 10 April 2025 (Thursday) We planned a visit to Aston Rowant today so we got up early, getting our ablutions and breakfast all done and dusted and me preparing a snack and a flask of tea for our trip. It's part of our routine to take a snack and beverage with us so that we can sit on a bench, a fallen tree or a ledge, refuel, and ponder all around us, even when we're only going to Kew Gardens… a mere twenty minutes drive away! I guess as well as sustenance, it's a treat, harking back to picnics of bygone days. Richard hadn't slept very well, so he asked if I’d drive which I obviously had no problem with. It can be quite challenging when you've had a poor night’s sleep to then be in charge of any equipment, especially something as dangerous as a car driving along the motorway at whatever speed your head and foot dictate! After an uneventful drive, where chat and gaps were both welcome, we parked up in the Natural England car park at the end of the now very well weathered and pitted road. The car park’s used by dog walkers, walkers and doggers alike; each category of user having their own purpose and pleasures! We did our usual round: walking from the car park down to the lookout point, through the gate (that had PLOP written on it in chalk…), along the chalk embankment (hence writing implement for the PLOP), then up across the sheep walk and the back down to look out over Aylesbury plain, down into the woodland, up the wider path to go into the forest, left into the side forest that sweeps around the giant field of yellow flowered rapeseed, and right past fallen pointy tree point, and along almost to the road, turning 180° at this point to retrace our steps. We took our time, and halfway through the long walk of the side forest sat on our favourite bench to have our snack, with some quiet chat and a managed gap in trees giving an almost secretive glimpse of the hazy plain beyond. The first three quarters of the walk was incredibly wonderful, as we met not a single person. It's always lovely when walking to pass somebody and nod, or give a smile, or say “Hello” or “Morning” or “Lovely day for it”... and it's even more special to do the same walk and meet no one. True bliss, surely?  On our way back, just passing the bench where we'd had our snack not twenty minutes previous, I saw the first dog walker; up along the top path, his mongrel bounding excitedly ahead and he following on, with a whistle quietly thrusting through his teeth. He seemed oblivious to me being on the lower path, and of Richard fifty feet behind taking a photo of some wood anemones.
Richard had decided that we'd take a new way back to the car, which I was slightly wary of as the suggested path went sharply down, meandering away from where we needed to get to and if we followed it down I was sure at some point we'd have to wind the whole way right back up. I also wasn't sure it was a circular path, instead thinking it led away from where we wanted to get to in order to take ourselves back to the Fenella. However, being the staunch adventurers we are, we walked down the steep incline, and after about five minutes of trepidatious foot placing and much rustling of leaves found ourselves at the back of a few houses… With uncertainty of what was ahead and a certainty of what was behind we turned round, making our way back up the steeping incline breathing deeply and puffing gently as we both went. Back at the top, we began our way back to the car, retracing our steps rather than taking the usual shortcut along the rutted road. We passed various other folk, and when we got back to a high point where it's necessary to go through a gate we found two rather fluffy terriers standing still and watching what we were doing, with anticipation or apathy, I couldn't really tell. Their ‘owners’ looked to be nowhere, though the hilltop hid them and they were maybe just a few feet behind; an elderly couple, and she took a rest on the incongruous lone metal chair that's pegged into the ground. I guess they do this walk regularly, maybe weekly, even daily, maybe even twice daily. Who knows but them and their dogs? As we greeted and passed on our way as walkers without dogs and dog walkers so, I imagined the couple having lived their lives together for decades, dogs changing as they do as the years of love and care go by. Of course, they may have only recently found each other, though I felt there was a comfort of knowing between them that only comes with uncounted days of give and take, and a developed deep understanding of one another… and suddenly I’m reminded of my mum and dad, and the joys and jostles life threw their way. A moment of anguish that they're no longer with us, and minutes of smiles as I remember the happy time… and then looking up I see a red kite soar in the thermals and my mind is taken elsewhere. Back at the car park, with boots taken off and shoes put back on, we sat in the car just watching things go by; Richard fiddling with his camera and lenses and me watching a red kite circling close by, maybe the same one, maybe not. In one of its turns dropping off an unwanted poo cargo that thankfully, despite its trajectory, was far enough away to miss Fenella. There was a joy in this moment… a first for me, as I'd never seen a red kite pooping in midair before… in fact not surprisingly, I’d never seen a red kite’s ablutions before. Happy days indeed, though if I’d been underneath it… it could have been a very Lucky Day, as the old wives’ tale goes. The drive back, as usual, seemed to take less time than the getting there, and once home and lunch was had, it was time to get to my desk for an hour's work work. As Richard electronically developed all the photos he’d taken, sorting out what was good and what was not and what would be used where, I popped to the plot to do the necessary watering. It hasn't rained for well over two weeks now, and watering needs to be done. The forecasters say that at the back end of the weekend the temperature will dip from the highs that we're getting now and rain will come. And even though I love the temperatures, the rain will be welcome. Happy Days! Weather: Cloudy start, with sun coming out late morning. Blue skies and sun in the afternoon, and warm veering to hot, circa 22°. Bliss. Breakfast: Bran sticks, yogurt, banana, sultanas Aston Rowant Snack: Rice Cracker Sandwich with spread, yeast extract and thinly sliced cheese, and tea Lunch: Baguette with Quorn Chicken slices, coleslaw and cucumber Supper: Baked Beans (from freezer), potatoes broiled in a lidded pan with leftover braised cabbage and carrots added and heated through at the end.
