Posts that Didn't Happen: June 2025

And so to June - unfortunately the first half of the month was not so great in the end - I had some back pain for a few days (to the point where I invested in a heated gilet thing), then I got a cold, and then Martin caught it too.

We eventually concluded that I'd probably picked up Covid from somewhere, as we were both completely wiped out - kept having to go back to bed we were so tired - and it certainly lingered for a good few weeks after. 

On a positive note, we had some lovely weather, and inbetween naps managed a bit of garden pruning, and some slow walks on the prom.

And - drum roll please - the water lily in our garden pond, finally decided to flower, after nearly four years of leaves.

By the middle of the month we just about had enough energy for a trip to Aberaeron / Llanerchaeron - had a wander in the sun, a spot of lunch, and checked on progress with the sea defences (still not finished!).

There was another 'birthday' celebration and catch up with old colleagues - this time a 60th for the Department of Information Studies at the University.  

Then towards the end of the month, we took the Van across country again to see family - helping out with shopping and appointments etc., although we wilted a bit in the English heat.

Did enjoy a very pleasant visit to the Elgood's Brewery Gardens, where Martin found enough energy to steer Mum's wheelchair at speed round the maze, before we had a cooling drink in their rather swish on-site bar.

With all this going on not that much of any note happened with the Van, Martin tinkered with the electrics, I made some cloth covers for one set of overhead cabinets, and we pondered next steps . . .

Pond Planting

 So 'project no. 1' aka 'the pond' has moved on . . .

The 'hole' was duly dug - with thanks to Martin - the oil tank section dropped in, liner weighted in place with aquatic-safe gravel and stones around the edge, before filling with water.

A couple of changes of water were required to rinse off the residue from the gravel, and then all was left for a week or so to allow any chemicals in the tap-water to disperse.  

Meanwhile, a selection of plants were ordered from a pond plant company, together with pots and 'aquatic compost'.

Finally, today, everything was potted up and put in situ.

At the moment it is all still a bit minimal, but hopefully the plants should 'establish' with time . . .

Garden Projects: Front Lawns

We've been pondering plans for the garden this year - a lot of the work we did to build things like the fruit cage, raised beds, and the small veg plot took place over ten year's ago, and the wooden elements of those structures are now rotting away.  

We've also got a lot of lawn, much of which we don't 'use' for anything, such that it just sits there waiting to be mowed . . .   and an old oil tank that's been sitting round the back of the garage waiting to be disposed of since 2019.

So, project no. 1 - repurpose the oil tank - out with the saw, et voila, the base for a pond (with a bit of scrubbing and a liner) to go in the main section of the front lawn, and hopefully provide a home for frogs etc. next Spring.

And, project no. 2 - scarify the small section of front lawn, plant the cherry tree that has been languishing neglected in a pot for longer than we care to remember, and seed it with wildflowers, and transplanted primroses, cowslips etc.  

It all looks a bit bare at the moment, but hopefully we'll get something of a 'meadow' in due course - one less patch of lawn to mow, and good for the butterflies and bees!

Well, it's a start - there's still a lot of oil tank left - and lots more to do in the rest of the garden.  Pond updates to follow :)