Saturday started in the usual fashion with Jon getting up first, making tea and bringing it back to bed where we lay and read for a while. After he went downstairs I stripped and changed the bed, fed the houseplants that had been soaking in the bath overnight, loaded the washing machine and pegged the laundry on the line 15 minutes later.
After our sausage sandwiches, we started on our gardening to-do list. Jon mowed the lawn whilst I cut back the spent blooms on the Yukka, gave the pot plants an organic feed and planted out some more seedlings.
Tea was a salad accompanied by a bottle of beer. As we'd finished The Serpent the previous evening, we started to catch up with Scandi cop drama, Beck on the BBC i-Player. Needless to say, copious amounts of rum were consumed.
On Sunday morning, nerves for tonight's match already a-jangling, I went downstairs, mopped the kitchen and brought mugs of tea back to bed, reading until just gone 8.30am. We had toast for breakfast, I painted my nails in Barry M's Salt Lake then, unable to concentrate on Andrew Marr, wandered around the garden and did some deadheading.
We drove down to the charity shop taking with us a bag filled with vintage gear I'd culled from the Kinky Shed as well as a few paperbacks and some kitchenalia surplus to requirements. The morning's soundtrack included Jai Ho! and I happily sang and jigged along the aisles whilst browsing the rails.
Give and you shall receive! The chazza shop gods appreciated our donation and we were rewarded with a few gems. Here's what we found: A rather fabulous 1960s Tissavel, France fake fur coat; a pretty ramie and cotton embroidered chartreuse blouse (check out those sleeves); A genuine Panama hat from Pachacuti (currently listed on their website for £145); A heap of books and an early 1970s cotton pinafore dress from Peter Robinson's Top Shop.
Until 1974 Topshop was a concession in posh, long-defunct department store Peter Robinson. I remember Mum and I caught the bus over to Birmingham to shop in TopShop the day it opened. She bought me a pink cotton boiler suit which I wore to death.
It was midday by the time we got back home and, after an excitable chat about the match with Ray from over the road it was time for our noodles.
After I'd changed into my gardening gear I set about planting my 50p haul. Meanwhile, Jon got to grips with the garden arch we'd also bought from Wilko. Our National Trust visits never fail to inspire and, after the marvellous entrances to each themed garden room at Biddulph Grange, I thought an archway would be a good way of replicating them.
Needless to say, I've tied one of our Empress of India nasturtiums to this one. I'm obsessed with them!
Right, I'm off to have a shower and get changed into my lucky red bikini. We've got the beers in, Jon's making a Madras and Tony's joining us for the match
Come on, England!!!!!
A word about penstemon; in case the label doesn't say, it will spread *aggressively* given the chance. Pinching off the seedheads should do the trick, they're obvious once the blooms fade. I was thinking penstemon pesto, but the internets caution otherwise: https://csuvth.colostate.edu/poisonous_plants/Plants/Details/15
ReplyDeleteHello Elizabeth! That link is a bit scary. I've got another one that doesn't seem to have grown much since last I cut it dowmn last summer. Thank you, I'll keep an eye on this one! xxx
DeleteDon't panic Vic, it's only very 'enthusiastic' in the right conditions. I have a couple under a large acer where it is dry and they don't get a lot of food. they've not budged in nearly 10 years!
DeleteYour garden is looking fabulous and it's lovely to see how much pleasure you have got from it the last couple of years.
Phew! I don't want the bamboo scenario all over again! xxx
DeleteVery interesting link from Elizabeth, about the Penstemons in Colorado. Other UK staples, such as Oxe Eye Daisies, are considered aggressive and a live stock nuisance in some parts of the US and Canada. I think the cold, wet British winters tend to kill a lots of Pentemons off (they are classed as a 'tender perennial'). I have a couple of the 'Volcano' types, which I over wintered in my greenhouse and keep in patio pots. Lulu x
DeleteHow interesting that a lot of the things we plant are considered weeds in other countries. Another American reader had commented aout Fox & Cubs being invasive yet we can buy them from garden centres. xxx
DeleteYour garden just gets prettier and prettier by the day! I do love the idea of the garden rooms and can't beat the price on those archways. Good luck tonight, Go England - Cheers! xxx
ReplyDeleteThanks, Martha! those archways were a bargain, I wonder if I'll be able to resist buying a couple more? xxx
DeleteI'm admiring your funky garden rug, but don't think there's space in Dove Cottage's garden for one :-)
ReplyDeleteYou're a sight for sore eyes in your Anokhi evening dress, and it seems that once again you were amply rewarded by the charity shop gods. The faux fur, chartreuse blouse and Top Shop sundress are all gorgeous.
