Week Commencing 26th May 2025

Bank Holiday Monday 26th May 2025

Went up to Alstonefield Car Boot - bought nowt - hardly anyone there and it was proper freezing!   Had a bacon cob which sort of made up for it!   Did a load more potting.  Went up to Lotty removed the frost protection. 

Went up to the plot in the afternoon (as had not been up since Thursday pm).   Took the fleece off the peas and beans and put in a bag so I won't be able to find it next year when I needs it.  Did a bit of weeding.  Did a bit of measuring.   Am on the verge of getting all the beans in so finished off the bean row and did some digging too. All good stuff!

In the evening went down to our Phil's to pick up some egg shells (Catherine is a baker you see).  These will be crushed up to keep slugs and snails off is the plan.   While we there I looked out the window and there was a red kit flying over the neighbours' houses! 

Tuesday 27th May 2025

Up early walked to the plot.   Did a bit of weeding and transferred seven slugs from the plot to far, far, away.   Into the office on time.   No walk at work as it has rained the whole dang day.    Went to see my old golfing buddy JH after work, took him a bottle of whisky for his birthday (also received one from some friends up the road - wahey!)

Wednesday 28th May 2025

Up early, at 4am it was hammering it down with rain but when dragged myself out of bed at 5am it had stopped raining so up to the plot - little bit of weeding and five more slugs transferred from the plot to far, far, away.   It's not unlike when Boris and Rwanda - no slugs were injured in the process and their new home will be every bit as good as the plot but they won't be chomping on my plants, thank you very much!  Janette and Phil putting up one of the well dressings at Hartington so had to get own tea sorted.   Me and Lucy went to Dominos - their app is the most irritating thing in the world so we went in the shop and it was great, ten minute wait then back home and done in time for haircut at 7pm.  Did some stuff in the Greenhouse when I got back.

The butterfly and a lot of the 'white' was done by Janette!

Gives you an idea of how big the well dressing is!

Thursday 29th May 2025

Up early, went to lotty first thing took up some sweet peas and some more runner beans.  No slugs removed today which was odd.  Lucy had some holiday from last holiday year to use up so got home early.   Went golfing with Rich, Shaun and Andy B. sort of enjoyed it scored 14 points, blobbed on two holes.  Started with a par on the first, then double on second, double on third after getting into greenside bunker in two, parred fourth with a chip and a putt, bogied the par five fifth after being a few yards short in two(!?!), next hole had a double for nowt, next hole a double for nowt, a bogey on eighth which wasn't bad and I think a bogey on ninth which was okay. 

Friday 30th May 2025

Up early (there's a theme here isn't there), before 5am and walked up to lotty with another 7 Runner bean plants.  So got some more in the ground.   Did a bit of weeding and a bit of slug and snail repatriation (6 slugs, one big snail).   Got a load of egg shells around the peas and beans which so far have not been beaten to hell by pests (fingers crossed) 

I think I still have another 30 poles to fill and probably only about 20 plants at present so put another dozen runner bean plants in. 

Bean row is expanding day by day

There is a saying of "n'er cast a clout before May's out" which should be my golden rule so there is still tons of stuff back in the greenhouse but am gradually getting stuff out!

Mowed the front and back lawns.

Saturday 31st May 2025

Up early.  Papers fetched, breakfast fetched.  Lucy out on a driving lesson at 8.30.   Went and did an hour and a half up at the plot.  Got more runner beans in.  Also got some flowers for cutting in and some sweet peas at the end of the bean row.    Did a load of weeding - all good stuff.     Came back home,  did a load of potting.  In the afternoon we had a walk up to the Cricket Ground to see Roger about getting Pad's memorial done - anywhere under the tree was pretty much the outcome - that will do for me! 

In the evening we had a gig at Buxton Brewery Trackside which is like a venue in an industrial unit (there is one of these in Burton called Burton Banter).  Decided I would go with stands instead of the Pearl Icon Drum rack for speed - not sure I like it - looks a bit messy.   Anyway good gig - got home and unloaded for about 12.30, while unloading I put the golf stuff in ready for an early tee off in the morning.   All good stuff!

   

Sunday 1st June 2025

Up at 4.30 (can't beat four hours sleep).  At golf course for about 6.45 and teeing off at 7.10am.   

Started off great - good drive right in the middle - beautiful 8-iron that went through the green (perhaps this was a sign of what was to come) ended up with a bogey five.  

Second - tee shot caught the trees and was a long way short - hit a good 4-iron just right of the green chipped up, two putted,  bogey five.   

Third - great drive, 7-iron, chip and two putted another bogey-five.   

Fourth hole - just off the left edge of the green,  chipped, poor first putt, great second putt, bogey four.  

Fifth hole - three wood off the tee to middle of fairway, three wood second shot, chip and two putts bogey six.   

Sixth hole - 7 iron tee shot to front left of green, chip and a put and first par on card. 

Seventh hole - nice four iron off the tee, nine iron short of green, chip and a put for second par on card. 

Wheels had to come off and a silly nine on the eighth which was avoidable if I hadn't tried to be clever/greedy. 

