Yawn Yawn Wakey Wakey 2025

We've had a lovely day. We saw the millions of snowdrops, then had lunch in a tearoom, then went to Wells-Next-the-Sea for a walk around. Lunch was very good, delicious homemade sausage rolls, then moist carrot and walnut cake and pots of tea in a tea room full of character and books.

 

Good afternoon everyone. Having waited (in vain) a fortnight to hear from a boiler engineer I decided today that enough was enough and I posted my job on Checkatrade. I had 4 tradespeople reply and after a lot of researching and review reading, I finally decided on one of them. He's fairly local and did say he had a slot on Monday. I am going to a funeral on Monday morning so I hope it will all fit in. The funeral is of a lovely and very elderly lady who I used to see in Church with her husband. They were always lovely to me despite the fact we didn't really know one another. He is understandably devastated.
@Busy-Lizzie I bet those snowdrops were gorgeous. Did you get any pics? I hope that @Tui34 and @Blue arbour manage to shake off the colds that have developed. @Blue arbour your Spring flowers sound really pretty. Its been so dim and dismal here today. I had to rescue three of my neighbours bins that had been blown down their drive by the strong winds. Luckily none of the contents had escaped with it being bin day yesterday. At the moment I only know about the flowers I can see through my windows. I am waiting with bated breath to see all of my bulbs in their full glory. I do have to say that they look promising.

 

Our posts crossed @Busy-Lizzie so thank you for the wonderful snowdrop pics. Its a while since I've been in Wells-next-the-Sea. Its a super village.

 

I've put more photos on the garden visits thread. I had some bother finding it.
Gardens and Pretty Places we have visited

 

Wow, those snowdrops look stunning @Busy-Lizzie, and the rest of your day sounds good too. I like Wells Next the Sea. Been a while since we went, though.
Yes, the flowers do bring some cheer during these grey days @Ladybird4. It’s been very blustery, here, too, but the bins are safely shut away until bin day next Tuesday.
I’m also enjoying the bloom of an amaryllis that my SiL gave me at Christmas (she’s not very good with plants). It’s just starting to open up now, so giving some beautiful cheer (amaryllis Tosca, I think, but need to check the box to be sure). Can they be kept to grow again next year? I’ve read conflicting reports online - some say yes, others say they don’t always flower another year and are best bought fresh. I’m up for a challenge, though, and would like to try - I hate discarding plants if they look healthy.

 

Signing out for today. See you all in the morning. Good night lovely people.

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Lovely photos, thanks @Busy-Lizzie. The snowdrops are stunning this year.
My dad spent time at Wells next the sea and I have a picture he did of a windmill there.
After our last trip to Llanberis, I joined the hotel's loyalty programme and have had an email with a 'too good to miss' offer. B & B for £49 per night for 2 people, before the end March. We booked 2 nights; £98. Non offer price £298. Dogs are booked into kennels, costing almost as much
Been out for lunch - 3 large-egg sized fish cakes, proper tartare and chips. Really tasty and packed with fish. No supper required!
Amaryllis Tabasco is stunning at the moment.
I rate Checkatrade @Ladybird4. Hope he does a good job for you.

 

So pleased with myself! It was raining a bit this morning, but I forced myself to go out into the garden. I managed to clamber up the bank with the mattock, and dug out at least five rhododendron roots. The ground was lovely and soft so the roots were easier to dig out, and it was also a bit easier for me to sink my boots into the ground, to stop myself falling back down the hill! I must have been a mountain goat in a previous life!
I’ve also now remembered that when it rains here, it’s actually sufficiently dry under the trees to get some work done. Conversely, when it’s stopped raining, it’s quite possible to get drenched under the trees when the water on the branches gets dumped down!
After that bit of fun, we went out for lunch to the whole food shop, shared a ploughman’s with local ham , two sorts of cheese and store made chutney. I’ve come home with a freshly made quiche Provençal for tomorrow’s lunch, and OH got tempted by the bread pudding. A quick stop at the garden centre for bird food, and I bought some hollyhock seeds to plant. Every year, I look longingly at the ones growing by the side of the road, and wish we had them in the garden. I know I won’t get any flowers for a year, I wonder if I’ll be able to buy more mature plants later, that will flower this year?
Such wonderful snowdrops, @Busy-Lizzie. Sorry for all those attending funerals, hope they go well.

 

Hoorah its Saturday - and a special day for one of our friends. Happy birthday @Songbird. I hope you have the most wonderful day.

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@Blue arbour I have had amaryllis that have flowered again. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. I shall certainly be keeping my 'no show' amaryllis of this year another chance. Its leaves are very healthy and beautiful so I have spoken nicely to it!.
@Ergates, I am with you in dreams of wonderful hollyhocks. I have tried a few times and its really galling when you see them growing in the cracks at the base of house walls and thriving when you give them a nurtured spot and they fail. Always worth another go. Cake baking today for tomorrow's tea/coffee morning.

 

@Penny_Forthem I meant to say what a bargain you got there and a nice break to look forward to. I have used Checkatrade in the past and not been disappointed yet but thanks for your positive comment about them. Its always good to hear from other people about their experiences with them.

 

Good morning @Ladybird4 and all to follow. Sunny and finally warm morning. I'll certainly go out and tidy front garden, and plant few primulas I bought two days ago. Yesterday was also a nice day, and everything went in order at funeral.
I'll probably go to the cottage this afternoon, and will have nice and long walk in the woods with Max. Wish you all a lovely day.

 

Good morning @Ante1. Pleased to hear that all went as well as possible yesterday. It is good to read that someone has sun! Enjoy your trip to the cottage this afternoon and your walk with Max.

 

Good morning all!!

Blustery today with grey skies - no rain yet although forecast. Will do the bike ride with Fizz before it comes.

Started my knitting yesterday. It's a sleeveless cardy but knitted in one piece!!! So I won't be able to do any fair isle on the front panels - too complicated. Never mind. It will make me sit and rest as I am terrible once I start sewing or knitting - I can't put it down!!!

So - I wish you all a lovely weekend and hope it's not too cold.

 

Good morning all and thanks to @Ladybird4 for my birthday wishes. Daughter and son will visit at various times during the day so look forward to that. I think I can see some sun peeping out from behind the clouds and it’s certainly feels like another mild day too. I’ll venture into the garden later. I got a lovely 21 inch terracotta plant pot, hand painted with three sunflowers on the outside. Its beautiful and will be reserved specially, each year, for one sunflower which should look really nice in it.

Thanks again Liz for the birthday wishes and picture.