Other People's Gardens - December 2020

 

December's Other People's Gardens post is less about the gardens I worked in and more to do with the scenery encountered on the way!   Although these photos above are at least taken from one of the gardens I work in!

These were all taken on the way to this particular garden - my commute takes me through some very rural landscapes.

And this photo really makes me laugh - it was bloody freezing!

Odds and Sods - December 2020

With lockdown continuing and enhanced restrictions, I feel like I don't really do anything at the moment, except knitting and cooking!   Because Amanda and I live alone, but separately, we were allowed to form a "bubble" which means we can stay over at each other's, and so I can't live entirely on fish finger sandwiches!   This is my Christmas quiche - full of cranberries, garlic and mustard - it's yum.

This is Nigella's cappucino pavlova - the top photo shows how it SHOULD look and the second photo is my take on it!   Mine is more of a lasagne pavlova with layers!  Tastes fab though.

We were allowed to get together for Christmas Day only - just five of us sadly - but Boxing Day had to be cancelled due to covid restrictions.   This is my bubble and squeak I brought home from Mum and Dad's, very disappointing as there was no stuffing!

This eventually became my first "Monthly Make" for 2021, which is this year's challenge to make one item of clothing a month for me.

Christmas wasn't cancelled completely, and the tree did go up very early to compensate for all the other shit that we've had to put up with over the past few months!

I did get a day trip up to the coast at Sheringham to meet Rat and Pam (and Ruby!) for a socially distanced walk.   So things weren't all bad.

And once all the Christmas presents were made, I was commissioned to make a string of mini stockings.

But the biggest news of all .... is that we've welcomed this little chap to our home.  Separate post to be written with literally HUNDREDS of photos!

Seeds and Stuff - November 2020

 I had so many gardens to work in during November that I spent very little time in my own garden although I did finally get to use my new incinerator, that I bought back in March just in time for the first lock down.   Despite all my best intentions to have a beautiful garden this year, it didn't really come to much after the initial enthusiasm of the beautiful spring weather we had and not having much else to do.   As soon as lockdown lifted for gardens - back in May - I then poured all my energies into other gardens.   But at least this year it did become my little sanctuary - somewhere I could sit outside and enjoy.   Really must try harder!

Odds and Sods - November 2020

 I might be very behind with typing up my posts, but I still managed to get all my Christmas presents made!

The colours this autumn have been spectacular, but because we were back in another lockdown we were very limited as to what we could do.  I did manage a few day walks which was very pleasing.  

But mainly it was all about staying at home and knitting!

Alby Crafts

 Back in August 2018, Shannon and I had another jolly, this time involving cake, gardens and a craft fair - winner!  We have had a number of visits to Alby over the years, with its unusual gifts for sale, craft workshops and lovely tea rooms.   Up until August 2018, we'd never actually visited the gardens, but the craft fair was actually held in the gardens, so it seemed only right to explore the grounds properly.

They even had an orchestral strings group playing, which we sat and listened to for a while.  They were fab and you'd never know they were beginners.

I think we actually spent more time wandering in the gardens than we did in the craft fair!