shhDRink me

The weather has changed; showers of rain moisten the earth. Potatoes are growing madly so have had to fashion a collar on the bin so can earth up higher. Broad beans are growing in competition with marigolds, even the peas are sprouting. Part egg shells amongst the greenery. Tiny white (wren?) tiny blue (starling?) and larger white, probably pigeon or dove. Wrens are nesting in the yucca clump, I think. Did the weekly shop in Asda and people just amble around. There are 2 meter marks, arrows to show which way round the aisles to go, help in lining up for the till. And still they come almost to bumping in to strangers. Keeping in touch with friends and family is becoming even more important. Thankfully, most seem well and coping with it all, even with an un virus-related funeral, done on line. Things change. Asparagus season in full swing and local watercress also in the farm shop. Treats to smooth the monotony. Ironing bag almost empty. Only white shirts and things that do...

Walked to W/K to do some shopping and got the train back. Wind cool but the sun is still very warm when sheltered. Shops quiet, no queues. Perhaps we are settling to the new normal. Yesterday we 'Zoomed' A and it was a better reception than Skype. Also phoned M. he made a wonderful sourdough loaf, sent a picture. Flour seems to be around, although not so much in supermarkets. JJ is bringing us some tomorrow, from her huge order to the mill. Will swap with some jars and 10" boxes, which she needs for the cake orders. Have made some flaky pastry so will do sausage rolls after, then can give some to JJ for her mum, rest in freezer for lunches. Cold chicken and beans for tea, as we forgot to get stir fry veggies for tea! Have ordered some more viet coffee. I'm not the only one drinking more, M had to buy another kilo of beans, too! Started reading 'Night Watch' this morning and the lilac is opening on our walk. Bit like 'Hogfather' in December.

I have had to come out of the front room. The news is on and guess what? DT has suggested his fellow americans who have COVID-19 could inject bleach or disinfectant to kill it. Is the plan to kill off those wimps who have succumbed to the (hoax) infection? Or his supporters who think he is omnipotent? That would be an acceptable reason for not getting a second term, I suppose. Weather is still sunny and getting warmer. P. did some shopping this morning for A and family. Finances seem sorted. (Have I mentioned P. has been furloughed from Aintree? Total amazement, but a nice surprise. ) Butterflies coming in to the garden now, fritillaries yesterday, a brimstone and some little blues. Still not sure which one, as about 6 look very similar. Bit like the fritillaries. Made triple choc-chip biscuits. Yummy. P. says definitely biscuits, not cookies - too crispy! Hugh's Lockdown Kitchen has a recipe for cookies(?) without flour, as it is so hard to find. He uses a drained tin of...

Went to allotment and had a go at the compost heap. Had loads of potatoes in it and some straw so we thought it may have originally been a potato clamp. Not all the spuds had started to grow or gone mushy. Put some more filled bags in car for the tip - when it eventually opens. Should be soon, as fly-tipping is accelerating. Friendly robin was nearby, dropping on to the soil whenever I turned my back, picking up any tasty morsels. Also sat on the tree next to where P. was digging. Must be nesting nearby. Saw an orange tip butterfly. P did too, but not sure if it was the same one or there is more. Received Market Messenger in the email box. Seems an awful long time since any serious baking has been done! Need to do breakfast muffins tomorrow, might also do some double choc-chip cookies. P. has decided to have liver and onions tomorrow, which means getting the huge bag out of the freezer and giving half to J+R. I don't really like liver. Hair is soooo long. Trimmed the sid...

There has been a eclectic mix on the television recently. There was Jingo (aka Lawrence of Arabia), Lords and Ladies (aka A Midsummers Night Dream) and The Admirable Crichton (no TP connection that I know of). DEVS is the star. Story is a bit slow but the cinematography is brilliant. Posed shots, mood lighting that doesn't just look dark, interesting acting and actors. One to watch. Spuds are starting to grow so will have to begin watering as there is no rain predicted this week. Weather is really sunny, although still a bit of a chill, after all it is still only April. And it was only five weeks today we went to Shrewsbury. We should be in Northumberland this week. Walked to Hoylake for milk etc then walked back along the front and sandies. The path is edged with sprouting greenery and maybe some crab apples. It has been awhile since we did this regularly - probably when we had the dog - so a bit out of touch with what is there. We do this quite regularly now, so maybe a...

Somehow lost a day - convinced today was Thursday then checked if there was anything worth watching on the tele tonight (more in hope than expectation). Gardeners World? Surely that's not till tomorrow? So tomorrow is today and we had to gallop down to the chemist to collect a script, the shop not always open on a Saturday! Did the shopping this morning - no wonder the queues were longer that expected. Bought a dine-in and some prawns while P. went to Asda for the boring stuff. Also got a few things for A. Pulled up some excess lemon balm and trimmed the lavender and potted them on. Might take, might not. Lavender cuttings from last year re-potted yesterday and seem fine. Have put them along the newly-defined path in pots. Emailed T/S. Hope he's keeping okay. Will email R. at some point too. News yesterday was an extension of lockdown for another 3 weeks. And some cheerful spokesperson mention there could be up to 40,000 deaths. All this, and T has said US will rela...

Finished the larder unit yesterday, sun still shining, then got an email. HS had a scan and the breast cancer has gone in to her spine. Had the mastectomy, had one treatment of the first batch of chemotherapy, had scan. She has not had an easy life and now the children are moving out and they have more time to be together. So the good thing about this lockdown is both working from home, so are together. Life's a bugger. J is ordering flour. Not sure I need any, but will take some if she has to order lots. M. has hospital appointment today, hope he manages the s/d. First Welsh poppy opened at the back of the garden. A couple of buds still to come, but they only open one at a time.