It's {Nearly} Over

Hello Friends!

I'm trying something new today, I'm composing this blog entry entirely on my phone. I would appreciate it if you could let me know what it looks like, font, font size, images etc and if it is better/worse/no difference to previous entries.

It's been nearly a week now since my last entry and the Walk 100 Miles For Parkinson's challenge is nearly over. So far, with all the kind and generous support of so many people, I have raised a wonderful total of over £820.00 exl. Gift Aid.  I am deeply humbled and immensely grateful to everyone.  

But I have one last favour to ask of you.  Please will you share my QR code with your friends and family in case they would like to donate and give me that one last shove in the hopes that I can achieve my target of £850, or maybe even break through the £1000 barrier. 

MY OFFICIAL FUNDRAISING QR CODE 

You can forward it by email or scan it as is normally done.

Well this blog composing on my phone is absolutely exhausting me. Still, onwards and upwards.

I don't think I have to tell you how unbearably hot it was this week.  One of the big problems with Parkinson's is that many of us lose our ability to moderate our body temperature. I don't have to tell you how very dangerous this is.  I suffered badly to the point that I came very close to pressing my emergency button in the middle of Sunday/Monday morning. It was only the thought of lying on a gurney in a hospital corridor for hours and hours that stopped me!  Thank God it has cooled down now!  Consequently, in the interests of staying safe and out of hospital, I made the executive decision to refrain from walking anywhere other than around my house and garden.  

I have made an infusion of the unripened seeds of Sweet Cicely in honey. It will steep for several weeks before I strain it for use. 

I have not had my lawn mowed in nearly a year so it has been quite the job but I had help. Consequently I have a lot of lovely native wildflowers all over my garden, or Wildflower Lawn as I have named it.  Here are a few things that will be good for wildlife though the coming year, as well as some things providing me with food for free!

 

Well I  am really struggling with this now as it has switched to nighttime mode and I can hardly see the screen! I can see some photos may be sideways but I will have to look at them tomorrow as I must get some rest.

Until next time 🩵🌷🩵

A Week of Confusion

Hello Friends!

It has been a week of upsets and confusion, stressful situations and all could have been avoided.

The first of these issues was with Welsh Water.  I did say I wouldn't bore you with details, but oh! what a load of time and money wasters they are!  We all agree on one thing: they don't know what they are doing, there's a criminal amount of water wasting while they take years to do repairs, and we are the ones footing the bill. okay, that's three things!

On Tuesday I received a vague message from Welsh Water telling me they would be here the following day.  I phoned to find out what it was about.  

Apparently, there is a leak which needs fixing but they couldn't provide anything specific as to where it is, or exactly what access would be needed. I told them it was too short notice and that I needed more information.  Their answer was not helpful.  I called again and the help was much better.  It was explained to me that a leak had been detected in August of last year and that I had been notified in September of said leak and told to get it repaired.  I have received no such notification.  So, now they are coming to fix it and I will be billed.  I asked where the leak was.  They don't know, so they will be all over my garden and house trying to find it and then digging up the spot where it is located. This has the potential to be under my drive, or in my kitchen.  It could even be in a neighbouring property as my supply goes under the garden in front and they have since built a big extension over it. They have no legal obligation to put right what they dig up.

I said I needed more information; they can't just barge in and dig up my floor! Tuesday was not a good day as I had several appointments and that blocking my drive would not be acceptable.  The lady was very helpful, told me she had passed on my concerns, cancelled the appointment and requested a rebooking to be discussed with me so as not to clash with appointments and to give me 48 hours notice. Fine. Or so I thought!

Tuesday morning, my a.m. care call helper left around 8:40 and within three minutes was phoning me to ask did I know Welsh Water was blocking my access and digging up my drive!!!  So much for the helpful lady the day before.

More stressful calls followed, but apparently the leak was detected just on my side of the stop tap, no further disruption, so I just let it go, it was done. 

Until Wednesday.

I got a phone call from the lady I spoke to on Monday about rescheduling the appointment she'd cancelled and to set up the replacement.  I explained they'd been, it was done, and that was it.  Oh, no, she said, this is the next one as they now suspect more leaks!!! 

I shared this on Facebook, and all I am hearing is that nearly everyone in the area seems to be having the same problems with Welsh Water as I am.  Some have been waiting for their repairs to be done for over two years!  Some say as soon as one leak is fixed another is found.  It goes on.

It certainly sounds as if there is a massive issue with the infrastructure, and our water rates just keep going up but the leaks that are causing all the issues are not being fixed in a timely fashion.

On Thursday I heard back from one of the OT's who came to see me in December last year {remember when I hurt my back?} who has finally heard back with the information required for some special equipment to help me.  They will be bringing it out for me to test in June and then it will be ordered.  I wonder how long that will take?  Good job it wasn't urgent, or was it?

