h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hi team,weather here today cr*p,but I have just finished planting out my precious runner beans,I start them off in three inch pots 'cus' it's too cold up in the north to risk putting the seeds straight in the soil when I'm only planting on just a few canes(14).

I now use a bulb planter as it produces a hole exactly the same as a three inch pot,press the planter in the soil then push in an empty pot into the hole for an exact size sprinkle in a pinch of growmore and wallah instant greenery

I hope you all have a good weekend,the weatherman has predicted a nice weekend so perhaps we can all stretch outside for a while.

Polly,I hope those wretched bites you received are now on the mend,it is still too cold up here for the gnat type infestation that you have had thankfully,I always use Benadryl cream on insect bites placing a blob under a sticking plaster for a couple of days otherwise I have them for weeks,must be my age

Hello.

We have had none of the promised rain. When I got back this evening my new plants looked very saggy and sad. My tomoato plants also looked a little withered. So I have been outside watering (and playing with Pixie and his coloured mouse). And I've been bitten again. The old bites are mending, thank you Rick. But there are a few that are still very big and red. Maybe I attract them because of my coloring or scent.

I missed for the second time Peter Sallis's choice of music on Desert Island Discs. I must try and find him on the list of D.I.D. guests. He said he loved Vaughan Williams's 'The Lark Ascending'. What a beautiful piece of music it is. So evocative of the English countryside.

Last evening I was sitting amongst cottage-garden flowers in an old walled garden. There were rooks constantly to-ing and fro-ing above me, and robins and bullfinches foraging for food and bits of dried grass. A robin was singing so exquisitly, whilst 2 peacocks were screaching in the grounds just over the wall. It was all such bliss.


Frank, how are you? Have you been out in the sunshine today? Wasn't it a lovely day! I'm off butterfly hunting tomorrow in Dorset.

Evenin' all! I've had a good day at home - catching up on the parish council work - there was a meeting on monday that left me with loads to do. So, I'm sorry to say, Poll, that I did here dear Peter Sallis - what a lovely man he is, but I was surprised to hear him say he couldn't get on with children. I would have thought he would be lovely with them.
However, as you know, Poll, his first piece was Lark Ascending - absolutely sublime. I remember a few years back hearing a prog on R4 about a violinist (Tamsin thingy?) talking about playing the piece and how, when she played the soaring soparing passage, she felt transformed, drifting up high, completely out of the world. I can appreciate that, it really is the most beautiful, English summer evocation.

Tomorrow should be a good day and we're winding down for our half term holiday. Off to Spain for the week on Sunday, so I'll be out of touch most of the week.

I'll come back here tomorrow to say bye bye.

Just in case I miss you, Folly, I hope you have a great week in Spain. Again! Huh!

The church trees have been felled today. Cypress trees. What a beautiful smell now pervades my little garden. But I am sure that there will have been birds nesting in the trees. It is the nesting season. And it is unlawful to harm birds or their eggs. What should I do? I wasn't here to see the work starting. If I had been I would have asked if they knew about the law. There were always goldcrests in the trees, and certainly doves and pigeons. The trees should have been checked first~~~and I bet that they were not. They were so very high that no-one would have been able to check the full height. Should I say something or keep angrily quiet? I have been in this situation before but wasn't sure of the law and I vowed then that I wouldn't let it happen again.

Golly I am very tired. Nesting time for me I think.

Goodnight to each of you.

Hi Polly,
Eleven o'clock now, so maybe you are already off to bed. Today was delightfully sunny and calmer than of late. I pottered a bit in the garden and hung out my bit of washing, but did not go out today. Tomorrow eh? A bit of shopping and a stroll along the sea front I think.
I see you dropped in on my almost deserted "Nonsense Rhyme" spot and left a little poem. As usual it spurred me into writing a reply.
Sleep tight Polly dear. X X X
fxx

Just popped on before beddy byes - for heaven's sake, say something, Poll, about the bids and trees. If nothing else, it might well put your mind at rest. And if they did fell them without checking or thinking, then - if it were me - I'd let the local paper know. Goldcrests are such wonderful birds - sweet songs - did you know sometimes their singing is so high pitched that men can't hear it - only women (women's ears are attuned more to higher registers). And they're pretty and the smallest British bird - so well worth shouting about it. Tell you local RSPB people, too.

