Friday, 8 May 2020

Living The Lockdown Life - Day 48 & 49


Thursday morning (day 48) and a gloriously sunny, if a little chilly, start to the day. After my Wii Fit session and breakfast, I had an epic blog catch-up and then wandered outside barefoot to water the plants, discovering that the first Welsh poppy of the Spring had flowered.  Jon continued with his work in the utility room - for such a small room it seemed to be generating a lot of swearing.



The postman delivered a letter from HM Revenue & Customs with details about applying for the Self-Employment Loan Support Scheme. On further investigation, I found out that I couldn't apply until next week but I was able to register my details online and set up an account.


A potter around the garden revealed these filthy old cooking pots I'd rescued from the parental home years ago. Whilst I loathe shiny brass, I thought I'd have a bash at cleaning them. I know ketchup is supposed to be good but neither of us likes it so there's none in the cupboards.


Google suggested that I dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt in 1/2 cup of vinegar and add enough flour to make a paste, apply, leave for 10 minutes, rinse and buff dry.

Hmmm....not sure if there's a vast difference but didn't hurt to try.


Whilst I was outside on the step scrubbing I spotted an empty can of pop in the gutter so, as I was wearing my rubber gloves, nipped out & retrieved it then proceeded to do a litter pick of the entire avenue, barefoot and all. Is it just me or have you noticed that people seem to have forgotten how to clean up after themselves since lockdown? The amount of dog sh*t we encounter on our daily walks is getting ridiculous.


Beth had commented on my last blog post that when she had five cats, they used to have their own laundry basket, which reminded me that my crocheted cat blankets could do with a wash so I popped them in the machine while I ate my lunchtime noodles and slung them across the line to dry. As they're acrylic so they dry really quickly so the lads didn't even notice I'd washed them


Although it had clouded over, it was still deliciously warm so I lay on the lawn reading. Jon joined me when he'd had enough of the painting as did Kitty, next door's beautiful - but slightly deranged - tabby.



Before our walk, Jon ran the clippers over his head, just as he'd finished he managed to drop them on the floor and break the blade. He's not having much luck this week, is he? Once we got back he had a look online and managed to find a set of Wahl replacement blades on eBay - much cheaper than a new pair of clippers.


Thursday's lockdown look was my 1960s block printed hooded kaftan (purchased from Viv, a lovely trader friend last Summer).


The jewellery? A Banjara tribal torque bought from the roadside in Goa back in January for the princely sum of £1 and some silver Turkomen earrings I found on eBay to replace the earrings I thought I'd lost last September.


After tea (ready-made sourdough pizza from our freezer stash and homemade jacket wedges) we watched The Other Mother and clapped for our carers. In addition to the usual chorus of car horns, saucepans, bells and fireworks there was also an air raid siren, somewhat appropriate as tomorrow is VE Day. It was a beautiful evening, was warm, with a full moon and the air heavy with the scent of our Yukka which was starting to flower.


Friday (day 49) started with the last Wii Fit session of the week. As the forecast was for a warm and dry day I put a load of washing in the machine and pegged it out on the line. When Jon had gone on the supply run on Monday, in his rush to get out of the shop, he'd inadvertently bought pipe tobacco instead of rolling tobacco so popped out for a replacement, picking up a few fresh veggies, cola, white vinegar and mustard while he was at it. After I got dressed I caught up with the blog world and Jon, having disinfected the shopping, cracked on in the utility room.


As it was VE Day we took down the rainbow flag and replaced it with a vintage Union flag.


I thought you might like to see these photos of Jon's Dad (the likeness is uncanny). A war hero, gymnast and keen photographer. Sadly, I never met him.



I watered the pot plants, checked the greenhouse and sat outside in the sunshine replacing the hook and eye on the Pakistani block print kaftan I'd worn on my travels in India earlier this year.


The brambles at the top of the garden had sprung up and were starting to drive me mad, catching on my dresses and scratching our legs to pieces so I spent an hour or so cutting them back, with a break for noodles.



