Long awaited Spring Bits and Bobs…

[Westi]

Typical hey? Just when I got the Strulch delivery & the huge heavy tin of fence paint to take down to the plot the car is not available until Tuesday. It has been in the garage since Wednesday after one of those computerised messages popped up with 'Engine Fault, contact your garage'. Apparently the original owners when they got some of the changes to the car to make it disabled friendly moved really essential bits & bobs to other areas to allow for the wheelchairs with floor clamps & seatbelts. It was a school bus (just a Berlingo); for disabled children & they did get professionals in. Hmm?

We found they diverted where the Adblue should go in (eventually). That caused no engine issues but it seems they moved & diverted things to do with the fuel flow as well. Big £'s now for us as they had to re-order bits that they trashed when they diverted them & obvs the mechanics time.

Just got to win the 'L' to get a brand new 'proper' disability adapted vehicle where these things are considered from the floor up build. It will need to be a big win as they cost about as much as high end camper van but everything is controllable with a push of a button by the disabled driver; like a proper up/down ramp & seats that slide back more & rotate to let the driver transfer into, along with the proper hand controls. Feel free to share your lucky numbers!

[oldherbaceous]

Sorry to hear the car is causing problems, Westi, everything is so expensive these days…..I don’t do the Lottery i’m afraid!

[Stravaig]

I do the lottery and sometimes get lucky. Not for several weeks now. My biggest ever win was £140.

(I gave you a thumbs up, not because I liked your post - erk! - it was a vote of sympathy.)

Yes, things seem to be very expensive these days. Nearly four quid to buy a take-away sandwich from Waitrose.

I have a lucky dip for tonight's lottery - 05, 07, 13, 17, 28, 57. Good luck!

My first ever full-time job - school holidays at the egg packing station. Knackering work but I felt like a millionaire because I was earninng £9 per week.

[Westi]

Absolutely beautiful day today which was too good to miss so walked to the plot through the woods with the dog. Wasn't too bad as not many other walkers around so no major anxiety from the dog & she even coped with the overpass - well better than me anyway I just can't look down.

Had one of those days where you just potter around doing low key stuff & actually note things. Plum beauty has tiny little fruit developing, the scabby French apple tree I treat every year is about 80% clear now & new branches showing no signs, the little cherry tree which broke when attacked by the neighbours flying chicken run roof has survived my duct tape repair & in flower. All the spuds are showing & were topped up, the asparagus is well happy & all beds productive. One pea survived the rats attack; shame about the others but the re-sows are up in a pot & ready to plant out with original pea seed nipped off. On the subject of rats I; (well dog technically), found runs along the fence lies when I weeded them & the outside sown lettuce's have popped up. Having a break tomorrow as a) it is going to rain & b) the return journey through the woods had dog in a quandary as way to many dogs around which freaked her & she pulled way too hard to hide behind me or run & my back is complaining.

[Colin2016]

I take your dog does is particular on who she socialize with, Westi.

My dog is the same we try to go on the beech every morning, as we turn a corner to access beech if she sees people or other dogs in the distance than she does an about turn.

[robo]

I had a good win on the lotto a few years ago just over a £1000 I made the mistake of telling my wife when I got home that evening she had put another £4000 to it and booked a holiday for all our family

[Westi]

Colin we choose her as a wee puppy just before Covid but she was ready to come just when lockdown started. We have a brill training group but gone in a blink, then the bad boys nicking pups on the favourite dog walks & folk being followed home. Wasn't ready to risk it & tried to train her ourselves from the numerous dogs we have had, but no socializarion except the really old Vizsla who was happy to protect but not teach!

[Primrose]

Put your seed packets back in the drawer !
See in the paper today the National Allotment Society are advising growers to delay sowing their seeds until the end of May due to lower than average temperatures and less sunshine.

I sowed my outdoor tomatoes later than normal this year but fear they will still be too leggy by the time it,s warm enough to plant them out.Hard to know how to hold them back. It's going to make for some late crops this year I fear. Has anybody else been caught out.?

Going to hold off sowing my climbing beans althiugh did I read earlier OH was already sowing an early crop in hope ?

[Primrose]

If you want to find the secret of eternal life, become a pyracantha bush!

Years ago we chopped down a pyracantha hedge at the bottom of our garden as it proved too fast growing for me to maintain. Drilled out the root stumps as much as possible and capped them with polythene sheet and upturned pots to prevent them re-sprouting.

All that,s happened is that the root fragments have migrated under the fence and we how have a pyracantha jungle springing up on neighbour's side of fence in their large neglected garden where nobody ever ventures to do any clearance. Grrh ! Beware of what you wish for !

[oldherbaceous]

I have indeed got lots of stuff ready for planting out, Primrose.
Infact I planted some Runner beans out yesterday, I always have a gamble with this early planting, some years it pays off, other years I end up sowing some seed directly outdoors, where the early plants have been caught by frost.
I planted some early courgette plants out last week, but these are protected by portable cold frames!
I know, i’m am very lucky in what I have…..
Your pyracantha story made me smile… sounds the right place for it now though….

[tigerburnie]

Visited a couple of local nurseries, the wife wanted a birthday gift for a friend, so a planter and plant duly bought, nothing for me as I won't need anything for a while. First time out since my operation, but wore a mask just to be safe, covid on the increase round here and I don't really want to add that to my list.

[Westi]

I have sowed & planted somethings, but most are covered for extra protection, but I have taken some off now. Doing weeding, sowing & planting today & found that the sneaky test lettuce sow I made that have just sat there for weeks are up. Planted out some fennel & celeriac which are a bit small but am still pushed for space. Also planted out the few brassica I needed to fill the gaps from the slimy guys attacks & sowed some swede, turnip, chard & parsnip into their no show gaps.

Then spent the rest of the time mucking around with the netted walk in brassica cage which got trashed in one of the storms which bent & even snapped some of aluminium poles, which are way too expensive now when bought separate. It is not up but I have figured out how to raise the lengths of the snapped poles by using 2 anchor poles inside each other. Looking forward to sorting it when next down now I've had this Eureka moment. Every join will glued in now; as the little screws supplied are what gave way so it will remain in forever in the bed behind the tunnel but I can work the rotation around it. Fortunately the zipped door netting cover was not damaged.

[Primrose]

tigerburnie - you're right to be careful with that mask. Covid is still active round here too and there's too much complacency around. Those recovering from surgery are still vulnerable and with hospitals still under so much pressure it's not worth tempting fate.

[Westi]

Well in just 2 1/2 hours I managed to get the net walk in cage up! Was a pain dealing with the bends in the poles & securing everything & right on cue the wind came up just when I was putting the mesh cover on. It is secured but needs more, but my stash of my 8' thick canes have disappeared & it desperately needs more cross bracing. The lottie shop didn't have any so had a look online when I got home & one site wants £100 for 10 canes?? What?? The wind better stay calm while I do some more looking around for a sensible price & delivery charge!

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And my first Plum Beauty fruit looking fine!

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[Geoff]

I've had some of their shorter canes and they were OK https://elixirgardensupplies.co.uk/prod ... -2ft-10ft/