2025 Diary (Page 58)

2025 Diary - Page 58

I spent the afternoon in the garden. I topped up the bird baths and within minutes the Starlings were taking full advantage of the fresh, cool water so I filled them up again!

I relaxed with my crossword and newspaper in the warm sunshine until it was time to Facetime Mum.

By then, the heat had softened off a bit and I did some tidying up in the front garden then had a lovely, quiet night in.

11 May

Our big job for today (after gym and church) was to get the umbrella back up in the garden. We appear to have got the knack for this now - all done in less than 15 minutes while the Chilli con Carne was cooking!

I popped to Tesco to restock the freezer with meat then spent the rest of the afternoon and evening in the garden. Oli was more than happy to relax in the shade of the umbrella with me while I had a cup of green tea.

While we had the ladder out of the garage I cleared the ivy from next door's gutter and our pyracantha. Before and after pics show it looks a lot better.

I did quite a bit of work on the veg beds. With no rain for ages, they are like dust so we damped them down (and watered the few bits that are in there) so I can start to think about planting some more veg in the next few days. We are forecast thunderstorms tomorrow so let's see if they arrive.

More of the roses are now in flower - I think they would like some rain as well but they are well established so should have deep roots.

Caught up with Christine and came in when the sun set. She'd also had a successful VE80 Commemoration in the village hall but, as usual, would have appreciated a few more helpers.

12 May

No gym because I went back to sleep instead of getting up early. I don't need to go to the gym on Mondays as long as we are playing tennis in the afternoon / evening.

Gilda came over and we went to Hayes Common for our walk. It was a sunny day but lovely and cool in the trees. We really liked the tree monster that we saw!

While we were doing that, Jonathon was dealing with an EPC assessor - a member perk from Skipton Building Society so we thought we'd take advantage. We'll get her report in due course.

We all met up at Masala Dabbas for lunch. I had two veggie starters instead of a main for a change - very tasty.

We were promised rain / thunderstorms this afternoon so I cut the grass crossbut it didn't materialise.

I planted up some climbing courgettes and runner beans - I've put them in big tubs this year as an experiment.

I joined a few others for tennis then we did yet more watering before bed.

13 May

Other than a trip to the gym, I spent the day in the garden. New flowers seem to be coming into bloom every day. Unfortunately, there are also more weeds every day so there's more than enough to do.

Ben came to help with one unruly part of the garden near the pond. It was very overgrown and needed sorting out. It looks a lot better now it's finished but Jonathon will definitely need to go to the tip a few times on Saturday because I've only got one rubbish bag not full of garden rubbish. We've even used the two dumpy bags we have.

While Ben was doing that, I planted a few more veggies, both into tubs and into the ground. I've now almost run out of coffee grounds so have asked Pasha if he can let me have some when we meet on Thursday. I also cleaned the bird baths - they are getting very well used with such warm, dry and sunny weather.

Jonathon went off to London to do a photo shoot having spent a lot of the day catching up with photos from the last few days.

14 May

I started the morning at The Bakehouse, BR6 with a few other Flamingos. I only had a drink and scooted off to the gym when they got their food.

We received the EPC Certificate and were pleased to discover we'd been rated as "D" - a significant improvement on the "F" from the last survey.

Jonathon has asked a couple of follow up questions for clarification and about one potential improvement so we'll wait to see what they come back with.

I wore a dress today! This is a very unusual occurence these days but I thought Mark's posh birthday lunch probably justified it.

We went to Chapter One and enjoyed some yummy food. The waiter misunderstood our drinks order so the alcoholic cocktails had to go back and be replaced by the Mocktails for J and me.

Jonathon chose a posh dessert and said it was worth every penny extra.

Mark was given a birthday cake to celebrate.

15 May

I woke up in time for the early gym class but decided to check if there was a space in Ela's 9 a.m. Tabata class. Happily there was so I booked it and went back to sleep for a little while! Loretta, Jonathon's foot person, was here when I got home.

I walked the dogs. It's a lot cooler today so much better for the hairy beings so they were full of life and sniffed their way round the route.

I met Pasha at Smokey Kitchen to sort out dinner for Saturday evening and the next Knoll Chit Chat meeting so they are both booked and in the diary.

