Jazz Sunday

On Sunday, as an early Mothering Sunday treat Mike and I joined our son, d-in-law, grandchildren, and the other grandparents at Moor Hall for a most enjoyable buffet lunch. The Martinique Jazz Band entertained us throughout, with some of the diners strutting their stuff on the dance floor after their meal. What a lovely idea S! Many thanks for arranging it all.

On Friday afternoon our youngest son A returned home after nearly two weeks in Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam, working on behalf of Birmingham Uni. It may sound all very exciting, but his trips abroad involve a lot of travelling, long working hours and very little time to look around the countries he visits. However, I get the impression that he is enjoying his work, and by now taking it all in his stride. It will be India next. Along with his fiancee E, he called in briefly on Sunday, after we'd returned from our meal, and told us a bit about his latest trip.

These past sunny and warm days have brought out the gardeners and plotters, minus their winter woollies too. Mike and I nipped down to the plot yesterday to fill up the bird feeder, and to add a couple more. One of the most important things was to check out my supply of coffee, tea and biscuits (need some more!) in the shed. I've put up two wigwams for the climbing (Alderman) peas, and the next job is to fill in the bean trench before erecting the rest of the wigwams for the beans, runners and French. The latest addition to my 'orchard', the 'Celeste' cherry, is already showing fattening buds. I think I could say now that the new growing season has begun and the allotment plots are ready for action. It's hard to believe, looking at the neat and pristine plots, that in a few weeks we will all be fighting to keep down the weeds. They are already keeping me busy in the garden. Weeding between the nearly-ready-to-flower tulips - a rather difficult annual job - is due to take place any day now. At home, the mini greenhouse, which I keep inside my main greenhouse during the winter, has been moved outside, and is filling up with those seedlings which need hardening off. I've had yet another good clear-out, and got rid of even more unnecessary garden related bits and bobs. Pots of lilies, overwintered under the shrubs have been tipped out and repotted, with any tiny bulblets (is that the correct term?) separated and replanted in a seed tray to grow on. Has anyone tried taking a trailer of rubbish to the tip since the new rules were enforced? If you haven't filled in the appropriate form in advance, and are prepared for a visit from an 'inspector' to check that you aren't running a business from home , then don't just turn up there - you'll be sent away. How much is this costing? I thought the Council was cutting costs.

Forced to eat rhubarb

.......and indeed, I did force this rhubarb for early enjoyment, but there was no need to force me to eat it. Stewed lightly with a little added sugar, and served with Mackie's icecream, it was my first taste of Spring from the allotment.

Way up high on the Weavers

I think the pictures tell the story. A brilliant day on the Weaver Hills in very warm sunshine. We started from the car park opposite the church in Ellastone (on the Staffs/Derbys border), climbing up and up, and up and up, and up and up until, we reached the trig point, where we were ready to get our breath back, and to enjoy the superb panoramic view. There was, eventually, one long and steep descent, best tackled by zig-zagging down slowly, with much concentration. Eventually we entered the park surrounding Wootton Lodge, disturbing a large herd of deer in the process. Wootton Lodge belongs to the Bamford family (JCB) as does the beautiful parkland surrounding the building. It is quite a magnificent house, built by Robert Smythson for Sir Richard Fleetwood, some time between 1580 and 1611. During the late 1930's it was rented out to Sir Oswald Moseley after he had secretly married Diana Mitford in Berlin, as they wanted a secluded residence. Under the trees lay a blue carpet of scilla.

Lunch was taken by the lake, where we joined a group of young police officers, enjoying their break. We wondered what was going on as there were a number of police and their vehicles higher up on the road. There were also some very expensive classic cars parked near us. Were they connected? As it turned out, no. The cars, Bugattis (I believe about 1930's), were part of a photoshoot for 'Classic and Sports Car' magazine (due to be published in a couple of months time). Although I'm not really into cars, they really were things of beauty, and in pristine condition.

