Hooray!!

 

I've just been to order and pay for my greenhouse - a Vitavia Venus, 6ft x 10ft.  Big enough for what I need, and unless I wanted to go out on a financial limb, able to afford.  I paid cash.  Have ordered extras such as shading, automatic ventilation control for roof and louvre windows, downpipe kit, and two lots of stageing.  This is a great local company, Caerfagu, and they are always a pleasure to do business with, and so helpful.  Only downside was I managed to fall over when stepping off the roadway onto the decking so I could go and measure up the greenhouse to make sure that the one on display was the 6' x 8'.   There had been steady overnight rain and when I trod on a wet beam edging, my foot went out from under me and I fell on the chippings.   Ouch.   Not too much damage done but I limped for a bit.  This on top of nearly being taken out by a big white car which took the bend on my side of the road, as I had changed down to 3rd and indicated I was turning.  I was nearly in the hedge, braking hard, and waiting for the crunch, but fortunately he just missed me.  I felt in need of a stiff gin then!

    As you can see by the top photo, I came home via the Nursery at Crossgates.  I bought a lovely dwarf Michaelmas Daisy "Little Pink Beauty" which is going to go in the Lavender bed as that has very little in flower there now. I may get it a couple of friends . . .

    A big Heuchera to go in the new bank plantings, and two smaller ones to go in winter pot plantings (one was only £2.99 in Aldi).  The other is called Carnival Coffee Bean.  A tray and a pot of winter Pansies/Violas (pansies came from Tesco yesterday - they were wilting and I rescued them) and a tray of half a dozen Wallflowers. 

    I will put the M. Daisy in then go for a walk.  Enjoy your Tuesday.

The greenhouse is getting nearer . . .

 

I'd be suffering from delusions of grandeur to aim at one like this! BUT I am off to a local company tomorrow (having checked out the display greenhouses on site today) to place my order for the greenhouse I saw on line and which they are stockists for, having checked reviews etc. I've spoken to them on the phone and I'm dealing with a chap I know already, and I'd rather a local company had my money - believe it or not they are cheaper than the actual retailers (perhaps old stock?)

    Saturday was busy with Danny and little "I" here.  Danny did some work in the orchard for me, whilst "I" and myself did some baking.  We made pizza for lunch, and then she wanted to bake mummy a cake, so we made an Apple Gingerbread cake.  It was lovely to see them both again.

    Yesterday I rested! We had the most amazing display of lightning just as it was getting dark.  I did take some photos but for some reason I can't load them.  It was the new camera so I will have to go and check what I've pressed in error. Even so, wonderful to see the lightening from up here.

    I did have another Caterpillar Rescue job yesterday as I opened the door when it was chucking it down and there was another Elephant Hawk-moth caterpillar there, writhing with the rain beating on it and probably half drowned.  I scooped it up with an envelope and got soaked taking it out to put it gently under a big Dock leaf by the Willowherb.  It wasn't around when I checked later.

  P.S.  Just had to rescue next door's completely free range hens from Pippi, who was stalking them!  Yesterday, one was just outside the French windows, clucking away to herself.  I thought the noise was on the tv, until Keith said otherwise.  Just as I went through the French window, Lulu was crouching, about to hurtle at it.  Goodness, I shall have to warn him that he may have one less chicken soon!

FINALLY - Part 1 of Llanarchaeron House

 

This was from a month ago, when my friend Gay was staying.  Sorry there's no photo of the outside, but there was a gaggle of folk in the way, talking.  HERE  is the National Trust link that shows you how the manor house looks.

It was originally a farmhouse, but was then radically extended and changed.  The old part of the house was from the doors at the back of the staircase backwards, and the grander squarer rooms lead off the main entrance.

This looks to be in a later style than the other rooms - 30s perhaps- with a stuffed otter - a very blonde one.

A Cobra with stuffing problems!

There were four beautifully curved corners to this room and the mahogany furniture had clearly been made to measure and suit.  However, only two pieces survive.

I hope you can at least read some of the description and history below on this beautifully embroidered child's bodice.

And now to the best bits.  Kitchen today, and the yard with all its other appurtenances, over the weekend.

