Across the water

After the downpour that was Friday, we had more wind and rain yesterday.  I think we have probably had enough now, thank you.  The weather put paid to several events organised over the weekend including the second day of racing in Portsmouth for the America's Cup tour series.  That was such a shame for all those fans and spectators who had tickets to watch the yachts race (DD included) but conditions were deemed too hazardous for sailing to go ahead.  Such is British summer weather - totally unpredictable.

We have fingers crossed that it does at least stay dry for the next few days as we are venturing across the water to go to the New Forest Show.  We're looking forward to seeing the livestock (chickens especially!), exploring the craft tents and watching the various demonstrations and exhibitions.  And we've packed the walking guides and boots in the hopes of a bit of exploration, too.  We so enjoyed our short stay way back in January when it was cold and frosty and although I don't think we shall be having a heatwave this week, it will be interesting to experience the Forest in the height of summer - there will be a few more people about, for one thing!

Today I have worked my way through a list of no less than 14 items.  It's the first time I've made a list for quite some time, or at least one which I properly paid attention to, and I had almost forgotten how it enables me to stay focussed on my tasks; I really do work better with a bit of structure to my days.  I don't forget things, I can plan what I need to do and there is such a good feeling when an item is crossed off on completion.  Most satisfying.

We have a busy few weeks ahead of us and while we are away I shall be making a note of things that need to be dealt with on our return.  Those three weeks of temporary work really upset my routines at home, and although some people prefer a less formal structure to their days, I know I work so much better if I have a bit of order around me.  That is what I shall be attempting to regain over the next week or two.  And I might manage to get some photos uploaded, too.

 

Returning, with much to think about

Almost two weeks since my previous post, and I'm not really sure why the reluctance to blog.  It's not through lack of things going on, that's for sure; indeed perhaps there has just been a little too much on my mind recently.  To tidy things up, I'll attempt a quick round-up.

I have alluded to some paid work over the past few weeks.  It wasn't planned or sought out, but when it was offered to me, I decided to try it out.  Although I knew there would be some compromises to be made at home, I had not anticipated some of the other issues that cropped up and I have learned some  valuable lessons as a result.  I had many hours to give serious consideration to some quite 'big' issues - choice, agency, social/economic prejudices - and the realisation that not everyone gets the same breaks in life.  The discussions I had in my head were wide-ranging and thorough, and found I had to challenge some mis-conceptions I hadn't realised I held (or perhaps unwilling to admit to).  Temporary contracts, minimum wage, uncertainty, limited options . . . yes, plenty to think about.  

My foray into employment didn't last long (my choice - and I realised that I was fortunate to have that choice) and I am now busy working back at home.  I had missed it.  N and I make a good team but we both need to be here to make our simple life work properly.  Having said that, N has managed to get lots of odd jobs done - the second coat of paint in the kitchen and hallway for a start, no mean feat.  And so much work in the garden, too.  I found that I was so tired when I got home each evening that even though there were many things to be done, it was a real effort to do even a bit.  The cleaning slipped, bread was bought rather than made, no sewing done at all.  It's taken a few days to get back into a rhythm again while I try to catch up on bits that were left but I'm more or less there now.  And it feels good.  I've finally been able to dive into a pressing sewing project (why do I always leave these things till the very last minute?) which is going far better than I thought it would (and I should have learned that lesson, too!)

I must make mention of the water situation.  The water butts were empty and we were diligently saving every drop of reusable kitchen water to keep the vegetables watered.  No rain for days.  Until yesterday, when it rained, not a light drizzle but a torrential downpour for the entire day.  Apparently we had as much rain in one day as we normally get for the whole month.  The storm drains  overflowed, there was huge run-off from the parched ground unable to soak the deluge up, and roads were flooded.  But the water butts are now full - hooray!

Flowers, birds . . . and a water slide

These pots of flowers sit on the steps outside the conservatory and provide a lovely splash of colour in the garden.  They're a mixed bunch - quite literally - being the odds and ends I found in the shed earlier this year; marigolds, cornflowers and mesembryanthemums.  The seeds took a long time to germinate, and some didn't germinate at all, and I think it was most likely because on closer examination of the seed packets I noticed that they were all a couple of years out of date.  Oh dear.  However, despite not being 'fresh' seeds, they are blooming away quite happily.  

We're noticing quite a few young birds (recently fledged and still learning) in the garden over the last few weeks, often accompanied by mum or dad to show them the ropes.  Blackbirds, goldfinches, robins and especially green woodpeckers, who frequently wake us up very early in the morning with their distinctive call.  

Yesterday, on our way into town, we spotted an entire family of no fewer than five woodpeckers feeding on the grassy bank.  We were so thrilled to see so many all together we just stood and watched.  All five little heads were nodding up and down as they pecked away, it was great.  My little camera managed the nearest bird but the others were just out of shot.

We finally got the promised rain, but it arrived as a very fine drizzle which hasn't filled the water butts at all and has barely dampened the ground.  It's been a little frustrating for us gardeners who would have preferred a good downpour for a couple of hours but we have to take what comes, weather-wise.  

Now here's something you don't see every day - a giant inflatable water slide running the length of one of the main shopping streets in town.  It was a charity event, people donating for the chance of sliding down the slide (in the rain!)  There didn't seem to be a shortage of sliders, some in fancy dress, and it was certainly different.  Just such a shame the weather was so inclement.  (much better photos on the link)

(First post on the Mac; bit of a learning curve but so much quicker)

From garden to plate (and freezer)

The promised rain turned out to be a bit of drizzle; not really enough to make a difference so we are stepping up the recycling of kitchen water to top up the water butts.  A good downpour would be very welcome for the garden.

