Fun in the sun

Yesterday was absolutely delightful. Gosh (or should I say 'Golly'?) I sound a bit 1940's! There was, in fact, a retro element to the Wednesday walk. Spirits were high before we'd even reached Belper, where the 'long walkers' parked up and set off for the station, wondering if we could negotiate an even better train fare for 12, than the 'four for two' as advertised.

As if the wonderful, sunny day, and our rather juvenile banter on the station weren't enough proof that this was going to be a rather special day, I spotted what had been one of my vey favourite childhood poems, on the station wall. (One day I'll find the original book of Robert Louis Stevenson's poems that I loved so much as a child. I'm hoping it could be somewhere in the loft). We were on the wrong platform! Over the bridge and onto the correct platform there were even more silly jokes, much to the amusement of the waiting passengers on the opposite side. The little local train arrived, and once on board various members of our group set about confusing the conductor with questions about group fares. Little did he know that a couple of stations down the line, our 'short walkers' were to board the train, only to confuse the situation even more. Upon reaching Cromford we all got off, thanking him for his help and hoping he'd have a nice, quiet day.

Without a doubt, this was to be my best ever day out with the walking club. The weather was perfect, the views stunning, lots of interesting industrial archaeology along the way, and plenty of friendly fun and conversation with a lovely group of friends. Before descending towards Belper, we spent a good ten minutes lying on our backs on a fresh, green grassy bank, a clear blue sky above us. I took this photo from my prone position. Look carefully - that little, pale mark in the centre is the moon.

Eventually reaching Belper, we were ready for a cuppa in the Visitors' Centre, where we were made very welcome. As a little boy, Mike used to visit his aunt and uncle in Belper where his uncle, a policeman, lived in one of the three police houses (on the right of the three storey building). I can visualise him, arriving by train from Sheffield, wearing long, short trousers, plaster on knee, little cap and battered brown case containing a set of spare clothing and some Dinky cars.

I rang Mike to tell him that we were stuck on the A38 (due to an accident) and would be late. By the time I arrived home the evening meal was ready, filling the house with the aroma of oven cooked lamb chops, potatoes and peppers. Perfect end.

This morning I spent some considerable time potting up and sorting out far too many tomato plants. I now have 'mine' and 'spares'. Some of the 'spares' are to go to family and friends, and the sooner I hand them over the better, as I need the room in the greenhouse. Why do I grow so many -and so many varieties? I do it every year. This year I've excelled myself with about 7 varieties. I also set two types of courgette seeds, and two types of small summer squash. After lunch Mike and I went to the plot with pots of gladioli plants (mentioned in an earlier blog - saved from last year, their long, white shoots had pushed off the tin lid, so I'd potted them up and stored them in the shed, trying to slow down their growth). By now their pallid shoots were fine, strong and green and ready for planting out, hardened off, but maybe a little too early. Still, it's worth the risk. Things are shooting up in the new salad bed as are the carrots in the pot. The new (last year) fruit trees have some blossom and the rhubarb is on its way.

Our friend D arrived with her dog, so we sat outside the shed, chatting and enjoying the peace and quiet, in the warm, sunshine. That is, until I fell through the bottom of my chair! After lots of laughing, Mike and D struggled to extract me from the remains. Heaven knows how I'd have managed if I'd been on my own. The matching, folding chair was inspected for faults. Just as well too, as it wouldn't have lasted long. Still, they were very old. I'm hoping to replace them with a little bench, made from a couple of log slices and a board.