Awful weather - typical Brits talk

twopenny

That's a beauty Dusty !!
Shame it won't come true from seed.
Well done on the hedge fence. That's a good job done. I think things often are more pleasant if they are done in manageable bits. Usually it's hard to remember in wanting the job accomplished.

Ventured out but it was grim. There was no reward to it other than coming back with chocolate and cream. I see an Scottish coffee in my future 😊
And something for Bluey. I don't usually buy bags but couldn't resist this 


Sorry about the carpet. Not my choice but it won't wear out.

-taff

So I was sititng down thinking about the greenhouse and thanks to you Dusty, I now have a new job on my ever expanding list. Raised beds in the greenhouse [not massivley deep, just one and half current pots height which are supermarket flower pots], because they'll hold more earth, therefore won't need as much watering thanks to the volume [and I can fit two more plants in] . For years I've been sitting them on gravel in trays but last year showed me the amount of water needed and evaporating was just silly, so it's another project to do before March...the trays with three pots were ok, but the ones with five were not very suitable, being too big for the pots I could fit on it. Now come the serach for free or cheap wood. 

Nice amount of plants you teased out of that pot too! Noted your Darjeeling Red and added to the new set of plant desire bookmarks. It looks more well behaved...Love Colin Furze, I remember watching the underground bunker build, and the potato launcher going through mattresses...he's truly eccentric.. OH, now I have more seed pron to look at too, I forget.... the beds looking good! Amazing how much stuff you need to fill a bed isn't it. I have half filled mine [ with added big logs, ad anything I could get my hands on and it's still half empty...And it's only for flowers not veg...that's a lot of work there...Well done tackling your hated job too. Mine is digging the fruit cage to remove all raspberry roots to replace them. I may have done about a fifth so far...Lovely hellebroes! 

ybe, hopefully you've cut out the fag coughing now, it does sound really rubbish...and what a fab house under the ground, but also, too scary for me, I like it above where things may fall on my head, but half a forest won't...Ankle is getting better, but I had already stripped all the helpful additions out before I left. I'm going to look for a big baord now to write stuff on because OH couldn't print me a thing, his boss was around, how annoying  

Maybe it's the thought of retirement and less stress helping you sleep WM Fuuny, with your photots I never thing of you as living in civilisation [it's what it's called, not what I call it], the lights make it look lovely though. 

Farway, you've got me wondering now how many seed packets does everyone have? I have a small flight case, metal one, that is absolutely jam packed even though I decluttered it last year, there are still more hanging about the pace too. My utube is quite limited really, Huw, Emma, Pasta Grannies and Grammar, Refikas kitchen and Nicky Positano. God knows how I found them either, it's not like I am on there much apart from the above. Now I've found some compost that appears to actually work, I think I'll stick with it [ allotment shop compost, with *coff* peat in it...] And I think I need your spreadsheet for definite Nice sotrage too for your pears and apple...impressive! 

Hope you're through the drained exhausted stage now 2p, so draining...I watched him too, loved the whole village of gardens, I found it quite funny her dog garden was not allowed to be open to the dogs alone, and they weren't allowed on things anyway...Would have been nice to see a shot of Montys face after she said that, after his, Oh I love a dog garden remark...And that bag is funny too  

Well done for photo on the front page too Less! 

Edible mushrooms wort? Your gardenign sounds a lot more onerous than mine, I just move stuff about the pace Actually, you've reminded me, I have an apple tree to butcher soon...

Sorry for the length of this, I was playing three page catch up...Drizzly, dank today...

Dustyevsky

It doesn't matter if the hellebores don't come true from seed, 2p. We like the surprise of random results.  Although I want that hedge job done ASAP, an hour is as long as I can hold a chain saw over a fence that comes up to my armpits(!) and the battery only lasts about that amount of time. I didn't think there was any pressure regarding the fencing, but this morning I've heard the farmer wants to bring lambs here on Wednesday.  He'll give me a hand to fix the worst posts then, but I'm unsure if we'll achieve a more long term solution through him.

Bluey will love the bag, and most of us won't question the carpet, having had it, or something similar, in our youth! 

OT: Apparently, it's Blue Monday, the most depressing day of the year. Well, it's still dank and misty here,so not the most uplifting morning, but we've all had worse. There's the promise of some sunshine later.  Tomorrow, high winds and heavy rain. Hmmm...

