June 2007 Archives
This afternoon I spent a lovely few hours planting out the two clematis that Jean sent via TJBR (together with a potted sage and fuschia) and the african (?) poppies Jo added to Jean's contribution to the BJH roof terrace. And now, four hours later, it is chucking it down, with thunder and lightning thrown in for free.
I hope my poor tender plants survive.... the current collection comprises:
- jasmines x 2
- sweet peas (Walton, on a similarly wet bank holiday weekend)
- tomato plant (from Jean and dad's April visit)
- two sweet pepper plants (from Jean and dad's April visit)
- bright red geranium - freshly liberated today into the great outdoors after a spring/summer of TLC
- clematis x 3 (1 from Hereford last year, 2 sent by Jean)
- sage (from Jean)
- african poppies (from Jo)
- fuschia (from Jean)
Tomato plant with rainstorm raindrops
At least the downpour will keep the snails and slugs at bay. I spent a satisfying quarter of an hour or so last night scooping up at least 10 the new leaf eaters (grrr) and corralling them in an empty flower pot. I was planning another recce/removal session this evening... let's see if it dries up.
Back from a relaxing few days in Seville with Catherine and Fiona. The plan had included rather more sunbathing by the pool of the lovely Hotel Al Andalus Palace, but the cloud and occasional rain put paid to that. We did manage a couple of afternoon and evenings on the sun loungers - on the first and last days of our five night stay.
Palm trees and clear blue sky, from the poolside, Seville
Instead we swopped sunbathing for shopping - or more accurately mooching around the shops in Seville city centre, and taking time out for food, drink and people watching.
As planned, we indulged our cultural sides too - exploring the Cathedral and Alcázar in Seville and making a day trip to Córdoba on the excellent AVE train system (aka TGV, Spanish style).
Córdoba old town was lovely - but must be so much better under blue skies and blazing sunshine. We didn't really have the chance to appreciate the benefits of the cool calm interior of the Mezquita mosque/cathedral or the roman bridge across the Guadalquivir, or the shady narrow alleyways. That didn't stop us from enjoying an ice cream or two though.
Definitely places to go back to - very moorish (ho ho). Even Ryanair there and back worked out OK.
To see Cat, and her new house in Saltaire. What with the planned day trip to Córdoba when Catherine, Fi and I are in sunny Seville, June looks like it will be UNESCO World Heritage Site-tastic.
After a late night train journey from "St Pancras International" and an unplanned 60 second dash to catch the last train out from Leeds to Saltaire we had a very relaxing weekend.
Saturday saw us walking in the Yorkshire Dales around Malham Cove where we got to see nesting peregrine falcons courtesy of the special RSPB monitoring station there. Late pub lunch was a winner too, and back at Cat's we had a girlie evening watching Dr Who and the final of Any Dream Will Do. Lee definitely got our vote!
On Sunday we walked down to Salts Mill for some shopping and lunch; then back on the train to London. See you soon Cat.
Why couldn't it have come last weekend??
Still, a sunny Saturday at the start of June has been lovely - lounging out on the balcony soaking up the sun, reading the Saturday papers and planting the Walton sweet peas (and rehousing snails - grrrr) in the morning ; in the afternoon buying books (and raffle tickets) at the St Giles Cripplegate summer fete, mooching around the first of this summer's monthly food festivals (aka markets) in Whitecross Street and returning with goodies galore.
After an early evening of getting up to date with my Reading entries and watching Dr Who, the day's about to be topped off with a dose of lightweight cinema in the form of Mean Girls, and some more Whitecross market treats. Yum.