tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29358963058375602592024-03-05T06:45:44.279+00:00Books and ClaySpud Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02523069007894697903noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2935896305837560259.post-74378408211706158472021-03-19T20:36:00.004+00:002021-03-19T20:43:56.953+00:00Seahorse Number 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">Decided to try another seahorse but using 4 ply wool instead of cotton. It was much nicer to work and being multicoloured gives it a lovely blend of colour with beads for the eyes. It's currently en route to Australia.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div></div>Spud Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02523069007894697903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2935896305837560259.post-81045555976297229552021-03-15T21:50:00.001+00:002021-03-15T21:50:08.721+00:00Scarf (but not a proper one)The one advantage of moving house is you find things you had forgotten about or filed away out of sight. I came across a book of modern crocheted scarves and decided to make one though unfortunately for me, my aunt declared it wasn't a "proper" scarf due to the abundance of gaps and it's failure to keep you warm! Made with four ply yarn and mostly chains, it was a nice pattern once the first row had been worked and blocking it finished it nicely.<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><div>I'm missing my allotment so much I suppose it was only a matter of time before I crocheted some vegetables! I made these to practice crocheting amigurumi which I need to perfect before I start making Claude the octopus. I also need to practice getting the amount of stuffing right. Stalks and leaves were fiddely but they turned out ok. Only other colour of wool I have is bright pink so who knows what will be next!</div>Spud Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02523069007894697903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2935896305837560259.post-2429650721204440752020-07-10T08:20:00.000+01:002020-07-10T08:20:05.457+01:00Cup cover to keep out pesky bugs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4eElpycL-KLbQS0wXsXO_gyfvSM-KeaSpzgEU4IPKnz6eX5_s4S1c4aI4eGR0sKqIkgB3vSZdThdwuFIdMa2L-h88acWeCNcc5CAEiKYS_kuEy__eJ-qh_6MUqC671c0fSbP_AzKNFPM/s1600/1593864344259170-0.png" width="400">
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</div><div>Have to say I'm chuffed with this. Pattern is my own using stitches and knowledge picked up from projects I've done. Sourcing beads during lockdown was problematic but these work well enough with it. Discovered I quite like working with cotton, rarely splits unlike wool and stitches are more obvious. Guessing I'll be in debt to DMC for a long time. š</div>Spud Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02523069007894697903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2935896305837560259.post-6291356210919548172020-07-04T13:14:00.001+01:002020-07-04T13:14:04.771+01:00Seahorse, the first of many to come<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzbae5jitCQjfBit7eHqR_sfUwLdBOxVjJjExoDqjCdJRnJrIqXGpc9rCsLVixlZ7AcDUT0P-nKLRUIScbmcOaek4aGa9PC9Tv_oBm2vjDSRxrvmKJO_jpf3EeX5NnrHShTpqJqIvd9QE/s1600/1593864843789298-0.png" width="400">
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</div><div>This is my first attempt at amigurumi. It was part of a kit from Aldi so the yarn isn't the best splitting easily. The pattern had the head sewn in the middle which is wrong for seahorses. Next time, I'll use a smaller hook as the stitches aren't close enough and more stuffing in the neck area. Not bad for a first attempt though. š</div>Spud Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02523069007894697903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2935896305837560259.post-39145695480137350912020-07-04T13:02:00.001+01:002020-07-04T13:02:04.360+01:00Quirky jug cover<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIvt1OVG3047ME9AD1lIJNVcjUQVgSawgm-h-Ii9F90YkFOXoNly5Dl0Vur6oIOY1B8ummIxhUloBFhd9vvk2dSOQ63UoGqAHJ222hlamTXFw9oF3DfTJLxchhPVKt1HXhENRwueR3FGc/s1600/1593864122644381-0.png" width="400">
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</div>Came across this jug cover which was fairly straightforward to make. Making the jug itself was a first for me and I think next time, I'll add the handle on separately as it's a little off centre even though it's where the pattern said to put it. Photo was taken before it's been blocked.Spud Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02523069007894697903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2935896305837560259.post-39954840892114787252020-07-04T12:41:00.000+01:002020-07-04T12:43:23.100+01:00What to give as a gift during lockdown?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY8g4gGkVTUWUNw0NZ7SIwjWNZhKQnedeSWtXt3PCNfpuzh91Lbq4QeTFRVr5wtGetWkTcZNcy-tWNvoHfjOdj43q_ywBK0ZoPCPYcTbwGYwT_Ixo2GcrRSNB5znnJ2vWuhKQEEW-Qpgc/s1600/1593862663196516-1.png" width="400" />
