|
Post by moonglum on Jun 25, 2007 23:47:15 GMT -6
Morning all. It's 6.45am. The sun is trying, really trying, to shine, but after two weeks of solid rain it's not succeeding very well. There are blue bits up there, honest! Not very many I admit, but some. Ah Britain, this green and septic isle! Work beckons and I dont want to go. Can you tell?
|
|
|
Post by moonglum on Jun 25, 2007 23:57:46 GMT -6
Wait! The morning flight of geese have just gone over. (Is it to, or from, their feeding grounds. I can never remember). Therein lies hope for the day.
|
|
|
Post by Phalon on Jun 26, 2007 6:18:14 GMT -6
Your workday is done, or nearly done, and mine is just about to start. Morning here - and I'm running late. The air is thick and oppressive; the heat is gonna be unbearable. Trade you some rain, Moonglum, for some hot, hot sunshine?
|
|
|
Post by moonglum on Jun 26, 2007 9:52:38 GMT -6
Late afternoon, the showers have held off today but it's been cloudy and windy. Further north, around Sheffield, they've had severe flooding and three villages have been evacuated because of the danger of a dam bursting. Our eldest daughter lives up that way!
I drove past the fields on my way home and the geese were gone, if they ever stayed. Back to the estuary or resevoir. Makes me wish I still went wildfowling. I will write something about Ben, my old shooting partner, one of these days.
It's 'to', by the way!
Some sun would be nice, Phalon. But save it for another three and a half weeks, when Vox and I are heading north on a camping holiday. Can I reserve some for then please?
|
|
|
Post by moonglum on Mar 10, 2008 15:50:44 GMT -6
For the past few months, they've been 'bl**dy freezing!
Temperatures have varied between -4C and +4C, although we did have one day where it reached the giddy heights of +7C.
Mid-days have been really weird though. Almost like summer at times. You start the day off in full winter wear and by lunchtime you're too hot. Then it chills again, no wonder people have so many colds.
And then came the rain, together with winds. Today we've had gale force winds and driving rain. Same forcast for tomorrow and Weds.
I do so love working outdoors?
|
|
|
Post by Mini Mia on Mar 10, 2008 17:17:38 GMT -6
I know what you mean, MG. There are days during Spring/Autumn when I turn the a/c on during the day, and the heat on during the night. Now, I could understand this if I lived in the desert ... but I don't live there.
|
|
|
Post by Siren on Mar 10, 2008 21:57:51 GMT -6
Thanks, MG. You've made me zip my lips when it comes to complaining about the weather. Our "cold" weather is nothing compared to yours. Thanks for the reality check!
|
|
magnus greel
Whooshite Candidate
Speak loudly and carry a big sword
Posts: 66
|
Post by magnus greel on Mar 10, 2008 22:36:50 GMT -6
Morning all. It's 6.45am. The sun is trying, really trying, to shine, but after two weeks of solid rain it's not succeeding very well. There are blue bits up there, honest! Not very many I admit, but some. Ah Britain, this green and septic isle! Work beckons and I dont want to go. Can you tell? Septic? I hate to ask what the green is then... I've done a few posts like this over the years. Usually I've been on the computing device all night, and a strange mood comes over me as the first rays of sunlight happen. I think of East Anglia as the bit that looks like a dog's leg when he/she's sitting down. I enjoy maps.
|
|
|
Post by moonglum on Mar 11, 2008 14:54:20 GMT -6
Us Brits have always been a bit backward with heating and cooling. Central heating wasn't really the norm over here until about 30 years ago. And as for air/con, they've only recently started supplying it as standard in cars. I don't know anyone who has air/con in their home. No, MM, we tend to be stoically British and open a window if we're hot, or if cold, we'll 'pop on' a sweater (as my mum used to say).
[Thanks, MG. You've made me zip my lips when it comes to complaining about the weather. Our "cold" weather is nothing compared to yours. Thanks for the reality check!]
Not really a 'reality check', Siren. Just thought I'd revive this thread for a while. Carry on complaining, (about the weather I mean, lol). That's what we humans do. It's about the only subject that's not confrontational.
Oh, thanks Magnus. First the weather, now I find out I'm living in the a**e-end of the country!! (only kidding).
|
|
|
Post by Siren on Mar 12, 2008 21:29:09 GMT -6
"Oh, thanks Magnus. First the weather, now I find out I'm living in the a**e-end of the country!! (only kidding)."
BOLL! MG, you are too funny.
|
|
|
Post by Phalon on Mar 12, 2008 23:19:03 GMT -6
LMAO. Yes, he does have that make-me-spew-my-morning-coffee-on-my-computer screen ability.
|
|
|
Post by moonglum on Mar 13, 2008 15:35:06 GMT -6
Spring is almost here. The ice I'm scraping off the windscreen in the morning, is definitely warmer. Today, the winds have died down and the rain feels good to be out in.
But best of all. I'm driving to work without having to turn my lights on, and the first hint of sun is up there. Behind the clouds, but it's up there.
|
|
|
Post by Phalon on Mar 14, 2008 4:27:48 GMT -6
Ah, watching the morning come from my front porch with a cup of coffee in my hand; it's only been a week, but I miss that. The change to daylight savings time took it away from me, and replaced it with sitting on my front porch watching the sun go down in the evening with a beer in my hand.
