How Did I Get This Lucky?

It's been a bit of an uneventful time on the land this week - the Bloke has been off doing blokey stuff and the weather has been so wonderful I've been doing nothing much of anything! I appear to have caught hayfever from somebody - what I thought was a cold has dragged on so long it must be something else - but seem to be managing quite well on the whole. Since there's nothing very green in the growing line - how about this for recycling?

Sometimes I genuinely wonder how this happened! I've had a fair amount of cr*p in my life, but, for the most part, it's turned out beautifully. Just as a f'rinstance, take Mabel. Mabel is our new caravan. She's getting on in years, but is perfectly sound and looks lovely now she's had a bit of cleaning up - particularly with the smart brown curtains that used to be an odd, faded kind of sun-bleached peach colour! Good ol' Dylon! We're gathering together all kinds of odds and ends that will remain the the cupboards and under the seats so that we can up and go with no notice - apart, of course, from making sure every animal is fed and watered and the chickens are put away at night and let out in the morning, the plants are watered and ..... need I go on?

Anyway, this little gem came to me via the Wondrous Waveney Freecycle Yahoo! Group. Free. Gratis. For nothing. Without cost. Nada! Fan-bloomin'-tastic! The pictures are not very good, and one of them was taken thru the window while the curtains were in the washing machine changing colour, but you get the idea.





We will be using her to go to the Norfolk Game and Country Fair at the end of next week - when my brilliant house-and-livestock-sitters will return once more - and I can't wait to see how she performs. Oh, and incidentally, if you have any suggestions as to what I should take with me (apart from pots ,pans, some Portapotty chemicals, clean socks and so on) please post a comment or email me.





It would be nice to know what you think of her, anyway.





I present "MABEL"







Please note that I did not choose these tasteful cushion covers, I was soooo lucky to get them in the deal! You're jealous now, aren't you!!??

In Full Swing Now ....!

Well, we are on our way now! Look at the Easter Potato! Unfortunately, it hasn't produced any actual potatoes in time for the Easter Dinner, but it would really make a lovely houseplant!

Also, the main-crop peas are coming along nicely in their guttering - ready to slide, effortlessly, into the furrow as soon as they have hardened off.





Speaking of Easter, The Bloke arrived home with a chocolate offering ready for the Day (which, although I am a Buddhist, I choose to celebrate in the traditional choccie way) which fits so well onto this blog, I just had to include it! Also, it's lovely, hand-made, locally mixed choc and is absolutely delicious! Sadly, this picture is all that remains - sadly, but not surprisingly!!

We're off to the Norfolk Game and Country Fair at the end of the month. Several of us are going to change into Weekend Gypsies and will stay for a couple of nights at the Norwich Showground. Camping is such fun. Particularly in the Spring, when the ground is still cold and hard!

I have it firmly in mind to purchase some Biltong. This is one of those foreign things to which I have taken a liking - similar to Risotto, Chop Suey and Kebabs - and cosists of dried, highly-seasoned beef "jerky" style strips. I simply can't get enough. This is a shame because it comes at a price - about £5! - all the way from South Africa and has so much salt ....! Luvvitt!

Rosie, my tiny doggie, had a visit from a boy doggie today. Both were willing, but unsuccessful. Ah, well, maybe next time, Hasker!! A very pleasant afternoon was had by all; my friends and I in the back garden while The Bloke took Chaos for a walk - to the Pub!




Winston, Lilly, Violet and Daisy are growing well, collections of vegetables from the extra-generous local greengrocers is the only thing stopping them from eating us out of house and home! Winston is getting particularly partial to having his ears scratched and they all like playing with the hose jet in the lovely warm weather we've been blessed with this week.

Incidentally, left to right they are Daisy, Lilly, Violet and Winston. In case you wanted to know.....

Have a good time, till next time, and don't buy eggs from caged hens, please?

Lovely Dress!

Last weekend, on the last day of March, 2007, My Baby Boy got married. We went to the wedding at a hotel overlooking the natural harbour at Poole, Dorset, and met his New Wife's Parents and some of his friends from long ago. The food was fabulous, her dress was the best one I have ever seen, the venue was absolutely stunning, the sun was shining and there were no conflicts at all, all day.

A band called Huckleberries played 'hillbilly' stonking good music just loudly enough to generate a brilliant party atmosphere and not so loud that it gave everyone headaches (I suspect this was out of deference to us ancient folk!). Many people made complete idiots of themselves on the dancefloor, bless 'em, and a superlative time was had by all.

This is a rather poor, 'phone picture of the Wedding Cake. Yes, it is made of cheese. I think it is the most fantastic cake I have ever seen at a wedding! This is so much in my Son's character - never, ever the same as anyone else! I couldn't be more proud!

His Wife looked absolutely beautiful. Stunning. Heavens, he's lucky to have her. She puts up with him, for a start, and she is tall, slender, beautiful, graceful, elegant and funny. She is warm and friendly, highly-organised and a real joy to all those around her. My Son is nice, too. Seriously, they seem made for each other, each complimenting the other like a hand in a glove. I couldn't be more pleased both for them and us.

They are off to Australia for a while and then on to Thailand for three weeks. I truly wish them the very best honeymoon ever and would like to thank them for such a lovely day.

On the hobby-farm front, our two friends did a really great job of house, plant and animal sitting. I knew they would. They are great people! All the plants are growing strongly and the weather is a bit cloudy and drizzly today, so perfect for planting out some more peas and onion sets.

The savoys are going outside to be hardened off today and so are the next lot of broad beans. Runners are beginning to germinate and I have more squash than in the whole of the rest of the world. Anyone want some????

The jerusalem artichokes are thru! Little rosettes of deep green leaves on the surface of the compost in the dustbin - apparently this stuff is rampant and will take over your garden with six-foot fronds if you don't keep it controlled. Forewarned ....!

My Easter Potato seems to be on track for next weekend and now has flower buds. It was planted in a chimney-pot in January and is now about two feet tall. Would make a great house-plant. Better lunch, tho, on Easter Day.

It just struck me that I'm a pretty poor Buddhist if I celebrate Easter! I just won't give up the chocolate? Too right!

The Hunter, a friend of ours, has damaged his back and is currently struggling around on crutches. We all wish him a speedy and pain-free recovery and hope he enjoys the drugs while they last!!!