So, night night all of you - hugs all round

My heart goes out to you, Folly. What a terrible chore it must be to have to keep going to Spain every time there's a school holiday (in peak rental time, too). I hope you're doing carbon offset.

Nice and sunny here today until the evening, when it clouded over for a few hours and got a bit chilly. It's very clear now, though, and should be a nice day tomorrow.

Went to Bridport for t'funeral yesterday. Pretty place and quite a nice service, but a bit dismal overall, even if I did meet up with a few old friends. Not sure how his widow's going to cope: no family and virtually no friends nearby, except for a rather sad retired couple, who moved to Bridport not long ago and wish they hadn't, and one other woman, who wasn't at the funeral and is allegedly an alcoholic. An occasion for counting blessings.

Polly, could you possibly send those tree fellers round to my next door neighbours to sort out the sycamore tree?

Have a good weekend everyone.

Yes, I know, Tickle. It's a bit of a trial and I console myself there with a few g & t's and a few bottle of rosé with lunch on the sun terrace overlooking the pool, and a few good and cheap red wines or perhaps a beer or two for dinner on the patio and ....and .....

So you had to go to Bridport for the funeral, Tickle. My family originally came from Bridport - well, a village just outside called Bothenhampton - my granny and grandfather moved up to London to get married and to find work when the net and rope factories in Bridport were on the downturn at the beginning of the 1900's. We still go there every year, still got (distant) relatives there. Bridport's OK, but it's one of those places that, strangely enough, is actually better in the high season - July and August - when its packed and the market's in full swinh. Out of season it can be depressing, dying almost. It's certainly an oap's town.

I'm also awaiting the tree man from the local authority to try to get them to fell a sycamore that is getting enormous behind our nack garden on some public land. The tree man at the council - Mr Alder (of course) - got it reduced by a third about two years ago, since when it has shot up to twice its height, so I'm hoping to persuade him to get it removed and replace it with a slow growing something.

Well, must get on, Tax returns to do for me and MOH this morning. Oh, I know. Fun, fun, fun all the way

Hi Polly,I am afraid that you are too late to catch Peter Salis as it was the third outing for that particular prog' the link below is in case you wish to view his choice of discs

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00kc1lz

That was kind of you Rik.

Is it really the case, as was claimed on the RBQ thread, that it's the Plomley family who won't allow DID to be available on Listen Again? If so, they must be a pretty miserable bunch. I had assumed it was because of copyright/royalty issues in respect of the music.

One Christmas, a few years ago, I had the notion of getting some 'Happy Days' dvds for our girls, who've never had the chance to see the Fonz. Turns out there are virtually none available, and all on account of the royalties, that would have to be paid for the music, making it financially unviable. I've looked at a few bits on YouTube, but the quality is pretty dire. Shame.

Happy Days to you all.

What a beautiful day! I'm off to sunny Spain in about 2 hours, so,

¡Adios mes amigos!

It is a cruel harsh commercial world isn't it? There must be a fortune to be made from archive material. We all want free access to all this stuff, or if not free, then access at a reasonable price. Some people deliberately sit on material to drive the price up: some material will never become available in our lifetime.

I was delighted last night, however, to discover that video google.com let me watch the whole 33 minutes of "Le Ballon Rouge" (1965 film by Albert Lamorisse). If you have never seen it, you should take a look. Amazing!

You may want to skip this one, folks. The thing is, as Rikii at least knows, I wrote a little hum about my old friend's death the other week. I sent a slightly amended version of it to one of the old gang, who forwarded a copy to the grieving widow. She seems to have been quite touched by it and says she's going to frame it. All of this seems to have disturbed a partly written song that's been hanging around at the back of my mind for several years, as it suddenly started demanding to be finished. So I've finished it - well, almost: still needs a bit of tweaking, I think. Sorry to burden you with it.

