Emergency rush to the GC to pick up a bottle of gas ( for hob ) as it ran out as Hubby was making breaky. Eek. Managed to leave with just a calendar extra.
PP, the woodland was about 10 years old when we moved here 5 years ago. My understanding, and I might well be wrong , is that ash is planted as it grows quickly and straight so keeping others, oak, hornbeam birch etc , growing the same way.
In theory the other trees get nice and tall and straight, then the ash are thinned out later to leave the others behind.
Next summer I aim to mark the ash in "the middle" of the wood which are crowding out nicer trees and then remove them ( the ash ) next winter when they're dormant. That's the theory anyway.
Did anyone watch the Bronte sisters programme last night? Muchly enjoyed in these parts.
Hope you enjoy your holiday in the sun soon. Doc's going shortly as well isn't he? Helps the winter to go by a bit sharper I expect. I'm the opposite - I hate going away at this time of year as I find it more depressing to come back to more wet and cold weather!
All that wood chopping will keep you fit next year too. Can't have you losing that slim figure you got back
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Fairygirl. I have to say , I'm the teensiest bit nervous about leaving the garden for a month, but I think I'm pretty much on top of things.
The good thing about going away at this time is you notice how much the nights are drawing out when you get back and all the spring bulbs are well out of the ground ( maybe even a few Hosta bullets?? )
I think I need a holiday to stop myself snacking .
Think you can allow yourself a little snacking Hosta. You've been hard at work
I could easily leave mine for January. Nothing much happens at that time of year here, so the garden looks fairly similar to how it looks through December. Plenty of greenery keeps it from looking dead and sad. I'd miss watching the birds.
I know what you mean about spring bulbs though - February will be good for those here
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I'd miss the birds too ... and the first snowdrops and hazel catkins
Anyone without something urgent to do this evening, put BBC 2 on at 6.30 - the adorable Dustin Hoffman and Dame Judy in Esio Trott (Roald Dahl). If you've not seen it you must .......... it's just wonderful .......... it warms the cockles
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Just made another batch of mince pies... DIL gave me a jar of her home-made mincemeat last week and it would be impolite not to use it. Plus the previous lot of mince pies have somehow disappeared. Have we had burglars??
Punkdoc, Gordon Buchanan was showing how important molehills are in winter, for little birds like robins when the ground is frozen. They find loads of invertebrates in the soft, unfrozen mole hills. So maybe they have their good points.
Fairy, we'll be bird watching too this Jan. Normally we're away in sunny parts when the annual bird count is going on but I'll be able to do it this year; we're not having our Madeira trip this Jan/Feb because we feel we're doing enough gadding. (I've only seen tree-creepers twice in the 11 years we've lived here - the first time was 5 years ago when I was recording species for the bird count! A bit of luck.)
Clari, keep warm and get lots of rest!
Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
Loved that film when it was last on but t'other pair not interested.
It's been a long and exhausting day. Heavy fog and frosts as we got north of La Roche and very cold and foggy around Nantes but we made it to the airport OK with no stress. Amazingly, the French were driving sensibly with lights and not speeding! Except for one pratt on a motorbike.
Did a wee raid on IKEA which is just across the Loire from the airport but no lovely views cos of the fog and frosts so heavy they looked like snow. Thence to Les Herbiers and more freezing cold and fog. Stopped for a delicious baguette sandwich in a "produits de terroir" place and came out with a gâche - brioche made with cream as well as butter - and rillettes de sardines and some red pineau.
Got to the sewing machine shop just as they opened again after lunch. Much sucking of teeth and shaking of head. Arranged to go and find a coffee while he took off the casing to have a look. Did a full circuit on foot of the town centre and finally found coffee in the patisserie just across the road and to the left. Typical.
Diagnosis - needs a complete new electronic/computer assembly, needs mechanical parts checking for hidden cracks, needs needle mounting and mechanism re-aligning. Can't guarantee the work cos of potential hidden problems. Mega bucks in labour and have to wait for cost of parts till next week cos Bernina in Switzerland is closed this week.
