cernunnos
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Post by cernunnos on Jan 25, 2023 8:37:59 GMT 1
We have lived ( and are still living ) in a food heaven , everything is available , but that is changing too. But maybe a new thread is needed?
Our garden is doing well!
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Nifty
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Post by Nifty on Jan 25, 2023 8:42:24 GMT 1
Our pot has nothing in it bar soil. The front grass is short but there is some weed at the back.
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Post by houpla on Jan 25, 2023 9:19:00 GMT 1
Everything is available but only to those who can afford it or grow it, whatever it is. Your pot, Nifty? Freudian slip? As for the weed.....you often find "exotic' plants growing under a bird table
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cernunnos
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Post by cernunnos on Jan 25, 2023 18:32:56 GMT 1
You mean there is a vast difference between US and the have-nots ? I think a lot is due to preferences.
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Post by houpla on Jan 25, 2023 21:29:26 GMT 1
Probably. I've never been a very good cook when it comes to using the cheap, scrappy bits that the rich wouldn't give tuppence for Even in India, the well off get the prawns, pomfret, lobster, chicken etc and the others make do with sardine-flavoured 'sauce' on rice.
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cernunnos
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Post by cernunnos on Jan 26, 2023 8:49:11 GMT 1
Even in India ? But it is not always the " best" food that is good for you . Try eating lobster every day. but our garden is doing well , eating lettuce from the tunnel and stored veg and fruit .
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Post by houpla on Jan 26, 2023 13:59:25 GMT 1
The principle of good quality, varied protein in sufficient quantities remains a sound one. I'm convinced that it's part of the 'French enigma' and that the current media-and medical profession induced hysteria is actually responsable for a lot of the ills now afflicting the West. That and the American fast-food ethos but also the obsession with pizza. Apart from a store-room full of potimarron and butternut squashes, shallots and garlic, there'll be nothing until I start picking the asparagus some time in the next two weeks.
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Nifty
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Post by Nifty on Jan 31, 2023 7:07:25 GMT 1
CP from some place else
I was moved to write something in reply to Smokingdonkey as I thought we might have something in common.
What’s in a name I ask myself? More of that later.
How should I begin?
My slug hunting days are over, or, Just a walk on the wild side.
Having not managed to escape the effects of Progress, last November +1 I moved away from my position as Slave to the Land that I had been bonded to for the last twenty years and moved into a new cell with my mistress. Over the years she had become less able to direct me as to what needed to be done in the garden, and, I have become less able to do it. Therefore, we decided, that we must find somewhere smaller and practical to live in. As the last dog that we had died some years before, a garden was not a consideration that had to be accounted for, if fact, it was a responsibility we would sooner be without. Having each other is enough. After we had sold our last property, we decided to rent rather than buy as the future looked too uncertain to be making any long-term decisions and the need to be more flexible; already achieved in spades in some departments, but not joints, may be crucial.
The first place we looked at fitted the bill, the fact that it had a garage and private parking was a big plus. We looked at several other places. There was no contest, so we made arrangements to take it on a month early so as to allow more latitude, or tatitude, in moving our stuff in, as opposed to doing it in a day, as is often the way.
My main concern was environmental noise, or, a possible fly in the ointment that I could imagine was that one of the neighbours were from hell or had a baby hidden away.
I could go on about my attempts of jettisoning the ephemera of saleable tat that I had built up over a lifetime. Think yourselves lucky that you are getting the short version ; some of it was sold, given to friends or charity or tipped.
Although, there is a room, known as ‘box’ adjacent to the garage beneath the apartment flat that is full of stuff that I can not bear to part with; unless, someone crosses my palm with silver, after all, it might come in handy one day, but, you may be pleased to read, I am going to try not to in this session. I have written about the strimmers already.
So, not having to wage war with slugs, no mowing, rotovating, pest invasions, no hedge trimming, building, plumbing, paying hefty bills, planting, cropping or composting or servicing things ........ad infinitum I hear all you constant gardner’s asking yourselves What else is there to live for?
