Awful weather - typical Brits talk

pink_poppy

Nothing wrong with that photo, Dusty, it's bright and cheerful   

Sad to read about the pussycat   I know it's too late now, but I would take a deceased cat to the vet to be checked for a microchip. I know you said it was probably from the site across the road, but it might have had a previous home life before it ended up there, you never know. It was kind of you to do what you did though.

Love the Great Egret pic, twopenny, It's quite different to the wee Egret, isn't it. I wasn't sure if mine was a gull at first glance and I had to look twice. The Great Egret is a lot more slender and I like the quiff on top of the head   

Farway, I like the sound of the chilli & lime cheese. I do like to try different cheeses - the one I remember from a few years ago was a pink cheese. I was the only one that liked it, I think the colour put people off.

What's the plural of amaryllis?? I've got two in the garage, so need to dig them out. I remember feeding them half-heartedly before they got slung in there, but even if they don't flower, I like the leaves. I do remember the flowers were a bit meh - pink and white and a bit insipid.

It was dry this morning, or it was until I stepped outside to walk to the post office to post more cards. Perfectly bad timing. It's still raining now, but at least it's not freezing cold...

Dustyevsky

It was blowing a hoolie early-on, but by mid-morning things were quiet here, so I nipped down to the stream and planted 25 Tête-à-têtes on the opposite bank. Last year, I did similarly, and 3 or 4 survived, so something other than me obviously likes them.

I also finished planting all the seeds needing winter frosting and stuck them in a cold frame out of the wet.

The rain was forecast to arrive at around 14.00 so Mrs Dusty and our SiL were meanwhile working as fast as they could to string lights through the oak tree in what's loosely the 'front garden.'  They'd just finished when the deluge began. 

It's still raining, but neither the H2O nor the wind is as bad as we were told it might be.  Time to fetch the logs......

PS. I remember we had an amaryllis that was either a forgotten-about gift, or dried off and lost in a cupboard. We potted it up without much hope. It grew....only to about 6", but it had two flushes of flowers. Looked a bit daft, but really impressed us with its determination!

twopenny

No gardening news to report but I have had my old car fail it's MOT spectacularly......test drove another they lend out and am now the proud owner of a Hyundi i10, 33,000miles and mot till next december. They are doing bits to it and I pick up at the weekend. Then I need to find somewhere quiet to get a hang of the gears and knobs.

Not the flash car I hankered for but this should be a lot cheaper to deal with.

Rest of day phoning insurance, breakdown (chat with lady there about how to deal with injuries and swapping stories and encouragement) and going for a walk - started to rain as I left so now sodden.

But we had that wind too Dusty, then the predicted rain didn't come thank goodness then all the rest of the nonsense - which of course isn't completed and will be gone through again.

Amazingly it's been 11/12c here with no wind so really enjoying it. Also don't need the heating on which is a bonus

Hmmm cheese is my weakness, well many things beginning with C. Chocolate, cake.

Like to try new flavours but often find I like something and it's never seen again.

Someone mentioned Dolcelatte. Love the stuff but Morries stopped doing it. I melt it over prawns in a baked potato.

One that is similar but even better I got from a coffee shop called The Blue Cheese (!) but it was so nice I daren't buy it again. I ate most straight from the packet    You won't find it in a supermarket but I may use it as an excuse to do some research - Italian coffee, flapjack and ask about cheese name  

Christmas nonsense the next 2 days then I really must get those onion sets in come h or hw.

All the other bulbs may get chucked layered in the big pot that has compost in and will have to fend for themselves.

Next 2 weeks are mainly free of anything and perhaps I can get something done.

LessImpecunious

pink_poppy said:

What's the plural of amaryllis? I've got two in the garage, so need to dig them out. I remember feeding them half-heartedly before they got slung in there, but even if they don't flower, I like the leaves. I do remember the flowers were a bit meh - pink and white and a bit insipid.

Hippeastrums (or should that be Hippeastra?)

Agree, the leaves are rather nice, and flower colour at least is a little underwhelming, but spectacular in size...

Not surprised your sunset struggled in comparison with that tree Dusty - looks like Mrs D has excelled herself!

wort

Lovely cheery tree Dusty. Noted the wine benefits too😉

ˌæm.əˈrɪl.ɪs/ plural amaryllis or amaryllises.11  I would have said the first one too many Ss in the second.
I will wait for your cheese research 2 p.😋

Off to the mad house again today, roll on Monday when I’ve done for Christmas. 