50 p for all those plants sounds like an amazing deal. I wonder what happened to the Penstemon we planted last year?
Those arches were a great deal too, and they're just perfect for dividing the garden into rooms, which I love and would do too if our garden was bigger.
Good luck for tonight, I'm keeping everything crossed here! xxx
The rugs are such fun. They do inem in bath mat size, too - surely you could squeeze a titchy one underneath your fabulous yellow chairs?!
DeleteI thought that Anokhi dress would be an India staple, little did I know that a month after buying it the world would go mad!
Those Wilko plants were a right bargain, I must have timed it just right! I thought our penstemon had gone AWOL but it popped up quite unexpectedly a few weeks ago.
Thanks so much for the finger crossing, we were brilliant even though we didn't win. Heres to the World Cup! xxx
Oooh! That was spooky I was catching up with blog land and watching the football build up where Geoff Hurst was being interviewed and then I read your blog!
ReplyDeleteMy Uncle Liam (my mum's only brother) got married on the same day in 1966. I was 12 and wore a snazzy geometric print shift dress. Apparently Uncle Liam insisted on taking the TV with him when he and my aunt left for their honeymoon - he wanted to make sure he got to watch the match highlights in the evening!
Wilko do some fab reduced plants - they all looked pretty healthy and I love the arches! I also loved your gold blocked dress - such a fab pattern. Enjoy the match!
xxx
What were the chances of Geoff Hearst popping up minutes after publishing that post! He's looking good, isn't he?
DeleteFancy your uncle Liam getting married on the same day as my parents! I bet that dress was fabulous and loved that he took his TV on honeymoon with him. What a diferent world it was.
Wilko's reduced to clear plants are usually half dead, I was amazed to see those healthy looking specimens. I bet nobody had been buying them this week, too distracted by the football! xxx
You live in a glorious jungle and yet still buy more plants. I’m so green with envy you could plant me. Such a sweet photo of your parents and you. Don’t have a heart attack watching the game. Sounds very exciting. 🥰
ReplyDeleteI survived the game - only just!
DeleteI can't resist a "reduced to clear" plant. I'll always find room for one! xxx
PS: I'm half-watching the footy (not nearly as keen as you!!) and as I read your Geoff Hurst/escape story the BBC camera swung round to focus on one of the spectators - the great man himself! Spooky 🤓
ReplyDeleteHow freaky was that? I was amazed to see Geoff pop up, too! xxx
DeleteI only caught the highlights. Your garden and the dress are gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteThank you! xxx
DeleteI like your little setting area, with blue carpet.
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on and stay safe
Thanks, Dora! xxx
DeleteI stayed at my parents last night as the hotel was rammed at my anxiety was going through the roof!! I watched some bits but got sleepy at 10 then Paul delivered the news at 11. Why are the gods against us! My mum is Italian so she was happy. She was singing loads of Italian songs . I think I nodded back off at 12.
ReplyDeleteI heard dad and Paul in deep talks about the game. I hate penalties I think they are a cruel way to end a game. But no the boys need not be ashamed.
I have sent one of those carpets home, but it’s for tatami mat in the living room as I like a bit of colour. I bought my mum some cheap house plants out of wilkos only because they drowned the poor things and now they are in the plant hospital.
I have found out I only need to stay in the isolation hospital for 7 days!! I am chuffed to bits. .take care love and huggs Alison
We played so well, we might not have won but we were so proud of our boys! Penalties are just horrible, so much pressure when they're already exhausted from 90 minutes plus half an hour of extra time. Bring back the Golden Goal!