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 2 April 2025 (Wednesday) We were thinking of going to Avebury, though instead a closer less tiring drive took place to Kew Gardens and back. The sun shone and it was warm, though there was a blustery wind all day which meant that a gilet (body warmer) was definitely needed. The cherry blossoms and magnolias were mainly in full bloom, with some looking stunning whilst others just looked thoroughly beautiful. One spectacular pale yellowy cream magnolia really took my interest; called Yellow Lantern it’s one that I would love to have - unusual and eye-catching, though as with many magnolias there was no scent. One rather blousy white magnolia did have the most magnificent scent, making it wonderfully special in its own way.
There were still many daffodils out, though drifts we’d seen a few weeks back were now well over. A few varieties really caught my eye, including one that was virtually white, maybe then palest cream species and another which was white petaled with the palest yellow trumpet. This is the thing at Kew Gardens, they have so many different species and specimens and suddenly you see one or two that really grab you.
Getting back home, after a quick lunch, I finished editing yesterday's filmed segments of A Week at the Plot, and then going on and doing a quick edit of today's footage at Kew Gardens today, though I want to get to the plot and do some work, just watering… though in the end I do much more!
Early to bed, as it’s an early start for me tomorrow as I’m off to Vanessa as I’ve meetings at the Great Green Barn with potential crafters who run workshops, and also some prices to change at For Earth’s Sake which I can only do onsite. Weather: Cool start, then warming up swiftly and sunny much of the day. though quite a chilling blustery wind all day. Breakfast: Bran sticks, yogurt, banana Kew Snack: Rice Cracker Sandwich with spread, yeast extract and thinly sliced cheese, Cream Cracker Sandwich with spread and yeast extract, and tea Lunch: Pitta, homemade coleslaw and thin slices of cheese Supper: Microwave Spinach Omelette, Baked Potato, salad of red onion, radish, cucumber and celery  20 March 2025 (Thursday)
A fabulous day, even early on feeling more like summer than spring, let alone winter! As today was forecast to be the best day of the week, and with other commitments this week and next, we’d decided to get down to Avebury and have a wander… until Richard realised today is the Spring Equinox and therefore Wiltshire, Glastonbury and Avebury would likely be awash with people, which we’re not fans of! So, instead we popped off to Kew Gardens. The sun shone, and it was warm… and of course, that meant there were rather a lot of people - and especially those who seem to want to visit a fabulously peace-filled outside space on a glorious day and chat loudly about everything apart from the place they’re visiting, or those that call someone to speak loudly on their phone, with the speaker on so that all can hear both sides of the conversation… I guess it’s best to not say what I’d do to these people if it was legal! Have I mentioned we’re not fans of places awash with people! After we'd started on a path to our Kew quiet places - where few people go, apart from those who know - the people thinned out and the joy of Kew Gardens lay before us, with its open spaces and tranquil peace (despite the often regularity of planes flying over on the landing path to Heathrow!). The light was that light that shows everything to its best, the fresh spring greens were jumping out, daisies were quietly dancing in the wide stretches of mown grass, and the sky was that bright wholesome blue that lends a backdrop to a spectacular view. It was whilst we were at the southern head of Kew’s lake that I saw the view above, and thought of mum, and smiled. Mum was always a fan of trees, and woods in particular. She’d love to spend time out in nature, with dad, walking wooded walkways at Pleinmont, watching the sea glistening in sunshine or subdued by grey cloud through the needles of the pines trees she sheltered under at Albecq, and walking down the giant avenues of oaks and firs and pines and redwoods that add such grandeur here at Kew Gardens. In her later years, it wasn't possible for her to get out and visit woods, or many trees; the mobility and accessibility just wasn’t there. So, she’d sit in her chair at the window of her room of the care home where she spent her last year and a half, and watch the trees up the driveway blowing in the wind or just grandly standing there. These trees were mentioned during every call we had. “Oh, it's really windy today and the trees are really blowing”, or “Oh, there's hardly any wind, not even a breeze and the trees are as still as