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</div><p style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><font face="arial">With shops shut and deliveries taking days and weeks, gifts were a bit of a problem. A bit of searching and experimenting lead to me crocheting mug cosies. Both of these are a little different in the pattern. Sourcing buttons involved a two week hunt and I have enough buttons to last a very long time!</font></span></p>Spud Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02523069007894697903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2935896305837560259.post-75603270076587205032020-07-04T12:20:00.005+01:002020-07-04T12:42:36.110+01:00Flowers and more flowers <font face="arial"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYPs_-r5HlvBeGTlimpOeHZqFjJpIjDynCVe-5LGfS-bV-Xb6lud7xWoF0IXJwi_4x5sbD8INr8OWt_k0grr3bsWQIVA_jh_GRunWjn5Tv68xzKAzPaTbcFrqcHET-Td0yzl9SNrw03Ww/s1728/Daisy+Petals.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1728" data-original-width="1705" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYPs_-r5HlvBeGTlimpOeHZqFjJpIjDynCVe-5LGfS-bV-Xb6lud7xWoF0IXJwi_4x5sbD8INr8OWt_k0grr3bsWQIVA_jh_GRunWjn5Tv68xzKAzPaTbcFrqcHET-Td0yzl9SNrw03Ww/s320/Daisy+Petals.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Having moved 500 miles south just a few weeks before the Covid-19 lock down started, I found myself with not much to do after work since the majority of my stuff is in storage. So after ordering a new crochet hook with interchangeable hooks and a few balls of cotton, I started crocheting again. So first up are flowers. I'm missing my allotment quite a lot so started making these flowers with a view to creating a flower picture. These daisies and petals are the practice pieces. I have only four colours to use for this project at the moment - red, green, white and yellow - all DMC Petra 5.</div></font>Spud Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02523069007894697903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2935896305837560259.post-43589211395774540102014-05-09T23:11:00.001+01:002014-05-09T23:14:25.896+01:00Oyster Mushrooms<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Mushrooms - I love them so when I stumbled across a "grow your own" kit
from the Espresso Mushroom Company last autumn I thought I would give it a try. We are a nation of coffee drinkers
with over 70 million cups of coffee
drunk every day in the UK apparently so instead of discarding the grounds, they are
recycled and used to grow mushrooms. Coffee grounds are collected from
cafes around Brighton on a specially adapted bike diverting them from
landfill. During their growth, mushrooms break down the coffee waste
and averts
greenhouse gas emissions that occurs when untreated coffee grounds
biodegrade. They are natureās recyclers! Each Kitchen Garden contains
coffee from 100 espressos and after they've finished growing, you are
left with some lovely mushroom-enriched soil enhancer compost.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So
how did it go? Well, I only actually got to eat two at a time on average in the end! The
first cycle died, the second produced two very large ones that died
overnight (I was planning on having them for breakfast) and the third
cycle produced the ones below but they were
well worth the long wait. They do grow remarkably quickly so much so I had rearrange my windowsill around them and they
are a beautiful colour. There are only supposed to be two or three
cycles but kit number one seems keen to try and keep going as mushroom number nine is currently growing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I
bought a second kit and I had loads of mushrooms the first time round
(they're not fully grown in the photo). It's just finished the second
batch and I'm hoping that a third will come. </span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I would really
recommend giving this a go. It is ideal for all ages, a fun way to
recycle and very easy; all you need to do is spray them twice a day,
watch and wait. I should also point out that I do not like coffee, in
fact I hate it, but do not worry, the mushrooms do not taste of
coffee! They are available from <a href="http://espressomushroom.co.uk/" target="_blank">http://espressomushroom.co.uk/</a><span style="color: #0000ee;"> </span>and <a href="http://www.ethicalsuperstore.com/" target="_blank">http://www.ethicalsuperstore.com/</a></span> </div>
