The rain deigned to stop this morning. Dog walking and gardening therefore resumed. As a result, Christmas Elfery was limited to the hour or so between peeling off the muddy gardening clothes and our penultimate pilates class of the year (which, as mum is at great pains to point out, is one more than she was promised given I dragged her to the previous class on the basis that she didn’t want to miss the last one of the year). The pilates ladies (and indeed the three brave chaps who also frequent the class) were not exactly dancing, but there was a slight degree of prancing. Accordingly, only the very the eagle eyed may note any progress from today’s round up.
- Units of alcohol consumed by cakes – just a quick snifter after breakfast as I decided that today’s fun post gardening activity would be to marzipan them.
- Christmas jumpers knitted – maybe later…
- cards – yes, definitely still in the drawer. Have found a few stamps though.
- presents – you just can’t get the elves…… I limped (bounded?) back from pilates to find an email from Evri reassuring me that they have not lost my package, but instead damaged it beyond repair…..Hopes now resting on Thursday’s combo haircut and panic buying trip.
- personal glamour and grooming – Things are getting surreal. Keith just made some allegedly witty comment about his “fragrant wife” and my Mum has inquired who the other wives are if I am the favourite. Conversion to islam now being touted as an option. Of course who am I to interfere with matters of the faith but the chances of finding any other nutters for this job seem slim…..
- bulbs planted – 60 (me), 30 (mum).
It was lovely though, just to get out and about again. We took the cow circular, thinking that the back of the loch would be overly swampy and were delighted to see this year’s calves all out and about on the back field. The little white bull calf seems to have found a friend -we found him engrossed in some concerted ear licking. I’m not entirely sure how thrilled the object of his affections was and one of the little heifers was definitely giving him “a look”. Down by the loch we waved in solidarity to Matthew the gawky cygnet. He is still very much under close familial observation. An attempt to make a break for peace and quiet in the middle of the loch was thwarted by seven aunties in hot pursuit. Perhaps he should befriend the solitary goose which has inveigled its way into The Hirsel Bevvy and advocate for “grey rights”.
Back at the house we donned wellies and resolved to get a few bulbs in before lunch. It was wet, but not quite Passchendale. I found a couple of drier bits of soil where I had improved things for a dahlia over the summer and concentrated efforts there. Only 30 tulips for the long border, 60 for “round and about” the top pond (I think), a job lot of giant allium for the greenhouse border and a bag of smaller allium (the intended home for which escapes me) to go. Shredding has also finally commenced so mulch stocks should be nicely reflated in time to cover up all the final bits of planting. Slowly but surely I feel we are getting there and so giant soda bread cheese toasties that followed were justified .
Quiz question number 9: What is this tree?
Weekend’s answers:
| 7. If you start with 56 stitches and the instructions are:K2, SSPO, * ((K1M1) 4 times, K2tog 4 times) rep from * 4 times k2tog k2 What do you end up with after the next row (all purl)? | 54 stitches and a wavy line |
| 8. What was the name/handle of the Australian female Olympic breakdancing competitor who crashed and burned | Raygun |