Pamela

I’ve had to refill the bird feeders. I was trying to sit in the sun with a peaceful coffee and was practically deafened by indignant squeaking and chirping because the feeders were empty. Bloody wildlife.

It doesn’t shine on my head, just wakes me up too damn early!

It sounds as if AppleAI is introducing its version of Microsoft’s wretched paper clip, so every time we go to write a message there’ll be some bloody pop-up trying to interfere. Sometimes I hate technology.

The Tory move on NI is quite canny. NI was introduced as a means of paying for the NHS, pensions, and benefits. Get rid of it, and a government can argue that no-one has paid for any of those things, so no-one is entitled to them. #GE

A bedroom with a large east-facing window is a mixed blessing if one likes sleeping with the curtains open. Dawn seems to be getting earlier and earlier.Can't think why... #morningcoffee

I have ordered. My mouth is already watering. :)

I think Labour muttered something very quietly about regulating that right a bit. I’m not sure what could be done, though.

The thing I’d like them all to stop saying is: “Let me be absolutely clear…” (usually said before they go on to trot out some huge lie).

I have a ravioli cutter, used once, a butter press, an olive destoner, a butter curler too, all three used lots of times, but the kitchen utensil with only one use that is absolutely vital is… the corkscrew. 😂

The gardener has done a lot of strimming, and some mowing, for me, which is a great relief. And the blackbirds and robins will be happy with the short turf. #Phew

Of all the kitchen gadgets one never knew even existed, and would never use anyway, the Butter Wheel must be at the top of the list. www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07M6ZVKJ...

Sat outside briefly, well muffled up against the quite high cold wind, to enquire of the clematis in the container whether it ever intends to open any of its blooms, of which it has had a lot in bud for the last fortnight, and watch the family of blue tits mobbing the bird feeder.

Awoke in a panic, thinking I'd forgotten to put the mower away yesterday. Now having a restorative #morningcoffee because, of course, I had stored it.

Shiny #morningcoffee

What have the Tories cocked up today? Insulted the late Queen? Threatened to arrest anyone who says they'll vote Labour? Sold off the NHS to Sunak's wife? Given all five-year-olds a free house provided they promise to sweep chimneys for a living?

Nice car. Shame about the driver.

It’s at this time of year that I always feel the garden is getting away from me. And this year, with not mowing for various reasons, it seems to be reverting to the wild even more than usual, despite best efforts.

Try Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candida...

Cool verging on quite chilly. 😣

Overnight drizzle. Good for containers; not so good for plants struggling against slug and snail damage. Slightly gloomy #morningcoffee

Good heavens, I'm in the top 20 and one temporary place above @basdriver.bsky.social. I am filled with confidence!

After the wet, and not very cold, winter and spring, the slugs and snails are having a ball.

Something is eating my clematisses. Not rabbits this time: probably snails. Gardening is troublesome.

I feel like old Mr Grace on Are You Being Served: It’s all going terribly well. #GE #Tories

Oh lordy, I have no idea. I’ve looked at the weather, the cost of living, the price of petrol, the Brexit dividend, thrown the bones, read the runes, prayed to the God of Sausages for guidance, consulted the Oracle, and am still baffled. Four, please. #SausageLeague

No, it’s a medieval Dennis the Menace.

Rosamundi @rosamundi.bsky.social

That is the Moog from Willo the Wisp.

3 days ago

Bunnies, squirrels, rats, carrion crows, jackdaws, magpies, buzzards, jays, and ravens. I’m actually surprised that I have any garden left and that there’s any other wildlife around.

So who in Sunak’s private office has a huge bet on againt the Tories in the #GE? Because even Sunak couldn’t be that tin-eared and stupid, could he?

Oh, I've found that as well. It is extremely irritating.

The area of blue sky has spread, so I took coffee outside, annoying both the woodpecker and the squirrel in the process of sitting near the bird feeder.

We're back to grey coolness with an occasional glimpse of blue sky. So, slightly mournful #morningcoffee

I've had mice in the attic: at one point they chewed through the wiring for the battery which takes power from the solar panels. But there's so much food in the garden that the rats don't seem to bother getting in. they're happy in the outbuildings, I think.

Does anyone remember the song Stagger Lee? Because I’ve just had large gin and am re-enacting it. 🍸

And in other depressing news, I now have two rats in the garden.

And we wonder why the climate crisis is accelerating. What with this, the Russians in Ukraine, and Israel bombing Palestine to oblivion, humankind is doomed if we don't stop this madness. What is the point of recycling plastic cups with all this going on?

The Washington Post @washingtonpost.com

SpaceX’s Starship, the world’s most powerful rocket, lifted off on its fourth test flight Thursday morning in another key milestone that is being closely watched by NASA, which intends to use the vehicle to land astronauts on the moon.

SpaceX launches uncrewed Starship in mission closely watched by NASA

NASA is paying close attention to the development of Starship, placing the rocket at the center of the space its flagship moon campaign, known as the Artemis program.

www.washingtonpost.com

4 days ago

I took my second #morningcoffee out with me to sit in the sunshine for a while, and watch and listen to the birds. But now a big grey cloud is spreading from the west.

Devon is far too far away for the media to venture to get opinions. Besides, we all have mummerset accents and no-one would understand what we said. And we're rural, so who cares what we thinnk?

Damp overnight, which is good, because I remembered while drinking the first #morningcoffee that I forgot to water the hanging basket yesterday.

Good heavens, I'm not at all surprised. My late husband had trouble with knees after shinning up and down ladders in HM ships.

Working out how one caused an injury of any sort is often difficult: I did something to my left shoulder about two weeks ago; wrenched, or pulled a muscle somehow. No idea how. It's taking ages and a lot of consciously trying not to use that arm for lifting heavy things to begin to stop going Ow.

Pillow.

No, of course, I don't condone throwing things at people. But. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. And breathe. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

Photograph: Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty Images.

#Gardening. Oof.

That is the first time I have gone to look for my glasses and realised I am wearing them. #Senilitybeckons

If you see this repost with something green from your gallery

The Aga is to be serviced today, so it is shut off. #morningcoffee made with an electric kettle does not taste the same.

Copper rings round plants definitely help, so copper tape should. Have just bought a reel to tape around pots.

What's Clacton done to have Farage inflicted on it?