Awful weather - typical Brits talk

Farway

It's blue sky & sunshine this morning and I even saw a few stars last night

Supposed to stay OK until rain on Saturday, no snow mentioned, just cold & frosty, which maybe opportunity for frosty fotos.

Talking of photos, I'm still trying out catalogue programs on my PC, the AI facial recognition is a wonder, even recognises a child is same person as adult, must be the eyes or summat

It's rubbish at finding sculptures though

Flipped though my new seed catalogues, but nothing jumps out except t note the 3 for 2 offers, but as i don't really need any more seeds I can safely ignore those for the moment.

YouTube has me locked in its algorithm, I keep being offered Sow Now videos, but they are the peppers / chilli ones or under glass lettuce, all of which are not for me

If this sun keeps going, I could get out later & prune the buddleia near the front door, taking cuttings at the same time

It's one of the low growing small ones, so worth poking stick into ground propagating

Hope the New Year work is easy YBE, with a slow cooked thing waiting for you on your return

Dustyevsky

A turnaround here this morning, with a frost after rain through Wednesday until dusk. The minor roads here will be lethal, so I'm going nowhere.   Bright day, but will I feel like planting into c-c-cold soil while standing in c-c-cold water?

I missed your post 2p. So it was Horner Water where you walked. It's pretty, and one valley I've not explored at all. As the paths are generally better around your way, it might well fit into our agenda for spring. At present, driving for 75 minutes before and after a walk takes too large a chunk out of daylight time, but as the days lengthen.....Besides, we've worn out much of the Tarka Trail, some of which is tediously straight.

I like the reddish auroras you photograph, pp. It was clear here late last night, so I had a peek, but nothing, not even a drone or an orb. Just for once, the people with the LED lights were behaving. I can't understand people who come to the country, and then run lights permanently because there are none.   We have Christmas lights, but they go on at about 16.00 and off at bedtime....and next week they'll be gone.

wort, you make me feel guilty for not doing things you're doing while working full time! With the weather we've had, weeds are doing better than usual.

No snow predicted for us softie suvveners, Bluey, but we have a short burst of -6c on the cards for tonight. Good in some respects, as I expect our bugs are softies too, and they don't have wood burners! 

I have another confession to make now. On our trip to Rosemoor, Mrs Dusty and I found we'd misidentified the oak tree that fell in storm Darragh. It's not the one near the lake, but the other, somewhat further away, and encountered first when walking through. It's where the sculptural sheep were placed:

Well, the one nearest the camera isn't in evidence now, and the other's been relocated, so draw your own conclusions!

Here's Mrs Dusty viewing the scene:

And here's a photo I took because from one angle the tree looks rather like a monster! I've blurred the face of the youngster because I didn't ask his Mum for permission to put him in a photo on't Internet.

By the way, you can see another light installation by Mr Budgett in the background.

pink_poppy

It seems Mr Budgett (ironic name, btw) has done very well out of Rosemoor, Dusty. I love those curly sheep.

I've had a massive fail with the no swearies, YBE, too many imbeciles around. What was in your slow cooker this morning?? I've got a gammon that I'm thinking of doing in Coca Cola in the slow cooker as I've never tried that and it's supposed to be nice.

Lots of stars here too, Farway. There was one really big and bright planet, that I think was Jupiter, plus I saw Orion's Belt and the Plough last night. It was another good night for the Aurora, it seemed to be in all directions and I've seen loads of photos on FB, including from Northumberland. I decided to take a wee wander down to the loch for some different views.

Icy cold here and mostly clear skies - I'll be doing more Aurora spotting tonight. There's a nice Cheshire Cat moon at the moment that I won't bother attempting to photograph    

From last night...

ArbitraryRandom

YoungBlueEyes said:

I’ll look up inflatable balloons cos my fire doesn’t actually work (it’s a gas one). 

When we had an open fire (when I was a lass) we had an old pillow with a bit of ribbon tied in the middle - the ribbon dangled so hopefully you'd spot it before setting the fire. 

First packet of seed delivered today (Chervil) and I was a bit surprised when I opened the packet as it had 'bonus seeds' (pack of spaghetti squash). Not complaining, but didn't see anywhere that Mr F did that so first thought they'd sent me the wrong thing    

wort

Good morning all, I have to say Dusty ever time I see those sheep sculptures,it makes me think someone has drawn them on the photo when editing. I can see the monster in the old oak tree too. I don’t blame you not wanting to be standing in icy water.

Farway did you get to chop the buddleia back.?

Yesterday went from flooding to frost over night , today is frosty too. Just looked at Ventusky apparently we are due white exclamation marks !!!!!!!! on Sunday 😂 and Tuesday.

Today is taking down the tree and hopefully the outside lights. Then everything done till next year. I took down the one at work yesterday. I’m in this weekend so thermals plus extra layers needed.

PP I’m so envious of your fab aurora sightings , do you have a special camera?

Arb that’s like Russian roulette each time you light the fire, I’d be sure to forget 🫣

Working_Mum

Hello you lovely lor and Happy New Year! I'm hoping 2025 will be a happy and healthy one for you all with lots of gardening adventures

I apologise sincerely for my absence but I have been off grid with this nasty flu bug which is going round. Completely wiped me out ......and I have hated it! 

Back to work between Christmas and New Year and back proper yesterday. Thankfully I can work for home so I'm spared a commute.

 I've been reading along on here but getting my brain to function enough to post has been a challenge! The sunset pics have been wonderful YBE, we really do have big skies over in our neck of the woods don't we. I'm very jealous of those drinking hot chocolate - it really sounds delicious. Gallbladder removal and total intolerance for fat means they are off limits for me (unless I want to deal with the consequences  )

I wish we had a sculpture park or something similar close to us Dusty - it seems to provide you with endless pics and inspiration as well as exercise. 

