Wednesday 11 July 2018

Weather

The weather is back to being hot and humid again today so that it is draining.  I read that Hurricane Harriet is on its way - can't come soon enough as it may well bring much needed rain.   I half-heartedly pulled up a few thistles, nettles and dandelions from my garden this afternoon but the effort was just too much and I gave up in despair
but I was comforted to find that the soil was slightly damp under the top so the watering has done a bit of good.   I am contemplating getting a water butt for the back garden.   Looking on line it seems that it is possible to get square ones, which would fit into the space more easily.   At present the downpipe from the roof guttering goes directly into the ground - presumably into the drain.   So can somebody out there please tell me how I get the water to drain into the butt instead.   Any helpful hints and suggestions will be gratefully accepted.

I hate to admit it but there is a sort of frisson in the air before the Football Match tonight.   No, I am not a football fan, but they are young men on a mission and they are trying their very hardest and I wish them all the luck in the world.  I think they have already got further than anyone expected so now it is in the lap of the gods.  Out government is in such disarray that we do need something to take our minds off all the to do.

When we had the referendum I voted to Remain.  I thought about it a lot beforehand and decided a) that staying in the European Union was of more benefit to Farming (at the time I was the wife of a farmer) and b) I have always felt European since the advent of the EU and I really didn't wish to go back to just feeling British.   But once the die was cast then the majority had had their way and it was vital that we all pull together.   Somehow that just hasn't happened.   Do I remember rightly in saying that at the time David Cameron said he would stay whichever side the vote came down on?   But he didn't - he resigned within hours.   I guess the difficulties of leaving are so complex that none of us can understand any of it.  But now we get Mrs May saying that after exhaustive talks her whole cabinet were agreed on the way forward and yet less than twenty four hours later two senior figures have resigned saying they don't agree with that way.   It all goes right over my head.   I almost wish I was interested in footie and tennis - then I would have plenty to think about over the next week or so.

Tess has had her Wednesday walk with friend S and is now stretched out on the kitchen floor exhausted by the heat.   Oh to be a dog - nothing goes on in their heads other than food, walkies, numerous pees, the odd poo and a half-hearted bark when anyone rings the doorbell.   In other words nothing that takes any effort.

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

You can get a cheap connecting kit at any garden centre or B&Q type place that can be fitted to the down pipe and will channel water into your water butt. It just needs a bit of cutting out of the drain pipe with a small hacksaw.It is easy to do - my other half managed it and he has few DIY skills!!!! (East Coast Debs)

Sue said...

This heat in the UK is making me feel extraordinarily lethargic. I never thought I would wish for cold weather and rain!

Gwil W said...

Who we will appear in the vip box as the England representative to the semi-final? Macron was there yesterday for France and the King of Belgium for his country. Since our relations are a little strained it's a difficult choice . . .

Librarian said...

Pat, I can only recommend you for your well-balanced views, based on research of information and having thought things out instead of pure emotion which is not always the best advisor.
When the result of the referendum was published, I felt as if my boyfriend had left me and walked around all day in a sad daze. To me, Europe does mean something - I am German, after all, so I live in the centre of Europe, surrounded by countries my home country used to be at war with because of the greed and insanity of one man and his ghastly followers. That Europe as such has remained at peace for so many decades (with the sad and horrible exception of the Balkan war in the 1990s), I think this is last but not least due to the European idea having been transported into reality. Well, it has outlived itself, it seems, also due to a lot of detachement from what matters to ordinary people.
But the way things are going in the UK, which for me is my second home, is just awful and worrying.

As for the footie - I shall be donning my England t-shirt in a bit and watch the match again at my sister's!

Sue in Suffolk said...

I hadn't heard about Hurricane Harriet, shall have to google to see which way it's going, sounds as if it could ruin the fruit trees.
Another cooler, cloudy day here.
I daren't lift a watering can so having to do the greenhouse stuff with a hosepipe, which is what I should have done before and maybe I wouldn't have had my back going ping! I live and learn!
The water butt kits are easy as Debs says and when the water butt is full the water goes back down the drain.

northsider said...

