September round up

 Another brilliant month, small spend on fabric, rest was for the garden, plus houseplants, my bulbs arrived, I ordered and paid for them ages ago.

14 Books read this month

We have made a few purchases this month, the new Christmas tree was half price, we also needed a new cutlery set, ours had tarnished so much and would not clean, we passed the old set on. No clothes for either of us, just normal food shopping, we are not stocking up on items, we keep a decent larder already. 

Out garden harvest are now almost over, it was a poor season this summer, I do have loads of green tomatoes, which I have popped into paper bags, they should all ripen over time. No kitchen waste at all, we are true masters of portion size. 

Just us

I have an itch to sew, I will require a small table cloth for under my new tree this year, these Christmas fabrics are not new, some I have had for years. I just need to decide on what design for my patchwork, do I keep it simple or go all out. I have everything except some thinner wadding.

We popped to B&Q, hubby required a few bits, I looked at the dead plants, clearance section. I was not looking for a tiny hosta, but this one came home with me, half price, just £6.

 A meeting with Kates boss goes horribly wrong, he is now missing and Kate can't tell anyone what has happened, chasing people smugglers whilst keeping on top of everything, how can she resolve everything. Book 76 read this year.

Kates work and life is fallen apart, she is struggling to find answers, the people she needs to talk to are hiding, terrified, who can she trust. Book 77 read this year.

Kate is newly promoted to DCI, she has two capable teams on her serious crime investigations, she has more time to catch Williams murderer, but are they aware of her actions. This set of 5 books were a great read, there are two other series from this author, but for now I want to come away from police detectives. Book 78 read this year.

We had a quiet weekend, we were both tired, I have a cold, along with my other issues it has dragged me back down, this week I have more tests, one I am really not looking forward to, needs must. I have tried to enjoy the last of the warm sunny days, we are due a week of rain, brilliant for the garden, no so good for the soul.

Daughter is also unwell, so a quiet time for everyone, we did Saturday night bedtime, they had watched a film together and were all ready to go to bed. We only watched a small part of Strickly come dancing, I'm really not sure of the new presenters, hubby feels the same, but Strickly has been a huge part of our Saturday nights for years.

Along the coast

 The shoreline in Southsea, Portsmouth

 is being rebuilt, the long section from Clarence pier has been done, it looks fantastic, here looking back towards the pier. They reused the historic shelters mixed with loads of modern seating areas.

We saw a Navy ship (I'm female so I don't know what type), the Isle of Wright ferry and a private 'boat' (ditto), the hovercraft also passes through here as well.

The wide walkways and all the huge rocks are much nicer.

One of the three towers in the Solent, built to protect Portsmouth harbour.

From the main pier, 

Our lunchtime view.

We sat by the shore to eat, fish and chips, 

perfect location on a bright warm day.

The section of beach by the main pier is closed off, they are very close to finishing the huge upgrade, it is a walk we have done often, so we can't wait until it's open. Having a sunny day will always help, there were many people walking but it did not feel busy, we enjoyed watching young children on scooters and bikes all playing safely. 

Our visitor is in London for a short visit, and then back home to Spain, we are home alone until next month, when hubby's sister and husband come to stay. Having dry weather helped so much, we were able to pop out and visit places, we have many tourist spots, we try and avoid the busy places. 

Locally

We popped on the hill above Portsmouth just on the edge of our village, on Thursday, lovely views over the city and coast with an interesting cloudy sky.

Zooming in towards Portchester castle and the Spinnaker Tower. 

Down by the shore, now part of King Charles 111 coastal path.

I adore Portchester castle. 

Outside.

Inside.

St Mary's church. 

It's only when we see our local views through the eyes of a visitor, in this case from Spain, do you realise the beauty of where we live.

Thursday we stayed local, it helps it was a dry sunny day. Portchester castle is always a great spot to visit, beside the waters edge, across from Portsmouth docks. We stopped in our local pub, we don't go there often enough. Today we are going to the historic part of Portsmouth. 

Cool stitching

 Long term readers will know my favourite craft has always been cross stitch, I rarely purchase kits, preferring to find designs to use with my extensive collection of silks (floss). I love to stitch collections of smaller designs to look like patchwork, often making huge pieces. 