Ninth hole - wheels are off now.  Double bogey six!    Anyway the back nine was just disappointing - was playing well fairway to green and three putting over and again. 

Got home, did a bit more pottierng then did a couple of hours up at the lotty - mowed, weeded, watered (rain supposedly to be on the way) .   All looking good.  

Did another ton of stuff at the lotty.  Bean row is getting there.  Also got another 200 onions in the ground - better late than ever!!!

the grids are covering the newly planted onions.  Got a right load have taken so that's gotta be good! 

108,461 steps

 

Week Commencing 19th May 2025

Monday 19th May 2025

Up at 5am.   Walked up to the plot, did a little bit of watering then came home.  Into the office for the usual nine to five.    After tea went up and did an hour at the lotty.  Have started bagging up the plastic sheets that are ripped to bits and sat in a pile the top side of the lotty.  They can go down to the tip at the weekend, so they can.   Then did a load of admin when I got home ordering various bits and bobs. 

Tuesday 20th May 2025

Up at 5.  Usual trip to lotty although didn't do as much as watering as I gave it a fair old watering last night.   Did a little bit of weeding then came home!   Super pleased with how tidy it's looking. 

Plenty of jobs to do - 

• Need to put some more toms in the green house.  
• Pot up the climbing french beans,   think have got a dozen of em at least. 
• Need to remember to take secateurs to plot to get rid of some of hawthorn that sits on top of the gate at the plot.   Might see if that plastic sheeting will go into bin liners (suspect it won't). 

Wednesday 21st May 2025 

Walked to plot and watered in the morning.   After work I went and got a load of the black sheeting into bags (I think it was that day!)

Thursday 22nd May 2025

Missus Siddall has been told there's going to be a frost so I had to go and get Fleece to cover up peas and beans with - needless to say, no frost! 

I finished work two hours early (as Lucy using her time carried over fomr last year up)  so did the nine hole Thursday night medal at Uttoxeter Golf Club - got a creditable 21 points with 7 shots,  however a lady golfer who got 18 shots beat me by two!!  At least I played okay - two birdies and a few pars.  

Friday 23rd May 2025

Not sure what happened here - I don't think I went up to the Lotty (it rained on us at the golf course - just my luck!). 

Saturday 24th May 2025 

Went over to me mum and dad's.   Have upgraded mum's phone to a smartphone (there may be trouble ahead...).   Did a few jobs - got back to see Sunderland beat Sheffield United on Sky.  Can remember the heartbreak of the Championship play-off finals from both side when we beat West Brom with a Stephen Pearson winner in 2007 to when we lost to Aston Villa in 2019.  Always a winner and a loser, hey ho!

Sunday 25th May 2025

Up early.   Golf at 7am.  Played okay with 7 pars and 32 points - missed a load of putts though, three putting I don't know how many holes and 35 points won it.   Sunday night went up to Hartington to the Cotton - couldn't hear owt due to the racket so we went to the Manifold Inn which was nice.  Home at midnight - very, very tired. 

   

16/9   114,367 steps

Week Commencing 12th May 2025

Monday 12th May 2025

Back to normal - up at 5am.   Walked to the lotty plot, watered the spuds, onions and courgettes that are in the ground, did a bit of weeding while there as well - it replaces the usual loop walk with a walk that does something!  

Debating going up after work to get some peas in the ground, and also to fill the water butt up and make sure the owner's hosepipe is all sorted as have put a new connector on the tap!   Millions of jobs you can find if you got a lotty plot - also could do with getting some more muck on the plot.     So did go up after work - hose pipe and tap fitting all good,   filled up water butt, got everything watered (not that much to water yet).  Did a bit of weeding which you have to do every time you go up!

Tuesday 13th May 2025

Up at 5am and off to lotty plot.   Did a bit of work prepping the ground for peas going up tonight.  Tiny bit of weeding as well.   All good stuff. 

Tuesday night - tea, then went and strimmed Pad's grave and the missus folks' grave.   Then went to lotty for second time in the day with a plan!   A half row of peas (Meteor) went in the ground with a load of broken shells / grit round em.    Also got some beetroot in the ground.   Watched from second half of Sunderland vs Coventry play-off semis, felt a bit sorry for Frankie Lampard - so near.

Wednesday 14th May 2025

Up at 5am, walked up to the plot.  put some more pea sticks in (picture above is actually from Wednesday morning.   Slugs haven't got the peas (yet) hoping this ridiculously dry weather has done for em a bit this year.   Got home, swapped cars around so that Lucy could drive in to work and went and got her some petrol.   Got another tray of beetroot planted for another wave of beetroot all being well.    Went up to plot after work - watered, did a bit of weeding got some more much onto the site.   Put three runner beans as sacrificial lambs to see what happens (I have already relocated a numbr of snails off-site - not seen any slugs yet but am going to vigilant this year!).    Got another three loads of muck onto the pile and also spread some ready for some freestanding french beans coming in.   I will dig it in tonight and we'll see how they do.   I have put broken shells and grit round the peas and the sacrifiical lamb runner beans to offer some protection. 

