Last week was very busy but just not as far as gardening was concerned.

We both had our Covid booster vaccinations which was a far quicker process than last time. We set off early not knowing what the traffic would be like. Planning journeys is a nightmare at the moment as road works, and the accompanying temporary traffic lights, are popping up all over. One particularly annoying set involves digging up a road that was only recently resurfaced after years of waiting for the improvements. Anyway, I digress, we arrived at the vaccination centre early and contemplated waiting for a while in the car park. We decided to go straight in and after registering we went to wait our turn. We were surprised to find that the waiting area was empty and no sooner had we sat down than we were called forward. We were back in the car and heading home before our app0intment was due. Happily, we didn’t have any major side effects other than, Martyn having an aching arm.

The weather has been mixed, some days it hasn’t managed to actually get light and other days, although rather cold, have been bright and sunny.

Our walk in the local park was one such day. The ground is becoming muddy and so we are having to keep more to the pathways, Ruby still likes to run on the grass. 

She was groomed last week but only had a light trim as it was time for her to have her winter cut. As regular visitors will know, Ruby is always ready to pose for the camera.

We had our usual afternoon visit to Nostell. This time we couldn’t spot any swans on the lake.

We have had some quite windy days and so some of the trees are beginning to look very bare.

There are some rather large puddles on the paths which Ruby is now learning to avoid. When she was a puppy she just ran straight through them.

Grey clouds gathered but we avoided any rain. 

Surprisingly when we arrived back at the car, there was evidence of there having been a shower, This must have been very localised over the car park.

The wet weather is encouraging the growth of fungi. No idea what these are. They were growing on an old tree stump. 

Back at home, we had some new carpets fitted at the weekend and so were busy on Friday clearing rooms and taking up old carpets which then needed taking to the recycling centre – previously known as the tip. The fitting was carried out as planned which is always a relief. Then we had to clear up all the fluff and return items to the appropriate rooms. We now have various rolls of leftover carpet which is just too good to throw away but what do we use it for and where do we store it in the meantime?

On to last week’s meals.

I made a spicy rice and lentil dish that used some of our cauliflower, onion, carrot and our frozen peas,

I also made a chicken leek and potato bake which used some of our potatoes and leeks.

Finally, I made a turkey dish that used some of our shallots and red pepper – this time I made sure that I got sweet pepper rather than chilli pepper from the freezer. I intended to use one of our courgettes which was being stored in the porch but I think it was too cold in there as the courgettes were mushy.

Finally, I hope the furry members of your family coped with the extended bonfire celebrations.  Ruby can cope with distant bangs but when they are very loud, especially when they are sudden after a quiet period, they really frighten her. She becomes unsettled and when things are very bad she takes a while to stop trembling. It seems that this year the fireworks parties have gone on for a couple of weeks and the bangs seem much louder than usual. I really worry for the animals outdoors and people suffering from PTSD after being in war zones. I’m hoping that after this weekend it will be quieter, at least until New Year’s Eve,

Anyway, that’s all for this week and as always keep safe and well.