Awful weather - typical Brits talk

greenbee

Not tempting to go out in the garden here either, but open gardens tomorrow, so I'm going to have to!

There's one obelisk left to build (one has a wisteria planted in it, the other three will have roses which I still need to choose), one long border to mulch, and quite a bit of tidying (hiding all the hoses and picking up the dogs sticks/bones/poo) to do. I also want to make sure all portable bits are put away - I hope there won't be any issues, but it's probably not worth leaving tools out to tempt people. So I'll stick everything in the sheds and dig out the spare padlocks. And anything that I don't want people to see through the shed windows can go in the garage or workshop. 

YoungBlueEyes

Waiting on the ferry now, it’s cloudy and breezy and mild.  Here’s a pretty building (the grey castle-y looking something) that we couldn’t find when walking round so I couldn’t tell you anything else about it *shrug* 

Not sure if there’s something up with the place or I’ve got weak signal, but I can only see one reply since my last one 🧐. Good luck with your Open Garden gb!  

Anyway. You know all the queer flavours of shower gels and stuff you get in hotels? Well this was ours here - 

Parsley stem smells like fresh cut grass + a bit lemony, kale smells like old libraries used to smell, musty + a bit medicinal/Gee’s Linctus-y. I’d sooner stink. 

Farway

The YBE building is Portsmouth Cathedral https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g186298-d3640796-Reviews-Portsmouth_Cathedral-Portsmouth_Hampshire_England.html

Easy walk from Ferry, but you'd approach from the rear, not full-frontal, ooer Missus 

I'd say "you can't miss it" but you obviously did 

Old 2019 pics of mine below

On Topic connection is the crocus display, it is a big attraction every spring

Overnight rain, with high chance of thunderstorms later. But bright enough, and sea state should be fine for YBE Solent crossing. 

If the rain does hold off, I want to squirt systematic weedkiller on some persistent weeds just poking up in Dog Poo border

Plus, yet to check on the under fleece cherries, again waiting for the weather

Some YBE linked pics, crocus at the cathedral, which was Uncloaked during Spring 2019

{Star Trek ref there]

Dustyevsky

twopenny said:

Forecast says it's going to brighten up this morning.
Met office satellite map reckoned there was massive rain last evening over us but dry as a bone.
Wonder if Dusty got it?

The map's been very blue, but that's just drizzle. Maybe there's been odd half hours of rain, but I was too cream-crackered overnight to notice! No drumming on the conservatory roof, and no big puddles, indicates nothing spectacular. The nearest thunderstorm action just now is in Germany.

We're having a slow start here. New GS has gone on tour with his parents, so we don't need to set him a good example!  I have a few extra muscles to rest, having spent yesterday afternoon removing the last few square metres of impossible clay in walking friend's coastal garden. It's been a long term project, and I'm glad no more will need to be carted away. We'll still add composted bark and compost to improve the soil from time to time, but her heavy clay is growing many plants better than the free-draining sandy soil at home! 

The bit we did is under the new ground cover:

We began the part in the foreground about 2-3 years ago, and as you can see, the lamb's ears, a helianthemum (now largely 'gone over' ) and other plants have grown like mad since then. Although there are still challenges, the main area, originally new-build grass, hiding a ton of carp, now looks colourful. 

I'll get a photo of our newly planted-up tomato bed in the polytunnel today. That's two jobs sorted.  Just as well too, as I learned yesterday I'll be cutting the half acre down the lane for some months longer than imagined! 

pink_poppy

Happy Holidays, YBE - I love going on ferries ⛴️ 

Good luck with the open garden thing tomorrow, greenbee - I hope it goes well.

Lovely photos, Farway, I bet the crocus display is a sight to behold.

Dusty, your friend’s garden is looking very pretty - I love the mix of colours in the second pic.

I was a bit late feeding the birds this morning and this young blackbird obviously couldn’t wait…

It left a nice calling card on its way out… 🙄

Heavy rain first thing this morning (5am), but it’s brightened up now.

Dustyevsky

Oh! Forgot to refresh and didn't see Bluey's, GB's, and Farway's posts. 

Bon voyage, Bluey!   Looks like you'll have a dry interlude for a time after making landfall, but it seems you and Farway will be copping what we have later. It's still bucketing here!

Sunday pm is forecast to be much drier (in Southern England at least!) GB. We also have Open Gardens here. It's such a shame when people put in many hours of work, only to have the day ruined by foul weather. 

Your visitor looks confident pp.  Obviously thinks your house is a McPP fly-through! 

pink_poppy said:

Dusty, your friend’s garden is looking very pretty - I love the mix of colours in the second pic.

She's one for loving bright colour clashes. I've tried to instil some interest in varied, attractive foliage, but usually get,”But what's the flower like, and how ;long do they go on for?"

To show you what I mean, here's Spotty Dotty:

https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/275840/podophyllum-versipelle-spotty-dotty-pbr-(v)/details

Now, I think Dotty's great, but all I got was "Hmmm." 

greenbee

Forecast here is still for showers in the afternoon, but dry in the morning, so I'm hopeful I'll get the veg plot mowing done.

TBH I'm not that bothered if we don't get many visitors (we haven't advertised widely as it's our first time). The real benefit for me has been motivating me to get stuff done. All that's left to do for tomorrow is a bit of tidying, hopefully the veg plot mowing, and sorting out a bit more privacy screening so people can't see into the house.

Obviously there's also stuff I'd like to get done that's been neglected, like some feeding and mulching. But nothing critical. 

twopenny

Fascinating Dusty. I'm not sure if I do or I don't. It's unusual 🤔 

I shouldn't worry Greenbee. People like to meet the owner. You could do some bits on the day.

Went to small town for a walk in the wind by the sea and a way to check if weather changing.
I just hope Bluey has some ginger nuts with her 😵‍💫 it's rolling and heaving.

LessImpecunious

I think there's a place for flowers and foliage - wish I could get more of the former here but I think our microclimate and my favours the latter...  

There have been a few though, latest pics (well, not all flowers, and a bonus bee bum):

Weather has been showery, but nothing special, certainly no thunder...

Seeing pic of Isle of Wight ferry reminds me, am intrigued to hear, YBE, does it really come out of Cowes backwards?

twopenny

Lovely Less 😁 what a joy of colour for first thing!

A bit of sun this morning, watery blue sky but said set for the week. Let's hope 🤞 
Covered the 🍒 ageing. Ripening nicely. I'll try  and get a photo later but they won't match Farways. It's only a baby tree.
Slugs have been at the strawberries but I'm eating the fruit as fast as I can.