Awful weather - typical Brits talk

Dustyevsky

YoungBlueEyes said:

I've already been told off this morning and had a post removed  

That's a really lovely iris wort. Also, I like your pots

Good Lord, I didn't think you could ever be nawty! I'm reformed, almost, so these days I only make small blunders, like referencing places where I lived 50 something years ago.

Wort has very good taste; you only need to look at her shrub borders to see they're considered artistically.

Walking poles: I saw them in Lidl, and then thought, “Nah!” I hate carrying stuff, other than a camera. I've even convinced my walking partner a camera's as heavy as a small bottle of water, so she packs a larger one and we share it.   But seriously, you don't need to feel embarrassed using poles; I've seen people far younger and fitter than me using them on really long treks.

Some blue sky spotted here this morning, but the drunks assure us a little rain is approaching on the perky wind. We might hit 5c if we're lucky.

Dustyevsky

pink_poppy said:

I was advised to try walking poles too, twopenny, I'd forgotten about that. I'll have a look for them in Lidl, thanks. No idea how to use them properly....

Take them straight into Sainsbury's and use them to get all the stuff on the too-high shelves down!

True story: A few weeks ago, a nice young lady saw this old chap (me) vainly trying to avail himself of the 3 for 2 offer on chopped pepper in the freezer section. "I'll get those for you!" she called, and leaned over the cabinet to delve into the cupboard section above....but she couldn't reach either. "It's OK" said the old bloke, "I'm used to this," and he leapt onto the cabinet edge. There was an ominous cracking noise and the young lady grimaced. "Don't worry, that's only my knee,"said the old guy. The youngster decided at that point to make herself scarce, the peppers were quickly  gathered, and in a second, all was back to normal.

EDIT: Speaking of Sainsbury's, I take it you've all read their Future Food Report. Sounds yummy, but I can't find sheep in it anywhere!

 https://www.about.sainsburys.co.uk/~/media/Files/S/Sainsburys/pdf-downloads/futureoffood-10c.pdf

LessImpecunious

twopenny said:

I bought some walking poles from lidl and told they are good for me. Got to go out and practice. Feel foolish. Any tips would be welcome.

My tip is not to use them - or at least not to become reliant on them. I started using a stick and/or sticks when arthritis in my ankles was causing major problems. Realised after a couple (or more?) years of using them that my legs were becoming really feeble and wobbly, so started intensive ankle exercising and threw away (metaphorically) the sticks. Principle of use it or lose it. On the other hand I did recently watch a video of wildlife trust people somewhere in the Highlands checking up on little willows they were reestablishing, and they were all using sticks - but this was to cross very rough terrain with rocks, streams and no paths - so I think they have their place!

Farway

Wet & grey again, with hint of blue, not enough for a sailors' collar yet, if it continues I hope to get outside & squelch about a bit

I like muscari, but I've always called them Grape Hyacinth, probably because Nana M was not invented born when I was learning plant names. My GH are common dark blue ones, and I think the squirrels like them as well, nowhere near as many as I once had and as we know they are spreaders.

There's also a white variety, and now I think I'll keep my eyes open for some, with Mums' day there may be some going cheap later on

The bit about blossom & cold jogged a memory, Chill Hours & vernalisation. You'll have to Duck duck them and take your pick, but cold is required, even for little apricot twigs.

Managed to sow the Helianthus & coleus yesterday, and they are in my mini heated propagator, be about a week or more before they are due to show

Dustyevsky

I'd agree about 'Use it or lose it,' Imp. Here, I'm forced to wear wellies a lot, and they're no fun, but they do give me a specific sort of exercise I don't get when wearing trainers. I really miss having stairs. Even before the knee problems, stairs would be harder than expected.

What are poles in ££, about £15? It's not a lot to find out whether they'll suit you; on rough terrain, of course.

ArbitraryRandom

Woke up this morning to proper white frost everywhere. It's mostly gone now with the sun chasing it about, but this year so far has been switching back and forth faster than I can keep up.

Next week is going to be busy, so taking it easy this weekend. I've a list of things I should be doing, but not beating myself up about reading a book and having a nice quiet cuppa to start things off  

pink_poppy

We've had a stunning day here - we got a bit of drizzle in the morning, as forecast, but then pretty much wall to wall sunshine. I'm hoping it's the same tomorrow as we're having a day out in Fort William and Glencoe, possibly via a Garden Centre  

DH was hanging some washing outside this morning and he left the back door ajar, only for a wee robin to come into the utility   We always have one resident robin, but recently another has appeared so I'm hoping for babies soon   

wort

I while ago there was an exercise boom with Nordic walking poles, think it was a bit faster than normal and the poles were used to increase heart rate or something?

The pots are M and S came with the bulbs , got them ood so not much cost. Thanks Dusty for your compliment on the shrubs not sure I agree 🫣
YBE I use the emojis that are on my phone or tablet rather than the MSE ones.
pp I love robins you are very lucky 🍀 xx

YoungBlueEyes

Ooh I agree, you're very lucky with a visiting robin pp. Fingers crossed for wee babbies soon. I'm glad none of your blackies perished, it's true what they say about red in tooth and claw   Expecting nice pics from Fort William and Glencoe... 

I wouldn't feel foolish about using walking poles 2p, I always thought they were for proper yompers rather than folks out for a bit of a wander. I remember buying daddy a walking stick but he gave up using it cos it made his wrist hurt so there's definitely right and wrong ways. Do they come with instructions...? 

If you don't count daffs, primroses, violas and small green things in general my garden's doing ok I think. I've a few buds on various things and a bit of movement on nearly everything. The apple tree is happier than the pear tree though (I'll go get pics in a minute). Still only one bud on the Ska tree but it's still happy enough not to die. My helebore looks well (I think) and I've a little saxifrage that's throwing out tiny wee red buds so that's nice  

Weather today is bright greyness but no rain, they say. It hardly rained yesterday, well a few very brief showers that lasted under a minute. Not warm at all though. Not warm this morning either, 2' now and high of 6' and there's not a breath of wind out there. What I should do is see what needs planting in my frankly ridiculously large seed collection but I wanna watch that trial with 2 juries thing that was on this week...

YoungBlueEyes

Happy apple tree - 

I couldn’t get a good pic of the saxifrage so here’s my not cystitis coming to life - 

Movement for sure 👏🏻