This is my latest project, I have not done much in the recent heatwave, it's another mix-up of designs, so I do need to concentrate, it can grow quickly, I do work on each band individually, which keeps it simpler.

Having finished the top outer border, I have moved my work and wrapped some around the top bar. I am working on the outer lines, towards the placement of the middle stars, once I have the length with lots of counting and checking, I can do the next bigger design row.

This is a long term project, this outer border is the most boring bit, once its done I can have fun in the centre, at this time I have not considered how to fill the space, here is just under half the size of the project. This is my biggest project to date, I'm using 32 cwt linen, it's the last big piece with smaller holes, in my stash I have plenty of aider with bigger holes.

I have picked up my knitted blanket again, I am going to make it bigger and hope to use it on my chair in the sunroom, the two little ones always sit on my chair, they can be messy, so the blanket will help keep the cream fabric clean. I have also pulled out more yarn to knit socks, which I don't really need, I do love knitting them, they are simple and lightweight, I have memorised the pattern after making so many. I have also been looking at my stash of cotton fat quarters (fabric squares), I fancy doing some patchwork, not hexagons, I still have some left from my sewing machine cover. I am also thinking of making some needle felting Christmas ornaments, I have everything I need.

The past few days have been sorting inside, I have done some work in the garden, we are ready for our visitor, we are not making plans we can decide where to go once Paula has inputted what she wishes to do. I have previously visited family and spent days doing things I did not want, so we will wait and plan together. 

This warm sunny weather is very welcome, we have our morning coffee in our sunroom, we face the sun keeping us warm, we are protected from any breeze, it's a perfect spot, which we love.

Reading

I had a small harvest today, the potatoes,  carrots and runner beans we had for lunch, the raspberries we ate with ice cream. Tomatoes were chopped and frozen. My cut flowers bags suffered in the hot summer, I'm surprised to have any to cut.

Another book in the DCI Pat Lennon team, a young teenager is murdered, then a second girl is found, they are linked but how? A clever plot into a world the police and myself did not know, no super heroic stuff, just peeling away layers, I do enjoy these characters created in these books. Book 71 read this year. 

Two timelines, one where she is recovering from a head wound after a suspected burglary, she is in a rehab centre, trying to peirce things together, and her story up to the shooting, I always love this author. Book 72 read this year.

This story is happening around the village of cheddar, including the world famous gorge, sheep are slaughtered, a man attacked and a girl abducted, are they linked and how, a realistic plot of police work, how things can be missed, how breaks happen with the smallest of information. Book 73 read this year.

Another new author for me, set in Stoke on Trent, not a place I have visited, a clever plot along side her own story, I guessed just before half way one one the twist, and later the murderer, neither spoilt the plot, the ending is open, there are other books in this series.  Book 74 read this year.

Second book in the series, whilst investigating a double murder, Kate is also hunting dirty police, officers with higher rank than her, again I guessed the first twist, it did not spoil the plot. Book 75 read this year. 

Saturday was another grey day, we had rain again overnight, I popped to sit with Will and George whilst Molly went to a birthday party, Will told me about his recent school trip, a couple of days away, he missed home at bedtime but enjoyed the rest. Daughter has had more alarms added to her house, alerts on the front door and Georges bedroom window, George is very quick to escape if he can, he can now already master the dead lock previously fitted to her door. There are flood alerts under the sinks in each of the bathrooms, he has a fascination with water and has flooded the family bathroom a few times.

Later we went out for a meal with daughter to celebrate our 40 year anniversary and her recent birthday, we ate at a local Thai restaurant, it was our first time, daughter had been before, we caught the bus in and taxi home, we were back just before 10pm.

We needed to tidy our spare room, and empty the wardrobe space, we have a visitor later this week, it is good to sort inside the wardrobe as it had become a dumping ground for bits, they have now found homes or will be sent to charity shop. I did put the new Christmas tree together to ensure it was all OK, it's now packed into the attic.

It's really good to see everyone's post on my feed again, the side bar on my blog is not updating, I can live with that, plenty of catching up to do.