soldiers on guard”, or, “It rained before, and the trees are now glistening in the sun”, or very occasionally “oh, it’s so foggy today I can’t even see the trees. I hope they’re OK”. This tiny view of three willowy firs sustained mum's love of trees through till the day she died. A view like this above, of grass and trees and the bright blue sky would just lift mum's heart, just as it did for me standing amidst the daisies on this glorious Spring Equinox. We carried on wandering… eventually sitting down near Queen Charlotte's Cottage, where she used to picnic and have Afternoon Tea. We had our own sustenance of rice crackers with yeast extract and a thin sliver of cheese, and a cup of tea, black with a little honey - the way Richard likes it. After restoring ourselves, we carried on walking, losing time and getting back to Fenella almost three hours after we'd left her - she didn’t mind, and was herself warm and snugly to get back into. In the afternoon, with the warmth continuing, I needed to get to the plot and water the broad beans that are hardening off on an outside bench. They're growing pretty well, so the compost needs to be kept moist; I really don't want them being stressed at any point during their growing period, if I can help it. There’s also a few other things to water, and I notice a little bit more germination in our Portuguese cabbage cross. Happy Days! A Chilli Concoction Supper is a chilli concoction - we’ve leftover veggie Shepherd's pie mix, sans potato. In a saucepan add a rounded tablespoon of miso paste, two rounded teaspoons of cocoa powder (or four small square blocks from a bar of dark chocolate), two rounded teaspoons of ground cumin, a flat teaspoon of ground coriander, a level tablespoon of dried coriander leaf, and half a teaspoon of chipotle paste (use more if you prefer your chilli with more heat) - give this all a good mix. Then add a tin of chilli beans (including the sauce, do not drain) and a drained tin of kidney beans. Slowly bring this to a simmer, stirring regularly - be careful as the mixture is thick and gloopy and could splatter. With a lid on, let simmer on a low heat until all is fully heated through. Serve with rice, or pitta, pasta, poppadoms, tortilla chips, bread or whatever your choice of starch is. A bit of grated cheese always hits the spot. Weather: Very sunny and warm - hitting 19° and likely to just nudge below 10° overnight. Breakfast: Bran sticks, yogurt, prunes and sliced banana Lunch: Butterbean Squish Wraps (butter beans, miso, red onion, celery, mayo, yeast flakes, soy sauce) in Lidl wraps. Supper: Chilli Concoction - remaining mix from Richard’s Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie with added spices and beans. Had with brown rice cooked in the Instant Pot.  13 March 2025 (Thursday)
Today we’re off to see Vivi - Yay! We’ve not been together for months, so I was really looking forward to today. We were up early, and I needed to pop to the plot to check on the seedlings in the greenhouse and poly to see if they needed water, which the broad beans definitely did! They are looking very healthy, though they would have been in need of water by the end of the day if I had not gone down. Richard’s not fond of driving in the dark, preferring not to, so I drive at night. If one of us drives one way, the other will drive the other, and if we’re on a long drive we’ll swap around halfway, or more regularly if needed. So, this morning it was Richard who had the straw to drive over to Vivi, as it’s likely we’ll be there until after sunset, chatting, laughing, eating, more laughing, more chatting… So in the car we got, aiming to leave within a half-hour period rather than by a particular time. Richard driving… and what a drive it turned out to be! It seemed that the road work managers of the boroughs and areas of Ealing, Chiswick, Hammersmith & Fulham, Chelsea, Battersea and Wandsworth had all got together and decided what roadworks to implement consecutively to create the most disruption to those travelling through West London… not until we were past Battersea did the incessant roadworks let up. It was just one of those days… sometimes on a bank holiday the drive there can take an hour, though on most occasions, like today, the drive was nearer two… hey ho! We had a fab day - catching up, hugs, food, lots of tea, chatter, laughter, trips to the loo (individually, not collectively like the road works managers!). And a delicious lunch of a mildly spiced Chickpea and Cashew Curry with brown rice (cooked, not dried!) - recipe to come! Utterly delicious! We left Vivi’s cottage in the sky after the sun had set, walking down her busy High Street and to our car parked a few minutes away on a side road. And the drive home - much quicker, as it usually is at that time. We hit roadworks on the way back at only one point, thankfully. After a cuppa and a little telly, it was time to get to bed, have a quick read of my book (Martin Walker’s The Dordogne Mysteries - a gift of the first eight or ten books in the series gifted by our neighbour of last Saturday evening) and time for lights off and to sleep… Happy Days! Weather: Cold again, and a little wet. Through the day the sun shone and hid… off and on until it set. Breakfast: Bran sticks, yogurt, sultanas and sliced banana Lunch: Vivi's Chickpea & Cashew Curry with brown rice Supper: Artisan Loaf with stilton and camembert and Richard’s Oat Crackers.  19 February (Wednesday)
