Monday 12 October

[Kath Mulligan]

EEEEKKK! We have had our first frost of the year overnight. Woke up to the sound of car windscreens being scraped. But ..... as compensation it is a lovely sunny morning so might well take myself off out with my camera later to try to catch some good autumn colours.

Kath

[Liz]

We had a slight frost last week (apparently) but nothing since so the summer flowers are still standing and looking beautiful - not for much longer I fear.

At this time of year I am always pondering the question of digging out dahlia tubers or leaving them in to take their chance. I haven't brought them in for the last 2 years and have been lucky but if we have a really wet winter I'll lose them.

I remember the time when I had to take cuttings from the penstemons because the winter cold would always kill them but they survive really well now in these warmer times.

[jane jackson]

Ah Kath, Bryan said this morning that he thought you'd have had a frost overnight "up there". Went down to 5 degrees here and still only a bit above that when we walked the girls on Long Rock beach at 7.45am but the sun was lovely and is looking like a beautiful day. The sea is so calm, hardly a movement on it.

After some typing for Bryan I intend to get out into the garden for more tidying up.

I still lift my dahlia tubers Liz but for now they're still flowering well. I lost the one I'd left out last year but that winter was exeptional ( I hope!) They never get the chance for the leaves to go black down here, like you're supposed to let them before lifting, so I just bring them in when they stop flowering and look tatty. Fuschias I tend to leave out and so far most have survived although they were much later in flowering this year as they got knocked back so much. On Exmoor I used to bury them in the soil in the greenhouse then dig them up in the spring when they usually were already sprouting white tips.

[gloria townsin]

Frost........that really sends shivers down my spine. Memories of Bryher in January.....ughh!! Thought we'd be so much further forward by this time of the year that we'd either be there permanently or able to comfortably spend a lot of Winter time there. Have to try and work my way down the builders list again and see if I can get any response.

I've been wondering about taking the lemon and olive trees down with us as, although the olive tree survived fine through last Winter, never had any actual fruits on it though, the lemon tree was severely knocked back, actually I thought it was a goner, just wondering if they would be better off in a Cornish Winter. Our greenhouse remains un-replaced so nowhere to put the tender plants other than in the, so called, sun room. Might just have to fleece the lemon tree up for the winter and bring the bouganvillea indoors again.

[Linda]

why not leave in a tub in sun room Gloria its only like Derek's big greenhouse in which they kept their lemon tree???

The wind can really burn down there....as it can up here.....and frost pockets...even with a lovely old fleece on

[Kath Mulligan]

Just come in from a lovely trip to Capesthorne Hall in Cheshire with Elizabeth and our cameras. We had planned to go to Tatton Park, but got there to find it is closed on Mondays! Not a problem because we have been there many times before and Capesthorne was not far away. Can't believe that for the second Monday running we have had such a glorious day - warm sunshine, perfectly still conditions and hardly anyone else around. As Elizabeth is just recovering from viral meningitis, this was a good opportunity for her to meander around slowly, taking lots of photos. She is having tomorrow and Wednesday off work too, so we are planning to head off into Derbyshire tomorrow in the hunt for more autumn colours.

Am posting a few pics from today's jaunt in my album.

Kath

[adesmith]

I heard rumours of a frost on the weather and have just been out to cover up some of the plants that I havent yet been able to put under cover or bring in doors. It is really frustrating but I bought a walk in plastic greenhouse on Ebay. It isnt massive but I want to grow a tomato plant or two under cover next year. Anyway it hsnt appeared yet although they have taken the money. :angry: Rachel rang them on Friday and they said they would send a replacement. I have been keeping my succulents back to put in there so I ahve just had to cover them. We still have one of those little ones which is basically just 4 shelves covered and all of the geraniums and fushcias have gone in there.

Glad that you have had a nice day Kath. I did notice the sun from my classroom window :( but at least it has been a lovely evening as well. Look forward to seeing some pictures.