Upshot - I now have a brand new machine which is, of course, more expensive than the last but does feature a special foot for freestyle quilting............ Much mumbling from OH till I said it was the same as 2 years of his golf membership and should last me 20 years. As long as no-one drops it.
Quiet night in now cuddling dogs and kittens. Simple pasta with a garlicky and herby mushrooms sauce for dinner and no booze. No chocolates left except for OH's Q Street which I don't eat.
I have friends who always go away for 3 or 4 weeks in Jan/Feb on the grounds that it's the only safe time to leave their garden so long without missing too much. They aim to be back in time for their hamamelis and the snowdrops.
I would think ash makes very good firewood, plus it probably all needs cutting down anyway now cos of ash dieback disease. Interesting about it making others grow straight tho. Got my eye on a couple in this garden that are in the wrong place and probably self seeded.
Have a good evening all and may all colds, flu, abscesses and other ills be vanquished.
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)."
What a pain re your machine obelixx. I've been lining curtains and taking in a duvet and cover this week and it would have been impossible without it. Couldn't even have taken them into work as we're off!
Tree creeper's a lovely little thing Liri. I keep hoping I might see one in this garden but I don't have the right kind of trees for one. I wonder of it still visits my old garden
Clari - I think some serious New Year resolutions are required in your household. Or a very severe spell of weather, forcing you to go and live in a 3 or 4 star hotel until basic facilities have been reinstated .....and not at your expense....
We're Simpson watching here. I never seem to watch any specific Christmas offerings other than seasonal ones of programmes I usually watch. Glen Miller Story was on the other day though. Good ol' Jimmy Stewart. My Dad was very impressed with his trombone embouchure. Hollywood hokum at it's finest, and my 'namesake' in a prominent role
An ice cream van just drove past here with it's bells jingling....I know it's been mild but...really, REALLY?
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Posts
Evening all.
Emergency rush to the GC to pick up a bottle of gas ( for hob ) as it ran out as Hubby was making breaky. Eek. Managed to leave with just a calendar extra.
PP, the woodland was about 10 years old when we moved here 5 years ago. My understanding, and I might well be wrong , is that ash is planted as it grows quickly and straight so keeping others, oak, hornbeam birch etc , growing the same way.
In theory the other trees get nice and tall and straight, then the ash are thinned out later to leave the others behind.
Next summer I aim to mark the ash in "the middle" of the wood which are crowding out nicer trees and then remove them ( the ash ) next winter when they're dormant. That's the theory anyway.
Did anyone watch the Bronte sisters programme last night? Muchly enjoyed in these parts.
Evening all. Still suffering the effects of family, unheated house, Christmas excesses and stresses, and heavily dosed up with fatigue.
I shall be watching even if I can't join in.
Can't have you going without your grub Hosta
Hope you enjoy your holiday in the sun soon. Doc's going shortly as well isn't he? Helps the winter to go by a bit sharper I expect. I'm the opposite - I hate going away at this time of year as I find it more depressing to come back to more wet and cold weather!
All that wood chopping will keep you fit next year too. Can't have you losing that slim figure you got back
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Fairygirl. I have to say , I'm the teensiest bit nervous about leaving the garden for a month, but I think I'm pretty much on top of things.
The good thing about going away at this time is you notice how much the nights are drawing out when you get back and all the spring bulbs are well out of the ground ( maybe even a few Hosta bullets?? )
I think I need a holiday to stop myself snacking .
Think you can allow yourself a little snacking Hosta. You've been hard at work
I could easily leave mine for January. Nothing much happens at that time of year here, so the garden looks fairly similar to how it looks through December. Plenty of greenery keeps it from looking dead and sad. I'd miss watching the birds.
I know what you mean about spring bulbs though - February will be good for those here
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I'd miss the birds too ... and the first snowdrops and hazel catkins
Anyone without something urgent to do this evening, put BBC 2 on at 6.30 - the adorable Dustin Hoffman and Dame Judy in Esio Trott (Roald Dahl). If you've not seen it you must .......... it's just wonderful .......... it warms the cockles
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Lantana - if Santa ever leaves you any TD and nougat in your stocking, you'll know where to send it
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Afternoon all.
