Yawn Yawn Wakey Wakey 2025

The wind was so cold yesterday I stayed indoors, despite it being sunny. I swept right through, Thank the Lord for ceramic tiles and cleaned and did a part water change in the fish tank.
Lifting buckets in and out of the sink carting them around was more than enough exercise for me. I did sit and give my ginormous thyme a short back and side and drink in the conservatory.
Ladybird4 I live near St Austell so central Cornwall, I have a sheltered corner between the house and conservatory facing South/South West where I tuck tender babies, even the dwarf banana stays out all winter.
I hope you enjoy your trip to Cornwall Busylizzie.
I would recommend The Pinetum in St Austell but the new owners have made big changes and it is now very expensive to visit. No longer the jewel garden it used to be. The new owners are not gardeners and seem keen to make money from it.
Also Tregrehan, I haven't been for many years, it is small and not always open so not sure what it is like now.
There is also the Hidden Valley Garden in Lostwithiel. I haven't been there since its very early days just after they began opening so cannot speak for it now.
Burncoose has a garden, which we did not visit when we went to their GC a couple of years ago. A lot of unusual plants to buy though.

 

Thank you @Goldenlily26. We went to the Hidden Valley garden last time. It was beautiful, my sort of garden.

 

I have left stumps with a couple of stems with leaves on to spray.
Have you visited The Pinetum in St Austell, Tregrehan Garden or The Hidden Vally Garden in Lostwithiel. I haven't been to these for many years so not sure what they are like now. Also Burncoose GC has a garden which I have never visited.

 

Is best visited in spring when the Camellias and Magnolias are in bloom, do check the opening times on the website. There are toilets in the car park. It does have a fantastic collection of unusual plants, many from the Southern Hemisphere outside the walled garden area. Away from the walled area the paths can be sketchy.

 

That sounds like a very pleasant trip @Busy-Lizzie. The weather should be good, too.
We got one planter in situ, filled and planted up with herbs yesterday; the second is ready for the same treatment. I'm also taking a leaf out of @Ladybird4's book and making a start on hanging baskets.
Tesco will be delivering later. At vast expense, I have ordered Jersey royals, as I haven't planted any spuds yet. We'll have them, simply adorned with butter and parsley, with Welsh butcher's sausages and steamed hispi cabbage. I think I can manage to prep and cook it, though hub has to dish up.
We used to buy first earlies from a layby on Anglesey; far superior to JRs.
enjoy your week's holiday @Debs64

 

Started cool here this morning, sun peeking out, then disappearing behind clouds. There is a bit of a breeze. Another day at home, our usual habit on Bank Holidays. We have had pancakes for breakfast, I made batter yesterday for the toad in the hole, and had plenty left over. It seems to have benefitted from the overnight in the fridge, the pancakes were particularly good. Shame I’m not so well organised to do that more often.
I bought a pack of Jersey royals in Waitrose, so we will have those for our main meal, with some pan fried turkey steaks and fresh tarragon.
Some gardening today while it’s cool. I still have to find somewhere to plant my sunflower seedlings, plus all the trailing nasturtium seeds that came up. I definitely got carried away with the seed shopping! I may have to make up more pots to put them in, very few areas suitable for flower beds.

 

I've just had bad news from my elder son. His wife's sister has just died, aged 54, cancer. It was a quick growing one, the family are devastated. I met her several times at family get togethers, a lovely lady.

 

Condolences, @Busy-Lizzie. So sad.

 

That is very sad, @Busy-Lizzie. So sorry for the loss to your family.

 

Sorry to hear your sad news @Busy-Lizzie

 

Sorry to hear the sad news @Busy-Lizzie.

If you're going to Wells and have the time, do go and visit the lovely Bishop's Palace gardens round the back of the Cathedral, it's all signposted so you shouldn't get lost. You do have to pay but it's worth it. There is a coffee hub in the Crypt and a rather nice cafe/restaurant to the side of the Cathedral. The main car park in Wells is quite a long walk away, I doubt if there will be any spaces left outside the Cathedral grounds. Have a good trip down the M4/5 and enjoy Cornwall.

I'm having a lazy afternoon now as my daughter has just left to go home. She bought her cat with her as the usual cat sitter wasn't available. He remembered where he was and shot up the stairs straight away into the bottom of the airing cupboard - good hiding place! Was quite annoyed at not being let out into the garden though.

I wanted to get some Jersey Royals or good salad potatoes last Saturday but the SM was sold out as well as no strawberries - annoying.

 

Sad news @Busy-Lizzie, no age at all.
I have started planting up the big pots, but am now short of greenhouse space. I need a good clear out, as there are several plastic watering cans, nearly empty fertilizer bottles and, dare I admit it, junk.
I have grown a lot of flowers for cutting and scent this year, but irritatingly, my night scented stock haven't germinated. I will sow more. They were in the greenhouse and, I suspect, too warm.

 

Sorry to hear of the loss of such a young person @Busy-Lizzie, condolences to your family.

 

Good afternoon all. @Busy-Lizzie your upcoming trip sounds lovely but oh what a sad bit of news to take with you. I was so sorry to read of the passing of your daughter-in-law's sister at such an early age. My sympathy goes to you and your family.
Thank you for the information about your micro climate @Goldenlily26. Speaking of fish tanks, my last tropical fish passed away the other week (about 20 years old) and as I am finding partial water changes more and more difficult I have not replaced my shoals. My tank is huge - I cannot even reach the bottom and I had to stand on a step ladder to pour in the fresh water. I am very sad to see it empty but arthritis has made it impossible to keep it the way I like it. I now have the problem of finding a good home for all of my fish gear - I don't want anything for it. I need to explore the best way to do this.

 

I am signing out for today. Have great evenings. I hope you are feeling a little better @AuntyRach. See you all tomorrow.

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