When Jon was tidying out the coal house at the start of lockdown I was amazed to spot the 1930s (?) mirrored cabinet that used to hang on the bathroom wall (now the utility room), I thought we'd got rid of it years ago.  I have a hatred for corner furniture, hideous baths that were the in thing in the 1980s and those mock-Regency dressers in highly polished wood, filled with fussy bits of china, popular with oldies, but there's something rather endearing about this little cupboard, evoking fond memories of I visiting my grandparents when I was tiny, climbing on the loo seat, twisting the Deco handle and peeking inside, inhaling that curious chalky aroma that all old bathroom cabinets seem to smell of (and still does!)


I scrubbed it out, sanded it down, taped around the mirror and got Jon to give it a lick of matt emulsion whilst he was painting the utility room walls. Once the room's finished I'll share it.


Lockdown outfit, day 49 - Vintage '70s Third Eye Indian block printed wrap over maxi skirt (eBay, 2017) and an organic cotton, hand-printed sleeveless top bought in February from one of my favourite Indian artisan shops, Cotton Cottage.


Back in February, this retailed at around £9 - not bad for a fairly traded, artisan-produced, handmade piece of clothing, however, the store manager insisted I had it for free as we'd already bought a couple of items and we've shopped regularly there for years. What amazing customer service.
Ethiopian tribal necklace, circa 1965 (Facebook selling page, 2019), Tibetan silver & turquoise earrings (inherited from Mum)

Rachael, one of our neighbours, popped round and invited us to an impromptu VE Day street party at 4pm. We took our own chairs and beers and sat at a safe distance eating home-made coffee cake, listening to Vera Lynn and chatting to everyone that walked past. In the time we spent chatting with our neighbours we got to know them better in four hours than the 15 years we've lived opposite them, making us all ponder on whether lockdown really is such a bad thing.

It's 8pm, we've been drinking since 4pm and, other than a slice of cake, haven't had a thing to eat since our lunchtime noodles. It's the naughtiest thing we've done for 49 days!

See you soon.

79 comments:

  1. Hi Vix! You and Jon have been busy around the garden!

    I love your hooded kaftan! That’s the second hooded dress I’ve seen in a week actually, the other was worn by @harlowdarling. I’ve never come across a vintage, hooded dress before, so they seem interesting to me!

    Jon is the spitting image of his father in those old photos. Wow, strong genes!

    It’s amazing the new discoveries and joys we’re experiencing in lockdown – I think it’s great to get to along with your neighbours and have lovely conversations. X

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    1. Thanks, Jess! I've owned and sold a few hooded kaftans in my time. My Mum used to live in a brown velvet one with gold frogging when I was little! xxx

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  2. OK, we need pictures of the noodles! Are they Maggi Masala? Chinese type?

    Glad your weather is good. Our tulips have just sprouted!

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    1. One year I will remember to plant some tulips, I'm always envious of gardens with them, I love them!
      They're Ko-Lee "Xtreme" Hot and Spicy! xxx

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  3. Chuckle, one "naughty" day in 49 days. I just love your clothes!!!!!!! And jewellery!!!!! The 1970s maxi skirt and red top? gorgeous. We have so many now unemployed in New Zealand from this virus, but on the plus side we had 2 days of no new cases this week, but now we have 2 more. And very few deaths. Honestly, if we had had our "tory" type party in power, it would have been so bad for everyone. Woops, it's Saturday. Isn't it now self-care Saturday? (must go and groom moi-self)

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    1. I know, it's rdiculous! We've never been so restrained or well behaved!
      The sales assistant chose that top for me. There were so many choices I couldn't decide, I think she got my style just right.
      I'm sorry that NZ has had another two deaths, our numbers are still horrific. I hate that business has been put ahead of people and that they still aren't testing and quarantining people who arrive by air. It makes me wonder if we'll ever be free of this terrible virus. xxx

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  4. Woo hoo, 4 hours of drinking! You go, gang! Those pics of Jon's dad are so cool - I can see the resemblance! Happy VE Day! Love your Union Jack, and your beautiful red outfit. L and I are fairly anti-social with our neighbours, even though we know them all.

    That kitty is a lovely beast - I will trust you on the "deranged" aspect. When I washed Vizzini's bed blanket, he refused to use it ever again. I guess I washed all the good smells out of it. He prefers to sleep on my robe, little monkey.

