Good morning Mick and all GN's on a still grey cooler monday here in North Yorkshire. I am two very different people this morning. Mentally fine, and had a very lovely visit to a more local garden in good weather yesterday, but physically really struggling.
My flipping cut on my foot has caused quite a lot of other problems and because I either have to walk on the bad bit and it then starts bleeding again, or try and hobble keeping that bit off the ground, which then means I am not walking properly, so more pain from back and legs and generally wretched aches and pains , which then means that I am struggling to sleep etc. Frustation levels very high and made worse by the fact that it is my own fault, not wearing slippers . Once it heals up properly I shall have a reminder to regretfully not walk anywhere barefoot.
Well yesterday struggling to get going etc, but went to visit this lovely garden in aid of the local hospice. Very well set up and organised but unfortunately no disabled parking , and that meant I had a real struggle to walk from the carpark etc. However it was worth it and it was a lovely place with a walled garden and vegetable garden, orchard etc etc. Really worth going round, the dahlias growing for cut flowers in the house were magnificent and all doing very well. Great herbaceaous borders and a gloriously beautiful creamy yellow tree peony that took your breath away. The only bit that was slightly sad was to see how autumnal the garden was, and I am still being like a child and not looking to see how near we are to autumn, as I want the summer to keep going. But the weather we have been having and the fact that the evenings are getting darker earlier cannot be ignored now. I have seen people out getting blackberries and havent even thought of getting any yet , dont think I shall do well this year for blackberry and apple crumble.
So today we have The Good, The Bad and The Ugly getting together. Zelensky of course is the good, with at last a group of people who should have been supporting him visibly before being there too and then the Bad and Ugly with Trump and Putin. Well the adjectives apply to both !! Trump wants to portray himself as some sort of go between, but you can only have a go between who is fair and treating each side as equal, not someone who wants to take other peoples land and dish it out to his equally appalling friends. They make me sick. I only wish I could do anything that would make a difference, but of course have no way of doing anything. So I shall avoid all news until there is something that tells us what is going to happen. I cannot stand endless waffle on the news that this or that is or may be happening. It isnt news, just filling up the space like gossiping neighbours. I intend to try and do something more productive with my time.
Well actually dont know if I can do much, - apart from get my secateurs out and deadhead the buddlia to encourage more flowers. Each snip I make I will of course be thinking of other heads I would like to remove!! That is about the best I can do outside apart from watering my plants early. There is no chance of bending down or planting stuff today, and I am going to have to try and keep my legs up, as they are both swollen and a bit red. dont want to start with the wretched cellulitis again! Bah humbug!
Actually I am going to ring Harlow Carr the rhs garden in Harrogate to see if I can book a tramper buggy today. I usually avoid the garden in the holidays when it is very busy, but have seen a lovely picture of the sunflowers etc that look lovely, and as I cant walk round anywhere today, if I can book a buggy, then I can drive round and be able to enjoy the garden. However not holding out much hope, so it may be a day of just doing what I can manage here. I have had a hectic week for going out and about and bought a lot of fuel, but making my picnics has meant I havent spent a lot once I am out. The prices of everything is going up so high, I dont know how people afford to go to a cafe now. One good thing is that I am not meant to eat cake being diabetic. Occasionally I am tempted if I have a coffee somewhere but with cakes now costing over £5 and the portions smaller it keeps me on the straight and narrow!
Very good to hear you are getting back to your routine Mick but please take it easy for a while. RoseandLilac you put me to shame, such industry and you now have the clean and tidy things to look at . well done you.grandMattie how satisfying to have things back in their correct place. I used to have a lovely victoria plum tree in my garden and used to have a freezer full and jam too and be able to give some to friends. Miss it now, but not going to make any jam as on my own but might think of a treat of a crumble at the weekend , but shall have to BUY some plums for that, not done that for years! Greyduster , Hope you find some sloes soon. My car is dirty, but have cleaned off the number plates, but I am leaving it dirty as it is saving me the effort and also as we need to conserve water I am able to appear to be not doing it for a good reason and not because I cant make the effort!!
Well wishing you all a good day and hopefully a bit of a downpour tonight to help the gardens.
