Quick visit and more weeding Sunday 19- Tuesday 21 December 2021

 Drove up late Sunday afternoon, and got to Inglewood around 7pm.  

It had obviously been hot in our absence, as some of the plants looked quite droopy ie the kiwi fruit

The grape vines were going gangbusters though, one of them now reaching the veranda roof

 Gave everything a water, and tried to program the watering computer - as it was suspiciously turned off  Managed to work it out via the internet, so was quite pleased with myself

And the mulberries are ripening, ate a few, but they should be a bit riper for optimum taste and sweetness.

Monday, and I did some ringing around to see if I could match some etched glass for the bathroom windows - a glass place in Bendigo has some - so we'll probably get it from there

I had also texted Vic to see when he wanted to start on the plastering - in the New Year, and he said he could replace the window panes also.

Had a morning coffee with Denise at Charlie's, and coincidentally saw Vic there also.

And then back to the garden, and more weeding and trimming.

Listened to a talking book called a Gentleman in Moscow Gentleman (which Matt D had recommended)

 

I also planted some succulents that I had brought from Melbourne

Lastly, I did a plan of the front garden sprinkler positions - to give to Shane, s they are not really working properly, and I'd like him to fix them up

Terry dropped by on Monday late afternoon, so we had a pleasant G&T in the dining room

Tuesday, and more of the same....

Went home via Castlemaine and dropped in on Carolyn and she gave me a delicious dinner - duck breast on bean mash and rocket

 

Gardening and scratched arms Saturday 4 - Tuesday 7 December 2021

 Arrived in Inglewood around 4pm on Saturday and started weeding...

The front had been neglected for months, and there were mountains of weeds that needed to be pulled out

Alex had suggested that I just poison them with the weed wand that he got me a while back.  That might have worked some months ago - but these weeds had seeds - so I needed them out

It was a mammoth task

Here are a before and after shot

I was disappointed to see that all of the cherries - minus one split and ant covered one had been eaten and were gone.  You can't really see the ants all over that cherry, as my mobile phone  focussed on the netting

And the reason was that the netting was open at the back - what a pity, the birds could easily get in and out.  However this cherry tree must now be on the bird map, as I saw another cherry tree in the main street - lots of lovely red cherries and no netting at all.  The birds haven't discovered it yet - luckily for that owner

But, back to the weeding. which I did for a few hours, then showered and had a quick leftover dinner

Then up to Kingower for the first Saturday get together 

It was sunny when I left, and still sunny when I got there, but the wind was up, and it became a bit cool

Terry had the brazier going so that provided some heat, but because it was windy - at the end of the night my hair and clothes smelled of smoke.

Was a good night though - I stayed til close to midnight

Sunday, and what can I say - more weeding - still out the front

My arms were getting all scratched up, but at least I had gloves on.  It was also getting warm

While weeding I listened to Shuggie Bain on a talking book - set in Glasgow in the 1980s

Arlene and June came and visited around 5.30 on Sunday afternoon to see our renovation progress.  they made all the right noises, and we had a G&T out in the rotunda

Monday, and before weeding, I went and had a coffee with Denise at Charlie's.

Whilst there, Charlie introduced me to a mate of his - Vic who has done a lot of restoration work.  We chatted for a while, and I invited him to come over and have a look.  Thought he might be able to do the plastering on the stairway landing.  Anyway, we'll see - could be good, as Stuart has been hard to get hold of to come back.

After the coffee, back to the weeding 

Before

After

In the later afternoon, I made an onion tart for our Inglewood Town Hall Hub Asset Committee meeting - the last one of the year. (this is the reason that I came up on Saturday, and stayed through til Tuesday)

It was ready around 4, and I was going to go back out and do some more weeding.  However it started spitting, and then raining more decidedly, so I didn't go back out. If I'd known I would have gardened more, and then made the tart later - oh well.  But as least I had finished off out the front.  I felt a great sense of achievement. 

Anyway, walked across to the Town Hall just before 7pm, and we had our meeting, and then some nibbles and a few drinks afterwards

One of the items discussed was the old theatre chairs currently housed under the stage- we might take some, as they would be great for our outside movies.  Just depends if 2 rows of 4 would fit in our little shed, and then how heavy would they be - to move them - as they have cast iron ends  

Tuesday, and more weeding/trimming etc, this time inside our property.  I must admit that I feel like getting the council to supply mulch, or do the weeding out the front, or even just make the garden area smaller, as I takes me hours and hours - and its not even our garden. 

It was back to lovely weather

And a very full trailer and more for Gordon

Had a quick lunch, tidied up, and back to Melbourne