    Have a fabulous weekend, Vix!

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    1. I know - it sounds hardcore, doesn't it? In the olden days BC (before Corona) eight hours was the norm!
      Jon is so like his dad, it's uncanny!
      We're not particularly socialible either but it made for such a refreshing change to sit, chat and laugh about things.
      I got away with the blanket washing, I was lucky. xxx

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  5. Astonished at the likeness of Jon and his Dad - truly uncanny! Thanks for the uplifting and entertaining Distancing Diaries. We've been lucky in Australia with this Corona scourge, and I hope the tide turns strongly for the better in Great Britain soon.
    As for your delicious meals these last few posts, Keep Calm and Curry On.

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    1. Thanks, Jo! They are so alike, aren't they?
      I'm delighted that you're enjoying my diaries and that Australia have handled the corona crisi so well, we live in hope that things will improve here soon and that the government won't bow to the pressures put upon them by the media and big business.
      Keep Calm and Curry On! Love that, I might have to suggest it to our favourite indian restaurant when we can go back! Much love to you. xxx

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  6. Never seen a welsh poppy before and your hard looks lovely.

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  7. How's that book coming along? Is it worth borrowing from the local library when they reopen? I never knew that Yucca flowers were fragrant and nor did I know that you can buy replacement clipper blades. Tony has just sharpened the blade on our clippers. We had nothing to lose as they were very blunt and have sharpened up really well. Good for a few more trims and saves a fortune in haircuts.

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    1. I've already promised it to a friend otherwise I'd send it your way. It's a lovely read, engaging characters and a well-researched and gripping story, a perfect distraction!
      Jon's always had Wahl clippers, not sure if all brands offer replacement blades. xxx

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  8. The garden looks great. We keep finding old things that used to belong to the noodle shop, old ramen bowls and glasses. Some pretty some well ohh err missus! If you know about early Japanese art it was very erm erotic and it seemed to be on everything. So those got hidden from the little darlings. Pretty cool though.
    We couldn’t celebrate VE Day as it didn’t feel right. I feel horrible about Hiroshima and what the Americans did, that makes me cry every time we go there. My husband is like Jon bald as a badgers bum, and it needs doing but he won’t sit still ! You think kids are bad.
    I my hairdresser won’t open until June she called and told me, even though my roots are shocking so out comes the bleach and the blue hair dye. Yup it’s blue. But bLue hair don’t care. We are off for a night walk as I cannot sleep and it’s Very peaceful round here. Just the odd bat to keep us company. Take care.

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    1. Hello, Allie Jane! I'd love to see some of that erotic art. Aubrey Beardsley was inspired by those naughty Japanese woodcuts he'd stumbled across as a child in Victorian England, wasn't he?
      Of course you couldn't mark VE Day in Japan, that would be utterly disrespectful. I do think it was a lot bigger here than it would have been under normal circumstances as everyone was keen to have a reason to celebrate something.
      A few of my friends thought about growing out the fdye during lockdown but none have, life's too short for crap hair. Stay safe. xxx

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  9. what a fab idea to do a (safe) VE day party on the street with the neighboors!
    don´t show the brass pots to the BW - he wants one since we have the house&garden - for cooking outdoors on a fire with friends.
    you look like the most awesome flower in that hooded kaftan - and yay - the gretl-updo again :-D
    worst then corner furniture is diagonal in the room placed furniture...... the little cabinet is loaden with memories though.
    gorgeous old photos of jons young dad an his friends/comrades!
    xxxx

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    1. Awww, if you weren't an ocean away I'd have let BW have those pots, now I've cleaned them I'm stuck for ideas of what to do with them. I do like the idea of using them on a campfire with friends, though.
      Argh! Diagonally arranged furniture, something else that sets my teeth on edge, so unnatural and harse on the eyes. xxx

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  10. You looked lovely with your hair up/plaited. I love your skirt, considering it's vintage it looks so vibrant and new. Isn't it great the way everyone is finding a means to socialise with distancing, yesterdays VE celebrations were so uplifting.