One of the staff at For Earth's Sake who regularly does a few days each week, always including Wednesday, is now travelling through India for 3 months or so. This means Vanessa's covering in the shop more than usual; the impact of this is that she and I need to discuss things and get a morning's work done or at least planned before the she needs to go over the road, put out the newly delivered fruit and veg and open the shop, ergo, I'm up early and at my desk, getting on with work work. I'm definitely still feeling under the weather, and even though I was hoping to get down to the plot this afternoon to continue with the soft fruit bed I accidentally started doing yesterday, even early on I'm not sure that it’s actually going to happen. A full morning at my desk, sending out loads of emails, setting about planning socials, and also much other work including pricing, stock checks, blah, blah, blah. We've also decided to up the ante on our socials for both For Earth’s Sake and the Great Green Barn. Of course, Richard’s now more free generally than he was so what we're going to do is plan mini videos for him to film... of Vanessa and the shop and the barn. We can then have these in the can (so to speak) and schedule a couple of regular socials each week for the next month or so. It seems to make sense that we do this and utilise Richard's skills and time. He’ll come down and do a full day with me and then spend two further days editing and getting things ready to go on to socials. We've decided on a day for next week, so we'll see how it goes. In the afternoon, with a very full day's work work already done in the morning, I decide to take some unread library books I have back at the same time as I take some due books back. I'm in a funny time at the moment where I'm reading regularly - a few chapters before bed and on a Sunday. However, it is a fact that many books that I’ve reserved to read have all become available at once, or at least this month. Clearly, in my view at least, it's unfair to hang on to books and just renew them and renew them; if I'm five or six or seven or even eight weeks off of reading a book why hang on to it, or take away a new one that's arrived? I'm sure other people don't feel the same way and will hang on and renew books until the date they cannot renew them further, eventually returning them unread - raised eyebrows! Of course, this is simply selfish and denies others the opportunity to read them in the time they've been hung on to! Now, as the library is in the same area as Lidl, I decide to do a full round and go to the library, then popping into Lidl to do a small but not minor shop on the way back. I don't take Fenella to Lidl. 95% of the time choosing to walk there with my backpack to do the shopping. However, by the time I was walking back with a heavy-ish rucksack and another bag in my hand I was definitely feeling exhausted, and it dawned on me yet again that I need to pace myself and think about balance... and how I'd really overdone that soft fruit bed work at the plot yesterday. The rest of the afternoon I spent catching up on things with Vivi by phone and seeing where she is on her home move. I also made further notes, planning more work work at my desk, getting a few emails off in between times, and further thinking of those FES and GGB socials. Oh, and about twenty minutes ago as I was typing this I got an email from our local library to say that another book I’d reserved had arrived and was ready for collection… Weather: It’s around 6°. The sun’s out quite a bit today, though still it feels cold. Breakfast: Bran sticks, yogurt and a banana Lunch: Leftover Red Cabbage Coleslaw, pitta, hummus and a tinned if soup mixed with some leftover soup from a day or so ago Supper: Linda McCartney Burger (I thought they were the mozzarella ones, though they weren't), Red Cabbage Coleslaw and a slice of Lidl pumpernickel loaf. |
Paul SavidentFollowing on from A Guernsey Gardener in London, I've decided to try and write a regular blog, and we'll see how it AND 2025 go! Archives
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