LIABILITY BROWN
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Bereft and bewildered

24/6/2020

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Hello!  It's only 6.45am and I have already been awake three hours!  I've already finished my book (although only about four chapters), opened up the greenhouses, written and posted a birthday card, made a complaint to Marks and Spencer's (another first), sorted a few messages out on local FB Noticeboards regarding the collection of free furniture, and had two cups of tea!  The weather forecast is for a hot couple of days - 30 degrees - so from our Australian experience I know that it's recommended to get things done in the morning.  Hopefully I will have a little snooze later today.

So, this all sounds quite positive but I have to admit that I'm not necessarily feeling too bright and breezy.  In actual fact, I think I might be a bit depressed.  Obviously the impact of bereavement affects us all in a different manner of ways, and the unusual lock-down circumstances and the current 'be alert' situation has had an impact.  This is the same for all people grieving the 43,000 loved ones who have died because of Covid19 (so far).  I would not be surprised if there is an massive influx of additional requests for counselling and support over the next few months,  

In light of this, the past couple of weeks has been focused on organising my sister's personal belongings and furniture and so on.  Having said that, I have had limited physical input as Paul has taken control of everything (sorting and packing, and logistics) for the family - and has been truly fabulous.  

Additionally, on top of all this, over the past few weeks and following a quick (and in my opinion) limited "consultation" I have been made redundant.  As if things could get worse 'eh?  The redundancy, as I have been reassured, is linked to a big restructure within the organisation due to the impact of Covid19 on the business revenue. Despite this knowledge my confidence has been severely knocked, and has come at a time when already feeling subdued and disenfranchised. Naturally I am upset about the decision but try to be philosophical and phlegmatic - but at times this is not easy.  However, what's that phrase?  Least said, soonest mended...?

So, I do not want to bore everyone with the minutiae of what happened and when and who said what and my opinion is such-and-such.... instead, I thought the following garden photos (taken yesterday) might bring a bit of cheerful colour to the end of a grey-ish blog. Thank goodness for the garden - it provides ample distraction and both mental relief and physical work too!
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Roses

18/6/2020

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Any excuse to show off a few of the roses in my garden! So, did you know...

Flowers can communicate different meanings and emotions, and the colour of roses alone encompass a vast range of associations:
  • White rose: purity, innocence, reverence, a new beginning, a fresh start.
  • Red rose: love, I love you
  • Deep, dark crimson rose: mourning
  • Pink rose: grace, happiness, gentleness
  • Yellow rose: jealousy, infidelity
  • Orange rose: desire and enthusiasm
  • Lavender rose: love at first sight
  • Coral rose: friendship, modesty, sympathy
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Piqued My Interest

15/6/2020

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PicturePhoto from Minden Pictures: Photographer Gary K Smith

Did you know... that the weeds that grow between pavement slabs are specifically called epiphytes?  I had no idea (naturally) but apparently these weeds grow on other plants and live on trapped rain water.  I read this in one of the ‘Bryant and May’ series of crime novels and then looked it up on the internet:

“An epiphyte is an organism that grows on the surface of a plant and derives its moisture and nutrients from the air, rain, water (in marine environments) or from debris accumulating around it. Epiphytes take part in nutrient cycles and add to both the diversity and biomass of the ecosystem in which they occur, like any other organism. They are an important source of food for many species. Epiphytes differ from parasites in that they grow on other plants for physical support and do not necessarily affect the host negatively”.   
​
The term epiphytic derives from the Greek epi- (meaning 'upon') and phyton (meaning 'plant').
 
Orchids, Bromeliads, Proteas, succulents and some Rhododendrons can also be classed as epiphytes too, so that’s nice.  Well, you learn something new every day!
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From This, To This....

11/6/2020

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Get Outside!

10/6/2020

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An Unexpected Journey

5/6/2020

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Views across the Vale of Evesham - towards the Malverns.
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A herd (or Parcel) of deer.  Not wild - part of the tourist attraction.
Tentatively moving outside of our lock-down comfort zone, Paul and I went further afield (12 miles!) and visited Broadway Tower for some different fresh air and a different view and perspective.  It might look like an unexpected journey to Mordor but wasn't quite so ominous in reality!

