Marty

Why on earth would that matter?

I wasn't snoozing, nor in the pub boozing. And I wasn't shirking, I was outside working. Thanks, buddy!

Feck off, Tink. He's mine! All mine, I say! Gary told me so.

Greeting, young man!

Happy Saturday, folks!

What was the real luck was being able to actually afford it. I saw many others advertised, and some actually in a lot worse condition than this one, that caught me eye. But the asking prices were just too high. And I couldn't even afford this one when it first appeared on the market. I put a few offers on it, but the estate agent (realtor is the word used in the US, I think) kept coming back to say that there had been a better offer. When the offers got too high for me, I eventually gave up on it and started looking elsewhere. Nearly twelve months later, just as I was negotiating with a different estate agent about buying a much less attractive property a few miles out of the village (the attraction being that it had a one acre - 0.4 hectare - rough field attached), the original estate agent phoned me to say the sale had fallen through. Apparently the purchaser had changed his mind when it came to signing the final contracts. I managed to get it for more than €20,000 less than my previous highest offer for it. I think the vendor, who lives in Florida, was just anxious to finally sell it.

I know this doesn't answer your main question, Tal, but I have just clicked on the link to that story. On my screen the text is all in standard font... Perhaps this depends on the device being used to read the story? It certainly looks fine on my laptop, running Windows 8.1 and using the latest version of Google Chrome. It also looks fine on my smartphone (Samsung A20, again in Chrome). (But a possible explanation is that the author has gone back and edited the formatting since you first read it, Tal...)

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.