Early this morning I continued working my way through the backlog of e-mails.
I then finished clearing the section of overgrown shrubbery. This involved extracting more stubborn roots; dismantling the rock wall in the middle of it; using some of these to build up the border with the pergola path, and laying others as access stepping stones; finally digging over all the old soil and adding Jackie’s sifted compost.
When we settled down to our now customary lunchtime fix of the antiques programme, ‘Bargain Hunt’, we could receive no sound on the TV. We watched that with sub-titles, but the situation prompted me into action.
It is fairly obvious that maintenance of the garden takes priority over the house in our summers. But the telly was just one issue demanding of attention that has been put on the back burner.
Speaking of burners, we have not used our log burning stove, because we don’t trust it without having had it overhauled. So, a voicemail message was left for a chimney sweep.
We have Everest windows that don’t fit properly, and a Velux window that leaks. A message was left for a double-glazing expert.
The sound had disappeared from the television some months ago, and Ben from Milford Sound & Vision had come to fix it. He had at first thought the set was kaput, but managed to sort it out. This time it may not be so easy. We drove to Milford and after some discussion Ben sold us a new TV. This will be delivered and installed next Wednesday. I think we can live without sound for eight days, although it does mean I will be unable to enjoy ‘The Big Bang Theory’ just by listening to the dialogue which I enjoy from my corner chair whilst I am working on the pc.
We need a shower shield in the guest bathroom, and have a leak in the outside tap which services the garden. Having been unable to receive a reply on either of The Lady Plumber’s numbers, we drove on to her home the other side of Highcliffe. The said Sam was about to go on holiday and will contact us when she returns home. I had also left a message for another plumber, Mike, who texted me this evening saying he would call next week.
Although there wasn’t.as yet, anything to show for it, I felt I had at least achieved something, entitling me to a wander round the garden. While I was doing this, the windows man called and arranged to visit us on Thursday.
Rose Winchester Cathedral now displays its first object of veneration.
The blooms on this unidentified scarlet rose stand a good eight feet over the Oval Bed.
The rose garden is now visible down the Pergola Path.
We have a number of hibiscuses, one of which is in the front garden,
where a myrtle is beginning to ignite its star-bursts.
The Head Gardener went off to buy plants for the exposed bed, and we later planted
echinaceas, salvias, rudbeckias, and perovskia Blue Spires in the vacant space.
Soon after this the chimney sweep responded to my message. When I confirmed our address, Barrie, the tradesman, said ‘Crikey. I was afraid you were going to say that’. He had examined the stove for our predecessors, had told ‘the gentleman’ what a state it was in, and what needed to be done. He had heard no more. Nothing daunted, he will come again next week.
We dined this evening on Jackie’s delicious liver casserole, mashed potato and swede, and crisp carrots, followed by custard tarts. I finished the Italian red wine and Jackie drank Hoegaarden.
@ I think we can live without sound for eight days, I think I could live without my TV for eight days. I would hate to live without internet connection though. That would be tough.
Beautiful blooms. Garden maintenance is paying dividends 🙂
Many thanks, Timi
Something’s occurred to me: how does Jackie rustle up all these mouthwatering suppers when she spends all day in the garden? Are there two of her?
There is The Head Gardener, The Cook, and The Chauffeuse. Magic, innit? Thanks for commenting, Jenny
The cosmic myrtle is wondrous! I can see you and Jackie huddled under a blanket wearing beanies and watching a soundless tele ALL WINTER! There’s no other thing for it; move into the shed!
Now, there’s an idea Bruce. Thanks
Hehe. I found myself flicking through this to see what you and Jackie wined and dined on 🙂
So funny, Derrick. I can just see you both, eating lunch and watching TV with the sound off. Wouldn’t someone have wondered what the heck you were doing if they walked in?
🙂 We won’t be able to repeat the process without thinking of you, Ginene
I love the Winchester Cathedral rose; I also Winchester Cathedral. I still get goose bumps when I think of their shattered stained glass window and how they pieced them back together.
Thank you, Mary. That was an amazing achievement; both the original and the repair
Your photo of the white rose is mesmerizing. Since I’m always trying to hypnotize myself, I gazed at it for a few moments… getting lost in the soft, white petals… trying to catch a whiff of the scent of rose… the picture began to get blurry… and…
Nah, I can’t hypnotize myself, but your photo is gorgeous. 🙂
🙂 Thank you, Johhna
It is heavily scented, all our new roses have to be scented, there is one exception, that is ‘For your eyes only’ I just loved the look of it so much.
Ah, I felt accomplished for you just reading all your arrangements. I will be making some myself in the next week. Your stove must be in some condition to have the sweeps remember it that way. I hope it seems less burdensome to you than to your predecessor.
Thank you Lisa. We suspect jackdaws’ nests; however, that didn’t stop our predecessors using the stove.
That’s a very busy day indeed (I guess it shows what gets accomplished without TV). I don’t envy you coordinating up all of the trades. I can find that exhausting!
The roses are heavenly – I really like that scarlet one – you don’t often see that shade in roses (mostly what passes for ‘scarlet’ is deep red or pinkish red). It reminds me of the miniature hybrid Rosa ‘Warm Welcome’
Many thanks, Matt. Actually I spend far more time on the pc than watching telly. Will look out for Warm Welcome
Well, for once, I wasn’t consumed with envy at the description of what you dined on. Liver is on my “No, thank you”, list. But, I’ll bet The Cook does it beautifully for those who appreciate that particular organ of the body. (Hmm, fava beans and a fine Chianti, anyone?)
Sounds like life at the little house in the big woods. If it’s not one thing, it’s something else. Good luck with all that needs to be fixed. At least you have those beautiful flowers as consolation.
Many thanks, Laurie
Always something with houses right Derrick? This is keeping you busy though – you are getting a lot accomplished. Seems like the garden has opened up a space for more beautiful plants – love the photographs!
Thanks, Mary
Sounds like a lot to take care of! But that garden of yours: it is beautiful.
Thank you Cynthia
It’s wonderful seeing all the hard work in the garden paying off! Love the shot of the clematis with the rose garden in the distance. 🙂
Thank you, Becka