Well this seasons seed sowing has begun. I had a lovely time in the garden, and greenhouses this afternoon, and got loads done. It’s now too dark to be outside (can’t see what Im doing), so I’m in here writing this especially for you, yes you……aren’t you lucky!
I’ve given both greenhouses a good tidy up and all the trays are in my staging units. Any old plants from last year that I’d not had chance to sort out at the end of last season have now been cleared, and I had a couple of boxes of bits and pieces that needed sorting out, and I managed to also do those.
Firstly I would like to wish you all a very Happy New Year! I hope that this years brings you everything you want.
I’ve got loads planned for this year, not only in the garden, but I’m also planning on writing a “who done it” set on an allotment. If you fancy giving it a go yourself, then why not join in…. https://bestsellerexperiment.com/
It’s the end of November and there’s still quite a bit to do in the garden. However, you have to watch the weather to see when you can be outside and when you have to hide inside.
Now I’m a hardy gardener, but even I would rather be inside my greenhouses, when it’s pouring with rain than outside. There’s getting wet, and getting wet! I’m not willing to get wet, just for the sake of it and end up with a cold, no thank you.
So today was a day of dodging the showers, but I made it work, so that’s good.
I’m starting to propagate my sweet scented geraniums, sort out my new strawberry babies, and plant out my Autumn planting garlic.
Life has been so busy lately, and when I have a day off, I do get loads done, but there’s just not enough hours in the day at the moment. The clocks have changed and now the sun sets about 4.30pm.
I have managed to get out in the garden, and harvest all my potatoes, which is one good thing. I can tick that off my “To Do” list.
Sorry it’s been a while since I’ve blogged, but I’ve been so busy. I have been Tweeting, Instagramming (is that even a word?) and putting stuff on Facebook though, so I’ve not been totally silent.
Last Saturday Mark and I drove, yes drove, all the way to St Helens, Merseyside. From North Kent, it’s a very long way. We looked at taking the train or even flying, and they were more expensive than 2 tanks of fuel for the car, so we had a little road trip together.
The reason for going up there, was it was my Granddad’s funeral on Monday. Granddad Norman was a wonderful man, always liked a cuddle, and liked tinkering on his keyboard whenever he got the chance. He was 94 and a great, great Granddad. Not many people can accomplish that! He will be missed greatly, but he had a very good life and a very full one.
Mark and I drove up on the Saturday, and spent the Sunday looking round Liverpool, and the surrounding areas. We wanted to go and see various Beatles locations, so started the day in Woolton church. As I rang the bells, with 5 other ringers for the Sunday service, Mark had a wander round the grave yard. We’re such a romantic couple aren’t we? He found the grave stone he was looking for (Eleanor Rigby’s), and then we wandered across the road to the church hall, which was where John Lennon first met Paul McCartney.
We then visited various other Beatles places, Strawberry fields, each of the Beatles childhood homes, some in a better state than others. All very unassuming homes, and on ordinary streets. Some owned by The National Trust, but others being lived in by normal people. We also visited Penny Lane, and the barber shop.
Then it was off to explore the city of Liverpool. First stop was obviously the cathedral. Oh my goodness it’s massive, makes Canterbury cathedral look like a little church. A service was just finishing, and members of the public were allowed to wander around. It was free which was a bonus. There were stone steps going here, there and everywhere (sorry just realised that’s a Beatles song). The ceilings were so high, it felt like you were in Hogwarts.
Now it goes without saying that I wanted to go and see the bells. In really wanted to go in the ringing chamber, I even told the lady who shows you where to go that I was a ringer, but she wouldn’t have it. I think you should have a special password to say, and then they know you’re genuine. Still never mind, next time. You had to get in the first lift, that took you to level 4, then climbs a few steps to the next lift which took you to level 10, then you had to walk up 108 steps to get to the very top of the tower. The view from the top was unbelievable, you could see for miles and miles. Now heights don’t bother me, but Mark was a little freaked out. However he made it, and did enjoy the view, but didn’t get as close to the edge as I did.
On the way down I got an amazing photo of the bells. They have 14 bells in total, and are the heaviest peal of bells in the world.
We then visited The Beatles Story which was excellent, so much history and information. Lots of quirky items on display, and the White Room was very calming. Obviously we then went to the cafe for a cup of tea and a little nibble of something, it’s very exhausting wandering around.
Afterwards we walked round the Liverpool docks, stood outside the Liver Building, had a quick look at the Tate, wondered WTF these were outside the Liverpool Museum.…Superlambananas apparently, but they scared the shit out of me, and had our photo taken with the Fab 4. We finished the day at the cinema watching “Yesterday”, which is very good, and we thoroughly enjoyed.
We saw what we wanted to see, but there is still lots more to discover, need to go back again.
Yes I’ve done it! I’m up to date with everything that I need to do in the greenhouses for April. Everything is sown, pricked out, and planted, and the greenhouses are all organised and tidy.
I can feel smug for the next couple of days, knowing that I’m on top of everything for this month.
But you can bet in a weeks time I’ll be behind again as in May I’m sowing my beans, and I’ll have more pricking out to do. They’ll be weeding and more planting out to do, but this time it’ll be flowers, so I won’t be smug then. Hopefully I won’t feel like I’m chasing my tail, but as the weather warms up for summer the grass will need mowing more often, and I’ll have to weed more often.
But hey ho, when it’s all done, I can sit on the patio with a beer in one hand, gazing hopefully in awe, at the wonders in my garden.
I’ve made lots of videos that my daughter Emily is editing for me now. I pay her as I don’t have time, so you’ll have those coming very soon.
