With the geese departed to their winter homes, a substitution was required for day six and the Hirsel coos were willing to form a sextet….
- Units of alcohol consumed by cakes baked – at least two trebles. My first task of the morning is feeding the cakes. The fumes were lovely.
- Christmas jumpers knitted – I was originally going to knit a bit more of the one there is definitely not enough wool for -for which practice there is more logic than it sounds – but in my post polenta phase, honestly not sure I can be bothered…
- cards – still in the drawer apart from one taken with a parcel to the football for handover
- presents – Beginning to think I may have left this a bit late….I did pick up more stocking fillers – but who is to say they won’t go the way of the others….
- personal glamour and grooming – let’s not go there.
- bulbs planted – about 150 this time – and maybe 250 still to go.
Keith was off to Nottingham today for a football match. I had great plans for progress whilst he was away but I fear they mostly did not materialise. My only claim to progress is the pasteurising of some gooseberry curd. There will be no salmonella in my hampers.
We took Lyra on the walk round the back of the walled garden, with squirrels very much in evidence. Lyra somehow senses them before we do and, unnervingly, stands face pointed towards them as though her non existent eyes are fixed on the little beggars. There’s a particularly old oak which seems to be squirrel magnet. Wherever they start, they end up there. It must have seen so many generations of Nutkins. Matthew the cygnet was out and about on the Loch, under the protective custody of his mum and dad. He sailed past with the air of a teenager forced to visit his great aunt…
When we got back home the weather was veering to murky but as the forecast was even worse. I felt the need to do some bulb planting. Not one whit of enjoyment was derived from the process. Comfort food for dinner was essential. Slow cooked shin of beef with cheesy polenta. Nom nom.
Nearly forgot – Day six quiz question;
| What’s the lewd looking white plant? |
Answer to days 4 and 5
| Which charted highest in 1985:a) Solid (Ashford & Simpson) b) Crazy for you (Madonna)c) Dancin” in the dark (Springsteen) d) If I was (Midge Ure)e)We close our eyes (Go West) | 1) If I was (Midge Ure) – No 12) Crazy for you (Madonna – No 2 3)Solid (Ashford & Simpson) – No 3 4) Dancin” in the dark (Springsteen) – no. 4 5)We close our eyes (Go West)- No 5 |
| What plant is the Imperial symbol of Japan | The chrysanthemum – originally chosen as the personal symbol of Emperor Go-Toba (180-1239) |