Marty

Cheers, Val! We've got a couple more months to go here in Ireland, as well. But, strangely, St Bridget's Day (February 1st) is traditionally considered to be the first day of spring in Ireland. Not sure if there's been climate change since Bridget was alive, but we can often get the worst of the winter weather after February 1st nowadays...

So, I started today by clearing the worst of the ivy that was growing on end of outside of the end of the stone wall. I'm a bit concerned that the ivy has damaged part of the wall. This photograph will .likely show you what I am talking about: Although they are not in any immediate danger of falling, there are some large stones that have shifted slightly, probably as a result of ivy stems growing between them. The stems thicken as they age, and thus move the stones. It looks as though some stones have actually already fallen in the past. I'm thinking that I may have to get a "professional" in to make the end of the wall safe. I wouldn't want the local kids climbing on the wall and hurting themselves from the loose stones moving. I'll make a few enquiries tomorrow.

I'll be manning a helpline (from home, using a special App on my smartphone) for two hours starting in about ten minutes time. After that, I'll do my best to post a photograph showing my garden progress (or lack thereof) today.

Drew will probably now just get upset that you didn't title him "His Imperial Texyness" (with the capital H)

The dull two-faced month is finally behind us... Will spring soon be here?

Good day to you as well, bro. Warmer here as well. But no sign of sun. And I spy plaid. @dughlas! Hurry up and file your claim!

Looks to me like it's time somebody took a trip Up The Wooden Hill To Bedfordshire...

G'day? Are you an Aussie now? G'day, Marty! Nope! I'm still Oirish. Albeit with a flat northern English accent.

But predictable.

When she was giving you a bath, I assume?

G'day, young Drew!

Thanks, Val. I'm making progress. Slowly. But, as they say: "Slowly, slowly, wins the race."

Perhaps a case of...

It's about 12:25 am here, and I've just had a half hour's soak in the bath. A quick shower is always good, but I do find the occasional soak in the bath to be much more relaxing and refreshing. I'm going to make my usual mug of cocoa and then think about heading to bed. Not sure if this will be my last post on here for tonight but, just in case it is, I'll leave you with the following which came into my head as I was having the bath. I was still only ten years old when this was a hit back in 1958, so it's possible that young Albert may be the only other person here who remembers it...

Greetings, B!

You can find "My Reading History" by clicking on the Stories tab on the bar at the top of any page on GA, and then clicking on the blue My Stories button on the new page (near the top right). "My Reading History" should be at the bottom of the drop-down menu. However, you apparently have to opt-in to use it. @Myr has posted a blog entry about it:

Greetings, old Marty! You say the nicest things!

I managed to remove all of the ivy on the top of the wall at the end of my garden this afternoon. Here's what it looked like just as it was coming on dark: You may notice some puddles on the road. There was very light rain as I was working, and my top coat was quite damp when I had finished. I was dry underneath, however. And fortunately the ladder meant that I was above the ivy, so I didn't get drenched by the branches as they were being removed.

I had steamed potatoes, swede and carrots, with the last of the pork loins and fried onion. Followed by a slice of banana loaf and a refreshing cup of mint tea.

Bluddy Zoom! Another session starting in just over 15 minutes...

True. I'm only 32 metres (105 feet) above sea level. And the highest mountain in Ireland, Carrantuohill, is only 1,038 metres (3,406 feet) above sea level. So you're basically looking down on me, Albert!

I'll have you know I keep it locked from the inside.

So that's what manscaping means,,,

Maybe not... But most of us have imaginations just as wide as yours.