I had “best laid (gardening) plans” today.
First, in the interests of passing walkers in our unlit nights, I would prune the overhanging trees along the front pavement, so they are not forced to step into the road;
Secondly, I would weed the front garden gravel path which I had created about 8 years ago, and tidy the borders.
Having spent an hour on the pavement lopping, chopping, and bagging up the offending limbs whilst ensuring that no part of me ran the risk of being hit by any part of the steady stream of vehicles of all shapes and sizes, often exceeding the 40 m.p.h. speed limit thundering and clanking close to the kerb, I staggered down the Brick Path to add two more bags to the stack for the next dump run, sat with Jackie in the Rose Garden, where Becky bought us each a drink, for long enough to decide that the next task had “gang agley” and would wait until tomorrow.
Following sound advice from some of my blogging friends I have broken my “no more books” rule and allowed Jackie to complete my Avignon quintet with an Amazon order. In the meantime, Durrell’s Inquisition theme has encouraged me to return to Malcolm Barber’s history of The Trial of the Templars, which first read 20 years ago – long enough ago to have forgotten most of it.
For tonight’s dinner, Becky, in her own words, produced dry roast chickun, stodgy potatow salad, lack lustre carretts, and limp brockally, with which Jackie drank Zesty and I drank Entire Quintas Reserva Douro 2021.
I know those days! Never knew how to spell gang agley though. Thank you for the smile, Derrick.
Much appreciated, Val
Sounds like a normal day for many of us. Hope you enjoy you new book and yor re-read.
Thanks very much, Pat
I smiled at the supposed pronounciation 0 you’ve written. You are always busy with your garden.
Thanks very much, Arlene
I’ve had many, many OBE days (overtaken by events).
Thanks very much, Liz 🙂
You’re welcome, Derrick.
I’m glad that you are okay after pruning the branches from the sidewalk, Derrick. Dangerous stuff! I say Curb, you say Kerb!
Thanks very much, John
You are welcome. ????
I’m sure the pedestrians will thank you for the front fence clean-up 🙂
Thanks very much, Rosaliene
That was a hefty list for July, Derrick, I’m impressed you got to any of it!
Yay to the new book.
Becky is a riot.
Thank you so much, Jodie
Well done with the one job and with the book.
I had to look up “gang agley.”
I hope Becky’s description was not accurate. 🙂
Thanks very much, Merril. Becky’s description was as accurate as her spelling 🙂
🙂
I think Becky is unkind to herself! 🙁
Now I know why you needed to use the long loppers! 🙂
Thanks very much, Sue. That is a joke Becky has wanted to crack for some time 🙂
Sounds a delicious meal to me. I’m over Cordon Bleu. It’s overrated.
Thanks very much, Gwen 🙂
High Vis jacket Derrick. Better safe than sorry. I would suggest obtaining a cone or two as well. The council often leaves them lying around by holes in the road and such.
Two good ideas, Quercus. I wore a red shirt and thought about those cones after the event. Thanks very much
Sounds like you’re already ahead of me. 🙂
Not really. The shirt was coincidence and the cones a bit late
🙂 Better coincidence than a squashed gardener.
I agree with wearing bright colors when working on that front pavement. Maybe Martin can do it next time. It looks good.
Thanks very much, JoAnna. I’m sure Martin would do it, but I was determined 🙂
I get like that sometimes. 🙂
I appreciate you clearing out the walkway like that (there are a few that I wish would do the same near me!)
Jackie has a sense of humour, no doubt about it. I had to read it twice!
Thank you so much, Dale
I’m sure Becky’s dinner was delicious though possibly not quite up to the standards of the Culinary Queen.
Actually she is well up to the standard, Sheree. Thanks very much
Lucky you!
Indeed
HAHAHAHA! on Becky’s description of dinner! I laughed and laughed!
Tell her I’d eat it! Even tho’ I like FIRM broccoli! Ha! Tell her thanks for the laughs!
YAY on a new book for you!
We had some outdoor plans planned and then had a rainy stormy lightening-y rumbly day AND night…so all the work had to be indoor work.
(((HUGS))) ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
PS…growing up in a family of eight kids…and my brother’s always seemed to be hungry…my mom would sometimes say…”Tonight you get a choice of two house specials…take it or leave it!” 🙂
Thank you so much, Carolyn. I will tell Becky X
haha, I can’t count how many times I’ve said, “No more books!”. It doesn’t work here either.
Cute post, Derrick.
Thanks very much, GP
Good to clear the way for walkers.
Thanks very much, Laurie
very thoughtful of you for the pedestrians! i’m sure they’re thankful! 🙂
Thanks very much, Wilma
“Oh dear…” Least said the better. (The pruning deserved a star though.) Cheers.
Thanks very much, Joy
It’s always an excellent idea to prune trees and bushes so that they do not pose a risk to others as they pass along a narow pavement.
Thanks very much, John
I’m glad you made the walkway safer for the pedestrians, and I am glad you finished the task without getting hurt.
Thanks very much, Eugi
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Finally a dinner I can relate too. 🙂
Thanks very much, Bridget 🙂
One thing at a time is a very good plan. I like the idea of borrowing a council cone or two.
Thanks a lot, Tootlepedal
I’m glad you got that trimming done without getting hit by the waaay too close traffic. Sounds like something I’d have asked Martin to do!!
I just wanted to chip in, Jan. Thanks very much
I am looking forward to your review of The Trial of the Templars. I know of them but not much about them. My reading time is severely limited right now, but winter is coming.
Thanks very much, Lavinia
You need to be very careful working along the road!
Indeed. Thank you very much, Ribana