Wickes use to sell cheap water butt kits. I am also pro Europe and now it looks like Brexit won't even happen. Thanks to Remainers like TM at number ten.

Derek Faulkner said...

In my paper today it suggested that Tropical Storm Chris might possibly head this way, so who is right - one thing's for sure, if it does come this way I guess you'll get a nice soaking and we'll stay bone dry.
In the Referendum I voted to Leave, purely because I wanted Britain to govern itself and having watched the nasty and awkward methods used by Europe since, in order to keep us under their control, I'm even more wanting to Leave.

Heather said...

I would welcome some rain and lower temperatures. I have never been so adversely affected by the heat as I have this year. It seems dreadful to complain when I moaned so much about the long tedious winter and cold spring. Ungrateful woman!
I voted to leave the EU because I thought we might do better on our own. I had no idea it would be so difficult to organise or cause so many problems.
I am too weary to watch the football match tonight and couldn't bear the suspense! I wish the England team every success but will find out tomorrow how they got on. Good Luck lads.

justjill said...

I voted to remain. The mess we are heading for and are in convinces me my vote was right. We now have cloud cover, which removes any oxygen. Really not normal is it?!

Simon Douglas Thompson said...

This country is silly! Weatherwise and politics wise. I am hiding from the football a little as I type this, working out what the subject of tonight's post will be.

DUTA said...

You were right to vote 'remain'. I'm not for joining federations or unions of any kind, but I know that much; once you've joined, leaving will bring disaster to your country. Cameron didn't want to take responsability for the disaster, so he resigned.

Ivy said...

I think you are a very wise woman. If I were English I would have voted 'remain', but that's because I don't live on an island, both literally and figuratively. Don't envy you and your fellow countrymen/women for the mess Mrs May c.s. have created.

Take care of yourself and the lovely Tess while the temperatures keep on being that high.

Amy said...

I can't help with any ideas about how to hook up the water for your garden but I do know I use to use the rinsing water from my washing machine and dishwashing water for my plants. Apparently it can prevent nasties from ruining them.

the veg artist said...

I'm sure that your gardener would be able to connect up a water butt for you. You need a butt, a joining 'kit' (depending on whether your down pipe is round or square) - this contains an internal diverter, and a tap and a stand for it. If I were you, I'd get whoever is going to fit it to get the parts, and bring their own tools, but it really isn't a big or complicated job!

angryparsnip said...

I hope your get some better weather soon.
woof to Tess

cheers, parsnip

Derek Faulkner said...

I forgot to mention in my previous comments - I got rid of my water butts simply because they were mostly empty in the summer when I needed the water and full and overflowing in the winter. Given how little rain we've had this past couple of months, what use would they be, I ended up always re-filling mine with the hosepipe.

thelma said...

Every morning the news seems to start with Brexit, I voted remain as I believe we are better together than apart, just sort the bureacratic mess that is the EU, there is a certain parasitical nature to politicians and those that serve them....
I think Derek is quite right about water butts, they are rarely filled up in summer and overflow in winter (unless you have half a dozen). Outside tap is probably most practical.

the veg artist said...

A butt fitted with a diverter should not overflow - once the butt is full, the water will run over the internal diverter and flow down inside the main downpipe.

jinxxxygirl said...

Pat i have noticed that in my own country.. Used to be that once the die was cast people just got on with it... I mean the people have spoken.. I think its just all very childish and not in the best interest of the country no matter what country we're talking about..

Not sure what a butt is Pat.... I'll have to read the comments. :) Hang in there dear friend...Stay as cool as you can... this too shall pass.. Hugs! deb

Kim @ Him, Him Me said...

Hi Weaver,
if you have either a Lidl or a Wilko near you, check out their pricesfor the square water butts. Lidls was £21.99 and came completes with tap, diverter for the down pipe and stand. Wilko's do a larger range and their prices seem better than garden centres and the like.
Hope this helps.

Kim

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