I love the simplicity of this.  In the corner is, I believe, the old Copper, for wash days.  Mum had one, but hers was free-standing and ran on gas.  It started with very hot water for the white wash - sheets.  Then gradually going through the clothes as the water cooled and ending up with blankets - in high summer, so you could dry them on the line.

Quite a well-stocked pantry.  Jams and pickles needed though!  The old meat safe on the cool floor, though on a scorching day like today, I still think any meat would soon be on the turn.

Sorry this is so dark.  I didn't use the flash.

Such a homely comforting room.

I still use a clothes horse like this (actually I have three, from when I sold more textiles at Fairs).  One was from Keith's family and one from mine.  They are for airing clothes but I use them in the yard for drying them ever since the rotary dryer fell foul of he flying polytunnel and all ended up in the pond . . .

Two more parts to come - the court yard of buildings which dealt with laundry, dairy, brewing, bread making etc.   Then a bit one of the kitchen gardens.

Enjoy your weekend.

How exciting - sorting through cupboards

 It has to be done.  In fact, you can tell it has never been done since we arrived, as I've just found an unpacked box of small pictures at the back hall cupboard.  So those have been there since 2020!  Several of them are Dorset scene x-stitches so will go up with the other sewn pictures half way up the stairs wall.

Self-explanatory titles.  Many happy hours sewing Corfe Castle.  Gold Hill was done by my Dorset friend Gay if I remember rightly.

    I have already managed to lose the little box with a roll of tape in it for fixing on the dressing on my wrist. How is this possible? I only bought it a matter of hours ago. I have found the two boxes of dressings, neatly put away.  Now to look for the tape, which could be anywhere from the fridge to the bathroom!

Sturminster Mill was one of mine.  Thomas Hardy's Cottage was one I bought to remind me of one of my favourite authors.  It had a companion when I bought it, Ann Hathaway's cottage, but I sold that.

    I have to go to Brecon with Pam again today. Update: In the event, the company wanting her loan car back didn't phone to arrange the pick-up so it's tomorrow now.  I had mistakenly thought she had to go and drop it back but couldn't remember the way so wanted me to guide her in!

    Keith, having finally been badgered (e.g. nagged) into drinking a bit more, is more mobile and did two lengths of the top hall this morning without even a walking stick.  His speech is SO much better too - in recent weeks I could barely understand anything he said.  Frustrating for us both.

    Nearly the weekend - enjoy it. I have Danny visiting, with his girlfriend's little girl here.  He will do some jobs for me and "I" and I will bake, and I found her a lovely dinosaur colouring chart this morning at Penelope Primrose in town (lovely shop).  I even tracked down a set of colouring pencils. I'm sure I can keep her amused.

Back into a routine again - oh and update: Elephant hawkmoth caterpillars (at end).

 Wonderful sunshine here again today and not as oppressive as it's been the past couple of days as there is a good breeze blowing.  I stripped the beds first thing, and intend to do four lots of washing to get it out and dried before we are back to rain again.  I have a loaf in the breadmaker, have put the rubbish out, emptied the compost bin and been down to town for the paper.  I also got a walk in early, down on the Groe and fell into conversation with a lovely Irishmen who bred Section A ponies.  Now I must make the beds before I forget and it's bedtime and I'm staring at a bare mattress, which has happened before!

    On the Sunday at the Fair, I met some really lovely people, and had great conversations and of course, saw old friends.  THAT is what keeps me going - meeting like-minded people.  One lady bought both the Gwili bowls from me (her husband treated her to the 2nd) and told me she was SO happy to have them, and I was delighted for her. It also boosts my ego to be told by customers and especially by fellow dealers, that I have some lovely stock. I will see where we are in the spring, as Tam and Jon will happily come and help out, but it depends on the state of play with Keith's health.  Buying a few bits here and there keeps us both going, even though Keith finds it hard to get to the Fairs now, but we are hopeful he will be a bit perkier for Carmarthen Flea in a couple of weeks' time.

    A few photos from Builth Fair for you now.  Enjoy.

This chap had come all the way down from Scotland!

I had a lovely chat with the chap who had this gorgeous quilt for sale (£365 or so).  His stock in trade was beautiful old Persian rugs.  This was double-sided - imagine the work!

Neighbours, stand-wise, who bought a few pieces off me. We had similar tastes.

