You say tomato...

I say tomato. But whichever way round it is I have finally had to resign myself to the fact that my carefully nurtured crop of cherry tomatoes are going to ripen when I'm away on holiday. Darn!

So as well as finalising my travel arrangements, worrying about whether the BAA strike will leave me stranded at the end of my holiday (oh, please!) and trying to get organised enough to pack, I now also need to work out who to leave my tomato plant with.

I'm also battling to finish my big sister's birthday present before I go so I can post it off in the hope that it hits the right month if not the right day. With Royal Mail and Canada Post on my side, I'm not confident tho! Sorry big sis.

Nothing for it but to make another cup of coffee, sit in the sun and write a list. That will help!

Here's how my garden grows!

I promised to keep you posted on my backyard garden is coming on this year, so here it is.

As you can see, my new roses are starting to flower already and it's all starting to settle in nicely.

Let's hope I can persuade someone to water it while I'm away next week so that it still looks as good when I get back.

Mission accomplished

Tubs are now all planted up and looking promising. I finished them off this evening but did most of them late last night, finishing up at 11pm. Oh, the joys of summer evenings!

Watch this space for photos of the garden over the summer as it grows.

What I should have been doing...

...with my day off, was planting the things I bought yesterday at the garden centre. What I did instead was go walking.

And very nice it was too. A good 7 hour hike over 4 munros, at the same time doubling my tally to date! Much easier than my last walking adventure.

Pics here.

Last preparations

On the home strait now for getting the flat ready for the arrival of my long awaited visitors! Beds all changed, shopping all (nearly) done and just the last bits of cleaning still to do.

The cat is asking whether she should leave home. I've told her that as long as she stops shedding fur she's free to stay. She is packing her suitcase as we speak.

But seriously I'm so excited. Only one more night and then they're here.

Oh, and ifyou think the duvet cover in this picture is looking a bit, well melted, yes, the colours did run. I now have a pair of pretty pink pants too - not to mention pink socks, dishtowels and pillow cases. Grrr!

Oh ye of little faith

A quick pic just to prove to my sister that the weather is actually ok here in Scotland.

It's 7 pm and I'm sitting outside on my steps, in my shorts and enjoying the sunshine.

Unfortunately it means you have to see my pale and interesting legs to prove the point, but sometimes pursuit of the truth must push such inconveniences aside!

And while we're doing entrances ...

Here's a pic of my front door.
(and those dustbins again!!)

Guided tour is now pretty much complete.

My back yard

For those of you who haven't seen it yet, today's blog is a quick picture of my back yard.

Taken from the kitchen window in between rain showers and featuring my bargain table and chair set. Also visible are some of my new pots, planted up today in the rain and looking very pretty. I'm slowly disguising the concrete!

Also just visible is the hedge I tried to trim last weekend. Unfortunately as those who know me will realise, I was too short to trim the top properly and now it just looks like it's had a run in with a bad barber! Short back and sides but a bit straggly still on top!

Wild harvest

Sitting out in the back yard today and I realised that the strawberries are ripening fast.

I've already had the first three in a fruit salad. It looks like I'll be having strawberries and cream for pudding before too long.

Sadly I don't think they will last another 2 weeks until big sis and the wee one get here. All the more for me then!

My new garden

Ok maybe not as big or green as the last one, but definitely more manageable!

Please excuse the rubbish bins sneaking in to the top of the pic. It's a bit difficult to get the shot without them. Unless of course I moved them and I didn't think of that!

The flowers just looked so pretty when I got in tonight that I thought a blog was called for. Hope you enjoy.

Cat meets new garden

Today was the first day since my move that I've felt brave enough to let the girl out into the back yard.

And so far she seems quite happy.

Cat gate working ok so far too!