The royal ‘we’ – A much used addition to my mother’s vocabulary since I commenced residing in casa Strachan senior back in July. A ‘we’ which, when inserted into a conversation with yours truly, always means ‘you’. “We need to cut back the buddleia in the back garden, Gary!”, “We need to ring Sky and cancel the Sky Sports package, Gaz!”, “We need to sort out the house insurance renewal, […]
Looking out from my sedentary position in the dining room of casa Strachan, it’s heartwarming to witness a fresh trimmed lawn, along with the chromatic beauty bequeathed by the still flowering summer and early autumn flora and fauna. Sedum, crocosmia, flox and begonia, along with the sprouting pyracantha berries presenting a gratifying image of pink, purple, orange and yellow surrounding for the canvas of newly shorn green blades. That being […]
A decent bottle of Bordeaux, a device which decanters wine prior to its onward journey into the glass, along with a hardback book titled ‘Grumpy Old Git’s Guide to Life’. Tokens of love bequeathed by my two adult children, showing their appreciation for the unconditional love I’ve bestowed upon them for almost three decades. Yesterday’s Father’s Day gifts, not only indicative of my offspring’s gratitude towards the secure, warm, loving […]
I’ve just been tidying up the front garden with my wee missus. To clarify, I mean Karen assisted me in the task of improving the aesthetic visage of le jardin de la maison Strachan; not that I’d used her as a substitute to secuteurs, a rake and a lawn edger! Using my late dad Malcolm’s cordless hedge trimmer***, I utilised my fledgling topiary skills to shape the bushes and hedges […]
I’m back home in the district of Leeds 15 after spending two days at my mother’s abode in the domain of Wakefield 3. A time that’s been highly productive, during which I’ve undertaken front and back garden maintenance for Mrs S senior; along with a few tasks I’d promised to undertake weeks ago but hadn’t due to one weak excuse or other. On arrival back at casa Strachan junior I […]
Meteorological inclemency may’ve spoiled a multitude of Bank Holiday plans for our sceptred isles populace, however the shrubs and bedding plants providing natures kaleidoscopic bounty in my garden have benefited no end. Looked through my dining areas bay window the euphorbia, aquilegia, forget-me-nots, forsythia, rhododendrons, azaleas et al seem to have doubled in size they were prior to the weekends relentless precipitation. Continuing to avert my gaze outside I can […]
Temperatures have taken a dip in the last few days. A meteorological change that’ll no doubt incur the wrath of those wishing to partake in today’s World Naked Gardening Day. The current chill will be no doubt distressing for gentlemen participants. Their ‘bits’ and a cold northerly wind not the most cordial of acquaintances. Certainly not if wanting to present the aforementioned ‘bits’ at their most splendid, or risk contracting […]
