Long weekend

We just had a long weekend—Bank Holiday weekend. I spent a lot of time in my garden (so what new eh?). The thing is we’ve been having such dreadful weather recently and I had to take advantage of every ray of sunshine to work on my garden. I never realised that nurturing a garden takes a lot of hard work. There’s the matter of controlling the perennial weeds, pruning dead wood/flowers, watering, fertilising, staking, “de-bugging” and tidying. This year our spring was more than a month late compared to last year. One thing about gardening, you’re more in tuned with nature. Growing up in the city, I was never this close to it. Also, now that I live next door to a field I am more appreciative of the food cycle. The local farmer tilled and sowed his land a month ago and now the little seedlings are starting to show. It is quite exciting. We try to buy local produce as well—eggs, meat, jams, vegetables, etc. Over here in the UK we’re getting more and more concerned where our food is coming from. There is a big push of buying locally. The reason for that is it is not just fresher and healthier, buying locally means you’re saving the environment as well (my big thing). Supermarkets, in their quest of providing all year round fruit and veggies, fly in produce from all over the world and to my mind that is such a waste! Why have lamb from New Zealand when Welsh lamb is better? I actually look at the packets now to determine whether or not it comes from Britain. I also buy seasonal vegetables. However, I feel guilty sometimes when I buy papaya for my tinola dish. But I must admit it is difficult to buy all locally because of the cost and variety.
Let me tell you about the road I take to work. I’ve always wanted to describe the road to you because the scenery is quite stunning. I have written a lot about the A30—the main link to Exeter from East Devon. However I haven’t told you about the A38—the link from Musbury to the A30.The A38 is a long and winding road. Unlike the A30, this road is only a two way traffic and because it is long and winding, your can only overtake in two places. There are several dangerous spots where you’re driving next to a cliff edge and making a very tight turns. Challenging in bad weather and low light. Anyway, in spite of the dangers, the A38 is picturesque. I have many favourite areas on this road but one there is one place where I deliberately slow down just to savour the moment. The area is right after a very dodgy turning. For the next 100 yards or so, I go through a verdant canopy of beech trees. I love the dappled light it creates and the feeling of entering another world. I am so taken with it that I would like to see the treetops two seconds before I die.
I know that is not possible at all but in my mind that place is magical! The other place is quite near my house (just before I turn for Musbury). This road is open and wider. There are fields on either side.
By now I know the two roads quite well. I know when to slow down for the speed camera. I know when to accelerate to feel a bit of freedom in an open road. The A38 is not an easy road but it is very interesting. The A30 is a very fast road and there are areas that challenge your machine (a steep upward climb) and fast merging traffic.
The A358 –the road leading to Musbury off the A38—is a narrow country road with tall hedgerows on both sides. It is also one winding road and overtaking is not really a good idea. I had problems with this road late last year when I attempted to go to work in the middle of a blizzard. When I was about to turn off for the A38 my car spun around so I decided to go back home. However, by this time the road was covered in snow—basically everything was covered in snow. I didn’t know whether I had to turn or what. I lost all my landmarks! It also happened to be a very dark winter’s morning. We didn’t have sunlight until 9.30am! That was one time when I was positively scared.
Before I reach my house I use another little country lane. This time the road only allows one car at a time so when there are two cars facing each other one must be prepared to either reverse or go up a muddy patch of field to let the other pass. You cannot see anything on either side because the hedgerows are taller and at the moment filled with wild flowers like cow parsley, bluebells and primroses. I have spotted a barn owl on this road and a fox as well.
So yes I am surrounded by nature and loving every minute of it! Just in case you're wondering, I took the photo above yesterday from my bedroom window. I watch the sunset almost every night. It never ceases to amaze me.

It was a dark and stormy night

I don't know about the dark, but it was certainly stormy and windy! It has been a week of wild weather—rain and gale force winds pummelled my garden all week! Not too good as far as delicate buds are concerned. Even the temperature has taken a nosedive and I am back wearing track suit bottoms and jumpers indoors. The plants are taking a beating we even had to stake the new maples. I can only think positively on this. At least our water butts are full to the brim and the plants do not need watering. However, the plants are growing real quick and I bet that just one sunny day and they’ll romp away.

It is that sort of day when I am stuck indoors. I have already done my ironing before lunch! I have no music on as I like listening to the wind and rain. I could hear the clock ticking downstairs. I sometimes think I am turning out to be some sort of recluse. I like being alone—well with hubby and Sam. Unlike most women I know I am not afraid to spend time on my own. I like my privacy and independence. Some people may think I am selfish or anti-social but I’d rather be out there pottering about in my garden with my dog than talking to people. Such irony! I trust very few people and one of them is my hubby. A lot of people let you down so I have developed this “wall”. I long ago stopped getting involved in other people’s lives. I thought that as long as I get my act together then that’s as good as it gets as far as life is concerned. I’ve stuck to that idea. Many people tell me their problems and I am okay to give moral support but that’s as far as I go. Trying to help other people solve their financial troubles is out of my league. Giving them advice is a no-no because experience taught me that people do what they want to do anyway.
Some good news though. Hubby and I are going to Rome in September. I’ve always wanted to the “Eternal City” ever since I knew it. I would love to see the classic architecture, paintings and that very secretive place called the Vatican. I am a history buff and I am sure my imagination will go wild just seeing all the things I read in school. That’s one good thing living here in England. You could just simply hop on a plane and rediscover history. Can’t wait!

