A Long Term Niceness.

Tommy doing a bit of shredding for me.

Today I made a start on pruning the roses as the weather was very nice and spring like. I have to confess that rose pruning is not one of my favourite jobs. Thankfully the flowers in summer make all the backache and sore hands worthwhile. Below is a picture of what is known as the rose garden, there are several more rose beds scattered around the place. So as not to have too much of a good thing all at once I prune one bed then add a top dressing of fertilizer and then work over the soil, this way it helps to break up the job a little. For the first top dressing I use Growmore at the prescibed rate then every month to six weeks I apply another top dressing of either bonemeal or rose fertiliser depending on whats to hand. The garden centre I use doesn't allways have bags of rose fertiliser just little boxes which as you can imagine in a garden this size goes nowhere and would cost a fortune so I tend to go for bonemeal which they do stock in larger amounts.

I’m not sure what is occurring with the game keeper of late but he has been very nice and friendly, I don’t know if this is going to be a long term niceness or just a passing phase but I’ve reported the bad times so it’s only fair that I report the good times too. The other day he cut me some logs for us and then yesterday he helped me right the trampoline that had blown over in the wind. It certainly makes for a much better working environment.

Well better get off to bed, I didn't sleep to well last night, for some reason I woke up really cold which was really strange as I'm never cold in bed and then when I did fianlly get off to sleep the darn bed starts shaking, I'm just about to tell misunderstood Tommy to stop scratching when everything else in the room starts rattling and whilst Tommy can give a pretty good impression of an earthquake when he's scratching I've never knowing him shake the wardrobe doors open so I assumed either someone was trying to land a 747 on the house or we were having an earthquake. Either way I didn't see any point in running so I held on to the bed and awaited my fate.

To Sow Or Not To Sow?

The Crinan Canal.All readings are taken from a sheltered location in our

garden and cover a 24 hour period starting at 6pm.

Low Temp: 2.1C

High Temp: 10.8C

Rainfall: 0.0mm

Strongest Gust of wind: 4.8 mph.

Weather Today: Bright but with a cold wind.

I've spent much of today working in the courtyard area tidying up the beds and around the walls. Mostly weeding the edging. I was/am thinking of putting a few Polyanthus and Pansies in the centre bed but I'm not sure I have enough plants to do it properly so am undecided if it's best given the thin covering or just not bother at all and use the plants somewhere else.

Another little problem I have at the moment is with the boss being late ordering the seeds and me going on holiday I don' t know whether to sow them now which is the proper time for some of them or wait until I get back and then be a few weeks late. Anyone who has grown stuff from seed knows that you have to keep a close eye on them and watch the watering and ventilation and what have you so to entrust my seedlings to an unskilled stand in is going to be a bit of a worry. If I sow them now they would just be coming through as I go away, or I could sow them just before I leave and then it would just be a matter of keeping an eye on the watering or I could just leave them until my return but thats not until three weeks time. I just can't help thinking that maybe it's best that they arrive late than not at all.

Anyway here are a couple of lots of seedlings that have got going okay, these are part of my 'Veg In Vessel's' project. What you see below are a few Radishes, I intend to just leave them in this pot, in a cold greenhouse and pick when ready

These are some Beetroot, if I remember right they are called Boltardy and are supposed to resist bolting which I gather can be a problem when being grown early although I've never had much trouble in that direction. I will let these come on a bit more then pot them in to something bigger, I'm not sure what yet.

That will have to be if for today as Vicki is home from the flower class so I will go make her a cuppa and sit awhile with her. Y'all take care of y'sens now.

Bob.

Christmas Cactus Update.

A view from our walk along

the Crinan Canal tow path.

All readings are taken from a sheltered location in our

garden and covers a 24 hour period starting at 6pm.

Low Temp: 4.8C

High Temp: 12.2C

Rainfall: 0.0mm

Strongest Gust of wind: 5.1 mph.

Weather Today: Bright and mild.

