Monday 26 March 2018

Book Club and gardening.

It was book club this morning - my choice of book - Midwinter Break by Bernard McLaverty.   It produced a lively discussion on the troubles in Northern Ireland (the main theme of the book, that and the gradual disintegration of a marriage).   Then in was home to a nice clean house as my cleaning lady had been while I was out (always a nice feeling to come in to everywhere clean and tidy).

This afternoon I did an hour's tidying in the back garden, mainly sweeping up the patio - every little helps.   I have also unpacked all my herbaceous plants waiting to go into the ground so that they get a bit of sunlight and an airing.   In the morning I shall buy myself a new plastic watering can so that I can water them easily.

I have just taken Tess round the block and am now back in awaiting the arrival of the TV engineer.   My new Smart television keeps going 'off station' and telling me there is 'no signal'.   It is very frustrating - it did it four times last week.   My son has had a good look at it and says there is absolutely nothing wrong with the television but there may be some trouble with the aerial.   Friends down the road are having the same problem.   I justhope it goes away, although I can still watch iplayer so all is not lost.

Is anyone else watching 'The Road to Santiago'?
I am so enjoying it.   The farmer and I once went to one of the places en route where there was a shrine, but I can't remember where it was.

Small eyes are boring into me - it is dog's tea time.   Also my tea time - tomatoes on toast for me tonight - I am hungry after my hour's gardening!

20 comments:

Derek Faulkner said...

It's been a lovely, warm and fairly sunny down here Pat, hope it has been where you are, seems you've had a good day. I've been busy in the garden trying to get things up to scratch as best I can because rain is due tomorrow and Wednesday and then it gets colder again.

justjill said...

Good day here too, tho wall to wall rain and wind tomorrow...

angryparsnip said...

Our windy weather is starting bringing in some cooler weather for a weak then summer !
I think I missed spring.

cheers, parsnip

Chris said...

Loved that book, I have just read it..

Gwil W said...

I'm glad you mentioned cleaning ladies, It's wonderful to have a cleaning lady. It's one of life's little luxuries.m I've advised John and the Prof to try one. I doubt he'll take notice me. And with all those dogs it could be difficult to find one ;-)

Sue said...

I'm loving The Road to Santiago, the mix of celebrities is absolutely spot on for this kind of programme for once. How brilliant that you have been to one of the stopping off points.

I would love a cleaning person to come and 'do' for me once a week ... and perhaps a gardener too :-)

Mac n' Janet said...

Smart tv's can be frustrating. Enjoyed the photos of your garden, it's going to look good.

Lucy Corrander Now in Halifax! said...

Gardening is definitely hungry-making work.

Bovey Belle said...

That's a programme we have missed, but will put that right a.s.a.p. I can remember not being able to sleep one night (or v. early in the day) and came downstairs and somehow found a film of that name and began watching it. I found it quite compelling, so I am sure I will enjoy this too. Hope my beloved does too!

Well done with your pottering usefully in the garden. I got some Lupins (the dessicated sort you can buy at a bargain price!) planted today. We will see if they survive. . .

I hope that your tv (or the aerial) is fixed soonest for you.

Marion said...

Your day sounds dreamy, just perfectly perfect! Book club, clean house and a bit of time in the garden. That's my idea of heaven. I'm disabled just enough to piss me off (need a knee/hip replacement and have a damaged sciatic nerve from a botched back surgery), broke, and depressed. I can no longer afford a cleaning helper or someone to help me garden. This will be the first year I probably won't have a garden in my entire life. I can't dig, pick up heavy bags of soil, or bend over to plant/shovel in containers...The husband did all that before he decided to ruin both our lives by getting on meth and going crazy...Such a waste of a human being and a 45 year marriage...It still hurts my heart so much...Oh, well...

I did find me "2" gorgeous baby houseplants online and noticed in the photo that there were actually two plants in each pot---just call me a cheapskate plant detective---so I just had to have them because they were gorgeous with huge, shiny leaves: (Fiddle Leaf Fig - Ficus lyrata). It took me 3 days to pot the four plants (I had some soil in a big container in my wagon out by my greenhouse so I was able to use that), but I did it and they're gorgeous in my living room by my large picture window which gets the best light. I put them in the wheelbarrow to pot them and wheeled them to the house, one at a time. Where there's a will, there's a way! But it like to kilt me. I can barely move today, but they look so pretty. I guess I'll go back to house plants, but I'm sure going to miss my fresh tomatoes and squash... Have a great week! I really enjoy reading about your days. xo

Hilary said...

I love to hear what you are eating......my mother was from England, and some of the things you mention remind me of her. Out of the blue, my husband just asked me what Marmite was.......it was on the shelf at the grocery store, and he had never seen it. When I told him what it was, I answered that my mother used to rave about it, so I just knew.

Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe said...

From time to time, I have thought about getting a cleaning lady, but know that I would clean before she came. S

Spring seems to be starting here also, however, it needs to get warmer.

the veg artist said...

I had a cleaning lady when I was working. I still did the laundry, which I don't mind, but she did the dusting (which I hate), hoovering and cleaning. She had been a housekeeper in a large hotel, and seemed to have a mental rota of jobs that I wouldn't even have thought of. It was wonderful! I tell myself that I can manage my own housework, but I'm not nearly as efficient!

Heather said...

That sounds like a very satisfying day. Hope you get your TV sorted out. I haven't seen that programme but have been drawn to The Repair Shop which is a new series, hopefully to be followed by another. It has fascinated me and is filmed in a beautiful medieval barn where very varied, damaged or broken items are brought in for restoration or repair. I am astounded by the excellent results the craftsmen and women can achieve, and lovely to see the reactions of the owners - some are moved to tears to see their treasured possessions brought back to life.
Happy gardening.

Gwil W said...

Starting Over, that's the good thing about having a cleaning lady, it forces one to get the place tidy and something like before they come!

Minigranny said...

That sounds to have been a very varied and productive day! We have the No signal thing even though our tv is by no means smart!

The Weaver of Grass said...

Yes everyone = a productive day all round. Thanks for your comments.

Margaret Butterworth said...

I am on the Camino Via de la Plata at this very moment, approaching Caceres. But I imagine the TV programme is about the Camino Frances in the north of Spain. I look forward to seeing it eventually if it is bought by Australian TV.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Margaret - how I envy you. I have walked the Caceres part many years ago and have a small picture of the square in the beautiful little town on my wall to remind me of it.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Thank you everyone.