The first peas . . . 

. . . and the first courgette

The beginnings of tonight's dinner

Basil leaves - a quick wash before freezing

While I'm currently otherwise occupied during the week, N has taken ownership of the camera to record the latest vegetables to be cropped.  This week has seen the first of the peas picked - and are they sweet! - together with the first courgette of the season.  We usually end up with a glut of these, but they are so useful in winter stews so we will be glad of them later in the year.  The basil has been cropped four times now, and fresh basil - indeed any fresh herb - added to a meal makes such a difference to the taste.  And we are continuing to enjoy salads from the garden - we now have tomatoes (again, the taste is so good), cucumber, beetroot, spring onions, potatoes, lettuce and salad leaves.

I am hoping the fine weather holds over the weekend as I want to start on the side gate and that seems like a do-able project.  And I have just remembered a sewing project that I agreed to do is now only a few weeks away . . . and I haven't even got the fabric yet!  Whoops, how did that happen?  I need to get my skates on with that as time is now most definitely of the essence.

Blooming at last

The rambling/climbing rose has proved itself a winner:

When I think of the state the poor plant was in this time last year, sprawled across the lawn in a tangled mess, it has certainly benefitted from a little tidy-up last autumn.  It is smothered in buds and should be an absolute picture in a few days' time.

Laundry liquid has been made again, using Rhonda's recipe from Down to Earth.  This batch has cost me less than £2.50 and should last for several months (and I know exactly what's in it).  It's been a great weekend for washing - sunny and breezy - the wash basket is empty and everything's put away. 

In this sunny weather it's a real pleasure to spend time pottering in the garden, there's always weeding to do and veggies to crop.  More and more of our meals are accompanied with home-grown produce and there is still so much more goodness to come.  We are definitely winning the battle of the weeds (grim determination on our part) and just a few minutes here and there keeps on top of them.  We must surely reach a point where there are no more pesky weed seeds left lurking in the soil!  

It's been a purposeful weekend with quite a lot achieved and plans and ideas discussed.  A drop of rain wouldn't go amiss for the garden - we now have a small barrel by the back door for 'clean' kitchen water, as there are a lot of crops needing watering now - and there is some rain forecast for this week.  We'll wait and see if we actually get any or not.

A hot start to July

July has announced itself with the hottest day so far, possibly even for several years if the reports are to be believed.  All I know is that it was very, very warm.

A new month requires a new list, naturally, and a quick review of June which turned out to be quite a busy time.  I did re-cover all the dining/bedroom room chairs (with N's help wielding the staple-gun) but managed, in the process, to badly bruise, or possibly crack, a rib - a bizarre injury and one which did restrict me for a few days.  However, the chairs do look good ;))   The painting indoors didn't get done at all and may well end up waiting till cooler weather in the autumn.  I had a couple of planned projects which I couldn't finish for various reasons, and I need to follow those through later on.  Much of our time has been spent outside in the garden, and we are now enjoying the rewards of N's hard work.  

We have just returned from a lovely weekend with DS and DIL, and we were able to help and advise on a few DIY jobs in and around their home.  We also fitted in a very enjoyable walk in the surrounding countryside.  Some delightfully picturesque villages along the way.

My list for this month is a realistic one in terms of time available - more of that anon - but I still have some goals I would like to achieve.  Some sewing and possibly some knitting, and I'm wondering if I could manage to paint the side gate, too.  The paintwork is rusty and flaking; it needs preparing with a wire brush prior to painting, but I'm thinking in this lovely weather, it might be just to outside project I need.  

I'm hoping we may finally have some flowers in bloom by the weekend, and I shall be out there, snapping away to prove that we grow more than veggies!

Bountiful days

It's all busy, busy, busy round here at the moment.  The garden is fairly bursting with goodies, there are interesting things lined up, lots of WIPs on the go and several days of glorious sunshine to put smiles on faces.  Doors flung open from very early in the morning, and much pottering about outside.  I do believe summer has finally arrived.

The lack of posts is due primarily to the impending (and previously well-documented) demise of my laptop, an elderly model who is very near the end of its useful life.  Switch it on and it proceeds to spend many happy minutes in a never-ending loop, and is showing an increasing tendency to simply go blank without any warning (I can relate to that; obviously a middle-aged thing ;-o ).  I'm not sure I can put off the inevitable much longer *sigh*.

The garden is rewarding all N's hard work with goodies in abundance, and last Sunday we sat down to a roast dinner from the garden (with the obvious, for us, exception of the chicken) - new potatoes, carrots, beetroot, spinach and beet leaves.  So tasty.  The thrill of our own veggies never fails to delight us.  The sweetcorn have finally got going (or should that be growing?), pea-pods have formed, the cucumbers are taking over the greenhouse and the tomatoes are beginning to colour.  The sprouts for the winter have germinated; fingers crossed we will see the end results on our Christmas dinner plates.

Our 'social calendar', usually very quiet (ie non-existant) has suddenly filled up, and we're making notes of dates, times and places to go and people to see.  Makes quite a change for us.  Trips to the mainland, family visits for various occasions, entertaining here - lots of fun things going on.  And now, into the mix, something quite unexpected has turned up, and we are taking a bit of a step into the unknown, but sometimes when a door opens it's worth at least a little look.  I think it will be interesting on a number of fronts and we'll just see how life pans out over the next few weeks.

I'm still finding time for a bit of sewing here and there, and making the acquaintance of my latest gadget (ooh, an overlocker, much excitement!!)  And two more chairs have been recovered, and they now match the ironing board, all being revamped from the same £5 remnant of curtaining.  Fully coordinated on a budget  ;))