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WEEK OFF: Day 6 - Thank goodness it's Friday..........or maybe not!

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Ever had one of those days where you know a job has got to get done and it sure as hell ain’t gonna do it by itself? You potter about trying to find anything that can distract you for an hour or two whilst you continue to put the main job off? Sound familiar……?

Well, that’s how it was yesterday on day 6 of my week off. In my last blog, you will have seen that my task for today was to lift a load of slabs, lay some membrane and cover it in a ton of 20mm gravel to extend the path around the side of the decking……….the distractions lasted all morning!

All Ali asked for last year was a veg patch and GH. The rest of the garden was mine to do as I wished…………although being a female, she would no doubt have to have her say! So, last year, she just chucked anything into the veg patch all at once and we ended up with veg we maybe didn’t really like, eat too often,didn’t eat at all and some we did like and ate a lot! SO, before xmas, I told her we needed to be more organised so this year we’ve kind of done it together and she did say a couple of days ago that I had brought some order and organisation to this year’s veg-growing……..I’m taking that as a compliment because I don’t get many……..OOOOWWW! Sorry dear…….slap across the back of the head……..I wonder if that was another compliment…..Hidden maybe?

Anyway, because I’m a saddo who has too much time on his hands….yeh right!…….I made up this little chart to hang in the GH, which shows what has been planted thus far and in red, what we will plant in a few weeks time – the second wave of certain veg so it doesn’t all apeear at once…….

Notice I even put in a pattern in between the plots to mirror the gravel……

Note to self: MUST get out more!

Yellow Emperor wide open for the sun……

First leaves appear on the Rowan:)

Little buds on Jack Frost: Brunnera are looking better by the day….

…..as are the new baby leaves that keep appearing:0)

My one Aser is coming along nicely and the other one has been moved to help that one along as well….

Getting the gyst now? Putting it off, but by 1.30pm, I could put it off no more and I duly stepped up to the plate and did the deed……well, started to anyway! I’m sure you all know that when you start a job, you often get so into it, that you forget to stop and take pics. After I had pulled up 9 of the 2 × 2ft slabs, my back was starting to ache a tad so Ali said not to worry about all of it and maybe just get the next row up. Anyway, I had a MUCH better idea and it didn’t hurt my back so much………I got Ali to do it!!

Just kidding………she offered!…….just kidding! I did them myself and after a few, I was into my stride…..

This is the area I’ve removed today which totals 34 slabs……my poor back.

YOUR POOR BACK…..! You’ve still got a ton of gravel to shift from the far end of the garden yet, mister!!!’

Groooooooaaaaan!

Well, as I said, I forgot to take lots of pics and before I knew it, I had the first lot of membrane and barrow of gravel down……..

Shortly after this, Ali arrived back from taking the kids shopping with……..the TerrorJACdyl! As always, he had to be doing what Dan was doing and immediately offered up his help. Fine young man he is and so I let him take the next barrow of gravel up to the far end………

‘Put your back into it boy………!’

While I was waiting for the little man to do his bit, I took the opportunity to snap my Black Knight Buddlia which is looking quite healthy again…

Mrs B was looking rather grand up in the Rowan…..

So much so, that I took another of her and she knew it too…..POSER!

This little fella decided to try some of the new fat slab I’d put out…..

…..and I wonder what is hiding inside here ready to show it’s face?

I have a feeling it may be a Fringed Tulip that we planted in the woodland border in October 09 after we moved in: Huis Ten Bosch.

Unfortunately, the ton of gravel only just covered half the area I had freed up so, once it was done, I got Ali to help me re-plant the Fatsia Japonica – the first plant we bought when we moved in September 09 – into it’s new home as it is growing nicely. Consequently, it freed up the pot it was in, which allowed me to re-pot my Cordyline: Autumn…….

The Japonica went into it’s new, rather large, plastic tub which has been sat waiting to house him for a couple of months or more!

…..and this is how the area that I managed to gravel, before I ran out, looks now, with the part I’ve extended it from…..

So, work was getting done and now I had moved all those slabs and all that gravel, I needed Ali to do a quick job for me before I could do my next task.

