So anyway, there I was in the passenger seat of the trusty old Ovlov, just looking out the window as Fereday reversed out of the parking spot and pulled onto the road.... I saw Harlow Carr growing smaller in the wing mirror.... And I found myself thinking, "Well, that's the end to this year's oestrogen mafia gathering at the famous Betty's Tea Rooms at the well-known RHS northern outpost near Harrogate...., mmmm,.... OH BUGGER.... I've come all this way to Harlow Carr and bought three dandelions.... I'm never gonna live this down.... 'Gardener's Wife in Dandelion Debacle!'.... damn, it takes real talent to come to climb up to the highground of gardening nirvana and come down with a dandelion!" And then, of course, I felt the need to share.... so here I am back on the blog....There's not much to report since my last blog in March.... Fereday danced out for the first time last Saturday.... videos awaiting YouTube being less intractible..... but I may try to load one up onto LJN. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to go along to that one, but I'm making my 'Mo'WAG' (Morris Dancers Wives and Girlfriends) debut tomorrow at 'sparrow's fart' in the morning (approximately 5:15am - though how anyone figured out that was the most likely time for a burst of small bird flatulence is beyond me.... some people have too much time on their hands... and I hope the taxpayer didn't fund that research via DEFRA, but I digress... back out of the parenthetical then....) at a Stone Age fort in Huddersfield - yep, there is one, a real, honest to goodness Stone Age fort in Huddersfield... who'da guessed! Apparently I can also expect to see some honest to goodness druids - I assume that's as opposed to the 'Ye Merrie Olde Druid-e' with the faux Dumbledore beard that you get introducing the Jorvik Viking Experience in York (highly recommended, it's an attraction that scores a mighty 11 out of 10 on the twee scale!). So, that's nice.The Mo' Dancing has really added a whole new dimension to my life... I spent several hours last weekend sewing ribbon on Fereday's straw panama.... sounds simple, doesn't it? But NO! You have to fold one piece in half and then stitch it onto another, why you can't use two widths of ribbon the sane person migt ask (as I did), well, apparently.....blah, tradition, blah, heritage, blah, blah, blah... Then I decorated it with the white rose ('White Rose Morris Men') and put some bits and bats on it to represent Fereday.... true, I did think about hanging corks from the brim a la Crocodile Dundee, but that involved getting through too many bottles of wine in too short a time....And then, last night, I had that unique sensation that I thought was solely the preserve of parents.... Fereday trots into the kitchen.... "I need some arm bands for Friday morning...." Somehow things got a bit muddled in my mind, and I found myself looking for a clean kitchen towel, a spare curtain tie back and an old bathrobe.... luckily I was quickly recalled to my senses and the reality that Fereday wasn't a five year old who had just informed me he needed a shepherd's costume for the next morning.... but it was a fairly close run thing there for a second.... the fear, the anxiety, the concern that little Chelsea's Mum would have had an authentic costume run up by the head seamstress from the National Trust.... To all my friends who are parents.... I've now felt the pain.... and I really feel for you all!
Votes: 0
E-mail me when people leave their comments –

Comments

  • Yup, once told at 7.30am (two minuets before going to school) that my daughter needed to be in costume as a serving wench from the middle ages, (mop cat essential) for the school trip I had forgotten about. Packed lunch and tea were also required along with spending money for rubbish tat in gift shop required also.

    Luckily had the gear.

    Found two quid in purse and some food from the fridge and bread bin. Costume? She went as a middle aged man, flat cap, trousers in socks and a waist coast over a shirt. Golly it's tough growing up in my house, it's all gender bending!!

    REALLY glad your back Cat. x
This reply was deleted.

You need to be a member of Landscape Juice Network to add comments!

