Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

General Subjects => General Forum => Topic started by: anita on January 03, 2013, 07:18:49 PM

Title: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: anita on January 03, 2013, 07:18:49 PM
I guess it's a good thing. A week into the New Year and nary a moan.
This is more a post of anguish rather than a moan. The past day and the coming week will again make me question what sort of of sadomasichistic streak makes me a keen gardener in Adelaide's climate. Don't  get me wrong.. Most of the time it's lovely and very rewarding but when we are in a heatwave it's just heartbreaking. Yesterday was 39 deg C then we've a forcast of 44 today, a reprieve of 31 tomorrow and then 36, 41, 38, 37. See http://www.bom.gov.au/sa/forecasts/adelaide.shtml (http://www.bom.gov.au/sa/forecasts/adelaide.shtml)
 I'm hoping that we don't approach our previous record, set a few years ago of 15 days straight above 35 degrees. We've watered the garden deeply over the past two days leaving the sprinkler , drippers and soaker hoses on for several hours in each location. But I know plants are going to be hammered despite our care. When it gets this hot many species cannot translocate water fast enough and leaves just burn. With a relatively mild summer to date the garden's been looking lovely but as of today it will look scorched until we get autumn rains.
I'm rising early today - my last day of leave - to take photos to remind me of how things looked before the oven was turned on!
Anita
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Maggi Young on January 03, 2013, 07:32:55 PM
We're hearing of the high temps. forecast for you folks, Anita - must say not sure WE would survive that heat, never mind the plants.  :o
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: anita on January 03, 2013, 07:47:27 PM
Hi Maggie,
It's one of those days when the air conditioning will go on and stay on all day. The dog will join us inside and our hens will demonstrate that they do have some kind of thinking going on as they will come up onto our back verandah where the open windows ( to facilitate our evaporative air conditioning system)  mean that cool air is circulating.
When my parents lived further north in South Australia even the wild birds and lizards figured out there was cool air coming out of the windows and the verandahs became a refuge for wrens, pigeons and blue tongue and sleepy lizards. Fortunately the extremely venomous snake species never joined those species seeking refuge from the heat.
We do venture out from the air cinditioning every couple of hours even in this heat to ensure that  the bird baths around the house are kept topped up with cool water as its really important for the wild birds that share our garden to have water in this weather.
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 19, 2013, 09:55:48 PM
Oops: http://rt.com/news/maple-leaf-canada-currency-324/ (http://rt.com/news/maple-leaf-canada-currency-324/)

These people tried to use the "generic representation" excuse when I pointed out the butterfly picture was an accurate portrayal of an American viceroy (Limenitis archippus) http://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/resources/identification/animals/bug-id/what-is-this-bug/bugs-with-legs/6-legs (http://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/resources/identification/animals/bug-id/what-is-this-bug/bugs-with-legs/6-legs)
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: chasw on February 05, 2013, 04:13:49 PM
Well ,my moan of the day,saw a nice labelling machine on the Argos web site ,the picture shows it with a carry case and charger and lead ,so I pre order it for collection today,and guess what no carry case or charger :o,so have been onto them via e mail.......no answer, so thought would use F/B and yes I get a reply within 6 minutes ,they look into it and say that the picture is wrong but the description is correct ,and sorry for any inconvenience,so I suggested that it was false advertisig ,the reply came back that it was not ,it is an error with the picture,it then carried on for a while, it was then suggested that I take independant advice,cheeky or what......................so I have now  e mailed tradindg standards ,no doubt I will not get anywhere with this,  but won't be for lack of trying :-X
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: David Nicholson on February 05, 2013, 07:51:36 PM
Keep at 'em Chas, don't let 'em off the hook
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Anthony Darby on February 05, 2013, 08:54:14 PM
I thought Argos had gone?
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: TC on February 05, 2013, 09:07:19 PM
Chas
Unless they specifically said that the charger and case were not included in the catalogue. I think you have a good case.
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 05, 2013, 09:14:29 PM
Sorry Chas, I feel as though I am to blame :(  Hope Trading Standards have some positive comeback.
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: David Nicholson on February 05, 2013, 09:16:03 PM
I thought Argos had gone?

Struggling!
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Anthony Darby on February 05, 2013, 09:23:41 PM
Me too. ;D
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: chasw on February 05, 2013, 10:13:56 PM
Brian ,I could have bought it from many other sources,but plumped for Argos as they were nearby.....

Even a certain Lurker who was with us at the week end sent me a mail today,saying it was on offer there,
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: David Nicholson on February 06, 2013, 09:15:52 AM
Me too. ;D

et mois ;D
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Anthony Darby on February 06, 2013, 10:19:55 AM
Ah, toi Aussie!
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: chasw on February 06, 2013, 01:52:55 PM
Quote
Ah, toi Aussie!



