It may be May Day for you but it’s Camellia Day for me!

It’s May Day: the day the fleece comes off my potted camellia. I’ve been hanging on and waiting for any last vestiges of Spring frosts to disappear before risking the fleece’s removal. I concede that my arrangement of the fleece is a little bizarre. It took two packets of clothes pegs and half a ball…… Continue reading It may be May Day for you but it’s Camellia Day for me!

I ❤💟80s Music!

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My teenage niece announced to her mum that the younger generation was reclaiming the 1980s. I suppose it’s the Bananarama revival hair and jeans. And the other day the BBC identified seven more 80s bands that writer Emma Saunders wished to see reunited. And I agree with her. The names! The memories! The music! Frankie…… Continue reading I ❤💟80s Music!

Cinnamon💟Nutmeg💛Turmeric???

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I like to sprinkle cinnamon on my porridge and occasionally a little nutmeg. But TURMERIC?? Yes, that’s what I said. A reader of my blueberries blogpost advised that she liked to stir a teaspoon of turmeric into her porridge. And she said the flavour of turmeric really enhances the blueberries. I sometimes add a little…… Continue reading Cinnamon💟Nutmeg💛Turmeric???

Who followed the money in Dept Q?

BBC4, the home of subtitled noir according to Andrew Collins in the Radio Times, has recently shown a trilogy of cold-case thrillers grouped together with the prefix Department Q. The films are based on the novels by Danish crime writer Jussi Adler-Olsen. Department Q is the unit worked by Detective Carl Morck and Detective Assad. It’s…… Continue reading Who followed the money in Dept Q?

‘Ne’er cast a clout till May be out’.

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My camellia is still swathed in sheets of fleece. I’m waiting for the early morning frosts to end. Last year I removed the fleece too soon and none of the buds flowered. The previous year I kept the camellia wrapped in fleece until the end of April and there was a profusion of blooms. I…… Continue reading ‘Ne’er cast a clout till May be out’.

Happy Birthday William Shakespeare!

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Historians believe Shakespeare was born on 23rd April in 1564. The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust explains why April 23rd is deemed to be Shakespeare’s birthday. The town of Stratford upon Avon, Shakespeare’s birthplace, has celebrated his birthday for over two hundred years on the nearest Saturday to 23rd April. Did Shakespeare have a birthday cake? Maybe…… Continue reading Happy Birthday William Shakespeare!

Blueberries: a great porridge topper and good for you too!

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Porridge is a great way to start the day especially with a healthy topper. Sometimes I include a drizzle of honey and occasionally a sprinkle of cinnamon. Today I added a few blueberries to my porridge and they were delicious. I know that a handful of blueberries make a great contribution to your 5-a-day. The NHS website…… Continue reading Blueberries: a great porridge topper and good for you too!