Friday 1 July 2016

Down to Earth ...


A nothing much happened kind of week.  Mostly it rained and rained and rained.  The sun burst through for short periods then hid behind the clouds and it rained again.  The garden is flattened and battered and a soggy mess.  We have had the heating on it has been so chilly - even my pet sheep had their hats and scarves on.


On Monday electricians came and fitted an earthing device.  On Tuesday a different electrician came and earthed us (our earthing spike had deteriorated - whatever that is) - apparently new regs said it had to be done before the house could be signed off as completed.  The electrician also fitted the new ceiling lights to replace the water damaged ones.


And a new desk has been installed to replace the water damaged one.


Next week all the carpets are going to be fitted and voila - we're done.  Hurrah!

Meanwhile back at the ranch - every time the sun came out I rushed into the garden to take some pics of the least damaged flowers.


The view from the kitchen window
 

The bees have been going mad on the lavender bushes
 






Despite all the wet weather it is a great year for strawberries

 
And I couldn't resist showing you some more poppies.
 
Have a great weekend.
 

Elaine







47 comments:

  1. After seeing your poppies, I ran out and bought packets of seeds. Different kinds but one said grape poppies and they were a deep violet color. I'll be so happy if some of them grow. Glad your renovations are almost done and you had me thinking you had sheep for a moment.

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  2. Your garden looks wonderful! We've had lots of rain here too, so I sympathise with you. I'm so glad your restoration is almost finished, what a relief for you.

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    1. Thank you Sarah. Yes, the relief is enormous - so glad it's almost all over with.

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  3. I love your little piece of paradise

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    1. Thank you Judy - it may not be perfect but I love it all the same.

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  4. So pleased to hear your carpets are soon to go down and life will get back to normal. Your garden looks great and I just love those unusual sheep.

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    1. I am so looking forward to seeing the rooms completed and everything back in its place.

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  5. What beautiful and uplifting photos of your lust and garden.

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    1. Thanks Carrie - trying to work out if you meant to type lust and what the alternative word would be :)

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  6. Nice post and lovely pictures. Thanks, and you too. Flighty xx

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  7. Just love to see the photo's of your lovely flowers ...

    July has to bring better weather ... surely?

    All the best Jan

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    1. Let's face it Jan - it can't be any worse than June.

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  8. Replies
    1. This week will see the end of it all - this is something I never thought I would have to go throw - it has been a big learning curve which has driven us to the end of our tethers - so we are both heaving big sighs of relief that it is all over.

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  9. Elaine, Your garden is so lush and beautiful. I love the masses of blooms. Those Foxglove are so pretty! It's been raining here, too - good for our forests after weeks of dry. We have the fire lit, and I'm wearing 2 layers on top for warmth!

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    1. The garden is looking very lush (and unkempt) at the moment - so much rain has made it grow like mad - I am struggling to keep control :)

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  10. Hello dear Elaine,
    How wonderful is your garden.. it looks so perfect.. all those gorgeous flowers.
    I have been absent for a while... Seems that the heavy rains affected your home and garden.. so sorry to read about that.. glad that you are back to normal again. That must have been so upsetting..! sending you best wishes and some of our sunshine and warmth.
    Val xxxx

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    1. Hello Val
      Hope you are well - it seems a long time since I have heard from you. It wasn't the rain but an internal flood that caused the damage. We have a lovely day today - warm and sunny, it makes a nice change from the constant rain.

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  11. Those sheep are great fun ! Love the poppies too. So glad you are finally getting back to normal, and can put the stress of the last few months behind you.

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    1. I love the sheep too - they are just so comical. It has been stressful CG I hope never to have to go through anything like it again - fingers crossed :)

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  12. Dear Elaine, the garden looks quite convincingly sunny - though the strawberries definitely need more sun to blush. (And as a 'gardener' in my imagination I see lots of slugs - they thrive on rain...)
    I'm glad that your home gets every day better.
    And those sheeps are funny!

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    1. Since I took that photo we have had plenty of ripe strawberries, more than we can actually eat - it looks like jam making is on the cards. Yes slugs thrive on rain, but so far they haven't done too much damage (famous last words)!