Anthony I thought you were in NZ
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Anthony Darby on February 07, 2013, 01:42:55 AM
Moi Kiwi  8)
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Brian Ellis on February 07, 2013, 10:17:50 AM
Moi Kiwi  8)

Amazing how quickly you have been integrated Anthony.  Here, in Norfolk, I believe you have to have been resident for at least 25 years to be accepted by the natives  :D
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Michael J Campbell on February 07, 2013, 10:33:51 AM
Quote
I believe you have to have been resident for at least 25 years to be accepted by the natives 

!25 years! I am here 41 years and still a stranger. and not accepted as part of the community. Don't even know the neighbours three doors away on either side and they don't greet me if we  meet on the road. :( :( :(
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Anthony Darby on February 07, 2013, 11:10:15 AM
In some ways I feel more at home here. A Yorkshireman living in Scotland vs a Yorkshireman living in New Zealand. Let me see? Ah yes, 20 minutes and I'm at Eden Park to watch England play New Zealand at cricket! 8)
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: David Nicholson on February 07, 2013, 11:33:21 AM
!25 years! I am here 41 years and still a stranger. and not accepted as part of the community. Don't even know the neighbours three doors away on either side and they don't greet me if we  meet on the road. :( :( :(

Sounds a bit like Devon  ::)
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: annew on February 07, 2013, 05:29:26 PM
I remember reading a letter from someone who moved to the Yorkshire Dales, passed their neighbouring farmer in the car most days who gave no acknowledgement. After 20 years, the neighbour raised one finger from the steering wheel as a greeting.
We're friendly really.  :-*
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Anthony Darby on March 19, 2013, 06:54:25 AM
Wish I could find a decent lemon and meringue pie. All we get here is a lemon cheese cake with a mushy froth on the top. I suppose it's suppose to be pavlova, but give me a proper meringue any day. I suppose I'll just have to find a good recipe and make one myself. I must admit to being very disappointed with NZ pavlova. I'm used to something much more crunchy on the outside. :(
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Anthony Darby on March 19, 2013, 08:27:41 AM
Oh dear. Just watched an episode of David Attenborough's "Kingdom of Plants". He described the wasp Encarsia hatching from eggs on strips hung on plants and laying their eggs on aphid pupae. Encarsia hatch from white fly pupae, not eggs, and don't attack aphids at all!
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: TC on March 19, 2013, 08:52:12 PM
Potholes !!!!!!!!

In the past 16 months I have had to replace 5 tyres due to pothole damage.  This has set me back about £420
Last week I hit another which looked like a large puddle except it sounded as if the wheel had been hit by a sledgehammer.
No visible damage could be seen so I continued on home  - carefully.
The next day there was a bulge in the sidewall of the nearside front tyre.
At the tyre depot they set about replacing it and told me that the alloy wheel had a fracture in it next to the damage on the tyre so the could not fit a new one.  So I was stuck with one of these stupid "space saving wheels" on the front until the wheel could be repaired.  Luckily the wheel was repaired and a new tyre fitted.  This left me out of pocket to the sum of £150.

I am now going to claim against the council road department.  Today I went back to the spot to photograph it.  There was a 5 foot long pothole with a raised iron drain cover protruding.  Google earth was handy as I could capture an aerial picture of the site and a ground view.
I also noted that they had a road tarmacking crew renewing complete sections of the road so they cannot deny that the surface was in a deplorable condition.
No doubt I will get the run-around but even if they don't pay up, it will be entertaining annoying them !
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: David Nicholson on March 19, 2013, 08:56:30 PM
I wish you all the best with this one Tom, last year cost me two steel road wheels. Don't let 'em off the hook all local authorities are well insured.
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Maggi Young on March 19, 2013, 09:00:13 PM
One of our local members successfully claimed for a busted wheel from the council.
In the paper this week it was mentioned that if councils spent the money they have to pay out in insurance claims on mending the ruddy potholes in the first place they'd save money and generate tremendous goodwill- pity they never seem to think of that!
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Anthony Darby on March 19, 2013, 09:41:44 PM
Potholes. I've yet to see one here. 8)
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Maggi Young on March 19, 2013, 09:58:12 PM
Potholes. I've yet to see one here. 8)
Maybe you're just lucky in Auckland -  In the Christchurch area,  after the earthquakes, I would have thought a mere pothole would be the least of their worries.
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: angie on March 20, 2013, 11:04:38 AM
One of our vans was driven out of garage after just getting serviced and now two tyres and wheel totally wrecked. There was a huge manhole cover sticking up. I called the council two weeks ago to tell them that this manhole was at an angle. When I called the council to say that the manhole cover was right out and had caused damage to the van . I was asked did I not see the cover sticking up. I told them I wasn't the driver and i wont say what else I said. The car behind the van also caught the manhole. Its been a week now and all the have done is put cones around it, how long does it take to sort a simple thing like this. It is a very busy road.
I pay £460 road tax to have my car on the road. I think that amount could fill a few potholes  ::)

Its good when you moan  ;D

Angie  :)
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Maggi Young on March 20, 2013, 11:21:07 AM
When I called the council to say that the manhole cover was right out and had caused damage to the van . I was asked did I not see the cover sticking up.