Pfft. It's still too cold to enjoy a beer on the porch at the end of the day, but I do like the later lighter evening hours. At least it doesn't feel like it's time for bed right after dinner because it's already dark outside.
|
|
|
Post by moonglum on May 22, 2008 14:36:18 GMT -6
The change in the last fortnight has been remarkable. We had three glorious days of sunshine and warmth at the beginning of last week. Then a few days of rain, but still warm. The hedgerows have suddenly taken off now in the sun of this week. Driving to work now is like driving down unfamiliar roads and everything is so green. My area of work has expanded and I'm finding myself, not only in all parts of East Anglia, but also Kent, Sussex and Surrey. Little villages that, early in the mornings, are like going back in time to 40's and 50's England. I've actually seen village greens with cricket matches being played. Some people over here say the countryside is slowly being covered in concrete and tarmac. It may well be, but at least it's occurring slowly enough to still appreciate what we've got.
|
|
|
Post by Siren on May 22, 2008 22:43:09 GMT -6
I would love to see those little villages, MG. I have a very romantic image of them in my mind. If they're not as lovely as I imagine, don't tell!
|
|
|
Post by moonglum on May 26, 2008 9:57:53 GMT -6
I would love to see those little villages, MG. I have a very romantic image of them in my mind. If they're not as lovely as I imagine, don't tell! I promise not to spoil your romantic images, Siren. I'll have to remember to put the camera in the truck and see if I can get some pictures to post on here.
|
|
|
Post by moonglum on May 26, 2008 10:02:22 GMT -6
We are back to rain now. Saturday was glorious, Vox got sunburnt in the garden. We stayed at friends on saturday night and woke up to a torrential downpour on sunday morning and it hasn,t stopped yet. When we left to come home I discovered I'd left the sun-roof open on the car. The drive home was uncomfortable to say the least. We've renamed our house 'Soggy Bottom'.
|
|
|
Post by moonglum on Jun 8, 2008 15:03:12 GMT -6
In the garden at 10.30 this morning. We finally came in at 9.30pm. 11 glorious hours of tidying up, pruning overgrown bushes, painting bench seats and the best of all.....digging up new potatoes and then eating them for lunch. We salvaged a stone bird-bath from a friend last week and gave it a lick of paint. The starlings and hedge-sparrows love it. The two pieces don't actually belong together, but it looks good anyway and the birds don't seem to mind.
Edited to shrink image so that it doesn't stretch page. Click on image to view it larger.
~~~ Mini-Mia
|
|
|
Post by katina2nd on Jun 8, 2008 22:14:24 GMT -6
And a great job you've both done MG, the place looks a picture.
A question, are you and Vox available for hire, the back yard here could do with a bit of sprucing up.
|
|
|
Post by moonglum on Jun 9, 2008 14:03:04 GMT -6
A question, are you and Vox available for hire, the back yard here could do with a bit of sprucing up. Soggy Bottoms Landscapers of Distinction By Appointment to ER indoors Favourable Rates (Travel extra)
|
|
|
Post by vox on Jun 9, 2008 14:10:32 GMT -6
I hope you were referring to your soggy bottom, not mine! LOL
|
|
|
Post by Phalon on Jun 18, 2008 6:13:30 GMT -6
Beautiful, Moonglum and Vox. Is that a greenhouse, I see? I'm envious. And everything is so neat and tidy! Vox - you asked me in another thread if there was something I was not telling you when I said you should worry if I came to "help" out at your place.
I confess; I am a messy gardener. People have stopped by to say what a lovely cottage garden I have - and I suppose if I had to define my "style" of gardening, "cottage gardening" would be the term used. In its most simple definition, a cottage garden contains lots of color, lots of different texture, and lots, and lots....and lots of plants; a mixture of herbs, annuals, perennials, and shrubs all packed in together.
I have a habit of over-planting; I do it on purpose; I want instant gratification. I can't stand to see bare ground in my gardens; glaring holes of emptiness in my mind. In those place where nothing will grow, (I am cursed with poor soils - one step away from beach sand in some areas, and impenetrable clay just a few feet away in others), I place pots - over-planted pots, of course. Plants spill over the edges of the bed - are there actually edges to the bed? Sometimes it's hard to tell.
This may be a gardening "style" to some - to me it's just a way to mask the weeds. Sweeping the crumbs under the rug, or hiding the weeds under the rose bush. I see no difference.
Oh, and that's another clue. When I come to "help", don't put a broom in my hand and ask me to sweep either!
Do either of you have a favorite plant, or flower?
|
|
|
Post by vox on Jun 19, 2008 7:31:27 GMT -6
I'm sure your garden is a picture Phalon, please put some pictures up! as for bare ground, I know what you mean, and the references to "glaring holes of emptiness in my mind. In those places where nothing will grow" I too hate to see bare patches of earth, I want to plant something that will give me ground cover, to help with the damn weeds! any ideas?
