Awful weather - typical Brits talk

Farway

Davesnave said:

ancientmum said:

Ha ha Farway  times were tough then..  Red raw rashes on your legs where your wellies stopped and coming back to a house where only one room was heated. But we'd never had it so good, apparently.

It was no fun being first to get chilblains, but we had a badly drained playground where incredibly long slides were possible.

Yes that was same for me, the "big boys" made the slide right across the playground, it was lethal as it ended slap into the surrounding chain link fence

Had to get in quick before classes & the teachers put salt on it

Dull, damp & cold NE wind today, according to my weather app it's over 90% chance of rain which I can well believe

This is my Christmas cactus, not as many flowers on this one this year, but I have a sibling in the unheated conservatory that may be a stunner once they open, still buds at the moment

Apodemus

My Christmas cactus has been strange this year...  Half started flowering in mid-November, then the other half in mid-December.  It means that it has essentially been in flower for two months.  I did turn it round so that the flowering side is on show and that will probably "mess with its head" as I believe that you are meant to leave them strictly alone, so that they grow consistently to the side that the light is coming from. 

Black_Cat2

Love that Christmas cactus colour!  I remember one at my grandma's when I was a nipper.  Am I right in my recollection that they only flower for a very short time? 

Farway

Black_Cat2 said:

Love that Christmas cactus colour!  I remember one at my grandma's when I was a nipper.  Am I right in my recollection that they only flower for a very short time? 

Yes, the flowers last a only few days, but seem to fully open over time, so not a just couple of days wonder

Black_Cat2

Thanks F 😊

Back to work feeling today, not as cold out but a chilly wind.  Emptied some of the water butt water out so it doesn't come a cropper when it freezes.  Spent some time watching the birds feeding on some suet when I got home.  They do have it hard this time of year what with the frozen ground.  Been putting some sultanas out for the blackbirds over the last week or so and they now seem to anticipate it lol.  Little beady eyes peering out from the hedges and that familiar call they make when they're startled, bless them 🐈

Davesnave

Black_Cat2 said:

Back to work feeling today, not as cold out but a chilly wind.

That wind made it colder for me than yesterday. Carried on with the hedge cutting (it's over 100' long ) and then did  other pruning with the pole saw. The hedge is the worst job of the year, but I should finish it with one more session.

Black_Cat2

Great work out to keep you warm D, that's one long hedge 🥴

Davesnave

Black_Cat2 said:

Great work out to keep you warm D, that's one long hedge 🥴

Yes, we have a lot of hedges and that one's the most difficult. It's all elm, about 8' high and our main protection from the west. The tractor can do the other side and most of the top, so I just have the garden side and some of the top to do. I'm glad to say the mixed hedge along the roadside, 5 times longer, can be done by the tractor on both sides! We don't have the top of that cut every year, but we must do the road face or the council would be after us. It's a balance between helping wildlife and public safety.

Looks like it will stay cold today, but more chance of sunshine. Still that bitter wind from the NE though! 

Farway

I can see the bitter NE wind moving the tree tops as I look out, which is as far as I intend sampling it today

Back in proper official lock down now, just as I was sort of anticipating a masked foray over the next few weeks to find some compost for the season ahead

I may postpone that now & wait until I've had my jab, I'm in the the range for it by mid Feb fingers crossed

Black_Cat2

I think the garden centres may still be open over this Lockdown, although I'm not 100% sure it's worthwhile for them over these cold months?