Getting a man in

I am too short to be a gardener.

Even on my precariously-balanced step-stool I can't reach the tops of the bushes. A number of years ago Husband thought it would be a good idea to plant bamboo, despite Younger Son advising against it on environmental grounds. We now have enough bamboo to feed a small panda family for a year.

My main aim today was to make the area lighter for my roses.

You may not be able to see clearly but I cut down enough to fill six large garden bags. I don't think self-sufficiency in garden canes is reason enough to plant bamboo, if anyone's considering it. And, of course, it's impossible to get rid of.

I resorted to what I'm good at - destruction - after finding most of my seedlings have vanished/died. Very disheartening.

On the other hand, the parsnips tossed into the compost bin seem to be flourishing.

We were given loads of parsnips in Zac's and when I'd come to the end of my parsnip creativity I threw the rest away. How do parsnips grow? Like potatoes maybe? So we might have a good crop.

Husband used to cut the bushes/hedges with a hedge trimmer. I think the idea of me wielding a dangerous weapon, especially if perched on said precariously balanced step-stool, is a risk too far. I could run amok like they do in cartoons.

He'll be able to do it again one day, maybe, but possibly in the meantime we should consider getting a man in.

World's most expensive chips

I was having a good morning. I'd done a load of ironing and this and that, and was just sitting and reading some blog posts when Husband came in and slapped a letter on my desk. 
"A parking fine!"
"What? When? What for?"
"May 1st, Big Apple car park." (Not in New York; we have an apple-shaped kiosk near the pier.)

I checked the calendar. That was during Younger Son's stay, the evening we'd gone to the pier for chips. They could turn out to be the most expensive chips as the fine is £100 (unless paid in 28 days, in which case it's £60.)

They claim the contravention is: parked for longer than permitted. But while they show my arriving and leaving times, they don't say how much I paid for. So I'm thinking of asking for clarification. Was no parking allowed? Did I forget to pay altogether? It's a private firm. They also say, "If payment is delayed beyond 28 days we may use debt recovery." 

Just checked the Code of Practice. All seems to be legal and unappealable. Phooey. Shall have to pop back to the car park to check: "Camera vehicles used to monitor, and enforce compliance with relevant obligations must be clearly identifiable as such."

Could also quibble over the photographic evidence. On the letter the photos themselves are not date-stamped. I'm sure they are, but, again, it's not obvious.

Undoubtedly I am guilty. But cross. Way to spoil the lovely memory of a family time.

* * * * *

Husband and I both wore our heart monitors for our walk today. Mine had a hiccup at the beginning as I'd just found out about the fine, but after that it was pretty steady, with an average heart rate of 87. We covered 4.2 km in just under an hour. Speedy we are not!

Husband's average heart rate was 92 but his calorie count was 536, whereas mine was only 248!

From Manics to Gaudi

As we arrived in church this morning the overhead projector was showing a slide saying the usual welcome etc but also this quote: But man does not create - he discovers. It's from Antonio Gaudi, famous Catalan architect.

Monty, church leader, had seen it at a Manic Street Preachers concert the Friday before. I mean, obviously, where else? And he thought it was a good one. I agree but I like this longer version

We have writing group this coming Tuesday and I think I'll use it again there to encourage us all to dig deep and discover the words inside ourselves.

* * * * *

GrandDaughter1 has a Sunday job working in a small garden centre. I finally managed to get there today - and bought too many plants - and it was lovely to see her in her working environment. And smiling!

* * * * *

Husband has a bad cough that is causing him some chest pain. The situation wasn't helped this afternoon when he slipped trying to get out of the bath and jammed his ribs on the side. Good job I didn't book us into a hotel anywhere for this coming week. Maybe next week.

Now I have to go and find out more about Gaudi as my curiosity has been aroused..

All in a day's cycling

GrandSons 1 and 3 came around yesterday evening to be the first people in the pool this year. Water temperature is currently about 17 degrees. I checked the local site to see what temperature the sea might have been last week. Probably between 9 and 12 degrees. In summer it is usually between 14 and 18 degrees apparently, so the pool water gets warmer.

Toby Dog also dived in. It's always a problem when dogs jump/fall in because they can't get out on their own. When we first moved in we were told to leave an escape route on the cover at night to allow hedgehogs to climb out. I think the number of hedgehogs must have decreased because we don't have to do that any longer. (We stopped and didn't find any hedgehogs drowning.)

Boys back here today to go in again, minus Toby this time. Last night at the Llanelli Football Academy Awards Night GrandSon3 got Under 11s Player of the Year. He deserves it: he gives everything to football, whether he's training, playing in a match, or just having fun. He is totally committed.

* * * * *

Latest jigsaw, Lego mini figures with everything from a hobbit to Chewbacca to a skateboarder, to a pharaoh, to the gingerbread man.