​Highest Little Castle in the Cotswolds, Broadway Tower was the brainchild of Capability Brown, and was built for the Earl of Coventry in 1798 by renowned 18th Century architect James Wyatt.
  • Saxon influence with circular arches over the windows and entrance
  • Three turrets
  • Three canted (angled (oblique) line or surface particularly which cuts off a corner) sides
  • Numerous gargoyles and balconies

On a clear day it is possible to 16 counties from the top of the Tower.

James Wyatt (1746 – 1843, died in a carriage accident, and is buried in Westminster Abbey. Wyatt was very influential and prolific – here is a brief listing of national architectural influence, and within the local area:
  • 1776 became surveyor to Westminster Abbey – overseeing restoration work in 1803 and from 1807-13.
  • 1780 alterations to Ragley Hall, Warwickshire
  • 1787 – 1793 was responsible for restoration work in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle
  • 1788 Sufton Court, Herefordshire
  • 1788-97 restoration work on Hereford Cathedral
  • 1794 commissioned by the 6th Earl of Coventry to build Broadway Tower a folly on the edge of the Cotswold scarp
  • 1793 – 1805 employed at Croome Park in Worcestershire, including remodelling of the Dry Arch Bridge (originally designed by Capability Brown) and the Worcester Gates (Punchbowl Gates)
  • 1798-1808 restoration work at Doddington Park, Gloucestershire
 
In the late C19th Broadway Tower was a countryside retreat for members of the Arts & Crafts movement, and it was rented  by Sir Edward Burn-Jones and William Morris. 

William Morris was so inspired by Broadway Tower and other ancient buildings that he founded the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings in 1877. “The most inconvenient and the most delightful place ever seen … how the clean aromatic wind blew the aches out of our tired bodies, and how good it all was”. 

In semi lock-down - we are inclined to agree!


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How many?*!

3/6/2020

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I'm actually a bit behind myself writing this but the sentiment is the same.  On Wednesday (3rd June) Paul and I celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary!  

How many?!

As mentioned previously we should have been meandering and enjoying the sights and sounds of Florence.  Naturally we would have been partaking of bruschetta - freshly toasted  Tuscan bread generously rubbed with garlic, lavishly drizzled with a green olive oil and sparingly sprinkled with salt, or perhaps some  tagliatelle al tartufo (pasta in a truffle sauce) whilst savouring a glass or two of the finest wines from the region - the Chianti Classico, Brunello Di Montalcino, Bolgheri Superiore, Nobile Di Montepulciano (I had to look these up!).

Instead, we popped open and enjoyed the fizz from a bottle of Moet, washing down an assortment of antipasti and favourite nibbles and downright indulgences.

YUM!

Typically despite the previous few weeks being unseasonably hot, Wednesday was very much like the day when we did get  married - changeable!  Still, we didn't care and enjoyed it anyway...

...here's to the next 15 years!​
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Recalcitrant Brassicas

2/6/2020

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It comes to something when one of my main daily focuses is on the varying progression of the cauliflowers in my raised bed and the veg patch!  This is because cauliflowers are notoriously difficult to grow apparently ... well, notorious within the annals of those that already seem to know these kind of things.  Both Geoff (Hamilton) and Monty (Don) highlight the complexities of growing these recalcitrant Brassicas!

Cauliflower is a little tricky because it has a long growing season, and it prefers it a little cool,

Cauliflower also likes quite high humidity.

Cauliflower doesn't like it too hot or too cold, so needs to be started early enough to have it mature by the hot temperatures of summer, but late enough so that it doesn't get too cold.  The ideal temperature range is about 18 to 26.5 degrees Celsius (65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit).

In order to get white-headed curds, cauliflower must have the right temperature, but most plants must also be blanched, or have the stalks bent so that the outer leaves come up and over the top of the head, covering it.The leaves must be tied and stay this way until the head has matured.

Cauliflowers need a deep rich soil, ideally with some well-rotted manure dug in.

Cauliflower also needs a well compacted soil; roots and plants must be anchored in, so firm soil is very important.

Cauliflowers are water-thirsty.

Along with correct growing conditions, cauliflower is also susceptible to bugs, such as cabbage worms, cabbage white caterpillars, cabbage white-fly and disease.such as club root.

BUT.... despite all of the hurdles - look at what I harvested today!!
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Pegs - very useful to clip the leaves together to protect the curds.
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