Whew! A bit of time to pause for breath and take stock. Not for long, though.
The two gardening expositions we had last weekend went exceedingly well. The first was the village “Summer Garden Competition” on Saturday and then we had the Open Gardens on Sunday to raise some money for a couple of local charities.
I am afraid I’ve had to contact Rudi Giuliani to contest the outcome of the village Summer Garden Competition – there were four prizes and Penny won none of them! Clearly that can’t be right – her garden is in immaculate form.
We’ve also had support from another quarter:
Leaving aside our protestations of an unfair “competition”, the gardens which won in each of the categories were certainly worthy winners. In any case, the fun is in taking part, getting to wander around the village visiting the gardens of those who took part, some of which we’d never seen before. And then, a glass of wine or several at the end. Lovely. And the weather stayed reasonably cooperative.
Still, with Rudy and Donald supporting us we’re sure to be able to overturn the result.
On Sunday, we had the Open Gardens where “outsiders” could make a small donation to a couple of charities and gain entry to a select number of outstanding gardens in the village. Penny’s, naturally, was one which made the cut and we had a steady trickle of visitors throughout the day, all of whom were very complimentary and several of whom asked about specific plants with a view to getting some for their garden. Thankfully, they asked Penny rather than me.
We also hosted one of the two Tea venues during the day. The weather, again, largely cooperated and a small group of industrious tea-volunteers set up tables and chairs on our patio, threw open the bifold doors and bustled about serving cream teas. Very nice.
Thanks to Penny’s sister J for some of the photos. A couple of others came from the Moreton Pinkney Garden Club Facebook page.
Tuesday was a “challenging” day for all of us – we took our Daisy to the vet to be spayed. We debated long and hard and, reluctantly, decided that this was for the best. But it was difficult to leave our “baby” in the hands of the vet – she is, as most of you will know, a very vocal dog and gets quite worked up when visiting the vet on any occasion. This is likely to put her off for life! Thankfully, everything went smoothly and she seemed completely recovered after a days’ rest at home. Remarkable.
I hope she’ll forgive us.
We thoroughly enjoyed the village’s most recent Wandering Supper on Saturday. A number of folks agree to prepare a meal or a dessert for a random group of villagers, and naturally Penny was keen to volunteer. When we last did this a year or two ago, she produced a main meal which was outstanding, legendary even. As always, she produced a range of options to suit all tastes and preferences and fed a most appreciative tableful of folks. This time she was hoping to just “volunteer” for the dessert course. However, the organisers know what a great cook she is and “pleaded” with her to provide a main course again. After the mains everyone moves on to a second household for dessert and generally wives/husbands/partners are separated so you get to meet and share a meal with a number of folks who, perhaps, you don’t know that well. Always good fun and always great meals, especially the one available at Framington House. Put that top of the list for the next time.
Last week I forgot to mention Ava’s upcoming birthday on Tuesday. Sorry for the omission and Happy Birthday. They are in Bali at the moment (I think – it’s hard to keep up with their travels) and seem to be having a great time!
And, speaking of birthdays, today is my lovely sister-in-law Hope’s birthday. Many happy returns! It’s also our very good friend Chip’s birthday this coming Friday and my nephew Greg’s birthday on Saturday. Good wishes and good cheer to all of you.
As it happens, Greg shares his birthday with King Charles’ “official” birthday. He may not be aware, but Greg is King Charles’ 11th cousin, once removed. (I don’t suspect King Charles is aware of our familial relationship either). I think I’ll write to the crown and suggest that Greg take over the Trooping of the Colour and give Charles a break. (It seems the reason the monarch has an official birthday in June is because the weather on his “proper” birthay – in November – is often not conducive to grand pageants and parades).
There were some photos in last week’s Picayune of Penny’s Big Spring Project so we should really give her some considerable credit for completing the enterprise on time and on budget – the construction of Penelope’s Pond which she did essentially on her own. She did get a few days of Nick’s time (thank you very much) and the occasional reluctant and resentful assistance from me. It’s already gorgeous and will only get better as she adds more plants to the pond itself and the border. No fish, plants and wildlife only. (It seems that keeping fish in ponds in Moreton Pinkney is a waste of time. Not only are there a couple of local herons who like to raid ponds but also the local otters who regularly patrol the village’s watering holes and extract any fish they find). The newts and frogs will have to work out how to share the space without eating each other.
YCNMIU
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! Who could have guessed that two rabidly looney narcissists would end up squabbling with one another?
Meanwhile, keep breathing, keep happy, keep smiling, keep exercising, be good, be careful, and keep safe. And be gentle to wasps and bees – we need all the pollinators we can get.
Lots of love to you all,
Greg