[gloria townsin]

I have to say Adrian that the little ones with shelves really worked for us before we had the greenhouse, in fact I still use the one with shelves although the plastic cover went a while ago. We kept our geraniums and fushia in two separate places last year, some in the greenhouse (non survived!!) and t'others in the little garden/storage room, all happy bunnies at the end of Winter. So this year think we'll use the garden/storage room again.
Spent part of yesterday at a local school which holds a 'taster day'. The allotment socy. has a table with eateries to put jams, pickles and the like on, all made from veg and fruit grown on the allotments. It was a busy old day and the courgette cake went down well, children who might well turn their noses up at the veg. on the plate loved it.
Spent today hospital testing!! Went back to the doc for my ever present cough and she packed me off for a chest x-ray and I decided to have my blood test done at the same time, that's for my thyroid. All in all a goodly 2hours spent doing two simple things.
Hope Elizabeth is making good headway in her recovery Kath a really unpleasant illness to have been laid low with.

[Linda]

Kath sorry to hear about ELizabeth and hope she recovers quickly...

not nice not nice at all..

[Kath Mulligan]

Thanks Linda, she is on the mend now, although still very tired.

Just put up three pics of Mim's bowl that I bought at Lamorna Village Hall last week. Meant to post them the other way round so that they read "Lady of the Lake"!

Kath

[jane jackson]

Glad you got your pot home safely Kath, it is a lovely one. Also glad Elizabeth is improving and you could both enjoy your photographic outing.

The Gardenia plant has its first flower opening and the perfume is wonderful. Gheera was on the table sniffing it, she must have known it came from you!

I've just been outside with the dogs and collected 2 horrible large slugs lurking below one of the dahlias. I got 1 last night - urgh!

Bryan has brought his lemon and orange trees into the kitchen tonight Gloria. I'm sure it's not really necessary but he's not risking it. The temperature is 6.5c at the moment but it shouldn't freeze down here this early and the forecast for here was 6c with 2c between Exeter and Taunton. A friend gave us one of these weather stations which have a monitor inside that tells you the outside temperature so you're more aware of what is happening.

I've just finished John's book "The Potters Tale" which I really enjoyed. Very interesting John and very easy to read, really held my attention. Next one is "Summer in February" which Kath has lent me.

[Kath Mulligan]

Glad Gheera is enjoying the gardenia more than she enjoyed my company!

I have been reading Patricia's little book on Lamorna this weekend and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Going quite chilly here again tonight, but another nice day forecast for tomorrow, so hopefully it will be another chance for some good photos out and about in the Peak District.

Kath

[Sybille Weber]

So sorry to hear about Elizabeth having caught meningitis, such a nasty illness, but glad to know she is recovering. All the very best to her.

[Kath Mulligan]

It has been another lovely sunny, warm day here again today and we have just come in from a jaunt around some of our favourite Peak District villages, like Eyam (the plague village) and Ashford-in-the-Water which is chocolate box pretty. Think we need a few more frosts to get the benefit of the full autumn colour - lots of trees beginning to turn but not really many fiery reds yet, mostly pale gold and orange.

Off to Lyme Park tomorrow which is virtually on our doorstep - only about 4 miles away - to get some pics of the lake that Mr Darcy (Colin Firth) emerged from for Elizabeth's friends in America. (I know this place is very familiar and special to Linda and Jeff too!).

Kath

[Janet Swan]

How lovely, Kath. You're so lucky to live in an area with so many beautiful places on your doorstep to visit. I now feel a bit deprived in Hertfordshire!

Janet

[jane jackson]

Janet, go for a drive across Ivinghoe Beacon where you can see for miles and through Ashridge Park. When I was there last November I got some wonderful autumnal photos of the trees and fields. Do you know that area? I'm afraid I don't know your area at all and I lived in Berkhamsted for 46 years - dreadful isn't it?

[adesmith]

I have never been to Eyam Kath and would really love to go! Hope that you have a good day tomorrow. I dont think you will see Mr Darcy tomorrow because its a turned a bit chilly - he emerge from the lake blue!

[adesmith]

Kath is Froggatt Edge in the Peak District? When I was an awful lot younger than I am now I used to go to the Venture Scouts. Theer were only a handful of us and we used to go on adventures, camping, rock climbing and caving etc. There were some older lads that were the leaders and they had transport. The main leader was very much into climbing and one January/February he took us to Froggatt Edge where high up on the hills we stayed in a barn (it was a haunt for climbers and I think open for people to stay in). It had a concrete floor, no door and no other amenities. Anyway we arrived late on the Friday and went to the pub which was a couple of miles walk up the road (we were either just old enough or not quite) and it started snowing. We got back to the barn and it was freezing! The following morning we couldnt move the minibus and we were snowed in. I think I would be horrified now but at the time it was a real adventure. Is there a place called Grindleford as well? I vaguely remember a climbers/walkers cafe in an old station. I am rambling and probably talking about the wrong end of the country! Fun memories though.