This stand always has hundreds of bits of china and glass. Oh my goodness, the setting up and putting away - it would drive me MAD! I filmed it through a net curtain they had up, hence the blurring.

As you can see, people have all sorts.

Right, I'd best go and make the beds now.  Keith is manouvering with a walking stick today but by 6 ish is really tired and it's still hard work getting him to bed a few hours later.

Here is Elephant Hawk Moth caterpillar - one which I found beside the front path the other day and rescued to the Rosebay Willowherb plantation.  This afternoon, as I was reading my book, Pippi bought another one in and laid it on the carpet!  I promptly rescued that, and as I was coming back down to the yard, she had found another.  Well, all rescued and hopefully as she seems to have a soft mouth like a Retriever, they are none the worse for their experience.  Shows that the Elephant Hawk Moths have been busy in our garden anyway.  The first year we had much less wildlife as the last owners used chemical sprays everywhere.  I only remember bees on the Lavender.

I survived - just!

 

Top table.

No lyrical words or poetry tonight - I am too tired.  It's amazing that I survived yesterday at all as I had just 3 hours' sleep and by mid afternoon I could cheerfully have laid down on the bare concrete floor for a nap, I was so tired.   But it's surprising what the human body can stand.  However, I saw old friends and made new ones, including a lovely lady (waving to you Beryl Read) and Tam and Jon came and helped, which made a big difference.  I was next to the lovely Neil again, and he's great company.  Everyone in our shed in the immediate vicinity are friendly.  

There were very few people through the gate, especially today, but that said the folk that did come were there to buy and I had a good fair.  Not everyone did, and there were more low value type stalls than there had been in the past. Fortunately I sold some BIG things - difficult to pack, heavy, odd shapes etc.  I was VERY relieved to get rid of the  lovely old Lancashire bobbin back chair as it had come with us from Ynyswen where we had double the room than we have here.  I also got new homes for two lovely Gwili Pottery bowls, the French yellow bowl on the left of this photo,  and lots of interest in a platter that I have had ages and no-one took any interest in before. That said, I still have it!  Thank heavens I sold the big carved eagle I regretted buying as it and its box took up a chunk of room in the Utility.

Keith's side of things and I am delighted to say he made it along to the Fair today, courtesy of Tam and Jon, who managed to get the mobility scooter into the back of his vehicle.  Keith didn't see the entire Fair - his neck had seized up and was very painful, and so we just went and chatted to a couple of his mates who were selling there, and looked around a couple of the sheds, and he bought something from my next-door neighbour, so was pleased to have a bit of a deal.  He was glad to get back home though.  He's been watching a series about terrorists in the Middle East on tv.  Not very restful viewing of an evening, but if it keeps him happy, who I am to complain.  T&J are here overnight again, and Tam will be working from home tomorrow, so they didn't have to rush around tonight.

I bought absolutely nothing - tbh, there were very few things that attracted me.  I didn't manage to get into the best stalls in A1 building I think it is.  That's where some really nice antiques are, the sort of furniture we like especially.

Back tomorrow with some more photos from the Fair.  Hoping you all had a good weekend.

Lime Green

 Here's the other poem I found.

LIME GREEN

The trees on the hillfort lean away from the gale

Like greyhounds escaping from the leash.

Their leaves combed from the whipping branches

By a callous hand.  Strewn in tousled heaps,

They fetch up against the hedge-roots,

Jittering like nervous lovers, then forcing themselves

Through bare branches like water through a colander.

Gleaming puddles lie on the sullen ploughed fields,

Their surface ruffled by the wind into irritated shivers,

Reflecting the lemon lollipops of the last hazel leaves

Which prance in the stripped hedgerows.

A gleam of lime green on Merlin's Hill  

Is wiped out by a fist of clouds, which

Scud along the valley and as I look behind me, others

Drag their tattered petticoats across Black Mountain and beyond.

Right - all packed, the first car load anyway.  I'll take some furniture in the morning (chairs and a couple of small tables).  The last thing to go at the back of the carload was Keith's wheelchair.  Tam will bring him down this afternoon to have a look around. We'll go round together, and then I'll set up, but have to stay there until 7 p.m. tonight, which is when they shut and lock the back sheds where I am.