We had glimpses of better weather last week but also had days that were predominantly gloomy and drizzly.
The number of bright, dry days needs to increase if our soil is going to be fit for working. Maybe I’ll look back on this time in summer when we are lugging watering cans or maybe we will still be waiting for things to dry out. Who knows what our weather will bring? Weather forecasts seem to change by the hour so it is difficult to make any definite plans.
Tuesday was fine but we couldn’t go to the allotment as our car had to go into the garage for tyres checking. We decided, instead to do more tidying in the garden.
We spent most of the time on a small area that is mainly planted with snowdrops, mini daffodils, native primroses and bluebells. Self-sown hellebores are stealthily encroaching and will need to be restrained but I can’t bring myself to do this whilst they are flowering.
I also tidied the small bed under the birdbath and Martyn cut back the climbing roses at the top of the garden.
A succession of spring bulbs are providing some much-needed cheer.
We didn’t get to the allotment last week as the days when we had time to go were wet and gloomy. It was just as well that we managed to get quite a lot of preparation work done last autumn.
Martyn has sown some seeds which are being germinated indoors under a grow light.
He has posted about that here in his blog.
At Temple Newsam there were some new animals for Ruby to get acquainted with.
Last week, I predicted that the swans at Nostell would soon begin nesting. Right on cue, hidden amongst the reeds, nest building was underway.
Our four-year-old hippeastrum is now flowering, triffid-like. It really has impressive flowers.
Finally some of the meals on the menu last week.
I made some chicken, leek and mushroom ‘pies’ using some of our leeks, potatoes and parsley.
Onions, squash and frozen French beans were used to make a Thai squash and pineapple curry. My version had more sauce which we prefer.
Finally, I used some onion and frozen cauliflower in a Turkey cauliflower bake. This recipe has disappeared from the internet. The cauliflower was cooked and the onions and cubed turkey were fried. A white sauce flavoured with curry paste coated the above ingredients. The whole thing was sprinkled with grated cheese and baked in the oven. This was served with our peas from the freezer.
By the way, does anyone else think my header photo looks a bit Constable-like?
That’s all for this week so until next time stay safe and well.
We certainly need some sunshine Sue to dry everywhere out. I got excited this morning when for the first time in an age I woke to blue skies and sunshine – all gone by lunch time and it was soon raining again. The bed under your birdbath is must colourful and attractive. The birds must enjoy the view as they drink 😀
Same sort of weather here too, Anna
Oh, for a couple of dry days in a row!!
Indeed, Belinda even when we seem to have escaped the rain it sneaks in later at night.
Yes The header photo is lovely ! I especially love your bright red hippeastrum ( did I spell that correctly ? 🌺lol ! )
Yes spelling is correct Debs.The first flower is fading now but we have a second stem almost ready to open.
Your flowers are lovely and so cheery! From a distance, the hippeastrum isn’t menacing but very impressive you’ve kept it going like that.
Just a triffid-like rate of growth, Dave.
All too soon we will have forgotten how cold and wet it is now and we’ll be bemoaning the heat and hosepipe bans! How lovely to see the swan nest building!
It can’t come soon enough, Debbie. Hosepipe bans don’t happen so often here. I’m guessing that our reservoirs are fully topped up and any bans we have usually are after a dry winter.