Went to see Northern Ballet's "Jane Eyre" at Sadlers Wells in the evening. It was an mesmerising production from start to finish. The photo is from their promo material because no photos are allowed during performances. Jonathon went to Cadogan Hall for a photo shoot and also had a lovely evening.

16 May

I did some jobs around the house before the gym. I was expecting the carpet cleaner to be here when I got back but he phoned to say he was running a bit late.

He arrived just as I was leaving to join June's Friday walk. It was a lovely sunny day, albeit a bit chilly because of the wind, and the footpaths through the wood were dry for a change so we could walk through rather than round.

I carried the garden rubbish bags through to the front drive ready for Jonathon to drive to the tip (a few times) tomorrow then spent the rest of the afternoon in the garden. Today's main job was tidying up the two lower beds near the patio. The Golden Euonymous looks lovely in the evening sun.

The "Orange Glory" Alstromaerias are starting to flower in the front garden so it will soon be a carpet of orange with lot of admirers as people walk past.

17 May

Gym for a little while to start the day then met up with Sindhu for a walk. She had given me a "wish list" of Rhododendrons, Paeonies, nice scenery and animals! Thankfully, we saw all of these things and more when we visited Covet Wood, Petts Wood and Crofton Wood.

The peach coloured Paeony was beautiful - not seen one that colour before and it looked like it changed colour as the flowers matured.

The Rhododendron Walk in Petts Wood was in bloom so plenty of flowers to admire and there were a few gardens on the route that had Rhododendrons in flower as well.

sheep

These sheep were on the National Trust farm in Petts Wood (we didn't see any cattle but I think they're still in the Hawkwood part).

While I was busy doing that, Jonathon was going to and fro to the tip. He had three successful visits so I now have lots of empty sacks to refill with garden rubbish.

I sent Dad's information to his accountant for his tax return - shouldn't take any doing because he has very little money left after all the care fees that he's paid in the past couple of years.

My evening was spent with Ginny, Jane, Swati and Margaret at Smokey Kitchen to celebrate Ginny's birthday.

18 May

Gym and church so a normal Sunday morning.

We spent the afternoon doing water management - moving water from the main butts to the ones near the garage so we can use the water to irrigate the veg etc. The main ones are now empty and the others about half full so not much water left.

Caught up with Mum who seemed OK.

Took the Knoll Walkers to Hayes Common for an evening walk. Good fun but we couldn't find the "Blessed Quintopus Tree" that was mentioned on the map.

19 May

No gym today but I went to get my paper from Tesco - they didn't have any set out. I went to Londis - they'd sold out so I went to Anbu's Convenience Store and, thankfully, they had some.

I saw Lisa on the way back home so had a catch up with her - her time is being spent sorting out her Dad's IHT and probate.

I met Mark and we went to Lesnes Abbey in Abbey Wood. It was a lovely place to visit with interesting ruins, a pretty Monk's Garden woods to walk around with a heath area and chalk pit amongst other things.

I had a wander round the garden. The Pyracanthas are flowering nicely and I noticed that we have some gooseberries this year. We had another few strawberries - really sweet and tasty.

I spotted Oli in the fruit cage so realised there must be a hole in the netting because the door was still closed. Another job for tomorrow.

I caught up with Christine who seemed a bit happier this week - perhaps she's getting used to retirement.

Tennis was only Steve, Ravi and me with Durga as ball girl when she felt like it. Good fun and I certainly got a good run around.

20 May

I went to the gym earlier today (no space in the class - I checked when I got up). Jo was there as well because her Saturday PT session had been rescheduled to this morning.

Ben arrived and we tackled the fruit beds. They look a lot tidier now.

I worked out how Oli was getting into the fruit cage and put a huge netting patch on that area so, hopefully, that is fixed for the time being. I didn't see any other breaches but that doesn't mean there aren't any. It's only this big becasue I didn't want to cut the netting.

By the time we'd finished I was pretty tired but I'd promised to take some stuff to Orpington Cat Rescue so off I went.

Jonathon kindly went and got the coffee grounds from Smokey Kitchen so I didn't have to go there as well.

