Cricket Courtesy.

                                

Above; Cricket being played at my old school.

There are two irrefutable maxims that always accompany the game of Cricket; firstly 'It matters not to win or lose, but how one plays the game', and perhaps more importantly 'The umpire's decision is final'.

The game of Cricket teaches us various things; on various levels. Patience, courtesy, appreciation of others' skills, strategy, fair play, team spirit, and comradeship, amongst others.

Cricket is played in many countries; India possibly being the most fanatical. In international terms the most pointed rivalry is between England and Australia; the current state of affairs being 32 Test Match wins apiece (I think).

I would like to suggest that every school in every country in the world should teach its children to play Cricket. If Cricket had been played throughout Iraq and Syria, would we now be seeing the current barbarity?

The playing of Cricket could be the answer to many of the world's problems. I can even think of a few internet trolls who might have benefited.

Work, spend, work, spend, work, spend.

                            

I was listening to a radio programme recently where someone described modern life as 'working eight hours a day (or more) in order to earn enough money to buy things you really don't need'. I think he had it just about right.

Of course, there are those who are working equally hard trying to sell us all those things we don't need. And loads of others who advertise the misconception that we all desperately do need what we don't need.

I have nothing against those who buy unnecessary trinkets; I myself buy antiques and paintings that often get put away in cupboards and forgotten. But too many people are out there working their butts off just to buy the latest watch, the latest car, or the latest pair of 'trainers'. Fashion victims. Madness.

So, are frugal people happier? Possibly not; but they may have more in the virtual bank than the excessive spenders. They certainly have more upstairs in their heads.

Kickin' leaves.

Bok taking me for a walk on a warm windy autumn afternoon.

More fruit trees.

I'm a little obsessed with the planting of fruit trees; in my practical mind, very few trees are worth planting unless they give you something to eat in return.

I'm reducing the size of the veg' growing area at Haddock's; in future I will grow fewer but better. I intend to pay more attention to the general health of my plants. I do know how to do this, but have previously been a bit lax. My father used to say that he (the gardener) grew 25% for the wildlife and 75% for us; I intend to make that 100% for us!

The new layout has now given me a small strip of land on which to plant a couple of extra fruit trees. They will need to be kept pruned, but still have plenty of space. They will take some sunlight in the early morning, but not enough to affect my vegs.

The nearest one (in the above photo) is an Apricot 'Rouge de Roussillon', and the rear one is a Plum 'd'Este'. 

I've not bothered trying to grow Apricots before on account of their early flowering and our occasional late frosts, but I keep hearing of bumper crops elsewhere in the area, so.....

Otherwise, I only have one other pukka Plum, so a second one is a good idea. Safety in numbers, etc. I'd really like a Victoria, but they're not available here.

Now all I have to do is wait. The Plum will certainly bear fruit, but the Apricot; who knows!

Mantisees.

It's Mantis season, and they are everywhere.

I suppose they must be my favourite insect; they're very friendly and very spectacular looking. They also look as if they were designed by Mr Disney.

Years ago the Mantis season and Stick Insect season coincided, but I haven't seen any of the latter for quite some while. I'm sure they're still out there, they've probably just perfected their camouflage.

Happy (or otherwise) Halloween.

Just another day...

Lady Magnon shelling Walnuts for a cake, Bok on the prowl, Cows watching the whole event.

Just another day at the cottage. We were actually waiting for a huge lorry to deliver all Wills-n-Kellogg's stuff from Australia. Lady M decided to fill in the waiting hours with a spot of cake making; it calms her nerves.

The furniture eventually arrived (bloody loads of it), the cake was baked, the Cows moved on, Bok had a little sleep, and we had our afternoon tea.

Yup; just another quiet day.