Karolina, With a K

Karolina, with a K
I thought of you again today
The same old question came to mind
How could they treat you so unkind?
They may not have intended to
But in effect they murdered you
Stitched you up - not very well
So the tragedy befell
And I can still recall the day
With a smile you slipped away
Oh! Karolina, with a K

Karolina, with a K
You were born a waif and stray
Rejected by your family
Shipped away across the sea
While you were still a babe in arms
Was that to keep you safe from harm?
No-one now can really know
What happened all those years ago
When you were sent so far away
Or, if they do, no-one will say
Oh! Karolina, with a K

Karolina, with a K
That was your name the papers say
It’s not the one we knew you by
As the months and years flew by
While you raised a family
Which you brought up on pots of tea
You took good care of each of us
And taught us not to make a fuss
But live our life from day to day
As you went on your own sweet way
Oh! Karolina, with a K

Karolina, with a K
Those games of cribbage we would play
You were always streets ahead
But when all is done and said
There’s nothing left to say or do
But play another game or two
It’s always sweeter to have won
But when all is said and done
There’s nothing left to do or say
We all run out of cards to play
Oh! Karolina, with a K

Karolina, with a K
You found a better place to stay
My father took you for his wife
Together you carved out a life
Raised a family of five
Thankfully all still alive
And grateful for the life we knew
The life that we all owe to you
You made us what we are today
With so much love along the way
And you live on in memory dear
As it all becomes more clear
The love you left along the way
Will last forever and a day
Oh! Karolina, it’s OK.

Good evening to each of you here ~~~ and to Folly if he is tuning in (but my guess is that he is sipping wine and listening to soft guitar music ).

W4aT, what a splendid poem. And what a great gift to give someone.

Rick, thank you very much for that D.I.D. link. I love the 3 luxury items that Mr. Sallis would keep with him. The Sibelius symphony is lovely. And the P.G.Wodehouse would be great company. As for the meccano - well that is one for the boys.

Frank, my dear, have you had a peaceful weekend? I do hope so. I haven't yet looked at any of my other conversations. But before I do I must tell you about my butterfly day on Saturday. I had a marvellous day and met a few male enthusiasts who were roaming around Martin Down searching too for elusive butterflies. I saw at least 12 species (jotted them down somewhere). But here are some :

Adonis Blue

Common Blue

Painted Lady

Green Hairstreak

Marsh Fritillary

Grizzled Skipper and Dingy Skipper


The Marsh Fritillary was beautiful as was the Adonis Blue. My friend and I came across the Adonis Blue because we could see two men trying to photograph something and we asked what they had found. They had found one Adonis Blue and one Common Blue together. But each time they tried to get a decent photograph the A.B. fluttered away. And guess what I managed to do? The A.B.sat perfectly still for me, and I was able to get a few photographs taken of it.

The Green Hairstreak was high up in the branches, with wings folded looking very much like a leaf.

We are going again in 2 weeks time. We are also going somewhere else soon to see the Purple Emperor. Butterflies (and moths) are incredible and beautiful creatures.


Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed the weekend. I've been kept busy looking after a friend's garden. And after each evening's watering session I have let myself into my church and played the piano for ages.

As for the felled trees and the little birds - well so far I have said nothing to any authority. It's a bit difficult......But I am still very sad about it.

'Night 'Night from me and Pixie





xxx

You are lucky to get to see those butterflies Polly.
I have been rather quiet lately, not getting out much other than mad dashes to the local supermarket for that milk and bread that always runs out.
The weather was great on Sunday, but disappointing on Monday...typical Bank Holiday weather, with heavy showers and very little sun.
Much brighter this morning with everybody back at work (except me of course!)
I pecked at the garden, which is tiny, but still in a mess. I am "All behind like a lambs tail" this season.
I live in the centre of the most densely populated City in the country yet I still get chalk blue butterflies visiting my now very large Rose of Sharron bush, and quite a few birds visit my rather wild unkempt little patch.
I have been trying to discipline myself with regard to alcohol consumption, managing about 6 days with neither lager beer nor wine.
Then on Saturday I called in for one pt of lager and stayed for three, then bought a lovely bottle of Australian red which I finished off all by myself that evening. Who's an alcoholic then?
Well I did not drink on Sunday, my usual binge day, and have had nothing but tea since then, so I do try.
Balancing the need for human company and the need to lose weight is a social dilemma for Frank!
fxx

Yes, that does sound lucky. It's good to know there are still some butterflies around somewhere. We don't get many in our garden,although when the buddleia flowers we might get a few.

