A dreckly updated blog from a long and mizzly garden by the sea in Cornwall.
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Hello m' dotties,
It has been a wonderful Easter weekend. You can probably guess where I've spent most of it?
Of course, the garden!
Since September I've been missing some packets from the Alpine Garden Society seed swap. It was driving me potty as I had looked everywhere for them. I had intended to sow the remaining seeds in autumn. All the logical places were checked: the potting bench, my tupaware store in the fridge, the cold cupboard in the downstairs toilet.
Then on Friday night, as I was Marie Kondo-ing the living daylights out of the airing cupboard (as one does on a Friday night), they revealed themselves. They had been sat in the sun lotion basket! Well, I had to do celebratory dance and found it hard to sleep after all that excitement.
Before they escaped again, I got them sown into freshly washed pots and window propagator. Fingers crossed it's not too late and they hatch ok.
The lost alpine seed list
From South Africa: Romulea gigantea, Lacanalia carnosa & Lacanalia klipranensis
From the Alps /Pyranness: Gentiana acaulis, G. acaulis 'Stumpy' & Physoplexis comosoa
From Chile: Trapaeolum autropurpureum
From Nepal / Kashmir: Rosocea alpina
A reet posh compost heap
This year I hope to make more space for edibles. Food prices have rocketed, so it makes sense. This means making a couple of new beds, so I do not lose my beloved flowers. I am half way through this process, so I shan't do the grand reveal just yet.
Please excuse me while I do a little note to my future self -
I have planted some elephant garlic in the old vege bed.
Let's hope I manage to grown more than £5 worth of garlic in return.
I'm going to crack on in the garden this afternoon.
I shall leave you with a couple of little videos should you have the time, inclination, and most importantly a cuppa at hand to watch.
The first is a garden update -
The second video is a little trip we had to the Marconi Musuem by Poldu Cove.
This is where the first transatlantic wireless transmission was made.
There's so much wonderful history and stories associated with this place. Something I didn't have time to mention - the white building in the photo, now a nursing home, was a newly built hotel when the young Italian / Irish Marconi arrived in 1900. Apparently Marconi was quite an charismatic character and liked life's luxuries, so would always make sure there was a good hotel nearby.
The wooden hut is home to the Poldu Amateur Radio Club - a group of volunteers and HAM radio enthusiasts. I am seriously thinking about building my own radio rig and applying for a license. These kind of skills would be useful in any post-apocalyptic scenario.
Last night I caught a bit of BananaJSSI's live stream on You Tube - he lives on Vancouver Island, where he runs a palm nursery. With his radio setup he was able to randomly communicate with someone from Niue Island in the Pacific (between Tonga & the Cook Islands - we had to google it).
Radio still has the ability to be magic!
Something else also not elaborated on in the video - it was Professor John Ambrose Fleming that helped design the wireless station and transmitter. He too spent quite a bit of time at Poldu, going on to invent the diode valve in 1904. It is his nephew that donated the old chair that we can see in the museum's control room. He remembers as a lad Fleming would sit him on his knee on that chair, at his Devon home.
That's all for today folks.
I hope you are keeping well. What have you been up to this weekend?