I don't know if any of you remember the Christmas Cactus cuttings we took last November? At the time I said I would keep you updated on their progress. It wasn't the best time of year to be taking cuttings which is why progress has been slow and therefore not a lot to report. Anyway that all changed the other day when I tapped out the pot and discovered that the cuttings had finally rooted. Below are a couple of pictures I took of the happy event. Also below is a link to the original post I did just in case you either need a reminder or check it out to do your own cuttings.

http://the-estate-gardeners-diary.blogspot.com/2007/11/christmas-cactus-cuttings.html

A BLAST FROM THE PAST.

Monday 24th February 1992.

Vicki went in to Harrogate with Pearl and Vera to meet Ruth and her mother who then came back to dinner. Monday is not a good day to have visitors. Most days here leaves ones mind in shreds but Mondays are even worse. This is the first job I've had where I've suffered from Monday morning blues.

Ruth is a long time friend of Vicki's.

Bob.

Crinan Canal.

Part of the Crinan Canal.

All readings are taken from a sheltered location in our garden and cover a 24 hour period starting at 6pm.

Low Temp: 11.2C

High Temp: 15.4C

Rainfall: 0.3mm

Strongest Gust of wind: 6.1 mph.

Weather Today: Bright, mild and very windy, especially from mid day onwards.

A BLAST FROM THE PAST.

These entries come from my diary written in 1992. The big house mentioned in these entries is not the same one that I’m now employed at.

Saturday 22nd February 1992.

John and Jane came to see us, they arrived at 1pm and went home at 6pm. Vicki took them in to Ripon after lunch. Our new tennants moved in to our house in Scotland.

John is my brother and Jane his wife.

See For Yourself.

Loch Tay.All readings are taken from a sheltered location in our garden and cover a 24 hour period starting at 6pm.

Low Temp: 3.4C

High Temp: 11.9C

Rainfall: 0.0mm

Strongest Gust of wind: 3.4 mph.

Weather Today: Overcast but much milder.

I took this picture for you today, they are a few of the Iris that I planted last Autumn

Several of you have asked how my hand is getting on after I accidentally pruned it last week. I will show you so you can see for yourselves. I think you will agree that it looks like I'm going to live after all, the grubby hankie and sticking plaster did the trick. Thanks again for all your best wishes, its really kind of you.

A BLAST FROM THE PAST.
These entries come from my diary written in 1992. The big house mentioned in these entries is not the same one that I’m now employed at.

Friday 21st February 1992.
There is trouble at work with the septic tank, the outlet pipe seems to be blocked. Dave has got Brian in to get it unblocked. Went to Summer Bridge to help Dave lift a concrete lintal in to his house. Vicki has been getting and sawing wood this afternoon.

Brian was the estate joiner so I'm not sure why he got the job of unblocking the pipe, but its the way it was there, everyone helped each other. Dave and Jackie had bought their own house in Summer Bridge and Dave was busy doing some alterations so I went over with him a couple of times after work to give him a hand with stuff.

Best Wishes,
Bob.

More Frosty Pics.

A bird on Loch Tay.All readings are taken from a sheltered location in our garden and cover a 24 hour period starting at 6pm.

Low Temp: -4.5C

High Temp: 6.2C

Rainfall: 0.0mm

Strongest Gust of wind:1.7 mph.

Weather Today: Still cold but brighter and warmer than yesterday.

Here are a few more frosty weather pictures for you, this first one if of the cricket field, I don't think it will be getting much use today - except by the moles!

The misunderstood dog looking for his mates down the frosty avenue.
The biscuit tree. This is the tree we walk to every morning, there is a crack in the trunk which is full of dog biscuits, or at least thats what Tommy things as I slip in my hand and pull out yet another dog biscuit - there again he could just be humouring the stupid human!

A BLAST FROM THE PAST.
These entries come from my diary written in 1992. The big house mentioned in these entries is not the same one that I’m now employed at.

Thursday 20th February 1992.

Pearl and Vera came to stay for a few days. His lordships burglar alarm went off again today and as usual neither Dave nor Jackie were around to reset it. Dave was away loading up with logs. In the end Val from the office came and turned it off, but this was not until the police had made another wasted journey. John rang to say that he will be coming to see us on Saturday.