Parcels arriving

In theory I should not need anymore more spring bulbs, the packs on the left I purchased a few weeks ago, on the right are more recent. I was looking for paperwhite daffodils, these are similar, I intend to plant in hope they flower inside around Christmas  time.

My big order from Farmer Gracy has arrived, it's too early to plant them, most will go into pots by early November, the tulips late November, if everything grows I should have a brilliant display in the spring.

These are bulbs which I popped into pots, they bloomed well in the spring, I hope they all come back next year.

This also arrived, I know it's September, but it was on sale almost half price, and those who follow me know I love a bargain. Our old tree is 12 years old and the branches are wobbly. This one is just 5 foot tall, we have purchased a small table for it to stand on. Photo taken from website.

I have been supporting daughter after the disappearance of Noah Woods and his death, George is at runner and can run fast, many times we have chased him, these days I can't take George out on my own, he can be faster than me. The horrendous comments towards the family by ill informed people, daughter has been upset, the parents are going through enough with out negative comments. Through the years nasty people have made unwanted comments regarding our George on daughters social media, her friends and others family with disabled children have supported her every time, we can only hope Noahs family are getting the support they will need.

Friday we took to express bus into Portsmouth, down to the waters edge at Gunwharf Quays, its a outlet shopping area, with plenty of places to eat. We were looking for a good cutlery set, we found a couple designs we liked, sadly the store only had sets of 4 items, knife, fork, desert and tea spoon, we require smaller knives and forks as well. We popped in a few shops, I need to replace my everyday coat, I saw nothing I liked. Most of the shops are brands we do not support, many very overpriced, sadly M&S outlet was closed for a refurb. We did not stop for lunch catching an earlier bus home, we spent nothing, even the bus journey was free.

As autumn arrives

It's time to collect conkers, there is a huge Horse chestnut tree in our park, we picked up a handful, leaving loads for the local children, I love the colour and shine on these, here in a bowl in the kitchen

The second lower branch has been removed from our acer, hopefully it will fill out again, I can then keep it trimmed and not have to cut it back harsh, we want the growth just over the slate area. It will require more delicate trimming to reach a decent shape.

These daisies are back in full bloom, I just adore them, both my snowberry plants have died back, I will rethink the back section of this bed, I would like some height along the back.

We popped to B&Q for some cyclamen plants, I also got a pack of reduced violas as well, I have planted most of them into various pots.

Sadly along the back fence it looks as if my pyracanths has died, the begonia in the huge pot is blooming.

One of my snowberry plants had one green branch, so I have cut all the deadwood off and planted in one of my growbags, all I can do is give it a chance to revive itself. I have also potted up two daisies from my birdbath dish, would be nice to have them next spring as well.

We have ate carrots, potatoes and runner beans a few times, and mixed lettuce leaves, tomatoes and cucumber most days, the veg garden has come to life. Oh we get a handful of raspberries every other day.

It's been a grey dull week, with low cloud and not too much rain, we have not gone out much, most of our spare time is reading, I have picked up my knitting and cross stitching. I do need to sort the last couple of months in my 2025 blog book before November.

For once we have no projects to do, normally at this time of year we have one task, everything is up together inside and out. I have done one big online purchase, which should arrive in due course, we had been chatting and decided we required a replacement, purchased now because it was in a September sale.

Weekend

Back in Weston-Super-Mare, a second young woman has jumped to her death, are they linked, what's going on, a good plot, following another young woman and the police, will DCI Louise Blackwell be able to workout if its suicide or murder. Book 69 read this year.

 I did not notice many changes in style with this collaboration, 3 young children are missing, time is the factor here, chasing every lead, DCI Pat Lennon and his team are searching for them. I enjoyed this book, I'm not a huge fan of 'police DCI' books. Book 70 read this year.

Friday we met with daughter, children were all at school, we often meet at Dunelm, they have a nice café, time for coffee, cake and a chat. Next door is a huge B&M, we wonder around picking up bits which are cheaper, Christmas has arrived, isles full of stuff, I could not resist this little light up tree, I have loved this style for years. Both hubby and daughter rolled their eyes at my purchase.  