Dustyevsky

pink_poppy said:

 Sad to read about the pussycat   I know it's too late now, but I would take a deceased cat to the vet to be checked for a microchip. I know you said it was probably from the site across the road, but it might have had a previous home life before it ended up there, you never know. It was kind of you to do what you did though.

Sorry, missed your post yesterday. We would have taken the cat to the vet if there had been one in the town, but the nearest is now 8 miles away. Maybe they'd have organised 'disposal' for free, but we didn't consider that. We've always buried our pets, regardless. As you know, we took the body to those we thought relevant, but the people who'd had him visiting their house on and off for over a year took no responsibility. A burial in seemed the best for him in the circumstances, and I've pinned up a note at the commercial site where he might have had a base.

LessImpecunious said:

Not surprised your sunset struggled in comparison with that tree Dusty - looks like Mrs D has excelled herself!

She does, every year!  I struggle with the OTTness of it, but I've struggled with Christmas since my teens. At least there are no blow-up Santas or polar bears roaming the grounds! If there were, they'd be blown about and chilly this morning, when 5C felt like -5C when I let the chickens out. Dunno who's getting all this snowfall on December 25th, but we're forecast 12C then, so probably not us.

I slipped into the little town at dusk yesterday to post off the last cards and take a few snaps of the Tree and other decorations. It's only a wee place, and the previous organiser of festive displays passed away suddenly this year, but I think the traders and other folk have done well enough. Maybe a few more window lights would have been possible. The posh boutique hotel/spa/retreat place did booger-all, as usual!

Congrats on the new motor, 2p. An i10 is a reliable workhorse and has fewer bits to go wrong than most.

Wort, you sound like my DD2 who is madly prepping the January sale now. Christmas is done and dusted!

Farway

Blue sky at last, a bit cooler though

Dustyevsky said:

It was blowing a hoolie early-on, but by mid-morning things were quiet here, so I nipped down to the stream and planted 25 Tête-à-têtes on the opposite bank. Last year, I did similarly, and 3 or 4 survived, so something other than me obviously likes them.

I also finished planting all the seeds needing winter frosting and stuck them in a cold frame out of the wet.

Darn, reminded me about Judas Tree seeds, I promise, if weather holds up, I'll mooch out and get them today, trussst me, said in slithery snake mode.

Good luck with the tete's, oddly enough they seem to be the only one not noshed by everything around me, probably too full of lilies, crocus etc

Good news on my biscuits & bread left out in rain by milky, full refund given . Early Christmas with free biscuits, being inside a plastic bag, they survived and duly sampled.

twopenny said:

No gardening news to report but I have had my old car fail it's MOT spectacularly......test drove another they lend out and am now the proud owner of a Hyundi i10, 33,000miles and mot till next december. They are doing bits to it and I pick up at the weekend. Then I need to find somewhere quiet to get a hang of the gears and knobs.

Not the flash car I hankered for but this should be a lot cheaper to deal with.

Hmmm cheese is my weakness, well many things beginning with C. Chocolate, cake.

Like to try new flavours but often find I like something and it's never seen again.

Someone mentioned Dolcelatte. Love the stuff but Morries stopped doing it. I melt it over prawns in a baked potato.

One that is similar but even better I got from a coffee shop called The Blue Cheese (!) but it was so nice I daren't buy it again. I ate most straight from the packet    You won't find it in a supermarket but I may use it as an excuse to do some research - Italian coffee, flapjack and ask about cheese name  

Christmas nonsense the next 2 days then I really must get those onion sets in come h or hw.

Good choice of car, a friend has the i20 and loves it. Remember to park the mirrors in though, she failed & then complained when it got broken.

She had to phone me because she could not get into reverse, lift the bit under the gear lever knob! Don't ask how I know.

It was me & Dolcelatte, mine was also from Morries, but guess it's as & when they have it. I assume you've tried Blacksticks blue? Very moreish that one.

I have one last lot of Christmas nonsense, tomorrow in Morries, poinsettia required, but may brush past the cheese area.

DD is waterless if you've heard news regarding Southern sewage plant & Southampton / New Forest area. 

Happened last year as well. Luckily, she has strapping teenagers at home to lug water from the distribution points

Hope it's fixed because I'm supposed to be going over there on Boxing Day, horticultural DGD may be there as well so I can get a second opinion on another apple tree, or even my Red Filbert, in DD's garden

My new mint & rosemary are still alive, post harvest I'll move them into conservatory & they can go out, come Spring

twopenny

Lovely Christmassy feel in that street Dusty. You've managed to catch a night shot really well. Any tips?