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  13. Goodness....you must have shedloads of strawberries if you're going to make jam!
    They do look lovely! You're pet sheep had me smiling, how cool, and I just loved your posy. Your garden looks lovely despite all that rain as your pics show. I loved the bees on the lavender, how cute and that is one gorgeous camellia. The tones in those poppies are just gorgeous, what a shame they don't last!
    I'm so happy to hear that all shall be completed soon, what a harrowing time you've had but now everything is fresh and new, love the desk btw....pleased to hear you're now earthed, every gal needs that...lol..xxx

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    1. That camellia is in fact a rose - :) The new living room carpet was fitted today - oh the bliss of not having bare paint splattered boards. Everything that was in boxes is now safely tucked away and it is beginning to look like home again - I love the smell of new carpets.

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    2. A rose?...gosh! Oh..carpets laid, and an end to it all!!! Do hope you have a glass of something nice to celebrate! So happy for you, you two must be heaving a contented sigh of relief!xxx

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    3. A rose?...gosh! Oh..carpets laid, and an end to it all!!! Do hope you have a glass of something nice to celebrate! So happy for you, you two must be heaving a contented sigh of relief!xxx

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  14. It is great to read about more progress in your home. The rain seems never-ending this summer, but at least when the sun does come out everything is so green. I love your poppies, I'm not sure what happened to mine this year but there's no sign of them!

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    1. Thanks Wendy. I have poppies everywhere in such a variety of colours - I don't mind though, they are welcome to seed where they like as far as I'm concerned :)

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  15. Rain and yet more rain - but isn't everything so fantastically GREEN!

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    1. Yes, I have noticed that too - everything seems to be growing like mad.

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  16. Pleased to hear you are getting back to normal and your garden flowers look lovely despite the weather.
    Amanda xx

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    1. Thanks Amanda. The garden is gradually recovering from the heavy rains - it flattened everything!

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  17. So pleased that you are nearly back to normal Elaine ...... it must have been a very difficult time to say the least !!
    Your garden looks so pretty ...... the rain has certainly ruined a lot of my roses but, as soon as the sun comes out, they all seem to pick up again.
    Here's hoping for a better week this week !! XXXX

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    1. Thanks Jackie - we are well on the way now - it does feel good to get back to a bit of normality :) Yes, the poor old roses have taken a battering - not the best weather for them. I think next week is set to be a bit better - hope so anyway.

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  18. So glad to hear that all is nearly done and back to normal again, you can enjoy the summer with no work being done I hope!

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    1. Thanks Amy. After four months of upheaval it will be nice to enjoy the rest of the summer in comparative comfort.

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  19. Earthing? I don't know what that is. Here we might call it "grounding." Electrical systems have to be grounded to prevent.... and there my knowledge stops. I would suspect that is why inspection is required. Your home will be lovely again. Love your pet sheep. My husband has wanted a couple of Suffolk sheep like they had when he was on the farm. I said no. We have horses. Your garden does look all fresh and clean. Love those pink poppies. And yes the garden does look great because it hasn't been neglected as it was last year. Thank you for nothing and remembering.

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    1. I think the 'earth' has something to do with lightning striking where it goes to the ground rather than through the homes electrics. The garden is so abundant at the moment I seem to have lost control - this seems to happen every July, not my favourite month in the garden.

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  20. The flowers are beautiful! We are in the midst of a drought so any rain you could send this way would be most appreciated...
    I hope you are well and that all those renovations are almost finished.
    Take care Elaine till next time...
    Susan xx

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    1. He-lol Susan - how are you? Hope things are OK at your end and nothing too serious has kept you away from the blogging world. No chance of drought conditions here - I will post a bucketful of rain to you - we have more than enough to spare.

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  21. Beautiful garden, and beautiful photos.

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  22. Dear Elaine I missed visiting you so am catching up on your posts. First your poppies are simply gorgeous. What a delightful array of colors. So glad to hear your home is almost restored. It has certainly been a long time in the works. Now could you please send me some rain...we are so in need of it. Take care friend. Hugs!

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    1. Dear Debbie
      Thank you. I heave a sigh of relief as my home one more is put to rights and is a nice place to be.

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