Marty

I'm away to my bed, gang. I'm tired. I started breaking new ground in the upper garden today for my planned vegetable plot. I found it hard going, turning over what is effectively virgin ground. I'm not as young as I was the last time I did that (about 33 years ago), and wasn't even sure I would be able for it at my age. But I'm managing, just not as quickly as I once would have done. I think having a really good, stainless steel spade helped. I bought it about 25 years back. It was expensive, but well worth the money. I reckon it will take me maybe another three or four days digging before I can start planting my potatoes, peas, beans, and other vegetables. But I'll be happy to be be growing some of my own food again. Chat yous all again on the morrow!

Just Googled that, Albert. It looks really nice, but it seems it isn't really hardy enough for the Irish climate. Here's what I read on the website of an Irish garden centre: "Bougainvilleas are best grown in a greenhouse or conservatory in a spot that gets at least 5-6 hours of bright indirect light." Later it says: "Bougainvilleas can survive winter temperatures of down to 2°C (35°F), although they will drop their leaves once the temperature falls below 10°C (50°F)." So it certainly wouldn't survive a typical Irish winter.

I adore it too, Gary. Most of the plant pots have lupins and pansies in them. They were originally outside the back door of the place I am currently renting. I really must give up the lease on that place shortly, as there is really not much sense in keeping on paying rent now I have somewhere else to live. I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I have already cut that ivy at the base. If you look carefully, you will see that the upper row of roof slates have lifted slightly. My builder thinks the slates will all need to be taken off, new timbers installed, and then the slates put back. He suspects the main ridge timber may need replacing (hence the lifting of the top row of slates). So the ivy needed to go; but I will probably let it regrow later. There's also a couple of missing and damaged slates on the far side of the roof, which is letting water in on the upper timber floor. I have rescued some slates from a couple of tumbledown sheds in the lower garden which should be able to be used to replace the missing and broken ones. We haven't discussed a costing for re-roofing the cottage yet. It's not the most urgent priority; obviously the main dwelling house takes precedence. The planters, as you call them - raised beds as I would call them - at the gable of the cottage have two hydrangea plants in them. They look a bit tatty, but I'll see how they do this year before making a decision as to whether I shall keep them or not. I have sown four rows of beetroot seeds in them this evening, one at each end, and one each side of the division you may be able to see in the middle of the beds. I will probably sow some calendula seeds in them in the next few days, as well.

Here's a really heartwarming story of genuine human kindness amidst the current covid-19 crisis:

Here's the fourth of my weekly challenge to take a new black and white photograph every week for 52 weeks. It's a different view of the old cottage from week 1.

Hi, Drew! Hope you're keeping well.

And that doesn't include Cookie...

Or maybe a trapped nerve?

And I'd offer to give Gary a virtual neck and shoulder massage, but I reckon that wouldn't do much good...

Reminds me of an old joke about someone complaining about having a sore neck. But he claimed it was worth it, as he'd got it from sleeping next to an open French widow... All joking aside, though, hope the improvement continues, Gary.

Hi, young Albert! Enjoy your day. Although I think I would find 29.4°C almost too warm to work in...

Another good day, here. Currently around 14°C (57°F) with a high expected of 17°C (63°F). The good news is that the Met office is predicting highs of up to 20°C (68°F) over the weekend. The bad news is that they're predicting that the current spell of settled weather may be ending early next week. Hope yous all have a great Friday!

Chat yous all tomorrow...

Glad to hear you're feeling better.

I suppose I really have been blessed with the good weather we have experienced here since the lockdown was announced. I love gardening, and have been without a proper garden for the past six years, so all the work I have been doing in the new garden is nothing more than a labour of love. Had we had our usual miserable wet weather, I could have done some work inside the new, old house. There's door and window reveals need a thorough cleaning, flaking paint that needs attending to, old wallpaper that needs stripping and then walls and ceilings to paint. But none of those jobs are the sort that I really enjoy, so I may not have got much of those done had I not been able to work outside. Fingers crossed the weather settles for you soon. But don't feel too despondent. At least you're well into your new book along with other writings. Try not to let the politicians upset you; or, to put it another way: Nil illegitimi carborundum (Don't let the bastards grind you down).

I'll keep my fingers crossed as well, B.

Any plans for your day, Albert?

Sounds like a very productive trip, clo And yes, thanks, I am enjoying my day. Not quite as warm as where you are. Currently around 17°C. I've just taken a short break from the garden work. I'm in the process of constructing a compost bin from some old posts and bits of chicken wire I rescued from along a hedge in the garden.

Hi, young Albert Your quackers? (Or do I mean: 'You're crackers'? )

Great news, Bucket!

And all we need is Faith - "There's nothing left but faith" (and possibly Hope..?) I can't believe that Album is almost 40 years old! (1981) The Cure put out some amazing stuff. It's impossible to pick a favourite, but Lovesong, from their 1989 album Disintegration always blows me away, just because of its sheer simplicity...

Good morning, everyone!

Hang on in there, oh Artful one. (Although I wasn't sure whether to give a Sad emoticon or a Laughing one when I read your final statement about hockey... )

They are indeed a beautiful flower, clo And what a lovely surprise it must have been to find those flowers amongst your grandparents' old letters. Its scientific name is Myosotis arvensis, but I can understand why the Alzheimer Society might use the flower as their symbol, because the common name for the flower in English is "Forget-me-not", although this may just a direct translation of the name it had already been given by the French: "Ne m'oubliez pas", or perhaps from the German: "Vergissmeinnicht". This flower has been adopted by several associations, including Newfoundlanders wishing to commemorate their fallen from the First World War, particularly the Battle of the Somme where so many were lost. I actually have a few of them flowering in planters outside, grown from commercial seed. I might try to take some macro shots of them in the next few days (if I can remember which box my macro lens is hiding in).

Sleep well, Albert