Yawn Yawn Wakey Wakey 2024

It’s going to be hot here today, about 26 degrees, which for here, is hot. I’ve drawn all the curtains already to try to keep the interior cool, and pulled out the awning which covers the kitchen window, where we have a bench sited, so it’s a nice place to sit.

It should be cool in church though, as it’s a very old building dating from the 1100’s.

Those words are just right, I think, @redstar.

I’m glad I got some gardening done yesterday as it will be too hot to do much today. I just had to buy another dahlia when we went to the GC yesterday - it jumped into my hands . It’s a beautiful orange one, really pretty. I saw them a few weeks ago and was tempted then, but resisted, but my resolve deserted me yesterday. It is now in its new pot on the patio.

 

It really is a sparkling morning here, with enough of a breeze to make it pleasant.
We sat out last night with a couple from another van. A hot air balloon drifted past. Perfect.
Home later and will have to wield the hosepipe. Interesting to see if the courgettes and beans have flourished in the 4 days we've been away.
@Tui34 @Obelix-Vendée @Busy-Lizzie hope you can stay cool.
I wear just below the knee leggings for gardening. My friend was remarking on my brown legs yesterday. They don't seem that brown this year, just weather beaten.
Touching words @redstar

 

Hello all, another very hot day! We are feeding next doors cat, he is a grumpy old thing who gets agitated at the slightest thing. He has hidden himself somewhere out of site in our house, but I won't go looking for him, he will appear when he wants to go out!
Our friend who's husband had a seizure just over a week ago whilst they were house sitting for friends popped in to see us yesterday, husband is still in hospital and they are running further tests, it seems he has had multiple health problems for a while, but was told he was fine to drive over from the UK, obviously he wasn't! Oh yes, and the "friends" they were house sitting for have said that when he comes out of hospital they will no longer have them there whilst they arrange to get themselves back to the UK, some friends eh?

 

That’s very mean spirited of those “friends” @floralies. I hope your friends will be able to find somewhere until they can get themselves back to the UK, and I don’t imagine they’ll do any more house sitting for those “friends”. It must be a worry for them.

 

Hot here in Kent. But, been in church much of the morning, and talking with neighbours on way home - the result of which has netted us some raspberries and blueberries.
Moreover, a friend from church has invited us to come and pick blackberries in their garden this evening, as they are going away, and don't want them going to waste. Looks as though I'll be making blackberry and apple jam after all.

 

One hour after the zenith and it's 34C in the shade but it's much hotter in the sun and quite fierce. I came in half way thru the morning to top up on cream and drink some water then I retreated an hour ago to have a shower and a bit of lunch. All the bigger pots have been done so now just the smaller ones to thru but I've only got half a bag of compost left so this pm, when it's cooler, I'll prioritise arranging them all in such away to maximise sprinkler efficiency.
Some of the pots were bone dry despite a watering last night.

Pottering indoors no till 6pm and making a start on sorting out what I need to take with me and sorting out my driving music. Now that he's finished watching the Olympics every waking hour, OH wants to watch Thunderball............

I remember them as Bow and Trill @LG_ I hope they both enjoy Cardiff and you get everything organised for Trill.

Edited to add: Missed your post @floralies. Miserable "friends" they turned out to be.

 

Afternoon all, hot and humid here, glad I did my usual walk earlier. OH is getting stronger and walked to meet me again, a good 15 minute walk.
After a coffee, I managed, with his help, to wrestle my repainted cushion storage into it's new position near to my new Egg chair seating area. It was rather a struggle as there was only 1/2 inch to spare between the trellis end post and the wall. OH has also been inspired by my efforts and has repainted the old outdoor clock surround which had gone all rusty - a sitting down job in the shade.
I think that's all we're going to do today, I'm going out to relax in my chair in the shade for a bit and OH has gone for his afternoon nap, as per the medics advice.

Beautiful words @redstar, hits the spot exactly.

@RowlandsCastle, we're also picking hedgerow blackberries but we prefer apple and blackberry crumble.

@floralies, they often say a crisis shows you who are your true friends. That's particularly unfriendly in a strange country. Hope your friend's husband is okay and comes out soon.

 

We have of course offered our friends to stay with us if they need to, so much depends on what help they receive from their families, they have no children.

 

I would have frozen blackberries, to mix with the bottled stewed apple, for crumbles, but we've no room in the freezer.
I did bottle a blackberry and apple mix one year, but on over half of the jars, the lids bubbled upwards. When opened, the mix rose up out of the jars by itself. It smelled good, but not ideal for a family dessert.
Another year, when we redesign the kitchen, and have more freezer space in the garage.

 

Thanks again folks for your comments about my statement for her sympathy card. Mail goes out on Monday. They live next door to our airbnb in NC. And they had bought the house just about the same time we bought ours, so much renovations they did together with it. Actually, seems like the last of it was done only a few months ago.

 

Sunday. 10AM here. Back outside again today, no rain for a week. Lots to continue doing to spruce up the garden after all the limbs, twigs, branches fallen every where and the weeds had a hay day with the rain.
Have a grand day all.

 

For those of you who don't want to spend out on odd pots, try this.

 

short break, sitting. when storms and winds go on for days here a wooded garden is a lot of fun. On my forth wheel barrel of limbs and sticks to the burn pile. So maybe later today will run the lawn mower around just the front lawn I am talking about. See picture.

 

Good afternoon everyone. Well I have had a productive day in the garden today. I managed to get most of one side of my front hedge done but both my green bins are stuffed fit to burst so I will have to wait until they are emptied before continuing that task.
Oh my goodness @floralies, I cannot believe that shabby treatment from those supposed 'friends'. With friends like that, who needs enemies as my dear Gran used to say (it did take me a while to understand what she meant as I was very young at the time). They should be ashamed of themselves.
Have you been raiding my store cupboard @RowlandsCastle? I have both those tins + contents there. Are those basil plants - they look like mine? How about these?

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@redstar, that garden looks positively wintry.

 

Believe that shot was taken about April this year. The star magnolias are blooming on each end of the house.