Daydream thread... without the rose-tinted specs

Davesnave

The real reason I was by the stream was planting more perennials, both there and up in the sunshine on the edge of the copse. Somehow, we still have plants sitting in pots, which would be better looking after themselves, in the ground.

The stream area is a real challenge, but a few plants have done well and I'm hoping they'll increase naturally. Opening it up a bit has allowed more weeds like willowherb in, but then leaving the neighbour's trees brushing the ground wasn't a serious alternative either! To balance things, there are more foxgloves seeding, and more campion. It will just be a very slow process.

I've held back from trying to crowd weeds out with very rampant things. Up at the Dog End, our predecessors introduced the smaller form of comfrey, which has yellow flowers very early in spring. There are no weeds on the stream bank there, just comfrey. It's nice, for a while, and very low maintenance, but you can have too much of something!

choille

I never get any Hazelnuts as I think the mice get to them first.

The sky has gone all silver & it's dead calm so I don't know if it's gonna throw it down or not.

I've never seen so many sparrows - we have masses of the noisy wee things. It's amazing - we didn't when we first came here. They fairly strip the fat balls.

Better_Days

They've gone!
After 12 days of an extra 5 people in the house peace now reigns. Bliss. Lovely to see them all but very tiring.

The two youngest wanted to stay and were in floods of tears on the stairs when it was time to go. We must have been doing something right, but I suspect the lure of the ipad (in the case of the 5yo) and the daft as a brush lurcher (in the case of the 6yo) also had something to do with the desire to stay. The 12yo was much more philisophical, sitting in the car with seatbelt on waiting to go......:)

Lovely day again today and just been out in the garden for a nap on the sunlounger listening to the chickens clucking happily away. The little corner of our world now feels back in balance.

Tiling done in the kitchen and it looks great. So pleased to get rid of the dusty walls. Kitchen to be finished off next month.

Davesnave

Glad you have time for a well earned rest now, Better Days. The really tricky work is almost behind you, hopefully.

We have hit a snag with the garage roof. Our builder chap matched tile placement it to the existing tiling on the house, and he kept his battens within tolerances, but the pitch is different, so he finished 40mm short. At the time he set it out, he didn't have a ridge tile to try, or this would have been apparent.

Anyway, this means we'll have to cut tiles and insert another row, or it might be that we can find some larger s/h ridge tiles that would match sufficiently, but the latter is a pretty long shot.

I am so glad the tiles we're using were free! Might not have enough for the kitchen roof now, but at least I have time to track down some more.

choille

BD - guests are fine, but great to see them go too - not that we have any in the caravan- thankfully that would be too much!

Nce that you're chilling out in the garden.

Dave hope the tiles are found to match.

My hydrangas are hidden by fushia & a vertical cotoneaster? I'm just contemplating a butcher job..............where is that machete?

Better_Days

Sorry to hear about your roof tiles Dave. What a frustrating amount to be short of. How long will it take to insert another row?

On a quick browse of posts over the past week or so there were a few very sweet kitty photo's. Not wishing to be left out....how about a 'smily kitty' photo?



And the kitchen although not finished - to give you an idea

Before


After, replaced cupboard doors, worktop (old worktop had bleach stains and the grey was horrible), new cooker, cheap 'n cheerful tiles from Homebase.

choille

What a beautiful Marmalade puddy cat. I'm feeling very petless & missing not having my leg scratched by ole cat wanting attention.

What a kitchen transformation - really lightened & brightened it up BD - looks very airy & roomier for some reason. Well done you.

Better_Days

choille wrote: »

What a beautiful Marmalade puddy cat. I'm feeling very petless & missing not having my leg scratched by ole cat wanting attention.

What a kitchen transformation - really lightened & brightened it up BD - looks very airy & roomier for some reason. Well done you.

Thanks choille. He is a sweetie pie, I love kitties, the house just isn't complete without them. Are you planning on getting another kitty when you are ready? Dave's and alfies kitten photo's are tempting me to browse the CP website, but I must resist.....

Glad you like the kitchen - the old kitchen was very dark in the winter, I'm hoping the new one will be brighter.

choille

I too love cats & will get a couple when the time is right. This is the first time I've ever been without one, or two or so. I also would like a dog, so I will get that sorted out when we are in the house.

Your Ginger cat does look like he's very happy indeed - like he got the cream!

Davesnave

Better_Days wrote: »

Sorry to hear about your roof tiles Dave. What a frustrating amount to be short of. How long will it take to insert another row?

Probably about a day or so, but I'm guessing.

It is frustrating, but there were so many factors to consider when we chose the pitch, including matching the existing rows on the house roof and making sure it would meet the house at the right point to run right through, and over the 'man-cave' room on one side, finishing in the correct place. Had it been the garage only, it would have been easier.

And it almost worked out. Indeed, we could put the ridge on and never have a problem with it, but then again, we might, so I'd rather not.

Hey, your kitchen looks great!:T You've changed the windows too, of course.

Marmalade looks as if who's really in charge at your place is not a matter of debate! :rotfl: