Friday, 25 July 2025

25-07-25

First of all and while I am thinking of it, there won't be a post tomorrow - I have to leave earlyish to get the coach and I will be tired come the evening.
Also, Sunday's will perhaps be a bit late because of uploading and editing any half decent photos I take, not to mention stringing a few words together about Brighton!

Good morning, one and all.  It's sort of sunny right now but whether that will last remains to be seen.  I haven't checked the forecast yet.

What I have checked, obviously, is the garden and there's two happy things this morning.

Firstly and at long, long last, I have baby runners that are not just a random few that haven't gone anywhere or gone anything.  Excellent - really looking forward to runner beans with every meal and bags of them in the freezer, not to mention pestering the neighbours.  

I can dream . . .

And . . .

One of the baby corn has flowered and another has a long hard spike that will open soon.  I guess the rest are not far behind.

I got it wrong, you know.  Remember I thought I needed to plant baby corn in blocks for pollination.  Well, you certainly do for big corn but babies have to be picked just as the tassels are emerging from the top and before pollination.  So now I need to keep eyes open for babies because if you leave them too long, they are not nice.

So I could have planted them around the runners but I'm glad I didn't - there really isn't the room.

Anyway - exciting stuff.

Yesterday, being Thursday, started off with the coffee and chat over at Chris' this week.  Always good, always enjoyable, always lots of laughter.  Always a happy time.

Then I drove over to Val's and ditto.  She made a delicious soup for lunch - lentils and vegetables - and had toasted sourdough bead to dunk.  Perfect, thanks, Val.  And, of course, we had a good old chat too.

Most of the rest of the time was spent looking for fabric online with not much success.  I found a gorgeous fabric on Temu, would you believe, but it was sold out.  Thing is, I don't want to spend an awful lot until I've re-skilled myself - it's been a while.

I wonder if there are any cheap fabric shops in Brighton.  Annabeth . . .  ???

What I am going to do is buy some very cheap sheets and practise with a toile (I had to look that up) which basically is a mock up of what you want to make for fitting purposes.  All the patterns I have are multi sized and I have no idea at the moment.  So I guess it is back to Temu and I will also look elsewhere.  

Anyway, enough of that.  Today is Slimming World and then Alex is over.  At his request, we are practising shaping pizza dough because we really made a right mess of it last time.
Should be interesting!
So when I get home, Thermione will make a full batch and I will pop small amounts into bowls to rise separately.  Then, when he gets here, we can watch some YouTube videos and then have a go.

Wish me luck!!

Time to go!
Have a lovely day, everyone.  Stay safe, be happy and be good but maybe not too good.  Bye.  xx

Thursday, 24 July 2025

24-07-25

Morning.  Another very dull start, more rain and another humid spell overnight which may or may not have been a storm.  Light rain and a breeze is on the cards for today.  I'm now starting to be concerned for my tomatoes and the dreaded blight . . . not that there is anything I can do.

A bit random and lurid but I did enjoy making this and I've learned how to make half hexagons and triangles that fit round the edge.  If I were to make it again, I would change lots of things about it but it was fun to make all the same.

I  got the bus into town and spent a most enjoyable time looking through pattern books.  I just looked at dresses but when I go back to collect the ones that needed ordering, I will take another look and more widely - skirts, tops, etc.
And I must learn how to do a concealed zip.  The way I know is very old fashioned nowadays.  YouTube, here I come.
I also had a good look at some very gorgeous and lavish sewing machines.  Oh, my!
I had a good browse through the fabrics on offer but, like many places, they have gone over to craft cotton fabric which isn't really suitable for what I want which is something more drape-y and soft really.
However, I did NOT go upstairs to the yarn section.  I didn't need that temptation.

On the way back to the bus I popped into Boots for a few things I needed and I went to Bon Marche where I found two nice tops.  No, I don't need tops.  Oh, dear.  There was one nice dress but it wasn't in my size.  I tried the 12 on and it was too big.  Yes, I could have taken in the sides but I didn't love it THAT much.

Then I looked for my nice herbs, spices and all things wholefood stall in the market and, much to my distress, it has been taken over by a junk, pre-packaged, ultra processed rubbish stall.  That's a tragedy.  Where else could you ask for 20h turmeric or 100g steel cut oats . . . ?

One fabric stall was open and I nearly bought some nice polka dot fabric but decided to wait until I have all the patterns and take my time.

PT was fun, as always.

Today I have the usual coffee and chat with Christine and then I am off out round to Val's for lunch, bearing a gift of a cucumber.  lol!#

Better go and get the day started.  Have a good one, whatever the weather.  Jackie, I hope your air quality improves soon.  

Bye, all  xx

Wednesday, 23 July 2025

23-07-25

Morning!
Well, St Swithun knew what he was talking about, didn't he?  Another damp night and dull start with rain predicted this afternoon.  Ho hum.

Yesterday went well.  I baked a sourdough loaf for Beth and took it over to her, I did two loads of washing, got them fried using the hokey cokey method (in out, in out, depending on the weather!) and even got it all ironed during the evening.  I'm happy about that!

A nice, domesticated day.

Today, I'm thinking about getting the bust into town and walking to Franklins (the only proper fabric/haberdashery/patterns/yarn/sewing machines shop in town, I believe) to look at some paper patterns for dresses.  I know they are sold online but the information is minimal and I want to see what's on the back of the envelope as well as the picture.  I also want to look at fabric there and in the market (if the stall is there - it might not be today) and look over the sewing machines, just out of interest.
There's a few other bits and bobs I want to get too in other places.
So I'm going to aim for the 9:30 bus.

Lindsey has asked if we can have PT a bit later today: as a result, I have plenty of time for pottering so I might make another loaf - for me this time, my wholegrain seeded (yeasted) loaf because sourdough is great but sometimes one wants a different kind of loaf.

I tried to watch Sewing Bee as it was on but fell asleep so I need to catch up on that too.

All in all, a pleasant day; hoping yours is too.  xx

Tuesday, 22 July 2025

22-07-25

Morning, lovely people.  How are you all today?  
Sorry about yesterday.  There's heavy stuff going on in the background and I just felt a bit overwhelmed, that's all.  Thank you for understanding and for your kind messages.

The weather certain has changed, hasn't it?  We had rain, we had wind and we had sunshine.  It felt humid but also a bit chilly at times.  No complaints, it is what it is, but isn't it typical just as the children break up for their summer holiday, eh?

Not exactly a challenge - spot the one ripe chilli pepper!  I have been using a few green ones and wow - very chilli!

I went over to Lindsey's for circuits - inside as it kept raining - and enjoyed it, as usual.   There's only one circuits class left now before Lindsey goes away and all classes will resume again in September.

I made some bread - yeasted bread this time but baked like sourdough - and will take it to Lindsey this morning.  It came out really well for once.

I am so looking forward to Saturday - meeting Annabeth, seeing the Pavilion and having lunch and a nice wander around.  It will be so good and fingers are crossed for the weather.  

I've caught up with Sewing Bee.  What a good start and I could see the elimination coming a mile off, could you? As for that garment of the week, wow.  
(no spoilers in case anyone hasn't seen it yet).

And, better late than never, I got round to booking my car's MOT and service.  Another expense but that's what the monthly savings are for.  I don't do separate sinking funds or whatever they are called, but the money is there when needed.  I'm rather hoping I can manage it from income but. if not, it's OK.  I am so fortunate.

Tomorrow is the last day of the school year for 'my' school.   Bless them, I hope everyone had a really good rest.

I will be going to Groove first thing and then it's housework day because I didn't do any today.  Has to be done, doesn't it?
Hoping you had a lovely day yesterday.  All the best, stay safe and stay dry.  xx



Monday, 21 July 2025

21-07-25

 Sorry, no blog today.  Back tomorrow.  Have a lovely day.  xx

Sunday, 20 July 2025

20-07-25

Good morning, everyone.  Well, the weather has broken with a vengeance.  While we didn't experience much in the way of storming, we have had good amounts of moderate and steady rain to soak everything through and through and to fill the water butt again.  Some storms are predicted today which indicates that humidity will yoyo up and down but everything is getting just what is needed - ongoing, steady, soaking rain.
No complaints from me!

I'm feeling loads better this morning after a really good night's sleep.  Yesterday was a gentle day with plenty of reading, crochet, working out how to crochet a bit of a hexagon, learning how to crochet half a hexagon (thank you, YouTube) and generally chilling.  I popped over to Beth and Alex's for a couple of hours.
It was just a quiet Saturday.  

Something really nice - I had a message from Annabeth (one of you lovely readers and a longer term online friend) suggesting we meet up when I am in Brighton next Saturday.  Such a lovely idea and I'm looking forward to it very much indeed - thanks, Annabeth.  xx

Today looks like more of the same.  I have a pile of recipe print outs to go through and organise, I need to meal plan for the week and I must update my finances and see where I am for the last third of July - it won't be amazing because I paid for the September holiday and I'm hoping I won't need to move anything out of savings.

Just a few rain soaked photos to brighten up a dull day's blogging.  :-)




Wishing you a fantastic Sunday, packed with lovely things.  Stay dry!!  xx

Saturday, 19 July 2025

19-07-25

Hello, everyone.  Welcome to a very damp and humid Saturday morning here in Mid-Essex.  I'm really not sure if we had storms overnight, I slept badly because it was very humid and I might have had a tad too much prosecco yesterday evening and there was no lightning but there might have been and it might have contributed to the bad sleep.  Thunder? - not at all, not once the hearing aids are out.  Ditto for any super-heavy rain/hail.  They just don't register.

However, everything is lovely and fresh and green this morning, everything looks really happy and well watered, so we have had a pretty good rainfall and it is continuing through the morning.  Steady, more than drizzle - just perfect.

I took a few photos standing at the French window and going round.

The herb and foliage bed with the cucumbers to the left and some of the tomatoes along the fence.  And while on the subject, I am now picking a small handful of tomatoes each day and, for the first time since last Autumn, tomatoes were not on the shopping list.  They taste amazing!

Straight down the garden, over the flower bed, to the garden room.  I am so glad I put the cover on the egg chair.
Right again and it is the blankety bed and you can see how happy the tomatoes and runner beans are in that bed.  You can't see the chilli; it is well camouflaged and the fruit is still green but slowly lightening.  To the right of that is the baby corn.  Still no baby corns but time will tell.  :-)
Finally, I braved the rain to grab a photo of one of the hanging baskets.  Very pretty.

OK, moving on . . .
It was so hot yesterday but the hall we use for Slimming World was pleasantly cool.  A nice session and it is so nice to have someone on the weighing desk with me.

After SW, I did my food shop for the week (very ouch, as usual) and then pottered at home.
Chris and I popped over for J's 18th Open House party thing and it was really nice.  I met up with some former year one pupils, heard I was their favourite teacher of all time (I suspect that was politeness and beer speaking but, all the same, how nice) and caught up with their lives and doings.  It was fun.

Today, I have woken with what I suspect is a prosecco supported headache although the poor sleep and the humidity won't be helping.  Fortunately, I have a blank day in the diary so I can take it easy, get a few messy corners sorted (that always helps) and catch up on my sleep.
I also want to catch up on the first of the new Sewing Bee series.  

I've realised that October is my double pension month so that's the Center Parcs holiday covered and the Edinburgh one too.  Isn't that nice!

Well, I will stop rambling and get on with my Facebook duties.  Have a lovely day, whatever the weather.  Take care and be safe.  Bye.  xx

Friday, 18 July 2025

18-07-25

Morning, all.  The sun is trying to break through and it's supposed to be quite hot today but a change is afoot and there's a weather warning for storms and heavy rain tomorrow and Sunday.  I'm good with that, especially the rain - the ground is parched, despite my best efforts.

Yesterday was lovely.  Chris and I had a lot of laughs during our chat and we swapped produce - she took a cucumber home and left me with some plums which are now stewed and in the freezer.

I did groove online with the fan on as it turned humid.  Then, in the evening, I had a lovely online chat with some friends.  

Today is SW and weigh in and then there's nothing in the diary until late afternoon when I'm popping over the road to a neighbour as it is her son's 18th and she's having Open House.  That should be lovely.

So that's me for today.  Nothing special but all very pleasant, I think.
You have a good day too.  xx

Thursday, 17 July 2025

17-07-25

 Good morning again, everyone.  No sun this morning and the forecast seems to indicate a very dull day ahead of us round here.  Not terribly hot though, thankfully.

Yesterday was a pretty good day.  I got a lot of little things done, personal training was, as always, useful and fun, and I went to the open evening at school and saw several old friends.  I don't know any of the children now though - it's been nine years, or will be at the end of August, since I retired.  Would I go back now?  Not a chance.  It was lovely looking round but I'm over that kind of life now, well over.

Confession time, folks.  I've booked another break - a Monday to Friday at one of my favourite places, Center Parcs, Elveden.  As always, I've taken a self catering apartment by the lake; they are so very comfortable and smart and then have balconies overlooking the lake so fingers crossed for nice weather.  Early morning coffee on the balcony is lovely!
Surprisingly, it wasn't that expensive.  I mean, CP holidays aren't cheap but it seemed to be quite a lot less that a couple of weeks later.  Maybe the end of September is a less busy time there.  Anyway - done, dusted and paid for.   It's put the clappers on any extra savings this month but I'm OK with that.

Round the front, the confused dahlia is cheerfully doing its thing.  I chopped off a load of dead heads yesterday and this morning there were loads of new flowers.  This plant really does thrive on neglect.

Today, being Thursday, starts with coffee with Chris.  Then I have various bits and bobs to do, a loaf to make, a batch of curry sauce for the freezer and Groove online at two, finishing with an online chat with friends this evening.
Such a nice day!  

I hope yours is too.  Stay chilled and safe and be good but maybe not too good, OK?  xx



Wednesday, 16 July 2025

16-07-25

 Good morning, everyone.  It is a fine, sunny start to the day but we had some rain yesterday evening and overnight.  Not loads, not enough, but it all helps.

The runner beans must have appreciated it and maybe the insects heard what I wrote yesterday because here's the first baby runner bean (that I can see).  There's loads of flowers though so I really must start making more gaps in my freezer so I can freeze bags of runners for the colder weather.
Such a shame you can't freeze cucumbers!!

The Lakeland order arrived and now I have proper parchment, super strong foil and enough freezer bags.  I also have a pizza peel thingy (impulse) and some useful bottle pourer things.  

I was looking through my diary for the Broomfield coach trips, all day trips apart from Edinburgh, that I have booked.
This year (from here on):
Brighton
Rye
Evita
Knit and stitch show
John Rutter concert
Norwich
Edinburgh
Kew Gardens (lights
Thursford (maybe)
Harrods and then carols at RAH

And in 2026 (so far)
Leeds Castle
St Albans
Paddington, the Musical
Stratford upon Avon.

Plus Crete and Spain - not Broomfield coach trips.
A really nice mix of interest, shows, specials and visiting interesting places
I don't think my children can argue that I'm not enjoying my money in my 'old age', can they?

So why am I pondering on a short break in September?   lol

Today starts nice and easy as I don't have to get out for a class.  The first scheduled thing is personal training this afternoon and then, early evening, I am into school because it is Open Evening and the governors are all invited.  It's a good excuse to wander round, be nosey and see some old friends again in their natural environment.  :-)

So - after the necessaries, I should have time to play with some hexagons - and puzzle out how to do the middle.

Have a great day.  Bye.  xx







Tuesday, 15 July 2025

15-07-25

Morning, all.  We're pretty much halfway through July already.  Time is really flying.  
It was quite a nice day yesterday - not too hot, cool morning (after some early light rain) and evening.  Today we are supposed to have rain but not until the afternoon so I have an early load of washing in to get out on the line before I leave for Groove and the other load (the darks) should be ready to put out when I get home from Groove.

Today's rather samey garden photos are . . .

Definitely ready for cutting.  I think cucumbers are going to feature strongly in my salads for the next little while.
The one I cut yesterday was proper nice, no bitterness at all.

I wonder if Chris would like a cucumber.
The first Sungold to begin to ripen.  Thought of Dad when I saw it.
And others.  They are definitely on their way now.

By the way, I looked up the type that has blossom end rot and it said they are super delicious so I'll keep it for now and see if I can get some fruit from it.
I wonder if I forgot to add crushed egg shells to the soil in that pot.  All the others are fine  . . .
(Hoping that is not Famous Last Words)
Better up my intake of spicy foods!  So many chillies!  
A bit hard to see but I've picked loads of blueberries and there's still loads more.  I am now putting some in the freezer.  Blueberry jam, maybe?

There are loads of flowers on the runner beans but, as far as I can tell, none have set yet.  Come on, insects, do your worst!!

I made another loaf yesterday.  No problems with sticking this time but it didn't rise nearly as much as the disaster one.  No idea why now and it was frustrating although the loaf is perfectly presentable, just a tad flat.  
I've got another one on today - for Beth this time.
I've decided that next week's loaf for Lindsey is going to be my first go at a cheese and chorizo one.  I'll use the recipe I got from the course and guess at the amounts of cheese and chorizo.  It was such a delicious loaf.

I didn't do nearly as much housework as I had planned so guess what I'm doing today.

Yup!

Have a good day, all.  Enjoy whatever fine weather you have and, if it rains, we can be thankful on behalf of farmers and gardeners everywhere.  
Bye.  xx

Monday, 14 July 2025

14-07-25

Morning, all.  Happy new week to us all.  It's definitely cooler round here, thankfully.  Long may it continue.  And it's raining right now, just a little bit and nowhere near what we need but it does freshen the atmosphere.

I had a really pleasant day although not everything went to plan.

That sourdough loaf - it cooked beautifully with a great oven rise and looked perfect - except that what I thought was baking parchment obviously wasn't, it must have been greaseproof paper and it stuck fast to the bottom of the loaf.  There was no way I could get it off.  Aaarrrggghhh.  So I had to cut off the bottom before cutting it roughly into chunks as it wouldn't slice at all well and now it's all in the freezer labelled 'sourdough wedges for soup, dips, etc'.   Such a shame as it was a lovely loaf.
And I have made an order to Lakeland to include parchment and also a big roll of their strong foil which is absolutely the best foil on the market - there were several other things I needed so it was worth doing.

I made some pumpkin seed 'butter' (like any nut butter) in Thermione.  It was a bit blend, scrape down, blend, scrape down, ad infinitum, but it has made a delicious paste that will be good as a spread but also in pasta as a sort of sauce.  I have to use it within a fortnight.

The cucumber pickle was really nice.  I think I used a tad too much salt and the apple cider vinegar turned the cucumber murky coloured but wow, the taste!
Here they are on toasted muffin, ham and the rest of the broad bean hummus - another recipe I will be making again!

As I started on a water melon, I thought about making watermelon rind pickles.  I looked it up and found that you have to cut the white part away from the hard outer skin and it's that white part you use.  I was surprised how easy it was to cut away.
So there's a bag of rind in the freezer (which might have been the wrong thing to do but we will see) and when I've finished the rest of the water melon, I will have a go.
Has anyone made this pickle before?  How did it work out?  Was it nice?

And I had a few tomatoes from the garden.  Lovely!  They are starting to ripen quite fast now; just a few each day at the moment but it won't be long before they are coming thick and fast.

Today is Monday and Monday means downstairs housework.  I have some washing to do and there's circuits first thing.

If it clears and is a fine rest of day, I might wash my bedding too.  Make the most of the fine weather.

So that's today.  I hope your day is going well.  Stay safe and well and have a great day.  Bye.  xx

Sunday, 13 July 2025

13-07-25

Hi, everyone.  Welcome to Sunday - a  rather dull and, thankfully, cooler and fresher Sunday too.  The sun is supposed to break through at some point but they think it will be cooler round here.  Not cool, just cooler!

I slept better though, even after naps on and off through the day.  Phew.

As I suspected, maybe I did cut the cucumber a bit too soon so it was a little bitter, but it was OK chopped, added to chopped tomatoes (also from the garden, yay) with chopped preserved lemon, a tiny pinch of sweetener and some apple cider vinegar.
I think I will peel and slice the rest and add some pickling stuff that I have just knocked together - apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, bit of salt, bay leaf, fennel seeds, black peppercorns and a bit of preserved lemon - that mix being decided by what I am able to lay my hands on.
Goodness knows how it will turn out but I just want a quick something to try with a quick turn around!
Oddly enough, this morning it isn't bitter at all anyway so there you go!  I've done it anyway (since writing the above) and will have a taste for lunch.

Today is the second day of an easy weekend so, obviously, I have started off a sourdough loaf and will start another one later on - one for Lindsey and one for Beth.  

Apart from that, I have nothing planned apart from finishing off the ironing so I will see where the day takes me!  :-) 
Bye - see you tomorrow!   xx  



Saturday, 12 July 2025

12-07-25

Morning, everyone.  Welcome to Saturday.
I don't know about you but it was so hot here that I have not slept very well at all.  It's fresher now so windows are open, etc, but will get hot again.  I'm trying to keep the vegetables watered but it's hot work!  :-)

Photo taken yesterday - this cucumber is now chilling in the fridge and I will try it for lunch sliced on some toasted olive sourdough with broad bean hummus and some chopped tomatoes.  Sounds posh, will probably look a right mess but will taste great!
I just hope I haven't picked it too soon - if I have, it will taste a bit bitter.  I guess that's how you find out.  It did snap off its stem very easily so fingers crossed.  However, with several snapping at its heels, I felt I ought to pick it.

Remember what I said about the colour of the runner bean flowers - well the ones I sowed are definitely white (the pack says so) and it looks like the plantlets I bought are red so won't they look lovely when they are all out.  
I'm trying to keep them well watered - runner beans need so much water - and there are plenty of insects around so maybe the early flowers will set and give me beans in a few weeks time.  That would be great.

Not the slightest hint of a baby corn yet but, my word, I will do this again for the sheer beauty of the leaves.  Very 'architectural' and attractive and I will choose a more prominent place for the pots next time.  It's as good as a posh pot plant!

I had fun with Alex yesterday.  It turned out he really did mean just the dough although we got as far as rolling it out and giving it a first bake so the toppings could be added at home.
Turns out we are both totally naff at rolling out pizza dough so, afterwards, we watched a few YouTube videos  and maybe we can have a session trying out the different recipes.  I think pizza dough is very robust!

YouTube is so good for this sort of thing - I've learnt so much from that service and get my money's worth from the Premium membership, for sure.

On the crochet front, I am playing with hexagons at the moment but I am also crocheting poppies for Southend Pier.
One of you mentioned this a while ago.  The site provides a pattern for both knitted and crocheted poppies or you can use your own pattern.  It takes just scraps of yarn and I have both red and black so I'm on the poppy trail!!

I'm not sure I ever showed you the finished Trellis CAL.  Here it is, is situ, draped over the back of my sofa   The colours are just perfect.  
If you enlarge the photo, the mistake is somewhere there, rather more easily seen.  I don't mind, it was definitely not worth taking the thole thing to pieces for.  It doesn't spoil the 'flow'.

After such a rotten night, I am going to take life very easily today.  The diary is empty, there's a bit of housework but I might or might now do it, I'll see how I feel.  I have various bits and bobs I want - not need - to do in the kitchen and, all in all, it's going to be a gentle weekend.  Because why not?

How about you - what plans or non-plans do you have for this hot weekend.  Take it carefully, anyway, and stay as cool as you possibly can.  xx





Friday, 11 July 2025

11-07-25

Good morning, everyone.  It seems to have been a warm night but I stayed comfortable with one of my new fans.  I can recommend bladeless fans; they seem more efficient and definitely quieter than my old ones.
It feels lovely and fresh outside right now but the heat will build through the day so it's curtains/blinds closed, windows open, fans on and I have plenty of ice cubes in the freezer.

I've just taken a few garden photos.  Poor light quality but not to worry.

The cucumber I was measuring (front, right) is now 19cms.  I want it to fill out now!
There's three teenagers in this photo and another three higher up plus a fair number of babies.  I've looked up bread and butter pickles and will be hunting out my bigger preserving jars in the garage.  Yay.
Also, some of the tomatoes are showing colour.  I give them a week, maybe ten days, and I'll be picking enough to stop buying them.
The runner beans are sending out plenty of flower stems now.
The ones I sowed are white flowering (some did finally come up) and I am wondering if the plants I bought are also white as there's not a red one in sight.  Yet, anyway.

The hanging baskets are pretty - I'm glad I went for them after deciding I wouldn't bother!

Yesterday was a nice, restful day.
Chris and I had a great old chat in Chris' garden - we always have plenty to talk about.  It started during covid as neighbours looking out for each other and just went on from then although we had always had brief talks when we met in the cul de sac and we were colleagues at school, Chris being a TA although never my TA.

I did Groove online and had the fan blowing so it was quite manageable.  Lindsey showcased the Groove routines she has developed for August as pre-records.  She is pre recording one of all her classes - Step, Groove, Circuits, Strength and SET (I think that's it) and is making them available through August for a very reasonable £20 for the lot as many times as we want to access them.  She's going to be away all month for a well earned and deserved extended break.
That means no sourdough making for her.  Sad.

I exchanged messages with Alex yesterday.  I had popped several tasty looking recipes in his Cookidoo folder and guess what he chose.  Pizza dough!!  Classic!
Mind you - maybe I can get him bread making in the future.  That would be good.
Sadly, these lessons are having to stop as Alex has a work experience placement.  I have suggested that we find another time as I don't have fitness classes through August and he will see what spaces there are.  He desperately wants to work though and no way would I want to complicate matters for him.
And, talking of the whole Alex and work situation - here is something Beth posted on Facebook so it's not private or anything.  It's quite long and please excuse the language . . .

To best meet the needs of the people they serve, especially given the recent discussions around supporting disabled people into work, jobcentres must become more worker friendly. Sounds obvious right? After all it's the jobcentre... isn't that what they do?

I am Alex's appointed person, which means I deal with his job centre stuff for him, attend meetings with him etc. Alex may need support but he wants to work. With the help of a specialist organisation and the agreement of his job coach he has applied for and been accepted on an interesting course. He doesn't currently have any job centre obligations in this sense; he is not obliged to do the course but he is doing the course because he Actually. Wants. To. Work. 

This has caused some difficulty though! I called today to rearrange an appointment that we have been summoned to unexpectedly next week. An appointment that Alex won't be able to make, obviously, because he is doing a course. 

I assumed there would be no issue, after all he is Doing A Work Related Course, but I was treated to a lecture on how it is vital he attends all appointments, that only one cancellation is permissible, whatever the reason, and we would have to accept whatever alternative they sent with serious consequences meted out for not doing so should we be unable to attend the second summons. This has meant I have needed to rearrange a working day- because yes, I work actually- to accommodate the dwp... my own work activity being apparently as unimportant as Alex's!  

Had I less control over my timetable, or a less sympathetic team lead, and unable to make the second summons, Alex would have been sanctioned. Had Alex's work experience been two weeks, not one, thus missing the second summons, he would have been sanctioned. For missing a meeting to talk about what work activity he can do. Because he was doing work related activity. No exceptions, apparently. Neither of us are allowed to be ill!

Do you know what would suit the dwp OK though? If we were both sitting on our heineys waiting for jobcentre summonses but not actually working or taking steps towards work. Because then we would be available to talk about what we could possibly do to find Alex work. 

Facepalm.

Yes, if I can rustle up any spare energy- unlikely, I'm struggling- I will make a proper complaint but I'm fucking tired and I really shouldn't have to. He's doing a *work related course* . And I work full time. We are both doing our best. Come on jobcentre-  get it together... this really isn't good enough.

You really couldn't make it up, could you?

On to nicer things - today is Slimming World.  I will weigh, I know I have gained and I do care but will try not to worry or feel bad.  In our Slim Win chat last night we were talking about this same thing and encouraging each other.  I always come out of these chats feeling better about things.

Then Al is over and I realise I don't know whether he means he wants to make just the dough or a whole pizza.  Better ask via Facebook.

Time to go and get other things done.  Thanks for reading, everyone.  Have a lovely, safe, hydrated day and a good night's sleep.  xx

Thursday, 10 July 2025

10-07-25

Morning, everyone!  How are you all?  It was getting hot yesterday afternoon so look out for the rest of the week.

First of all, I left you with a question yesterday.  My cucumber teenager measured 13.5 cms and I asked how much it would grow in 24 hours.
I have just measured it and it's now 16.67 cms so it has grown 3.2 cms in 24 hours.  Wow!  Well done to My Piece of Earth who said 3 cms.  Very close.
This surprised me - I didn't think it would be quite so much.  It's starting to fill out a bit too so I will definitely be eating home grown cucumber next week, I should say.
While on the subject, I had the first two ripe tomatoes (yellow, Tumbling Tom) in a salad yesterday - lovely!  That's it for a while although several are looking ready to start ripening.

I'm getting quite a nice collection of fridge magnets now.   I do need to rearrange them at some point but they'll do for now.  My next couple of visits are to Brighton and to Rye.  Hope St Swithun is kind and it doesn't rain!

Yesterday ended up not quite as busy as planned.  Circuits was brilliant, Sharon worked her usual magic and now I feel presentable again, the governors meeting was very good, wide ranging, positive . . . however, poor Lindsey turned all giddy in a class later in the morning and asked if I would change my session.  She could do Friday but Alex is over for his next cookery session so we decided to just roll it over this week.
I did get her bread baked though and popped it over.  The warm weather helped to speed things up and I made three baguettes.  Veronica, I sliced along as you suggested.  The tops ended up a bit ragged but lovely and rustic looking and the rise was good so thanks very much for your help.

Today looks much gentler.  I have the usual chat and coffee with Chris at hers this week and in the afternoon I have  Groove but I'm doing it from home online today, mainly because it's going to be hot and at home I can have the fans blowing.
Also, I need to contact Alex and ask if he has anything he wants to make this week.  If not, I much have a look and see what we can make.
And I need to ask Beth if/when she wants bread, etc.

I don't have to be out for a class this morning so I'm having an easier start to the day but there are still things to do - when are there not - to I will stop rambling and get on.  Have a great day, take care, stay safe and see you tomorrow.  xx

Wednesday, 9 July 2025

09-07-25

 Good morning, everyone.  It's a lovely fresh start to Wednesday but it's going to get hot!  My second fan arrived yesterday so it will be put to good use, I promise.  That particular one has sold out on Amazon now - I got one - two - just in time.

I had such a lovely time with my friend yesterday.  She lives in Maldon but needed to come over to Chelmsford and the bus she was on is the same one as I use to get into town so I met her at the stop and we had lunch followed by a good old catch up in the garden room.  So, so pleasant!

