Thread 8 - TalkLair: “Brewing Russell's teapot”

[Kucinghitam]

Continuation of previous threads (thread 7).

The new lair of JTT escapees is all cosy and homey; we have truly settled here. Outside, the garden is blooming with spring flowers. Inside, the hearth is glowing, pictures are up on the walls, rugs are down on the floors (and assorted pets curled up on them).

We just won’t mention the gnawed bones of our prey over there in the corner of the cave…

We had a repeat of Saturday evening's weather last night, with two thunderstorms and torrential rain. It cooled things down nicely, but now I'll have to empty all the water from the trays where a bazillion hardy annuals are sitting before they're planted out.

kuc - hope the teen wars clear up soon. 14 is awful. My eldest at just under 14 ran off to Glastonbury with her mum's boyfriend of the time. Both the and her younger sib by a couple of years had some terrible moments. They bear some scars but are now responsible, loving mums with young scamps of their own. And love each other to bits, as they always have, of course. All of which is to say that most things pass, except Dylan Mulvany.

Smoke from the wildfires in Canada finally drifted over here last night. The window was open and I started to smell it so we've shut all the windows, which made it rather warm in the bedroom last night, only not in a good way. I hope it doesn't hang around long. My son and family in NJ have had bad haze and smog for a week or so.

I'm enjoying a peaceful teen-free day while they're at school. Sitting in the garden, enjoying the glorious weather. It's hot days like these that I really appreciate having a shady north-facing garden, I get to enjoy the warmth without the scorching.

Cat Burglar (as she has been dubbed by DTDs) came to say hello and to march confidently into the house through the open patio doors. I can see she's going to be a bit of a problem during these warm days.

There is no rain forecast here for the next two weeks. Not good for the garden.

We had a bit of rain on Saturday, so macman cut the grass yesterday (first time for 3 weeks) but it’s already looking a bit parched and brown in places. We’ve had a hosepipe ban for almost a month - the first one I’ve ever known here in lush green Devon, even in the drought of 2018 we were allowed hosepipes.

Still no rain here but it’s possible we’ll get some this afternoon. If not, I may have to do some watering even if only the pots.

I was in Newcastle between 10:30 and 11 today, my phone said it was 26° The computer is now saying that Whitley Bay is 25°, up from 23° 15 minutes ago. I'm quite glad that it's in the back and out of the sun.

Thunder now and 28°C but still no actual rain. Two of my weather apps claim it’s rainy though so maybe soon…

Well, it rained. For all of a minute. Hmmph.

That's what I'm getting, @artant. Weather app has been promising storms and rain between 1 and 4. We're now almost two thirds of the way through and not a sign of it. I suppose I could go and wring myself out over the garden.

I look forward to a bit of sunshine all year. The minute we get two sunny days in a row, people start complaining...

Sunshine is fabulous, oppressive heat and no rainfall less so. My weather app has just removed any reference to rain in my area. I feel betrayed!

Unsurprisingly, I love hot weather. But I am also concerned about drought and the effects on the environment and the water supply. Plus, many things in the UK aren't really set up for hot weather, e.g. public transport becomes especially horrible, workplaces can be really stuffy.

I love the Merlin bird song Id app. Today it picked up a treecreeper and long-tailed tits in the garden, both of which I've seen over the years but not so much lately. recommend

We have not a cloud in the sky, wife and daughter have gone to the beach, so I can finish making dinner without sundry mobile skittles closing drawers, getting underfoot, taking utensils and ingredients, asking me to make them a cup of tea etc.

It's boiled new potatoes, with sage and parsley, mixed salad with tomatoes, cucumber, radishes, celery, chick peas and maize, with olive oil and cider vinegar (no balsamic left...) sliced beetroot and soon to be baked salmon, with dill, paprika and parsley - to garnish with sliced lime, before cooking.

That sounds incredibly delicious @SinnerBoy!

That sounds so tempting @SinnerBoy . Have you ever thought of emigrating to the US? Maine is lovely this time of year.

That sounds delicious, Sinner, made me drool!

Looks like Weather may be on its way:

Oh, it's a pretty regular thing and not too time consuming. I've had quite a bit to do today, I was thinking of roast beef, but couldn't be arsed, in the end.

Doesn't reach where we are. Not sure whether that's good or bad - on the one hand, rain is very needed, but on the other, giant hailstones sound like a bad idea.

Yeah, 4cm hailstones would be a bit much, Kuc! There are distant rumbles here.

That sounds lovely sinner. The first stall selling Wexford new potatoes had appeared when I was in town on Saturday. I had some on Saturday and on Sunday, but may copy your menu later in the week. There were Wexford strawberries as well - I'll be having them after my dinner which will be flat mushrooms filled with Camembert, garlic, parsley, thyme, marjoram and lovage, topped with streaky bacon and baked. With a side salad - I'm still finishing the last lettuce I bought - the ones I planted a month ago are ready to eat, and some little ones went in at the weekend to keep the stock going. The mushrooms will be either delicious or vile.

Elderberry, I'm drooling again.

We're going to try the sausages we spent yesterday afternoon making, just to be sure they're alright. They should be as it's the usual recipe. I'm about to make a German-style potato salad to go with them. It has gherkins in, that I grew and pickled last year. Tomatoes and the first home grown cucumber may also be had.

I love warm sunshine and I’m not opposed to quite hot sunny days as long as it’s a dry heat but I’m not a fan of hot and humid weather and it’s definitely not ideal for my mum. Just being old is knackering enough for her.

Plus, I am quite lazy and a proper dollop of rain would save me dragging the hosepipe round the garden or carrying watering cans about.

I have a class on Zoom this evening, so I opted for easy dinner and hauled a quiche out of the freezer. I have salad too - not home grown though. And I have a nice ripe canteloupe and some strawberries for dessert, on which I may have some home-made lemon ice cream with a strawberry ripple through it.