August round-up

 With August, and thus summer, coming to an end, I can at least report that it's been raining, quite a lot over the past few days, and the yarden is looking good, all things considered.

I'm picking tomatoes daily, mostly the Tumbling Toms, which I planted in all of the hanging baskets and in some other pots as well. The beefsteak ones, my main crop, are ripenening at the rate of one per day, but sadly some of them have blossom end rot - due to the stress of the excessive heat, and are not edible, even with the end cut off the rot continues up inside the core.

I've also pulled some carrots, they haven't grown very deep, but now I've thinned them out and they are getting more water from the rain, the remaining crop may grow deeper, and therefore longer, watch this space.

I  choose not to travel during the month of August, mainly so that I'm free in case I'm needed for child-minding, however for the last couple of weeks I haven't been needed. I'm now looking forward to my next trip, starting next week, train tickets have already been bought.

 Amanda and I have been friends since her oldest son Nic and GO started toddler group together, 36 years ago!! She moved down to Hastings in 2000, and I've been down there to see her at least once a year for most of the intervening period, although we did miss a couple of years during the ghastly Lockdown of 2020 onwards. I'm so looking forward to it, we have such a laugh together.

"Work"/play on the book cover crochet blanket continues, the next 4 squares have been added

 

As it's been sooooo hot for most of the month, I didn't go out walking much, and my step count for the month isn't worth showing, but I have plans already in hand to put that right next month. I'm pleased that I managed to complete the Woodoku puzzle every day.

Thanks for reading. How was August for you?

August Photo Hunt - Starting with B

Once again Eileen has organised the monthly photo hunt, with this month's subject, Starting With the letter B. I'm posting mine few days early because I've got lots, and probably won't be looking out for any more.

So, here goes:

My Bowood Season Ticket 

 Books on Bookshelves

Books, more

 Blue Bucket

 Baby tomatoes

 Beans

 Blackberries (not ripe yet)

 Banana and Blueberries in a Bowl

 Banana

 Blue Bottles of Bleach

 Bird Bath

 Barbecue

 Basket-weave Beer mats

 

Baskets for storage

 Banister rail

 Best 

 Buddleia

 Books, again

 Books, old ones (I have a lot, can you tell?)

Bed cover

 

 Books Beside my Bed

 

 Bag (contents self-explaned)

 

 Bicycle

 

 

Bins

Begonia

 Boxes for eggs

 

Thanks for sticking with it. And thanks to Eileen for organising. What will next month's subject be, I wonder?

It rained, at last.

August has been hot and dry. Record temperatures and virtually no rainfall. That is, until a couple of days ago, when at long last the temperature dropped, low pressure took over, and some welcome rain arrived. Not enough, yet, but some rain is better than none.

My DiL ST has grown some massive courgettes, and gave one to me, I now have enough courgette in the freezer to last several months, as GM is not a huge fan so I guess I'll eat most of it.

 She's also got some massive corn plants growing

 

The Surrey family, FO, CH, GDs 2 & 4, were travelling down to Cornwall, and suggested we meet them en route for lunch, so we made our way down to The Lamb at Hindon, where we enjoyed a very nice lunch. The only downside was that we were seated in front of the window, and as it was a hot day, it was slightly uncomfortable for GD2, which is why she has a cushion behind her head. GM took the photo with my phone, and sadly it's a bit blurry.

 I made a fairy for GD6, and sent it off. She loves it, and has named it after me.

 

Another herbword came to light (GM has started to question why we have so many new jars of herbs!)

 On a recent visit to GO and family I spotted an old car abandoned in the bushes. I wondered if it might be material for the TV series "Bangers and Cash". What do you think?

 I've been to Bowood a couple of times this month, to make good use of my season ticket, once with GD5 and then again with GD7

 

I have no idea who the family were who were able to produce these magnificent bubbles, but GD7 certainly had fun chasing and bursting them.

Only 10 days left of summer for this year. Doesn't time fly when you're having fun. 

Ten on the 10th, August

I needed Eileen and Bless to remind me of this meme this month, otherwise I would have completely forgotten. So here are my ten photos, taken in the yarden, just a couple of days late.