Spud Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02523069007894697903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2935896305837560259.post-49486828500153678672014-05-09T22:35:00.004+01:002014-05-09T23:14:58.012+01:00Things are beginning to grow again on the plot...<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Spring is finally here, I hope anyway! The last week or so has been warm, well in double figures anyway which is an improvement. The overwintering onions and garlic are beginning to swell now which is great as I was worried that four months of gales and rain may have killed them. I've had to redig some of the areas that were dug in winter due to the thistles coming through (amongst other things) from the plot next to me. It's not been worked since I've been there and I'm finding I'm having to redig the same bit every weekend so I reckon these areas will remain bare for another year. The bulbs put on a bonny show:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, I do have some potatoes coming through, not the earlies strangely enough but at least something is growing! I've planted some more onions and shallots as I didn't have enough last year so if the overwintering ones survive, I shall be sorted for the winter. Believe it or not, the kale was still growing when I dug them up and the tallest one stood about 5ft high. They all flowered and were beautiful. I had hoped to plant some this year, albeit a lot less than I had last year, but the bed they are due to go into is one of the thistle-plagued beds so it's looking doubtful at the moment. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last year in the sales, I bought a cold frame and finally got it dug in last weekend. I'm pretty chuffed with it especially as I spent ages trying to make it as level as I could. I have grown some things from seed this year with mixed results so those that survived are now hardening off. The bed of parsley in the background spend most of last year under the fleece and stands knee-high. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saw this visitor at the plot tonight - </span><br />
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Spud Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02523069007894697903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2935896305837560259.post-87489583782362053072014-03-23T18:03:00.004+00:002014-03-23T18:11:09.077+00:00Seashorses<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I started woodcarving classes in October 2012 with a view of doing something different and I find it very therapeutic albeit there are times I'm not able to do much as I still have wrist problems and find it difficult to hold the tools. I decided to carve a seahorse and the tutor decided it should be two seahorses with seashells. Unfortunately, Mike (the tutor) died last February but Arthur stepped in and took the class over so the carving is finally finished. The classes run between October and March each year and below are some photos showing it at different stages.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The wood used is lime which is nice and soft to carve. Seahorse number one (top left) was mainly carved by Mike and I was working on the top right seashell when he died:</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKNQ7GacCB988nWcUG41akxoKHBiKgDaqTBmOjt6W8XfARkRZp2PASmnbjtwbHST6ljpXCgeUZLvlq3kXNNqN14uBd1k1A5DKgJbdfQfmAkHK1LZ21iFjHmcZduhLFZHXg75YUXdD22h4/s1600/Camera+Phone+061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Seahorse number two is away to be carved </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and have some scales - he lost some soon after</span>!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last week, the carving was oiled with lemon oil and was taken off the MDF backing board - this is the before and after:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It wasn't until a couple of weeks ago that I noticed that seahorse number one has a definite grumpy look about him!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span>Spud Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02523069007894697903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2935896305837560259.post-49684185266804443912014-03-23T17:20:00.003+00:002014-03-23T18:10:37.409+00:00So what's been happening?<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In order to try and make it easier to post more often, I downloaded the Blogger app to my phone but because I have the account linked to other email provider other than gmail, my phone refuses to recognise my account! So for now, apologies for the lack of updates, I'll just have to try and log into the PC more often. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have been quite busy recently with work and various groups I'm part of through Church. I'm currently the Presbytery Elder for our Church and that frequently clashes with Rotary. I sit on the Ministries and Appriasal Committee and through it, I have visited some other Churches/Kirk Sessions recently which has been interesting. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The bathroom is finally finished. I had the vinyl laid in January and what a difference it's made. I didn't realise you could hate a room so much. The next room on the list is the bedroom though after the trauma of the bathroom walls, I might have to bite the bullet and get someone to do it for me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After the constant weeks of rain we've had, I've finally managed to get back on the plot last weekend to do a little digging. I'm officially at war with an army of thistles so spent time digging some up. I'm recovering from a back injury which isn't helping either! A friend gave me some "funky veg seeds" for my birthday so I've several pots of tomatoes, purple brussel sprouts and some flowers on a windowsill to see if they'll come to anything.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The kale has survived the winter really well, so much so they stand waist-high and need supporting. This kale grew through the support in the space of a week:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before the "winter of constant rain" started, I managed to get some onions and garlic in the ground in time. The garlic is in the front of the picture below and both seem to be doing ok though I'm a little worried that the onions may have suffered. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also managed to plant some bulbs in time and have a bonny display of narcissi and soon-to-be tulips which is great. In the next few weeks, I'll need to start re-potting my cacti as they are beginning to suffer being in smaller pots. That will be a fun job...! </span>Spud Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02523069007894697903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2935896305837560259.post-32133206216328939692013-09-15T16:04:00.003+01:002013-09-15T16:15:31.432+01:00Theatre and Blossoms<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I saw <a href="http://rockyhorror.co.uk/">The Rocky Horror Picture Show</a> in Aberdeen a couple of days ago.</span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was an excellent performance and the first time I seen it on stage after I kept on missing previous tours. No, I did not dress up as I spent the day wandering around Aberdeen and would have raised a few eyebrows (and been a bit chilly!) but others did in a variety of costumes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Over the last week or so, I've noticed that the cactus below has begun to flower and it has four buds growing with another three looking possible so (drum roll) here is The Little Shop of Horrors plant: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Quite a mouthful to say but I cannot think of a more apt name for it! I am really pleased with it, I certainly didn't expect four buds to appear so fingers crossed they all blossom.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Plot update</u>: I'm waiting for the weather to improve before digging up the remaining potatoes. Something (a slug I suspect) is munching their way through my courgettes so I'm not too impressed particularly as I've not had a "glut" of them! </span>Spud Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02523069007894697903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2935896305837560259.post-2964403460229520422013-09-04T20:12:00.003+01:002013-09-04T20:16:36.771+01:00Harvest Time!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While I've been digging up the odd potato and onion, I've now harvested all the onions and around half of the potatoes:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The yellow things are courgettes. Courgette Number One has produced three so far and Courgette Number Two has produced one (some have been eaten by something). Not quite the glut I was expecting but still lovely. Next year, I'll have to grow more onions as these will be lucky to see me into November!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">There's no way at the moment that I can eat all the food that the plot can produce so I'm going to grow flowers and have started my herb garden. I picked up a couple of roses for a good price:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Strawberries are finally in. After a few days of heavy rain, I spent the morning digging a patch for them and they're doing quite well (they're in the front of the photo):</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On another note, I'm on holiday at the moment and have decided to finally bite the bullet and paint the bathroom. It should have been done a couple of months ago but I had to find someone to fill in the holes in the wall and the novelty wore off after that! It's going ok, the colour is nice though I'd take anything but the gastly green that was on before! Hopefully I'll get it finished tomorrow particulary as the wrist seized up hence the shorter blog post.