 That is even more annoying - there are all sorts of reasons, mostly to do with road safety, why one could well see a hazard in the road such as this but still be unable to avoid it.
 The traffic could be too heavy, both behind and on the other side of the road, to be able to stop or to serve..... - plenty to moan about there,  quite apart from the blasted manhole cover.
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: David Nicholson on March 24, 2013, 09:06:11 PM
Just got back from a few snowy days in Essex with our son (where we heard Devon and Cornwall had dodged the snow but had torrential rain and very strong winds) to find my plastic covered three tier frame scattered around the back garden and the three trays of three year old bulb seedlings it contained in a crumpled heap on the patio. Think I shall have to chuck most of them away-love's labour lost as someone once almost said!
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Maggi Young on March 24, 2013, 09:12:29 PM
Terrible news, David, but scoop up the soil  and debris and refill the trays- doesn't matter if the contents are mixed. You may very well find that the baby seedlings will survive and surprise you. And think of the fun if they do and you have to work out what on earth they are in future years!
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: David Nicholson on March 24, 2013, 09:23:18 PM
You do cheer me up Maggi, it's worth a go.
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Helen Johnstone on March 24, 2013, 09:55:03 PM
Oh dear David that sounds very disheartening, do you know what caused it.
My biggest moan is that my cold frame is frozen shut and this never ending cold weather has left me completely perplexed as to whether to sow seeds, prick out or just pull the curtains ???
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: annew on March 26, 2013, 10:46:55 AM
Definitely worth a go, David. Three-year-olds should stand a chance of being robust enough to pull through.
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Maggi Young on March 26, 2013, 11:25:21 AM
Three-year-olds should stand a chance of being robust enough to pull through.
I sure hope so - our three year old Great Niece has tumours on both her kidneys and in her lung - she is showing tremendous strength in the face of treatment, bless her.
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: David Nicholson on March 26, 2013, 11:27:42 AM
Oh dear David that sounds very disheartening, do you know what caused it.
My biggest moan is that my cold frame is frozen shut and this never ending cold weather has left me completely perplexed as to whether to sow seeds, prick out or just pull the curtains ???

It was the wind that did it TPG. Plus the fact that these things are very flimzy (just aluminium tube slotted into plastic supports) and aren't really built to hold trays containing 21 x 9cm square pots. So 3 trays x 21 pots per tray is a fair amount of weight. Must look for something better, or stop growing too many pots of seeds!

Not as bad as I thought, lost around a half dozen pots, re-potted a further 20, and hope the rest will be OK after adding more compost and grit topping.
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: David Nicholson on March 26, 2013, 11:28:57 AM
I sure hope so - our three year old Great Niece has tumours on both her kidneys and in her lung - she is showing tremendous strength in the face of treatment, bless her.

It's things like that really make you think.
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Gail on March 26, 2013, 08:25:40 PM
Stressful time for all the family Maggi - our thoughts and best wishes are with you.
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Helen Johnstone on March 26, 2013, 08:59:31 PM
I sure hope so - our three year old Great Niece has tumours on both her kidneys and in her lung - she is showing tremendous strength in the face of treatment, bless her.
So sorry to hear that - as David says puts things into perspective.
Helen
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Maggi Young on March 27, 2013, 11:15:03 AM
Thanks for the comments and messages about little Christina.  We all feel so helpless in this situation when we would do anything to relieve her of this illness yet we are completely powerless.

The chemo is shrinking the tumours - that's fantastic news so far - but there is a long road to travel yet - literally and metaphorically - for other treatments she will have to travel to Glasgow . More direct stress for her and her parents. Her Father will go with her, of course - leaving her Mum to worry at home with her little sister- about whom we are now also  anxious, since Christina may have had the tumours since birth.
So much for our little Toot to go through.



Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Helen Johnstone on March 27, 2013, 09:10:25 PM
They have just said on the news that this cold weather may stay till the end of April  :(
How on earth are we going to get thingsto germinate with low light levels and temperatures - grumble, grumble
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Maggi Young on March 27, 2013, 09:16:54 PM
They have just said on the news that this cold weather may stay till the end of April  :(
How on earth are we going to get thingsto germinate with low light levels and temperatures - grumble, grumble

 Yes, we've heard and read that forecast too  - trying to look on the bright side by thinking of all the times they get the forecast wrong!  Hope they've done so this time....... :-\
( and we know hope costs nothing!)
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Helen Johnstone on March 27, 2013, 09:18:50 PM
am hoping too but my optimism is being tried this year.
Must be awful for people in the horticultural trade especially after last year
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Maggi Young on March 27, 2013, 09:28:50 PM
Yes, very serious problems for them - and there were already nurseries closing at a rate of knots.
It's one of the reasons I was so sad for the cancellation of the Loughborough and East Lancs show- the nurserymen can get business there that they just can't get elsewhere, especially at this time of year.  Those cancellations were a great shame on so many levels.  :'(
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Anthony Darby on April 01, 2013, 10:23:38 AM
Words fail me. Man's inhumanity to man knows no bounds. http://amazonwatch.org/take-action/stop-the-belo-monte-monster-dam (http://amazonwatch.org/take-action/stop-the-belo-monte-monster-dam)
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Anthony Darby on April 07, 2013, 10:42:37 AM
Don't you just hate it when Amazon tells you to "change the shipping address" because they can't deliver an item to your "selected destination". Let me think, how does that work?  ::)
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Anthony Darby on April 09, 2013, 10:23:24 PM
What a pity they didn't know what a thistle is.  :-[
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: fermi de Sousa on April 10, 2013, 01:02:19 AM
What a pity they didn't know what a thistle is.  :-[
Anthony,
the art department guys probably flicked through a whole lot of images  - found the one of an eryngium and thought "This'll do" !
 ;D ;D ;D
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: fredg on April 15, 2013, 07:36:42 PM
Do you remember this?

Darn it, I'm not too happy with the Fritillaria I bought in the autumn.
I posted about one error in supply but it gets worse.

So far.

Purchased      Supplied
F. graeca       F. uva-vulpis  
F. pallidiflora   F. persica
F. minuta       F. hermonis amana
F. pudica       F. aurea

Please note ... so far and each mistake is a different supplier.


Of the 3 suppliers contacted.
1. Sorry it's wrong but they are all correct at this end, we will however replace this autumn. The wrong bag must have been placed in your order. ( Strange how the wrong bag had the right species name on it  ::))
2. OMG how did that happen, profuse apologies, full refund immediately.
3. Full explanation of the situation (cock-up) and full refund.

The supplier of the F. uva-vulpis sent me the F.graeca replacement bulbs last autumn as promised.

Guess what ... yes they're flowering now and are F. uva-vulpis again.
( This is a very well known nursery)
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: annew on April 15, 2013, 07:43:55 PM
Send 'em a photo of their's and one of the real thing...
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - Help please!
Post by: Maggi Young on April 26, 2013, 02:26:22 PM
My brain is fading - what is the name of the little creeping plant which has flowers heads with four faces  at north south east and west and one on top, acing straight upwards...... strong scent for such a little thing.....
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Maggi Young on April 26, 2013, 02:31:45 PM
Aha! It was the scent that worked the memory cells - Adoxa moschatellina- Town Hall Clock is the common name, I think.

Oh, I'm much happier now.  :D
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: jomowi on May 01, 2013, 05:26:38 PM
My moan is that I discovered Cardamine uniflora growing in amongst a plant I bought at the Edinburgh show.  Oh well, back to weeding with tweezers once again.  I thought I had left it all behind in my old garden.
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Gerry Webster on May 01, 2013, 06:12:49 PM
Send 'em a photo of their's and one of the real thing...
If the supplier involved is who I think it is you will, more than likely, be told that plants are variable. Then (if you are lucky)  you will be sent a second replacement which will be yet another species. Then you will decide to go elsewhere.
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: peter hood on May 02, 2013, 08:25:40 PM
Aha! It was the scent that worked the memory cells - Adoxa moschatellina- Town Hall Clock is the common name, I think.

Oh, I'm much happier now.  :D

Five-faced Bishop is the name I like!
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: David Nicholson on May 02, 2013, 08:57:52 PM
Five-faced Bishop is the name I like!

They are all two-faced in any case , are they not :P ;D
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Anthony Darby on May 02, 2013, 10:29:45 PM
.........and the reply is: "if I was two faced do you think I'd be wearing this one?"
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: annew on May 04, 2013, 08:11:47 PM
It's scented?? I must go and have a smell...
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: fredg on May 05, 2013, 10:09:26 PM
If the supplier involved is who I think it is you will, more than likely, be told that plants are variable. Then (if you are lucky)  you will be sent a second replacement which will be yet another species. Then you will decide to go elsewhere.