Join Landscape Juice Network

Open forum activity

Fusion Media posted a blog post
For over 18 years, Telford's Forestry Contracting has been helping to establish and maintain woodlands across Scotland. Managing and maintaining around 10,000 hectares, the company undertakes everything from tree planting and woodland creation…
23 hours ago
Fusion Media posted a blog post
 Technology is helping golf courses reduce emissions, lower noise, and give greenkeeping teams more time to focus on course quality and player experience.The 2026 Portugal Invitational will bring together some of golf’s most respected names and…
yesterday
Peter sellers posted a discussion
Now in retirement mode and as previously.posted been looking for a cordless long reach and was going to buy something at the budget end,but as they all have the motor at the blade end making them very unbalanced along with slow blade speeds and very…
yesterday
Jonathan rawlings is now a member of Landscape Juice Network
Sunday
John F replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"On choosing the height of my henchman Tim it was easy it was determined by the height of my valued regular bread and butter customers hedge height requirements so I could work on them without them having to resort to getting contractors in .
Another…"
Saturday
Duncan Neville replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"Spot on! I had a heavy fall from a tripod ladder, and part of my safety check now is a taught chain and front leg vertical and midway between both back legs. Absolutely never lean, always cut immediately in front of you! "
Saturday
Tim Wallach replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"They had the niwaki pro to try out at NEC Gardeners World.  Reassuringly robust.   I'm still contemplating 8 vs 10 vs 12 though.
i can't reply to all the helpful comments and suggestions but it's appreciated to have the wisdom of you all. "
Saturday
Chris Kilbride and daVally Garden Services Limited joined Landscape Juice Network
Thursday
daVally Garden Services Limited updated their profile
Thursday
Fusion Media posted a blog post
Replay Group has appointed James Kimmings as its new Digital and Online Analyst, reinforcing the company's commitment to growing its digital presence and supporting its continued expansion. James joins Replay after almost four years at Pitchcare,…
Thursday
sarah croud @sarahcrouddesign updated their profile photo
Wednesday
sarah croud @sarahcrouddesign updated their profile
Wednesday
Adam Woods replied to Peter sellers's discussion Cordless drill
"THe Aldi and Lidl ranges are good, I havent used their drills, but lots of other battery tools, they work well, and have a battery that can be used in different things in the range.
Theyve also been through the companies German QC processes
 "
Jun 24
Adam Woods replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"I used to have an 8' 3 leg adjustable when I had the business.... I added a 4' NIwaki a year or so later.... I didnt have any hedges that needed anything higher - I still have the 4', its invaluable"
Jun 24
Fusion Media posted a blog post
Redexim is pleased to announce the launch of the Sandstorm. The Sandstorm is a self-powered topdresser that works without a tractor or hydraulic connection. Simply hitch it to a utility vehicle and spread. It has a 28 ft³ (800 L) capacity and can…
Jun 24
Geoffrey King replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"Of course they are more akward to carry, but using a regular ladder now feels preposterous.
I thought long and hard about tripod ladders before getting the 12 ft one over 10 years ago.
Well one clear advantage they have, they stand up by themselves.…"
Jun 24
More…

Echo DHCA 2600 HD

Now in retirement mode and as previously.posted been looking for a cordless long reach and was going to buy something at the budget end,but as they all have the motor at the blade end making them very unbalanced along with slow blade speeds and very…

Read more…
0 Replies
Views: 38

Cordless drill

Now in retirement mode so dug out my old cordless drill that was bought from Argos a long time sgo for £10 to start all those jobs that have been put off. Its dead but to be fair has been used extensively for fencing jobs.Just need something simple…

Read more…
5 Replies · Reply by Adam Woods Jun 24
Views: 105

Stiga 955

Hi all. I have a Stiga 955 purchased 14 months ago. It gets used maybe 4 hours weekly. Almost a year to the day the drive belt went on it, so I put a new one on. Two months later with maybe 30 hours use the bloody thing has gone again. Does anyone…

Read more…
5 Replies · Reply by Sam Bainbridge Jun 22
Views: 184