Wandering up the fence line in the lower field, late on Saturday afternoon, the setting sun caught a pair of our larger oak trees and lit them up nicely. Him on the other side wants to cut the lower limbs on his side in order to make the hedges grow better for privacy. No doubt, he'll do what he likes, but it'll be a shame if the balance of the trees' structure is upset. 

Farway

More dull & grey, but no rain due, allegedly

Dustyevsky said:

Congrats on the successful apple and pear storage Farway.   I've not mentioned my pears recently. They were placed carefully in the back porch, and at some point, disappeared.   Mrs Dusty had a tidy-up.   I'll admit they were a bit scabby and didn't look wonderful, but they were becoming almost edible. 

Yes, mine did not look great but proof of puds etc

Better luck this year for all fruit savers. 

If I get round to it I think those cardboard type of tray commercial fruit comes in would be good for storing, like egg boxes, but larger "pockets" 

I expect it could be scrounged from green grocer or liberated from a supermarket shelf when empty, my Morries never seems to remove old packing 

Well done on Hellebores, nice and early colour. 

Hope all lurgy folk are improving, or at least full of chocolate if in bed / off work with a Fisherman's Friend

Have to get out into the garden today, been putting it off too long, but today is crunch time

DD is popping in tomorrow, she is on some Portsmouth based mission and I'm on her schedule 

Apart from seeing her dear old Dad she will be collecting the plants I've been putting by for her garden but have not yet made the journey, were going Christmas, but plans changed

I have a Crumble King rhubarb crown, which was T & M fail, but it did recover after a refund 

The Red Filbert, was destined for the volunteer border I used to tend, but was overtaken by events

Fig from one of my cuttings, in a pot. DD has found out fresh sunny figs are super tasty, she already has one of mine, but with a sunny patio and hot wall behind, it's just gasping for more figs in tubs

One of my Boysenberry rooted tip cuttings, which I think will run nicely along her fence.

Hopefully, in future years, she will enjoy the "free" and somewhat different from supermarket fruit

I'm trying to get them all to grow what is tasty but unusual varieties, or just not available to buy, won't keep on supermarket shelf for instance, like loganberries or James Grieve apples.

So, today is get them ready for transport, into poly bags to keep soil off the car interior, and near back door for pickup.

I can take the opportunity to have a garden mooch, it looks like the bird bath has dislodged its perching bit, probably pushed off by the recent ice, nowhere near as hard work as Dusty hedging

Great sunshine on oak tree photo BTW. If he cuts the branches and it gets lopsided, could it blow down? I seem to recall the need for "balance" with trees, no doubt it "all depends"

Dustyevsky

Farway said:

Better luck this year for all fruit savers. 

Hope all lurgy folk are improving, or at least full of chocolate if in bed / off work with a Fisherman's Friend

DD is popping in tomorrow, she is on some Portsmouth based mission and I'm on her schedule 

Great sunshine on oak tree photo BTW. If he cuts the branches and it gets lopsided, could it blow down? I seem to recall the need for "balance" with trees, no doubt it "all depends"

At least I know roughly when the pears are nearly ready, so I may avoid having them blown off in a mid-winter storm next time. 

I think SiL's lurgy is attacking me today. He visited on Saturday with cough, runny nose etc, and now I'm sneezing, but I'm not giving in.    I don't like Fishermen's Friend lozenges, but if it does get serious, I've some Auchentoshen linctus that should do the trick. 

Good to know your DD is still in the world of real gardening. My two are willing but disorganised. I've not seen DD1's garden for some time, but from photos, it's err...wildlife friendly. DD2 hasn't got used to having a long term garden yet. Having rented for the past10 years+, all her cherished plants are in large pots. Sadly, a few aren't whatever she started-out with, but even willows and sycamores make useful firewood! 

I don't think the oaks will topple over, but if one did, it would fall our way and be all ours for firewood. To take off those lower limbs safely, matey would need to be in a bucket on a telehandler, as I doubt he has the climbing skills. I don't think a tractor will reach. So, it may never happen. 

Spent another 90mins cutting back the top hedge ready for fence mending this afternoon. Totally worn-out now, but I'll get a rest from heavy work tomorrow when the next storm rolls in! 

 

YoungBlueEyes

Morning all, on Penguin Awareness Day. Are we all Aware that there are Penguins? So that one works then  

I'm only having a quick go, it takes me ages to do normal things atm while I get back up to speed.