I went via Marks and Spencer on the way home. St. Mary Cray Recreation ground looks more like a hay field than a rec but we are promised rain tomorrow so let's see if it arrives.

I came home on a bus so didn't have too far to walk before enjoying a well-earned pot of green tea and my book!

21 May

A physically easier day for me today after all the strenuous gardening yesterday. I decided to start creating a walk for VJ80 using picture clues and an anagram puzzle so went for a wander to collect some clues. I decided to take photos on the way back rather than share street signs etc. on here.

I went to the gym after my walk but didn't need to stay for very long - just a bit of treadmill and cycling.

There was a discussion on the gardening WhatsApp group about Hostas. I'm delighted to say ours are doing really well this year - the coffee grounds haven't stopped the slugs and snails completely but seem to have slowed them down.

Oli was also in more relaxed mode today - no "dangerous" gardener to protect me from today.

We did our tax returns - HMRC owe me money and Jonathon owes them money so it all balances out.

Jonathon went to the cinema to see "Mission Impossible, Final Reckoning" and I called in at the Orpington for ice cream and a juice drink then did a bit of shopping.

22 May

Ela's class is now called "Workout of the Day" - I'm sure it's just an excuse for her to make us work harder - it was really tough.

Although the yellow roses in the front have faded a bit, the red roses have taken over and are looking lovely.

The peachy coloured rose in the back garden is probably the best it's ever been. They seem to love this dry weather we've been having.

I took the dogs for their weekly walk. By the time I got back, Jonathon was just setting off for a very long session at the dentist. Thankfully, all went well and he wasn't in pain when he got home.

I phoned Margaret. She is getting ready to start her radiotherapy and seems very pragmatic about it all.

I went to see "Bat out of Hell" with Mark and Gilda 9not for the first time!). I went into London slightly earlier than I needed to so I could have a walk around.

23 May

I did a short stint in the gym then joined June's Friday walk. We went to Hawkwood and through to Chislehurst station where I left them as they went off for coffee.

My final bonus from pbb arrived in our account today - more money to spend!

24 May

It rained a bit over night - thank goodness. The drive seemed to be covered in snails when I went outside and roses looked pretty with raindrops on them.

I dropped a book of walks to Ravi, went to Tesco for a bit of shopping and did most of my steps at the gym in case it rained later (it didn't!).

I spotted my first broad bean today - a lovely surprise because, at one time, I thought I'd lost them all. I'll look forward to eating it but it might not get as far as the kitchen!

We cleaned Jonathon's car - the rain had helped with the sandy deposit that had appeared a few days ago. It's all nice and shiny again.

Caught up with Mum - she seemed fine.

25 May

Gym then church as normal for a Sunday.

I took the Knoll walkers to Keston Common this afternoon. Ginny mentioned that she'd missed our last few walks to there so I planned this walk for yesterday but she was busy so I moved it to today, having checked with Diane that would be OK with her. The weather held and we had a lovely walk.

Had a long catch up call with Christine.

26 May

Gilda came over and we tested out the walk for the VJ80 Commemoration. It worked pretty well, just one tweak to the clues needed.

We met Jonathon at Smokey Kitchen for lunch - yummy!

We called into the Market Place to have a look at some classic cars - it was Orpington Motor Show today.

Alma was doing the cleaning when I got back. Jonathon disappeared off to London for a photoshoot and I joined Ravi, Durga and a couple of their friends for tennis. Thankfully, the rain held off while we were playing.

27 May

Went to the gym and joined Matt's class then home to get ready to go to The Tower of London to see the ceramic remebrance poppies. They were lovely - shame about the wet weather. How we managed to choose the wettest part of the wettest day for about 2 months to book tickets for I don't know but the rain made the poppies sparkle. I think Jonathon will go again on a dryer day with his big cameras now he knows what it looks like.

We went to The Ivy for lunch - tasty as always. It also gave us a chance to warm up and dry off a bit.

It seemed very appropriate to find a poppy flowering in our "meadow" bit of the garden when we got home.

Jonathon went to collect some more coffee grounds for the garden. The runner beans in the veg beds appear to be getting eaten despite the coffee around them but those in the tubs are growing for England so I hve high hopes that we'll get some beans from them this year.