DeleteThose rugs are brilliant, we've had ours for years. Just hose them down at the end of the season and they're as good as new.
That's great news about the reduced isolation. I bet you can't wait to get back home! xxx
Love those family football stories! We all watched the match with pizza and beers, I managed to forget I don't watch football and threw myself into it; shame to lose on a penalty shoot out but it was a good evening and didn't the fans give it everything they had! such a great atmosphere. Love that archway idea of yours - having watched Gardeners World's focus on wildflowers last week we agreed to plant some for next Spring - it's a small garden so should make quite an impact and less lawn mowing will be required! Betty x
ReplyDeleteWasn't it a brilliant evening? I'm sad about the result but so proud of our boys. What an atmosphere at Wembley, I loved watching the fans as much as the game. I wish I'd been there.
DeleteWilding your lovely garden sounds like a brilliant idea. Wilkos have big boxes of British wildflower seeds which get really dood reviews. xxx
Brilliant blog post Vix. I imagine this morning you’re not very happy after last nights results. I agree with Allie, penalty play offs are cruel but what else can they do. Your football stories are good. I’ve got a couple. The man united players used to lodge with my friends mum and we met loads of the old players at her 90th birthday party at the Man U club. I was rubbing shoulders with Alex Ferguson, nobby stiles loads I can’t remember the names of and a some of the younger players at the time. That’s my claim to fame. Oh and our John cleans Bet Lynchs windows hahaha.
ReplyDeleteI can’t wait to see the garden in August hopefully we will be with you around the 19th/20th. It’s going to look so completely different to our last visit. I’m mega excited. xx
I'm disppointed we didn't win but so proud of those young men. I haven't felt proud to be English for a long time but Gareth Southgate and the England team make me want to rush out and fly the biggest St George's Cross I can find!
DeleteGet you with your footballer hob-nobbing! Liz used to be a window dresser and was doing the window in the Manchester branch when Alex Ferguson stuck his head round the door and told her what a great job she was doing. The staff were gobsmacked but she'd never heard of him!
Bet Lynch! The last time I watched Coanation Street she was still in it, wearing toilet earrings!
We both can't wait to see you! xxx
Oh good morning dear Vix! well today feels a mixture of dissappointment but overall pride in the team that got that far! Son no 1 still in bed the excitement got to him I think. Son no 2 to work late (lucky they know the boss(hubster lol) anyway back to your lovely post. The archway is a great idea and 50p!!!! for all those plants what a score!! I can't get over this post really - what have I been scouring ebay for an outdoor rug check what did I sort out yesterday for the chazza "some kitchenalea surplus" what did I do yesterday morning because I couldn't settle deadheading. Great minds think alike. Loved your stories and as always loved your post. Have a great couple of days Shazxx
ReplyDeleteAfternoon, Shaz! I feel the same, disappointed that we didn't win but so proud of those astonishing young men, here's to the World Cup next year! Your boys have a very kind boss and it was a once in a lifetime game.
DeleteIt sounds like we're twins! I hope you manage to get yourself an outdoor rug. Speak soon! xxx
oi. i fear the red bikini failed to work its magic......
ReplyDeleteheard the news this morning from the BW - once an active football player, he was glued to the TV.
the indian evening dress is a stunning beauty and you look gorgeous in it!!
....and the very lush garden..... i´m not happy about such abundance of cheap plants - knowing from what circumstances they coming from.
love the pics of the lazy lads <3
xxxx
The poor bikini - it let me down! It was a gripping match though and we're all very proud of our boys.
DeleteDon't worry, the plants are British grown with plant passports and labelled peat-free. They were just making way for a fresh delivery and had no room on their shelves! xxx
I love your incredible garden! My back porch container garden is being attacked by chipmunks this summer. They ate the jalepeno plant and seem to love eating seed sprouts...especially nasturtiums. I had to cover the new sprouts with colanders and baskets and even plant new seeds. They're still not very big yet. They also ate all the moss roses. They would bite off a bunch and hold them in their hands like little cucumbers. There were only the mom and dad, but last week they brought the kids. I did buy a birdbath and a little solar fountain. It's been really fun watching the birds have a good time with it.