Saturday was our local artisan market, hubby and I walked around, it has grown in size this year and was busy, I picked up two pieces of cotton fabric, I do love these cats, just £2 for both. Not needed, but wanted. There were loads of stalls selling lovely edible treats, we still have items we brought back from Wales. 

Later on Saturday we drove to daughters, we ordered a huge Chinese meal, Will loves so many of the dishes, Molly and George both love the chicken balls, rice and chips, it was enjoyable start to daughters birthday. All three children eat well at the table, I do love a family meal, we chatted for ages, even George sat for longer than normal. Daughter turned 44 on Sunday, how quick the years fly by. 

Sunday was a day at home, I did housework, hubby did the ironing, we had already done some bits in the garden, I have cut the red acer again, it should regrow next year. I picked runner beans and tomatoes, the cucumber plant is going over, hubby cut back the blackberries, one side had died off. I've moved my cider pot, it's in a central position now, the gap by the raspberry bed I have left clear, I can see through to my pond now.

I am feeling better after my tumble, I can carefully kneel on my left knee, it's much better, my right ear is still sore, but not so swollen, it's no fun getting older.

Sun worshipers

I have always loved succulents, this bowl was created last year, I've done nothing with it this year.

These are scattered along by the side bed, again I have left them to grow.

This plant has loads of babies and lives in my greenhouse, these haworthia cooperi are beautiful whilst small, the leaves swell and look almost transparent. I have reduced my plants in the greenhouse,  quite a few started to look ropey. 

The hedgehog house was too big for the space behind my big pot, hubby asked if we could put it under the acer, it fits here and looks good, hubby added a waterproof cover for the roof. I put some violets by the side of the ramp.

The season has shifted toward autumn, I will move the succulents into the greenhouse, they don't mind the rain, all are on feet so the pots can drain, they will survive the cold as well, I just prefer to relocate them to a drier spot.  

On a completely different note, our tree surgeon, Sam called in the week, we have been chasing him for an invoice for his recent work, he has agreed he will return in the future and cutback both our Magnolia tree and the front boundary, he says we won't be beaten by our horrible neighbour, he can pop his camera in his lorry and record himself doing any work out the front. I am so relieved, it's not a task hubby and I can do easily anymore, I really expected him not to return. 

Winter accommodation

I have been looking at hedgehog houses for our regular visitor, hubby said I can make that, and he did, using marine ply, so it's completely weatherproof. 

He put a hinged roof on so we can clean it, it has two chambers and a tunnel, all designed to keep predators out. It would have been cheaper to purchase one, I'm really pleased, as is hubby, we have placed it behind the big pot with my olive tree in, a spot the hedgehog often sniffs around. Inside for bedding we put barley hay.

My pond is looking good, the water is much clearer, I can see the tiny cyclamen are growing in the front. The grasses have looked good, this area is pleasing, I have not done anything to rectify the front corner being lower than it should, it does not effect the pond, just I can see more of the container. 

The garden is looking past its best, the recent rain has brought plants back to life, I can see a few have died and some needs cutting right back, the veg beds are still giving.

I have few plans for the winter months, I do have broad beans to go in, probably late November, most of the veg space will be empty, I have leaves to cover the soil, which should rot down and feed the soil.

Blogger is again playing up, I can now comment on your post, for a while I could not upload photo's, again that has been sorted. The final issue is still unresolved, my list of your post has not updated for a couple of days, before that some post were missing, now everything is stuck. 

25 years ago we were in rural Spain, as the news unfolded of the fate of the twin towers, we found a TV with BBC news and sat stunned, our daughter was home with the cats, she phoned us many times in tears. The flight home a few days later was very subdued. 

After the issues in Portsmouth from last Sunday, where the RNIL landed 120 people off a boat in the Channel, our local Facebook pages are scattered with ugly comments, there is going to be a rally this coming Sunday, the man behind the rally recently in Dover, lives locally, its doesn't feel a nice place to be at the moment. I do agree we have allowed too many people to stay who arrive illegally, who mainly appear to be young males, but, is this the way forward.