Where Are The Chagos Islands Anyway? **

I first learned the term CHAOS from Martha Cilley, aka the FlyLady, about 25 years ago. She is a 'home organiser' with a million ideas and plans to help you avoid living in CHAOS, which stands for Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome [because your house is an embarrassing mess]
Well this week, I realised there is an extra complication - some of us maybe living in CHAGOS, which stands for Can't Have Any GARDENERS Over Syndrome

There have been odd goings on in the Cornerstones patch. I take full responsibility, I was too preoccupied with the kitchen work, and the sewing machine, and the Half Term Family Time.

There are Egyptian Walking Onions everywhere - in the small green trough where Rosie and I first planted them two years ago. But also in the adjacent flower bed. And the small onion which I replanted in the second, smaller raised bed last year, has spread a lot - and almost planted a shoot in the grass under the apple tree...I probably should have been more diligent - but those little onions are useful to cook in place of shallots, or to chop finely for a garnish atop a salad or soup - and the green shoots are very chive-y.

Last Thursday we were at the Parish Church Coffee, Cake and Chat group. A lady suddenly said "There are plants growing on the outside of the church. I think they are snapdragons. Is that a flower? have I said the right word?" We assured her that indeed snapdragons were a flower. On our way out, Bob and I checked - and yes there were indeed snapdragons [aka antirrhinums, or toadflax] which had taken root in the soft mortar above the church door.  The next day I noticed that there were butter-yellow snapdragons in my garden - in the main raised bed, nestling between the lettuce and beans, and in the smaller RB, close to the bamboo-cane-pyramid.

Where could they have come from? [the Parish Church? Is this a novel form of 'church planting'?] 
They are pretty flowers so I am allowing them to stay...

But the worst thing? My pyramid has hardly any sign of runner beans growing around and upwards. There are a few small plants with the right sort of leaves. [I dug out that dandelion in the middle] However, row 10 of the big raised bed is full of these scrambling shoots with beautiful scarlet flowers. 

These are definitely runner beans. But did I plant them all in the wrong place- this was supposed to be Dwarf French Beans. Have I have muddled up two seed packets? My friend Cathy who also volunteers at the Hospital [I am a Visitor, she is a Gardener] came round for a cuppa. 

She was very kind, and said such mistakes are easily made. I have stuck lots of spare canes in Row 10 to give these beans some vertical support. Cathy advised me on dealing with blackfly on the broad beans and was fascinated by the EWOs. I broke off a shoot and gave it to her- with a dire warning about their spreading potential.

So what with walking Egyptians, invading snapdragons, and not-where-they-should-have-beans, my garden is a little bit confused this summer. Definitely CHAGOS. If Monty Don, Alan Titchmarsh or Sue Kent turn up, I shall skilfully guide them away from the chaos of the garden, and distract them with a tour of the new kitchen [still impeccably tidy!] 

**Nearly 6000 miles away, in the Indian Ocean, between Sri Lanka and Mauritius [see here]

It's A Crime!

 It must be my age - at the end of a busy day, I sit down to watch a TV programme, and more often than not, wake up 45 minutes later as the credits roll, and say "whodunit?" And I'm missing my Quizzy Mondays on BBC2. 

I have totally given up on Death Valley. However we have been watching White Collar on the Disney Channel.
If the stars are guys in suits, especially with natty fedora, I'll give it a try. We enjoyed it so much that we have worked our way through all six series. Neal Caffrey [played by Matt Bomer] is a highly intelligent, utterly charming young con artist, art Forger and thief. FBI agent Peter Burke [Tim DeKay] recruits him as his Criminal Informant, to help solve White Collar Crime.

It is a funny, clever, but thought provoking series. Neal has to wear an anklet so his movements can be tracked, and must stay within a two mile radius of FBIHQ, otherwise he goes back to prison. The dynamics of the relationship between a born liar and a man committed to truth and justice make it a clever show. Peter's wife is played by Tiffani Thiessen [Saved by the Bell, Beverly Hills 90210 - teen idol of the 90s] *****

Both my brother and my daughter recommended Department Q on Netflix. This is very different. It is based on a Danish story, but has been relocated.  Set in Scotland, it is about a police department set up to solve cold cases. Carl Morck [Matthew Goode, good looking English guy who's been in loads of stuff, including Henry Talbot in Downton Abbey, and Antony Armstrong Jones in The Crown] plays the crabby detective coming to terms with the aftermath of a messy divorce and a very nasty shooting incident. 

