Much Gardening in the Marsh

I almost reached pre-retirement stress level yesterday, trying to master the tree canopy survey software that our U3A has volunteered us for.  I gave up when, after reporting on the 600 sampling points it took to get within the required 2% Standard Error, I found I couldn’t save and shut down.  Frustrated close to tears, I shall start again on Monday, with help, I hope, from the fellow who has asked us to do it.  I hope I don’t have to start again: if I never see that poxy golf course in Sevenoaks again, it’ll be far too soon.

Thank goodness for a day of weather that allows one to Get On With Stuff.  Once two lots of washing were on the line, I went out in search of canes for the runner beans.  I came home with a bag of grated mozzarella and a bottle or two of wine: the queues at the DIY sheds and supermarkets were longer than I felt like hanging  around in, and I did the residual shopping in the mini-Sainsburys opposite the station.

Thanks to his inexhaustible supply of common sense, Martyn suggested we make do and mend, and we have found enough bits of bamboo to support a modest crop.  The plants, meanwhile, are hot to trot, so have been hardening off outside today, and will go out in a few days’ time.

So, the washing is dry and unter Dach, the rockery is weeded thanks to Martyn’s efforts, the cosmos are planted out and I’ve taken a large number of box cuttings, having seen to a straggly one on the rockery.  The tagetes are hardening off in the space in the cold frames vacated by the cosmos, and we have pots available again for a few of the seedlings.  The spuds took three bags of compost to earth up today, so I’ll load up a few more on Monday on my weekly foray to Fortnums.  Their compost looks to include a large proportion of sawdust, but at £1.99 a bag, I don’t mind beefing it up as and when with a spot of blood, fish and bone.

I’m getting better at tying the bandana before I enter shops now.  Few people seem to be bothering about masks and distancing, which is a worry.  I’ve been outwith our curtilage twice this week, and that’s once more than I oughter.

We ought tomorrow to have been boarding the Queen Victoria for her cancelled cruise to the fjords, and have rescheduled that for summer next year, if we’re spared.  Just as well, since the forecast for our planned itinerary is looking dull, grey and COLD!  It’s an ill wind, eh?