[Kath Mulligan]

Yes, Grindleford is in the Peak District Adrian, in fact I drove past the turn-off for there today. Froggatt Edge is also in the same area.

You would really enjoy Eyam. It is so full of history and to walk round the graveyard and see the graves of whole families who perished in the plague that almost wiped out the village is just heartbreaking. I take it you know the story of Eyam? The village rector, William Mompesson persuaded the villagers to isolate themselves from surrounding areas after the plague was brought to the village from London in a bolt of cloth. The nursery rhyme "Ring a Ring o' Roses" originates from the village as it refers to the nosegays of herbs that villagers carried in an effort to ward off the illness. The following is a link to a website about the village and its history: http://www.eyamplaguevillage.co.uk/

Elizabeth and I set off to walk to Mompesson's Well today (on the outskirts of the village where goods used to be left for collection and money placed in disinfectant in a shallow bowl-like structure) but unfortunately she is still quite weak after her illness, so we had to turn back as the climb got a bit steep for her.

If you do ever make it up here, the August Bank holiday week is good, although very busy because it is when the village holds its annual well dressings festival, and there is a service in the church, then a procession to and service at Mompesson's Well. It is very moving.

Kath

PS There are still some of the very basic camping barns around the area now.

[adesmith]

I was in the right place then. I am not sure that I will be taking up your suggestion of the camping barn though. I think that I am a bit too old and a bit too used to my creature comforts these days! I would love to visit Eyam though. I do know the story, I think I first read about it when I was very young in a childrens novel. I did read a modern day retelling of the story a few years ago ... looking on bookshelf ... which was called Year of Wonders. The whole story is so heartbreakingly brave and the people must really of trusted their minister to take up his suggestion and quarantine themselves. From my reading of contemporary sources the done thing was to pack up and flee if you were rich enough.

Well one day we shall visit there. I would also dearly love to visit Chatsworth House.

[adesmith]

Thats a great website Kath. I didnt actually realise how many people actually died and that it lasted for so long.

[Kath Mulligan]

There are loads of interesting places to visit around that area, Adrian. Chatsworth is stunning, but Haddon Hall is also worth a visit. Hathersage has a grave reputed to be that of Little John of Robin Hood fame, and also has Bronte connections. A bit nearer to us is Castleton where there are the Blue John caverns, a stone that is found nowhere else in the world.

I'll shut up now, I'm beginning to sound like a tour guide!!

Kath

[adesmith]

Its all coming back to me now. I think that I went down Blue John Cavern with my mum and dad (and they divorced when I was 6 so thats a good memory). Isnt there a Speedwell Cavern (?). We went down there on one of our Venture Scout trips. I think you have to go on a boat dont you?

[Kath Mulligan]

You are absolutely right, you do have to go through Speedwell Cavern by boat. It must have made quite an impression on you if you were so young!

Kath

[Brenda]

A bit nearer to us is Castleton where there are the Blue John caverns, a stone that is found nowhere else in the world.
Kath

Been there...done that. Had I only known you when I was on that trip, we could have met up for tea! The variations in the Blue John stone were fascinating. I bought myself a pendant and I'm kicking myself now because I chose it more for the silver setting than for the stone. The one I brought home is rather pale and dull in comparison to some that were on offer. Must mean another trip...

Brenda

Oh, and by the way, since this is the 'weather reports' thread, I should say that we drove through snow on Sunday on the way to my son's for Thanksgiving - a bit scary as we are still on our summer tires.:smow: And early last evening just after we got back home, the rain was hovering on the verge of snowflakes, too. This morning's weather report on the radio included the dreaded words 'minus' and 'windchill factor.' Sign of things to come. At least today is brilliantly sunny, even if the thermometer is telling me that it's quite chilly outside. And the car is going in for the tire changeover this afternoon!

[Barbara]

Fascinating to be able to talk about the weather firsthand from different parts of the world. Here in Western Australia we are about to get our first taste of hot weather. Our capital is predicted to have 34 degrees on Saturday, which will probably mean about 32 degrees for us in Bunbury. It was only a couple of weeks ago that we had incessant rain and quite chilly weather. Over in the eastern states of Australia the Victorian Highlands has just had a few days of heavy snowfall but it won't be long before they are experiencing the heat as well...last year was a terrible fire season for Victoria when they lost so many lives on the day it reached 47 degrees with fierce winds...hope this season is much milder.

