Yawn Yawn Wakey Wakey 2024

It's too hot, in my opinion, to be out in the garden, working. So, the wife has found me things to do indoors instead.

 

View above.

Too hot indoors, so I've retreated to the far end of the garden with a chair - in the shade with a cooling breeze.
I had to laugh when my wife located me. I'm doing precisely what I said I would. Resting!!
No tools, no key to the shed - unlike yesterday, when I had both, and removed the small conifer.
I'm sitting here, waiting for plums and apples to ripen.

 

As long as you're not like Isaac Newton @RowlandsCastle!
We have a good haul for ratatouille tonight and made a bouquet garni as well.

@redstar hope no damage has been done (physical or mental) to your neighbours or air b n b.

 

How horrid, @redstar, I hope the ‘guests’ were subject to a large deposit to cover any possible damage.
That jam looks good, @RowlandsCastle! I used to make small batches in the microwave oven, but since we redid the kitchen, the microwave is at eye level, and I don’t think it’s safe enough to lift my big Pyrex bowl in and out when it’s very hot. I must check if my only large pan is induction friendly.
I came home from visiting a friend earlier in the week, with a jar of her home made rhubarb and ginger jam, I’ve already eaten half of it!
No gardening today, too hot. No sign of rain down here, but we did hear a big rumble of thunder first thing. We met some friends for breakfast at a local farm restaurant with a vineyard. I had delicious pancakes with bacon and maple syrup, then we had a wander through the vineyard and gardens. Saw a beautiful Rosa rugosa hedge, with huge rosehips ripening. It’s made me a bit concerned that the spot I have earmarked for the two I bought recently is going to be too small!

 

Good afternoon! Hot and sticky here today, though the breeze is helping a bit. We had a thunderstorm last night, with some proper rain, but it's still a bit muggy. Your afternoon "activity" looks ideal, @RowlandsCastle ...

I hope you've managed to complete preparations for your road trip, @Obelix-Vendée , in spite of the heat, and that @Busy-Lizzie has a lovely visit to her daughter.

I do remember Bow and Trill from GW days, @LG_. It's good to hear how they're getting on.

Well, Mrs Hedgehog must have had her babies shortly after we saw her making her nest under the shed, which was at the beginning of July - because today we've seen this little hoglet:



This morning I heard excited magpie cries, and looked out of the kitchen window to see them tormenting this poor little hoglet - pulling on his spines and trying to get him to move - so I scared them away, and carried him/her back to the shed. I guess it's probably big enough to fend for itself, usually, but 4 juvenile magpies were a bit much! (It's about 5" long, I guess.) It unrolled and squeezed back under the shed, but this afternoon it (or a sibling) was out again, digging in the bark path and snuffling round the lawn. It was completely unafraid, hence the close-up photo. I sat and watched it for 10 minutes or so, until it decided to go back and see Mum again.

 

How gorgeous! I’ve only seen a hedgehog once in the 20 years we’ve lived here. Too many badgers around, plus owls and foxes as well. We used to see and hear lots of them in our last house, which was nearer town. I do miss them, but then, we never saw the deer, badgers and owls that are abundant round here.

 

I've been in food mode for the last hour or so @Liriodendron, making my picnic lunches for the next two days - French sandwiches are not good and motorway food is as bad. I've also made a frittata for OH's lunches and he's having some of my coronation chicken too.

Your hoglet is lovely and you did well to rescue him.

What a PITA @redstar - for you, the neighbours, the agents.... Hope you get it sorted to your satisfaction.

@Ergates you seem to be a breakfast specialist. Good that you can share them with friends. I have a long oven glove with a high grip pad for holding hot dishes. You need a pir for your microwave.

It has been cool and dry today with very little breeze so I hope all the watering I've been doing has sunk in deep. OH is a dribbler whereas I'm a pourer.

Have a lovely evening everyone.

 

At daugter's. Just popping in - just in time to see a cute little hoglet! Thank you @Liriodendron for the lovely photo.

 

Good afternoon everyone. I have had a garden day today and have just come in. I certainly had to rehydrate. I was right about the Katsura too. There has been a major leaf drop and the candy floss scent I mentioned this morning was filling the air. Delicious smell.
@Blue arbour, I hope you had an enjoyable chat at your coffee morning.
@RowlandsCastle, I'll swop you some of my rain for a jar of your lovely jam!
@Penny_Forthem, happy birthday to your OH.

​

 

I would gladly give you a jar of jam for some of your rain. Already two jars are to go to the person who let us have their blackberries, and the neighbours who have given us potatoes, courgettes, runner beans, blueberries and raspberries.

 

@Obelix-Vendée, if you are setting out early tomorrow I wish you Bon Voyage. I ordered my bulbs last week and most will arrive later this month or early September. I will still be looking in the GC's too.
@redstar, I felt so upset for you (and the neighbours) when I read about the disrespectful behaviour of those 'visitors'. That is the last thing you need. I hope they haven't caused any major damage.

 

Flying in to check you are all ok. Brilliant to hear of hoglets!
It’s cooling off a treat here so just having a cuppa whilst watering the pots.

Quizzy Mondays are back on bbc2 for those of you who like such programmes - @Ladybird4?? I am partial to an Only Connect.

Enjoy what’s left of the day folks.

 

@Ergates I have both pink and white Rosa rugosa. Nobody told ME that they sucker all over the place so I'm just giving you the heads up as they are a beggar to root out!
@Liriodendron that is a gorgeous picture of the wee hoglet. Magpies are horrid. I am forever chasing them away from my fledglings in the earlier part of the year. I know they have their young to feed but why can't they eat slugs and snails?
Glad you arrived safely @Busy-Lizzie.

 

@AuntyRach, thank you so much for the heads up. I already spotted the new series of all three quizzy programmes. Paper and pen at the ready. Pleased that my Quiz League is on its Summer break so I can watch them 'live' so to speak. It will be good to get the brain in gear for Uni Chall.

 

I am going to bid you all good evening now and hope to see you tomorrow. Wishing to all wonderful nights whatever you decide to do.

​