Hot, Hot, Hot

Despite the breeze today, the temperature rose as the day went on and we were scorched. I did my best to stay out of the sun but I did potter in the garden this afternoon.

John was very successful in staying out of the sun as he spent all day in the garage – more tinkering. I think it’s going quite well despite a few setbacks, and he seems quite excited at the progress he is making. Every day he says, “I’ve got to get it finished!” and I nod, hopefully.

We were both up quite early and I toddled off to yoga this morning. I have to confess, I was a little anxious about how I would get on as the Friday class is a bit more challenging – and I seem to creak in every joint these days. However, I managed to keep up – and Jaime always gives us options if something might just be a bit much for the crocks or beginners in the class. I thoroughly enjoyed the class and felt much better than I did yesterday. Not yet best, but better.

This afternoon, while John continued his long stint in the garage, I decided we really ought to plant the tomatoes he was so keen to buy a couple of weeks ago. I doubt that they’ll do much good now, but I’ve planted a couple of them anyway.

I also thought I’d have a bit of a tidy up on the patio. There was debris everywhere and, of course, lots of ‘remains’ from last week’s barbecue – not least the volume of sand that had found it’s way out of the sand pit.

I must confess to getting a bit disgruntled now though, as the scaffolding is still up from the installation of the solar panels last week. I am not that much of a complainer when it comes to tradesmen because we know what it’s like but, not only is it taking away the light from the kitchen, which is dark at the best of times, but it’s in the way. I’ve ended up putting the Growbag with the tomatoes in at the front of the patio, rather than snug against the wall. The company that did the solar panels has told John that the scaffolding will be gone by Wednesday of this week. I hope so!

I worked my way along the patio, clearing this, picking up that, untangling the other and arrived at the pond. On inspection, it was looking very sorry for itself – the irises are all overgrown and the duckweed was totally covering the surface of the water.

Ha! And the poor fish – I think they have been struggling for oxygen for a while as there was a floater on the top…… But it can’t be all bad, as we’ve still got newts in the pond. I am always excited when I see them! Anyway, I captured handfuls and handfuls of duckweed to clear a space for the fish and cut back a few irises. I will try and have another go in the next few days….. But, phew! There are still some fish left in the pond.

All for now, folks. Hope the night is cool enough to encourage sleep. Take care and God bless.

Susie Dent’s Word of the Day is ‘swullocking’ (19th century) which means stiflingly, searingly hot. I rather like it!