ReplyDeleteYour Anokhi dress is gorgeous!! Love the new garden arches too!
Hello Cheryene! Here all we have to worry about are slugs, snails and the odd pilfering magpie. Chipmunks sound like a very exotic pest! Great idea with the colanders. I'd love to see them chomping away at the moss roses.
DeleteI keep toying with the idea of a solar fountain, Jon bought a solar powered pump for the pond and it's wonderful! xxx
Mine eyes glow green with greedy envy at your 50p haul, Vix! I paid 4x that for 4 piddling pots of marigolds (which have done a good job of guarding my cherry tomatoes, but still). My Mixed Jewel nasturtiums are bright but tiny this year. Only the basil has truly flourished. My German stiff-neck garlic perished in the late snow/freeze and the Egyptian onions are also AWOL. Oh, and there's something killing the songbirds and birdfeeders are now verboeten. It's always something, and the things are getting weirder by the week.
ReplyDeleteLocal charity shops are struggling. My favorite outlet supports a shelter for women and children, and their shelves are now stocked with low-cost toiletries and cleaning products. The mums are scrambling for really-back-to-school clothes as it now appears classrooms will be open or else. The "else" includes acknowledging that an outbreak of the variant is inevitable, but the mums are desperate to return to work, so...I drop off donations as I can and wait in hope that the Chazza gods will reward me with something as nice as that faux fur coat.
Sorry about the game. I'm a Cubs fan so I do understand the pain of the wait. Next time, try wearing the bikini inside out.
Piddling pots! You write like a Brit, Beth! I've done a bit of companion planting this year, the marigolds have done a great job with the carrots, the nasturtiums have diverted the caterpillars' attention from the squashes but all my red basil and tomatilloes got munched regardless. Better luck next year!
DeleteWe'd heard news reports of charity shops not able to cope with all the donations after months of people decluttering and clearing out. It's the same here, our shops are desperate and we actively hunt for things to hand over. I shall keep my fingers crossed that your generosity is rewarded by a spectacular vintage faux fur. xxx
How cool that you have a great football story with the 1966 player! I'm so sorry about England's loss (I was cheering for you! L was cheering for Italy, that Italian scamp that he is!) - it was so tense at the end with the shoot-out!
ReplyDeleteAdmiring your beautiful dress, and enjoying the peek at your treasures (I love that Top Shop dress!). I have a hankering for some thrifting, but discovered that my favourite thrift shop is now closed on Saturdays.
Those lads are utterly useless. I'm sure they offered much-needed moral support, though. Love your new arch - how fun is that!
Take care, Vix!
Thanks for your support, Sheila! Fancy L cheering for Italy! Our neighbours are Italian but their little boy is an England supporter, I bet they had to tone down their cheers!
DeleteMy Anokhi dress is crying out for a Goan beach, in the meantime it's charity shops and coffee in the garden. Ah well!
That's a bit rubbish, closing the thrift shop on a Saturday! xxx
What a very bittersweet day - lots of disapointment - however, I was at my Mums earlier and they were interviewing kids doing footie activities and it was all "Well, we can always win the World Cup next year!" alongside a little girl in a hijab practicing her footwork - it was lovely to see and hear. (Especially in view of some of the shocking racism on social media after the match/the idiots storming Wembley to get in and the uptick in domestic violence afterwards).
ReplyDeleteI've got to do a Wilko stock-up so I'll have to have a look at the garden section - we've usually spent-up in the garden bird food bit before getting there. I'm amazed that our local birds can take off with all the grub they get through lol
Take care all - hugs to Maryland xx
Those little ones on BBC Breakfast were so funny. That babe in arms in Oldham sobbing on his Mum's shoulder then saying "There's always the World Cup next year", he's already learning the eternal optimism of being an England supporter!
DeleteThere was a video from one of the local mosques doing the rounds on social media last week, Harry Kane scored against Denmark and all the worshippers leap in the air and started singing "It's Coming Home" at the top of their voices. It was wonderful!