Lulu xXx
Please remember to bike, plumbs up & subside on YouTubey HERE
Ah how lovely to take a trip through Mullion to the Marconi Museum. A trip down memory lane as I've once stayed at a lovely B&B in Mullion and walked on the Lizard. I was aware of the Marconi link at the time, but the museum wasn't there yet, I think. Looks like its well worth a visit. Well done of finally finding those long-lost seeds - I wonder what I'd find if I Marie Kondo'd our airing cupboard. Good luck with your veggie beds and I am truly impressed with your "reet posh" compost heap! xxx
Hello Ann, oh Mullion is so pretty, & the Lizard so wild. The museum opened at the end of 2001 I believe, to commemorate 100 years. I am half tempted to Marie Kondo all the other wardrobes now, as part of my mutant spring clean! Glad you liked the compost heap :) xXx
Eh!?! Having never watching either of the Mama Mia movies, I was not aware of this Cherie! Eugh, it's going to be cheesy isn't it. They're going to spontaneously break into song whilst talking. Greece 2 is the only musical I can handle, & that's because it's SO bad it's brilliant ;) xXx
Oh yes please Cherie! :) :) :) I only really like the yellow courgettes, as opposed to green. I am trying not to buy seeds this year, but rather use up all my stash or do swapsies. I shall have to have a peek to see what I have & send you and email.... xXX
glad you found the alpine seeds! wish you luck with them - and with the garlic and the veggies..... your garden looks picture perfect - esp. the compost heap :-D i too have a week spot for amateur radio communication. this hobby saved some actual lifes over the years - very interesting history...... happy spring my dear! xxxxx
Thank you Beate :) You have rail engineers' spirit, so it does not surprise me that you are into radio communication. I bet it comes in handy in the vast forest too. Springy chics to you xXx
Happy you found the seeds Lulu. I get so annoyed at myself whenever I lose something. I'm forever tidying up, putting things in safe places and then forgetting where those safe places are. I'm like a squirrel in that respect! I'm also crossing my fingers that you are rewarded with plentiful gigantic garlic bulbs! I shall set aside some time to watch your videos - my attention was piqued at your radio rig/license idea. A post apocalyptic world feels like a very real prospect these days. xxx
Thanks squirrel Claire! I haven't tried elephant garlic before so it should be interesting. Last night the eldest tot & I re-watched Dustin in Stranger Things rigging up his ham radio & accompanying walkie talkies :) xXx
Oh it is so annoying when you 'know' that you had something and you 'know' that they are safely 'somewhere' but ... WHERE?!? then when you do find them ... either there is a dawning recollection of 'oh yes, I remember now duh' or (this is me more and more these days...) 'what the hell are they doing here? I still don't remember that!' 🙄🤪😁
Strange how such things as seeds can keep disappearing. I'm always missing something or other! My gosh it's blowing a gale at the moment, the trees are dancing. All good wishes.
Its so annoying when you misplace something, especially when you "put it in a safe place"! Of course you could keep a little notebook where you record where these items have been left; you'd need to know where the notebook is so best to put it in a safe place! 😯 I enjoyed having a look around your garden, you're way ahead of mine. I did some seed sowing a few days ago, some toms for growing outdoor and Zinnias for my tubs. I also enjoyed the two videos, as a retired BT Telephone I found the Marconi museum fascinating. Enjoy the weekend, our weather here is dire but better soon. 😊 🐕
Glad you like the Marconi video David :) Well done on getting the tomatoes sown, I'm still yet to do that. The littlest one sowed some Zinnias for me during the week. I hope the weather has improved for you. We had the storm pass over at the start of the week, but it has been a lovely sunny day today xXx
Hello m' chucky chives, With allotment duties in full swing, you may be wondering if the garden is receiving the same wanton neglect as my eyebrows?... The answer, in short...is yes... but it doesn't seem to mind. When we moved in over eleven years ago, the garden was wildly overgrown, 'lost' and magical. A lot had to be cleared for practicality - mainly the monstrous leylandi hedging, but also the wild brambles, nettles and creeping buttercup. Self seeded Foxgloves and Sweet Williams Now the new hedging has grown up and matured, the once veggie beds and cut flower beds are again partially shaded. This had led to a garden re-think. For now, nature can do what it does best. Please ignore the non-colour coordinated towels, drying from this morning's sea swim with the kiddies. My new battery powered strimmer (intended for the grass paths at the allotment) saves the day in the garden, by clearing a safe path through the wilderness of ferns, thistles and...
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. Sin...
Hello m' piskies, Shhh, not many people know it, but there's a little fairy colony on the outskirts of Truro (spot the Enchanted trail on the map here ). High up in the trees a wise owl presides over the comings and goings and all is at peace. Wooden trip trap bridges lead beside a stream and the path is edged with fallen branches. The fairies are shy, but the occasional creature can be found. Why are owls deemed to be wise? Although their brains are no bigger than any other birds' (in fact their eyes are so flippin' big, there may not be much room for brains, and they are positively slow compared to the cunning crow) ... they sit silently, watching and listening. Their nocturnal nature and spinning heads make them appear like an omnipresent all seeing eye. The Ancient Greeks believed owls' night vision and stealth flight abilities lent them a mystical inner light. Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom and War adopted the owl and was often depicted with one. When to be we...
Ah how lovely to take a trip through Mullion to the Marconi Museum. A trip down memory lane as I've once stayed at a lovely B&B in Mullion and walked on the Lizard. I was aware of the Marconi link at the time, but the museum wasn't there yet, I think. Looks like its well worth a visit.