Clear the bottom end of the garden of all the leaves and stones that had accumulated there. Of course, a certain young man wanted to help her as well so she handed him the large green rake and away he went….

He really got stuck into it……

Even the stones weren’t too much trouble for this Iron Man…….

Impressive as he was, others were preoccupied with the food on offer…..

Still a few guests somewhere in Arachnid Hotel!

And what I believe to be a Golden Privet is looking very healthy with lots of new buds coming through. Cut it back at the beginning of the week but still looks big and healthy:0)

Anyway, back to the matter in hand. Why did I need Ali and Jac to clear that area?

Why, to dig a hole to plant the Cherry Tree that Ali picked up last week for just £4.99………

Hope it flourishes and grows now as she was chuffed to get it at that price.

Of course, as the day neared the night, there was just one more job for the day. Whilst others still tried to get as much of the lovley food in their beak as they could…..going in for the kill!

Some of us had plants to water……..

…..and what a hit the new Frog watering can was!

I used my new toy as well which is a 5-way, multi-spray attachment for the hose which Ali has been telling me to get for a few weeks. You can even drop each spray to 50% which sprays out less water. This is me watering and photographing at the same time again! lol:0)

My Peony is growing daily and looking nice after watering…..

Asiatic Lillies making a grand entrance…..

The F1 Purple Pansies are looking lovely on the steps of the decking….

…..and is this the first of my Echinops: Blue Glow seedlings showing through…….

This is definitely the first of the Marigold seeds that Richardpeeej kindly sent me. The others I showed earlier in the week were seeds I had bought, French Marigold but now Richard’s are showing through…

All in all, it was a very productive and enjoyable day, albeit, a very tiring one, and a good shower and an early night lay ahead for me……well deserved I thi…….Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

….and how was your day?


‘Fine, how was yours?!!’


Underneath the Floral Rug…..

More blog posts by oddbillie

Previous post: WEEK OFF: Day 5 - Thrilling Thursday......

Next post: WEEK OFF: Day 7 - Serene Saturday.......



Comments

 

This is a wonderful blog from start to finish ! Bravo to you and your helpers for achieving so much, it looks so good.
If you have no need for those pavers, my OH says our village football club could use them ... lol : o ) ) )

17 Apr, 2010

 

super blog Oddbillie. I cant believe you have achieved so much in such a short time. I believe all the best gardeners have plans for their veg patch. I cant even remember where I planted my tulip bulbs! And such a good helper. I found that if you give the kids the tools they are much more motivated. my 10 year old edged the front lawn for me and the soon to be a teenager proper even mowed the lawn(with me trailing behind holding the cable out of the way). Hope you will spend the last day of your holiday with your feet up and with your tipple of choice in your hand

17 Apr, 2010

 

~well done ~take time off tomorrow and go to the show!~lots of fruit wines and liqueurs and cheeses to try.....

17 Apr, 2010

 

Another lovely blog I have been following your progress all week. You fit so much into your days. I don't think your sad by doing a plan of the veggies I have done this since 2007!!!! Lovely photos well done

17 Apr, 2010

 

fab blog as usual Dan and little terrorjacdyl is a fine young man and so helpfull, glad he likes his watering can to, everything is looking great in the garden and how organised are you with your plan sado lol, no hostly great job all round Dan and amusing to ;o)))

17 Apr, 2010

 

Great blog you really have done well this week. You'll be going back to work for a rest next week.

17 Apr, 2010

 

Megan75: Lol! I'll bear that in mind, thanks:0) He was brilliant out there with me and Ali. He's a star!

Mageth: Thanks Mageth. Think you're right about the young uns and the tools. I tried last year but he just wasn't interested but he's 6 in May and now seems a little more interested, even if it is just watering the plants for now! He even pointed out the tulips to me which he remembered from last week:0))I have 2 more days after today before I return to work. Today was a quiet day for me which you will see later on a blog! GC tomorrow, after Ali does her morning & lunchtime shift. Need more compost, some cheap plastic troughs and a relaxing walk around!