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    1. Thanks, Betty! Mrking VE Day was such a welcome diversion, wasn't it? So good to see something other than coronavirus on the news.
      That skirt gets so many compliments by Indians when I wear it in India, although they still make block printed wrap around today there's something wonderfully different about the alignmant of the print. xxx

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  11. Yes Jon is so like his Father isn't he-was he a musician too I wondered?Yesterday I hung some bunting on my fence and put my red white and blue dress on then wandered up the short road with a flag,a mug of vimto and a scone waving my flag and then sat in a large front garden with 3 ladies a long way apart.It was lovely as several people I didn't know stopped for a chat who live nearby and said they had seen me before but usually driving past.I feel lucky to have such nice people living so close just the immediate neighbour that is a problem.They didn't appear x

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    1. Hi Flis! Yes, like peas in a pod. Jon's dad was into fitness not music, very alike in looks but not so much in talents although, like his son, he was very practical and could fix anything.
      Your VE day celebrations sound lovely, with so many friendly neighbours it must make that one unpleasant one pale into insignificance. xxx

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    2. Thanks for saying that Vix-I really must remind myself of it when she's kicking off x

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    3. Yes, no matter how vile people can be, the number of nice, good-hearted folk always outnumber the grumps! xxx

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  12. Your block printed kaftan is just lovely!
    My parents live down a country lane off the beaten track, and it seems that people only pick up their dog muck when they think there are people around to see, and if they think they can get away with not doing so, they will. I find it enraging as the amount of times I've nearly stepped in it.

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    1. Thanks so much, it's a great beach cover-up, not that there'll be much need for one of those for a while!
      Aren't some people vile? Friends of ours live on a nature reserve and idiots drive with their trash, chuck it out of their cars and set fire to it. Why on earth are some people so selfish? xxx

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  13. Hello Vix. Every week your garden seems to be brimming a little bit more. Looks wonderful.

    We've been watching all the VE celebrations here on the telly. How wonderful to see so many people sitting around their outdoor tables socializing with friends and neighbours (at a safe distance). Hope it was a lovely evening for you all.

    Your outfits are gorgeous and am loving your hair up. Do be careful walking around barefoot please - when I was young I stepped on a rusty nail, which caused a nasty infection.

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    1. Thanks, Suzy! Friday's VE Day celebrations were just lovely, it made us forget the present day for a few hours, very welcome indeed.
      As a traveller I'm on top of my vaccinations - honest! I had a Tetanus booster a few years ago which is just as well, the day I arrived in Goa I trod on a rusty bottletop and hobbled around with a hideously inflamed foot for three weeks! xxx

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  14. Hi there, love the post! Busy preparing my classes as I'll finally get back to work (albeit online) on Monday after 2 months of twiddling my thumbs (well, not exactly!!) so I haven't had much time to comment. The photos of Jon's Dad are incredible, such a pity you never got to meet him, the likeness is amazing! Love the outfits and jewellery! The garden just gets more and more spectacular!! Have a wonderful weekend!! XX

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    1. Hello, Diana! Are you all ready for tomorrow? I bet you're really excited about the prospect of work after having to keep yourrself amused for the last eight weeks.
      We've woken up to winter this morning, it's cold and there's a gale force wind whipping the trees around, parts of Scotland are under snow! What to do today, that is the question!
      Stay safe and have fun. xxx

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  15. The pics of Jon's Dad remind me of some that I have of my own Dad when he was doing his National Service in Port Said (how he must have suffered in the heat with him being a redheaded Scotsman!). Everything in your garden rosy and tickety-boo. I'm doing little bits here and there. Have a great weekend both.xxx

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    1. Jon's Dad was in Port Said, too! It's hard to imagine how they dealt with that heat, it's not like they went on regular foreign holidays beforehand to know how punishingly hot these places were.
      Hope all's well in your world. xxx

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  16. Hey, enough of the 'oldies' liking corner cupboards! I am an oldie and hate them too, and fussy china even more! There was a pub in Stockport nicknamed 'The Corner Cupboard' which was pretty good though!