ReplyDeleteWell done of finally finding those long-lost seeds - I wonder what I'd find if I Marie Kondo'd our airing cupboard. Good luck with your veggie beds and I am truly impressed with your "reet posh" compost heap! xxx
Hello Ann, oh Mullion is so pretty, & the Lizard so wild. The museum opened at the end of 2001 I believe, to commemorate 100 years. I am half tempted to Marie Kondo all the other wardrobes now, as part of my mutant spring clean! Glad you liked the compost heap :) xXx
DeleteI'm clearly a thicko... I thought you'd been watching mama Mia dot dot dot. X
ReplyDeleteEh!?! Having never watching either of the Mama Mia movies, I was not aware of this Cherie! Eugh, it's going to be cheesy isn't it. They're going to spontaneously break into song whilst talking. Greece 2 is the only musical I can handle, & that's because it's SO bad it's brilliant ;) xXx
DeleteYou haven't missed anything it was cheesier than cheddar. X would you like some banana courgette seeds. I'm trying them for the first time this year.
DeleteOh yes please Cherie! :) :) :) I only really like the yellow courgettes, as opposed to green. I am trying not to buy seeds this year, but rather use up all my stash or do swapsies. I shall have to have a peek to see what I have & send you and email.... xXX
DeleteI'll put a little package together for you. Don't buy seeds I have loads I can send
DeleteThanks Cherie love ❤❤❤
DeleteDear Lulu
ReplyDeleteI hope all the gardening is going well. If the weather co-operates, gardening is on my 'to do' list too.
Best wishes
Ellie
Thanks Ellie :) Weather's turned all vicious down here today! Hope it's better for your to do list xXx
Deleteglad you found the alpine seeds!
ReplyDeletewish you luck with them - and with the garlic and the veggies..... your garden looks picture perfect - esp. the compost heap :-D
i too have a week spot for amateur radio communication. this hobby saved some actual lifes over the years - very interesting history......
happy spring my dear! xxxxx
Thank you Beate :) You have rail engineers' spirit, so it does not surprise me that you are into radio communication. I bet it comes in handy in the vast forest too. Springy chics to you xXx
DeleteHappy you found the seeds Lulu. I get so annoyed at myself whenever I lose something. I'm forever tidying up, putting things in safe places and then forgetting where those safe places are. I'm like a squirrel in that respect!
ReplyDeleteI'm also crossing my fingers that you are rewarded with plentiful gigantic garlic bulbs!
I shall set aside some time to watch your videos - my attention was piqued at your radio rig/license idea. A post apocalyptic world feels like a very real prospect these days. xxx
Thanks squirrel Claire! I haven't tried elephant garlic before so it should be interesting. Last night the eldest tot & I re-watched Dustin in Stranger Things rigging up his ham radio & accompanying walkie talkies :) xXx
DeleteOh it is so annoying when you 'know' that you had something and you 'know' that they are safely 'somewhere' but ... WHERE?!? then when you do find them ... either there is a dawning recollection of 'oh yes, I remember now duh' or (this is me more and more these days...) 'what the hell are they doing here? I still don't remember that!' 🙄🤪😁
ReplyDeleteOh safe places are too safe sometimes! It is amazing I ever find anything in some of our cupboards really :0 xXx
DeleteStrange how such things as seeds can keep disappearing. I'm always missing something or other! My gosh it's blowing a gale at the moment, the trees are dancing. All good wishes.
ReplyDeleteI think it's those Cornish piskies Mike ;) It was quite a storm that passed over in the week wasn't it. Hope you are well xXx
DeleteIts so annoying when you misplace something, especially when you "put it in a safe place"! Of course you could keep a little notebook where you record where these items have been left; you'd need to know where the notebook is so best to put it in a safe place! 😯
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed having a look around your garden, you're way ahead of mine. I did some seed sowing a few days ago, some toms for growing outdoor and Zinnias for my tubs. I also enjoyed the two videos, as a retired BT Telephone I found the Marconi museum fascinating.
Enjoy the weekend, our weather here is dire but better soon. 😊 🐕
Glad you like the Marconi video David :) Well done on getting the tomatoes sown, I'm still yet to do that. The littlest one sowed some Zinnias for me during the week. I hope the weather has improved for you. We had the storm pass over at the start of the week, but it has been a lovely sunny day today xXx
DeleteOf course, I'm not a telephone!.....I WAS a telephone engineer! DOH... 😆
ReplyDeleteThanks for the clarification David! I didn't know being a telephone could be a career ;) :) :)
Delete