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Why is it so hard for people to help?
If you come across someone obviously needing help, do you jump in or wait for someone else to do it? This question came into my mind today because of a situation I came across and the outcome really surprised me (and made me a little angry if I’m honest). I was driving into the car…
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Summer pruning fruit trees
It was time to prune my cherry and plum trees as the weather has warmed and their appearance was unruly to say the least. Stone fruit trees should be pruned in the warmer summer months as they are prone to infection in the winter when they can’t heal the cut wounds so well. This can…
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A tired brain, a hyper dog, confused weather and other ramblings
My brain can’t settle at the moment. I feel like I have 1001 thoughts whizzing through my head like a train that doesn’t stop at a station. I’m more tired than usual which explains my tired but over-active brain. The reason for this, I believe, is partly because of the house next door. I have…
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A mixed weekend of progress, rain and gardening (plus some blog news)
At the beginning of the weekend, I didn’t think I would be getting much done. We did get a thunder storm on Friday afternoon and I was sure that was to set the tone for the next few days. I wasn’t far wrong! Some indoor jobs were necessary so I was pleased to get the…
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You can’t trust ants (they are in cahoots with the aphids!)
When I saw an aphid infestation on my willow tree, I thought to myself ‘don’t panic, there will be a biological control along soon enough’. When I saw the ants I thought the problem was solved. I was wrong. It turns out when you see something like this: It is a beautiful example of a…
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Making a fairy garden (part 1)
If you listened to this weeks episode of my podcast, you will know I have decided to turn part of the front garden into a fairy garden. There is a patch at the side which just has a lilac and bits and bobs and doesn’t look particularly pleasant. So, I got my thinking cap on…
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Watching ‘Outlander’ as a Highlander
I’ve heard about the Outlander books and associated tv show but it wasn’t something I had followed – until now. I bought the first season dvd at a second hand place we go to regularly, thinking if I didn’t like it at least it hadn’t cost me much. But I do like it. I like…
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Wolves, Tigers and Bears….oh my!
This weekend found us visiting the Highland Wildlife in Kincraig as part of birthday celebrations for Dearest son. We loved it – here’s why: I could have stayed there all day. I’ll admit, their signposting to the place isn’t great; we drove past it and had to take a back road to get to it.…
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How am I supposed to grow with this?
I can’t stress enough how desperately I need to get my tomatoes and courgettes etc planted out – but – the weather, oh the weather. Ok, I know it’s a cliche that us Brits go on about the weather but if you’re not from here there are 2 things (probably more) that you need to…
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Safety on Scottish roads
Last week when at the allotment, we were aware of a number of sirens and blue flashing lights on the main road, not far from the plot. It’s a busy stretch of road so that is quite a regular thing but it was the number of sirens which made me think ‘that’s a bad one’.…
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A Weekend of Garden Work
How can I work in the garden all weekend and still not be done? I ask myself that question as I sit, with tired arms and bits of dirt still in my eyes. I mean, I tidied the front as much as I could by cutting the grass, going round the edges a bit and…
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It’s the Blog Anniversary!!
Do you say ‘Happy Anniversary’ to a blog? I knew the date was fast approaching so I checked the blog list and sure enough, it was exactly one year ago today that I started this ole blog and put up my first post. Doesn’t time fly? At first, I put up a lot of older…