Project Meadow

The next 'project' we've been working on is revitalising the 'meadow' in  the front lawn.

Back in 2021, we scarified one side of the lawn, seeded it, and sat back in hope . . .  but I can't say it was much of a success.  We did get a few flowers, but mostly it turned to tufty thick grass.

So here is our second attempt - a lighter scarify (so as not to pull up the stuff that had 'taken'), more seeds, more earth to hold the seeds, and some more transplanting here and there. 

If it works, expect to see more pictures of a sea of flowers . . .

Project Bench

April has seen us looking at various jobs around the garden, and this is the first (hopefully of many) 'retirement projects' to get finished 😀

Back in 2010 we invested in a hardwood garden bench, which has done sterling service ever since, providing seating every summer in the suntrap out the back of the house.

Of late it has however been looking a little the worse for wear - while the 'greying' of the wood is attractive enough, it has gotten very patchy (especially where the wasps help themselves every year), with lots of splits and splinters.

In order to get another 10+ years out of it, we decided we'd better do some refurbishment - starting with a thorough sanding - which took it back to something close to how it looked when it first arrived with us.

It wasn't the easiest of jobs, but between the belt sander, Dremmel, and multi-tool sanding attachments, we got there in the end.

It was tempting to leave it as it was, but we decided that an oil treatment might help its long term survival.  So here we are, after a couple of good coats of teak oil.

Fingers crossed for many more happy years sitting on the bench in the sunshine!

Magnificent Magnolia

Home again after our celebratory weekend to a little bit of sunshine - letting us out into the garden, where the grass got cut, and some general garden tidying commenced.

The garden was looking lovely with daffodils and primroses in full bloom - and the magnolia at its very best!

Diamond Celebrations

This weekend saw a very special family celebration . . .

Doesn't seem that long since the Golden Wedding . . .

We had a lovely weekend with family, cake, cards (including one from the King!), flowers and lots of food! 

And great memories were made and revisited.

Happy Diamond 

Wedding

Mum and Dad!

Chimney Potting

Today finally saw our somewhat leaky old chimney pot - with its jury-rigged attempts at bird entry deterrence (i.e. chicken wire shoved in the top of the pot), replaced with something a bit more professional, and hopefully more waterproof!

Before . . .  and After:

 

Retirement # 2

So, after eight months with 'Epic' it's all change again, and I'm (or should I say We're, as Martin is joining me this time) finishing work again, ready for the summer (if it ever arrives - still feeling pretty cold out).

It's been an enjoyable enough few months, and I now know more about military uniform than I thought I ever would.

There have also been some really funny moments, with enquiries such as 'Will your miniature display helmets fit my stuffed marmot?' (the answer to which proved to be yes!).

Anyway, my final enquiry 'tickets' have been dealt with, and with flowers, card and cake (thanks to uber-cake decorator Fi), goodbyes said.

On to the next chapter . . . 

I Said There'd Be Tulips