28 May

Back down to earth today after yesterday's excitement so Sainsbury's then the gym before home to work in the garden with Ben. Ben also helped me collect some bottles from various people who'd kindly agreed to contribute to the Bottle Tombola that Priory Gardens Wildlife Foundation will be running at All Saints' Church Fete at the end of June.

The fish seem a bit happier today. No idea why - perhaps it's the recent rain that's cheered them up. They came up for some food for the first time in ages this afternoon.

I dug up the first of this year's potatoes - Swifts - so we are looking forward to trying them in the next few days.

Back to normal or so I thought. Vicky covered Ela's class and focused on Core. Goodness me, it was hard!

I noticed that Thames Water had closed the crossroads where the infamous sink hole appeared a few weeks back . Hopefully, they will do a good job and sort out the problem.

I walked the dogs. Tisha only managed one round instead of two today - perhaps a bit too warm for her.

The paeonies in the cut flower arrangement are starting to come out and look amazing.

Did a load of gardening in the afternoon to try and get ready for open day in just over three weeks' time.

30 May

Gym first then joined June and co for the Friday walk. We went to Jubilee Park today - lovely place and I've not been for a while so it was good to be back. It was looking surprisingly green to say it's been so dry recently.

Diane very sneakily took a photo of me taking a photo of them today!

Did some gardening after dinner. Tow lovely surprises - the Golden Globe Buddleia is in flower - first time in many years so perhaps I've finally mastered the art of pruning it. Lovely to see the insects enjoying it - it was full of buzz!

The second surprise was this lovely Corncockle in one of the wild meadow areas. We'd scattered a load of wild flower seed around in the autumn and it seems this one took root.

A not so nice surprise was standing on something that spiked me through my Crocs. No idea what but there was a lot of blood and it made my foot quite sore.

31 May

Not quite as much in my diary today. Gym then hair cut this morning.

We received the new bird feeders so I filled them and put them on the feeder frame. I did quite a bit of gardening in the afternoon. The Sisyrinchium (Pale Yellow-Eyed Grass) looks lovely in the bright sunshine.

Jonathon went to Union Chapel for a photo shoot in the evening while I went to The Churchill (again) - with Jane and Ginny this time to see "Murder Trial Tonight."

1 June

Went to the gym then the Knoll Active walkers joined up with Kirsty's Wellbeing Walking group for a walk round St. Mary Cray Recreation Ground, the local fields and Walden's Wood. There is a consultation in course about building 300+ houses on the field where there is wheat at the moment and there is a petition to stop the reclassification of the land from greenbelt to grey belt. Both Kirsty and I had the same idea for the walk so it made sense to join up together rather than following each other round.

Following a late dinner, I FaceTimed with Mum then did some gardening. Mum wasn't feeling too good today - nothing unusual and she expects to be OK by tomorrow.

I spoke to Christine for ages. Bertie the dog is now definitely settled at her house and has her wrapped round his little paws.

2 June

Did a few jobs then Gilda came over and we went to Keston Common for our walk. We met Jonathon at The Drawing Room for lunch then Jonathon walked home (to prove he could) and Gilda and I caught the bus.

Alma was here when we got home and I spent the afternoon edging the grass and weeding. It's getting tidier but there's still loads to do.

The Alstromaeria "Orange Glory" are putting on their annual colourful show in the front garden. The bees love them so it's very buzzy.

Sonya, Kieran and Isla joined Angela, John and me for tennis in the evening. Ravi and Steve are both on the injured list: Steve is in hospitalwith occular cellulitis and Ravi has stitches in his hand from a cricket injury.

3 June

Gym then gardening in the drizzle with Ben for the day. We cleared a lot of weeds out including brambles and ivy as well as removing a loads of spent bluebells. The garden looks better, if a bit bare in places.

Jonathon power washed the patio - it looks much better and the wet weather with the water from the washer really brings the colours out.

4 June

Went to Jo's for breakfast with the Flamingos, via Greggs to collect the croissants and pains au chocolat. They weren't very organised in the shop but the croissants were pretty decent. Coco was pretty keen on sharing mine but was out of luck.