Stormy Weather

[marthe]

Saly, I'm glad you had a restful Easter but am sorry to hear about the death of your friend. You're right, it is shocking to hear of the passing of someone, even if from the past. I recently received a copy of a family newsletter put out by a branch of my father's family. In it were listed the deaths of five of the older generation...all well into their ninties, so a good run for them all but sad, nonetheless.

We had family visiting over the weekend. Everything was low key and relaxed. The point of the visiting really was to go see my mother who is in a nearby nursing home. We just provided the beds, food and a place to sit and chat.

Enjoy your TV watching and stay warm. The sun is trying to break through here but it's still a bit cool.

[salymap]

Morning Stormyweatherites. A mixed weather forecast, murky and cooler in Kent/london border. Think there is a lot of rain in Scotland and the North of England.
Must pull myself together and get on with jobs, piling up as usual. Not sure of shop opening hours in the next few days.. Someone said they would be shut for 4 or 5 days, is that so?

[Curalach]

It's a beautiful sunny spring morning here Saly. The dawn chorus was spectacular and the garden is full of blossom.

[salymap]

I hope you are still painting Curalach and putting them somewhere on these MBs if possible. I've been waiting for ages to see Chris Newman's new painting of Cecil Court in London. And waiting...........

[Curalach]

Painting has taken a back seat recently due to being "head cook and bottle-washer" as my wife is unwell. However, I have plans. Chris' painting class has folded and he is much taken up with a possible house move at the moment.

With you on our case Saly we will both need to get cracking!

[salymap]

Oh I'm not a bit pushy really, I just enjoy a change from moans about Breakfast and suchlike.

Wish your wife better, Curalach and maybe I'll hear from Chris in answer to my email in time.

[salymap]

Still not a spot of rain here for weeks. I always check on Alchemela Mollis ,[approx name], known as 'Ladies' Mantel'. A lovely little plant which will show a single rain drop on the leaves. None to be seen

[salymap]

Thanks mercia, I have ringed it round in the RT and must remember to listen.

[BBMmk2]

We've had no rain here,either, salymap. Ground quite dry now.

[marthe]

Still not a spot of rain here for weeks. I always check on Alchemela Mollis ,[approx name], known as 'Ladies' Mantel'. A lovely little plant which will show a single rain drop on the leaves. None to be seen

We've had nothing but thick cold fog here. My Lady's Mantle is dripping with moisture...and very pretty it is! Away from the coast, the sun is warm and skies are blue.

[salymap]

Morning marthe. Sounds depressing weather. I love those small plants with pretty leaves and flowers. I got my 'gardener' to leave a shoot of bugle [ajuga] which came up in the patio. It is now flowering with a pretty blue flower, as you will know. Wish I could find a better home for it, border it came from is rock hard and can only afford to have grass done. Nature will find a way though.

[greenilex]

Morning all. Update on apple sproglets: both doing well with lots of big leaves, one even has a side shoot. Will be some while before I have to worry about removing fruit, though....

Anne-Sophie Mutter was stunning this am.

[marthe]

saly: still having depressing weather somewhat like the exterior scenes from the most recent "Jane Eyre" that I saw at local cinema yesterday. I wouldn't worry about that ajuga as they are tough customers. In my garden, they are truly "thugs" despite the pretty blue flowers. That being said, I actually have two fancy varieties: one with variegated cream/green/burgundy leaves; the other with deep purple/bronze leaves. Pretty foliage for the border but give them an inch and they'll take an ell! I put some of these ajuga in an urn. They drape over the side quite nicely and come up faithfully every year. I no longer have to go out and buy expensive annuals for the urns but "shop" my garden instead. I did put in a few pansies because they cheer things up a bit before the garden is quite "up."

[salymap]

Morning everyone. Marthe my ajuga has reddish leaves and has to struggle against conditions here. I could try to 'pot' the new shoots it is throwing out. If I leave it itmay start to upturn the patio in time by the sound of it.

Greenilex. Good luck to your apple sproglets. The colder weather has destroyed most of the blossom on my big Bramley tree, I hope it had time to set fruit but I doubt it.

[marthe]

The sun is out finally! It was still quite foggy at 4AM when we got up to watch the wedding which was being shown at a local cinema on large screen. I was surprised, and delighted, to come outside at 8:30 to bright sunshine and much warmer temps. Time to look for my short-sleeved shirts!