pergola

Dave is not impressed with the pergola. (Actually I'm not, that's the whole point). It is a temporary one to give me some shade till I can find the time to make a proper one. Might as well get the honeysuckle to start growing up something! A friend of mine thinks I should grow Italian Squashes - huh! - fat chance of me achieving that.... The flowers in the garden are all easy to grow. Loads of herbs - they fascinate me and there are so many growing naturally around the farm as it used to belong to monks in the 13th-16th Centuries. It also fascinates me how strong they are. It is no secret that Dave has been extremely ill and certain herbs help him de-tox but I used to use half a leaf of Lovage in a stew - adds a lovely peppery taste. In the past girls used to stuff Lovage leaves under their armpits to stop BO. Just a small leaf brings Dave out in huge lumps and a high temperature... Talking of which - another difficult day for harps!!!! - YES - spare us a thought! High temp and high humidity - and a wooden instrument - this is the sort of day harps explode. Now you know why I have back-up harps!

weeding

I have tar on my knees, my hands and my feet! Came about with my new method of eradicating the nettles and docks from my garden. Dave bought a job lot of roofing felt on Ebay a year ago so I though I would use that under the flags to keep the weeds down. It is mega-thick with tar in the middle and in all this hot weather it has melted... It works a treat but gets everywhere!

On the harp front - I have had a couple of sell-out concerts and more and more people seem convinced that I am worth listening to and, that it really is different! It has taken such a long time to invent the harp, the technique, compose the tunes and learn how to make the harps. Looking back I don't think I would have started if I knew what a long job it was! There are 3 harps in construction - a long slow process - mostly waiting for glue to dry!

Well, am off back outside - just a six foot section of small wall to build and the walling is finished. Its too hot to plant anything so that will have to wait to the normal English summer comes back...(don't blame me!)