of dieting to be done on our return home.
0 -
Thanks B2. Hopefully all's fixed, but we'll find out next week. We hope to set off on Monday or Tuesday, depending on the forecast tomorrow.
The repairs were not too expensive, although I did need to get a new leisure battery. The heating up of the PDU unit was because the old battery had dropped to below 75 amps, and the unit was doing extra work to keep the van's systems working.
0 -
Great, hopefully you will like it, its just like the photos of it. By the way don't do what we did and turn in at the house drive its the one after that you want. The gate you want is about 20 yards beyond the house just at the brow of the small hill. Nice big entry so no problems.
Enjoy, glad you got the van sorted.
0 -
What a shame you missed out on two stops. We've done a lot of cruises and so far have been lucky that we've never had bad conditions.
I've done the Canary island cruise twice now, once with Mum for her 80th birthday at the end of October flying into Madeira and a few years ago with OH December flying into Tenerife. Enjoyed both of them, only 7 days but nice at that time of year.
1 -
Yes I suppose we could try a graft onto a "rootstock" neither of us have tried that before! Rowans are difficult to grow from cuttings but in the right area they'll seed easily, we haven't done well with either method. OH has got his eye on a cutting which he thinks might be ok from last year but we've thought the same a lot of times previously! I am a Rowan bore as in the past I've collected seedlings from all over Scotland to see what they are like....much the same as people they are all different.
I forgot to reply to Millie about our dog-less household, we are still saying we won't have another one and we've enjoyed not being tied when going out etc. But...I do miss a canine pal.
Good to hear that the WNs and OP had a meet up!
Hope you can get away soon Nellie.
Sorry if I've missed people, must do a re-read now.
0 -
David - I can certainly recommend the Douro river cruise we are on at the moment. I don't really enjoy "sea days" on ocean cruises - although there's always plenty going on on board ship, I always want to be out and about walking and exploring new places. And this has been ideal for that with shore excursions each day to some really spectacular and interesting villages and towns along the way. Our first river cruise but I don't think it will be the last!
0 -
Sadly it’s a truly foul day here East of Pennines, after a nice one yesterday. Safe travels over the top.
We had a nice day yesterday, all four of us and pooch out in Jeep. Helmsley was busy, but I found OH his birthday present for this year, a bit early but he is pleased. We all got our choice of lunch from Hunters Deli, then did a scenic ride up onto Moors. Came across a Riley Owners drive and meet at Hutton le Hole, so some very very nice cars out in sunshine to have a look at for a while. No sooner had they vacated car park, but a Disco Owners Club roared in complete with off road attachments, so it was play day up on Moors yesterday.
This morning however is damp, very damp. But we will find something to do, as we know area well. Might do James Herriot Museum, as none of us have been. 😁
0 -
We've got the same weather, Ttda. Taking our time having a shower and doing some clothes washing this morning.
Talking of early birthday present, we might nip out after lunch to Cley Spy and look at some new Binoculars for me. I bought my current pair in 1982 at a whopping price of nearly £400. Swarovski. They've served me well but are really cold in winter as they have a metal casing and therefore quite heavy as well. Birthday not until mid 2020 but Mrs WN insisting we source some new ones whilst in an area that has a few retailers to hand so who am I to argue. Ironically the same model has only increased by 100% in 37 years.
0 -
Glad you are back home safe and sound, we to don't like the drive back from the docks.
Everyone always seems to be in such a rush and it always seems to be raining on our return which doesn't help.
We managed to get the van and car emptied yesterday morning before the deluge started (its still raining) now to sort the house out.
Washer already on as is the tumbler.
0 -
We are just back from a lovely weekend at Ayr Craigie Gardens nice crisp autumn day yesterday but it rained all night and most of this morning although we did get a 30 min window to pack up while it had stopped raining. Easy 30 min tow home today so van back on Its space on the drive. Not be away again for 3 weeks as my brother who lives in New Zealand is visiting so will be staying with us and we will be having a little party for him so other family members can see him too so we are expecting to be busy over the next couple of weeks. After all that time away in the van will be most welcome we are planning on a trip down to TRoutbeck Head in the Lakes at the beginning of November. Just relaxing this afternoon watching the football. Hope everyone else has a nice day.
1 -
Been raining since early morning here although it does look like it’s getting brighter. Had to venture out to North Walsham and the roads were awash, thank goodness for the 4x4.
WN - tried to email you but it didn’t fly. Could you email me on dtl@lineone.net
0
