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Gardengirl

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Everything posted by Gardengirl

  1. Nomoss, that was hilarious! I laughed the first time I watched it, was almost in tears the second time - anticipating it made it even funnier! The friend I sent it to isn’t very skilled with a sewing machine; she says I’m not a good friend as she wet herself laughing so much! I blame you! ?
  2. I’ve heard on R4 about companies and individuals making stuff for hospitals that have been happy to have them made, presumably of the correct fabric. But whoever/wherever has the final say has refused them as not passing the strict tests. Those who made them must feel very depressed and sore about it, having had hospitals delighted that they would be receiving them.
  3. Here in the UK, we started the automatic watering system for all the pots far earlier than normal, and our normally soggy bottom lawn, which has several springs running under it, is dry - something that normally only happens in a summer heatwave. One of the old apple trees is almost half covered in blossom, the choisyas are in full flower, with bees all over them. We have fuchsias and annual osteospermums flowering in pots and baskets that weren’t emptied last autumn, all in sheltered spots, and so many other shrubs in flower far too early.
  4. One programme I’ll definitely be watching is The Great Mountain Sheep Gather, on BBC4 on Easter Monday at 19h. The write-up says “Every summer, the sheep on Scafell Pike are gathered down to the farm for shearing. On this epic journey, a shepherd reflects on life while caring for his flock in this rugged landscape.” A glorious part of the UK, my second favourite area here.
  5. I’ve never made bread in France, despite having spent about 6 months there each year for the past 12 or so years - our small kitchen plus having about 18 bakeries in our small town, about 3 of which I generally use. Today’s bread has now cooled, spelt flour as usual, with a baking tray of water underneath and it's crust s just right, not crusty, just how we like it.
  6. I haven’t watched any of those mentioned, I’m not really into series of things. I do enjoy series such as Vera, Lewis etc, but that’s about it.
  7. I took a pan and spoon out the first week, Idun, and found I only had half a spoon when I went back inside - it was dark then, so I hadn’t noticed. I now take a pan and a smooth piece of wood. A wooden clapper is a very good idea! It’s lovely again here in Berkshire, sunny with a clear blue sky; I’m sitting under the shade of the apple trees again, too hot on the terrace. I did a little gardening early, before the sun came round and will laze for most of the rest of the day.
  8. Lori said, “I don’t believe we will ever be the same again.” I think that is so for us all. I’m sure that getting ‘back to normal’ won’t really be what we know at all. Some things will stay the same, but this pandemic must change things and people - for the good, I hope.
  9. Oh my heavens, that poor woman, just terrible! No wonder she’s terrified! It made me feel so glad I ‘only’ had tumours!
  10. A bit of nostalgia now and again is OK, Mint. I love that poem; maybe the second verse next month! I’ve kept thinking it was Sunday today, decided to put an alarm on for 19.55 in case I still thought it was Sunday and forgot to go out to clap. As it happened, I didn’t need the alarm. A few more come out each week, although we can’t see everyone who’s out, but can hear them - somebody seemed to have some bongo drums this evening.
  11. Perfect for me here in Berkshire, todaym 22C, sunshine all day and a clear blue sky. I’ve spent most of the day out here sitting reading under the apple trees, with birdsong all around, mainly great tits and chaffinches - and a few noisy magpies! We had a late, lazy lunch out here and I’m planning on staying put for the rest of the day and early evening. At this time of year we’re normally down in the Gard, and my thoughts usually fly to: Oh, to be in England Now that April's there, And whoever wakes in England Sees, some morning, unaware, That the lowest boughs and the brushwood sheaf Round the elm-tree bole are in tiny leaf, While the chaffinch sings on the orchard bough In England - now! - Home thoughts from abroad, Robert Browning
  12. Try the Great British Home Chorus with Gareth Malone conducting. Rehearsals are Monday – Friday 18.30 – 19.00 (French time) and there’s a different song each week; not the real thing, of course, but it’s still fun! UK, France and a few other countries are listed for joining in: Register at: https://decca.com/greatbritishhomechorus/?utm_source=Email&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=GreatBritishHomeChorusSunshinepdfforrehearsalpt2240320&utm_content=UMGUK19628-714210&vvsa_consumer_id=33907559&vvsa_tracking=_vvsa_cJycQAgo336488 See/hear you this evening?
  13. I find that putting a baking tray in the bottom of the oven when I put the bread in to bake helps to keep the crust softer. I’ve been told that spraying the crust of the bread just before before putting it in to bake also helps to keep it soft.
