Garden centre and fireplace

This morning the three of us went to the garden centre, we had a sandwich for breakfast and then had a good look round. Tina bought a nice throw for her bed as there was lots of nice stuff on offer. I had wanted to get some plug plants to grow on in the greenhouse and maybe tomato plants. I also needed some bonsai compost as it is nearly time to do the dreaded root pruning which I only do every other year! The greenhouse is filling up and I will sew some more seeds soon too.

I stripped off the paper at the back of the fireplace in readiness to get a board to put the tiles on. I planned to go to the local builders merchant to see if they would cut me a piece to size.

It was quite miserable out so Tina said she would drive me to Freeport and then she would take me to Woods the builders merchant. We had a drink and went into the shop that has garden ornaments. We got a couple of wall art leaves, quite big, I will take a picture tomorrow if I remember. The people at Woods were great, they were open on a Saturday afternoon and happily cut a piece of wood to size for me, I also bought some black paint. This was after I had put one coat of paint on, |I have put a second one on now.

Yesterday I got a copy of the Hornsea Gazette as Tina was on the front page again. The cottage hospital is due to close and the local community have set up an action group to set up a voluntarily run first aid centre. Tina managed to get agreement for funding for a portable cabin.

At the charity shop yesterday I bought a lovely little soapstone container. I have put lavender in it now, it cost me a princely 49p.

Early services tomorrow, poor Tina is taking the first one at 6 am.

A little more gardening

This morning I set off for the charity shop, we had quite a busy time today and took a fair bit of money. I mostly man the till now and make sure the shop is tidy and do some pricing and displaying after the paid member of staff has sorted and checked it. My legs ached a bit when I came home so I had some lunch and put my feet up for a bit, as I came home I took a picture of one of the opened tulips that are so pretty.

Then I went out to try digging a different piece of garden out the back. Was just starting when I realise that I had branches in the way and more importantly in my face, so did some pruning first!

So much to do out there! This was more or less the state of play as I was about to get going.

There were still roots to contend with, but this time it was more what seemed to be like a blanket which was hindering my progress. I did dig up a couple of bones and at one point thought I was about to discover a long buried pet, but thankfully I didn't.

Then there was a piece of wire fencing in the ground, it is nothing if not varied out there!

That had the material caught up in it, but I did manage to get the whole piece out.

I didn't get the whole area done, but enough to rake over a reasonable amount and get four plants into the bed, yippee!!

That made it seem more like a couple of hours well spent.
Had dinner with Darren and Tina and I am going to watch the short film that won the Oscar in a little while.

Sunny day by the sea

I should start by saying that yesterday I finished reading Pollyanna which Darren had picked up at the boot sale when I was in Peterborough for the weekend. Such a cute book, not all glamorised like the film but just delightful. 
This morning I took the trolley and went shopping for the weekend food quite early. Then I wanted to go to the post office so walked down there and then went up to see the sea as I haven't been to the front for a while. A very heavy frost first thing but it has been a lovely day.

I was finding it difficult to walk with any energy today, I have slipped with building up the walking so must try a bit harder. I came back through the memorial garden, I loved the was they had planted the crocuses at the edges of the lawn near the actual memorial.

That really doesn't do it justice, the two bright areas of purple were very eye catching. The daffodils are out in abundance and there was a tree covered in ivy.

I had a bit of a rest and then went out to get ready to do some planting as I bought a few more plants on the way home today. I was being overly optimistic again. This was the area I hoped to clear and plant up!

I started at the area near the spade and soon realised that I would be there a month of Sundays, so went down to the flatter area in the sunlight down by the large tree. The roots of the weeds are unbelievable not to mention the hitting tree roots with every attempt.

I need to take the secateurs down next time to cut through some of the tree roots. I emptied the first lot of weeds and grass into the garden bin. I should say that Blue has been missing since yesterday morning. The second lot of removed weeds etc I decided to take over near the greenhouse and who should be looking at me but Blue!!I had gone to water the plants in there yesterday morning before I went to Scarborough, she must have run in unseen and I shut her in - oops!! She doesn't seem any the worse for it thank goodness. Back to the garden, I am beginning to think that I will never have any beds to put plants into, but I must try not to be negative about it. I had had enough for today after a couple of hours.

I went to check the mosaic in the walled garden and to my dismay the frame had started to come apart at the corners. So I found a good screwdriver and have brought it back inside. Not too much damage to the base so I think it will be fine and the mosaic can be re-framed. 
Haven't done a lot since coming in. Charity shop in the morning.

Back to Scarborough for the tiles

Another longish day as I wanted to go to the studio in Scarborough to collect my tiles. Soon after I moved in I planted some bulbs and a couple of the very pretty tulips are about to fully open.

I got the bus into Hull and had a bit of time when I got there. I have booked another trip to see my brother and his wife so was able to collect the tickets. Took some photos of the station, one of the old part and also one of a bus nearby.

Walking down the main street in Scarborough this building sure had a lot of scaffolding around it.

I got to the studio and was really pleased with the tiles for the fireplace and with the ones using the technique I learnt at the craft class.

After I left the studio I called in a few shops and had a coffee then made my was back to the station.

 I took quite a lot of pictures from the train. It is a pleasant journey.

Nice skies today after some very dull weather. A few more.

On the bus we went through all sorts of weather, sleet, rain and brilliant sunshine. The windows were really filthy so it made for some unusual snaps!

And a few more, I was on a roll!

One more photo taken in the garden when I got home!

Think that will do for tonight!

Freeport and crayons!

When I was at Freeport last week I noticed the Thornton's shop was closing so thought I would go and see if I could grab a bargain today. Was also going to get some of the cat food in Pound Stretcher as we are getting low and they liked that one when we tried it. There was a sign saying happy Easter on the way in and I think there was a competition for children to spot bunnies as they went round.

Thornton's had shut, so I was too late, but I did get the cat food. I also got a new bag.

Also some watercolour crayons, never seen them before and it seemed worth a try.

Rob was in the garden finishing off on the front lawn. The trench has been dug since we got here and he took out more turf when digging the hole, it is also very wet underfoot, so the lawn will take a good while to recover I think.

He didn't need all of the gravel so Tina got him to put some where I had reduced the size of the front flower bed.

This afternoon a mini bus and a couple of cars fetched a group of folk that went to Not Home Alone in Scarborough, they came to see the church and have tea and cake in the parish hall. Quite a few came to have a bit of a tour of the vicarage as well, they were very impressed.
I had a bit of a play with the crayons, making a couple of cards with the efforts, I need to practice a bit more but think they will be good to use. The cards are not finished but I will add them to the post.

Holby later if I can face being depressed......