Thank you for your lovely comments re the cucumbers!  I'm really pleased with the way the garden is coming on this year.  I don't grow a lot but it's nice when what I do grow is happy.
You've seen the cucumbers, the runner beans are starting to send out flower stems (see photo), the tomatoes are flourishing apart from one that has blossom end rot.  It's the 'novelty' one and it's a bit weird anyway.  Odd shaped fruit and odd droopy leaves.  I don't like it much and it may see the inside of the bin soon.  If the fruit can't be eaten . . .
Then the blueberry is absolutely smothered with ripening fruit and the raspberries look promising for the autumn.   The chilli is also covered and they should start ripening soon.  Finally, the runner beans are sending out flower stems now.  Yay!
Not a lot, but it's all good.

A little garden game for you.  I've just measured the right hand side cucumber - 13.5 cms.  How many more cms/mms do you think it will have grown by this time tomorrow?  Answers in comments.  :-)

Today is busy.  Not tricky, just busy.  It starts with circuits class, then the lovely Sharon is round to do my hair.   Back to the Shimmy Studio for my personal training and then there's a governor's meeting.  I just need to give the paperwork a last read through and the rest is just happening.
I do have some ironing and the usual stuff, but that's OK.

I'd better get going then - I have started this week's Lindsey sourdough and had better get on with it.  The fridge will be my best friend for this week's loaf, I think.

Take care, all, stay cool, have a lovely day and see you again tomorrow.    Bye.  xx



Tuesday, 8 July 2025

08-07-25

Good morning, everyone.  Yesterday started a bit damp but cheered up as the day went on.  It wasn't particularly warm but no complaints - it's going to be maybe a bit too hot by the weekend, say the weather people.

My shoes and my bag were still pretty damp yesterday morning so, as soon as I could, I put the line up and hung them out.  Worked a treat.  My bag is now ok again and my nice running/walking shoes are proper day.  They might feel a but stiff at first when I put them on, but it will be OK, I am sure.

And the camera is now fine.  It went through a spell of not talking to the laptop yesterday but that has righted itself now, thankfully.

I had to take this photo - there are so many cucumbers coming on now - they do seem to grow quickly once they are pollinated so by the end of next week I might be able to start picking.
There's also two more tomatoes ripening, both yellow.  Things are getting exciting!

Diane turned up for lunch and we had a lovely time catching up.  She is such a lovely lady.

Today starts with Groove and later I have another friend popping round for lunch.  Like me and Diane, she is watching her weight so I won't be breaking my healthy eating thing.

I ought to do something about my bedroom again.  How do bedrooms get so messy and out of sorts so quickly?  I know I sleep better in a tidy bedroom so it's worth the effort.

Before I even think about the bedroom, mind, I MUST get to grips with the paperwork for the last governors' meeting of the year tomorrow evening.  I won't have much time to do it tomorrow.
So it's a busy-ish day today but, as long as I keep going, it isn't too much at all.

Better go - it is time for the first coffee.  Have a lovely day, everyone.  Take care and stay safe.  xx




Monday, 7 July 2025

07-07-25

Morning, all.  I've woken up to a thoroughly wet garden (three cheers) that looks a bit dismal in the early morning light but it also looks cheerful and well hydrated.  No need to water for a few days now, that's for sure.

I don't know about here, but over Hampton Court way, there were two horrendous downpours, accompanied by lightning and high winds in the afternoon and I bet there was more later too.  Round here, the roads were soaking and puddly so I am presuming much the same.

Anyway, back to yesterday morning.  I got to the picking up point nice and early, as I always to to make sure I get a spot handy for getting out afterwards!
Such a coincidence - the lady I sat next to lives in the house backing onto mine (with a walk through between) and her children were at the school at the same time as mine - I remember the names and I think the girl might have been in my choir but it's a very long time ago.
And on the coach was a couple, the lady of whom was a dinner lady and another lady whose son I taught in Y1.

On to the photos:  I'm glad to have them because . . . well, I'll explain that later.

There were a number of display areas that were not proper garden setups, just garden centre displays.  As it was last day, display plants were for sale, to be picked up at 4:30 - no good for us as we were due to leave at that time.
I won't inflict too many plant/flower photos, but there were some stunning ones.  These were part of a huge display of lilies and the impact was stunning.

One of the many entertainments was a children's singing group called We Are The Voice.  
They sing about climate, the environment and caring for the planet and they were lovely.  I grabbed a chair and listened to them for ages.  Not choir-y voices, just honest to goodness children's voices, singing from the heart.
Memorable.

 
You can see that it was a pretty cloudy morning, comfortably cool.  People were picnicking along the Long Water and there was even a posh stall selling Fortnum and Mason picnic hampers.  I didn't even ask the price!!

There were loads of interesting looking food stalls of all kinds, street food rather than purely fast food.  I didn't - but I did enjoy a very nice (and very expensive) double scoop ice cream!  Naughty but nice.

There were some very interesting planted 'gardens'.
This one was really pretty .
People were queueing to go in and look round so I didn't bother.

Of course, I hit the Home and Lifestyle area good and hard, of course.  There were some lovely stalls; nothing craft based in the sense of make-it-myself stuff, but there was some beautiful stuff.