Went to work yesterday. Lots of people saying aww are you alright, nice to see you back type things, and then I went up to BBM. Who said "thank god you're back, is that kettle on?". Which made me laugh, which made me cough, and then he got it  

No update on the house-swoppy situation. Neither of them have done anything legal about it yet, and we're all laughing like drains very professional and concerned when the EAs ring with crazier and crazier excuses for why they must be instantly paid from our own coffers. Yes really! It's no wonder they've got a bad rep.

I love that bag 2p, I'd have lifted one too if I'd seen it And we've had that carpet in at least 2 houses, it's bomb proof. Come the armageddon it'll be cockroaches and proper carpet left and nothing else  


OT filthy miserable foggy and rainy yesterday, the humidity never dropped below 94%. They're promising it brighter today, bit of wind to come in to blow away the murk, and sunshine this aft! Says my new app Weather&Radar, which I've only had since yesterday but seems ok so far. I've deleted the drunkards because their app now is horrendous.

YoungBlueEyes

Just having a quick read of the news before I get going - 
https://www.thejournal.ie/northern-ireland-visible-ireland-january-2026-6931218-Jan2026/?utm_source=thejournal&utm_content=top-stories 

-taff

There are penguins? News to me....

How did the plant pick up go Farway? That's a lot of things to be taking but you said loganberry, what are they like? the previous lotment holder put some by his shed, I keep meaning to move them because they've not fruited yet, but they do struggle and grow. 

Fancy that oak tree knowing which way it's bread will be buttered Dusty nice looking tree though, it'd be a shame if it were to come down. Fingers crossed he's not competent with a machine to do it. Hows the cold? You have another storm?

ybe, good to hear that they know you've been real ill not faking it ill, there' was always the thought they'd all think I was faking when I was ill and used to work..We saw some northern lights last night too, so it must have been a juicy old flare to set those up. EA's are funny old creatures too, whod have thought they should have had a hand in dissuading idiots....

Hedge#3 is being made, some branches have been lopped off apple tree. I mean, I like apples, but I also like to reach them without needing Reed Richards superpowers, so while I may be the pariah of the lotment, at least I'll have apples...Better prune the roses soon too...ybe, I put the tulip bulbs in the fridge in the end to remind them it's cold and will stick them in a pot today or tomorrow  

Dustyevsky

YoungBlueEyes said:

Just having a quick read of the news before I get going - 
https://www.thejournal.ie/northern-ireland-visible-ireland-january-2026-6931218-Jan2026/?utm_source=thejournal&utm_content=top-stories 

Mrs D claimed to have seen it when she came to bed. I got up and had a peek about an hour later, but nothing doing. DD2 says she has photos.  I'll stick with getting more aware of penguins today. None captured yet on the Hog Cam. 

Glad you've recovered enough to head workwards again, and not surprised the mad house exchangers haven't gone legal yet. What EAs know about conveyancing is very variable, judging by things I've been told over the years. I think it depends mostly on which way the wind's blowing, and today it's fierce again, with heavy rain already arrived from the west, Just my luck to have my yearly health MoT at the peak of the storm.  I've picked (yes, you can choose!  ) a different nurse this year. The previous one had no sense of humour and told me off about my BMI. In this weather, it's obvious being heavy with a low centre of gravity is the safest option! 

twopenny

Aw beautiful! I read from someone in Minnesota that it was due but all cloudy here.
Heck most of the news in that paper is as drama fed as the been 😐
Glad they were concerned for you at work. Cough a bit more and they might suggest you have a couple more days at home.
There's a national EA trying their luck around here that has used AI to show fields and hills around a bungalow when it's on a corner hedged in by vehicles and buildings. Sold sign outside but still on Rightmove as for sale. I wouldn't buy a packet of biscuits from them.

Congratulations on getting the hedge done Dusty. Just in time for the next storm it looks like.
When do 40mph winds become a named storm and when it's just windy?
So many road works around here and mostly no one working on them. Are the guys too afraid of catching a cold?

Forgot to post yesterday because it's the same old. Beautiful day in that thick white fog and the sun shone through from where I was. Quite fairy tale. I didn't have my camera with me of course 😏

Back to grey wet and windy today. No idea what to do as still exhausted but it won't be gardening or the washing. 
It's time we had a break from this , I'm running out of warm and woolly clothes to wear.