Sunday 28 March 2021

What a difference a day makes...


Days have been quite monotonous recently. We keep the same hours, do roughly the same jobs, and stick to our usual meal times, etc. 

However, occasionally along comes a day that is totally different; yesterday was one such.

Planting out seedlings at Haddock's at this time of year is always hazardous, but I invariably find myself doing so; much earlier than is wise. Yesterday I planted my Tomatoes, Aubergines and Peppers.

The Tomatoes are all in large pots, against a south facing wall up at the barn; they are in excellent soil and 'goodness', and the Aubergines and Peppers are planted-out at Haddock's. 

The Toms need to be planted away from Haddock's because of wretched Tomato Blight/Mildew in the soil.

Toms are Marmande 'Hymar F1', Aubergines are 'Baluroi F1', and the Peppers are 'Lamuyo F1'. Varieties that are all new to me.

We can have frosts here until 'The Ice Saints' (11th, 12th, 13th May), so one needs to be cautious. I have placed plastic pots near each of the plants, to place over them in case any frost is forecast.

Then just before lunch, a lazy delivery driver phoned to say he'd left a parcel for me at the tobacconist's at my nearby town; 7 kms away. He couldn't be bothered to deliver it to my front door, as was expected of him. First thing in the afternoon, I hot-tyred it into town to collect.

I had ordered this 'fire pit' (above) online. It's a good size (almost a metre in diameter), reasonably attractive, portable, and very solid. It will be ideal for summer evenings spent outdoors, when the warmth of the day begins to fade. If anyone is looking for something similar I will give details; so many fire pits are over-fancy and ugly; this one is 'simple'.

Of course it had to be assembled, but in this case with just a few screws that fixed the three folding legs.

A busy and productive day all round.

27 comments:

  1. Potatoes cooked in foil. Toasted marshmallows for young visitors. What a great idea. Will you do something about the bad delivery driver?

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    1. No, they're all the same, they can't be bothered searching about amongst the undergrowth. With Sat-Nav, one might have thought that finding anyone's house was reasonably simple.

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  2. We have the same problem with delivery drivers , they usually leave the parcels at the post office and the wonderful post man brings it the next day .

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    1. In some ways I prefer it like that, otherwise they ring and say 'I can't find you'; on occasions returning to the depot with my parcel.

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  3. We have just sown courgette seeds in pits on our window sill. They are shooting already. Things are looking up

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    1. oops, that should have been pots not pits!

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  4. You hot-tyred it into town? I hope you gave your hot tyres an ice bath when you got home. Poor things. Who do you imagine you are? Stirling flaming Moss?

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  5. Those tomato plants should do very well against a south facing wall.

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    1. I collected mole hills, and mixed the soil with well-rotted horse manure. I'm hoping that'll do the trick; plus the location of course.

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  6. Am I the only person left who has never tasted a toasted marshmallow? Have I missed anything?

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    1. I think you have! They are very nice, children love them (usually). You have to be careful not to burn yourself; hot sugar is dangerous.

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  7. Reminds me of the delivery driver six years ago when our address included Farm in the name..we were eagerly awaiting a valuable parcel....three days late, until another driver took over the round and round half a vanful of parcels with farm in the address.
    He had assumed that all those meant a drive up a muddy track..we were only five metres off the road..we heard that he was quickly sacked.
    Well done you for getting the planting done,with frost precautions. I am about to sow tomatoes and a few other seeds in the greenhouse.

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    1. It was around zero C last night. Luckily I'd put plastic flower pots over all my small plants. I think we'll be frost-free for a while now, but I watch the forecast like a hawk.

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  8. A very productive day .... we’ve had a few of those lately ! XXXX

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    1. It makes a change. Life can be dreary at the moment.

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  9. Your fire-pit looks very handsome. I imagine you will have many cosy evenings sitting around it with good company and wine.

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    1. I certainly hope so, we're looking forward to lighting it.

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  10. Oh Cro, you would hate my firepit! But I am now on a budget, and needed something small that wasn't too ugly.....and free! The inside drum of an old washing machine was the answer! on it's side and a stand, it is obviously perforated and works perfectly.

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    1. I do have another one that was made from a big old satellite dish; the type made of 'mesh'. It works beautifully, and is used by the grandsons when they're here.

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  11. I should think those tomatoes will love that south wall.

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    1. I'm hoping so Doc. I had a couple up there last year that did OK, so my fingers are crossed.

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  12. Nothing more wonderful than sitting by a fire at night and watching the lightning bugs and stargazing.

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    1. Yes, I hope it gets plenty of use. It's quite magical sitting outside around a fire at night.

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  14. We were thinking about getting a chiminea for the winter. Your fire pit is much simpler. I shall show your photo to interested persons

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  15. It really is early to plant toms outside, but since they are in pots, you can always move them inside. when temps go down. I have some in my house that are growing but I am taking a cue from you and have ordered some grafted toms on-line. Hopefully they will arrive when the ground has the right temperature for planting and I won't have any of the diseases I have had for the past few years.

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