Hi Jules,

Was a little reluctant to go into the kitchen when I got home tonight in case a snorkel & flippers were needed (!) but was very pleasantly surprised to find everything nice & dry. Will reserve judgement until after tomorrows predicted rain and strong winds but it looks like the repair job has worked after all, thank goodness for that.

Glad you managed to get everything you wanted from the garden centre. Sounds like you had an enjoyable walk in and, with all your purchases, very sensible getting the bus some of the way back, not cheating at all in my book.. saved you a soaking, and sore arms to boot! There's nothing nicer than a garden full of colour in the spring (quite like Brian's idea of them being light bulbs!) Having planted them, it alway seems to take an age for them to burst into flower does't it but is certainly worth the wait when they do.

Take care  Sue x

Hi Brian

How lovely to have 'rogue' primroses in bloom; an added bonus that wildlife brings to the garden. Very soggy here after yesterday's showers but did manage the commute without getting wet and no need to water in new plants.  Love your wit as regards my plants and bulbs - how could you have known I also bought a new 'solar' light for the area so 'light bulbs' indeed ha ha. May have to wait a while for a solar glow though beautiful here this  morning, apparently another deluge on its way.  Will make sure to pack brolly in bag when I visit Mum this morning.

Mum not doing so well mentally just now and the GP has 'juggled' her medication again to see if it can make a difference. The staff have noticed more 'switching off' just recently and she is telling everyone that she wishes to 'shut down'.  It's not too easy putting on a bright face when I go along but the staff are very supportive and its a safe environment though depending on how she reacts will determine whether she will need to be hospitalised (just for now she is withdrawn and no threat to others but in the years gone by I have known a different side (as did my late Dad). Hoping for the best just now.

Such a shame about your piece of cedar but with your clever skills am sure you will manage to put it to good use in one form or another.  I was walking round our local cancer charity outlet the other day and was nearly tempted by a lovely piece of gnarled wood. Only left it in place as could not be sure where it would 'look right' and need to de-clutter rather than the opposite as hoping to have the downstairs (we are open plan) decorated/updated next year all being well.

Like you, when on my knees digging the robin is rarely far away and eagerly awaits any offering that turning the soil brings.  I also came to appreciate the colouring of starlings after seeing their 'cousins' in Singapore (even brighter) but they do make an awful noise when they gang up round the feeding station. Just have blue *** and goldfinches making the most of the sunshine to enjoy breakfast at the moment.

Well best get on with my 'mail' and housework before setting off to see Mum and then 'de-stressing' at the gym!  Very best wishes to you, Mrs B and the family. Jules x

Hi Sue

Hope your roof still doing a good job and no waders required!

I think Brian must be phsycic talking about 'light bulbs' as I had also placed a new solar light in my newly planted area -  mind you it may take a while to charge up with the amount of cloud and rain we are supposed to be getting late.  Early  morning sun here just now but not quite warm enough to have brekkie outside today. Birds queuing up on the clothes airer before 'hitting' the feeding station and dive bombing a hopeful pigeon ha ha.

Off to visit Mum in a bit so hopefully the rain will hold off (or I will swap half hour walk for bus again) as am going to the gym afterwards and would rather not arrive looking like a drowned rat!! (brolly going in bag too!!).

Have just heard on the news that the planned tube strikes have been cancelled - yippee - means I can stop worrying about the extra time getting the bus to work takes (I would have to leave home at 7 to make it for 8.30 start) on strike days.

Hope you doing okay and thanks for chatting. Best regards  Jules x

Hi Jules,

Sorry to see in your message to Brian that your Mum is not doing so well at the moment, will have my fingers crossed that the pill juggling helps both her and you.

Everything still dry here and it really did persist down this afternoon so might even risk putting the towels away tomorrow. I'm sure I can hear all the plants giggling with joy at having had such a good drink though!

I moved down to Kent five years ago from London and have to say I really do not miss the commuting at all. Even when the various unions weren't on strike it was still a slog so I am very glad for your sake that it has been called off this time. I now have a 30 minute drive down country lanes and the only hold up is when I get stuck behind a tractor! Part of the way is through some beautiful woods and I love seeing the trees change with the seasons. On one stretch they have grown across the lane so you drive through a tunnel of leaves and it is just lovely (hope you are reading this Brian, given your love of all things arborial?!)

Take care Sue   x

Hi Sue

Like you, glad I do not have to commute into London (many years of doing this pre children!!). Now I only have a ten minute walk plus 10 mins tube trip but if they are on strike (thankfully cancelled this time round) I have further to walk to the bus station and because of all the traffic it can take an hour (usually less when the schools are off). I do not drive so just as well I still live where I do.