I'm afraid that if you come to "help" the stipulation is that you will have to do some sweeping, not much tho as we only have one path that runs the length of the garden. The "digging" is purely my domain (MG hates it!)
My favourite plant is (you've guessed!) Roses, any colour, shape or size, I think I got that from my Nan, when she was alive, her garden was always full of roses, and when I smell them, I think of her!
Oh and as for "pots", there is nothing wrong with that, it seems to be the "in thing" over here these days, to have lots of gravel and pots with different plants in, but to my mind that is not really gardening, gardening is getting down and weeding, digging and planting, you know, watching something grow from seeds that you have planted!
|
|
|
Post by Phalon on Jun 21, 2008 4:40:04 GMT -6
Oooooo, roses, Vox! I was just telling my boss the other day how I'd love to put in a rose garden. They're all blooming at the nursery - hundreds, and hundreds of them, and each one more tempting than the next! I'm using restraint though - I've got a few at home, but unless I dig up another part of the yard, I really don't have room, or enough sun, for more. As for pictures of my garden - maybe I'll get around to taking a couple when the roses bloom; the buds are just starting to show color.
Ground cover ideas, eh? For sun or shade? Tall or short? Hhhmmm....I have a love/hate relationship with ground covers. So many of them seem to take over, and it takes heavy battle gear to beat them back. One that it's easy to keep under control, grows quickly, creates a nice thick mat once established, and works in almost any light or soil condition except wet, is a low, spreading sedum. There are hundreds of varieties, and I use them all over the yard, because BONUS! They grow in sand, and withstand drought! Another I use, often in combination with sedum, is simple Lamb's Ears. Both are 'no fuss, no muss' plants, and the two very different textures work well together.
As far as the sweeping goes.....you actually sweep outside!!! Dang! I'm lucky if I can get the outside that's brought inside swept off the floor.
|
|
|
Post by vox on Jun 21, 2008 14:23:41 GMT -6
Thanks for the tips on groundcover Phalon, thought you'd be the best person to ask considering where you work! I will try to send you some of the piccies of the roses if you want? I love the feel of the Lambs ears, so soft!!! know what you mean about the dirt inside BOLL, we used to have that problem what with having 2 dogs and 2 children! It does get better, I assure you!
|
|
|
Post by vox on Jun 22, 2008 13:00:57 GMT -6
|
|
|
Post by Mini Mia on Jun 22, 2008 18:20:09 GMT -6
There are a few ways to shrink the images. You can resize them with an image software and save them with a number added onto the title so that you don't save over your original image ... or ... you can add {width=### height=###} to the code. That is what I'm fixing to do, so you can see what I did and learn how it's done.Now, if you resize using a software, just set the width to 500px and usually the height sets itself to the proper proportion. I think 600px is a tad too wide, but 550px may be okay. But to be on the safe side, I usually use 500px.
BTW: The width on these images is 573px, so at least we know for sure that that size is fine.
|
|
|
Post by Phalon on Jun 23, 2008 5:10:37 GMT -6
They are definitely one of those can't-walk-by-them-without-touching plants. I remember as a kid, picking the leaves and rubbing them across my cheeks.
I've always thought Lamb's Ears were a plant everyone knew; maybe I thought this because Mom grew them, and it was one of the first plants I learned. But people asking for them at the nursery come up with some of the strangest names for them, mixing up animals and body parts: lamb's tails, bunny or rabbit ears, rabbit tails, and such. One of the weirdest came last week: Do you have Lamb's Tongue?
There is a lamb's ears variety called 'Big Ears'. The botanical name is Stachys bzantina 'Helen Von Stein', and I always wondered how Helen Whoever-she-is Stein felt about having a plant named after her. And just how big are her ears.
Thanks for sharing, Vox. Beautiful! I love the first fluffy pink, and the two you're holding are huge!!! The purple one.....I don't ever think I've seen a rose such a deep purple. I think you'd go nuts at our nursery - there are just so many beauties to choose from, it's hard to decide.
Thanks for those picture posting tips, Joxie. I've had problems with sizing before......now if I can only remember, (and understand), what you wrote the next time around.
|
|
|
Post by vox on Jun 23, 2008 13:57:31 GMT -6
I think I would go nuts as well Phalon! I just adore roses, we are waiting for the yellow ones to open at the moment. Tell me, is it true about the "Yellow rose of Texas?" By the way, the first fluffy pink one is called 'Brother Cadfael', we got it because MG and myself both liked the series we had over here, of the same name! Don't know if you've seen it over there?
Thanks for the advice Joxcie! you will have to forgive an oldun! don't post too many pictures! still, it's never too late to learn! so they say!
|
|
|
Post by Mini Mia on Jun 23, 2008 15:50:43 GMT -6
Thanks for those picture posting tips, Joxie. I've had problems with sizing before......now if I can only remember, (and understand), what you wrote the next time around.
You're very welcome, Phlaon. I may have this info posted on the "Help" board, but I'll go see and add it there for quick viewing.
Thanks for the advice Joxcie! you will have to forgive an oldun! don't post too many pictures! still, it's never too late to learn! so they say!
You're very welcome, Vox. Don't tell anyone, but I turn the big 5-0 in a couple of months.
|
|