I was sent a cheque :D
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Roma on May 09, 2013, 09:07:21 PM
I was surprised when I went out the the back door a week past Tuesday and saw this roe deer sitting beside the old caravan wher my husband stores some of his beekeeping equipment.  When I went closer she got to her feet with great difficulty.  I could see she had a broken back leg and patches of fur missing off her side.  She must have been hit by a car.  I phoned the SSPCA and a young woman came in about half an hour.  She managed to catch the deer with a net.  A front leg was also damaged and her body filled with fluid from internal injuries.  A deer with only one broken leg can usually disappear too fast to be able to do anything to help it.  She was put to sleep with an injection and taken away for incineration.
On Monday this week there was another deer, dead this time across the road from our front gate.  My daughter helped me put it on a barrow and we dumped it in the wood where it will be recycled by foxes, crows, magpies.
They were both female and I hope they were the ones eating my garden.  Though I do not like to see them suffer I do think they need reducing in numbers. 
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Anthony Darby on May 11, 2013, 10:23:08 AM
Went into our local Whitcoulls book shop and while Vivienne was choosing a birthday card I happened to glance at the DK Eyewitness Travel New Zealand books. They had two editions: the 2010 edition @ NZ$54.99 and the 2012 edition @ NZ$44.99. UK price £15.99. How does that work? The contents pages (and presumably most of the contents) of both were identical, and my copy, bought in 2011, still has the same UK price of £15.99 inside the cover and NZ$54.99 sticker on the back. Needless to say, it was better value two years ago by about 20%. I can only assume the older edition has been kicking around for two years, and that the new edition reflects the strength of the NZ$? Petrol is 16c/litre cheaper than two years ago at as little as NZ$182.99/litre. I could get the new edition of the DK guide on line for NZ$37.99, or US$9.23 plus shipping on Amazon.com. I have friends coming to visit and was going to send them a copy. Cheaper to get Amazon to deliver.
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Graham Catlow on May 22, 2013, 01:28:49 PM
Disaster :(

When I came home from work yesterday it was clear that a rabbit had been feasting on my prize possessions. In particular the Weldenia that had buds waiting for improved weather.
Later that evening I spotted a young bunny but it disappeared and I couldn't find it.

During the night however it seems that a fox located it under a set of five troughs. It must then have set about a frenzied attempt to get at the bunny and completely destroyed two of the troughs and damaged plants in others. :'( :'( :'(

I have salvaged some plants and there is cutting material. The trough has mainly Penstemons and Lewisias but also Primulas and Dodecathon.

Investigating this morning I have no idea how the bunny managed to get under the troughs as the gaps between were so small.

I will now have to riddle the gravel path to get the compost out and then wash it >:(

Did the fox get the rabbit or did it get away. :-\ I suppose I will find out if plants continue to be eaten or if another part of the garden is destroyed.
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: angie on May 22, 2013, 02:26:46 PM
Graham I hope the rabbit is gone. What a mess and those troughs were really lovely. I have seen them close up and you put so much effort into them.

Hope you don't have anymore visitors.

Angie  :)
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Maggi Young on May 22, 2013, 04:33:43 PM
Oh dear, Graham, what a mess. :'(
You'd be amazed how small a space a little rabbit can squeeze into - confounds belief, for sure. My money though, is on the fox so I hope this chaos is over for your lovely garden.
At least you will enjoy the rebuilding of the troughs- a new challenge.
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Graham Catlow on May 23, 2013, 06:59:24 AM
Hi Angie and Maggie,
Thanks for your responses.
There has been no apparent activity overnight so I am hoping that the fox got rid of the rabbit in some way. :-\

As you say Maggie I can look forward to a rebuild at the weekend. :)
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Anthony Darby on May 23, 2013, 10:54:19 AM
So sad to see such devastation. :(
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Roma on June 03, 2013, 08:53:39 PM
Spotted my first lily beetle today >:(.  I didn't know they were this far north.
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: WimB on June 05, 2013, 07:59:14 AM
GRRRR  >:( >:( Had some big clumps of Narcissus hybrids in our chicken coop, they were leftovers from clumps which I had divided in the garden. Anyone who asked some, got some bulbs from them, this morning someone had dug up two whole clumps....HOW RUDE!!
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Graham Catlow on June 05, 2013, 08:38:25 PM
From Disaster to redesigned.

Have spent several hours over a couple of days to completely redesign these troughs that were destroyed by a fox trying to get to a rabbit - see earlier post.
I took the opportunity to change the design rather than just rebuild. I have put fine mesh at all points that a rabbit might get under the troughs so I shouldn't have that problem again.
Many plants were destroyed so had to relocate some from elsewhere and some purchases from Gardening Scotland on Sunday.

