Returning to normality . . .

Well, I think I can tentatively say, the worst of the pollen problems are now behind me.  I checked the pollen count yesterday and whilst levels were V. High, they were for weeds, Plantain and Dock, and NOT grass any more.  Grass is the worst one for me.  I am allergic to Dock, but as long as it's not surrounding me I seem to be able to cope.  You cannot imagine the relief I am feeling.  Not 100% yet (and worried I may never be able to step back down a level with my Fostair inhaler now I am up to maximum dose on it) but I hope I will get there gradually.  I will plod on with the low histamine diet as best I can and see if that makes a real difference - on the days I get it right, it does appear to.  I can now enjoy the summer AND get back to tackling the garden, which is hopefully going to trim the half a stone off (and more) I put on whilst on the steroids.

Raubritter in my garden yesterday.  One of my favourite roses.  I saw it for the first time at Cothay Manor in Somerset, when we went to an Antiques Fair there (friends of ours were standing and gave us free tickets to get in).  Currently in a tub, but about to be planted in the Intake plot in what used to be the paddock, when she has finished blooming.  Next to Vielchenblau, below.  These are two roses I just HAVE to have in any garden in the future. I had intended to take them with us when we moved, hence them being in tubs, but now I shall plant them up and treat myself when we do finally move on from here.

Tuscany Superb below - another "must have" for any garden of mine.

Meanwhile, in the Intake plot, the path has disappeared (I cleared the front couple of feet yesterday afternoon and got my OH to mattock out the Potentilla which is where Raubritter is in this photo.  It was completely infested with a very fine grass and it had to go as it was impossible to eradicate the grass - though I have tried down the years.  Work continues there today.

Bulbs, Cowslips, Aquilegia, an Iris, Alkanet - established for years and always a blardy mess because I have to stay indoors in June.  It is SO frustrating.   Well, I have decided, they are ALL GOING.  Even the compost (which will be useful on the veg.  plot - hollow laugh!) and then swept clean (concrete base of old yard beneath it) and the tubs and planters of veg. are going in there.  Which is a laugh, as they AREN'T growing!  I can't win . . .

Looking better already . . .

This is the abandoned veg. plot - there are a few apple trees in there somewhere.  The bit bottom left hand corner is actually a planned planting of annuals, not weeds!  We have a chap coming to mow the paddock back to a lawn today and I am going to get him to give me an hour's weeding/digging in here so I can get some peas and things in the ground.

Later - the gardener's been.  The paddock lawn took 3 hours, but he managed to rotovate a little bit of the veg plot so I can get some peas in - I will extend it as best I can.  Peas are in soak as I speak . . .

The Under Gardener declared himself "too busy" to help with the ex veg. plot, but he HAS busied himself clearing the really overgrown area where we used to have soft fruit when we first came here.  It had been a . . . "wildlife area" for about 20 years now and needed clearing - and keeping clear.  Progress here and I even found two escapee Blackcurrant bushes which will be pruned back when we've cleared the Codlins and Cream beside them and the willow tree at their back . . .  There are 3 Ash trees with Ash Dieback along the boundary and we need to get a quote for a tree surgeon to come and take them down this summer.  Another expense . . . along with having the top gutters emptied (grass growing in them!), building work done, and p/p and expenses for the driveway relocation.  I think I am going to be working nights in the Crisp factory . . .

Anyway, onwards and upwards.  I am feeling better, the pollen season has now finished and my lungs feeling less besieged, I have just two days left on steroids and I can WALK AGAIN!!!