Every month I get a treat by way of a subscription for several frozen ready to cook meals from COOK, for the days I don't feel much like cooking. A few days before hand I receive an email to remind me to make any changes to my order which will arrive the following weekend. Except this month, they had a blip in their system, and the nudge emails didn't make it to everyone.  My order was incomplete and on it's way and I could do nothing to add in what I wanted {particularly the Sticky Toffee Pudding and Lemon Tart}  They were very good about it, offering to refund me in full, but regardless I am now sitting with empty space in my freezer until next month. These things happen, but I was looking forward to my puds!

So between the drama and the bad weather, walking has been reduced to a minimum.  It has been annoying that it's been good while my hands were tied and I could not leave as the Cook parcel has to be signed for and put in the freezer immediately, and then the rain came!  So, I have been doing exercises and such to make up for missing the walking, and I've made a note of what I need to catch up on, which I will do by way of doing two consecutive walks joined in the middle.  The good news is I am well on target and might well be looking at extending my original goal.

I do so very much enjoy observing the changes in the hedgerows, sometimes almost overnight, the new things popping up, and how quickly other things are growing, what is doing well, what isn't doing as well, so on and so forth.

The Elderflowers seem to be having a very good year

Goosegrass living up to an alternate name, Cleavers, climbing the wall

Possibly Common Ragwort starting to flourish in the lane

Plantain a plenty Ribwort Plantain

Cats Ear or False Dandelion

{uncertain} possibly Wood Avens, aka Herb Bennett

Keeping an eye on the changing landscape, the large Sycamore is starting to fill out with leaf, and the 

Hawthorn now looks like a puffy white snowball 

Looking at tomorrow's weather, it seems I will be out early for my walk, as there is possibly heavy rain on the way.

Until next time 

💙🌷💙

No Mow May

Hello Friends!

The Merrie Merrie Month of May is nearly spent, and I took part in No Mow May, a conservation project that began in the UK, but which is now gathering global momentum.  You can read about it HERE if you wish to do so.

So, in a nutshell, it's all about not mowing your lawn for the entire month to allow beneficial conditions for small wildlife and insects to have a chance to breed and feed as the world moves into late spring.  

It wasn't a hardship to not mow for a month, but it's going to be a push to get the mower through the first time!  

Here's some of what I've recorded:

Some grasses and plantain

Daisies and Buttercup 

Hawkbit

Naturally, there are Dandelions

and the one that makes me happiest of all ~

Milkmaid's Smock

I found one growing in my lawn a few years ago, and cautiously mowed around it for weeks, the following year there were two or three, then last year none, but this year it's back in profusion, and maybe eighteen plants.  I am finding it everywhere I turn! I am thrilled.

It is a valuable food source for one of my favourite butterflies, the Orange Tip.

What are you doing to help and encourage wildlife, especially bees, in your garden?   You can be Bee and Wildlife Friendly even if you only have a window box, or a few pots on a balcony.

Until next time

Stay Safe, Stay Well

Meanwhile, A Trip to the Tip!

Hello Friends!

Goodness, it's been three weeks, most of which have been utterly glorious Summery weather, since I last wrote. If we have had the odd rainy day then it's gone mostly unnoticed, blanketed by blue skies and warm sunshine, and lazy ocean breezes billowing gently across sun baked hay meadows and ripening corn fields.

Welcome to my new followers! Thank you, and I am thrilled you now follow my ramblings.

I have a little news to share!  I started a new job on July 1st, and this is the reason why I haven't written an entry here for a short while.  I applied and interviewed in June, and shortly after was told I was the successful candidate! Yay Me!!!  It's part time, and that suits me well right now. It's taking a little getting used to, but I do love it.  My official title is Retail Assistant, but it also involves giving out a lot of information on the area to tourists and visitors who are looking for things to do, places to visit, and general things that all tourists need help with. I love helping people, and I simply love it!  Oh, it's with the National Trust, by the way. Many of you will know I am a huge fan of the National Trust, and I know many of you share my passion, so I am doubly happy to have got this job.  I am so grateful to them for giving me the opportunity to work for them.

So, today is a day off and when my lovely neighbour asked if I would like to go to the "tip" with her, I jumped at the chance.  Those of you who know me well know that I can get a little excited over a trip to the tip {officially, it's the Civic Amenity and Recycling Centre} as it brings back such happy memories of going there with my Dad when we had rubbish to take for recycling, and we would always route around to see if there was someone else's unwanted treasure that we could use. I've always been a recycler long before it was fashionable, you see.  Off we went to take away her garden waste, and I could not resist taking photos of all the flowers growing around the centre, they are such a haven for wildlife!  Here are a few.

There was a huge bank of Convolvulus and the pristine white flowers were simply gigantic! It has many names, including bindweed and morning glory, but is generally considered the bane of gardeners and farmers alike as it chokes out everything in its creeping path.  Did you know there are over 1,650 species of Convolvulus?  Neither did I.  I think it is a very beautiful plant.