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    1. Hi Julia! Oldie is a state of mind rather than a date on a birth certifiacte - honest!
      What a great name for a pub. I miss Stockport! xxx

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  17. I love seeing old photos and learning about the lives of those in them. I never can get over though how young the soldiers, sailors, airmen were. Yes, the resemblance is there with Jon. I wonder what life will be like here in the US by Memorial Day, last Monday of May, and f people will gather at all, in person albeit small groups, or socially distanced still. I remember a comment you made about turning into a potato-I've felt the same way, but our potato of choice is air fryer fries with season salt. So yummy!

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    1. I'm salivating at the sound of your potatoes!
      Watching the TV coverage of reporters in empty streets next to town centre war memorials was very poignant. It seemed to hit the right note in a way. xxx

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  18. The hooded kaftan is fabric art at its finest! I'd hang it on my foyer closet door to give that dark corner some much needed pizazz for the summer. (The pale yellow silk obi is suitable for spring, but pale, very pale...)

    I'm grateful for your blog's grace notes, Vix. Taking the time to link those images of Jon's dad to the air-raid siren joining the hubbub of a 75th V-E Day celebration, the voice of Vera Lynn (now 103!) entertaining yet another generation of audiences, even that whiff of an vintage medicine cabinet (ours had a sharp tang of mercurochrome), brought us onto your porch for the evening. Thanks for your hospitality!

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    1. It is a real work of art, isn't it? Painstakenly sewn by hand and a perfectly aligned print. It does need to be on display when I'm not wearing it!
      Thank you so much for visiting and your thoughtful comments, dear Beth. Stay safe in these strange times. xxx

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  19. I love that you got to know your neighbors so much better, it really does matter, especially in these times. That top is beautiful, stunning really. Can't wait to see what the cabinet looks like now.

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    1. It was lovely to have an in-depth conversation with them rather than just a quick chat and a wave. We all daid we ought to do it more often, even after lockdown! xxx

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  20. "watering the pot plants" cracked me up.

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  21. Your VE day party sounds fun. The top photo of Jon's dad could be him, it's a shame you didn't get to meet him.
    I didn't know yellow poppies were called Welsh poppies. The yucca looks lovely, I'm amazed you've never lost it to frost, do you wrap it in winter?
    Your garden is an Aladdin's cave of hidden treasures :) xxx

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    1. The likeness is uncanny, isn't it? Sadly Jon was only 21 when he died and I didn't arrive on the scene for another 5 years.
      My Grandma always used to call them Welsh poppies, I Googled them just to make sure she was right - they have four, overlapping yellow petals.
      We've had that yukka for years, I think they were on offer in B&Q about ten years ago. We don't do anything to it other than pull off the leaves if they go yellow. It flowered for the first time a couple of years ago, we had no idea they did that! xxx

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  22. I did enjoy my visit to your blog today …
    Great to see your pictures and the VE Day celebrations sound good :)

    Will definitely come back and visit soon :)

    All the best Jan

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    1. Lovely to "meet" you, Jan! I'll pop over and return the favour. xxx

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  23. I love Welsh poppies and we used to have them here at Dove Cottage. They were self-seeding everywhere but they seem to have disappeared :-( Good on you for litter picking the whole avenue. I've noticed too that littering seems to have become worse. Jon certainly doesn't seem to have had the best of weeks, oh dear. But how like his Dad he looks! Love the hooded kaftan as well as the block printed wrap skirt and sleeveless top. Your neighbourhood distancing VE celebrations sound great fun. That is definitely not something which would ever happen here. xxx

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    1. Isn't it weird when self seeding plants just vanish? We used to have loads of wild rocket, evening primrose and honesty and they've not made an appearance in years.
      I'm not sure whether, in normal circumstances, so many people would have gone to so much trouble for VE Day but we're all so isolated at the moment we're glad for an excuse to celebrate something! xxxx

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  24. You look great with the up braids. I am glad you had a "naughty" afternoon with the neighbours. The garden has revealed more treasures for you to play with. I can see the difference in the pots and reckon the 30's cabinet will look great in your house. We have pottered and worked in the garden for two days straight (albeit) with not as much style as yourself lol take care and thanks again for letting us into your colourful worldx

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    1. Thanks so much! We did have a lovely afternoon, it was really exciting to chat to people face to face after so long even if it was from opposite sides of the garden!
      Hasn't it been a lovely few days for pottering in the garden? I'll always find something to do outside when the sun's shining!
      Much love to you. xxx

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  25. I have also noticed that people seem to be littering more. Or maybe it's that more people are out and those that are now around are the ones with no environmental conscience. Don't get me started on the idiots who drop their latex gloves wherever they may land. The number of discarded gloves I see around is sickening. I bought a pair of cheap synthetic garden gloves and just rewash them. I don't understand litter bugs!