You were correct Maggi - a very enjoyable task. :)

Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Maggi Young on June 05, 2013, 09:28:37 PM
A revamp to be proud of, Graham.  8)
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Graham Catlow on June 05, 2013, 09:33:59 PM
Thanks Maggi  :)
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Rogan on June 06, 2013, 08:44:09 AM
Seeing Graham's trough / crevice garden combination gives me a wonderful idea - I would like to do a similar thing, not with alpines (they don't do here) but with some of our local succulents; Conophytum species in particular, are small and very nearly 'mossy' and in some cases prefer to grow in association with moss and lichen species, i.e. they enjoy frequent misting. Certainly worth trying - thanks Graham...  8)
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Graham Catlow on June 07, 2013, 06:58:43 AM
Seeing Graham's trough / crevice garden combination gives me a wonderful idea - I would like to do a similar thing, not with alpines (they don't do here) but with some of our local succulents; Conophytum species in particular, are small and very nearly 'mossy' and in some cases prefer to grow in association with moss and lichen species, i.e. they enjoy frequent misting. Certainly worth trying - thanks Graham...  8)


Please show us the results Rogan and hopefully you will be able to start your post in a better thread than the reason I posted here.
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Anthony Darby on July 05, 2013, 10:12:59 PM
Got up early to watch Andy play his semi at Wimbledon, only to find it's not on the TV here. Six or more sports channels showing repeats of various sports and not one showing tennis!  ???

Edit:Apparently it was on channel "U" or Sky channel 16, but this wasn't obvious when I flicked through the channels. It just says "U"! I'll know next year.  ;D
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Michael J Campbell on July 06, 2013, 02:20:51 PM
Its on ALL the channels here.  ???
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Roma on July 06, 2013, 03:41:13 PM
MONSTERS IN MY FIELD

These appeared on July 1st and are still there >:(.  The trench is now mostly filled in but they are using my field for access to the neighbour's one.  They say they will be finished by Wednesday.  I hope so because grass is getting scarce in the place where the ponies are confined.
It is the Scottish and Southern Electricity company laying three electric cables and one fibre optic one.
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Anthony Darby on September 03, 2013, 09:49:11 AM
I think I've been ripped off. Vivienne and I need academic hoods for awards ceremonies at school. We hired ours at graduation, so I thought I contact Ede & Ravenscroft and buy them. The web site wouldn't allow me to combine orders, so I phoned. We both went to different institutions, so I couldn't budge them on charging double the postage! £44.13 per item. Must be really heavy I thought. First hood arrived, and and yes, it said 1kg on the label. I weighed the parcel. 287g! I have paid over £88 to have two parcels sent from the same depot with a total weight of less than 600g. The courier was UPS and I had to sign for them, but they could have gone in one package for a quarter the cost! Not happy! >:(
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Brian Ellis on September 03, 2013, 09:57:56 AM
I think I'd be downright livid Anthony, and as my mother always said, you should tell them again otherwise they will think it was fine!
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: angie on September 06, 2013, 08:52:56 PM
Someone decided to use my Paypal account today to buy a Samsung galaxy phone from eBay. £385 It really gets me mad. I had to spend ages on the phone and now have had to change my passwords. I hate these people  >:(.

Angela  :)
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Roma on November 11, 2013, 08:44:20 PM
This is a mixture of happy and moan.  I'm so pleased to be back on the forum again.  5 days with no telephone, no internet, no email and NO FORUM.  I must be addicted.  I was getting quite stressed.  Telephone and internet were not working on Thursday morning so I phoned BT on my mobile ( an older fairly basic model).  I got an automated response and was told it should be fixed by Friday night and if not by three working days.  It was not fixed on Friday and they don't work at the weekend so I was still without a connection today.  I phoned again and was told it would be fixed by tomorrow night.  I elected to speak to an adviser.  I was told there was a queue of about 5 minutes if I wanted to hang on or they could ring me back.  I was rung back in about 40 minutes by an Indian lady and was told it would be fixed by 5pm tomorrow.  I told her I was not happy.
I switched on the computer about 5pm tonight and thought i'd try the internet.  Much to my surprise it worked and the phone is working too.  We had a similar problem about three months ago so it is a bit annoying.
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Brian Ellis on November 12, 2013, 09:59:58 AM
Glad to know you are back with us, I don't know how I'd cope without access to the internet.  On the local news there was a report of villagers in Drinkstone, near Bury St Edmunds who have been off for weeks ::)
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: angie on November 12, 2013, 01:48:42 PM
Roma it just shows us how we are used to this technology. I would really miss my computer but my telephone I could easy do without. The first day back from hospital I got five phone calls that were of no interest to me, just wasting my time. What really bugs me is when I say I am not interested they ask me why. Is this not my business. Think I could easily get rid of my landline and just keep my mobile number to my friends and family.
Glad to have you back here  ;)

Angie  :)
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Maggi Young on November 12, 2013, 02:01:35 PM
Glad to know you are back with us, I don't know how I'd cope without access to the internet.  On the local news there was a report of villagers in Drinkstone, near Bury St Edmunds who have been off for weeks ::)
To be fair, from the name of the village, those poor folks already had problems........... :P ::)
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Maggi Young on November 12, 2013, 02:04:27 PM
I couldn't contemplate life without the internet to keep in touch with so many friends around the world.
Doesn't bear thinking about.

