Good Morning Mick and all GN's up and about this grey and cooler tuesday morning here in north yorkshire. I have got the washer going and slowly, at snails pace. am trying to get myself going.
I surpassed myself last night by coming in very weary and shattered from my trip to Harlow Carr, sitting down too weary to start anything. Then was watching a very interesting programme about Henry March who was a brain surgeon. I have seen things about him before. He was brilliant and brave and was prepared to risk operations for people who other surgeons would not attempt anything and sent them home to die. It was very interesting, and I didnt want to miss any, also too weary to make much effort. Next thing I knew it was 3.30am and I had fallen asleep in the chair.!! Very bad news for me, as not only did I miss the last of the programme, but sitting upright is exactly what NOT to do to help me. Yes I did sleep, because I was exhausted I suppose, but flipping heck didnt I pay for it. My legs both hurt and were swollen, my back was awful and generally just struggling to find anywhere to lie in comfort. So struggled into bed, raised legs on a pillow and dozed a bit until I gave in about 5.30am , when I went for the next best thing. Got in the shower, which helped a bit, but not much, and so here I am finally cleaned and dressed but struggling.
Well , yesterday I managed to go to Harlow Carr RHS garden near Harrogate. I have a bit of a problem as I cannot go round without using one of their trampers. They only open at 9.30am so cant ring earlier to check if there is one available. If not , no point in going. I can book in advance, but the problem with that is I dont know how I am going to be day to day, so if I book one and then cant manage to go, have to ring up and cancel last minute. My own yellow peril is of course much too big to go in the car, so a bit of a vicious circle. Anyway could have set off about 7.30am, but had to wait until they opened, but was lucky in that they had one available, so it was quick picnic making and getting off.
Of course being holiday time it was very busy and yet again you get the selfish idiots that you could shake!! I struggle even to walk from the disabled bays to the entrance. A lady was putting things in the boot and said she was coming out. I wanted to back up to give her and easy exit, but moron of the day would not back up and nor would he go round. Stupid to himself as it was clear that I was waiting for that space, with my indicator going, and he just made it more difficult for everyone.Why dont they use their brains occasionally? Anyway eventually the lady left I got into the space and then had to sit and have a coffee before I could collect all the necessary stuff, mac, water etc etc., and then struggled down to the entrance.
My steed was ready waiting for me, and have been quite a few times before with the buggies, so got myself sorted and off round the garden. Everywhere looked lovely, but quite autumnal, which I had been trying not to notice yet. It was lovely to see families and children getting interested in the gardens. They also have a woodland playground for them which was very popular. With the aid of the buggy I managed to visit every corner of the garden, and around the beds. The only problem was I couldnt manage to get on and off today to smell the roses, which was a little sad. Anyway it was all splendid and worth visiting. Met quite a few people on holiday here and talked to various people. Was able to give some advice on bits and pieces and tell people the names of plants. Also passed on things about the NGS gardens that were reasonably local. A couple who had come from down south really enjoying the garden and were staying for a couple of weeks so I passed on info about my beloved Muker show and swaledale. turned out that the man was a brass band enthusiast so was keen to hear Muker silver band and all the great agricultural things , so might see them at the show.
The dahlias were beautiful and all the things like rudbeckias and heleniums and the marvellous Stipa gigantia and the verbena bonariensis were wafting about in a bit of breeze. The alpine house was full of minute but lovely plants and made me think that perhaps that is the way I might go here, which would allow me to grow loads of things but small. There was the most amazing tiny hosta called Mouse I think and a very tiny eucomis. I have grown eucomis but only the normal size. Well it was a great day to see the garden and I was glad that I had been and resolve to g o again soon, but probably once the schools go back and I can meander at a slow pace round the garden. I havent been to the new RHS Bridgewater and would like to go. So I may look at B/B as it is too far away to go in one day and get back. Besides knowing me I will be there when they open and still probably be the last one to be chucked out at night!!
So today, once I can get myself moving I need to go and try and get this flipping computer sorted out. It is playing silly beggars with me, intermittent faults and the other morning I wrote my usual screed very early and the ..... thing disappeared into the ether and never seen again. So shall be hoping to see my great techy friend Arnie who may have some great ideas (fingers crossed) . Then I also need to go to the doctors, firstly to stick in my prescription and hope that they will have all they need. The last couple of times they have had to hunt for items and have had to go back to them, which is not a good feeling when you dont know when or how you will get the next lot. I have also been called in for a yearly check up, mostly about my diabetes, so have to arrange a longer appointment for that. I hope by the time I actually get to see them my foot will have healed up, as I dont want to have to admit that I was walking round without slippers on in the flat!! Smacked hands! Well I am reluctantly very virtuous about wearing shoes or slippers outside , but I do miss that lovely feeling of walking on grass in bare feet.
I always feel ready to look at something new at this time of year. Being a lecturer and teacher september is of course a start of new year at school and college, and I still have that mixed anticipation of looking forward to new things and wondering who and what will be at the new start of the year. so these days it is more grab the local paper and look to see what is happening and what classes I might join. But of course firstly have the pleasure of Muker show and swaledale and friends to meet up with after a summer where many have been on grandparent duties and we havent met up for some time. The main thing I must be careful about is doing the equivalent mentally of "eyes bigger than belly" with food, as I will be looking down the list of options and deciding that I must do at least 7 different classes and try and cram too much into a week, especially remembering that the weather willnot be so good later, So, like a child in a sweety shop I shall remind myself that I may only go to 3 at the most per week. Well we shall see!!
Now, as pot calling kettle black Mick, please take things gently and allow extra time to do things. But it gives you an opportunity to ditch the things you dont like doing, so give up on dusting and hoovering and spend more time watching the cycling for a little while. Do hope that you will soon feel better and if the weather cools down a bit it may be more comfortable for you. Multicolourswapshop, so I am not the only one whose posts disappear. I wonder if there is the equivalent of the Borrowers swiping our messages to read for themselves! GranMattie love the sound of the High Dumpsie jam. Used to make quite a lot of jam, but now being diabetic and living on my own dont make any, so cant be tempted to eat it. Miss my lovely victoria plum tree which provided us with loads of jams and crumbles in the winter.
Well my washing machine has stopped, so I need to creak my way there and empty it out and then get it on the line. Still grey here no sign of any sunshine, but it will at least allow us to do some jobs that we have put off in the heat. Who knows we might just get a drop of rain!! Could definitely do with a downpour. The resevoirs are so low at the moment. I am proud to have a scruffy dirty car at the moment, not wasting good drinking water to wash a flipping car. as long as they can read the numberplates that is all that counts. Another great excuse to avoid a job on the grounds of saving water!! Hope everyone has a good day today and we all get less creaky as the day goes on
