Long Mizzle Garden

 Hello m' soggy bottoms,   Long time no gossip! I have some rather exciting news to reveal ... After two years on the waiting list, I am now proud custodian of a beautiful allotment plot. I received a very exciting email in the last week of March asking if I was still interested in one. Of course the answer was an excited YES and I was offered the opportunity to check out three different plots. After my Sunday morning sea swim, I arrived looking salty & bedraggled to meet with the lady who manages the old farmer's field on behalf of her father-in-law. Turns out it is the same gorgeous lady that runs my favourite local charity shop. Initially I thought I'd go for a half-plot. (In the UK, allotments are classed as either full-plot, half-plot, or sometimes even quarter-plot). That was until I saw the full plot on offer, with beautiful established apple trees, gooseberries, raspberries, currant bushes and rhubarb galore. Plus, the plot had another major selling point - a pa

 Hello m' art clubbers, Last year I came across a Kurt Jackson painting in Falmouth Gallery called 'All Quiet Now Dorothy'. Those who frequent my blog may know I am partial to a good handsome pit. There was a beautiful, aquamarine sereneness to this painting; a spellbinding calm after a noisy, hectic day. It drew me in. For some time I couldn't quite comprehend my emotional response to it. No matter what we do to mother earth, she eventually comes to rest and reveals beauty in her scars.  All quiet now Dorothy - mixed media on wood panel (60 x 60cm)   Upon returning home I did some feet-up-post-dinner iPad browsing. I discovered Jackson has a whole series of 'Clay Country' paintings. Sadly I'd missed the dedicated exhibition. Jackson immersed himself in these extraordinary man made environments, working plein air to depict the less glamorous, industrial side of Cornwall, scenes you don't see on TV's 'Caroline Quentin & Fern Britton try to

 Hello m' trunky dunkies, Time for a quick bloggy? After an early morning sea swim (yes I am now one of those holier than thou 'wild swimming' converts!), I felt all energized, so decided to tackle the scraggly vege bed that has lay soggy and storm ravaged all winter.  My first bit of gardening this year... Before - After - Fruit & vege wise, I hope to be growing more perennials this year.  There are two main reasons for this: an increasing shortage of time and water.     The tulip bulbs were finally planted in the blue tubs. This is usually something I try to do in November. From the slim picking dregs in the garden centre: Parrot prince, Hugs & Kisses, Copper Image   Very colour coordinated darling. My laundry pile simply can't wait. The elephant is on the move, looking for its own special watering hole.  Time to stop for a cup of tea and to admire the camilias. My hard trim last spring seems to have encouraged proliferous proliferations. Since taking this pit