What beautiful weather we have been having in northern England over the last ten days. Clear, chilly nights have been succeeded by bright spring days.
Our bedroom is on the west side of the house so I never know for sure what the new day will be like until I pull back the blackout curtains. And there again this morning I could see the shadow of our house with its chimney drawn upon the lawn by a bright sun rising higher in the sky. On days like this the colours of the world are stunning.
Yesterday I dug over half of our vegetable plot taking trouble to pull out any weeds. There has been little rain of late so the texture of the soil was more like a friable loam than Mississippi mud pie. Because of reduced moisture, raising spadefuls of earth was not like an Olympic weightlifting event.
At the other end of the plot there are two rows of purple sprouting broccoli which I left in the ground over the winter. It was a good decision because plants that had given no hint of broccoli heads last summer are now providing a plentiful crop. If you cut the central florets then the side shoots will flourish a couple of weeks later.
Also yesterday I fixed a broken step on the decking and pottered around in the garden - filling little pots ready for the germination of runner beans, sweeping up and trying to improve a small stone recess under the fixed bird table. As I was doing this, a wood pigeon landed on the homemade bird table without noticing me working four feet below. Upon seeing me, it flew up into the air scattering bird seed on my head. They are pretty dumb birds.
At five, with clean trousers and a clean shirt on, I headed over to Frances and Stewart's house for Sunday dinner. Phoebe was there of course with her other grandparents who are still up here from their home in Bristol and Shirley was there as well because Clint and I had driven her over after lunch.
Stew had roasted a leg of lamb with all the trimmings followed by Shirley's chocolate pudding and ice cream. At eight thirty we returned home to watch an ongoing police drama - now in its sixth series - called "Line of Duty". With all of its twists and turns and dramatic tension, it is very popular here in England but I must admit that I find it all rather underwhelming. If they said it was being taken off air I wouldn't give a toss.
Ah well, it's still sunny outside. I need a shower. Before too long I will be outside once more - digging for victory.
Kind regards,
Yorkshire Pudding
It's so nice to be working outside on these beautiful spring days! Gregg and I have been doing the same thing. Our weather has been gorgeous and my garden is coming along nicely. Yesterday we made a new bed to plant cantaloupes!
ReplyDeleteHow is little Phoebe? Growing like a weed in the springtime, herself, I would imagine.
Planting cantaloupes in a new bed sounds a little rude. Speaking of cantaloupes, Phoebe continues to develop very nicely Aunt Jennifer. She is three months old now. I will share some more pictures soon.
DeleteYour Digging prose reminds me of the "Digging" poem by Seamus Heaney.
ReplyDeleteThe coarse boot nestled on the lug, the shaft
DeleteAgainst the inside knee was levered firmly.
Sunday dinner sounds divine. I made eggplant parm for the family with my daughter bringing our carrot cake dessert.
ReplyDeleteNow, as far as "Line of Duty" goes...We binged the previous 5 seasons and now have to wait until it arrives in the USA. I even tried to find a way to expedite that process but it was ridiculous.
Good things come to those who wait Terry!
DeleteHope it was only bird seed on your head.
ReplyDeleteNo limited edition pigeon Brylcream.
DeleteThe way you describe it, gardening sounds very satisfying. I know precious little about it myself, never really having had my own garden, but I do enjoy well-kept (not overly manecured) gardens, especially if patches of wildflowers are allowed to grow and birds and other animals are welcome.
ReplyDeleteOne day not so far ahead in the future little Phoebe will "help" you gardening, I imagine.
Line of Duty has never been on my watch list, but I remember you mentioning that you do not care for crime and (police) mystery on TV. I have recently discovered a Norwegian series I can truly recommend, Beforeigners.
Yes. Fed up of crime, killing and detective work on the TV. Far too much of it when there are so many other subjects they could be addressing.
DeleteWas that a carrier pigeon, bringing you a message?
ReplyDeleteIt said " Work harder Mr Pudding. Keep digging"
No, that's what Mr Robin and Mrs Blackbird sing when they hop over to see what I am doing.
DeleteWell, it's good to get your hands in the dirt this time of year. Enjoy your labors and the fruits thereof.
ReplyDeleteThe fruits thereof might be aphids and garden slugs but I shall "think positive".
DeleteThat sounds like a very busy, but typical, UK Sunday YP.
ReplyDeleteHaving missed the previous five series of "Line of Duty", I think I'll forego this latest one. The trailer failed to engage me, and if there are references to events in previous programmes, then I won't have a clue! What is the fascination with crime programmes and police procedures? So much air time seems to be given over to them.
Between you and me, I don't think you are missing much CG. The term "over-hyped" springs to mind.
DeleteI love cold sleeping, so I'm a fan of these spring chilly nights/warm, sunny days. I have a black out blind too since my bedroom gets the morning sun. What an excellent and varied Sunday you had!
ReplyDeleteEverything seems better on a sunny day doesn't it Margaret?
DeleteWhat? My beloved wood pigeons dumb?
ReplyDeleteIn the words of Catherine Tait:
*How so very DARE you, Sir*
Yours Furiously in Tunbridge Wells,
Colonel Haggerty.
Author of *Against Anthropomorphism* and *Fun in the Woods with K-K-K-Katie*.
Published by Hameldaeme Press.
Wood pigeons dominate round here - they call every morning as regular as a cockerel ; only very occasionally do I see a collared dove.
ReplyDeleteNot a bad day to be sure.
ReplyDeleteAll is good! Weather, food , soil. grand daughter. You have it made. Have a nice day.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a productive day and enjoyable day. I think some of Line of Duty has been screened here, but if I half watched it, it didn't grab me.
ReplyDeleteWe watched "Line of Duty" as well. I thought we were caught up but I wonder if I haven't seen the newest season. It's been a while since we watched it.
ReplyDeletePigeons ARE dumb birds. I guess that's why they're so prolific -- they have to compensate for the ones nature picks off!
Well I envy your garden work, having to get rid of most of my stuff, and not planting seeds this year makes my fingers itch. I think 'Line of Duty' is all about nasty people, that includes the police who are all spying on each other. It is miserable in the telling of the tale but hooks viewers because of its episodic nature.
ReplyDelete