Very little to write about this week. Where I live, in West Wiltshire, there is a vague sense that something is about to change, possibly because of the government’s new slogan (Stay Alert!) and ahead of Boris Johnson’s broadcast to the nation tonight. We’ve noticed more cars on the road and there seem to be more people on the streets, possibly walking in friendship groups rather than household groups but it is hard to tell.
My week has been centred around a few walks in the nearby countryside, going out to the shops a couple of times to stock up on food for the week, cooking said food and, for the rest of the time, staying at home.
On VE Day, a public holiday, Andrew and I sat in front of our house for half an hour with our next door neighbours – maintaining the correct distance. There were no congas or hokey cokeys and no riotous behaviour. There was some orderly socialising from afar, cups of tea or something stronger raised in salutation, a bit of over-the-wall chatting. By 6pm, the street was very quiet again.
The most exciting thing that’s happened this week are signs of new life in some bases of lettuce and celery that I’ve put into dishes of water. I’ve now transplanted a lettuce into soil outside so I’m keeping an eye on what happens next.
I hope you’re all keeping well and safe, wherever you are.
Josephine Corcoran 
great lettuce idea!
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It sprouted quickly in water – I hope it takes hold in soil! x
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I think it will. Mine did. After a month there is just enough for a sandwich!
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Oh, that is something to look forward to!
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Hi Josephine, thank you for the lovely photos, which reminded Edward and I of a new walk we can do quite close to where we live (and a new walk is a matter to be celebrated!) Edward (13) is attempting to grow basil in a pot on the window ledge (coming on well) and an avocado plant (less well, positively in its death throes actually, but I can’t bear to dampen his enthusiasm). It’s also been a quiet week for us: lots of walking (have lost 9.5 pounds to date!) but precious little else in the way of activities. We plod on, the ability to see our loved ones (including my partner) the little light that we move towards in these dark times. Love to you, my friend. Sarah x
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Oh, good luck with the basil! Andrew grew some from seed last year and it was v successful and delicious. One of the few plants our marauding badgers didn’t dig up – not to their taste, evidently. I’ve heard that avocados can be temperamental what a good idea to try to grow one. I think they will grow into a pretty plant even if no fruit results. Keep me posted please! And Well Done on the 9.5 pounds!! Wish I could the same here but I think it’s the reverse. One week until Kitty’s finals so she is working towards that and I’m trying (and often failing) to support her adequately. We all seem to be following different waking and sleeping patterns which can cause some tension. Lovely to hear from you, Sarah, and take care. J xx
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Look forward to hearing about how the lettuce & celery progress!
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Yes, I’m looking forward to seeing how this progresses! I am trying to source some more containers and might have to be imaginative. I have my eye on a large tub of margarine. x
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Yes I’d be interested in how the lettuce gets on. I used up some old seeds (c. 2013!) but they failed. But then last year’s seeds have germinated and are outside surrounded by strulch, and overhung by strips of plastic hanging from string, that I call my ‘prayer flags’, to deter pigeon damage. I’ll plant some up-to-date seeds, that were delivered today, in between the gooseberry and blackcurrant bushes 🙂
Hoping the flags will produce rain…
Yes, have seen tensions blow up with my son and partner, now calmer I understand. You just want your grown-up offspring to be happy, which of course (as a constant) is utopian. At the moment I can only support from a 70 mile distance. The same but different from being cooped up in the same household. Best wishes to you and yours, Josephine xxx
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