The Petting, Pancakes and Plants Place
Hello m' pannenkoeks,
We call it the 'Petting, Pancakes and Plants Place'. Officially it is the 'Wendron Plant Nursery and Pancake Barn', near Helston. We went during the half term holiday [Warning: if you find kids annoying, don't go during the school holidays!]. Well, it was an absolute hit with the kids and I - somewhere I could get my plant fix, the kids could feed some goats, laugh at some rogue chickens and attempt to pet a rabbit. I got a nice pot of tea, we all ate pancakes and there's even an outdoors play area. Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick. Yes.
Goat Face, brother of Goat Beard -
Dreaming of polytunnels (have I ever told you my idea of heaven is a polytunnel and a pot of tea?) -
Succulents in hanging baskets (I will be ripping this idea off this summer) -
Some more polytunnel dreaming, cacti, succulent propagation in action and a quick plant grab -
Below are some Trachcarpus fortunei seedlings. Regular readers will know I have a trachy palm back home in the garden. Well, I did feel very silly in recognising the seedlings and quickly realising I have been puling them out as unknown weeds for years!!!
Just a quick blog today, but I'll leave you with a video of me hunting the little blighters down at Long Mizzle.
The *car booty* is calling.
* For non-UK readers: car boot sales are a much beloved UK event where people park up in the middle of a field, often at arse o' crack (very early) in the morning, and sell shizz (stuff) that they don't need any more from the boot of their cars, to people who think they need more shizz. The more seasoned car booters know to bring a folding wallpaper or picnic table to better display their wares on, an ugly bum bag (fanny pack) to keep change in and a beady eye to preside over any 'cheeky customers' sleight of hand.
In a strange phenomenon seen possibly only in Cornwall, a rope is strung across the entrance, where the bargain hunters eagerly gather, stretching and warming their limbs up. A giant horn honks to mark the opening of the sale and the rope drops just enough to provoke a rush on the entrance, but not enough to clear ankles, thus creating a tripping hazard. The first couple lines of customers tumble over and those behind have a mere millisecond to judge whether they can make the hurdle. Some make it, others don't. Those that fall jump promptly up, dust themselves off and carry on running at full pelt
...because THAT dear readers is how true bargains are found.
Plus, on a side note, car boot sales are a great place to sell and buy plants.
I hope that you are well and dandy,
Lulu xXx
Sounds like a pretty perfect day out, and those pancakes look delicious!
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to seeing your succulent baskets. (Is it just me, or does that sound a bit rude :D)
Oooh eeeeer, that does sound rude Jules!!! I'll show them to you anyhow ;) :) x
Deletewelcome to the long mizzle palm tree business! :-D
ReplyDeletepancakes are delicious - and i do love goats. but i would visit while the kids are at school - ahem..... ;-D
you look gorgeous with the headscarf!
my polytunnel arrived - but i can´t get it up because the soil is frozen hard as concrete! but i cleaned the lily bed today and i could swear the tiny green tips made a grow spurt in the hour after. and the shed grown tulips went into the garden in their pots - neatly lining the path.......
car boot sales sound like big fun :-DDDD
stay fab! xxxxx
Ah yes, pennies in the bank Beate ;) I have lazy morning croissants cooking in the oven, but could easily eat those pancakes all over again. Hurray for the tulips and how exciting to have a polytunnel! I eagerly await seeing it over on your blog, once the ground thaws. Car boot sales are tremendous fun, if nothing else for people watching xXx
Deletep.s. s=Sat here with bad hair - so another headscarf day :)
Dear Lulu
ReplyDeleteTrachycarpus seedlings - who knew?! Great for future sales ideas.
That sounds like a great place to visit and I too love the idea of succulents in hanging baskets.
Have a happy week
Best wishes
Ellie x
I feel so bad for pulling out previous year's seedlings Ellie! If I'd saved them all, I'd have six foot tall palms by now. Succulents in hanging baskets = less watering, more time for tea drinking ;) xXx
DeleteI see a whole wallpaper table of trachycarpus seedlings coming along to a carboot sale near you....
ReplyDeleteOh yes Betty! The evil money generating cogs are turning ;)
DeleteBut seriously, I do need a bum bag xXx
First of all, I'm impressed with your Flemish (Dutch), even if the plural is "pannenkoeken" and not "pannenkoeks" ;-)
ReplyDeleteThe 'Petting, Pancakes and Plants Place' looks like fun for all, and those succulents in hanging baskets are just brilliant!
I've never had the pleasure of going to a proper car boot sale - particularly not one with a rope - but it seems some of our outdoor flea markets are somewhat similar, but minus the rope!
How exciting are your trachycarpus seedlings, I'm sure you will make a mint at the next car boot! xxx
Thank you Ann for being impressed with my questionable modern language skills. It was in fact a Belgian born, long time Holland resident that taught me the word 'Pannenkoek' - but I never thought to ask for the plural - I mean, really, who ever has just one pancake!!! Your tripping-free outdoor flea markets sound fun. I do intend to make a mint, thank you :) xXx
DeleteI have been trying to germinate some Trachycarpus fortunei for aaaaaages!