Barb http://www.friendsofminack.org.uk/forum/images/icons/icon7.gif

[Kath Mulligan]

Been there...done that. Had I only known you when I was on that trip, we could have met up for tea! The variations in the Blue John stone were fascinating. I bought myself a pendant and I'm kicking myself now because I chose it more for the silver setting than for the stone. The one I brought home is rather pale and dull in comparison to some that were on offer. Must mean another trip...

Brenda

Oh, and by the way, since this is the 'weather reports' thread, I should say that we drove through snow on Sunday on the way to my son's for Thanksgiving - a bit scary as we are still on our summer tires.:smow: And early last evening just after we got back home, the rain was hovering on the verge of snowflakes, too. This morning's weather report on the radio included the dreaded words 'minus' and 'windchill factor.' Sign of things to come. At least today is brilliantly sunny, even if the thermometer is telling me that it's quite chilly outside. And the car is going in for the tire changeover this afternoon!

It is very frustrating to realise you and Peter were in this area before we got to know one another. I've got a lovely Blue John pendant too that Vin bought me, plus earrings and a ring that I bought for myself years ago. Will try to take a pic of the pendant because the stone is really lovely.

Putting your winter tyres on really does make it sound like winter is just round the corner. And Sybille has said that some areas of Germany have been having snow too. Personally I am hoping that our Indian Summer can last just a bit longer, although it has been much more overcast here today, so we didn't bother going to Lyme Park as the colours wouldn't have been as bright for taking photographs.

Kath

[Kath Mulligan]

Fascinating to be able to talk about the weather firsthand from different parts of the world. Here in Western Australia we are about to get our first taste of hot weather. Our capital is predicted to have 34 degrees on Saturday, which will probably mean about 32 degrees for us in Bunbury. It was only a couple of weeks ago that we had incessant rain and quite chilly weather. Over in the eastern states of Australia the Victorian Highlands has just had a few days of heavy snowfall but it won't be long before they are experiencing the heat as well...last year was a terrible fire season for Victoria when they lost so many lives on the day it reached 47 degrees with fierce winds...hope this season is much milder.

Barb http://www.friendsofminack.org.uk/forum/images/icons/icon7.gif

Have to say Barbara, that much as I am not looking forward to our winter, I really don't envy you temperatures in the 30s and 40s. I tend to wilt in the heat, prefer a nice warm temperature of around low to mid 20s.

Some of my Facebook friends in the Victoria area of Australia have been complaining bitterly of the cold winds and heavy rain that they have been experiencing recently. They want to know where Spring has gone!

Kath

[Janet Swan]

I have been reading Patricia's little book on Lamorna this weekend and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Kath

Yes, I too enjoyed Patricia's little book on Lamorna. Does anyone know if she has another project in the pipeline?

Janet

[jane jackson]

Glorious all day in Penzance with lovely fluffy white clouds making patterns in a blue sky. It does get chilly in the evenings and was still 5c when we went on Long Rock beach at 8am and it's dark by 7pm now. Not long until we change the clocks either, that will seem like winter is on its way.

Hope you don't get too much snow this early Brenda. Now you've changed the tyres you probably wont!

It certainly is amazing hearing at first hand from Canada and Australia how the weather is so different and the seasons too with Barbara's report.

Jeni, where are you? Haven't seen a post from you for ages. Unlike Kath I can't cope with Facebook as well as this forum so we're not having your Australian news.:tea:

We've been in the garden all afternoon tidying up the tubs and planting bulbs ready for spring so things are looking a bit neater again. The hanging baskets are still flowering well so can't plant them up with bulbs yet.

[Janet Swan]

Janet, go for a drive across Ivinghoe Beacon where you can see for miles and through Ashridge Park. When I was there last November I got some wonderful autumnal photos of the trees and fields. Do you know that area? I'm afraid I don't know your area at all and I lived in Berkhamsted for 46 years - dreadful isn't it?

Not dreadful at all Jane, 'cause there are many parts of Hertfordshire I haven't yet been to (including Ashridge Park), and I too have lived here for over 40 years in total (with a 20 year gap in the middle).

