'Ands Off Me Cockles. A Song For The Weekend.

Cro is having a sensational Summer, with lots of talented and interesting folk visiting him at his French home. His post today inspired me to bring this beautiful melody to your attention. Stick with it (only 1.40 mins), as the singer seamlessly moves into a brilliant Noel Coward impersonation.

Current Mood

Chickpea has found hers, it's gorgeous but it needs a lot of work. Sue has found hers and has almost completed it's transformation into a perfect forever home.

Meanwhile I'm still looking.

gif via giphy.com

Did I mention, I'm not known for my patience?

Gaia's Bounty

image via

Our home grown produce has taken a while to come through this season because of delays caused by the house move. We haven't planted as much either, but the little we have is being used as quickly as it's coming up. Sadly I can't see we will need to freeze any surplus.

I had thought being in a cooler region now (in the Peak District), it would be more difficult to grow veg or fruit that need a good deal of sun. Imagine my surprise when our next door neighbour Ted knocked on the back door with two home grown peaches for us.

The mister took this pic, he's called it 'Peaches in the Peak'.

In other news, I recently went to a rather jolly herbal workshop, hosted by a very knowledgeable local lass. My son came with me so it made the day extra special.

We were taught how to make face and body lotions, bath melts and Winter syrups. The tutor had a vast range of essential oils, I used the more unusual Frankincense, Violet, Clary Sage and Sweet Birch amongst others.

The whole experience was a delight and of course the knowledge gained invaluable. I shall definitely be making some fruity soothing syrups for the colder months.

Welcome to my latest follower Beth. Always nice to know the clan is growing.

Busy Bee Me.

My goodness me it's been a busy week. Started off with a house viewing on Monday. Right area, sadly wrong house.

Tuesday evening was a lively talk at the Cromford Mill gothic warehouse by Christine Robinson, former Head Housekeeper to the Dowager Duchess of Devonshire. Cheese and wine served beforehand, all very civilised and inexpensive.

Wednesday the Mister was dropped off at Chesterfield station to take the London train so he could indulge in some drinking time with his brothers and some chums. I, dutiful wife, picked up some provisions and sorted out our spare room ready for our weekend guests.

Thursday we popped along to the Bakewell show, as I had won some tickets on Twitter from a very nice local florist, Jonathan Moseley, who 'does the flowers' for Chatsworth.

These creations by Plantology

Friday we zoomed over to Cheshire for a Decorative Home and Salvage show.

Then late afternoon our chums arrived to stay, and we were hithering and thithering all weekend, eating and drinking too much, sitting in the sun and generally having a good time.

Oh, plus our car and washing machine both packed up, so major outlay of the folding I'm afraid.

I'm looking forward to a few quieter days now.

The Innocent

This is a fairly old pic of our puss Pendragon, taken at the last house. She looks like butter wouldn't melt, eh?

She's supposed to be a British Shorthair, but her long and abundant fur grows in deep layers across her body. Said fur needs brushing to remove the excess, but will she let us do it? Definitely not! She is outraged at what she thinks is manhandling.

The latest spat came when I thought I should cut her claws. We haven't found a new local vet for her yet so I thought it would be less traumatic for her and cheaper for us if I did it. I looked on line and found a video of a vet clipping the claws of  a very chilled out puss. That looks easy, I thought. I'll go and buy some special cat claw clippers and all will be well. Fat chance! It took three attempts, with me wearing gardening gloves to protect my skin and I still haven't managed to get her dew claws done yet.

Such a grumpy cat, but we love her of course.