I felt so guilty that R0meo wasn't getting any walks in whilst I'd been ill, I drugged myself up and took him off early on the 31st. I was staying at Mum's in the low  badlands of H0lderness but was rewarded with this amazing sunrise and I had to take a pic (thought you guys may appreciate it). Please ignore the fact it's taken me a few days to post.....I've been a bit poorly and disconnected  
 


OT it is very cold here today - feels like -7' according to my phone app - have had a bracing walk first thing this morning and now working at my kitchen table (weirdly it is very comfy and have less back trouble than when i used to be in an office chair!).

Not much action in my garden .....well R0meo is still taking his security detail very seriously and has shown a couple of squirrels and a cat who's boss.

I'm hoping to get into my garden this weekend to see what's happening. Am resisting buying any seeds - I've 100 alium bulbs to get in along with the 3 fruit trees I bought whilst on offer (T&M 3 for £15 I think) and there is a (mystery) package winging it's way to me - bought whilst delirious and I can't recall what's in it. The suspense is killing me!!

Wishing everyone a productive day,

WM

Dustyevsky

wort said:

Good morning all, I have to say Dusty ever time I see those sheep sculptures,it makes me think someone has drawn them on the photo when editing. I can see the monster in the old oak tree too. I don’t blame you not wanting to be standing in icy water.

Yes, the sheep are (were) very cartoon-like. The 'grazing' one was in the place where the tree fell, but luckily, the only snapping when I was present was done by the camera.

I did wade the stream yesterday, to clear fallen debris. It wasn't too bad. There was no time left to plant anything, though, and now the soil will be frozen. Plenty of time yet.

pink_poppy said:

I've had a massive fail with the no swearies, YBE, too many imbeciles around.

I'm doing OK so far. Failed yesterday when I fell over, but it was a heat of the moment thing. Also failed this morning when I discovered I'd fallen asleep with my specs on, and spent the night rolling about on them. However, they cost about £200, so very excusable. Luckily, the kryptonite, or whatever they're made from, allowed me to bend them back again. As for imbeciles, we recently had a soirée with a couple well versed in all things neighbourly, and learned much about those who have made our lives difficult these past two years. We've kept asking ourselves, “Are they really as bonkers and duplicitous as we think?”  and apparently, the answer's, “Yes!” We were advised further engagement would be a waste of time, so there's one source of stress reduced, if not eliminated, in 2025.

I did recognise the disappeared mountains by the way. They must've drifted off in the fog!

And from the BBC, proof that the aurora did reach these parts, though some 6 hours or more before I looked for (and missed) it.     https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckgx49xx1qzo

Yesterday morning, with the change in the weather, our bird feeders became busy. I paused by the window when I saw two jackdaws observing the situation carefully. After 10 minutes or so, it seems they decided it was a lost cause and departed. Phew!

Farway

Hard frost overnight, I struggled to get out of a warm bed this morning

Bright & sunny day, but very cold

Glad you are on the mend WM, nice sun photos as well. I like the wind one, but I like wind turbines & pylons and iron bridges!

Auroras are something we can only mostly dream of dahn sarf, even when every one had photos I never saw with my own eyes

wort said:

Farway did you get to chop the buddleia back.?

I sure did, actually it was pruning, honest, not chopping!.

I’ve poked some off cuts into soil and pots, to see if they come to anything. Not bothered if they don't, but free plants are always good.

I also trimmed the outdoor tough old fuschia, no cuttings used though.

I've left the more tender ones because the frost was expected, see if any survive before I bother to prune them

pink_poppy said:

I've had a massive fail with the no swearies, YBE, too many imbeciles around. What was in your slow cooker this morning?? I've got a gammon that I'm thinking of doing in Coca Cola in the slow cooker as I've never tried that and it's supposed to be nice.

Lots of stars here too, Farway. There was one really big and bright planet, that I think was Jupiter, plus I saw Orion's Belt and the Plough last night. It was another good night for the Aurora, it seemed to be in all directions and I've seen loads of photos on FB, including from Northumberland. I decided to take a wee wander down to the loch for some different views.

Ham & cola, very overrated IMO, but looks great when Goddess Nigella is licking her chops over it

Try with brown / demerara sugar instead, plenty of recipes. I used just a spoonful of demerara in the base, CBA to use as a glaze.

Spotted Jupiter this morning, no photo though

Hope you get to loch for views and Aurora, reflecting in the water? Suitable monster silhouetted against it?

You need friends in high places Dusty, for bent specs

Sculptures, found these in some local woods, no idea why or what they signify

twopenny

Thank you for the beautiful photos folks.

Nothing here to report, could see some stars for once but still cloud. I feel cheated when we get cloud and it's still darn cold.

WM sorry to hear you've been suffering. Dogs are very forgiving I've found when you're ill.

Glad there's some progress for next year with ignoring your neighbours Dusty.

Congrats for getting some gardening done Farway.

I've been out and had a look at overgrown stuff, a lot needs pruning and I may experiment with that but not now. Cold and damp isn't my thing even if the sun is out.

Bulbs are wonderful things. They grow and flower with no interference. Mine are popping up like mad and I may just get out and give them a feed even though it's early in the year - but they want to grow now.

Yup, 2c, slight frost and lots of condensation on the bedroom window. People back at work so need to get on with the demands made to fill in forms I'm sure I filled in before.

LessImpecunious

Cold and clear here for second day in a row, good to see the sun, and, last night, crescent moon with, I think, Venus above; and a very red Mars looking back in the other direction (didn't attempt a photo of that!)

Strangely the moon was a very slim crescent seen with naked (well, bespectacled) eyes, the lit-up bit appears much bigger in photo...(this was another "Night Vision" shot...)