hi everyone, i haven't caught up on posts at all recently, haven't had a minute, this is a bit random but any thoughts helpful, we need a few things doing in the house, some large jobs like refurbishing sash windows, and some small, like fitting shelves and sanding and waxing floors, we've had nothing but stress and unreliability over the last year and a half from tradesmen and now i'm terrified to get anyone in, i posted a job on rated people, has anyone used this ? how do i know they're reliable and not shysters like we've had ( we've also lost a lot of money to one really bad 'builder' so we really are wary) sorry for randomness, and apologies for not keeping up with news on site
Gardengirl, glad you enjoyed your trip to Wolvercroft and Baskets and Blooms. They are as different as Waitrose and LIDLs but I love them both. Wolvercroft do the largest teacakes in Hampshire... enough for two!
While you were there I went hunting for tree stumps and found 5 lovely ones at very reasonable prices. Spent today starting to clear out my "roundabout" bed (round and 12 feet across), saving sedums, primroses, euonymous, verbena bonariensis seedlings, hardy geraniums and golden spirea. All planted or potted up for reuse or giving away. Will have to sacrifice the viburnam davidii. Broke my large fork on the first one. Will hack them out tomorrow.
The stumps arrive on Saturday and then it's off to Knoll gardens for my grasses. The bed is hot and sunny all day around, so grasses should be more successful than the odd mix of plants I have had in there, until today. Will grow the grasses through and around the stumps. There are holes in some of them which might make good planting niches, perhaps for some ferns.
Excited about the new look, in front of my front door. Master plan here I come!
I know my brother has been doing jobs for people who used to live in his area, but moved some distance away, and then couldn't get anyone suitable.
He has also had people ring him up after getting his number from the gas safe register(used to be called corgi)
I think rated people have to pay to go on the list, so it may not be as good as they claim. Also , conversely, there may be better people around who get enough work by word of mouth, and dont have to pay to get work.
Hi everyone, just a quick check in now as I had typed a post and just lost the lot!!!
Hope Dove and GG are resting as advised by us expert medics I've not seen Punk, is he still in mini hibernation? Hope he is ok
Anyway, another busy day and up early tomorrow as my big boy is sweet (??) 16 so birthday breakfast to be made and he has chosen pancakes.....with Chocolate sauce and whipped cream Birthday breakfasts don't have calories
Hi folks! Just back from spending the day at Quarry Bank Mill (near Manchester) with the family - it's granddaughter's 3rd and son-in-law's 35th birthday today. Nice cake...
Rosemummy, I'm sure local recommendation is the most useful thing - plus knowing exactly what you want, getting several quotes beforehand, and never employing someone who's already a friend... if something goes wrong your friendship will suffer.
Off to the Harrogate autumn flower show tomorrow, with a college friend. Should be fun, though I'm not taking too much cash cos otherwise I'll spend it, and there's no room in my garden for any more plants... although I guess I might manage to squeeze the odd one in if necessary
Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
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I loved lyns comment about the missing bit of pie, made me chuckle
hi everyone, i haven't caught up on posts at all recently, haven't had a minute, this is a bit random but any thoughts helpful, we need a few things doing in the house, some large jobs like refurbishing sash windows, and some small, like fitting shelves and sanding and waxing floors, we've had nothing but stress and unreliability over the last year and a half from tradesmen and now i'm terrified to get anyone in, i posted a job on rated people, has anyone used this ? how do i know they're reliable and not shysters like we've had ( we've also lost a lot of money to one really bad 'builder' so we really are wary) sorry for randomness, and apologies for not keeping up with news on site
Gardengirl, glad you enjoyed your trip to Wolvercroft and Baskets and Blooms. They are as different as Waitrose and LIDLs but I love them both. Wolvercroft do the largest teacakes in Hampshire... enough for two!
While you were there I went hunting for tree stumps and found 5 lovely ones at very reasonable prices. Spent today starting to clear out my "roundabout" bed (round
and 12 feet across), saving sedums, primroses, euonymous, verbena bonariensis seedlings, hardy geraniums and golden spirea. All planted or potted up for reuse or giving away. Will have to sacrifice the viburnam davidii. Broke my large fork on the first one. Will hack them out tomorrow.
The stumps arrive on Saturday and then it's off to Knoll gardens for my grasses. The bed is hot and sunny all day around, so grasses should be more successful than the odd mix of plants I have had in there, until today. Will grow the grasses through and around the stumps. There are holes in some of them which might make good planting niches, perhaps for some ferns.
Excited about the new look, in front of my front door. Master plan here I come!
Whereabouts are you, Rosemummy?
I know my brother has been doing jobs for people who used to live in his area, but moved some distance away, and then couldn't get anyone suitable.
He has also had people ring him up after getting his number from the gas safe register(used to be called corgi)
I think rated people have to pay to go on the list, so it may not be as good as they claim. Also , conversely, there may be better people around who get enough work by word of mouth, and dont have to pay to get work.
Hi everyone, just a quick check in now as I had typed a post and just lost the lot!!!
Hope Dove and GG are resting as advised by us expert medics
I've not seen Punk, is he still in mini hibernation? Hope he is ok 
Anyway, another busy day and up early tomorrow as my big boy is sweet (??) 16 so birthday breakfast to be made and he has chosen pancakes.....with Chocolate sauce and whipped cream
Birthday breakfasts don't have calories 
Night night for now, take care all x
Hi folks! Just back from spending the day at Quarry Bank Mill (near Manchester) with the family - it's granddaughter's 3rd and son-in-law's 35th birthday today.
Nice cake... 
Rosemummy, I'm sure local recommendation is the most useful thing - plus knowing exactly what you want, getting several quotes beforehand, and never employing someone who's already a friend... if something goes wrong your friendship will suffer.
Off to the Harrogate autumn flower show tomorrow, with a college friend. Should be fun, though I'm not taking too much cash cos otherwise I'll spend it, and there's no room in my garden for any more plants... although I guess I might manage to squeeze the odd one in if necessary
Ggirl - our talk was by someone called Sue - the "yellow" story is obviously a Hillier favourite
RoseM - we have used checkatrade quite successfully to find tradesmen - or word of mouth from neighbours/local friends.
Not keen on these dark evenings - i'm back to only "seeing" my garden at weekends
Roundabout sounds wonderful Woody - hope it is in its prime in time for garden visits next year
Doing my best Chicky, and also introducing a new yellow theme. With all the digging I shall be disappearing altogether.
Woody - the answer is doughnuts, but you'll have to fight Verd for them