I live in North Herts. and we do actually have some lovely open spaces and pretty villages here. I often visit Norton Common, Oughtonhead, Therfield Heath, Hitch Wood, bits of the Icknield Way, and the countryside around Charlton and Willian/The Wymondleys. But these are not as spectacular as the beautiful houses and parks found in Kath's Derbyshire.

I do enjoy visited other areas - off to Sussex this weekend (hope to see the Autumn colours in Sheffield Park), to North Devon in December and West Cornwall in March. Those are the plans - so far! Would also like to go back to North Wales, Northumbria and the Lake District before too long.

Apart from Cornwall (of course!), what favourite counties do FOMS friends like visiting?

Janet

[Barbara]

Have to say Barbara, that much as I am not looking forward to our winter, I really don't envy you temperatures in the 30s and 40s. I tend to wilt in the heat, prefer a nice warm temperature of around low to mid 20s.

Some of my Facebook friends in the Victoria area of Australia have been complaining bitterly of the cold winds and heavy rain that they have been experiencing recently. They want to know where Spring has gone!

Kath
I agree with you about the heat, Kath. I prefer my weather to be somewhere in the 20's also. We usually get quite a few days in the 30's though. The older I get the harder the hot weather is to endure. Must say though, we have a friend with a pool and for the last few years we've been going over for a swim most days of the week in the afternoons - its made a huge difference to coping with the really hot days and Lachlan learned to swim without really trying...he's like a little fish now.

:hippie:

[adesmith]

Finally the greehouse arrived so after finishing my work I went out to put it together. It is quite good for £30. Need to get some fleece now because I want to wrap the plants up properly. I brought one of my aeoniums indoors and I have taken cuttings from my other succulents. I dont think it will be long before we get a real frost here.

I had my haircut on the way home and the barber was talking about Christmas. It made me think of that really cold snap that we had last year. Well it wasnt really a snap as it lasted weeks!

Jane, make sure that you hold on to the sunny weather for just a bit longer. I am so looking forward to being in Cornwall with some fresh air and the sea. Do you know when we put the clocks back? It may be when we are in Cornwall.

[gloria townsin]

We're Bryher bound - 'til Monday when we have to return for Faith's next jab. (fingers crossed and in a hushed voice, I think they might be helping her skin.......oh dear, probably shouldn't have said that).

At present the traffic warnings are slow on the M25 between 'our' bit. Still what's new. Let the rush hour clear a bit and then we'll set out.

[Kath Mulligan]

Safe journey, Gloria, although by the time you read this, you will probably already be at Bryher. Will keep my fingers crossed that the injections are working for Faith.

Say hello to Cornwall for me, I'm missing it already! :(

Hope the weather is better for you than it is here today - like a November murk out there, very damp and mizzly with lots of low cloud sitting on the hills. Have just come back in from shopping and am planning to brighten my afternoon by making some cream of lemon soup and doing some ironing while watching Patricia's Minack DVD which I treated myself to at the Pottery. I have seen it before but only on loan, nice to have my own copy now to enjoy.

Kath

[Brenda]

Apart from Cornwall (of course!), what favourite counties do FOMS friends like visiting?
Janet

Oh, Janet, now you've done it! Your question set me off on an imaginary trip around all my favourites places in Devon, Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, Shropshire, Cheshire, Derbyshire, Cumbria, Yorkshire. And of course there are so many places I love in Wales. As you will see from my list, I've not had much opportunity to explore the east of the country, just a brief trip through to Norwich once, but I'm hoping to see some of Kent sometime as it's possible some of my ancestors came from there.

Thanks for asking!

Brenda

[jane jackson]

That's 4 counties that I've never visited and I've lived here all my life: Shropshire, Derbyshire, Cheshire and Cumbria! I only went to Norfolk for the first time this May as well and Kent in March for the day while in London. I lived most of my life on the Hertfordshire / Buckinghamshire border with forays into Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Gloucestershire and Bedfordshire.

My favourite counties apart from Cornwall are Devon and Somerset. I'm sure I would enjoy a lot of the northern counties too as I enjoyed North Yorkshire. I do love Scotland as well, I'm half Scottish and my mother's family came from Edinburgh and Morayshire which is way up north.

Have you lived over here Brenda or just visited a lot? I've never been to Canada or USA ~ spent all my time with the horses and when working, holiday time off seemed to disappear all too quickly.

[Kath Mulligan]

You've visited more counties than me too, Brenda! Have only ever driven through Somerset and Wiltshire on my way to Devon or Cornwall. Holidayed in Norfolk many times when the girls were small and much to my surprise, really liked the area. Being so used to my hills, I thought I would find it too flat but it made a pleasant change.