Just made another batch of mince pies... DIL gave me a jar of her home-made mincemeat last week and it would be impolite not to use it. Plus the previous lot of mince pies have somehow disappeared. Have we had burglars??
Punkdoc, Gordon Buchanan was showing how important molehills are in winter, for little birds like robins when the ground is frozen. They find loads of invertebrates in the soft, unfrozen mole hills. So maybe they have their good points.
Fairy, we'll be bird watching too this Jan. Normally we're away in sunny parts when the annual bird count is going on but I'll be able to do it this year; we're not having our Madeira trip this Jan/Feb because we feel we're doing enough gadding. (I've only seen tree-creepers twice in the 11 years we've lived here - the first time was 5 years ago when I was recording species for the bird count! A bit of luck.)
Clari, keep warm and get lots of rest!
Loved that film when it was last on but t'other pair not interested.
It's been a long and exhausting day. Heavy fog and frosts as we got north of La Roche and very cold and foggy around Nantes but we made it to the airport OK with no stress. Amazingly, the French were driving sensibly with lights and not speeding! Except for one pratt on a motorbike.
Did a wee raid on IKEA which is just across the Loire from the airport but no lovely views cos of the fog and frosts so heavy they looked like snow. Thence to Les Herbiers and more freezing cold and fog. Stopped for a delicious baguette sandwich in a "produits de terroir" place and came out with a gâche - brioche made with cream as well as butter - and rillettes de sardines and some red pineau.
Got to the sewing machine shop just as they opened again after lunch. Much sucking of teeth and shaking of head. Arranged to go and find a coffee while he took off the casing to have a look. Did a full circuit on foot of the town centre and finally found coffee in the patisserie just across the road and to the left. Typical.
Diagnosis - needs a complete new electronic/computer assembly, needs mechanical parts checking for hidden cracks, needs needle mounting and mechanism re-aligning. Can't guarantee the work cos of potential hidden problems. Mega bucks in labour and have to wait for cost of parts till next week cos Bernina in Switzerland is closed this week.
Upshot - I now have a brand new machine which is, of course, more expensive than the last but does feature a special foot for freestyle quilting............ Much mumbling from OH till I said it was the same as 2 years of his golf membership and should last me 20 years. As long as no-one drops it.
Quiet night in now cuddling dogs and kittens. Simple pasta with a garlicky and herby mushrooms sauce for dinner and no booze. No chocolates left except for OH's Q Street which I don't eat.
I have friends who always go away for 3 or 4 weeks in Jan/Feb on the grounds that it's the only safe time to leave their garden so long without missing too much. They aim to be back in time for their hamamelis and the snowdrops.
I would think ash makes very good firewood, plus it probably all needs cutting down anyway now cos of ash dieback disease. Interesting about it making others grow straight tho. Got my eye on a couple in this garden that are in the wrong place and probably self seeded.
Have a good evening all and may all colds, flu, abscesses and other ills be vanquished.
What a pain re your machine obelixx. I've been lining curtains and taking in a duvet and cover this week and it would have been impossible without it. Couldn't even have taken them into work as we're off!
Tree creeper's a lovely little thing Liri. I keep hoping I might see one in this garden but I don't have the right kind of trees for one. I wonder of it still visits my old garden
Clari - I think some serious New Year resolutions are required in your household. Or a very severe spell of weather, forcing you to go and live in a 3 or 4 star hotel until basic facilities have been reinstated .....and not at your expense....
We're Simpson watching here. I never seem to watch any specific Christmas offerings other than seasonal ones of programmes I usually watch. Glen Miller Story was on the other day though. Good ol' Jimmy Stewart. My Dad was very impressed with his trombone embouchure. Hollywood hokum at it's finest, and my 'namesake' in a prominent role
An ice cream van just drove past here with it's bells jingling....I know it's been mild but...really, REALLY?
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...