Take heart

[otherclive]

Tomorrow is the shortest day, and as the days gradually lengthen we can all look forward to finding the first snowdrops and crocus’ and making our plans for a better 2021.

 

[JTQ]

Not to mention getting the needle.
Never have we been so keen that somebody jabs us with a needle, we would like them to do it twice, ASAP.

 

[Parksy]

Not to mention getting the needle.
Never have we been so keen that somebody jabs us with a needle, we would like them to do it twice, ASAP.

Not like when we were school kids.
The dreaded consent form was signed by parents and just as we'd forgotten that chill of reluctant anticipation a classmate would spot the district nurse through the classroom window, making her way purposefully to the assembly hall.
All too soon our names would be called, we'd be marked on a list and lined up in alphabetical order.
The awful surgical spirit smell would permeate the hall as a circle of the pink spirit was rubbed into our upper arm, increasing the activity of the butterflies in our stomachs.
We'd crane our necks to see the unlucky ones with surnames beginning with A being innoculated, the very word was enough to strike terror into the heart of the boldest among us.
We watched intently as the class wimp received their dose of immunity from diphtheria, scarlet fever or some other 1950s scourge, he remained stoic and tight lipped as he walked away unbowed.
We experienced schadenfreude without knowing what it was, nudging each other in the ribs as the cheeky kid who was good at football ran from the hall red faced with tears trickling down his cheeks, then all too soon we faced the table top of doom.
The nurse held our heads away so that we couldn't watch, the doctor told us that it wouldn't hurt, but it did a bit.
Nevertheless, having experienced the worst, a smile was summoned from the depths, the butterflies had migrated and I for one drew myself up to my full four feet tall as I walked proudly across the hall grinning at classmates who had yet to cross the Rubicon.
😁💉☠

 

[Beachball]

After this new strain covid hope everyone keep safe, and well, and hoping for a better 2021

 

[Robert_374373903]

What I am going to get is the bluebells all over the garden, each year I dig umpteen up to give away and still they multiply smothering all the others until they die back, mind you they do look spectacular .

 

[Beachball]

Every year we always get christmas roses and cyclamen in the garden .

 

[Raywood]

In Scotland we have the shortest days in Winter which can be a problem, so looking forward to the nights getting shorter and the longer sunny days of Summer. Just hope we all keep well enough to enjoy them.
Christmas will be one very limited day this year but we have four bottles of single malt, five bottles of wine, one champagne and lots more in the cupboard, so cheers guaranteed. Hope you all have the best Christmas you can within the limits we now have.

 

[otherclive]

In Scotland we have the shortest days in Winter which can be a problem, so looking forward to the nights getting shorter and the longer sunny days of Summer. Just hope we all keep well enough to enjoy them.
Christmas will be one very limited day this year but we have four bottles of single malt, five bottles of wine, one champagne and lots more in the cupboard, so cheers guaranteed. Hope you all have the best Christmas you can within the limits we now have.

Drink even half of that lot and you won’t even see New Year in. 😹

 

[Raywood]

True but we had everything for whoever came, so we can cater for all tastes.

 

[otherclive]

The first snowdrops and Lentern roses. With the milder weather I can start some outdoor tasks again.

 

[Robert_374373903]

Pruning roses this morning, some have been in bud already.

 

[Raywood]

Minus 3 here so nothing other than a few bulbs having shoots and the winter pansisies.

 

[PTA]

Snowdrops out, daffodil and crocus shoots showing. Magnolia buds are fattening.
Even in this lousy weather.

 

[Beachball]

We have some Helebros christmas roses out in the garden

 

[Beachball]

Viburnum Tinus evergreen shrub is out in the garden

 

[otherclive]

Viburnum Tinus evergreen shrub is out in the garden

That’s a nice looking shrub. My Viburnum Burkwoodii has lost quite a lot of leaves but that’s normal and has a goodly number of buds ready for its spring blooming.

 

[Beachball]

Jasmine Japonica evergreen turn from green to red in winter as you can see

 

[Beachball]

Pyracanthas Evergreen shrub red & yellow berries for the birds

 

[Beachball]

- Lonicera Purpusii is a shrub Winter Honeysuckle

 

[Beachball]

Palm tree as you can see it looks healthy

 

[Buckman]

We have 2 avocado trees growing in pots. Both must be several years old. At the moment they are in the conservatory until it gets warmer.

 

[Jcloughie]

Palm tree as you can see it looks healthy

Don't want to be a worry. But the palms grow a bit. I regret planting one of mine so close to the house about 35 years ago,





Often need to cut big branches off.

John

 

[Buckman]

When we bought a home many years ago there was an eucalyptus tree within 3 foot of the wall of the home. We had to cut it down completely as the roots had started to crack the wall.
We also had a cactus that was over 10 foot tall, but to remove it we had to pay a specialist as apparently the sap can have a very bad effect on your skin like acid burn.

 

[Jcloughie]

When we bought a home many years ago there was an eucalyptus tree within 3 foot of the wall of the home. We had to cut it down completely as the roots had started to crack the wall.
We also had a cactus that was over 10 foot tall, but to remove it we had to pay a specialist as apparently the sap can have a very bad effect on your skin like acid burn.

Damage to the foundations is a worry, some trees aren’t as bad as others. This ones strange. Look at the massive girth of the trunk and look at the low wall in front of it, just a small crack in top. 35 years ago it was a twig!



I imagine it has a tap root which goes straight down.


John

Edit... Just looked it up, not a tap root but they ar3 shallow and don’t cause the damage that some trees do.

 

[otherclive]

Damage to the foundations is a worry, some trees aren’t as bad as others. This ones strange. Look at the massive girth of the trunk and look at the low wall in front of it, just a small crack in top. 35 years ago it was a twig!

View attachment 1075

I imagine it has a tap root which goes straight down.


John

Edit... Just looked it up, not a tap root but they ar3 shallow and don’t cause the damage that some trees do.

They also don’t take up as much moisture as normal tree would. Nice ones though.