Good weekend

It was a very nice weekend. It’s the usual stuff…shopping, gardening and finished off with a barbecue. As I was about to tuck into my steak I thought of all the vegetarians in the world and what they’re missing. Having this kind of meat once in a while is great. We even barbecued Sam’s fillet steak and he ate it with gusto. Lovely.
I always hurt on a Sunday because most of the hard graft is done on Saturdays. Yesterday Hubby and I finished off the front lawn by weeding and giving it a new edge. It looks okay now but it will look better after we reseed it now that the weeds are almost gone. Good news too about the clematis. One by one the flowers are coming out. It is a very exciting time of the year. I can’t wait to see them all blooming. That’s one picture I would love to take.
This morning we had breakfast alfresco. For the first time we used the deck in the back garden. We moved the table around and it looks heaps better now. We still need to buy a new table. Maybe next month. It was such a nice morning, the sun was shining and the temperature even allowed us to wear (wait for this) shorts! However, later in the day it misted up and the temperature dropped. Oh well at least we managed to take some really good photos.

I had a pleasant surprise yesterday afternoon. My old university friend called me from America. He sounds so American now but I know he’s still the same guy I knew back in school. I am very fortunate with my friends. I kept in touch with most of them and we’re now scattered all over the world. Then while my friend and I were talking on the phone he informed me that another friend suddenly went online so I ran up to the attic and went online myself. The other friend was in Japan! There we were—one in Japan, another in America and me here in the UK all chatting to each other! Just like old times. It was like we were back in university—all silly, stupid, naughty and having a ball!
I only start feeling my age like tonight when my shoulder muscles are hurting. Speaking of pain, I have been having these violent headaches recently. In fact I had to go home early from work one day last week. These headaches are not like my usual once-in-a-blue-moon migraines where I throw up. These headaches feel as if my head would burst—positively pounding! Anyway, I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Weekend gardener

My weekends just fly by so quickly. I mean one moment it’s Friday night eating takeaway food with my in laws and before I know it it’s Sunday night and I’m preparing dinner!
Most of my activities during my days off are mainly on the house and garden. The first thing I do in the morning is to prepare myself as good cup of coffee—I only drink coffee when I am not working. Then Sam and I go up in the garden to check the progress of my plants. I am an obsessive gardener. I check for new growth or for any snails, slugs or bugs. I hate the last three things with a vengeance! I carefully make sure that the new tendrils from the clematis are entwined with the wire I made for them. There are so many buds around and the plants responded so well with the fertilising and watering! Next week I will take more photos.
This morning I went to the garden centre with my in laws as Hubby’s working in Plymouth. I bought some flowering plants which I planted right away as soon as I got home. Gardening gives me so much joy (a deep sense of satisfaction) that is hard to describe. I have a challenging garden because the soil is heavy clay and it is quite steep but this does not bother me a bit. I am very much my mother’s daughter that way. My mother loves gardening too and she’s happiest when she’s in her garden. For me tending the garden is not hard work but more like relaxation. I can spend a lot of time outside, clipping, digging, pruning, dead-heading, weeding (not too pleasant!) and planting. I can watch Gardener’s World all day or A Year at Kew when I’m not outside in my overalls. I still have the front borders to clear up. I need to do that one of these days but my focus is on the garden. It is taking shape slowly. I would hate to leave it during my holidays. At least a friend of mine promised to water the plants!
I do not like Sundays nights because it usually means one thing—next day is Monday and I’m off to work again!

Out in the woods

We have this wonderful woodland near our house. Well if I was fit enough (and I mean fit) I could probably hike it up there but to save time and energy Hubby, Sam and I took a five minute drive up there. These woods are magical and we love it there. Once inside the woods, sunshine hardly gets through because the trees are so close to each other. Ferns are abundant though and it looks like one of these days there will be a mass of gorgeous bluebells underneath the canopy of trees.
I love these walks. I do not even notice time go by. We’ve been trampling around for almost an hour but I hardly felt it. That’s the sort of physical activity I like.
Yesterday I recovered from the frantic pace of Saturday. My right arm and shoulder were aching and my legs too from running up and down that hill to get to the garage. I took a strong pain killer last night and this morning I felt heaps better. I feel okay now in spite of this morning’s activity.
After our walk in the woods we went to my in laws to do some chores. Well mainly Hubby did the chores as his parents aren’t up to it anymore. They’re in their mid 80s! I was so hungry by lunchtime (around 2.00pm). After lunch we did a spot of gardening—I fertilised the plants while Hubby mowed the lawn. It looks great now. No more dandelions! It’s been a good three days. Back to work tomorrow (sigh!) Never mind, there’s another long weekend by the end of this month. Can’t wait! I bet the plants would look great by then.