I realise that this is unlikely to ever be classed as a high-brow book choice, but I was delighted when I saw a copy of Queen Camilla in the local charity shop a few weeks back. The Queen and I, also by Sue Townsend, is one of my favourite books of all time and this is very much in the same vein.Quite simply, the Royal Family is living in the FEZ, or it give it its full title the Flowers Exclusion Zone. ... read more
Identifying green things
I promise that I'll blog about something different very soon, but this has to be another gardening post I'm afraid.We're progressing quite well, but one thing is constantly foxing us. How are we supposed to identify those things that were already in the garden when we got here? I can recognise some of the more basic thing - grass, dandelions, bind weed etc, but we're now at the stage where I'll come to something when clearing a bed where I stop and try to work out of it's a weed or something that I should be leaving in.Based on the simple information of it has leaves ... read more
Gardening first steps
Now that I've got the garden I've been planning for for ages it's almost hard to know where to start! The garden is very much a blank canvas so although there are plenty of weeds to sort out the general lack of flower beds meant that there was very little that had to be done straight away. One exception to that was the area that I quickly identified as a possibility for my first veg plot. I didn't need the gardening books to tell me that the first thing I needed to do here was clear the site of all the weeds and rubble. The previous owner had kindly left behind ... read more
Our new home
Finally we have a broadband connection in our new home so at last I can start telling you all about it. Since we moved in it felt like I was taking quite a few photos, yet now I look at what's on the camera I notice that they're all actually of the garden! Ones of inside the house will follow just as soon as I tidy up a bit more. Above is the view from the back of the house down my new garden. Well, I say my garden, yet it technically belongs to Mr C and me, and the Building Society. But, the latter haven't shown much interest in it as yet, and Mr C's not here right ... read more
Garden wildlife
Evening sat in the garden with Mr C and some friends from the WWA. We hear a rustling noise in the boarder. Mr C casually says "wouldn't it be great to see a hedgehog going across the lawn" just as we all turn to look at a hedgehog going into the border! Almost on cue. Great to think that this is all going on in our back garden! ... read more
Unconnected
Still no broadband access in our new house. In a way a good thing as I can't "waste" time reading blogs. Very busy though cleaning, unpacking, organising, helping Mr C fix things, cleaning, shopping for paint and curtains, cleaning, and more cleaning! Did I mention there's quite a bit of cleaning to do? Broadband should be with us next Wednesday so more news of our new home, and photos, should follow shortly after. In the meantime I'm off to build a filing cabinet! ... read more
We’re in!
Moved in Friday without any major problems. Still no broadband so photos will have to wait. A very busy weekend starting to tuen it into a home and much more work to come! ... read more
The big move…
If everything goes to plan we're moving the day after tomorrow. In other words, in less than two days time. Yikes!For ages it's seemed like such a long time away, but now I can't believe that we're so close. I still feel incredibly disorganised and looking around me tonight there is so much still to do. I have my to do lists, but sadly not much seems to have been ticked off them yet.I'm in work tomorrow and then likely to be somewhat busy the day after. Due to BT's incompetence in giving customers (even existing ones) a broadband connection in a reasonable time period I ... read more
Anglesey Abbey
Mr C and I spent yesterday at Anglesey Abbey in Cambridgeshire with my parents to celebrate my birthday. Amazingly the weather held for us and it was so unlike the autumnal weather that we seem to be having today. I have to admit that I had no real idea what to expect from Anglesey Abbey as the location for our celebrations was mainly chosen for being roughly halfway between where my parents and we live. I was somewhat amazed though at just how much there was to see and do. I was intrigued to know where this door went to. I'm guessing it was some sort of performance area in ... read more
Country Living Inspiration
How is it that only about 4 months ago I had never read a single copy of Country Living magazine? I have no recollection of even picking up a copy in a doctor's or dentist's waiting room. Yet about three months ago I remember someone writing on their blog bout how much they enjoyed it. Hmmm, I thought, a magazine that seems to cover lots of things that I like. How strange that I haven't seen a copy.So, the next time I was waiting for a train somewhere I sought out the de rigueur WHSmith branch and bought myself a copy. From that point I have no more recollection at all as to my ... read more