Warning - there is a lot of swearing, and violence. You do have to concentrate, there are many flashbacks - both to the shooting incident, and the events surrounding the cold case being investigated [a lawyer, who went missing four years before] But it is well written, with an intriguing plot. Lots of well known Scottish actors appear throughout. Do not watch late at night, as it may keep you awake! Thank you Ade and Steph for the recommendation.  Another *****

A Wonderful Lady

My phone has this habit of saying "Here's a memory from x years ago..." and up pops a photo. This is from 2011 and shows Ruth and John on their first visit to Cornerstones. Relations-by-marriage, their son Kevin is Bob's sister's husband. 
It is some years since John died - Ruth passed away last month, and this photo appeared on my screen two days later.  Her thanksgiving service is today, Bob feels very privileged to have been asked to take a part in it. We have grown so fond of Ruth in recent years, and been able to call in on her little bungalow, near Kings Lynn, quite often. Even more so since we retired. They were as kind and loving couple, very proud of their family. Always so thoughtful, and so generous. Despite being in her 90s, Ruth mastered IT skills, and delighted in showing us pictures of the grandchildren and greatgrandchildren - and she was always so interested in our girls and their offspring. The littl'uns abbreviated "GreatGrandma" to GiGi, which I think is delightful.
She suffered poor health since Christmas, and Kevin and Denise have been utterly brilliant in their support for her. Today will be bittersweet - sad to say goodbye, but glad her suffering is over and she is at peace. Happy that we will meet up with family, but sad for the reason for it. 
Ruth was always very smartly turned out, and amassed a vast collection of costume jewellery. Denise has arranged that Ruth's brooches and ear-rings will be put on display after the Wake, and friends and family invited to take a piece as a memento.
I think this is a beautiful idea. 

My task was to prepare some little velvet display squares [which are double sided and can be used as pouches] I made a couple of dozen - here are a few [with a few of my brooches pinned on] before I posted them off to Denise.

Rest in Peace, Ruth
- a very special lady, greatly loved and greatly missed.

Goodbye, And Godspeed, My Friend

Here's our Parish Church - All Saints Swanton Morley. And here's Bob with the vicar, Rev Rachael Dines.

This picture was taken last year, after the Men's Shed refurbished the noticeboards in the church porch.
This morning Bob and I will be worshipping here, because it is Rachael's last Sunday as the village vicar. She is about to move to a new parish at Amble in Northumbria.
I will really miss her, she has become a great friend in her time here.

We have heaps in common - both teachers, both daughters of the clergy, both passionate about preaching, and both very fond of needlework [and also the excellent breakfasts served here] Thank you for being a friend, Rachael.
The people of Amble will be truly blessed to have her. May God continue to use her, and bless her, as she brings blessings to others.

More Midnight Madness!

 Monday, 2nd June I stood on Weybourne Beach at 11pm and watched the Northern Lights. Then on Wednesday 11th June, we drove about 3 miles up the road, and parked at the edge of a field where there was a great view of the horizon. 

As the moon rose, it seemed huge and pink, a "Strawberry Moon" [I need to learn how to do better night vision photos] It was glorious. There won't be another like it over Norfolk for 20 years,  according to the paper.  I'm not sure they'll let me go gallivanting around the countryside at midnight then, when I'm 90...

And now it is 1.30am on Saturday morning. As I switched off the light, three hours ago, I suddenly realised I hadn't thought about Saturday's blogpost. But a massive thunderstorm woke us up around 12.45. Bob remembered that the awning he had rigged up to shade the patio [a large tarp, fixed with carabiners to a taut steel wire] might come adrift in the high winds.

So yet again we were outside - this time in pj's- unhooking the flapping fabric, ducking to avoid the water pouring down from it!

Then we stood inside for a while, watching the lightning through the window, listening to the loud cracks of thunder. Son etc Lumiere as they say in France - a fabulous lightshow! As is essential at such moments, I made a pot of tea.

I hope the weather is drier in the morning for the summer fete at the village school. I have finished my tea now, and the thunder has subsided a little. I'm going to sleep 🛌💤

Happy Birthday, Jess!

 Four years old today - big school in September. It doesn't seem that long since we made a midnight dash down to London because your early arrival meant someone had to come and stay with Rosie. But from the moment you were born you have been a delight. Always very busy, and very loud, but very lovely. A real character, whatever costume you have chosen to dress up in. Have a wonderful day

Random Conundra

Why is it, that when I get up early and have washing on the line soon after breakfast, I get so busy with other things - and it is only at 11pm when I am climbing into bed, I remember it is still on the whirlygig outside in the garden? And although it was probably bone dry at midday, it's got a bit damp - so I end up leaving it out all night!

Why is it, the morning I wake up and brush my hair and it falls into a perfect, frizz-free bob, the sort Anna Wintour [left] spends ££££s to maintain - that is the day I'm pulling on a cycle helmet and flattening it all? And the day I'm going somewhere important, however long I spend arranging it, my hair blows every which way.

Why is it that I carry the Nectar vouchers in my purse for days but do not manage to get to Sainsburys until the day after they run out? And petrol vouchers come the week after filling up, and will expire before we need to buy more fuel.

Why is it, when I go confidently into the loft to get a piece of fabric from my boxes, it isn't where I was sure I saw it last week? Although I am glad to find something I was looking for in May, I have to abandon my search because now in June, it is too hot up there.

But these are trivial issues. I am fortunate to have a garden where I can hang washing, and a head of healthy [if greying] hair. My stash is a useful resource, its untidiness is a problem of my own making. And having our own transport to get to the shops is a blessing in a village where buses run hourly, if at all.