Marty

Sleep well, Albert.

Fingers crossed

And what about the female members of this forum?

That's okay, bro... I wasn't really interested, anyway.

Nah, the word pants is fine. Underpants are what we would call undies this side of the pond.

Well, as long as he or she follows correct social distancing rules...

Hi there, young Albert.

And in Ireland, starting today, public libraries are allowed to reopen. But numbers will be restricted.

None at all. Why, was I supposed to?

Cheers, Page.

And, in other news, Irish Water is imposing a hosepipe ban from tomorrow, due to last until at least 21st July, following what Met Eireann say was the driest month of May in Ireland since 1840. As long as they don't start turning the water off completely (as I remember happening in England during the drought of 1959) I'll still be able to water the garden using the watering can. That should keep me fit.

Well, Ireland today entered phase two of the roadmap to reopen Ireland. Under phase two (actually now called phase two-plus, since the original five step plan, each three weeks apart, has now been reduced to four steps) up to six people from different households can now meet up both indoors and outdoors for a short period while maintaining strict social distancing. So, unless I have a number of housewarming parties, there'll be no more than five other people (with me making the sixth) at one if I organise it too quickly.

Good morning, all! Last night, I finally spent the night in my new, old house. Just a case now of moving the last few items from the rented house, and then giving it a good clean before handing the keys back to the landlord. Still work to be done in the new place, but I live by myself, so don't have to worry about anybody else's expectations.

Well today I sowed a row of beetroot seeds, a row of Swiss chard, and two rows of swedes. That's all my planned root crops sown now, so all that remains are the brassicas (cabbage family); I have some of those already growing in seed trays, so I need to rake the soil where they will be transplanted to, and get them into the ground. All that remains then will be catch crops, such as lettuce and other salads. The broad beans and garden peas that I sowed ten days ago are starting to show shoots. I'll need to think about making some supports for when they get taller, as they grow to about 4 feet (1.2 metres). I have some old chicken wire that I might be able to use for that job. I also managed to get a root of rhubarb, and two blackcurrant bushes in the garden centre during the week and planted those out today. The blackcurrants won't fruit this year, and I shall not pick any of the rhubarb until next year, either.

G'day, Gary.

Good morning, young Albert.

We had a couple of windy days here early in the week. My lupin flowers now look like they are drunk. I have since strategically placed a number of four foot garden canes to stop them looking completely fallen-over drunk.

It's currently about 13°C (55°F) here.

G'day, bro! We've got a drizzly day here. The sort of day that's often referred as a "soft day" here in Ireland. Still, it suits me. I sowed a row of carrot seeds yesterday evening, so the drizzle will moisten the ground and help their germination.

Good day, young Albert!

Hi, Gary!

Good morning, all! (Sleep well, Albert)

So I'm now into double digits in my attempt to take and upload a new photograph every week for 52 weeks, as I have just uploaded my tenth offering: I've given it the title: "10/52 Cottage Garden (6) [The vegetable plot]"