One of THOSE days.

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Are you sitting comfortably? This is a long one.
It’s been one of those days. ‘Old jeans’ was my first thought when I looked out of the window this morning. The sky was overcast, but a glimmer of sunshine struggled grudgingly through a break in the cloud, and there was a gentle breeze blowing. Ideal. There was so much I wanted to do today, some of it quite strenuous. The overcast and the breeze meant I could stay cool.
But first, open the greenhouse, then have a cup of coffee(de-caff.of course) and a light breakfast.
I had just finished when I heard it, and my heart sank to join my breakfast. Rain on the window. The sky darkened, the wind picked up to a brisk blow, and the heavens opened. When that happens here, they stay open longer than Arkwright’s. To cap it all, there’s a leak in the launder (gutter, to you) and I’ve got a mini waterfall running down the window, onto the path below. It sounds like a horse peeing on a pavement.
O.K. Change of plan. I kept my old jeans on, though, just in case. Love those jeans. I can identify virtually every stain, splodge, streak and splatter, from the delicate spray pattern laid down by a cheap fence brush, to each oddly shaped plant stain in various fetching shades of green, yellow and brown.
Odd, isn’t it? When you want to use a plant for dye, you need a mordant to set it, otherwise is just washes out again. Except when you don’t want it; then it’s there forever.
However, I digress.
The two main jobs I wanted to do were; clear an overgrown area at the top of the bank behind the shed. It’s tricky to get to, but there’s a terrific view out to North Cliffs and over St. Ives bay. I also wanted to top up the soil level in the raised bed before planting Argyranthemums and Dahlias. If they stay in their pots much longer they’ll be leaving to find more spacious accommodation!
What to do with the day? Check out GoY. I read some good blogs, made a couple of comments, answered a few questions. We certainly do have some interesting people. So caring and sharing.
Nearly lunchtime, but first, a quick phone call for some well-rotted horse manure. £2 a bag, free delivery if local. Can’t miss that! Dialled the number. Nice but dim on the other end. Takes my phone number. “We’ll call you back soon.” I’m still waiting. I think she must have written down the wrong number. It’s one of those that can easily be mistaken, and it’s also only one digit different to that of a local estate agent. I’m thinking of charging them referral fees. Don’t want to change it; had it too long.
Spent most of the afternoon drinking coffee and looking through my daylily books, trying to identify a couple that have lost their labels. I can’t remember them all; not any more.
It finally stopped raining at 7.p.m, so I nipped out to close up the greenhouse. The wind was still blowing a stiff south-easterly which made me shiver (in June!), and when I looked in the greenhouse, there was a huge snail heading up towards the aforementioned Dahlias. I’m sure I detected a greedy glint in his (her?) stalky eyes. Have you noticed the bubbly squeal they make when you pull them off a hard surface? Anyway, I gave snail a quick flying lesson, heaped praise and adoration on the tomato plants just to keep them happy, although I don’t think they need it. They now occupy one complete side of the greenhouse, and two plants are in flower.
On the way back I noticed the runner beans had grown another foot. If I don’t keep a careful eye on them, they’ll walk away. (Sorry! Flush it!)
Well, I’ve been a member of GoY for nearly two weeks now, so perhaps a little review is in order. I’ve finally learned how to use the camera I’ve had for nearly twelve months. I’ve bought a memory card for it and got the hang of transferring and uploading pictures. I’ve remembered things I didn’t even know I’d forgotten (eh?), dredged up long forgotten things from the depths of my horticultural memory, and also learned a surprising amount of new things; and no doubt while I remain a member of GoY, I shall go on learning. If it hadn’t been for the unique qualities of GoY members, I probably wouldn’t have done any of these things. Thankyou. Meur ras dhywgh hwi.
Bye bye. Me gone.

• 8 Jun, 2009
• 15 likes

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