Hope the mad house was endurable Wort. Are you working Monday as well?

Might have to wait for the cheese research, I shouldn't take the old car out as it's failed it's MOT.

Farway, yes hopefully car is reliable. But it is boring and the same colour and everything as my friends. I'm going to have to customise it

Clearing it out and transfering everything is going to be a job.

Hope you survive the supermarket sweep tomorrow. People go mad now. It never used to be like this.

And no I haven't seen or heard of Black Sticks but keep my eyes open for it. We tend to get Cheddar and more Cheddar here. And just for a change, grated Cheddar.

Heating guys came this morning too. All go and decisions I'm a bit overwhealmed and hyper. Was looking forward to an indulgent bath and coffee this morning to relax but the universe had other ideas.

There was a deluge last night and high winds - none predicted on the weather sites. Dropped to 7c now and got instructions on heating but he said to let him know the results of the work and if I've got no heating over Christmas to ring. Yeay! A professional at last.

You'll get no sense out of me today so I'll stop there. Sky come over charcoal so goodness knows what will happen next.

pink_poppy

What you did was kind in the circumstances, Dusty. I hope I never have to do anything like that    

Beautiful Christmassy photos - your wee town looks lovely in the darkness.

Glad you got the refund, Farway, I hoped you would.

Congratulations on the new car, twopenny.

I've been shopping this morning and it was sooo busy. I got some 8p potatoes, carrots and parsnips from Aldi - not bad. I've also got the Salmon Wellington from Lidl that Dusty recommended - looking forward to trying that.

OT - it's dry at the moment, but we had some really sharp showers when I was out. The weekend looks dire, with 40-50mph winds again. I'm looking forward to Christmas, even though the forecast isn't very Christmassy, I just need to get rid of this pesky cough...

Dustyevsky

Farway said:

Darn, reminded me about Judas Tree seeds, I promise, if weather holds up, I'll mooch out and get them today, trussst me, said in slithery snake mode.

Good luck with the tete's, oddly enough they seem to be the only one not noshed by everything around me, probably too full of lilies, crocus etc

Good choice of car, a friend has the i20 and loves it. Remember to park the mirrors in though, she failed & then complained when it got broken.

She had to phone me because she could not get into reverse, lift the bit under the gear lever knob! Don't ask how I know.

It was me & Dolcelatte, mine was also from Morries, but guess it's as & when they have it. I assume you've tried Blacksticks blue? Very moreish that one.

No worries about the Cercis. I'd forgotten about it. There must be at least one in...ahem...' a well-stocked local garden' but I forgot to look there! As for the daffs, I may fail, but I'm winning with the foxgloves and geraniums.

My walking friend has kept an i20 for 10 years. It's done a similar mileage to 2p's, but will be best changed around the 70k mark before timing chain problems arise.

twopenny said:

Lovely Christmassy feel in that street Dusty. You've managed to catch a night shot really well. Any tips?

Not really, I just used the 'night scenery' setting and took them around 16.40, when it wasn't quite dark. It might have been better with a few people visible, but the place was pretty much deserted!  It's not unusual, to quote Tom Jones.

pink_poppy said:

Beautiful Christmassy photos - your wee town looks lovely in the darkness.
I've been shopping this morning and it was sooo busy. I got some 8p potatoes, carrots and parsnips from Aldi - not bad. I've also got the Salmon Wellington from Lidl that Dusty recommended - looking forward to trying that.
 I'm looking forward to Christmas, even though the forecast isn't very Christmassy, I just need to get rid of this pesky cough...

The town's been steadily dying since the railway came through near here in the C19th.  It doesn't have the kudos of the one where the Fatstock Show was held. I recall coming here on my bike as a teenager and thinking, “Huh, this  is a dead zone!”

Hope the salmon Wellington doesn't disappoint, and you shake off the lurgy before the big day(s) Unlike 2p, I find shopping in this area at Christmas far less manic than it was when we lived in the city. I'd say people here spread their shopping out, plan it better, or something like that. While it can be busy, the atmosphere stays calm, and in typical Deb'n style, people still have time for a chat.

This is the 'other' tree we decorate. No, that's not me up there arranging the lights...I wish!   Mrs Dusty doesn't have a glowing orb in her left hand either, unfortunately. This was yesterday, I think.