The telephone, on the other hand, can be a real nuisance with the level of cold calls - a good point is that since we had to move the main phone we can scarcely hear it, so often we have no idea it's ringing!
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: angie on November 13, 2013, 08:51:38 PM
I couldn't contemplate life without the internet to keep in touch with so many friends around the world.
Doesn't bear thinking about.

Could be worse Maggi, no internet and no chocolate. What would happen to us.
Hope you made Ian a big chocolate cake for his birthday today. I know how generous he is so he would easy share (not like us two)   ;D ;D ;D

Angie  :).
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Maggi Young on November 13, 2013, 09:01:15 PM
Oh dear, maybe it should be Ian on here moaning - I did not make him any kind of cake for his birthday - isn't that awful? It would be easy for him to share cake though - he's not as keen on it as we are!!!

We had beautiful Lemon Sole for lunch though - that's better than cake!
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: David Nicholson on November 14, 2013, 09:25:38 AM
Many happies Ian. Bit of a nondescript age really. Got the bus pass, waiting for the pension :P
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: sippa on November 14, 2013, 09:01:45 PM


Happy Birthday to Ian, I agree that Lemon Sole sounds better then cake.

Marianne
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Maggi Young on November 14, 2013, 09:09:38 PM

Happy Birthday to Ian, I agree that Lemon Sole sounds better then cake.

Marianne
  Spoken like the slim elegant person you are, Marianne !
Ian sends you his best wishes  :-*
He keeps mentioning the excellent quality of Roland's pancakes!
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Margaret on November 26, 2013, 07:57:34 PM

My old and trusty computer died today. :'( :'(  We spent many happy hours searching for plants on google. I'm typing on one of Tom's (hubby's) rejects and it feels weird. He tells me I need a chrome book!
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Maggi Young on November 26, 2013, 08:16:33 PM
Commiserations, Margaret - but I'm told that Christmas is coming - soon - perhaps you should take Tom up on his suggestion and ask for one as a gift from Santa?
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: annew on November 28, 2013, 08:49:48 AM
Won't you have to polish it?? ::)
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Margaret on November 28, 2013, 09:18:38 AM

We still have duraglit for Chrome (blue tin) somewhere! ;D ;D
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: emma T on December 05, 2013, 11:11:21 AM
It's been one month , one day since I went for my job interview ......I'd really like to know if I've got through to the second round ! At least they haven't said no yet ......
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Brian Ellis on December 05, 2013, 11:38:16 AM
At least they haven't said no yet ......

Well that's good, we are all on tenterhooks Emma, perhaps it will be an early Christmas present.
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Maggi Young on December 05, 2013, 01:04:32 PM
It will seem an eternity to you, Emma - but I think most folks do things at a painfully slow pace nowadays.
Chin up, Chuck!  :) ;D :-*
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: emma T on December 05, 2013, 03:20:14 PM
Various things going on at the moment , really, really could do with some good news , because at the moment I'm not feeling very happy . Some people I know could really do with a brake .
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Maggi Young on December 05, 2013, 04:31:25 PM
Emma, you need a good cuddle with a French Bulldog - or two ....   or I could send three furry white westies for a change of canine company  to cheer you .....

I would be moaning about the weather - but I have my own Snowdrop Hat to keep my bonce warm so I'm calm!
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: David Nicholson on December 05, 2013, 04:39:09 PM
Hang-in there Emma, only think positive thoughts ;D

Glad to see you haven't been blown away Maggi. Hardly been a breath of wind all day down here but very grey and overcast and a bit of drizzle in the air (just a usual Devon day really!)
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Maggi Young on December 05, 2013, 04:48:50 PM
I'm still here, David - got out with the dogs  mid-morning when the sun came out briefly and the wind died down a bit - we were hailed on all the way home though, but not as wild as it was before, with rain, or since, with snow.
The planes going over on their way to the airport ( about 6- to 8 miles away as the EasyJet flies) are tipping and rolling in a most alarming fashion. Not a great day to fly!