On the other hand, it turned out that the police were being trained in the use of a stinger. We watched the activity from the hillside, as they conducted a (slow) mock chase around the perimeter of the lake, taking turns to fling the dummy stinger across the road.

Back to Ellastone, where I stopped to take this shot of the church, surrounded by little daffs, (much like our local church St James, Hill where the daffs are at their very best at the moment), before we headed off back home. Luckily for Roy, our leader, that the day was perfect for such a super walk, as it would have been a bit hairy negotiating some of those steep hillsides under wet conditions.

The Wendy House

During our Wednesday walk, Molly had mentioned that she'd like to see my allotment, so I gave her a call yesterday morning, as the weather was rather good, and we arranged that she would call round in the afternoon. I did warn her that there wasn't much to see there at the moment, but in the event and probably due to the fine, sunny day, there were plenty of plotters and quite a bit of activity going on at the Hill. We just had to take up Carl's offer to inspect what Wendy had done to the shed. Now boys - this is how a shed should look! Forget your spades and forks, bags of lime, plant pots, and noxious garden potions in ancient bottles and tins with unreadable labels. This is what I call a 'girlie' shed, full home comforts. No - that's not the gnome radio sitting in the corner (it's on the right of the shelf). This is Wendy who, together with husband Carl, has recently taken over the whole of the plot, after Lionel gave up the back half. I'd met Lionel in the supermarket a day or so ago and he said how impressed he was with their hard work. "They'll win prizes" he remarked. They already have done, and there's no doubt they will win many more. This may be unlike any man shed, but that's one serious gardener sitting in the corner!

After our visit to the allotments, I took Molly for a walk down the fields and round the lanes. It seemed that everyone was out enjoying the day so there were a lot of 'Hellos' along the way. Back home, and after a cuppa, Molly and I confirmed the route of our forthcoming walk in the Kirk Langley, Derbyshire area (mid June), and planned to pre-walk it next month.

Yesterday morning I'd managed to set some 'Alderman' pea seeds in loo roll middles (some will go straight into the ground in a week or two), given the moss its first mow, read some of the newspaper, started the two crosswords, and cooked a ham hock for our evening meal. In all, a very satisfying day.




The 'Paperwhites' in the conservatory are now almost over, and after flowering for some considerable time, are ready to be removed. As the hellebores at the bottom of the garden are in their prime at the moment, I filled a glass bowl with water and floated some of the flower heads in it, to enjoy their beauty close up. I spotted a wonderful yellow one in yesterday's Telegraph. A must have, if I can get it.

Time to get back onto the plot.

Walking Wednesday

It was definitely not 'wordless' on Walking Wednesday as about a dozen of us climbed up and down the rolling hills around Cubley in Derbyshire. As one of the walkers remarked "Aren't we a noisy lot!" as we filled the air with our lively chatter and laughter. It's a real test of fitness to be able to keep up with the conversation on steep ascents. On this walk there were plenty of really dodgy stiles to negotiate, which gave us the chance to catch our breath as we waited our turn. I know I'm no lightweight, but I had great difficulty squeezing through some of them, eventually popping out like a cork from a bottle. And some appear to have been designed for people with exceptionally long legs, so that getting up and down the steps is quite a problem. I know I've moaned about it before, but why do the farmers wrap barbed wire around the posts where we put our hands as we climb over? Disappointingly the grey mist never lifted to reveal the lovely views that Jo and Peter, our leaders, had hoped we'd enjoy. Still, it was an interesting area, with some history. Lunch was taken outside St Andrew's Church at Cubley. Jo was eager to show us the painted walls inside, and in the churchyard there were some unusual gravestones, such as the one to John Goodall, who died 30 October 1704, with its rather spooky shrouded figure carved on the back (or was it the front?). I thought it looked like an infant in swaddling clothes, but we could not see an age on the stone. Cubley was the birthplace of Michael, father of Samuel Johnson.