Well garden certainly well watered with a few heavy showers yesterday.Lawn regrowth amazing so will need a mow during next dry spell (looking like it could be okay for weekend though will be working bank holiday Monday (the joys of retail!!).  Cheered myself up yesterday by booking a trip in September (end of) to the RHS Malvern Autumn Show - could be some dangerous retail therapy amongst the plants ha ha.

Spent some time with Mum yesterday and then destressed at the gym and got myself a manicure before getting rather damp on the walk home.  Lovely morning though so should not complain. Shame that with the nights drawing in, time spent outside will be more limited (makes the evening seem longer).  Have a good day. Off to work now.  Jules x

Morning Jules,

Picking up on your point about travelling to London, some years ago when I was working for an oak company, I had to travel up to north London and the route I had to take went through the midle of London. Used to take a min of an hour and a half and one day there was an accident and it took me three and a half hours then had problems finding somewhere to park near to the customers house. Only had to do this for a couple of weeks but hated it.

I have had my last injection of B12 today and must admit I am feeling a lot better. The nurse explained that lack of B12 means the red blood ceel get enlarged and dont carry enough oxygen round the body and this explains why I used to get out of breath just going up stairs. I dont have this problem now so thats a plus. Also had to see the vampire nurse for a blood test for my psa regarding my prostate cancer. At least I didnt have to make two journeys. My appiontments have all been at odd times so hopefully can now get back to normal.

I thought of you when I heard the tube strike had been suspended. Sorry to hear you have to work on bank holiday Monday but one conselation is the weather doesnt sound that good. Have just had someone contact me regarding a Yew tree that was cut down about two years ago. So one of our members and I will be going to have a look at it next week. He turns beautiful bowls from home grown timber and looking at the pictures of the timber it should be just right for him while the smaller parts should be just right for my small vases.

I know what you mean about the grass growing. It seems that grass and weeds seem to grow at double the speed of anything else. The nut bush out the front of our house is being visited by the squirell and he has been busy planting the nuts in out front lawn. I know another big squirell who may be visiting the bush and Jules there are no prizes for guessing who that is?????

Once my next craft fair is completed I shall have to get back to my story writting again. I can now use the mic thats built into my laptop with the voice recognition program and have a load of stories to finish and even more ideas for new ones ready to start. Will probably do another short story like I did last year to post on here for the Christmas period.

Take care, sending best wishes to you and your family, Brian.

Hi Brian

Pleased that the course of B12 injections have been successful. Bet you feel like a spring chicken. Funny how we just put up with things and then feel so much better when treated (even though we did not realise there was a problem!).  I am sure you will put your new found energy into the woodturning/craft show and eventually the story writing.  Your youngest grandson will be pleased to hear about the latter I am sure.  Fingers crossed that the latest blood tests for psa levels will bring good news too.

Visited Mum on Tuesday and her blood test results showed her diabetes is well under control but that she is a little aneamic (she is also needing more encouragement to eat and drink which could be half the problem as she normally loves her veggies). The GP has had a chat with her so will see how she goes.

Working in retail you get used to taking your 'turn' for bank holiday working and I will get a day off in lieu  so really do not lose out.  If we do not want to work it then we book it out as holiday.  I have a week's break towards the end of September and have booked a day trip to the RHS Malvern Autumn Show which will be something to look forward to. (will have to watch what I buy as will need to carry them home when 'dropped off' (just 15 mins walk from home). 

Lovely here now following a showery morning so best get the washing on the line. Chat soon and take care of yourself and regards to you, Mrs B and the family.

Hi Jules, hope you managed to plant some more of your "light" bulbs, good idea to stagger them so you get a longer show in the spring. I have a courtyard garden so no mowing involved but funnily enough I do actually miss doing it. I used to find it quite relaxing, wasn't so keen on doing all the edges though!

Sorry to hear you are working on Monday but, as you say, that's retail. When I tell people I work at a University they always assume that we have the whole summer off but it's only the students and some academics who get that luxury, the rest of us carry on regardless.

Our forcast is not looking so fine so suspect there won't be much in the way of garden reading but, if the sun does make an appearance, I'll be straight out there!

Your Malvern trip sounds good and so what if you happen to find a few plants to take home, most people bring back souveniers when they have been away, don't they? Go for it!

Know you what you mean about shorter days, it is a shame, although I am still very tired at the moment and do feel a bit silly closing the curtains at 7.30pm when it is so light outside!

Enjoy what weekend you do have and happy chatting to the birds and butterflies.  Take care  Sue xx

To my garden and owl loving buddies  see below what I could not resist (amongst other things) when visiting my favourite garden centre this morning,Now somewhat tired having planted a good few plants and over 70 bulbs!!