    It is also so nice (and tiring) to see how much you are both accomplishing during lock-down!

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    1. Latex gloves and masks - they're everywhere, aren't they? It beggars belief! xxx

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  26. I was thinking our neighbourhood was looking cleaner under lockdown, but maybe it was just so bad before that it seems better with no one out. People that don't pick up after their dogs ought to be pilloried in the public square so everyone can come and give them a good telling off. It drives me mad.

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    1. It's just so selfish, isn't it? Why do people expect others to clean up after themselves? The only day we had a gas cannister dumped outside our gates, somebody would have to have driven to get in there. No problem though, Jon's stuck in the shed and it'll save us a bit of cash when the festival season restarts and we're camping again. x

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  27. The days seam very nice! Your jewelry looks amazing.
    I will try that recipe too: same ketchup problems

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    1. Thanks, Lyosha! I used to love ketchup but hate the taste now, it's so sickly sweet! x

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  28. Vix, just scrolling through because I also like to read your other readers comments and pop over to some of their blogs I see someone has left a rather horrible message which I cannot think on earth why it would be left here??!!! I wish there was a way I could warn you so you don't read it but I will say take no notice of this I cannot understand why it was left on your blog it makes no sense at allx Have a lovely day anywayx

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    1. Thanks so much for your concern, I think it's one of those computer generated spam bots, it's been popping up on loads of blogs for a while, it must have been my turn last night, I don't think it's aimed at anyone in particular and seems to be written in very poor, mangled English. I just pressed delete and didn't give it another thought! xxx

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  29. The likeness of Jon to his Dad is uncanny! Loving that little Bathroom Cabinet you found!

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    1. Isn't it just? That cabinet looks all the better for a lick of paint! xxx

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  30. I really like that 1960 print kaftan with a hoodie. It must have been warm for you to go barefoot. We haven't been lucky with weather this weekend. I think we're paying now for a winter that wasn't cold at all, therefore our spring is kind of cold. Apart from that my weekend wasn't bad. Today I prepared yalam yaprak (as it called here) for my family and I remembered you. I think it's something you might enjoy preparing too. It is a dish very popular in Turkey and Greece (I'm not sure where exactly it originated). I learned how to make it in Mostar. It is basically rice with spices rolled up in fresh wine leaves and cooked. If you have any wine leaves in your garden you should give it a try. They also call it dolmades in Greece, maybe you already tried it.
    Jon's dad looked so much like him. As they say, an apple doesn't fall far away from the tree. Shame you didn't get to meet him. I didn't meet my husband's parents either, sadly they died years before we left, he was the last child and they had him late.
    The outfit with the block printed maxi is gorgeous as well. You look fabulous.

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    1. Thanks, Ivana! I was lucky to spot that kaftan, it popped up on a friend's Facebook selling page and I managed to say "yes, please!" before anyone else did.
      It's been vile here today, really cold and ferociously windy.
      I love domades, I'm not sure where I'd be able to get vine leaves from, sadly I don't have them in my garden, I shall have to investigate further. Lidl used to sell tinned dolmades when they did Greek weeks, I loved them! xxx

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    2. I would send some vine leaves if I could. I haven't tried store bought ones but I spot them in Lidl, I'll sure give them a try. I do find nice things in Lidl occasionally. I like when they have Greek or Italian weeks, it's great to be able to find something different, locally made dishes or products.

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  31. What an amazingly beautiful hooded kaftan! Hoods are awesome! The Welsh poppy is gorgeous. Can't wait to see how your cabinet turned out. Love the colorful crocheted cat blankets. I have a ton of yarn to use up. Maybe I should make cat blankets. I need practice on making granny squares anyway. Kitty is a gray tabby like our cat Rocky. He's pretty deranged too. He keeps us entertained for sure. Jon and his dad really look alike. Great pictures! Sounds like an awesome time at the VE Day street party. My husband bought some beer and we each two last night while watching a movie...wild times...haha!

