Weeding Plants And Postage Stamps

Warmed by a climbing sun; my paths eased by Martin’s clearance work; ears soothed by sweet birdsong, occasionally accosted by raucous jackdaws; I dead headed roses and Welsh poppies and pulled up weeds this morning.

Before a trip to Ferndene Farm Shop this afternoon in order to buy three large bags of compost,

I photographed more flowers and garden views, each of which bears a title in the gallery.

Something else has gone digital is our postage stamps. I have been doing my best to ignore this leaflet from Royal Mail, but bit the bullet today and followed the instructions, filled in the form on the reverse, and posted to the recycling centre 32 first class stamps which will soon be regarded as weeds ready for composting. We are promised replacements bearing the relevant barcode.

Becky turned up just before dinner and stayed over.

We all dined on pizzas, salad, and sausage rolls our daughter brought with her. Jackie drank Hoegaarden and I drank Collin-Bourisset Fleurie 2021.

71 comments

  1. Having collected stamps for years, I feel rather sad about the demise of postage stamps. I still have several stamps left over from a time when we had a functional postal service. Alas, I have not posted a letter for an awfully long time. Your beautiful flowers lift my spirits though.

  2. Wow Derrick, you have so many beautiful photos today! Dinner sounds delish. I’ve never heard of barcode stamps before, we have a stamp that says Forever on it, they are always accepted.

    1. Quite so, John. I almost couldn’t be bothered – which must apply to many. Thanks a lot.

  3. Your garden looks lovely against that blue sky, Derrick. Martin has done a great job clearing paths, and allowing you to get up close to the amazing views. I spotted several owls on the photo journey. Interesting story about postage stamps. At least you can get your money’s worth by trading in old postage, though I imagine a number of people have stamps tucked away in all sorts of places in their home.

    1. It is good to read this batch of comments from you, Alys. Thank you very much

  4. We buy our postage online for the most part now. With only an occasional visiting post office in the town, it is the most convenient way to do it.

  5. I’m still using stamps from my dad’s collection. As long as the right amount of postage is affixed to the envelope, it makes no difference whether the stamp is dated 2022 or 1972. The face value is what’s important. Of course, using stamps from too long ago isn’t practical, since it would take a lot of three cent stamps to meet the requirement. But ten, or fifteen, or twenty cent stamps? Combine at will. I’ve got enough to last several lifetimes, and probably could supply most of my town, as well. I’ve sold some of the blocks to collectors, and I’m hanging on to some that are from a time when engraving was used; they’re true works of art.

  6. I had not heard of barcoded stamps here in the US, and like you, will try to ignore it as long as possible. Thank you for sharing your beautiful garden – beauty beyond the reach of barcodes.

    1. Thank you very much, Lakshmi. Nor me now, which is why I still have the stamps.

  7. Barcoded stamps? I wonder how long they will swap out the old ones. I still have a bunch somewhere, with “left over” English money, awaiting my next trip back there. No sense posting them back from Australia šŸ™‚

    1. Thanks a lot, Gwen. I hope you can use them, and the money, when you next come.

      1. Oh! Well, thanks for wanting to: much appreciated. I can’t explain. I have – I thought – both a ‘follow’ icon, and a space to fill in an email address. Perhaps my site is just having a tea-break?

        1. I have filled in those places twice. I think my site is the problem. I wonder whether you got my comments on the six degrees of separation post? I will keep trying because I am sure I will like your posts

          1. Oh, Derrick, what a lovely thing to say! WP is a curious beast. I am having the same trouble trying to follow someone else’s site.

  8. Fun title! A beautiful opening paragraph! And lovely flowery planty leafy garden photos!
    I spotted a couple of owls watching over the garden!
    The bench blanketed in shade is so beautiful!
    (((HUGS))) ā¤ļø

  9. The last letter I got from France had a bar code on one end and was one of those postage meter-printed generic “stamps”, a strip of paper with low resolution graphics.

  10. Your garden is particularly beautiful in these photos. I know the hard work that goes into making it so.

    A pain about the stamps. One more thing. šŸ˜‰

  11. Your garden is gorgeous! And your photography is outstanding. Itā€™s no wonder you have so many followers. Youā€™re a victim of your success – whew! So many comments to respond to!!

    1. Thank you for that link, Lavinia. We, of course, although instructed to change our stamps or lose them, have not been told the purpose.

    1. Thank you very much, Dolly. I always think of you when I photograph them

    1. Thank you very much, Rosaliene. These days dead heading is really my limit.

  12. Beautiful flowers. The rhododendrons! OMG! stunning! The bushes are like trees. What joy you must feel to have them in your garden. Eye candy indeed!

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