Awful weather - typical Brits talk

Farway

Up in the dark this morning, not that early just before six, just dark. However, it is a lovely sunny day at the moment

Up to volunteer border, no watering required for once, but I wanted to trim back the lavender in pots now the flowers have faded, get ready for new growth in new Spring, the recent warmth had also given the Evening Primroses another boost and back in flower again, they are good "doers", trouble free and sort themselves out, can get a bit mildewy, but they seem to shrug it off

Collected my prescription for chemist next door, must be flu jab day because the Health Centre car park was throbbing, but noticed the pampas grass looked lovely with sun shining through it, and I hade camera handy, pic to follow. Last year the HC garden hacker chopped them down before I had chance of a pic

The plug pansies have been potted on and looking healthy despite lurking in transit for a few days, with the warm week ahead forecast I expect them to soon get way now they are in the conservatory

The ones I bought from Morries I have moved outside into a sheltered area

If there was a viable choice, the Morries ones would be a better buy, larger & more established, but twice the price. However, with Morries being so variable these days it was really, as pointed out, better to look at them rather than for them

However, I'm pleased with the way it has turned out, always room to squeeze a pansy in

Here are the plugs

Dustyevsky

We got our pansies from the local farmers' merchants at a much more reasonable price than expected from the price of their shrubs. Provided I remember to protect against weevils. Pansies and primulas bring a welcome bit of cheer in the darker months we're heading into shortly.

Warm and calm today, though, and likely to stay dry till just after dark, when something wet and potentially windy seems to be coming for all of us. Then, a mostly decent week here, when I might re-roof the hen house, depending on back-up. Sadly, getting that blimmin' warning light turned off on the van means a very early excursion on Monday to the only local magicians who can. If they succeed, it's a re-test at 2pm on Tuesday, and just possibly that mystical note that reads “Pass.”

Did I say the ride-on has stopped working again? It's only something minor, and 'luckily' a friend has put me in contact with a local guy who has mower servicing and repair as a sideline. The irony is, his quietly situated workshop is remarkably close by (within pushing distance! ) I've been sending this erratic lump of metal on a 40 mile round trip every time it stops!

OK, off to get the last of the plums before that front arrives.....

YoungBlueEyes

Morning all AWOL yesterday cos jeez I was hungover  We were out on Friday night at a 25th wedding anniversary do and it all got a bit messy... Where's the icon of the green vomity face - that was us yesterday. But having been asleep since 8pm I was up at 4.30am, bright as a button. I like being up that early in the summer cos you can get out and do stuff, but not this time of year. It's pouring in the rain out there now and a cool breeze (couldn't tell you if it was forecast or what cos I've not looked at the forecasts). It best dry up mind cos we're on mil duty today.

So you thought my monopetals were ...umm... lower than eyes Farway - wouldn't that be one hairy woman ha haa! 
Those plugs look good to me, not sure I've seen anything to rival them in my morries. Will they be all different colours? I often look at pansies but I've not bought any yet. My veg shop sells them but they're dear. I did buy a reduced something the other day with silky purpley flowers on it, the label said "bedding plant" (B+M) so I've stuck it in my hanging basket by the front door. One of the stalks has a head with all wee tiny petals on it in different colours. I'll take a pic when it's light and dry. It was only £1 cos it was near dead but when I snipped out all the dark withered bits it looked better. Hopefully it'll be happy out there. 

Did you get some good ideas from your progs 2p? Are you having a bit of a titivate or a big re-do jobber? Or just sat dreaming, thinking "well I could do that..." like wot I do...

Good luck with your van and re-test Dusty. Imagine that mower fellah being in pushing distance all this time! Least you know he's there now eh  

Dustyevsky

YoungBlueEyes said:

Morning all AWOL yesterday cos jeez I was hungover  We were out on Friday night at a 25th wedding anniversary do and it all got a bit messy...
Good luck with your van and re-test Dusty. Imagine that mower fellah being in pushing distance all this time! Least you know he's there now eh  

Wait till you get to the 50th anniversaries, Bluey. It's home at 10, a cup of Horlicks and oblivion! And that's after you've dozed off in a corner during the speeches, following 2 glasses of Blue Nun!

I know Mower Man exists now, but he's strictly Devon time, so when he exists is the problem. It could be today, but it might be next Saturday....or even Sunday if something comes up.   That's still quicker than the other place, which charges £20 a trip each way for moving the thing, then holds it to ransom for a month.