  14. We’ve been having lovely weather here in the UK too, beautiful sunshine and more warmth have had the magnolias and apple trees in our garden opening rapidly. We’ve spent the last few days outdoors from mid-morning, coming in at around 18h. We’re really counting our blessings that we have our garden, even if it’s too big for us to manage now. We’ve thought of moving into a smaller house or apartment over the last few years - so glad that we aren’t in an apartment with no garden or balcony, not that we’d be likely to buy anywhere with neither.
  15. I’m not a fan of his, but I wish him all the very best and a swift recovery - what a shock it was to hear that he had gone into intensive care, despite him being fit, as many who know him say. There seems to be a pattern - deterioration after 9/10 days leading to needing intensive care, onto a ventilator and if not young and/or fit, the next step seems to be, sadly, multiple organ failure. His poor fiancée must be so very worried.
  16. I also strongly agree. It would be good to think that values/pay could change now that everyone must realise who is really important in all our lives. This impressed me: https://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/neville-and-giggs-open-doors-to-nhs/178575
  17. https://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/~jac22/The_Ladybird_Book_of_COVID-19.pdf
  18. Unfortunately, kneading for more than a few seconds sets my back off Idun, so that’s all I can manage to do. My ancient Kenwood gives it a good bashing and the bread is good and tasty. More kneading might be a good exercise for my husband in getting rid of any frustration at not being able to get out and about though.
  19. I normally use spelt flour, but the loaves we made this week were half spelt, half wholemeal, as I can’t get more spelt flour. Our son who lives nearby dropped a large bag of wholemeal off in our porch during the week. My husband made the bread almost on his own, with just a little help, no bread-maker, but we use the mixer.
  20. Norman, it must be extremely hard for people who live in flats, particularly if there isn’t a balcony to spread out on and enjoy the changing scene from. You mention about the uncertainty when coming and going, which I can well understand, having a flat in France; handles, lift buttons etc that will have been touched by many. We live in a suburb in Berkshire, and are very lucky to have a good-sized garden with a small ancient woodland beyond - the reason we bought this particular house. We normally spend a lot of time in the garden, whether pottering, working or sitting out there reading. Even when inside the house we both spend a lot of time looking outside and watching birds - binoculars live on the kitchen windowsill. Favourites at the moment are great spotted woodpeckers and nuthatches, which we are seeing more often, and it’s rare not to see red kites overhead. We have the best show of primroses we’ve had in our 38 years in this house, maybe due to our long, hot summer and very wet autumn last year. Before long, bluebells will be with us at the end of the garden and the woods beyond will be covered in their blue carpet. We’ve been self-isolating for 3 weeks now and feels a lot more than that, still have a long way to go, but we would both find it a lot harder without our garden.
  21. Sending very best wishes to your wife, cajal - I hope all ends very well following being well cared for. We were out in our front garden clapping at 20h, banging away with pans as well, pleased to make a noise in support of everyone who helps us all in any way. There were quite a lot more people out clapping in our road this week and somebody down the road set off 2 soaring fireworks. It was very nice to see neighbours outside, and to have a chat with our friends next door, at a distance, of course - much better than emails!
  22. Pretty much the same as you, Idun plus sudoku and very gentle pottering in the garden. I normally read a lot but I’m reading even more now. I tried sorting out drawers and cupboards, but my back suffered and I’ve been on strong painkillers since, so my husband has been doing even more than usual. I hope that all on here are keeping well. x
  23. Idun, I’ve only once put my dough in the fridge over night - like you found, it didn’t work, and only rose reluctantly later the next day. It wasn’t awful when we ate it, just wasn’t quite right. We’ve been self-isolating here in Berkshire for over 2 weeks now and have been OK for bread, some fresh, some from the freezer. Our son who lives nearby has brought some from Waitrose and from Asda, along with a large bag of bread flour last week, paracetamol and Maltesers - my weakness! We didn’t join in our family get-together 2 weeks ago to celebrate our local son’s birthday. Our other son arrived from afar with bags of groceries for us, along with his Mothering Sunday card and flowers, and an Easter egg. He and his husband wouldn’t even stand in the porch, but stood outdoors in the rain to chat in case they passed on infection. We had a home delivery from Waitrose a week ago, ordered 3 weeks before, when we felt things were getting serious. No delivery slots available since then. At the weekend I had an email from Waitrose; as I’m registered with them and over 70, a delivery slot next Thursday was available; they’re using John Lewis staff - they closed about 10 days ago. I started my order yesterday; no flour of any sort showing online, along with no toilet rolls, tissues, kitchen rolls, hand sanitiser (don’t need any as we don’t leave the garden). Interesting what isn’t available. Wine isn’t in short supply online, so we’re supporting local (Languedoc) industries, but it doesn’t seem right to order too much, somehow.
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