I will start with Freedom, fresh air and surprises that you can walk away from. One of the principal reasons for us being attracted to cell block H was its proximity to area of about ten hectares where one is free to roam, dog-less or not. The nearest entrance to this area is less than a hundred yards from the front door of the apartment where the top rail of the post-and-fail boundary fence has been removed, or, if one can not cock ones leg over the bottom rail and venture over a few yards of rough, sloping ground that is usually covered by long grass, the main entrance and car park is less than another hundred yards. In the six months that I have been living at the flat, I have never seen more than a handful if cars parked there, usually for the purpose of dogging. At the entrance there is a large notice that displays the bylaws, one of them being that dogs can be exercised but must be kept on a lead. Of course, many ignore this. The reserve is set out in such a fashion that allowed various circular walks. The longest that can be achieved is by doing a circuit offered by the well kept gravel and earth path closest to the boundary. What would we do without logic?
The northern border of the park adjoins grazing land. It is because of this that I began to identify with Smokingdonkey’s post. Although, the grass on the other side is very short, I have never seen sheep being grazed upon it, only cattle. Very special cattle. They would have done more work last year but CV put the kybosh on their schedule. I do not know if they have any bookings for this year, though, I doubt it.
The area to the northwest of the reserve is covered by mature trees? Well, I have never heard them giggling.Underneath them there are a handful of suitably placed heavy wooden picnic tables with attached benches. We used them for lunch with close friends when it was permitted a few weeks ago..
The western border of the reserve, about three quarters of a kilometre long is defined by the river Adour. About the time that we moved here it was in full flood. It’s surface level was about two metres above its present level. One of the permanent benches I mentioned had its legs in nearly a foot or water. I wait with interest to see how low the water level is in times of drought. For me many of the walks that I have taken have been extremely though provoking, possibly just because I am that type of bloke, or maybe just because I do my best to become interested in what is on offer, or, maybe because I am a dreamer. Although I have a fair degree of knowledge in ecological, geological and geographic matters and, as has been noted on this forum, don’t keep to the same drum-beat as others, so maybe, I really am special.
I fancy a cup of tea. Later I will try and get around to telling you about the interesting things on the Notice board.
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Nifty
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Post by Nifty on Jan 31, 2023 7:16:10 GMT 1
Naa, people will start to apreciate meat and eat less of it , which is better for their health and the environment. Spoilt Westerners will have to go back to basics. The ultra rich will have to keep a low profile and hide in their gated properties! I have to force myself to eat meat.
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Post by gigi on Feb 2, 2023 19:59:29 GMT 1
I was surprised this afternoon to see so many snowdrops in the back borders, hadn’t seen out there for 10 days and was delighted to see them, nodding in the sunshine.
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Nifty
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Post by Nifty on Feb 3, 2023 14:42:53 GMT 1
Everything is available but only to those who can afford it or grow it, whatever it is. Your pot, Nifty? Freudian slip? As for the weed.....you often find "exotic' plants growing under a bird table No slips preferred. I try and choose my words carefully. The last time I saw an exotic bird table was in Bangkok.
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Post by traveller on Feb 7, 2023 15:35:38 GMT 1
I’ve covered my rhubarb with a large pot hoping to encourage it a bit, although I don’t know why as I find it quite unpalatable without loads of sugar or honey.
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Le-Dolly
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Post by Le-Dolly on Feb 7, 2023 17:28:45 GMT 1
It's all starting off weird. The Magnolia grandiflora is in bud as is the Susan which is showing signs of flowering very soon. I counted 47 new bamboo shoots coming through, they do not usually start 'till mid April or early May. Not the right sort for a Chinkie meal though. Another shrub, I don't know the name of, is a week away from full flower, again three months in advance of normal.
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mysty
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Post by mysty on Feb 23, 2023 21:19:00 GMT 1
I was cutting down trees in our garden today I managed to hit the roof twice but with only a few broken tiles. I'm definately not a pro tree cutter.
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Post by specsavers2 on Feb 23, 2023 21:40:47 GMT 1
I have got as far as cutting about half of my grass or to be more exact a contractor frienddid it for me. Paid of course. Hoping to be in better heath in the next wee while. Reading today about the possible drought conditions that are expected and will have to plan what’s going to be worthwhile.
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