We got down to minus something in the low teens some years back when we lived out in rural Suffolk on a smallholding ... that was pretty grim.
Now it's clouded over here and cooled down ... OH is back from his shopping expedition with some new tee shirts, and now we're both just flollopped ... conserving our energy
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I know what you mean r'girl, and I was generalising a bit, of course. The west side of Britain is wetter, and higher altitude always makes a difference because of the way cloud 'works', and the wind chill changes things dramatically too, but that weather also gives us the beautiful landscape we have, and that's the bonus. As far as gardening's concerned, the wet, cold ground is the problem - takes a long time to warm up and dry out, so the season's shorter. This year was weird as we had a very dry, and quite warm March, so it feels as if it's been ages since winter. I ain't complaining though - it was quite pleasant to be able to get outside and do stuff at that time of year - I was well ahead
The real issue for me would be the lack of hills 'darn sarf'. I could maybe manage Wales at a push, Lakes/Cumbria is too busy, but when I retire I'm going further north - I can never have enough of a good thing
There's a bit of sun just now so I may go and shove some gravel down round the pond. The plants I moved the other day look as though they've been there forever, which is good. There was a little juvenile robin out there earlier - first one I've seen this year. I hope they all appreciate my digging to make their pond a bit bigger
How many sleeps now Dove?
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
FG - I can't do constant cold and damp. Bad for my bones and the constant grey of most Belgian winters can last 6 months and is just depressing.
DL -15C was normal for 2 or 3 weeks in Jan or Feb and usually came from your neck of the woods with no snow and killer winds or lovely high pressure and blue skies. -20C wasn't unusual either. The worst was an unannounced -32C on Jan 6th 2009 followed by 2 weeks in the low -20s, again no snow so no insulation and a massacre in my garden - evergreens, conifers, some roses and all the group 1 and 2 clems except I Am Red Robin. Group 3 clems mostly OK.
Having had a good lunch and a snoozle in the sun I'm now feeling peckish and cool enough to get busy so am off to make a light dinner and potter with my pots.
Been watching the news for the first time in several days. Depressing stuff.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
Just two Dove - almost nothing! Have you got your bucket and spade packed?
Obs - it's that wet, bone chilling damp that's unhealthy and unpleasant isn't it?
The news is worse - I agree. I stopped watching it for a while, although I hear radio bulletins through the day. Whatever we have to complain about, it's often a helluva lot less than many other people have to put up with.
I think we have leftover spag bol for tea. I'm still slightly in holiday mode - can't be bothered doing any cooking
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Posts
We got down to minus something in the low teens some years back when we lived out in rural Suffolk on a smallholding ... that was pretty grim.
Now it's clouded over here and cooled down ... OH is back from his shopping expedition with some new tee shirts, and now we're both just flollopped ... conserving our energy
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I know what you mean r'girl, and I was generalising a bit, of course.
The west side of Britain is wetter, and higher altitude always makes a difference because of the way cloud 'works', and the wind chill changes things dramatically too, but that weather also gives us the beautiful landscape we have, and that's the bonus. As far as gardening's concerned, the wet, cold ground is the problem - takes a long time to warm up and dry out, so the season's shorter. This year was weird as we had a very dry, and quite warm March, so it feels as if it's been ages since winter. I ain't complaining though - it was quite pleasant to be able to get outside and do stuff at that time of year - I was well ahead 
The real issue for me would be the lack of hills 'darn sarf'. I could maybe manage Wales at a push, Lakes/Cumbria is too busy, but when I retire I'm going further north - I can never have enough of a good thing
There's a bit of sun just now so I may go and shove some gravel down round the pond. The plants I moved the other day look as though they've been there forever, which is good. There was a little juvenile robin out there earlier - first one I've seen this year. I hope they all appreciate my digging to make their pond a bit bigger
How many sleeps now Dove?
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Two sleeps now !!!
Last edited: 29 August 2017 17:52:40
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Getting excited Dove?
FG - I can't do constant cold and damp. Bad for my bones and the constant grey of most Belgian winters can last 6 months and is just depressing.
DL -15C was normal for 2 or 3 weeks in Jan or Feb and usually came from your neck of the woods with no snow and killer winds or lovely high pressure and blue skies. -20C wasn't unusual either. The worst was an unannounced -32C on Jan 6th 2009 followed by 2 weeks in the low -20s, again no snow so no insulation and a massacre in my garden - evergreens, conifers, some roses and all the group 1 and 2 clems except I Am Red Robin. Group 3 clems mostly OK.
Having had a good lunch and a snoozle in the sun I'm now feeling peckish and cool enough to get busy so am off to make a light dinner and potter with my pots.
Been watching the news for the first time in several days. Depressing stuff.
Just two Dove - almost nothing! Have you got your bucket and spade packed?
Obs - it's that wet, bone chilling damp that's unhealthy and unpleasant isn't it?
The news is worse - I agree. I stopped watching it for a while, although I hear radio bulletins through the day. Whatever we have to complain about, it's often a helluva lot less than many other people have to put up with.
I think we have leftover spag bol for tea. I'm still slightly in holiday mode - can't be bothered doing any cooking
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I'm going to borrow Hosta's
I've got my cozzie and special beach towel
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Fairy I'm already in holiday mode ... we had linguine and meatballs
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Seat is finished and sit-onable.
It's a nice spot for a quiet read...
That's a pretty bench Liri
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Lovely job Liri. Have you had time to actually sit on it?
Can you send me up some nice creamy Devon ice cream, Dove? With extra cream, and some cream poured over it. Oh - and some cream on the side ?
And maybe a few raspberries - need my five a day too...
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...