My week

We had a period of sunshine early this morning so I went into the garden and picked more of the remaining daffodils as many of them seem to have been nibbled by some creature whilst my back was turned and others are bending in the wind on their long stems.  I thought that it would be better to enjoy them indoors.  I've also opened the blinds on the front living room window as I feel that I want to connect even more with what's going on in the street and let more light in.  Of course, with social isolation/distancing and other restrictions fewer people are walking by and since we are a no-through road except for a narrow path further along that leads to another lot of houses it has always been a quiet road to live in.  

Yesterday our next-door neighbour knocked on the door and asked if we needed any shopping or other errands done such as going to collect prescriptions.  It was strange standing far apart to talk, me well back in the entrance hall and the lady in the front garden, but it was reassuring to have this connection with a neighbour and get a phone number so I can text if necessary. She was able to give us her telephone number verabally so we didn't need to come any closer and so I wrote it down as she talked.  This young family recently moved in and as the couple are both working we haven't had a chance to get to know one another.   

Royal Mail have sent a text to inform the public that they are still working and sending mail out.  The mail lady knocked yesterday and I looked out of the window and saw that she had a parcel for us which she left on the front door window ledge for me to pick up after she had gone. There are so many adjustments to make regarding living our daily lives now.  Yesterday we also had a phone conversation time slot with the doctor at the general practice surgery.  After some questions Mr P was prescribed more antibiotics for his chest infection.  He hasn't got a temperature, but again it was reassuring to have this way of communicating with the GP team.  We're very grateful for the efforts when the health system is severely overstretched.

Well, that's my week so far so here are a few random photos taken this week and from my photo archive.

skimmia japonica

purple osteospermum - a new cutting from the original plant and at the moment growing in a pot indoors

A ceramic plant pot stand which I inherited from my great aunts so it must be very early 20th century.  On the back it has a pottery mark and a Made In Germany stamp - intriguing. 

Below photos from a past visit to the Forbury Gardens in my home town of Reading, Berkshire where the Maiwand Lion is an iconic landmark monument.

A food festival was taking place in the gardens at the time of this visit.

This and that, gardening mid March

Everything is on hold at the moment as it is for a lot of people as restrictions on movement get tighter.  Today I took books back to the library as some cannot be renewed on line and it's uncertain when such facilities such as public libraries will close. The librarian that leads the book group has just phoned to say that the group will not be meeting for a while.  It's a pity as many of us enjoy the social interaction, but understand why this is necessary. 

If we're asked to stay indoors because we're in the over 70s category it'll be hard as we have been staying at home since the beginning of January so that Mr P can recover from his hip replacement surgery and with the better weather we were looking forward to getting out-and-about, at least in more isolated places in the countryside. Thank goodness that we have a garden where we can grow produce and flowering plants. It's time to sow broad bean seeds and continue nurturing seedlings.

Some daffodils are still in flower as buds open.

I planted out the primula I brought recently and the other primulas are just beginning to bloom in the same flower bed.  The purple one in the covered yard has developed further and has shot upwards towards the light.

 Whilst it's difficult to travel at the moment I thought that I might write about places that I've been to in my home town and not shared before.  We shall see.  Meanwhile, take care everyone, stay safe and well.