Bit worried about the slim-line BD who is out at the moment - his chances of getting to and from his afternoon swim and gossip with his pals in the steam room  in this weather must be  kind of  slim, too. If he's not back by five pm I'll call out the rescue services - or phone all chums on the continent in case he's heading in their direction like a kite!
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: angie on December 05, 2013, 07:21:39 PM
Bit worried about the slim-line BD who is out at the moment - his chances of getting to and from his afternoon swim and gossip with his pals in the steam room  in this weather must be  kind of  slim, too. If he's not back by five pm I'll call out the rescue services - or phone all chums on the continent in case he's heading in their direction like a kite!

Love that Maggi. I suppose being a bit on the heavy side sometimes has its benefits  ;D All my white chocolate buttons are all gone now but it will soon be Xmas and hopefully my cupboards will get stocked up again. Now thats good news.

Emma keep your chin up, Life has its ups and downs and I know this, hopefully life will be good for you soon. Take care.

Angie  :)
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: David Nicholson on December 05, 2013, 08:01:21 PM

Bit worried about the slim-line BD who is out at the moment - his chances of getting to and from his afternoon swim and gossip with his pals in the steam room  in this weather must be  kind of  slim, too. If he's not back by five pm I'll call out the rescue services - or phone all chums on the continent in case he's heading in their direction like a kite!

Maggi, have you tried putting copious amounts of lead in his socks? Still I suppose that as lead is only of one colour he won't like that!
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Anthony Darby on December 05, 2013, 10:05:22 PM
I believe central Scotland has had it pretty bad with power cuts, bridges closed, rail services cancelled and schools shut.  ???
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Anthony Darby on December 06, 2013, 05:53:31 AM
My sister lives in Heybridge Basin. She was up all night. http://www.essexchronicle.co.uk/ (http://www.essexchronicle.co.uk/)
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: emma T on December 06, 2013, 10:27:13 PM
I'm feeling better today . I just get down over the winter months , and like I said some good news would be real boost
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Maggi Young on December 06, 2013, 10:45:48 PM
Glad you're feeling a bit better today, Emma.
We invested in a "SAD" lamp and  swear it works - if nothing else, it makes it easier to read the paper on a dark  winter morning!
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Martin Baxendale on December 07, 2013, 12:14:44 AM
Glad you're feeling a bit better today, Emma.
We invested in a "SAD" lamp and  swear it works - if nothing else, it makes it easier to read the paper on a dark  winter morning!

Which SAD light did you get, Maggi? Can you give me a link to it on a website? I'm surrounded by people here who suffer from SAD and it makes me sad  :(
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: angie on December 07, 2013, 12:24:51 AM
I bought myself a artificial christmas tree today, fed up listening to my hubby moan about standing in needles. Well, my moan is after taking two hours to put this tree up he comes in a says its in the wrong place. I won't type what I had to say to him but if he wants it moved he can do it himself. Ok moan over.  I am happy with my tree.

Emma glad to hear that you are feeling better.

Angie  :)
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: sippa on December 07, 2013, 02:15:02 AM

Hang in there Emma only a few week to go when the days will be lighter by minutes.  Hope your job search works out.
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Maggi Young on December 07, 2013, 11:36:13 AM
Hi Martin, it's a Lumie Brazil-  as I remember we got it on sale - that brightened us up a bit too.....

http://www.lumie.com/collections/light-therapy-other-conditions/products/brazil (http://www.lumie.com/collections/light-therapy-other-conditions/products/brazil)

Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Martin Baxendale on December 07, 2013, 02:12:46 PM
Hi Martin, it's a Lumie Brazil-  as I remember we got it on sale - that brightened us up a bit too.....

http://www.lumie.com/collections/light-therapy-other-conditions/products/brazil (http://www.lumie.com/collections/light-therapy-other-conditions/products/brazil)

Thanks Maggi. There are other cheaper makes around but the recommendation on the SAD websites is to go for a more expensive one from a well know manufacturer so I think I'll go with this one. Or their desk lamp version. Was prompted by news from my son at university in Liverpool (who gets SAD along with my wife Ivi) that he recently found one of his student housemates (who also gets SAD, amongst other problems) unconscious with his wrists cut!
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: emma T on December 07, 2013, 03:18:16 PM
I have a SAD lamp, but haven't been using it ......so my own fault !
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: emma T on December 08, 2013, 10:41:06 PM
Had my light box on for two days and am feeling better  :)
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Maggi Young on January 24, 2014, 03:39:23 PM
You may remember my moan about our worry for our great-niece who was diagnosed with mutlipe malignat tumous in her kidneys ?

 Good news - she's been given the all clear after major surgery and a LOT of chemotherapy.

 Hurrah!
Title: Re: Moan, moan, moan - 2013
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 24, 2014, 09:39:47 PM
Good news indeed. I can echo all the good wishes everyone is giving. 
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