Thursday 15th May 2025

Was up at 3.30 to take the dog out which made me a bit late getting up at 5.15.   Walked up to the plot to check on the lambs - untouched by sluggy hands so far which I hope is a good sign!  Watered everything.     

Anyway the plot is looking about as good as it ever had - compared to 2023 (below left) the plot in 2025 (below right) has come on leaps and bounds.

Got back home for 6.15am   Did a little bit of potting and tidied the greenhouse up a little bit, watered some stuff - bit coulder today though.    Hoping to go up after work to get some dwarf french beans in the ground but I haven't got any more shells to protect around the bases so not sure that I will. 

Friday 16th May 2025

I did get up to the plot and I did get the TenderGreen Dwarf French beans in.  All good.  

Saturday 17th May 2025

Up early, walked up to plot and watered.  Came back went over me mum and dad's, did a few jobs then went up to Plot with Mrs Sids for an hour and did a few more jobs.   

Sunday 18th May 2025

Up dead early - off to Golf.   Hated it as is usual these days - hit some good shots that ended up getting blocked out by trees,  hit some bad ones that ended up right in the middle of fairways.  This course just doesn't suit my game - wish I could remember how you go about hitting a fade,  if I aim left and think I've weakened my grip enough I tend to find it's goes straight left and into even more trouble (like there's not enough).   Anyway another card not going in!   Got home, did a bit up at the plot - dug out a couple of rows - the soil is really cloggy so I need to work out how to sort that - a ton of muck might help!

Washed the boss' and my car (in fairness she did a load of hooevering out - my car has never been so cleann.

Total steps for week 114,553

The plot as it was yesterday - very baked ground!

16/8

Week Commencing Bank Holiday 5th May 2025

 Bank Holiday Monday 5th May 2025 

Up early - more potting up while waiting for Lucy to rise.   Missus Siddall doing a car boot at Tansley with Catherine's mum.   Went to Alstonefield Car Boot with Lucy and Rubes.  Didn't buy anything but bumped into Jon and Sue.  Went next to mum and dad's - did a few jobs had some (very nice indeed) sausage rolls as well.   Was going to go to Tansley boot sale after that but fortunately rang the missus up to find out she was halfway home so that saved more getting cold!  Phil and Catherine came to Darley Dale too so we got some chopping down of small sycamores and stuff - took bag full to Ashbourne tip on the way home which was good!  Later on in the day had a rehearsal at SWR with Jon Bigland who is guesting with us on Saturday's gig.  Very loud indeed.  

Tuesday 6th May 2025

Woke up at 5am to a frost, was -2 on my walk. After work I went up to the lotty to earth up my spuds - pleasantly surprised to find the frost hadn't bitten em after all.   Got a load of muck carted to the garden in readiness for courgettes to come up.    Bit of weeding and digging up of ruddy potatoes in the wrong place.   Got another 60 onions in the ground a bit late but not by too much, hopefully. 

Wednesday 7th May 2025 

Up early. Walk done.   Lucy driving to work.  All good.  Got home - potted up St. Georges flowers and some runner beans (think I might have got a dozen so far), since they took peat out of compost it's proved very difficult to get things to germinate a lot of the time.  Very irritating.  Potted up some more tomatoes too.  

Thursday 8th May 2025

Up late at 5.42 so did a shorter walk.   Pumped up Mrs Siddall's tyre as it's shopping day.  Planted some Blue Lake climbing French beans (hopefully can fill my enormous bean row at the end of the month).  Got to find some wool from somewhere.    Into the office in plenty good time too - 8.35'ish.  Took a little mower up to the lotty abd got the grass cut down a bit,  did a tiny bit of weeding and then got back home a bit after 8pm.  Watched first episode of new series of Poker Face.  Very good. 

Friday 9th May 2025

Work in the morning then after the work went to see StillMarillion (tribute to Fish era Marilloon) at Realtime Music Live at Chesterfield with our Andrew.  Cracking little venue (sort of bigger than the Flowerpot, I think).  

StillMarillion were brill as usual playing the entire Misplaced Childhood album plus a load of classics from Script, Fugazi and Straws with a few b-sides as well!  Value for money or what? Got home a bit after midnight,  all good.

Saturday 10th May

Up at 5.20, Golf at 7am, stayed on the course for 18 holes but didn't enjoy it.  Sick of being stuck behind trees even on relatively good shots.   

Gig on Ashbourne Rec in the evening.  Struggled with a kit that moved forwards all night.  Such is life

Clip of  a bit of  "Your Love" with a hint of "Go Your Own Way"

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?mibextid=wwXIfr&v=510579335354454&rdid=ydRgQAHY0l2YAipo

Special Guest Jon Bigland depping on the night for us. 

Sunday 11th May

Didn't get up til nearly 8am!  No way would I have been at golf for 6.30 or 7.00 even ( even if I had wanted to). Washed car first thing.  Over to me mum and dad's,  got runner beans in (a bit early for me but that's what they wanted!!).   Came back and did and put the canes up on my bean row and did a bit of weeding.  Two courgette plants in as well (might be a bit early but have three spares just in case).

Looks nice and tidy - this hot weather is keeping the weeds down a bit methinks. 

  

     

16/12