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    1. Get you with your movie night with beers! We are getting wild in our old age!!
      We had a tabby cat when we were growing up called Rastus, he was placcid and gentle. they are gorgeous to look at but Kitty next door will have your arm off if you're not careful, such a shame 'cos I love fussing cats!
      Those blankets are a great way of using up scraps of wool. the rainbow one started off an a basic granny square but I just continued making it bigger and bigger until I ran out of wool - I started it during a really quiet day at a festival! xxx

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  32. woww, you're such a glorious vision in your hooded kaftan, such a delightfully colorful piece and you look so adorable watering the plants!, love it!
    And love the wrap skirt and red top, such a fabulous ensemble, and such amazing jewellery!, you totally rock it!!
    Totally agree that some people have been neglecting their most elemental duties, like cleaning their dog's poo. It's not so hard to behave like a decent human being.
    And I'm glad that you rescued these old cooking pots and the cute cabinet. Those old pieces have something really appealing!
    besos

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    1. Thanks so much, I'd forgotten how much I love wearing that kaftan, it's so easy and free!
      There are some selfish idiots around, I wonder who they think clear up after them or if they even care, the mind boggles! xxx

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  33. I've been do some bramble clearing the garden, it feels so good to cut those things out, and even better when you can pull them out by the roots!
    I think all Tabbies are slightly deranged, mine is!
    Your street party sounds so nice, who can beat cake and beer?
    xx
    xx

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    1. I love it when you get the roots! I've discovered another patch that needs seeing to, that'll be my little treat when the weather warms up at the weekend.
      Cake and beer shouldn't work, but it did! xxx

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  34. That's great about getting to know your neighbours more! I kind of would like to know mine more but I think Ceanothus-gate, I may have made some rude comments in a loud voice- oops....
    I do adore your Indian cotton aesthetic- so beautiful! I can't get enough of your outfits!

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    1. It is lovely to finally chat more to your neighbours than the usual "how are you?" especially when they ply you with homemade cake and feshly baked bread!
      I do love my Indian cotton, I'll be wearing it all out if I'm not careful! xxx

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  35. You are brave tackling the brambles! Chris has had a go at ours too.
    That hooded kaftan us amazing, and I can't believe the top was only £9 - and then free! How nice.
    Your VE day afternoon sounds very civilised, and well done on maintaining distancing - something that was beyond people's ability around here!
    A fellow litter picker here, I tidy up the lane behind our house. I didn't think anyone noticed but one day a neighbour thanked me, which made me feel appreciated.

    Xx

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    Replies
    1. They're evil things but so satisfying when you get them out!
      We're a civilised lot around here, mind you Jon and I are the second youngest in the avenue. No raving or wild shenanagans round these parts.
      That's lovely that a neighbour had noticed your efforts, I'd much rather go and pick the litter up myself than just get angry about it. xxx

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  36. Four hours of drinking on an almost-empty stomach would just about kill me! You are a tough lot. It is amazing how much Jon looks like his Dad - definitely some strong genes there. I haven't noticed more trash than usual in our neighbourhood, but there have been discarded latex gloves and face masks, which is just gross!

    ReplyDelete
  37. I thought I had posted comments but apparently not!

    Good luck with the Self employment scheme.

    Lovely outfits and jewellery and the Welsh poppy is beautiful.

    Jon is definitely a chip off the old block isn't he?

    I agree about the litter and as for the dog poo it's the owners who hang up a plastic bag full of poo on a branch or a bush that me piss me off - what do they think will happen to it? Take it home with you, you numpties!
    xxxx

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  38. Your VE day sounds fab, booze and cake what's not to like?? I can't get over how much Jon looks like his Dad!

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  39. I'm enjoying seeing all your amazing Indian cottons. They look so summery.

    Do the cats prefer clean blankets? I can't keep my two away from clean laundry; Pippin in particular is a git for getting in the airing cupboard or bedding drawer so I go to get clean things out and they're all covered in fur.

    ReplyDelete

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Lots of love, Vix