Pearl was a sort of Aunt and one time neighbour to Vicki, Vera was a close friend of Vicki and Pearl. I think the John mentioned would be my brother John. The burglar alarm at the big house went off on a regular basis, usually as a result of low flying aircraft.

Bob.

Disappearing Tommy.

Looking to Kenmore at the eastern end of Loch Tay.All readings are taken from a sheltered location in our garden and cover a 24 hour period starting at 6pm.

Low Temp: -4.9C

High Temp: 0.6C

Rainfall: 0.0mm

Strongest Gust of wind:1.0 mph.

Weather Today: Cold and foggy, the temp never getting above minus 1C all day.

At around 9 in the evening Vicki likes to take the dogs out just for a little walk around the back of the courtyard area. Last night being no exception. They just happened to be leaving as I was about to go check on the greenhouse heating so I hung back a while as I knew Tommy would only want to come with me if he saw me. Anyway all went well, they were nowhere to be seen as I went across the green to the garden. I check the greenhouse which was okay and as I was leaving I heard this noise behind me. It startled me because there was no reason for anyone to be there but as I quickly swung round to see who it was I was surprised to see Misunderstood Tommy standing there. Somehow he knew I had left the house and gone over to the garden and he had abandoned Vicki to come looking for me. We fininshed checking round and returned home. Well he might be the misunderstood dog but I'm sure he had no misunderstanding what Vicki thought of his disappearing act! I thought maybe he got sight of me going across to the greenhouse but apparently not as Vicki said they were way around the back of the sheds when he suddenly disappeared. He just loves his gardening does Tommy.

What you say is so right Kimmie. The most frustrating thing for me ever is if for whatever reason I can't to a job properly. You should always try your best and then look at how to improve upon it. I always remember when I was learning to be a gardener there was this old guy would often say that, 'if a job isn't worth doing well it isn't worth doing at all' and thats the way I always feel.

A BLAST FROM THE PAST.

Wednesday 19th February 1992.

Dave came for lunch and have his hair cut. There is trouble with the water as work, it seems the pump has broken. I've been doing one of his lordships none gardening jobs today - cutting Ivy from the trees in the spinny. its only just over three weeks ago that his lordship said the spinny was no concern of mine when I was cutting the brambles from the side of the drive, now he has me doing forestry work in it.

Vicki painted the window seat in the sitting room today.

The snow from yesterday has gone.

I played with Fallon on the computer after dinner, we played the motor racing game. All was fine until we didn't win the race, then she became very upset. She hates to lose.

When I met Vicki she was a hairdresser and had her own mobile hairdressing business so it was she who cut Daves hair and not me!

All the best,

Bob.

The Loch Tay Monster.

Tippy rounding up the Loch Tay monster!All readings are taken from a sheltered location in our garden and cover a 24 hour period starting at 6pm.

Low Temp: -5.1C

High Temp: 9.9C

Rainfall: 0.0mm

Strongest Gust of wind: 0.7 mph.

Weather Today: Warm in the sun but very cold out of it. A very hard frost last night.

This picture was taken this morning when me and Tom were on our morning walk, it was nice and sunny with everything covered in silver frost.

Today I had to go to the garden centre to fetch something for work so whilst I was there I got a couple of cheap pots for myself. I think I already told you that rather than pick up the left overs from the garden at work I would try and grow my own veg in containers at home as I don't have a big enough garden to be able to have a plot just for veg. So here is one of my new pots planted up with Spring Cabbage and a few primulas.
In this pot there are three Cauliflowers and somemore Primulas. I'm wondering if I'm over doing it by putting three plants in one pot. Its all trial and error at the moment so we will have to learn and modify if need be.
My hand is getting much better now, in fact its progressing so well that I may even show Vicki later. I daren't show her before or she may have whisked me off to the hospital - she's like that LOL! By the way Jeanette, you can't beat a few germs now and again, it helps keep the immune system tuned up!

Thanks for your advice about the anti virus software Jim . I've always had 'Norton Internet Security' on my computer but on Saturday I changed this to 'Norton 360' which as you say Jim gives you the chance to hook up three computers too it. I managed to put mine and Fallon's computer on to it but something happened when I was putting Vicki's on and now there is an error when I try to install it. I tried to download it again but it said that it was already downloaded but I don't think it is, not properly anyway as I can't find it anywhere on the computer. Anyway what I've done for now is to put her on what was left of my 'Internet Security'. There is another 10 months to run on it so she may was well use it up. Thanks for the advice anyway.


