Onwards and the debt goes downwards!

lucielle

I’ve screenshot that page for future reference. It was very strange because the night before we visited the gardens, OH and I were discussing our wilderness. OH had just started reclaiming another piece, which I think would be ideal to make a small orchard.  I’d grow the trees as espaliers. When we looked at the kitchen garden, lo and behold they had espaliers but really small ones.  I hadn’t realised you could grow them so small. Based on where we are and the high winds would give them a chance! Any tips on achieving this would be appreciated. 

We made a start on our little stream, have big ideas but not sure where to start. Have to remind ourselves it’s a marathon. 

Ordered OH 2 work benches for the garage, it’s time to get organised.
DD2 left yesterday and had a really good trip home, it only took her 61/2 hours. She helped us to renew our passports online, so I need to get those posted this week. 

I’ve made a start on the holiday insurance claim. I need to drop a form off at the doctors for them to complete. 

I’ve given up on the chap who was supposed to come and take the chimney out the living room. He was supposed to come on bank holiday Monday to look at what was needed. He didn’t turn up. I’ve been waiting since September and asked numerous times if he didn’t want to do it to let me know. My patience has run out. OH is tasked with finding someone. 

My neighbour is talking to the fencer this week and hopefully he’ll give us a start date for doing ours. 

Speaking about my neighbour, she has been an absolute star while I’ve had this medical episode. She drove me to the opticians, then Skye hospital. She contacted me everyday and fed OH every night and looked after the fluffies. 

I’ve got physio on Thursday for my ankle, which unsurprisingly has been great (because I’ve done nothing). Hoping the exercises I get will stop it from having a strop when I manage to get my mojo for walking back. 

The fluffies are off to the groomers on Friday. I must at least run a brush over them. Not quite sure how I’m going to juggle it as I’ve got work on Friday night and will probably start at 2.30 not sure if they’ll be done by then. 

We’re hoping DS2 will be coming up, he comes onshore this week. OH wants him to help mend the boat, still need to get some bits, flares, carabiners and the recharging kits for the life jackets. It’s been a very spendy month!
DD1s birthday tomorrow, I sent a card down with  DD2. Phew I’ve waffled enough. 

L

pink_poppy

I think those apple trees are called stepovers?? I saw them on an episode of Beechgrove a while back and it's something I'm considering doing too. It might be worthwhile you watching a few Beechgrove episodes actually, if you're into gardening programmes and it's filmed in Scotland so more pertinent than Gardener's World for instance.

Your neighbour sounds lovely  

lucielle

Ooh. I’ll try and watch some of those programs. Struggling with vision today, working on the laptop isn’t easy. Most of the time it’s been the new normal and it hasn’t affected me but today has highlighted it. 

L

savingholmes

Sorry your eye is still giving you issues. Hope they get to the bottom of it. 

The photos are gorgeous and that lantern plant in particular. Stunning. I think to train apple trees you can use simple bamboo frames when they are young - and when they are older they will already be in the right shape. It's then about tying in and pruning to get the shape you want.

lucielle

Watched an episode of Beechgrove last night. I think it’ll be something I watch when OH is out. 

OH is busy trying to put a drainage pipe in to link 2 streams together, he’s hit a massive Ayers Rock which even the digger can’t budge it. So, he’s busy digging underneath it so he can get the drain in. 

In other exciting news DS2 is back onshore and is going to come up on Friday!
That means it’s been a very spendy morning ordering the rest of the boat bits we need. Once the repair has been done, it’ll be launch day part 2. Gulp!
a slightly earlier finish tonight as I want to drop the paperwork I need completing at the docs, hopefully so I can pick it up tomorrow when I go for physio on the ankle. 

L

pink_poppy

My DH is not in the slightest bit interested in gardening, so I tend to watch Beechgrove when he's not around

I was referred to physio when I was having (still having actually) problems with my ankles. I've got achilles tendonitis and she pointed out I've also got fallen arches, so double whammy. I was given exercises to do and also referred to a podiatrist at the hospital and am possibly getting some orthotic insoles - will find out tomorrow. I don't know if you've considered seeing or have already been to see a podiatrist, but just thought I'd mention it.

Hope your OH managed to get the drainage pipe sorted and you enjoy your time with DS2. Fingers crossed for the boat launch too.

lucielle

Hi, yes I’ve already got the orthotic insoles that I use. 

Not sure drainage is going well. He’s managed to dig under Ayers Rock and pipe is in situ, pick up has been used to bump start Daisy Digger (DS2 bringing switch to stop it draining battery). Not sure quite what’s gone wrong as he’s chilling out mowing the grass but still has thunder face on. I’ll stay in hiding. 

L

lucielle

30 covers last night, not bad considering we have 7 tables. Only did 8000 steps and boy was my ankle having a whinge. Been to the physio today and she thinks it’s the tendon coming down the inside of my foot then across to the ankle. I’ve got exercises to do and if no better after 6 weeks go back. Other possible options are to have it x-rayed and a steroid injection. She said the ankle was quite swollen. To me as it’s been like that for so long it’s normal. 

L

Blackcats

Enjoy your visit from DS.
Boo to sore ankles and troublesome eye

lucielle

OH and DS2 have been busy doing boaty things which included mending the hole. 

Neighbour and I popped up to see some new people who’ve just bought a do-er upper close by. They’ve been staying at the b&b so I’ve known them a while but kept quiet. They told me they couldn’t get the water on. I bobbed up with a flask and some cake. We found the water supply and got them going. 

DS2 brought lots of washing so that’s on the line. It’s a glorious day. 

L