All these flowers are crocheted, would you believe?  They were just amazing!
A close up.  Wow.
I did ask if there were patterns for sale but no such luck!
This is all hand embroidery.  It almost looked like a photograph.
Unsurprisingly, it was well outside my price range - £4,500!  Eeek.
Mind you, fair enough - there was some extremely skilled and detailed work going on.
If I ever win big on my premium bonds, that's the sort of thing I will indulge in.  Things like that and there was also some lovely garden sculpture sort of stuff, stone carvings in organically flowing shapes.  I'd be concerned about leaving them in the garden, the value of some of them.  They're the sort of thing you design a whole garden around.

Not hand sewn, I think, but so detailed.  This was a bed cover - beautiful but too heavy for me.

There was also some very lovely jewellery on a number of stalls. 
I was looking for something nice for my friend, Diane, who is eighty this month, and I found my main gift to her.   I won't show it here in case she sees it but I so hope she likes it.

There were food and drink stalls in abundance, mostly with nibbles to try (one reason why I didn't go for any kind of lunch) and they were very popular indeed.
I indulged!


There were loads of garden equipment stalls and I was greatly tempted by a composter that makes your garden compost in eight to ten weeks.  You know what I mean - it's a kind of barrel that you rotate now and again to accelerate the composting process.  I am seriously thinking about it.  Do any of you have one?  How do you find it?

(photo borrowed from the Amazon site)


And then there was the weather.
We had a very sudden and severe downpour around lunch time.  I was under an avenue of trees so it wasn't so bad, even when the wind got up for a brief time.  I was lucky.
Then the sun came out again and all was lovely.
Until . . .
As we were queueing for the shuttle bus to take us out to the coach park, it started again, a proper storm with high winds that our macs and brollies could not completely protect us from.
My jeans were soaked, my shoes were like fish ponds (minus the fish!), my bags got drenched but my top half was almost dry so I suppose they did offer a bit of protection.  It's not nice squelching along in sodden shoes and socks!
Along came the shuttle bus, we got back to the coach park and out came the sun again.  Typical!

When I go home, I sorted out my wet contents.  Fortunately, the gift seems to have been well protected but everything else was wet - the wrappings, I mean.  Inside my back bag was very damp although the phone worked OK.  Not so the camera though and earlier this morning it was still not opening properly.  As it happens, my laptop has a card reader so I was able to get the photos off.  I've just tried again and it has opened so fingers crossed.

Apart from the rain, it was absolutely lovely at the Flower Show.  I'll go again next year, if there's a trip organised.  Next time, I will probably take my fold up trolley for plants because there were a few I would have bought.  They had those trolleys for sale but I already have two that I used for school and really didn't want another.
So - fingers crossed re the camera and I'm considering the compost maker - or something similar; I know there are cheaper ones.  Any advice?

The next coach trip is at the end of July to Brighton.  Fingers crossed for good weather - please . . .

Edit:  I got my fridge magnet.  Not a Hampton Court one, a RHS flower show one.  Perfect.



Saturday, 5 July 2025

05-07-25 - evening

Good evening, everyone!  I'm posting this now because tomorrow I will be out on a coach trip to Hampton Court Flower Festival, leaving home quite early so it seemed sensible to post this evening instead.

I am really looking forward to tomorrow although, of course, it would be the weekend that the fine weather breaks.  However, it means we won't have to endure baking heat or fight for the shady spots as we go round - that's a plus, for sure.  It looks interesting and there's loads of talks and demos going on .I've looked on the site and it doesn't seem that they have to be booked so it's a case of what you know, you know.  With that in mind, I will be shelling out a tenner on a programme that should tell me everything I need to know.

I've got my bags packed - the bag I leave on the coach and the bag I take round with me.  I wonder whether I will spend any more than the programme and a few souvenirs (fridge magnet, perhaps?)

I had another round of bread making in Thermione.  Same recipe, different end product.  I wanted a roll for my packed lunch tomorrow and plus one for my burger this evening and I though 'why not.  The diagonal scoring worked much better for these rolls, I think.
The recipe made nine and the others are in the freezer for other times.


I had an interesting communication the other day.  Longer term readers might possibly remember that I took out a funeral plan after I retired but, unfortunately, the company went bankrupt as a result of much higher than expected Covid claims and we were given to understand that there was nothing left for repayments/compensation.  I was a bit miffed as I had paid in full but it is what it is and no-one could have foreseen the catastrophe that was Covid.
However, since then the liquidators have been at work and it seems that there will be some sort pay-out after all, pro rata, I believe, around November time.  I needed to confirm a few details (not bank details or anything personal) so I did that and sent it straight back off again.
So that was a bit of positive news.
I found another way of making sure Beth, Dave and Alex don't have to shell out anything before probate is granted or take out any expensive loans.  No more funeral plans for me, thank you!

Yesterday the fan arrived and I am very pleased with it.  It's more neat and compact than a pedestal fan, sends out plenty of cool air, has six (I think) speeds and a night time setting and is controlled by a gizmo (which I had better not lose!).  And it oscillates.  Oh, and yes, it is a lot quieter too.
I've ordered another one for my bedroom!

And finally -

I asked would this be red or orange.  The answer is 'yellow'.  Of course it is!!  :-)
The chillies can be seen quite clearly now.
Despite my reservations regarding how there are planted, they seem to be going great guns.  No baby corns yet though.
Fingers are crossed.

That's all folks.  Have a great day tomorrow and I'll be back Monday, maybe with some photos of my trip.
xx