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.