Across the road from the church are the lumps and bumps of what remains of a moated manor, once the chief seat of the Montgomery family. It was pulled down during the mid 16th century and reputedly the materials were saved for the building of Somersal Herbert Hall, not far away. Built for John Fitzherbert in 1564, but incorporating an older hall from around 1500, this is quite a striking building but, I have to add, does not list to the right quite as much as my photo may suggest! It would be worth returning to the area hopefully on a better day next time.

Painting the s..t skip

Saturday morning was the designated day for Hazel and me to repaint the s..t skip or, in more ladylike terms the horse muck container. After brushing and poking off all the rusty bits, we set to with the green enamel paint, chatting and fending off sarcastic and some rather sexist remarks about how attractive Hazel looked in her overalls. Men! Mind you, she did look the part, especially with the addition of her grey woolly hat (with later green additions). The next plan was, after confirming that we had the go-ahead, to add some artistic touches to the sides of this rather boring lump of metal. Once I'd bought the appropriate coloured enamel paints I couldn't wait to get going, so I was back to the skip again yesterday morning. Hope you like the result Hazel - after all, this you'll be facing this as you work on your plot. I'd like to think it will bring a smile to the majority of the plotholders.

Meanwhile, at the top of the hill, Pat and Nick were busy painting the store shed. Looks like Pat has been adding a few white splashes to her clothing too. It's not often that I venture this far up the hill, so it gave me a chance to look at some of the other plots. We now have quite a few half and quarter plots and, as a result, new plotholders. It really is good to see so many young families working alongside we oldies. Down on my own plot the growing season is now under way. The broad beans continue to look perky (let's hope they stay like that after last year's bad start), the spuds are in (Lady Crystl and Vales Emerald), the buds on the fruit trees and bushes getting bigger by the day, and the onions and garlic sprouting. Back at home the window ledges are in use for propogating, and yesterday I nipped out the top shoots from my sweet peas and set some flower seeds.

Yesterday afternoon Mike and I spent an hour or so strolling around Stowe Pool in Lichfield. Half way round we popped into St Chad's Church (for the first time) where a very knowledgeable gentleman called Michael told us quite a long history of the church, and its connections with St Chad. If you ever visit the church and come across Michael as we did, he may ask you where he would be able to find a green scarf. After trying to come up with a solution to his problem, I realised it was a trick question. The clue is in the window behind the altar!

Not quite speechless on Wordless Wednesday

Two hours of Wordless Wednesday were spent searching for my 'lost' fine -liner pens. I knew they had to be in the house somewhere - the sketch pads, paints and pencils were in their usual place but where were the pens? There was nothing for it but to systematically search all the cupboards and drawers in the bedroom, where I keep my art materials. At the end of the exercise, still penless, but with the satisfaction of having cleared out a load of rubbish and had a thorough tidy-up of my wardrobe, dressing table drawers and various cupboards, I was just about to leave the bedroom when I spotted the rather dusty old mirror which stands on my bedside table. If I hadn't picked it up I'd never have found the missing pens. What a dumb place to hide them - under a mirror stand! I wouldn't like to repeat what I said.

A good part of that afternoon was spent in the kitchen, amongst other things making vegetable soup for our evening meal (no meat for Mike on Ash Wednesday). In the end I'd managed to include 11 vegetables (and veggy type thingies) - onions, potatoes, parsnips, celery, green pepper, carrots, leeks, garlic, courgette, tin of toms and a tin of flagelot beans, plus a teaspoonful of paprika. After simmering for the rest of the afternoon it turned out to be very tasty indeed, and has done us for lunch today as well. What little is left will be added to the venison and mushroom pie, which I propose to start asap for this evening's meal. This afternoon I began another batch of sloe gin, using frozen sloes which were picked at the end of last year. I don't know if it will work, but I've used brown sugar this time. I really fancied some jelly (enjoyed some at a recent party) so I've made an orange one with a good helping of my homemade marmalade added. Looks OK.

