What are you all up to

Nice day here again. We got our bales of bark dotted around areas that need a top up, glad we had a sack barrow though, they aren’t half heavy. I have two roses, small climbers waiting to go in, but need building work completing first on terrace. Then trying to find space and the right position for five more herbaceous plants that need to come out of pots now, and into ground. It’s plant swop time on our street here at the moment, everyone digging, splitting, sharing. I was reading that imported plants are going to be one of the things affected by the new import checks coming into place, with prices expected to rise even further, so I shall be upping the seed and cuttings regime. I might even do some to sell outside the gate cheaply. Off to Torne Valley Farmers for some other gardening supplies as well, posts and wire for espaliering.

Busy week so far, appointment with the physio about my back, I have been doing all the correct things and now have some exercises to do, he did say it could take several months to improve.

Also visited our neighbour in her new care home, bit sad as she although she seems to have accepted it isn't safe to go home, it's where she prefer to be, but living on her own and with no family it isn't now an option. The home and the staff are lovely and there are lots of activities too. The staff said we can arrange a tea party for her birthday later in the year.

Collected my new glasses this morning, really pleased with them, everything is now  much clearer. 🙂

Meeting up with some ex work colleagues tomorrow,  so looking forward to a good catch up.

I had mine done 2 days before the move , consultant insisted as he was worried that I would get lost in the transfer, they also insisted I went back to them after 6 weeks for the check up, 100 miles.   All went well and I have already heard from the local hospital for a check up next month. Of course I couldn't do much regarding the move, but like your brother the move was to be closer to my son so he did most of what needed doing. 

Good to hear things are going okay for your brother, I wish him well. 

We have spent the day at a new, to us, NT property Shugborough Hall, the ancestral home of the late Queen's cousin, the photographer Patrick Lichfield. Far too nice a day to spend indoors, will have to go back for that. But some spectacular views including the house itself, the Temple of the Winds, a 16th century packhorse bridge over the River Trent and, at the entrance to the estate farm, this sign which made me chuckle!

It's our last night at the hotel, off to Little Longstone tomorrow, planning on lunch at The Packhorse and a pint     (or 3) of Jaipur.

Well it’s rained all day here, always sounds worse on the caravan roof, cold as well. Keeping an eye on the river. Next door have gone home, she said she can never sleep when it rains here because of the river. Treated ourselves to a hot chocolate, complete with whipped topping at the Hotel Chocolat cafe, not cheap but worth it. Then a bit of food shopping.

Yesterday we met up with eldest grandson at Leamington Spa, he’s doing his finals at Warwick uni in Astrophysics, he said the quantum exam was difficult, I didn’t even understand the concept let alone take an exam in it! We went for lunch at Wetherspoons, total disaster, busy, noisy and very understaffed. The youngsters were doing their very best to manage but after over an hours wait and then stone cold food I did complain, we were then brought more hot food but we won’t be going back. We then went to the cafe in the lovely Park for coffee, which was lovely, and so nice to catch up with our grandson.

New neighbours when we get home as our previous neighbours moved out today, we will miss them and their lovely polite children. Seems new neighbours have grown up family still living at home, hope they are nice.

Meeting up with friends visiting us tomorrow, then home. Just need to squeeze all the plants I have bought into the car. 

Been away 10 days, for a lot of that time I wore a winter coat and scarf. Yesterday it was warm, today, very warm, typical. We did sit out and have cup of tea in the sun once we had packed the car, just to make the most of it. We drove through Stratford on the way home and I’ve never seen it so crowded, Bank holiday and sun had brought everyone out. Home and unpacked now, some washing done. The slugs have had a field day with all the wet here while we were away, I’ve been out in the garden for an hour disposing of a great many.

We had a nice day out yesterday, in the MH. Thoresby Hall, a few miles from Clumber. The house is a big gothic pile, now a Warners Hotel, the estate is nice though, with a Courtyard retail and crafts area, and there is a military museum as well. But we went for a big Classic Car Show, good weather, warm sunny and dry, so plenty of exhibits from very old to “really, that’s a Classic?” Spotted lots of vehicle types we have owned down the years, some lovely camper vans as well. Car of the show for both of us was a fabulous Stingray Corvette, but we saw many many loved vehicles. Took a photo of the only car (type) we ever bought from new, an MG Metro Turbo, exactly same as photo. We only had it a couple of years, then decided to sell it and get……a horse! 🤣 we had him 22 years, vintage by the time he passed away. A good time though, and nice to be out in the sunshine. Pooch was a crowd pleaser in his chariot, he had a great day being cooed and petted. Lots of dogs there.