A hedge full of all sorts of wild flowers, and some that may have seeded from the nearby composting centre

I love umbelliferous plants of any kind. Their flower and seed heads make my heart go pitter patter and the birds will feed happily for many weeks to come.

Teasels in a tiny patch by some giant concrete monoliths. Loved by goldfinches particularly, and also by me to put in dried arrangements for Autumn decorating.

I think this one is having a 1980's style aerobic workout!

Another umbel gone to seed

Such a pretty colour on the sorrel plant. As a child, I would pull all the seeds off in my hand and scatter them like confetti as I walked the country byways with my Nanna. Little did I know my sweet game was spreading the seeds far and wide!

Buddleias abounded everywhere! Butterflies will be in abundance when the sun comes out, for sure.

One of the fun things is finding new treasures from the discarded items others have brought to recycle, and today I found these two, tiny cut glass bowls. I think they may be salt cellars, but whatever they are, they are pretty, vintage pieces that I am happy to give a new home.

Uh oh! As we approach the junction back on to the main road, we suddenly discover we will be stuck behind a tractor pulling a trailer full of hay bales. The joys of Summer in the country!

Soon enough, though, he turns into the farm lane and once again we are on our way!

So, I hope you enjoyed your little trip to the tip!  I am gathering material for more gardening entries, but you will have to bear with me as I adjust to working and I settle down into my new routine.

Until next time
Deborah xo

I'm A Wildflower ~ What Are You?

Hello Friends ~~~

June is upon us ~~~ how did that happen?

I'm giddy with delight ~ it's taken me a long, long time to realise this, but I am a Wildflower! 

How did I come to this? Well, it is simple ~~~ if you know me well, then you will know I'm a wild child and free spirit at heart.  I love nothing better than being out in the countryside, traipsing the byways and hidden paths across the Shire where I live ~ the further away from so called civilisation the better! Although I have cultivated flowering shrubs and perennials in my garden, few things make my heart sing more loudly, or my face smile more broadly, than seeing a wildflower freely give of itself by sowing it’s seed and growing in my garden. It gladdens my heart, spirit and soul to the end of time.

Of course, that all of these natives are of great benefit to bees is icing on the cake, but would you believe me if I tell you that a fortnight or so ago one of my neighbours asked me if I wouldn't mind deadheading the dandelions!  I think you will know what my answer was, that is after I'd recovered from the question!

Please, don’t misunderstand me, I love the perennials and annuals that grow and flower in my garden, and I will always grow them, but it is the wildflowers, the natives, that bring me more pleasure than most {of course, my heart also belongs to sunflowers, lavender, and roses too!}

Right now, my garden is burgeoning into bloom after that ‘green period’ that comes between spring and summer. The rosa rugosa are bold and blousy splashes of deep pink with their saucer sized and deeply fragrant blooms; the hydrangea “Glam Rock” are teasing me daily with progress towards the first fully open flower head; pinks fragrantly flower in cushions, sitting alongside mounds of pink geraniums; Oriental poppies are keeping their buds tightly closed waiting for the first rays of warm sunshine as we sit in a murky mire of days of a stubborn and chilly sea fog; quaking grasses quake and shake across the garden, and every which way I turn there is something putting in its annual appearance, which is confusing because they are all perennials!

 Amongst all these God~given beauties I find the true beauties ~ the wildflowers ~ foxgloves, valerian, native ferns, wild carrot, Alexanders, dandelions, herb Robert, daisies, buttercups, milkmaid's smock, toadflax, and even those aforementioned pinks which, at one time, were wildflowers on the near continent that arrived in this country with the Normans and became cultivated. My list goes on, and every time I find a new wildflower arriving in my garden I welcome it with open arms indeed! 

Milkmaid's Smock

Two Native Ferns

Herb Robert

Stinging Nettle

Mullein

Valerian

Toadflax

Foxglove

Buttercups

 My spirit is wildflower, for as a child I spent many hours traipsing along the lanes and byways in the countryside, accompanied by my Nanna ~ a not inconsiderable gardener herself ~ who taught me all the names of native wildflowers and grasses that decorated the hedgerows along our way ~~~ before I began school I could name every plant, grass and tree around my home  and I had scrapbooks filled with pressed and dried wildflowers, grasses and leaves, all stuck firmly in place with that scourge of all early scrapbooks ~ Sellotape!

Nothing makes me happier than to be in the company of wildflowers; it is a connection to something so deep in my soul that words cannot express that feeling of deepest joy, but those of you who have something that brings that feeling to your own soul will know of what I speak.

  

I have decided that I am going to encourage more, many, many more native wildflowers into my garden, so I shall be looking out for seed packets, maybe harvest some on a walk, or buy some ready grown plants from Wiggly Wigglers who specialise in wildflowers for bees and wildlife. I may even plant a small section of native hedging ~ who knows what this wildflower will get up to next! 

Until next time ~~~

~~~Deborah xo