Another catch up.

After the family party....

We headed off to Italy with James and Grace and Grace's parents...

More photos here - https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B06532ODWvmJeZ

Then we had the Sheep Festival where we were showing model railway layouts in the Station Cafe - I put some of the removable parts of my layout in. 

So quite busy really. 

And now we are back to cutting the grass etc.

I used the new hopper system to collect the grass as it needs emptying less. It worked quite well for a prototype. 

Today was my birthday (hooray) and Kate bought me my first trainset! Well my first digitally controlled set anyway. This will need a computer to run it so will be a new layout, separate from the other one. 

In order to accommodate this new growing hobby I am changing the layout of the garage which involves moving the back wall.

Necesity is the mother of invention.

The other day I cut the long grass on the football field. The ride on mower does not like long grass and so I cut it and left it to dry. Today I tried to collect it it up but because it was lumpy it kept blocking the mower. So I have been inventing a throat that will throw the grass into the trailer. It seems to work better and not block if there is more air with the grass. So I have made the throat and next I will make a frame on the trailer to catch the grass and keep it all together - at the moment it misses the trailer unless the engine is at very low revs. I also need a deflector on the end of the throat. Good fun!

A car day.

I spent the morning at the garage with the car getting the wheels aligned and new tyres fitted and then spent this afternoon washing it!

But I did get time to finish the onions.

And even if I wasn't busy the bees certainly are.

Catch-up

We have been in Cumbria for ten days, with Jack and Immie. We saw Arthur, who is doing well but slower, and took him out several times - he has found that he enjoys being pushed round Garden Centres in a wheelchair. We did all the usual things with Immie and Jack and a lot of dog walking. 

Here are a few photos.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/101437269@N03/4U1t5H

I have been catching up on the grass cutting so here are some flowers instead. 

The scented border is doing well.

Some work on the layout.

More of the same.

Boys here for the morning. Trains. Lego. Swings. Tree climbing. And red tractor rides. 

Choosing the Team Williams go-cart colours.

Today we painted the go-cart. Silver and claret were chosen - as they were the only colours we had. 

Several walks - to wear them out!

Noah keeping his ears open for cars...

And a final late night walk ( 6.30 ) down to the bridge. 

(I was told they were onesies not pyjamas ) 

Bella and the boys are here.

Much train layout play.

But mainly making a go-cart for them. Using the old frame but shortened ( to fit in Bella's boot ) and now a two seater. Also different steering and a handbrake!

https://youtu.be/tIzpt_LVoTY

Finnlay had a turn as well. 

Tomorrow we paint it. 

One wedding and a funeral.

These arrived in the post today...

They are for the church on the layout. 

And this afternoon we went to a celebration of the life of a Friend from Brecon Meeting. He had been ill for several years so we did not really know him well. But we do now!

Moving day.

I have moved the layout back to the garage as there is more room there. 

And I have moved loads of seedlings from pots to the the rabbit-free bed. 

Plant rescue service.

When we visited Helen and Steve in their new home we were encouraged to take away a number of plants in pots and tubs because they know that they are not gardeners and the plants would shrivel and die very rapidly. Luckily we had an empty car and so a fine selection of trees and shrubs came back with us. Today I have been planting them out to let them recover and then I will move them next year. 

Six honeysuckles, two boxes, a Kilmarnock willow, a laurel and another thing that I haven't worked out yet. 

Three acers. 

Some climbers have been planted in the final places.

A clematis up the handrail. 

A jasmine to help hide the gas tank cover. 

An indoor day.

Indoors altering the larder to take a new tall fridge. 

Catch up.

After a very pleasant weekend in Aberaeron, which included a visit to a model railway show, we are back trying to play catch up with the garden. 

Aberaeron photos - https://flickr.com/photos/101437269@N03/sets/72157656783302220

The view from the lawn mower..

The onions are drying nicely..

And the pumpkins are growing well..

Today I have been in Swansea getting the VW Mot'd so had a walk round the docks.

My photographic eye was caught by this lovely colour composition...

Last night's sunset was spectacular.

I had a little pear tree.....

After a long weekend visiting Helen and Steve in their new house and attending the Baptism of Grandson Finnlay we are back home.

Only one pear on the new pear tree but the apples are doing better.

Time to lift the onions which have done well this year, both red and white. 

And some work on the layout while it rained. 

Frost in July!

This was the sight this morning..

Frost on the conservatory roof. Snow next I suppose.

Cutting grass day so here are some flowers..

And a fine crop of runner beans in the model garden.