Jon can't help himself in Wilkos bird food aisle. Those arches are amazing value for money! xxx
Oh dear - the kids interviews were on TV (not in my Mum's garden lol) - but then again there are little 'uns locally who want to keep the England flags out because "our team tried very hard" - bless.
ReplyDeleteIt warms my heart, those vile knuckle-dragging haters really are a minority. xxx
DeleteAs a non-footie fan, I watched the final and really felt for the lads. It must have been heart breaking for you real hard core fans. They're such a great team though and so young. I'll be eagerly watching the World Cup next year!
ReplyDeleteHey Vix, I'm not long back from Wilkos (alas the Falmouth branch did not have a 50p plant sale). As I was purchasing my dishwasher salt, a wilkos promo song came on that was a blatant rip off off The Charlatans 'The Only One I Know' (first couple of opening bars) :0 :0 :) You and Jon should listen out for it next time you're in there!
Oooh, I love Kristopher Hivju (he played one of my favourite characters in Game of Thrones) so shall have to check out Beck. Is that you in the baby picture? Super Cute. Lulu xXx
We've already ordered the Three Lions flag for next year! It's lovely to see that nobody has taken their flags down yet and are still out and about in England shirts, we're so proud of our lads!
DeleteGah! Falmouth's Wilko needs to buck it's ideas up and sell their plants off. Normally the reduced ones in ours are almost dead, my 10p tray of petunias is already flowering.
How interesting about the promo song, does Jon need to phone the Musician's Union? xxx
Love to see your garden looking more and more lush!, and so delightful decoration, the archways are a great idea and I'm loving the cute corner with the rug, the iron furniture and mirrors wall. Great idea to have a rug outdoors, I've even planned to have one on my mini-balcony, to keep things colourful (I could manage it with a pair of bath mats anyway!)
ReplyDeleteLoving your fantastic indian dress and loving your maxi skirt too, You Rock dear Vix!.
besos
Thanks, Monica! Outdoor rugs are brilliant, I like the idea if using a bathmat! xxx
DeleteI had that Top Shop dress back in the day. I wore it to death. I'm off to look for an outdoor rug now that I've seen yours.
ReplyDeleteMaybe the dress was yours! Stranger things have happened! xxx
DeleteYour garden makes me so happy! The depth and size of it plus all the variety of massive plants, trees and shrubs puts me in my mind of my Grandparents' garden and trust me, that is a huge compliment as it was my childhood paradise!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE yoru charity shop purchases esp the Topshop dress and the green Ramie blouse!
Ah, that Anokhi dress really is a dream! It's SOOOO beautiful!
Can I ask a daft question re the rugs- what is the benefit of having an outside rug- I don't say that to be snarky, I just haven't quite grasped the concept of them and you are someone who I know can explain it to me in terms I will get!
I love the arches. We used to have one but it went rotten but I would love another one for beans to grow up!
That's such a lovely thing to say, Kezzie. I remember you writing about your love for your grandparents' garden on your blog. Stonecroft's garden was mine and my brother's childhood paradise, too!
DeleteOutdoor rugs add colour to a gloomy corner, are great weed suppresents and hide ugly garden slabs (there's some beneath the table and chairs). One day I'd love a Morrocan tiled floor but a rug is a much cheaper option! The best thing is that they can be hosed down and packed away for the winter. They are fantastic for camping as well. We've had our festival ones for over a decade.
A lot of the reviewers on the Wilko site say thay they've bought these arches for supporting beans!
I'm such a ditherer when I visit Anokhi, I love everything! Jon chose this dress! xxx
How iconic that your parents got married on the day England won the World Cup. No wonder you love soccer.
ReplyDeleteThe chandelier hanging above your tree ferns looks fab. You have such a super garden.
ReplyDeleteIs that a baby photo of you? You do look like you enjoyed getting into trouble! The Anokhi dress is gorgeous and I see that you mentioned in a comment reply that Jon chose it. He has a good eye!
ReplyDeleteIs that Scandinavian show Beck any good? I will keep an eye out for it on Netflix. I would watch it just because the actor who played Tormund on Game of Thrones (with the long red hair) is in it ;)