The Scotland picture tonight is of Tommy and Tippy taking a dip in Loch Tay.


A BLAST FROM THE PAST.

Tuesday 18th February 1992.
His lordships cat has flees in its ears. When his lordship was told of this he instructed me to take it to the vets. He said that Dave couldn't do it as he has enough to do already, I suppose he thinks I haven't! I was livid. I'm busting a gut trying to get this place presentable and all the thanks I get are insults like that. In the end Dave did take the cat. Vicki has had a terrible headache all day.

I guess looking back taking the cat to the vets was no big deal and he probably wasn't taking any kind of a dig at the amount of work I had to do. The thing is though this sort of thing was happening day after day one way or another and it all just gets too much in the end.


Y'all take care now,
Bob.

Sorting Fallon's Computer.

All readings are taken from a sheltered location in our garden and cover a 24 hour period starting at 6pm.

Low Temp: -3.7C

High Temp: 9.2C

Rainfall: 0.0mm

Strongest Gust of wind: 1.4 mph.

Weather Today: Bright and sunny after a frosty start.

Amongst other things I’ve been trying to sort out Fallon’s computer which has become infected with all manner of things just in the short time she has been connected to the internet. I think the best option is to upgrade my anti virus software to include the other two computers we have now.

Today’s holiday snap from Scotland was taken at a small place called ’killin’, the picture being of ‘The Falls Of Killin’.

A BLAST FROM THE PAST.

Sunday 16th February 1992.
That’s another boring weekend over with thank God! I can’t be bothered to write anymore. Nothing in life seems worth the effort these days.

Oh dear! That doesn’t sound very good does it. Unfortunately back then things weren’t so good, I liked the job and the location unfortunately there was a personality clash between me and his lordship which unfortunately could only be resolved by parting company.

Bob.

A Dirty Hanky And Sticking Plaster.

Loch Tay

All readings are taken from a sheltered location in our garden and cover a 24 hour period starting at 6pm.

Low Temp: 4.2C

High Temp: 5.9C

Rainfall: 0.0mm

Strongest Gust of wind: 2.0 mph.

Weather Today: Overcast and cold, a very miserable day.

Hello everyone. Once again thanks for the best wishes you left me, they were much appreciated. Everything seems to be going okay with it so far, no more bleeding or anything bad, I even managed to do some digging at work. Of course in an ideal world Jeanette is right both tools should have been made safe but at the time both were in use in the sense that I was swapping from one to the other all the time, I thought the greatest danger lay in falling from the ladder and saw concentrating on that and never saw the danger that got me. You’re also right about it needing stitches, for sure you didn’t need to be Gil Grisom to follow the blood trail. I think doctors these days have enough on treating people with grazed knees and allergies to bother them with something serious like a slashed hand. I’m more in favour of Dr Woody ‘s remedies, a good old dirty hanky and a sticking plaster!

You’re welcome to the comment Merle . As you probably know I’m still having to attend once a year for a test and although its probably not as bad as what you have to endure the worry is still there so I do appreciate what you said about the subject.

I have to confess Margaret, that Rhubarb is one of the things I just can’t stomach. I always remember as a child my gran used to give me a stick of raw Rhubarb to chew on from time to time so maybe that has something to do with it. Although at the time I don’t recall it bothering me too much, she didn’t force me to eat it or anything nasty like that.

A BLAST FROM THE PAST.

Saturday 15th February 1992.
Vicki had to go to work this morning. After work and before lunch we took the fertiliser spreader back to the gardener centre where we borrowed it from. Vicki bought some nuts for the birds whilst there so on our return I hung the feeder up outside the kitchen window. Fallon went swimming this afternoon and returned with a lose front tooth. I think we’ve got rats going in the out house so I’ve put down some poison. Received the form from Oban jobcentre.

I think the fertiliser spreader I speak of was borrowed for use at work as we didn’t have a garden.

Bob.