Messy

My gardening attempts have christened today – or rather my attempts at repotting and planting are responsible.
The sky did not even bother to appear blue at the start of the day. It was unattractive but we arose and walked out at Cholsey. More heavy overnight rain has had the predictable effects of swelling the ponds and muddying the paths.

But the walk was refreshing and breezy with rain threatening from every direction. Not as cold as yesterday and quite enjoyable.

We were out for about an hour before returning home to chores. It has been a peaceful day. And a long one.

Doing something with the bedding plants has been hanging over me for days now. Penny’s jasmine, that she gave me in memory of her father, is now potted up. That was a heavy job. The basket and the little trug which date back to T’s death and funeral have now got small bedding plants in them as the originals have died back. Some other pots have been replanted and I have also repotted some house plants.

Some of the house plants have outgrown the windowsill and are now enjoying full light at floor level on the wooden board by the patio doors.

I made the most awful mess, with potting compost escaping everywhere, turning the patio into a sight for sore eyes. I had put the picnic table outside to use to do the work and covered it with my art cloth. That was no easy feat either, trying to erect it was like assembling IKEA furniture minus the instructions.
Soil was everywhere! And then the rain came down so I hosed most of the soil away before retreating inside. And then, of course, the rain stopped but by then I had lost the will to continue.

But I have broken the back of some of it. I have two peony plants that require holes digging somewhere in the garden. But everything is SO wet and the grass needs another urgent mow but it is too spongy.

Anyway I’ve left the table etc out ready for my next dose of attention.

I decided to watch Ill Met by Moonlight which was made in 1957, about the kidnapping of General Kreipe on Crete, by Paddy Leigh Fermor who was played by Dirk Bogarde. It’s a black and white oldie. A good one.

I had lunch somewhere in the middle of all this mess and even made a home made Caesar Salad dressing which I dumped on some Romaine lettuce. Yum…

But the afternoon was getting towards evening and it was only a matter of time…

And so the rest of the day passed and now more bedding plants await. But tomorrow I will v going to see Brenda unless another disaster strikes.

Thought for the Day