ReplyDeleteAnd I love Mr Goaty McGoatface😁 a fave place of mine is in my garden in the summerhouse or glasshouse with a mug of tea - can't beat it!
Hiya Kate ... Fingers crossed..If they don't germinate within three months or so under cover, I can send you some super fresh seed this summer! And failing that, I can always post you a couple of little seedlings. I'm on email - longmizzle (at) gmail.com
DeleteGlasshouse and tea - you are a lady after my own heart xXx
Pancakes in the open air - perfect and love the goat, looks quite a character.
ReplyDeleteHow great are all of those palm seedlings, lots of potential. Hope you have a good week with lots of smiles.
The goats were very goaty Mike, and the pancakes very delicious. I am very chuffed with the little seedlings. Hope you've had a good week xXx
DeleteRocking that headscarf, Lulu! I haven't been to a car boot sale in almost three years - I think I'll have forgotten what to do when they finally reopen around here.
ReplyDeleteHow cute is that goat? xxx
Thank you Vix :) and Goat Face says thanks too (but he's not 'borrowing' my headscarf!) . I have heard rumours of car booties, so fingers crossed this year will be better for them xXx
DeleteLooks like a fab day out Lulu! I love goats. They are quite clearly insane, but so very entertaining. I like the idea of succulents in a hanging basket. In a way, you can claim ownership of that with your succulent stuffed shells! Another excellent video. I have great expectations that your name will crop up on Gardener's World this season. If not, I shall pen a stern letter to Monty Don! xxx
ReplyDeleteIt seemed very important for the goats to be 'king of the castle' - which they'd display by standing on the highest rock and bleeting loudly! I have just found the perfect hanging vessel for a succulent ... to be revealed.... I keep meaning to make a little video for GW (it is a bit like me hoping to win the Lotto, when I don't actually play it!. Thank you for the offer of pen support ;) xXx
DeleteI have a polytunnel.......not much in it right now except an overwintering lavender. There are a few hardy salad greens that have survived the winter and might give me a few leaves as we head into spring. I will get sowing seeds soon, too cold just now.
ReplyDeleteYour description of the car boot sale was wonderful, I had a good chuckle at the imagery of your words!
Luck you SM! It must smell lovely in there. I I personally would like a polytunnel so I can have a table tennis end -as well as the plants of course :) Glad you liked the car bootiness xXx
DeleteHaha, I can't really avoid kids since I can only go to places in school holidays!! I am glad you were able to visit your idea of heaven!!!!x
ReplyDeleteAhhhhh, of course, there's no escaping them if you're a teacher!!! Thanks Kezzie :) xXX
DeleteThat was a perfect description of a car boot sale. You had me chuckling like a nutter... nothing new there then. A poly tunnel is great but oh how I'd love a beautiful brick and wood greenhouse. I'd invite you to come sit in it and I'd make you some pancakes and serve you tea in my best china cups.
ReplyDeleteGlad it tickled the ol' chuckle bones Cherie . Oh yes, a handsome brick and wood greenhouse... with pancakes and posh tea... I'm there!!! xXX
DeleteLooks great, especially the pancakes!
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting and commenting Jill, lovely to cyber meet you! I see you have a bloggy, so I'll come and have a good nosey when I get chance. Lulu xXx
DeleteI went there several years ago - pre-Covid - and it was hilarious. Chickens roaming happily everywhere, though not many plants at the time. It was definitely a place to go back to, though, and we smile every time we pass it. I am missing car boots - do you ever go to Rosudgeon? That was a great one. Xx
ReplyDeleteThere's nout funnier than a rogue chicken Sue! I did used to go to Rosudgeon and greatly enjoyed it - it was great for plants, and other, stranger items - I think I picked up my old accordion from there. Plus we'd get a coffee at one of the catering vans afterwards and watch life go past. The car booty with the rope was the old Mabe one, which sadly hasn't been on for years. I've heard Rosudgeon car boot will be starting up again. Lulu xXx
DeleteIt looks a great place to visit, I love goats, such commical creatures. Never been to a car boot fair, sounds interesting. I had a large Cordaline for many years but heavy snow and prolonged low temperatures killed it off. I sawed it off just above ground and five more.plants appeared from around its stump.
ReplyDeleteIt had been about eight feet tall but your Trapycarpus puts it right in the shade. 😊
Oh you must seek out a car booty in Lincolnshire David! There used to be a big one t'other side of the Humber, Bridlington way - that I used to tie in with 'work trips' during the summer months ;) My old Hull garden had a corydyline that succumbed to the 2010 three months of snow - but then, like yours, eventually sprung back in a multi branching format! Hope that you are well xXx
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