Love the Lake District and the Scottish Highlands, and my own Peak District of course. Also love the Cotswolds and Shakespeare country.

Apart from a week in Folkestone camping, I have not spent much time in the South East counties - have usually been passing through on the way to Dover to catch a ferry.

Kath

[jane jackson]

Adrian, I think the clocks go back on 24th/25th October so you'll be home again. The weather isn't so good today as although there was some blue in the sky early morning the rest of the day has been cloudy with a bit of mizzle. However we enjoyed Porthcurno beach mid morning with the dogs before having coffee at The Minack and buying 2 plants. Bryan fancied a plant "Mexican Cigar" which has small tubular orangey red flowers with a bit on the end which looks like ash. It's only small at the moment but should reach 3' height and width if it survives. The other is a small plant which should grow on to be a Silver Tree, they have 3 at least at The Minack which look very effective but don't like the frost so we will see. We're going to keep it in its pot for the winter and bring it inside if the forecast is bad. Our kitchen is going to look like a forest if we have to bring inside all the plants we have earmarked!

Tomorrows forecast isn't great but the weekend looks bright and sunny so will keep my fingers crossed for you. It doesn't see 2 minutes since you went back to school and now you're on half term.......................all these holidays you lucky teachers have!!!!!!!!!! Only joking as when I was School Secretary I saw what the teachers had to do behind the scenes. When I first joined Lloyds Bank and opening hours were 10 - 3 we got so cross with folk who thought those were the only hours we worked when really we were working 9 - 5 at the minimum, often much later depending how well everything balanced.

Hope you all have a wonderful time in Cornwall.

:photo::juggle::bathbaby::cheer2::clap2::clock:

[adesmith]

Jane, those plants sound interesting. I have brought more plants into the house this year than I ever did before. I think its a casr of 'once bitten, twice shy' after last year.

We are actually travelling down to Cornwall a week today, so we will be there for the clocks changing. Hope fully we will have a few days of sunshine when we are down but we will find things to do and enjoy ourselves whatever the weather. It was very cold on our autumn visit last year and there was a lot of hail! We will pack plenty of wet weather and cold weather clothes. I am ready for a break but you are right it doesnt seem that long since we started the new term. I get frustrated sometimes because I find myself living for the holidays. It tends to be so hectic in term time but just recently I have been really determined to enjoy the evenings and weekends as well. We have made a real effort to do things.

Telling you that we will be travelling down a week today has made me all excited about it!

[Kath Mulligan]

I wonder if you and Rachel were down the same time as Janet and I last year, Adrian? We stayed at the St Ives Bay Hotel the last week in October, returning home on Hallowe'en, and it was a tad wet and chilly then too, although we did get some reasonable days.

If you were there at the same time, what a pity we didn't know you then, otherwise we could have met up for a coffee.

Kath

[adesmith]

Yes Kath, I think we must have been. We were there from the Friday to the Wednesday. It was the bleakest and coldest that I had ever known it (we always seem to have either good or okay weather) and I have to say that it wasnt our best ever of visits. It was hard to warm up even though we stay in a bungalow with central heating and it all felt a bit gloomy. Rachels Mum and Dad had a funeral to go to so they travelled up to the east of England on the Sunday evening and came back on Monday night for the last day. That left us car-less for a day and we went to St Ives on the train but it was so cold and it was hailing really heavily. I had a cold and cough as well which didnt help. We did enjoy our days out though and we had a really good trip down Poldark Mine. Hoping that the weather is a bit better for us this time but you know my philosophy on that - at least we will be in Cornwall!

Isnt it funny that we were there at the same time! I wasnt even on the forum then.

[adesmith]

PS I dont know why I said that we are travelling down a week yesterday. It is actually a week today, Friday to Wednesday.

[Kath Mulligan]

I remember that day of the heavy hailstorm. We had been wandering around the harbour area in St Ives and went into a cafe for a hot drink. A young family were sitting at a small table outside the cafe when the hail started and we felt so sorry for them! There was no room inside and they just huddled there waiting for it to stop!