</span>Spud Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02523069007894697903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2935896305837560259.post-58873339623753721672013-08-13T22:36:00.000+01:002013-08-13T22:40:24.386+01:00Resurrection<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Proof that Mother Nature bounces back. This is Courgette Number One which I thought had died but no, it has at least thirteen courgettes appearing (you can see a couple of the flowers and a few tiny yellow courgettes).</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4hMDg39eQDpI7OHD0LMfUy-rmkiv-i0Vn6i77A9HC_JnIymsivMu7QNtFgRvTpOFZ-bBaza2al2u5L545h_zvaMRjFv4bRCZ_DQvg02U_Jd16C4engTSLABsNq32vHf9GxYsaw43wkjE/s1600/DSC_0077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4hMDg39eQDpI7OHD0LMfUy-rmkiv-i0Vn6i77A9HC_JnIymsivMu7QNtFgRvTpOFZ-bBaza2al2u5L545h_zvaMRjFv4bRCZ_DQvg02U_Jd16C4engTSLABsNq32vHf9GxYsaw43wkjE/s320/DSC_0077.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hopefully Courgette Number Two will bounce back too after being battered by torrential rain as I have a recipe for chocolate and courgette cake that I am desperate to make....!</span>Spud Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02523069007894697903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2935896305837560259.post-24793109940434606122013-08-05T21:07:00.001+01:002013-09-15T16:07:38.398+01:00Blossoms<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">A couple of Saturdays ago, I went up a couple of hills near Auchterhouse. This photo is taken from the top of Craigowl and looks over to Dundee (you can just about see the two bridges). It was hot especially coming back down when the heat hit in waves but the views were worth it:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The sunny spell we're having is also having a great effect on the cacti. This is one of the newer ones that's only had a couple of flowers over the last couple of years so I'm well chuffed. :)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyrL3wQyi8vBX45qEdEbVqZGFmu_tqYbt09scM7iWhhNdLPTs4n2ZMdQZyhFP04SswhabfqBdweMEerGardQwbMp4Shn6otPovBhoqhyixX8xkPGIiVvv6aokAzFnY4T_fJRRBbWiwYok/s1600/DSC_0076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyrL3wQyi8vBX45qEdEbVqZGFmu_tqYbt09scM7iWhhNdLPTs4n2ZMdQZyhFP04SswhabfqBdweMEerGardQwbMp4Shn6otPovBhoqhyixX8xkPGIiVvv6aokAzFnY4T_fJRRBbWiwYok/s320/DSC_0076.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm hoping that this one below will repeat it's fantastic show of flowers from last year. It reminds me of the Little Shop of Horrors plant.... </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiftKmnWhitrRzi4qB9dQRbIwIwh7Tm9Zb8CV4Z7ye2gFVXB4KRHrEVZkWAMvHMmJjlyzdupchGuSB2xhY8-x5mPQfG-AhSnamYMVtxORBiptDF5ipYPJLoSYU0uhKzIRN6Gdpyyk7m1QE/s1600/DSC_0005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiftKmnWhitrRzi4qB9dQRbIwIwh7Tm9Zb8CV4Z7ye2gFVXB4KRHrEVZkWAMvHMmJjlyzdupchGuSB2xhY8-x5mPQfG-AhSnamYMVtxORBiptDF5ipYPJLoSYU0uhKzIRN6Gdpyyk7m1QE/s320/DSC_0005.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
Spud Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02523069007894697903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2935896305837560259.post-65572249018231738152013-08-05T20:41:00.000+01:002014-03-23T18:11:24.164+00:00Harvest Time!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love kale but I must admit I'm having trouble keeping up with eating the stuff! All three are kale plus some parsley. :)</span><br />
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Kale, chives, peas and courgettes (the yellow ones). I doubt I'll get anymore courgettes as they were battered by heavy rain:
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So the digging continues....</div>
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ļ»æ</div>
</span><br />Spud Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02523069007894697903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2935896305837560259.post-77394223412093434492013-08-05T20:30:00.000+01:002013-08-05T21:16:53.850+01:00The Plot<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was the condition of the plot when I got the keys (well, except the one to into it!). I then started the "race against time" to get the better half planted up.</span><br />
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A fellow plot holder gave me some unwanted seed potatoes so they, along with some onions, are planted below. The leeks were replanted from elsewhere and died soon after.
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The current state of the plot - about 3/4 of the plot has been dug only thanks to the rain as the ground is rock solid. Bring on the rain! The kale are under the fleece and green protector which I was given from another plot holder who is sadly giving his up this year. He also gave me parsley, lots of it, plus some strawberry plants for next year.
