Garden Update

Sunday, April 18 

 Our splendid tomato plants are now in their permanent home, the lean-to greenhouse. My aim always is to have them in situ before our annual Scottish trip as they are easier to water, and to care for. 

 

 The pots placed beside them direct the water straight to the roots.

 

I'm keeping the cucumber plants cossetted in the propogator at night, a little longer.

 

One is not encouraged to grow tomatoes and cues together as  the former inhibit the success of the latter. I've not found this to be a problem so will continue. The cues are planted out of direct sunlight, against the white painted back wall.

The alpine bed has dainty Narcissus bulbocodium, Hoop Petticoat, in bloom, a much increased group.

 

and this delightful white flower I bought from a rather good alpine plant nursery near Inverness.The marker has disappeared so I don't know its name.

 

The latest miniature tulip to flower forms a much smaller clump than last year, I must have removed some of the bulbs when I re-made that area of the bed last year. 

 

Watching Prince Phillip's funeral yesterday, I was captivated by the  Last Post etc beautifully played by the military brass bandsmen - although the instruments were silver. Dad played Euphonium in the Ystradgynlais Silver Band when they were in the top class with bands such as Foden Motors, Black Dyke Mills and Manchester CWS.  I sometimes accompanied him to rehearsals, sitting on the step beside him, reading a book. We once joined him on a trip to the Albert Hall for the annual National Championships. Manchester was another venue we attended. Most of the bands had Ystradgynlais old boys playing for them, lured by a better job out of the coal mine. One of the other conductors was a son of the Ystradgynlais band's leader.

All I remember about the London trip was seeing the Crazy Gang and Tommy Trinder at the Palladium (Aunt got the tickets),and being shown around the Kensington home of the then Speaker of the House of Commons. Dad's oldest sister, Aunt Ann, was his housekeeper. He had stuffed birds in cases lining the staircase. I remember a Tawny Owl.

Manchester was notable for going to watch a Doris Day movie - Move Over Darling - in a very plush cinema where an organ appeared from the floor to play a medley before the curtains opened. A real treat for a little Welsh girl.