Arlene: Unfortunately, Ali is working and we may have her daughter visiting so will have to miss the show. But, I mentioned it to Ali and maybe next year:0)

Great: It's strange Great because I just literally potter and the time just disappears at a slow rate of 'enjoyable' knots. Ali always says that you lose yourself out there which is why she never answers her phone or texts from me, during the summer months - she's a summer gardener! I now know what she means as I've not looked at my phone all week less to charge it up! I always think I could have done more but then I'm the same at work. It's just so relaxing out there and easy to get things done at your own pace:0) Glad you've enjoyed the blogs so far, anyway....

San: LoL! Saddo indeed! How was work? Good to be back out there again?!! Thanks for the nice comments. It's coming along slowly AND, watch out for my blog from today later as I have a picture just for you........!

Monday, I guess, will be spent relaxing and doing nowt.........niiiiiice!

17 Apr, 2010

 

Sorry Clarice, posted same time! You're very right and that's only what I was thinking 2 days ago! Mind you, I've got another week off in May for my birthday week so hopefullyget some more done:0)

17 Apr, 2010

 

My birthday is in May aswell, its 18th, mind you since i became a pensioner, 4 years ago these birthdays come round quicker than ever. :o))

17 Apr, 2010

 

Well well Clarice, we share a birth date......mine is also the 18th. Ali's daughter is 3 days after - we're going to Plymouth with her and her fella for a couple of days that week - and Jac's is the 23rd!

I mustn't forget to wish you HB now!

17 Apr, 2010

 

Great blog....things are coming on a treat OB! Fab photo's, and Jack looks to really enjoy helping.....such fun eh? Do you really have to go back to work? Will miss your blogs!! :o))

17 Apr, 2010

 

work,,, couldnt wait to get out and havent stopped since, tidying shed, power washing decking and generally cleaning things up,, cant wait to see the pic you have taken,, wonder what it is lol

17 Apr, 2010

 

What a lovely blog, thoroughly enjoyed it, it made me smile.

17 Apr, 2010

 

Thanks PG! Just doing a short on enow for today as it's been a relaxing day to say the least! Publish it shortly! Great fun with and without the little soldier:0) And YES, I do have to return to work but as the nights draw out, it's more oppo's for hours in the garden after work:0)

Good on you San. I need to do our shed and garage in May. Photo coming on next blog......shortly!

Glad it made you smile Cinderella. Not much to smile about these days with all the troubles in the world but always a happy place on GoY:0))

17 Apr, 2010

 

oooooh get you dan.........taking pics and watering flowers.....how long have you been able to "multi task" lol.
But seriously, well done this week babe you've worked really hard.....bet you'll be glad to go back to work to have a rest hey? xx

17 Apr, 2010

 

lol Ali nice to see you again ;o))

17 Apr, 2010

 

hi San, hope all ok and your garden is blooming :o) .....i don't get on here much at the moment, with work and my little sewing enterprise i've been very busy, but will pop in from time to time to catch up, am off to work again now.
Have a lovely day xx

18 Apr, 2010

 

Yes dear.....for a rest on my ears.......! Love you:0)

18 Apr, 2010

 

thanx Ali, you are busy but dont forget to have time for you,,, oh and Dan lol x

18 Apr, 2010

 

Hmm - you may need to look up the words "time off", I'm not sure you've quite got the hang. You garden looks lovely though and the drainage will be much better when it rains.

18 Apr, 2010

 

What you trying to do to me ? I `m having enough problems trying to catch up if and when I can get on as it is. I nearly missed this one.. Good gardeners born in May, mines on the 20th, lol...
Hiya Ali, nice to see you, he`s getting right clever with his multi tasking isn`t he ?......

18 Apr, 2010

 

yes he certainly is Lincslass, gonna try and get him to hoover and dust at same time next lol........although I won't hold my breath lol. Just kidding Dan x

18 Apr, 2010

 

Another wonderful funny blog~how I enjoy reading these! What a team effort you all put in, and so lovely to see kids enjoying getting stuck in too Od! You have a lovely garden, and your photographs are a joy to see, lovely to read the comments as well lol :~))

21 Apr, 2010

 

Thanks FB, very nice of you to say so:0)

21 Apr, 2010

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