* * * * *

Today we walked to the sea-front, along the beach, and back through the woods. There were hundreds of cyclists going past both on the road and the cycle track. Usually for races the road will be closed to traffic, and, anyway, the riders didn't seem to be unduly in a rush. I asked a man who'd stopped for a drink what was happening, and he told me they were cycling from Cardiff to Tenby. He was doing it in aid of Prostate Cancer Cymru.

I googled it when I got home and found that it's the 21st year this event, Carten 100, has taken place. Not a race or a sportif but just a chance to enjoy a day's cycling and raise funds for your preferred charity. It's just over 100 miles and takes, on average, 10 hours. 

They were probably a bit under halfway on their trek when we saw them and they all looked very relaxed, and were chatting as they cycled. I mean, that's just showing off! The Carten 100 is described on the website as a leisurely ride - of 100 miles?! - with around 1800 riders taking part.

Husband leans to the right

Not politically, thankfully.

When we walk, if I'm on his right, I end up on the verge or in the mud. Okay, I usually push him back before that, but you get the picture. If I'm on his left he seems more balanced. He blames his weakness and wobbliness following the operation but he's always leaned that way.

* * * * *

Two bits of good news this week. The choice of new pope seems a good one, a man who will follow in Francis' footsteps regarding the poor and immigrants; and the two men charged with cutting down the world-famous Sycamore Gap tree have been found guilty. 

I say 'world-famous' but I'd never heard of it until it was chopped down, but it was a 300-year-old tree in Northumberland, next to Hadrian's Wall.

Although there is no 'repairing' of the tree, it's gone, it is encouraging that people care enough to investigate and take action against the idiots responsible.

Another tiny morsel of good news: there are two Welshmen in the squad for the British and Irish Lions team that will tour Australia in the summer. It was possible there wouldn't be any so two out of thirty-eight is pretty good.

Yarn bombed

80th anniversary of VE Day

The mystery rambler

So, last year, I planted three rambling roses against my new wall and fence.

What am I doing wrong? The one on the right, Paul Noel, is the one I've had longest too. Perhaps he resented being kept in a pot until the wall was done. I have emailed the company, David Austin Roses, for advice.

Another lovely day. Husband is up for trying the woods today so we'll collect Toby and go there shortly. Then, when I get back, I must tackle the raspberry patch. Soon we won't be able to see the raspberries for the weeds.

I went to hang out the washing and spent ten minutes weeding and admiring instead. I am becoming a garden obsessive. No, not obsessive. I'm too idle for that, but I am enjoying it, seeing it develop. Husband, when I wasn't looking yesterday, moved a potted azalea. He's paying for it today with pain. I have no sympathy. Especially as he put it on top of plants I am growing. (To be fair, he didn't know that and thought he was being helpful.) 

Later

He made it to the top!

And it's a big hill. He would have gone to rehab gym this morning but is still coughing so didn't want to spread it around. Instead we made it to the top of Clyne valley woods. 

May contain triggers

The doctor thinks I may have trigger finger. I knew my past would catch up with me eventually.

She recommends removing my wedding ring. Now that is easier said than done.

I began by wrapping my finger in a part-frozen bag of water and holding it above my head for five minutes.

Then I soaped my finger and threaded some ribbon under my ring, before wrapping the other end around my finger. Then you are supposed to unwind the ribbon from the bottom end, taking your ring with it. 

That was the theory anyway.

Looks like I'll have to visit a jeweller and get it cut off. (Ring not finger.) And that will be traumatic as it's not been off my finger since 1978. Options then will be to have it made bigger or get a new one.

* * * * *

Husband wanted to challenge himself today with a bit more of a hill walk. So we headed down to the sea front, along the beach, and back up through the woods. He managed well. Next time I'm going to wear my heart monitor too so we can compare heart rates! Mine is usually quite high while his is normally low.

With apologies

The cunning plan to get Husband strimming while I mowed fell at the first blade: after strimming for ten minutes yesterday he was aching. So it's a no-no for now.

With apologies to Younger Son who is an environmentalist, there's something about a mowed lawn that sets a garden off nicely. Even with scruffy edges. 

As a concession to No Mow May though I am leaving one patch of grass untouched. And it's nothing to do with me trying to cut down on my mowing, honest.

I found a conker tree growing in our flower bed.

So have repotted it and will return it to the wild when it's old enough.

* * * * *

I had written about two-thirds of my next magazine article (deadline tomorrow) when I changed my mind. Spotting convolvulus wrapping around my rose I remembered the piece I wrote for The Bay on the subject. It was one of my most-commented-on articles. So I've put my original plan to one side for next time - I hadn't worked out how to finish it anyway - and have revamped and shortened my old article. I'll tweak it a bit more later when i come back to it.

* * * * *

Feeling a bit ropey now so think I need to sit in the sun and read.