Drive into the countryside.

DSC_2718six weeks ago I ordered our hanging baskets from a little nursery in the countryside. It’s actually based at a small farm near Silverdale in Newcastle-under-Lyme. It’s set back off a country road and is basically a little parking area surrounded by greenhouses and shaded concrete platforms, each of which is covered in garden plants. Most of the normal plants seem to have been sold but we took some clematis, begonia, a rose and other plants as well as the hanging baskets. We have been going there for about six years, and each year we get what we need for the garden. Now it’s a case of rearranging plants and hanging the baskets up. You can see we’ve gone a bit mad. But as we haven’t been spending much lately it did mean we could afford it.

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There was too much to fit in the boot, so some of it had to go on the back seat. Be warned. With all hthe plants and soil in them they are not very easy to lift.

Will post photos when they are up.

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Daisies

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This summer I hope to see daisies and Vinca

green leaves and yellow flowers.

Aquilegia is fading, Poppy flowering in sun.

The garden changes so fast,

you have to run to keep up…..

climbing roses tower over paths,

Sweet showers of rain swell the fruit………………………………………

Soon it will be autumn again.

Fallen leaves and dead flowers.

Enjoy the sun

While you can.

Are the stars out?

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In the sky I see stars, not many, the major constellations, ursa major, ursa minor, casseopea. Its hard to make out because the clouds are flitting by. And despite lockdown, the street lights still deaden them.

I’ve only ever felt the greatness and infinity of space when we were out in the countryside. Seeing the milky way galaxy made me feel so tiny. Like I could fall off the surface of the earth, into a whirlpool of stars. Seeing that band of stardust overhead can be overwhelming.

Dark skies, where the town and city light does not reflect back. Where you can lie down on the ground and see shooting stars flying overhead. I may have seen satellites or the ISS but I wouldn’t be sure. We have seen comets…

The sky is there to observe. Look if you can, and learn.

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The cat sculpture is happy

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The cat sculpture by Charis Jones, of Sculpted Steel based at the Forge at Etruria, Stoke-on-Trent, has settled nicely into the greenery of our garden. It stares out from between geraniums and lilies. The light glints on its glass eyes and shows off the lovely green coppery finish.

I don’t commission art very often, but Charis translated my two dimensional drawing into a remarkably beautiful cat. Proud and purrfect. It’s crinkly whiskers full of character. I’m pleased to possess it.

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Before the storm

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The sky turned orange

Then maroon.

The sun crept under the curtain of cloud,

Sneaking out and staring through the rain.

Rainbows end in the murk

Towards the other horizon.

Light spills, then disappears.

The thunder thrills through the air,

Bouncing from chimneys and roofs,

Clattering slates,

Boom-rumble-thudding,

Flash, crash, splitting the new dark.

The storm is here.

 

Busy birthday

The candles blew out OK but then continued to smoulder. So I pinched the wicks  between my fingers as I thought it would set off the smoke alarm. Also the cat was making a move to jump down from the cupboard top.

What am I doing, watching TV, eating a small slice of cake and drinking prosecco. We had Thai green curry with seabass for our evening meal. Now my hubby is sitting with a glass of wine in one hand and a bottle of lager in the other!

It’s been a funny day, went to bed late (4.30am) and got up late. I have been posting things about it on the book of face… Isn’t it funny, I would never have considered doing that in the past. What a thing social media is…

Well I might post few other things today…

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Filling in forms

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Grr, filled a form in online, we need your id information they said. I sent it off. Its not sufficient they said. I did it again. Then another letter, we have accepted your id but we haven’t had your online application?

Rang up. Oh you appear to have two accounts. They will need merging, ring back in three working days!?

I’m a little fed up. No I’m very fed up…. No I’m annoyed. I’m normally a patient person, but boy this has got my goat.

I am truly hopeful that this will get sorted out soon. I need it doing. Now.

Cat on mat

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The cat lay on the mat,

Looked up with her big eyes. Feed me she thinks. I want catfood.

The cat stared straight at me, eyes so bright, gazing up lovingly a slight purr issuing from her throat.

Just wait a minute hon. I will be finished with the computer soon.. The purr increased, her eyes narrowed as if she was going to sleep. I turned back to the screen. Then the sharp pain hit me, stabbing through my mind. My ankle, then my leg, cat claws climbing, embedded in my flesh. As she reached my shoulder her mouth snapped shut on my nose! Teeth sinking into soft flesh. Claws striking out at my eyes.