Wednesday 22 June 2022

Wednesday

 Today's garden happy (but taken on Monday)


Monday morning I got out early and sorted out the compost bin.  You can see where it was in the first photo - it looks a lot better now it's dried up and been re-swept.  Now the bin is t'other side of the gate and, when the time comes and I have dealt with the remaining clutter, there's room for a second bin so I can have one on the go and one to fill, just like proper gardeners!
I might take a look and see if I can maybe find some slightly smaller ones.  We will see.  
Anyway, the clematis can stay there and will fulfil its original purpose which is to take the eye away from the bins.
I also have four good pots filled with compost (maybe for the fuchsia cuttings?) and various existing plantings have been thoroughly mulched.
Why move it?  Because the garden room will use up about two thirds of that space, otherwise I wouldn't have bothered.

After all that - a very good morning to you all.  We're having such gorgeous weather this week; wall-to-wall sunshine and temperatures between 20 and 25C which is perfect for us in the UK.  Perfect for me, anyway!

Yesterday was another good day.  I went to Groove just after nine and am definitely building up my stamina a bit as the weeks have progressed.  I'm not as bouncy as some but comparing is silly; I can see personal progress and that is what matters.   I have a nice variety of different activity now.  Monday is circuits which is a sort of HIIT thing, Tuesday is aerobic based and Wednesday is specifically targeted to my individual needs.  Then there's the swimming too.  
Anyway - Groove was good.  It's the end of the five week block so there will be new routines and music next Tuesday.  Lindsey records each new block in her own studio for people who can't make the class and has started asking for volunteers to be a 'class' because her delivery is more natural in a class context so I've volunteered again - I'm always up for a freebie!

Then the lovely Sharon arrived and worked magic with my hair again, bless her.  I'm so lucky to have her as my hairdresser; she's so good and so lovely and friendly.  It looked great when she'd finished which is the reason why I decided not to go swimming and spoil it all!
And talking of swimming, although it is supposed to be July, this sponsored swim, people have already started so I think I will too.  I won't count the distance I have already done but from now on . . .

I did a bit of gardening, a bit of housework and two loads of washing that dried beautifully in the sunshine.  No ironing though - I'll do that today.

My new neighbours seem really nice.  Yesterday, K was pressure washing his front and he did mine at the same time.  So very kind.

Apart from ironing today, I need to do a shop because I'm making cakes for a Macmillan Coffee Day on Friday so need some ingredients.  Apart from a coffee and walnut cake, I am not sure what else to make so must have a think before I make my list.
I didn't do any clothes sorting so I'll do that and I only managed half an hour of last night's Back in Time before giving up and going to bed so will finish watching that today.
Finally, there's personal training later in the afternoon.
All in all, a nice, normal day.  Normal is great!

Have a lovely, normal, pleasant day today.  Take care and be safe.  xx


14 comments:

  1. Coffee and walnut is always my cake choice if we are having a cuppa somewhere. Your little courtyard garden looks lovely and the garden room will be the perfect place to eat coffee and walnut cake.. I'll call in once it's all finished :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's a delicious cake, isn't it, closely followed by something based on chocolate!

      If you are ever down this way, you would be so very welcome. Just let me know. xx

      Delete
  2. Is Groove similar to Zumba? It sounds like you're enjoying all your exercising. I hope I can get the same level of enjoyment out of mine. Do you still have to do exercises from your PT sessions at home in addition to all the other classes you are doing?

    Enjoy your day xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's just dance aerobics really, nothing particularly ethnic but it gets the heart rate up and warms the muscles, that's for sure.
      Sometimes Lindsey gives us a bit of 'homework' but not always. I do find myself doing a bit while I'm in the kitchen waiting for things to happen and practising squats when I pick something up and so on.
      xx

      Delete
  3. That is a kind gesture from your new neighbours. Have a lovely day. X

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was really nice, wasn't it? Thanks, and you too. xx

      Delete
  4. Joy, your exercise activities are inspiring. I keep thinking I need to do something to become more flexible and help my joints. You seem to feel great and have lots of energy. I guess it just need to make myself do it. Thanks for sharing your journey! Zenda

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much. Yes, I do feel great, despite a few age related aches and pains occasionally. I think it's keeping me on top of things and I certain.ly have a lot more energy than I used to have. I would say give it a go and see what you really enjoy. xx

      Delete
  5. I was too tired to watch any of last night's Back in Time so I will try and catch up tonight, I did enjoy the first one.

    I have never had a compost bin sited on concrete, does it work well? Mine are always on soil or grass as then the worms can come up and go back down. I'm thinking of having a small one for the back here now that I have some crops on the go, but I couldn't find anything small enough, then I had a brainwave perhaps I can adapt a small plastic bin of some description.

    I'm surprised I have the mental capacity for brainwaves on this limited diet!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It does work - I have no idea how the worms get in and out but they do. Adapting a plastic bin is a great idea.

      Finding it tiring, are you - I'm not surprised and it really makes you realise how very, very difficult it must be. xx

      Delete
    2. Compost bins really interest me. I wonder if I could convince Harvey that it would be a good investment. How kind of your neighbours.

      God bless.

      Delete
    3. I can't say I'm terribly fascinated by them but, with Dad as my role model, I know how useful they are and there's something very satisfying about chucking all your old peelings, etc, into it and getting wonderful compost out of the other end. I didn't need very much bought potting compost this year so that's a bit of a saving.
      Yes, it was kind. They seem very pleasant people. xx

      Delete
  6. Looks nice!

    It's best not to compare yourself to others, as you say, as long as you see improvement that's what is important. You're exercising and that's good too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I think so. The experts say even a little is better than nothing at all, and I think they're right (even if it feels like death at times!) xx

      Delete