Hobbies and Crafts

Vera
You have just reminded me that I should go and see what I still have that I can use this Christmas such as the artificial bits and the Tree, silly me!

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Vera
Don't worry it's your contribution to our ailing economy ;-) ;-) ;-)
That's my story and I'm sticking to it :-) :-) :-)

Why is it impossible to go to a garden centre without spending more than you should? Went out with OH this morning to get a small Christmas tree. Came back with a large tree, a Christmas wreath and 3 trays of pansies :-D

The roses sound lovely Bridget.

I walked a different route earlier this week and was amazed to see a magificent tall pink hollyhock- not at all tatty. The leaves looked lush and green too.

We have had only one light frost early in November, so many plants are still in 'summer-mode' around here.

In our garden a stray potato must have been missed underground. The leaves are thick and green and about 10 inches tall.

Gwyn

Lucky you Bridget, the roses sound beautiful. We still have the odd one or two, or we did until yesterdays frost, not sure they will have survived that.

Red, pink and yellow Roses all over one of our Walls. That is all I have seen that are looking good.

Lots of greener, around so I hope that counts.

Bridget

My son is a Chartered Forester, manages thousands of acres of woodland in the South West so has a lot of contact with Westonbirt, being the. National Arbouretum.

He went to a meeting up there about a year ago and stayed in Tetbury and thought it looked like a " Mum " type place.

He has been itching to take me there ever since.

We saw the steep street but didn't come across the Police Museum, will have to see it on another visit.

M.

It was sunny yesterday but this morning was very foggy. However it was sunny this afternoon with a good sunset. Shame it didn't work out for Westonbirt, maybe another time.

Haven't been to Tetbury for quite a while, although it isn't far for us it is somewhere we normally go on the way back from wherever we have been, if you know what I mean. What made your son want to go to Tetbury? Just a day out? I like the church because it has a cathedral feel to it and when inside, because all the windows are bright clear glass the light is beautiful. And there are always pleasant people in there willing to chat. Did you go into the police museum as you walked round? And did you walk down the cobbled road where they have the Woolsack race, love the old cottages there.

Intriguing to find a family name in the churchyard.

Well, I bought a camera today (as if two isn't enough, I am a bit of a camera 'junkie'.) We had to persevere to get it though as it was in Currys and theyw ere still suffering from Black friday fever. The car park was horrendous and we ended up joining others who had parked in the service road. Luckily we had left when a huge lorry turned into the road leading to the service road and blocked everyone else from getting in because he couldn't get past a parked car. That helped us exit the car park anyway. The crowds were not caused by people visiting Currys mainly but by people visiting the new large toy shop next door. It is a wonder there were not any shunts as people tried to access spaces from both sides when somebody drove out.

Well, in the end we didn't go to Westonbirt, we would have got there too early for the lights and would have had to leave before they went on.

We got to Tetbury shortly before 11 am , no problem parking, we even managed to find an on road free space, had a look round, got some lunch had another look round, bought some bits for my sister in the Highgrove shop and a few other bits and bobs in the pretty gift shops and Christmas market.

There was a wedding on in the church so we couldn't go in but what a lovely building.

We then went on to Malmsbury for a look round, went to the abbey, when we were in there I just happened to glance down at my feet and saw my name on a memorial stone. !!!

There were a whole load if them all with our name on them. Need to check them out and see if there is a link to the Somerset lot.

Hope you have all had the lovely sunny weekend we have had.

M. :-)

Gwyn Westonbirt is lovely any time of year. We try and go as many times as possible to get the benefit from our membership. (Which also gets us into Batsford.) :-)

Maryanna
I hope you had a good day in Tetbury area.

When we last went we parked at the old station, without too much trouble.
We caught a bus to Westonbirt and paid reduced entrance fee because we hadn't used a car !
This was a couple of years ago at least, so things might have changed now.
Unfortunately we were just a little too early for the full glory of the autumn colour-change, but the acers were already a wonderful display.

Gwyn

Not looking forward to the parking so fingers crossed.

It will take us about two hours to get there, not too bad.

Forecast for tomorrow is looking good.

M.

The leaves will be down at Westonbirt but the walks will still be nice if it is dry. We have never made it to the light show because it means OH driving at night and he doesn't do that if we can help it. The light show is supposed to be fantastic so I envy you seeing it. there is a good restaurant there and we haven't been there since they opened the new car park. Long way for you for a day trip though. Or does son live in Tetbury? I do like Tetbury love the church there with its plain windows. A devil to find a parking space at the weekend though. Have fun! :-)

Most of mine disappeared a couple of days go, when we had a heavy frost, along with the Bizzie Lizzies, which did spectacularly well this year. I hadn't grown them for ages, apart from the New Guinea ones because of the wilt virus.

I have a few bedding begonias still around the patio, in pots and under the porch, where they were more sheltered. My lovely Cosmos have had it now though,

We are going to Tetbury tomorrow for a trip with eldest son and wife and if we have time we will go to Westonbirt but I think that might be pushing it a bit at this time of year, although he wants me to see it with the trees lit up.

Daughter and son in law move into their own house on the 16th. Eeeeek !!!!! She still wants to put on her big party on Christmas Eve.

So what with four birthdays, including the Little One and youngest son, rehearsing and putting on School Christmas plays, helping daughter pack up their stuff, Christmas shopping, School parties, discos, meals, a wedding anniversary, Oh and normal school work, I realised that unless I put my Christmas tree up on Monday, I haven't got a day spare to do it. Far too early but it's then or never !!! I will be too busy to notice it anyway.

M. :-)

Just checked and the bedding begonias were zapped by yesterdays freezing fog. :-(

Geraniums were still blooming but got caught by Sunday night's frost but there are several primroses in bloom and a solitary agapanthus still going strong.

Still got bedding begonias flowering and would have french marigolds and Rudbeckia if we hadn't pulled them up. The seasons are definitely merging/changing. all very strange. Gwyn. :-)

Has anyone else got / seen a variety of unseasonal flowers lately?

Today I've seen geraniums, fuschia, rosebuds, blackberry flowers, marigolds, primulas, cosmos and violets in addition to more seasonal plants.
Last week I saw nasturtium and lavatera.

Daffodil bulbs have shoots at least 6 inches tall.
..........It's a strange season.

Gwyn

Lol Jane get it a bib with a pocket to catch the seed.

I have put the photo on the blog Jane. I can't quite see what it is without seeing the tail in flight though. I will get Shaun from the Welsh thread to have a look.

Oh Vera I bet you can't wait now to get things started.How exciting :-D.Yes get someone else to do the hard graft.It will be worth it.
Our front drive is totally covered in wet leaves at the moment :-S.But they will have to stay a while until it is a bit drier.

I just got a pic of what I think is a Red Kite sitting in my neighbours tree.if it is any good I will send it to you Ann.

I now know for sure that the Squirrel is eating fro the window feeder as I have seen it's feet marks on my window :-S :-S and it leaves the sill in a filthy state .Messy eater :-S