Mid spring bits and bobs

[Marigold]

The sun is shining warm and the wind has dropped, so work in the garden is possible.. Planted our more broad beans and some peas, and picked broccoli and various flower heads and kale for today's meal.

Still planning etc. Had a water leak in the downstairs room I only use for storage. When I started spring cleaning in there and moved the furniture found it and the carpet was sodden and mouldy.. This is a rental and the carpet was cheap foam backed stuff. Hate carpet anyway.. So I managed to cut off two large chunks before getting the landlord to get the octagenarian plumber who knows the house and is a kind old man who is fascinated by all the seed trays etc.

So now the carpet pieces are in the heat trap part of the garden, atop where the sweetcorn will be. I had potatoes there last year...

So much is needing planting out now and and still the risk of frost and cool nights, but the broad beans I keep covering are looking sturdy and healthy. I use sticks off the wild fuchsia to protect them and often get new bushes that way.

The kitchen mouse tally remains at three but wee terrier is adamant there are more.

[Clive.]

To follow the Robinson R44 on Monday... Today we have a seen a pair of Red Kites. One was up high and the other nicely low down giving us a good look at it. We did think we saw one over the main drive about 10 years ago but this is a first genuine confirmed sighting at work. The sighting just happened to coincide with a visit of a warden from Gibraltar Point LWT reserve...

Also this afternoon a second Swallow has been seen...

Just dry enough to get back on the ground after lunch time....but with rain again by the end of the afternoon...

Clive.

[Monika]

Thank you, OH, for that gentle rebuke - I should keep my mouth shut ...

Anyway, hoping to plant the first potatoes outside tomorrow and plant the seed sown shallots. It must get warm sometime. Chiffchaffs, willow warblers and blackcaps are back here, so spring must be on the way.

[peter]

Maritold, foam backed carpet is a chemical problem. You really shouldn't use it on a garden as the foam deteriorates very fast in sunlight into tiny bits that will get everywhere in your soil and break down further. The foam is non Ultraviolet stable.

[Marigold]

Maritold, foam backed carpet is a chemical problem. You really shouldn't use it on a garden as the foam deteriorates very fast in sunlight into tiny bits that will get everywhere in your soil and break down further. The foam is non Ultraviolet stable.

Peter dear; several times I have posted, this has happened.

I am not an inexperienced idiot, you know.
Which is how you treat me .!!!

I know you mean well but it does get very annoying indeed.

If I need advice on something I will ask. Else I don't want or need it.

I am not bothering to reply to this your mail as you did not read my post properly anyways. REALLY!

Over and OUT.

[oldherbaceous]

Dear Monika, certainly no rebuke meant, i'm not the best person at picking my words sometimes and often change what i have written several times before posting and then it still reads wrong.

So no scolding intended, and especially towards you.

[Chantal]

Marigold, I do think your reply to Peter's comment is uncalled for.

You may not be inexperienced, but a great many people who come onto this forum are just that and Peter was only making it clear what happens when carpet breaks down.

I don't believe for one moment that he meant to "treat you like an inexperienced idiot", so please, try not to be so offensive yourself and accept comments that are made in good faith.

[Tigger]

I would concur Marigold. I don't think the man (Peter) meant to insult you, as OH meant no harm to Monika.

Why don't we put this behind us and start again?

[oldherbaceous]

I'm all for that.

But it is nice to see Chantal and Tigger both posting on the same day, we do miss you both, not being on the forum as much.

[oldherbaceous]

Forgot to mention it yeterday, the Ewes and Lambs are back in the little pasture behind our house. Stood watching them for a while this morning out of the bedroom window, the lambs do give me a lift seeing them charging about without a care in the world.....

[Shallot Man]

oldherbaceous. Does it remind you to buy mint sauce.

[oldherbaceous]

You are a hard Man, Shallot Man......

But yes it does.

[Monika]

When our offspring were young (at one time we had five teenagers!) and before seatbelts became compulsory, we used to drive round in an old, open topped Landrover with the family in the back. When we came past fields with lambs, the children all shouted "Mint sauce" in unison and I think other passers-by used to think us quite crackers, in fact, people must have thought we were carrying a group of young offenders! Luckily, they have all turned out law-abiding parents themselves by now.

Sorry to digress - it was the lambs which triggered the memory. Our allotment is surrounded by them!

[oldherbaceous]

Dear Monika, wonderful memories, and no one can take these from us.

[alan refail]

Looking out this morning; black sky, windy, rain threatening. I'd go back to bed and curl up, except I've got a big box of seeds sorted to sow today: cucumber, melon, courgette, pumpkin, beetroot and the first climbing French beans. God bless the inventor of the polytunnel!