Rain, rain, go away… this poor blog has been massively neglected. But it has been a rubbish year for gardens. Spring was cold, and the cold spell dragged on and on, putting everything well behind. Summer was indifferent. There was a dry spell in September, but lots of cloud, and little sun to ripen fruit. … Continue reading What a wash-out!
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There may not be any official rules of TV drama series, but 'formula' doesn't have the same ring about it! In the wrong job The police are rarely able to solve crimes, unless it is a show about the police. Otherwise, they will be bumbling about, arresting the wrong person. The crime will be solved … Continue reading Rules of TV drama series
The spilled milk (well, coffee) Last Thursday morning got off a great start when I knocked a cup of coffee over, all over my bedroom carpet, when I was in a hurry to go out. A cup of milk would have been more traditional for what followed. Because I had a job interview last Thursday, … Continue reading Of spilled milk and the joys of spring
New Year’s Day is a bank holiday (public holiday) in the UK. I was home, and when I walked the dog, in spring-like weather, everywhere was quiet. Bar birdsong. A car disrupted the peace – but it was soon past, reminding me of one of my favourite poems. You can probably read Brian Patten’s January … Continue reading Busy bees, in January
Deck the halls with boughs of… daffodils? The daffodil is a national emblem of Wales – presumably because daffodils are supposed to bloom in spring, and St David’s Day (patron saint of Wales) is on March 1. There’s a natural succession of flowering bulbs: snowdrops emerge in January, and flower in February. Crocus follow. And … Continue reading Daffodils in December
Remembrance Sunday this year falls on Armistice Day. Which also happens to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War. There is a motto: Lest we forget. Here’s a reminder of a few men who paid the ultimate price in the two World Wars. With great respect for all those killed on … Continue reading Roll of Honour – lest we forget
Bohemian Rhapsody, the movie, was released in cinemas here in the UK a few days ago. I went to see it yesterday. I did look at a few reviews. But decided to make my own mind up. Queen were the first band I ever got into and there's always something special about one's first love, … Continue reading Bohemian Rhapsody – critics should lighten up
I forget where my nemesias came from. Or, just how long ago I got them. At some point two to three years ago, I popped a couple into two of the big pots right outside my front door, which otherwise contain a daphne odora and a coprosma. The daphne promised ‘very fragrant, deep pink and … Continue reading Nemesia – non-stop flowers
The image for this post shows: the sole pear produced by what is still pretty much a stick in my front garden a Crystal lemon cucumber from my greenhouse inadvertently, but inevitably, some dog hairs! Glossing over 1 and 3, the cucumbers were a fun experiment I shall definitely repeat next year. The plants are … Continue reading Green tomatoes and yellow cucumbers
Peasant Pudding is presumably so called because it’s simple and cheap to make. It’s also quick to throw together and yummy to eat. This version is heavy on the apples in proportion to the pudding side of things, and comes from an old notebook of my Mum’s. The quantities are therefore British Imperial measures. Peasant … Continue reading Peasant Pudding
