COMPOST

When Doug built the pond and transferred the waterlilies from the pots hiding behind the sheds I decided to move the compost bins.  I had already placed our new compost bin behind the sheds and yesterday and today we have finally had sunny days so I have been busy.

I transferred the material from the top of the two bins at the bottom of the garden into one of them that I had moved behind the sheds.  

I have then sieved the compost from the bottom of the bins into 3 rubbish bins.  I think the plastic bins are 45 litres and the metal one a bit less so I have a good quantity of excellent compost.  

It has been hard work but I am very pleased with the result.  Now to see if I can get the photos sorted.  I presume something has been updated because, suddenly my photos do not go to  One Drive any more, in fact I can't even find them so I will try and transfer them straight from my phone.

Well, it worked.  The top photo is one of the new bins of sieved compost and the bottom one three bins full of sieved compost and the compost bins two of which are half full and the other empty ready for autumn pruning.

Well, I started the day at 7 a.m. making two loaves of bread and then, after breakfast started work on the bins.  It is now just after 4 pm. so I am going to put my feet up and read.

Monarch Butterflies

After Doug went off to his Art Class this morning I let a couple of Monarch Butterflies out of the cage.  Here is one sunning itself on some netting we have out for them.  Good for them to have some sunshine.

 

OVERKILL

Obviously, Traffic Control get paid by the cone.  This is our street, a short suburban street.  I have not been to investigate but it looks as though a hole is being dug near the gutter.  I don't think this many cones are really necessary.

A YELLOW ORB

It was 2nd May when my seedlings arrived and I heeled them in before the storm hit.  Finally, yesterday, ten days later there was this sign from above - a yellow orb in the sky.  We got busy, I did several loads of washing and got it dry and Doug prepared a couple of beds for me to plant out the vegetable seedlings.

Today after our usual early morning trip to the Growers' Market and Supermarket we both got busy in the garden.  I planted out my Italian Precoce Broccoli ( I hope they are correct as the stems looked slightly purple) and some red spring onions.  I then did some weeding in the front garden and planted some stock seedlings.  While I did this Doug weeded alongside the new fence.  While in the vegetable garden I was surprised to see a lot of beans coming up.  Our weird weather must have confused them.

Tomorrow, I have some pansies and geranium seedlings to plant out.  It was lovely to finally be able to get out and do some gardening.  

No photo of the garden but this is the fruit we purchased - the pineapple and persimmons from the Growers' Market and the bananas and kiwifruit from the supermarket and the lovely tomatoes from the Growers' Market.  

 We also bought spinach, lettuce, watercress, Brussels sprouts at the market and a cauliflower from the Supermarket. 

ENOUGH!!!!

 

I think you will need to click on this to read it but it is not good.

It is hosing down, the thunderstorms haven't started yet but please, we have had enough rain.  At least it is quite warm and looks as though it will ease a bit tomorrow and, fingers crossed, we may have some fine weather later in the week.  I need it to catch up with the washing as I don't like to use the dryer unless absolutely necessary.

On another note, we really enjoyed the Coronation Concert last night, even managed to watch to the end just before 11 p.m.  

Doug is at his painting class today so I am catching up on phone calls and blogs.

UPDATE; a school outdoor education class got trapped in Abbey Caves in Whangarei and one boy is still missing.  The main Highway between here and Auckland is closed  and a Civil Defence Emergency has been declared once again in Auckland.

FURTHER UPDATE WEDNESDAY MORNING;

Specialist equipment arrived last night so the search continued and the young man's body was found.  May he rest in peace.

POMP AND CEREMONY

 No-one does Pomp and Ceremony like the British. We watched until just after 10.30 p.m. We were both tired and my eyes were sore as they are not used to such a long period in front of a screen. 

We  caught up with what we missed today. 

Our coverage last night started with various Kiwis who were attending.  I am always impressed with Willie Apiata  Victoria Cross recipient. I couldn't find his interview to share.

Long live the King. 

MAY 6th 2023

 Obviously, it is King Charles III Coronation today (although I don't think the actual crowning will take place until tomorrow our time so I will be watching a repeat later on).

What I do remember is watching the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.  My aunt who lived two doors down from us bought a television especially for the big day so we watched it at her house. I particularly remember the then young Prince Charles with his grandmother looking down on his mother being crowned.

I also remember the Coronation Tea held in Godstone Road.  My parents bought me a very nice replica of the Coronation coach but I never thought to bring that with me when I came to New Zealand and have not seen it since.  There was also a replica of the Throne with the Stone of Scone which was given to my brother.

I think King Charles will be a good King.  Last night we watched The Repair Shop King Charles Special and he does seem very down to earth.

There is also another celebration for today.  It is our 6th Wedding Anniversary.  When one re-marries late in life one is never sure how many years you will have together but I suppose that is the case even if one is younger.

WEATHER AND FOUNTAIN

The weekend was a bit of a write off.  We did go to the Market and Supermarket on Saturday morning and only had a shower but it rained later on and on Sunday we had an atmospheric river the rain  was heavy with strong winds that actually blew down two ladders that were leaning against a shed.  I had not heard of atmospheric rivers before this year but we seem to be getting more and more of them.  I did not poke my nose outside the door at all on Sunday.  Luckily, it was a lot better on Monday for the Parkinson Walk and we had a pleasant walk around The Loop with only a couple of small showers.

Yesterday, Doug skipped Art Class to install the new pump and we are very pleased with it.  The water in the pond went very green and we are hoping it will improve with aeration.

It is hosing down now with rain forecast for the next 7 days.  I received some seedlings I ordered yesterday and just had time to heel them in.  Hopefully they will be good.