Kath

[gloria townsin]

Dry and bright here in Mullion today, in fact lovely sunshine this morning. Clear views across the field. Surprised to see the hanging baskets still flowering away, though I suspect they will soon be well and truly done and dusted. Arrived to find the usual 'gardening help' had been at work. Dirt all over the path and the odd bulb dug up....what little blighter gets so busy while we're away I have no idea. Fish still eating and getting very friendly, front pond still covered in duck weed despite two bottles of duck weed killer being used, in fact it looks even stronger and a nice bright green..........any ideas on how to rid the pond of it? I think we have to drain the pond and clean it out from the bottom up, if we take this option we'll need to do it sooner rather than later so that we have it settled back before Spring and frog spawn days. Don't think we'll manage it this visit though. Have a good time when you're here Adrian.

[Kath Mulligan]

Sounds as though your little helper could be a squirrel, Gloria. I've stood at my kitchen window and watched one digging up my bulbs before now. He was so cheeky he didn't even run away when I opened the door and shouted at him!

Never having had a pond I can't offer any suggestions on the duck week, sorry.

Glad you have had a nice day, been lovely up here too.

Kath

[Janet Swan]

[QUOTE=gloria townsin;48348] Fish still eating and getting very friendly, front pond still covered in duck weed despite two bottles of duck weed killer being used, in fact it looks even stronger and a nice bright green..........any ideas on how to rid the pond of it?QUOTE]

Dear Gloria - do not fret about your duckweed! My friend Renata, who is a gardener/garden designer and opens her garden under the National Gardens Scheme (recently had a coach load of Japanese visitors!), has three ponds and lots of duckweed. Every so often, she scoops as much of it out as possible, leaves it by the side of the pond for a few days so any creatures can crawl back in, then adds it to the compost heap. Her thinking is that there will always be duckweed! No point in emptying your pond because it will come back eventually. There, that's one less job for you!

Janet

[Janet Swan]

I wonder if you and Rachel were down the same time as Janet and I last year, Adrian? We stayed at the St Ives Bay Hotel the last week in October, returning home on Hallowe'en, and it was a tad wet and chilly then too, although we did get some reasonable days.

"A tad wet and chilly, Kath"? What about the howling gales and raging seas - ah, yes, I remember them well - tea shops were such a haven, particularly that lovely one in St Just when we met up with Patricia and Monty, which was delightful.

Janet

P.S. Must go now, have train to catch!

[adesmith]

Thanks Gloria. Its a beautiful day here in Newport and I have just done a bit of gardening before I am off to the last of the lectures with the Monmouthshire Antiquarians for this year. My Mum and Stepfather will be in Cornwall before us for a short break and I believe that they are staying in Mullion, in the caravan park. They are keen to explore the Lizard so I have told them about Gunwalloe Church Cove and Kynance Cove. Of course I am sure that they will visit Lizard itself.

I went through a stage of having young plants dug up but in our case it was the neighbourhood cats (probably including our own Verity as well!). Thankfully that problem seems to have gone now. I wouldnt think cats would dig up bulbs though so I think Kath maybe right with the squirrel suggestion.

Have a good day.

[Kath Mulligan]

I've just re-posted a picture from my old album of Janet sitting on the wall overlooking St Ives harbour taken on the day we had the hailstorm. It was sunny when I took the photo, but if you look at the ominous black cloud looming in the background, that was the one that deposited its load just after we had reached the sanctuary of the coffee shop on the harbourside.

Kath

[Linda]

Adrian is right it wont be cats...yes as he says they will dig up young plants but only because you have made some lovely soft fresh soil ready for them to toilet in...but very unlikley they will dig up bulbs. ...I'd go with the squirrel....


...by the way...please note that its a myth that cats do not toilet in someone elses garden only! they do it in their own garden too... :) :) you can use orange peel to help keep them at bay...but only last a few days.

[Barbara]

Since we're on the subject of cats, I thought I'd give you an update on my pending adoption of the kitten from the northwest.
As I mentioned, the pet rescue group has a sponsor which flies the kitten to Perth which means that most of the distance is covered. However, I was in a bit of a quandary in getting the cat to me in Bunbury. I don't drive and for various reasons it wasn't possible for friends to make the trip to Perth to pick it up.
Anyway, I've managed eventually to get hold of a pet transport service and got a reasonable quote to have little kitty picked up at the airport and transported by road to my house...hopefully it won't be long now as the kitten is just about old enough to fly...just got to work out the date and logistics.
I'm sure some of my friends think I've gone to very complicated lengths to get a kitten, but somehow the difficulties involved just made me want to get her more.
:plane:

[Liz]

I think its wonderful that you are prepared to go to so much trouble for your kitten Barbara - obviously you and her are meant to be together and I'm sure she'll quickly forget the journey she nade to get to you.

