In between what? Flowers don’t care what is going on in the blogging world as long as someone waters them in our ongoing heatwave.
In the meantime I’m between homes and computers so who knows what might happen!
Will I get out of the bloghole?
Will this unblog get posted? See you on the other side ….hopefully…..
It seems lots of us have a stationery addiction, we can’t resist buying notebooks and journals, then can’t bear to spoil them by writing in them, or start a journal which only lasts a few pages. Judging by the cover design, how old do you think this notebook might be? At writers’ group we wondered how many of us had written long ago and if we still had our words of wisdom. I thought I had written ‘a few bits’ but found three full notebooks. This one was started in 1972 in Perth, Western Australia when I was nineteen and the handwriting neater than I remember. On the back it says Made in Japan – how long since you saw those words on humble everyday objects? How has it survived crossing the world and moving numerous times? I’m not going to start reading it all to you, but here are two pertinent snippets.
‘Our literature lecturer commented this morning that most writers of renown started their career by keeping a personal record. As I have aspirations to be an authoress of some sort I thought this to be a good idea.’
What took those aspirations so long?
My first entry for September, 1972 turned out to be very relevant.
‘Today was one of those pleasant spring days. The sun is still friendly and hasn’t yet become that hot enemy of summer.’
In the midst of our third heatwave in England, proof indeed that I never liked very hot weather. Too hot is too hot wherever you are, though in Australia we had the advantage of latitude with the sun dropping promptly down below the horizon. We have long warm evenings. The grass on the cliff will recover, grass always does and I am thankful for our sea breezes. The sky was hazy and the sea calm yesterday so come along and cool off. No pictures of being in the sea as my phone would get wet, but I think you should come in the water.
That is a person swimming in the middle of the picture, not a shark.
Have you words of wisdom preserved from long ago?
Yes it really is that blue…
But sometimes smart phones don’t capture the moment – What I saw as I arrived at the cliff top – a snowy white yacht gleaming on a sparkling sea… I had to zoom in to my picture to see if I had imagined a boat…
We have our own Mount Rushmore – who would you like to see carved into our cliffs?
Be glad you are not a cactus…
Two days of glory and attention…
Then it’s all over for another year or two.
When you fall down a blog hole...
In the unlikely event you notice some absences on my part in July it will be due to summer projects or some projects. Forty one years ago people said ‘Pregnant?! What do you want another baby for, you have a boy and a girl?’ The answer was ‘So when he grows up he can do every home improvement imaginable, sort out all my technical problems, install a new computer and cook dinners.’ When he brought home his now wife and said she was a lighting technician and pyrotechnic expert, we knew life was going to be fun and he would have someone to help him with every project imaginable.
As we pass the the halfway mark of the year have you any summer or winter projects planned?
Today we are not getting on a boat, unless someone welcomes you on board their super yacht or fishing boat.
The old lifeboat station, now a museum.
But we are bird spotting today, not boat spotting.
Cool off with a paddle…
…then keep walking.
Have you spotted any birds yet?
What historic landmark building have you arrived at?
‘A giant wildlife mural has brought new colour and meaning to a Poole Harbour landmark, turning a toilet block into a tribute to global conservation. Unveiled on May 23 at Baiter Park in Poole, the artwork celebrates the area’s ecological importance as a wintering ground for migratory birds.‘
‘The mural is a collaboration between illustration students from Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) and the Bird and Recreation Initiative (BARI).
University students transform Poole Harbour landmark with vibrant wildlife mural
And if the walk was too much for you emergency help is at hand.
How soon will you guess where you are?
A nice place to have coffee after your voyage.
Only employees of John Lewis and Waitrose can stay in the castle.
National Trust bookshop
No cars, no dogs…
…but plenty of bracken.
The Boy Scout movement started here.
No stroll is complete without danger!
Look across to the Isle of Purbeck, Enid Blyton’s favourite holiday place and inspiration for her children’s adventure books.
The world’s second largest natural harbour
Can you get down to the beach?
Where are you? Answer coming up soon.
South Shore Lodge. You can stay here in basic bunk-bed accommodation.
Where did you catch the ferry?
Have you been to Brownsea Island, if so have you actually stayed here?
It’s a busy time of year for gardeners and writing falls by the wayside. Torrential rain and thunderstorms should have given me more time with my quill, but I have been to an author coffee morning and been roped in to a quiz and that was just Saturday. We came fourth and I answered at least one question – ‘Gone With The Wind’ – what was the question? An interesting round was ‘Cheese or motorway services?’ which proved surprisingly difficult. At least the rain has filled my water butts and the wildflower wheelbarrow is flourishing.
Oil painting
If only ChatGPT could come and improve our real gardens, not just the photos.
Water colour
The world cup is happening right now. If you don’t know what they are playing, answer at the end. Having a big garden tidy up I found this mini Scotland player and that night they won their first match, so now he is my mascot. I’m the only person in my family with no known Scottish blood. When I consulted them for a name for the wee one Cyberson 2 suggested Red Jock McPlastic. Scotland play again on Friday night. Cyberson 1 has the shirt.
Today it was announced our government intend to ban social media for under sixteens. Which made made me wonder how over sixties would feel if we were banned. I’m not even sure I understand what constitutes social media and what does not. I would certainly be upset if we were not allowed to use WordPress. Lots of us have little addictions like Words With Friends – above is a typical score for me, but it’s still fun. Also useful as you can check if other friends living alone are fine – if they play back first thing in the morning you know they are still alive.
This scene may look peaceful, but any moment now a herd of schoolteens and bicycles are going to appear over the horizon as school finishes. Eavesdropping as I was walking home I heard one boy say ‘But What are we going to Watch?!‘ another said ‘I bet under sixteens are going to march on parliament on Saturday.’
The answers are The first colour film to win an Oscar and Football.
What’s happening your way this week?
A bit of a change from our heatwave last week.
The traditional Bournemouth welcome to language students.
Has the sun come out?
So windy you could get blown off the pier, or worse still your phone could get blown into the sea.
Wonder why?
Maybe it’s less windy on the other side of the pier?
NO
Less windy on the beach?
NO
How has your weather been this week?
It took me a long time to sew a tapestry of my garden, but it looks a lot better than the real thing.
Our ‘heatwave’ has cooled, but it’s warm enough to swim in the sea. Perhaps you prefer to leave the beach and find somewhere greener.
Out in the wilds?
Perhaps not…
But if you wander down here you are unlikely to be seen again.
Do you prefer a sea swim or a walk in shady woods?
Runner up in the flower festival, pink petal section. I slipped up a couple of times cutting the frilly edge.
Winner in the free range raised bed section.
And as the Alternate Chelsea Flower Show and the real one draw to a close it’s time for the answers to the Recycled Garden quiz from Tuesday.
From left to right
Council food bin with broken lid – dipping tank.
Old Wheelbarrow – Wildflower meadow ( newly sown) .
Fish nets – decoration to hide...
Loft tank bought for a fiver – overflow tank connected to water butt – so ugly it had to be covered in more plants that need watering.
Old decking – lid for tank and shelves for even more plants.
Concrete building blocks to stand tank on so you can get a watering can under the tap.
Bracket rescued from garden sale to hold yet more plants.
Did you get all seven? Some people said pots, which are all being reused, but still as plant pots, so not sure if that counts…
Didn’t get to Chelsea Flower Show? Just wander round the garden centre for free.
Maybe pick up a pot plant.
How has your gardening week been? Last Day of Chelsea Flower Show tomorrow.