6 days without alcohol, Frank! I'm impressed. It must be particularly difficult if you have to go to the pub for a bit of company. I'm trying to cut down myself, but only for financial reasons. However, I don't often go more than 2 or 3 days without a glass of wine.

The weather wasn't bad here yesterday, in spite of heavy showers being forecast. These didn't materialise until after dark and can't have been all that heavy, judging by the state of the garden. It was even sunny for a few hours in the middle of the day. It's sunny again now, but somewhat breezy. The garden is flooded with sycamore seeds once again. Bah!

Have a good day.

Good afternoon Frank, W4aT, Rick, Folly and other friends.


Frank, Chalkhill Blues are beautiful. I'm rather envious that you get them in your garden. I managed to photograph dozens of them 2 years ago on the I.O.W. on Tennyson Down. They were sunning themselves on the remains of blackberry bushes. They are abundant in July and August so you have plenty of time to see them again.
Sadly I get very few butterflies in my garden. I used to have so many in the garden in Wimborne. But here in my little garden there seems to be so few although I do see Speckled Woods in the forest along with a few other species.

Well I should be losing a bit of weight but I have a thing about licorice. And wine gums. Pixie likes a nibble of licorice too.

We seem to have had a bit of rain overnight but none today. I almost lost the garden umbrella whilst having my lunch under it because of the strong winds.

Time for a cup of my redbush tea. I've had 3 Crunchies in the fridge for the last week or more. I think I might just have one now. After all, I will be watering a friend's large garden later this evening which means a bit of moving around.

I hope you are all having a happy day.

Hi team,another windswept mizzy day here,I've been in the garden for a few days laying some small decking(basically a flat ladder frame)I have still to purchase a few long planks of decking and I have just finished another raised bed although I cant afford the topsoil to fill it with as it is about 80 quid a cubic metre.

I haven't got a single job this week so things are looking a bit glum as I have only worked 5 days this month still the weather centre are predicting quite a few nice days including the weekend and I have ordered a new PVCU window for my spare room and hopefully I shall be ripping out the old frame upstairs on Saturday and installing the new one with a bull nosed internal cill (in pvc)to cut down on painting etc.

Hi tickle,Sycamore seeds?I wont see any of those around here for months yet my aliums are just in full flower and the Hosta's are just starting to get full leaf though the bleeding hearts are all but finished flowering and the wind keeps blowing my precious runner beans off their canes,I paid my neighbour 50 quid a few months ago so I could cut down myself a wretched fir tree that someone had planted right next to the party fence at the bottom of my small garden,as the tree was only about 12'-0 tall it came down in no time and we have a free green collection here every fortnight and they take cuttings up to 5'-0 long and 4" diameter and wallah

Hi Rick.

I'm so glad that we had rain at last here. So I took advantage of it and enlarged the borders whilst the soil is easy to dig. I dug out several blinking bricks! The garden is littered with them under the soil. And I came across a lot of builders sand too in the soil. I gardened for about 2 hours in the rain~~~and got filthy! I went straight into the shower afterwards.

I hope that you are able to apply for governmental help due to the lack of funds (from no work). So many folk don't bother or don't realise that help is at hand.

I'm not watering my friend's garden tonight although I might pop out and water the greenhouse stuff. I would love an old greenhouse. They are a bit like allotments - so reminiscent of childhood, and of a bygone age.

I wish that I had grown a few runner beans in a pot. Is it too late to do so, Rick? I guess it is.

Back to the wine.