Managed to spend quite a bit of time in the garden during the past few decent days, before it turned cold and windy. Rather a sad time, as Mike and I cut down the four home-grown bottle brushes, a myrtle, a hebe and one or two other bushes that had been killed off by the severe winter. Now there are a few empty gaps, and I'm already thinking about how to fill them. The snowdrops are now almost over but now, when the sun shines and there's a bit of warmth in the air, the crocuses are at their best. Pottering about in the garden gave me the opportunity to dig up one or two suitable plants to take down to the allotments, where I'm planning to replant them on the bank opposite my plot. It's a bit of an eyesore at the moment, as the all rubbish that has been dumped at the end of the gardens on the other side of the hedge, doesn't look too attractive. There's an old bedstead, lots of broken glass, and various unidentifiable plastic items. The idea is to plant ivy, periwinkle, ferns, lamiums, hardy geraniums, and any other dry, shade loving plants which will eventually hold the slipping bank together and scramble up into the hedge, hiding the tat.

Just had an e-mail from Fish Fight (update@fishfightnews.net) with the good news that more tuna suppliers have committed to remove all FADs (fish aggregation devices) from their supply chains. Now just two companies - John West and Morrisons - are refusing to stop buying tuna caught by purse seine fishing on FADs so, as a Fish Fighter, more action from me required.

Well, the venison pie is in the oven and will be ready soon. I'm off!

Back to earth

At last! Although it has still been rather cold (with the occasional glimpse of sun and blue sky), I couldn't hold back any longer, and spent the good part of Friday, and yesterday morning down on the plot. It seemed that my close neighbours there also had the same idea, so it was good to see them all and to catch up with the latest news. Eric was working hard as usual, John had lost a lot of weight and looking and feeling a lot better for it, Brian appeared for a short while, Pat and Nick were busy helping out on Pete and Jane's plot. And then Boula turned up on her bike! What can I say about Boula, my Thai neighbour. Well, she does share her time between two allotments - one at the Hill and the other near her home in London although I hasten to add that she doesn't travel between the two on her bike. On Friday she tried to smoke me out with her (allowed in March) bonfire, but she did apologise profusely. (Earlier, Mike and I had eventually managed to burn a small amount of rubbish after a number of attempts). We won't be having trouble from vampires down our end of the allotments, as Boula appears to be growing vast amounts of garlic. She also goes in for beans in a big way. I really do admire the way she turns up and gets on with the job. A real hard worker.

Well, to be fair, I have been quite motivated myself over the past couple of days, clearing away the residual vegetables (came home with the last my parsnips and some of Eric's, and leeks), planting out shallots, moving some cabbages that were in the wrong place for my planting plan, spreading berry fertiliser around the fruit bushes, but mainly forking over most of the plot. I don't think I could cope with a 'no dig' plot, as I actually enjoy this activity. To me there's something mesmerising or cathartic about this process - fork in, boot on fork, a bit of pressure, lift and (slight hesitation) drop, step to side and repeat. After the first row is completed a steady rhythm takes over and before I realise it, it's almost ready for another growing season. I may ache a bit the following day (and I do) but it's been a good workout and I'll soon get my allotment muscles back into shape after such a long time.

After Friday's full-day session on the plot, I spent the evening Frog Racing ( no - they weren't real frogs) organised by Green Mans Morris. Very entertaining it was too - trying to encourage frogs (beautifully made from hardboard, and threaded through a piece of rope) to move from one side of the room to another by whatever means possible, mainly by varying the tension and jiggling of the rope. This is a terrible description! It's a bit hard to describe. But it was all very entertaining. There were lots of quiz sheets on the tables too, and my pal D was really on form with the answers. Mike was pretty good at the racing (had the morris team been trying it out on Tuesday nights?) I think I'd run out of steam after all the hard work on the plot and my brain had shut down. I wasn't much better at frog racing - my team got the lowest points (last in every heat). Here I am, with one of my team trying to give encouragement. Looks like I was a bit slow at the starting gate. Says it all!

Something new has sprung up at the bottom of the hill

Must ask Brian if I will need to bring my passport in order to reach my plot in the future!