Christmas and New year bits and bobs.

[oldherbaceous]

Thought we should have this for anything people would like to share at this special time of year.
It can be happy, sad, or even grumpy if you want.

Well i'm going to start with a happy and excited one.
I treated myself to four Plum trees and a few other bits as a Christmas present on Monday aftenoon, well they have just been delivered, now thats what i call quick service. And fine specimens they are as well.

[alan refail]

Morning OH

Nothing sad or grumpy from me. Just noticed that the weather is improving for Christmas - high pressure and sunny days. So it'll be Christmas lunch on the beach again like last year.
Turkey sandwiches and a good bottle of wine.

[richard p]

if it wernt for the kids i could quite happily hibernate in early december, its all a grossly overhyped commercial frenzy. christmas day ive got to drive 15 miles in the morning to collect the mother in law, then pick up kids and missus then drive 10 miles the other way, wait for dinner with 15 people and 3 dogs in a shoe box, make idle chatter till tea time then drive 10 miles home again, either drive mother in law home or spend all day today clearing a years rubbish ( last yyears xmas pressies?) from the spare room and take her home on boxing day..... never mind perhaps ill take me wellies and raincoat and disappear with a dog for the afternoon,

is that grumpy enough or do i need to try harder?

[Shallot Man]

Followed the spending half [the Memsahib] round our local garden centre yesterday, noticed they had seed potatoes in.

[alan refail]

if it wernt for the kids i could quite happily hibernate in early december, its all a grossly overhyped commercial frenzy. christmas day ive got to drive 15 miles in the morning to collect the mother in law, then pick up kids and missus then drive 10 miles the other way, wait for dinner with 15 people and 3 dogs in a shoe box, make idle chatter till tea time then drive 10 miles home again, either drive mother in law home or spend all day today clearing a years rubbish ( last yyears xmas pressies?) from the spare room and take her home on boxing day..... never mind perhaps ill take me wellies and raincoat and disappear with a dog for the afternoon,

is that grumpy enough or do i need to try harder?

So, Richard, apart from that you're really looking forward to Christmas

[richard p]

hi alan
im looking forward to new years day, be on the beach in lanzarote in the afternoon ... bit of an early start but a fortnight in the canaries will probably compensate for christmas day

[PLUMPUDDING]

Hi all, I'm beginning to enjoy this Christmas for the first time for ages. We don't have to make a special effort as we don't have any small children in the family, and relatives are thin on the ground now, so we've agreed we neither of us want any presents, and we aren't going to bother buying any for anyone else.

We give something to various charities, so we're not as mean as it sounds.

I'm just looking forward to having good food and wine seeing friends and having a nice relaxing few days.

I've really enjoyed not going near the shops and think this will set the trend for future years - a nice holiday with no hassle.

[Stephen]

Hi OH
Plum trees, a great choice. I planted a couple in my tiny garden; they are trained as fans against walls and are doing pretty well.
I made the choice having spent an afternoon at Brogdale and left having ordered exactly what i was looking for, which I thought might be a demanding set of criteria.
These two trees had to be pollination partners, different skin colours, desert and culinary and ripen at different times. Brogdale came up trumps and I recommend them highly.

[Clive.]

Hello,
I've been a forum lurker of late....as I've been busy elsewhere..

....helping Santa in his heritage toy workshop...

Hornby Dublo 3 rail for Christmas..





Wishing everyone a very Happy Christmas...

Clive.

[oldherbaceous]

Some very interesting replies i must say.

Well i got the plum trees planted, and also eight gooseberry bushes, something very satisfying about planting fruit trees and bushes.

And Old Codger has even put his outdoor Christmas lights up, that will make the children smile.
Shame about the ones that drove miles to see them last week, only to be dissapointed and left with tears rolling down their innocent little cheeks.

Christmas carol service tomorrow afternoon, now thats something i always enjoy.

[old codger]

Hello OH, you have made a nice little orchard at the top end of the lottie, whith apple, plum trees, and gooseberry bushes.I haven't got far to go scrumping, my little stall will look good with all that fruit for sale

[oldherbaceous]

Good morning Old Codger, i have been giving your threat of scrumping some serious thought, but since i prefer eggs to fruit, i think it is you that needs to be worried my dear fellow.

Went to the lovely carol service at the Church yesterday afternoon, and very touching it was indeed.

[garden_serf]

Stephen, I clicked on your 'Brogdale' link and lost the forum, could not get back to it using any way I know. Had to close the browser.

[Chantal]

Hi GardenSerf, I just clicked on it and got back to the forum by using the big left arrow key at the top of the screen to go to previous page.

[oldherbaceous]

Just thought one or two of you might like to know what the wreaths my Mum makes, look like.