There was a distinct feeling of warmth on the wind this morning at 07.00 when I let the hens out. Apparently, that wind is going to be fierce 'oop norf,' but here it's just 'blowy.'

YoungBlueEyes

"Devon time" - love that The weather folks all seem to concur on the wind (if nothing else). 15mph ish winds with gusts at double that. Not a dry wind though even if it is from the south. 

Your 50th's sound quite appealing to me.... it was hard work getting in at 2am even if it was bluddy good fun. I was about to say I'm too old for that nonsense now but I'll blame himself for aging me prematurely instead - he has 10 years on me and instead of me keeping him young I think the reverse is happening. He might have to go  

YoungBlueEyes

Sun’s out now, quite pleasant out there. 

Here’s my half dead cheapo thing. I did have Sweet Williams in there but they were never happy. 

And the multi bit. I hope it pulls itself round cos I do like it  

Farway

Weather here is dull and cloudy, just seems sort of indifferent, especially compared to yesterday's sunshine, but at least it's not awful like wot it seems to be oop Norf. The sun is trying to creep out but half-heartedly

YoungBlueEyes said:

Those plugs look good to me, not sure I've seen anything to rival them in my morries. Will they be all different colours? I often look at pansies but I've not bought any yet. My veg shop sells them but they're dear. I did buy a reduced something the other day with silky purpley flowers on it, the label said "bedding plant" (B+M) so I've stuck it in my hanging basket by the front door. One of the stalks has a head with all wee tiny petals on it in different colours. I'll take a pic when it's light and dry. It was only £1 cos it was near dead but when I snipped out all the dark withered bits it looked better. Hopefully it'll be happy out there. 

The pansy plugs are the "Universal" strain, mixed colours. Over the years I have found Universal just works and is reliable

The name of the silky purple flower is on the tip of my tongue, I like those but have never grown them, if it's what I think they look fragile but are tough

My runners are done for, just waiting for the last few pods to dry on the vine before I collect for seeds, could be this week if it keeps dry enough, then I can put the seeds in a safe pace and never find them

If the sun does get going, I may just plant out some foxgloves and Cloth of Gold that are wanting a good home for winter

To brighten the day, here's my shot of yesterday's pampas in the health Centre car park, it's not one of the monster ones, comes about chest high and catches the early sun just right

After is a cobweb strung in the fennel & just catching the light

Cobweb among fennel

Dustyevsky

Here's my cheering autumn picture for the weekend. It's actually from a show 5 years ago, but no one will know!

PS. I could like that pampas grass, but Mrs Dusty wouldn't, so I grow miscanthus!

twopenny

Wonderful photos, a joy to the heart in my dark and damp world.

Farway I'm thinking you recovered well from your bug? Running down to the volunteer garden and such.

Dusty, very autumnal. I briefly made the effort with flower arranging but I will forever be a 'bung them in a vase and shake' sort of flower person.

Bluey, I had some of those little plants. They are a joy and good doers through the summer. Mine didn't make it though the wet cold winter but yours being in a basket may well do. Definitely worth having as they bloom all through summer.

What make over am I thinking of? Well with each programme it changes. And I don't have the energy at the moment but who knows if weather and inspiration strike........

I want a wildflower - or a grass and wildflower - or trees to cast light and shade - or or or.....

Yesterday I got the front lawn mowed after cleaning the gutters with tons of moss grown in the summer being washed down by the storm, and I lay on the grass and tidied the Hidcote lavender hedge as there were some dead branches in there. It looks much better and new shoots coming up. That's a feature of the variety. It will shoot from old wood which most won't. Something I've learned from growing different varieties and good old Monty/GW.

My big standard lavender hedge that I trimmed up, one definitely isn't happy. It's right in the middle too so I did a trawl of the shops, partly for onion sets (none, all Halloween and Christmas stuff where gardening should be.

Did see seeds for multi headed Cauliflower. Looked a good idea but the seeds are £4! Must remember to look online for perenial broccoli. That was a great plant that disappeared with the serious garden shops and some virus that seems to be overcome now.

The weather has been persistantly wet, breezy and gloomy. The beans are down again. I'm leaving them there.

Neadledrop

Very cute cat, great post