The day dawned dull and miserable. What I really wanted to do was paint another/ some more water colour wintry scenes, but I was sensible for once, and ignored temptations.
The little winter greenhouse flat pack kit has been sitting in our hallway for over two months. Time to do something with it, so I moved it to the kitchen. And then I became very brave and opened the box. And on the floor fell a load of packets of metal tools and plastic joints- all different lengths and sizes,
I had to transform that lot into this … wishful thinking or what?
Well … after two hours, a few restarts, a few mislaid pieces, a few wonky angles and a fair bit of swearing …
I was on a roll so I gathered up the next flat pack kit for a couple moist bin – or even a compost bin. This did not take at all long but I can’t quite fit the lid … I need someone with a happy knack and some strength that works better than mine.
It now resides emptily beside the winter greenhouse. I shoved a few pot plants in the greenhouse and was surprised how dry some of them were. I will probably move the compost bin down the garden in the corner under the trees. A place where nothing grows.
Necessity meant I had cleared up some of the mess in the patio corner of the garden, in order to make space/ provide access. I trimmed some dead stuff off various plants and did my best to fill up a couple of wheelie bins with recycling, garden waste and black waste. Any waste. The hose was busy cleaning the patio but it needs a proper pressure wash.
Then I turned my attention to leaves littering the grass and gave the grass a trim with the mower. I had to use a higher cut because it was so wet.
Finally, having carted bins and their contents into the alleyway , I put plant protection over some larger geraniums and a fuschia- one of the few that survived.
This all took several hours, but I have a sense of achievement, those tasks have been hanging over me for weeks, or even months.
Poor old Heidi did not get a look in until around 3.30pm when we went out for a quick dash at Cholsey. She is a patient little girl. Extra treats for her at teatime. Mind you, she spent a lot of time watching me and whimpering by the patio door. Given the utility room door was open all day, she should have been able to make her way outside.
The wheelbarrow needs to pay a residential visit to the tip. A permanent one. The wheel is seized and it’s just another eyesore. The old ash bucket and metal mop bucket can join it. I don’t think I need them anymore and they are probably not classifiable as family heirlooms.
It was 16.30 when I finally sat down. Having put food in the oven to cook. Throughout the day, I had been treated to images of what other people had created for their lunch. At the time food seemed a far off prospect to me … The food was not even nice when I came to eat it. And the pineapple gifted to me for pudding was tasteless .
I have a feeling I won’t be doing much painting before I go away on Tuesday – probably around lunchtime: it’s a two hour drive to Usk. So I am hoping the inclement weather keeps clear of the mountains so I can drive through them to reach Aberdovey on Wednesday. Otherwise it’s the lower lying long way round.
As long as I get there safely, I don’t care what might impede my return . I can always stay on.
My favoured route is the dark blue one .
Tomorrow, I must swim because it is swimmers’ brekkie. Hence the busy activity today.
Thought for the Day
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