[Linda]

what a wonderful person...this kitten is one those vey lucky ones...photo please as soon as she/he arrives??

:)

[gloria townsin]

Janet thank you for the duck weed advice, I think we might just carry on hoiking it out when it gets too much. Our attempts to re-discover a pond specialist place near Stithians today, failed.......can't think where they moved it to while we weren't looking!! Anyway next time we're here will do the aforsaid 'hoiking'. As you say one job saved.
Eddie is convinced our 'secret gardener' is the cheeky blackbird who spent a lot of time in and around the front garden throughout the Summer. The soil on the path isn't enough to be a cat and I don't think they would be digging in this bit anyway, squirrel? well it could be although so far I've never seen any. Bulbs re-planted and pathways swept. Some of the bulbs are already growing away and about 10" out of the ground. Lots of roadside flowers still going strong and the garden still has colour. Looks as though the Weigelia is about to bloom, but can this be true? Will leave the Hydrangea blooms in tact for the time being, but it needs a lot of cutting back from the path as it's overgrowing the path. Did you notice Kath and Jane how overhanging it is? Don't want to make it into an ugly shape but it needs a good re-shape.

[Kath Mulligan]

Eddie might well be right about the blackbird. I remembered as I read your post that some years ago my brother planted a lot of onion sets in my mum's garden and we were all mystified when they kept appearing on the garden path every morning, along with the compost that he had spread over the top of them. Then, one morning Mum glanced out of the window and saw a starling merrily working its way along the row, yanking the onion sets out and tossing them onto the path, then dipping into the hole to see what goodies lay beneath. Mike got around it by putting some fine netting over the rows until the bulbs got established.

Don't be afraid to be quite brutal with the hydrangea. I have to do it every two or three years with Mum's otherwise everyone going down the steps to her front door gets drenched when it rains. I usually cut several of the older stems right back to the base in the autumn. It looks a bit bare during the winter but soon puts out new growth come Spring. I always leave the withered heads on overwinter too as frost protection for the new buds underneath.

Kath

[Janet Swan]

...by the way...please note that its a myth that cats do not toilet in someone elses garden only! they do it in their own garden too... :) :) you can use orange peel to help keep them at bay...but only last a few days.

You're so right, Linda. My own cat, Tia, uses the bottom corner of my back garden only, which I'm pleased about, and it is easy for me to clear up behind her. I also add spent compost to the area, to "refresh" the soil she digs in. However, neighbours cats want to use my front garden, particularly the pansy patch and where I sow California poppy seeds. I find coffee grounds are quite a good deterent, but will try orange peel too. Thanks for the tip.

Janet

[gloria townsin]

Will take the hydrangea in hand next time we are at Bryher, which will be pretty soon. I think Jeff might take Faith for the odd injection which will give us more time there. Although should the 'new' builder give us an acceptable quote he will start work in five weeks, so about the end of November, not sure how comfortable or otherwise it will be to spend time there once it all kicks off.

[Linda]

Then, one morning Mum glanced out of the window and saw a starling merrily working its way along the row, yanking the onion sets out and tossing them onto the path, then dipping into the hole to see what goodies lay beneath. Kath


sorry Kath but I roared with laughter at the thought of this! amazing aren't they...

[Kath Mulligan]

sorry Kath but I roared with laughter at the thought of this! amazing aren't they...

Definitely one of those occasions when you wish you were there with a camera at the ready, isn't it?

Kath

[Linda]

if only eh? :):)

[Barbara]

Little kitten's arrival is imminent!
Everything has been worked out and "Bee Bee" is to be flown to Perth on Friday morning. The lady from the pet transport company will then pick her up and drive her down to us.
So we're getting a little excited...been out today to buy kitten food, etc.
Nice to know we'll be a two cat family again.

Barb :dance3:

[jane jackson]

How exciting for you and Lachlan. This will be a much loved and wanted kitten. Hope your other cat approves!

Good luck for friday.:dance3::dance3::dance3:

[gloria townsin]

Enjoy your new baby Barbara. Hope your family will feel complete again.

[Linda]

kittens are just so all consuming ...watching their antics, cuddling, feeding..yes!! look forward to it and enjoy!!

:)