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</span><br />Spud Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02523069007894697903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2935896305837560259.post-52630124360723428392013-06-22T23:16:00.002+01:002013-08-05T20:31:32.164+01:00<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's 18 months since I last posted so I obviously broke that New Year's resolution! Of course, in that time, Blogger has changed and moved some of the settings etc so I'm trying to figure out where things are.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Life has been a bit hectic since my last post plus the PC slowly died (again) but it's now up and running. It always seems to die at the most inconvenient time e.g. trying to order a bathroom suite!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So quick update on life in the last 18 months:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I originally created this blog to show many of my weird and wonderful pottery creations. I stopped pottery about four years ago as I had other commitments that clashed and when I could return, I discovered that the classes ceased. </span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Hopefully, I can take it up in the future if it returns.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Thanks to a wrist problem, I haven't crocheted for at least a year. I actually miss it especially during the winter months as that's when I tend to do most of the work. I'm hoping to start again soon especially as a friend's child is now a year old and waiting for her gift! Photos and progress updates will appear though I'll have to see how the wrist copes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Last Autumn, I started woodcarving classes in Forfar and although I can only carve for around an hour (due to the wrist), I am making slow progress on two seahorses and seashells. Sadly our tutor died suddenly so I'm waiting to hear if another tutor will take on the class. I hope so as I've seahorse number two to complete! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As well as being in Rotary, I am also our Church's Presbytery Elder which means Tuesdays are filled with one or the other. I sit on the Ministries group which deals with vacancies, minister training etc. It's quite interesting and I work a few doors away from where we meet which is really handy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm currently working on doing up the bathroom. The suite is in thankfully since the old one had pretty much packed in but I've got five holes in the walls and ceilings to figure out how to fill (they're big ones) and how to get the remaining ancient paint off the ceiling/walls and sealed before painting as I can't grip the scraper now. A previous owner was bad at DIY which is a nightmare as nothing is straightforward to do. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just as I'd started the "bathroom project", I was offered an allotment. I had been on the list for a few years so it came out of the blue. I went to see the plots on offer and chose one that had a shed that looked ok and very little weeds. Half the plot has now been dug and planted and the other half needs to be cleared. Given that the soil is rock hard, it's going to take a while particularly as the wrist limits what I can do. Things are beginning to grow though I'm not known for being green-fingered so what this space and pray. Pictures of the plot will follow. For those who don't know what an allotment is, <a href="http://www.allotment-garden.org/allotment/allotment-history-first-allotment.php">this link</a> gives some background on them. I have a Council-run one who supply water, cut the grass, maintain the boundary fence and poisioned the weeds for me. Apart from that, that's all they do whereas some association-run ones sell seeds, compost etc and regulary make inspections of your plot.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">So that's life so far, it's much better to be busy than bored!</span></div>
Spud Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02523069007894697903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2935896305837560259.post-20181635919600558722012-01-24T21:14:00.006+00:002012-01-24T22:13:55.787+00:00Happy New Year!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-1IAEhnVCTPFV2A9hE-2TCcHDvK-VTiIzCL68G48SoiBras7b3Op_eGv-zbe0MeqN_yXcgpV_CQfY7Iu1gFcKkFv-vXAMohJdKG9mKg_5H5I7lUpUunKtmGh-3_tl5QKokYBj9Ja-do/s1600/PC010123.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-1IAEhnVCTPFV2A9hE-2TCcHDvK-VTiIzCL68G48SoiBras7b3Op_eGv-zbe0MeqN_yXcgpV_CQfY7Iu1gFcKkFv-vXAMohJdKG9mKg_5H5I7lUpUunKtmGh-3_tl5QKokYBj9Ja-do/s320/PC010123.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701322895270555794" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Well, my resolution for this year obviously has to be to update the blog at least more than once a year! I'm suffering at the moment with tenosynovitis in my wrist so I'll be updating it bit by bit as typing is difficult, as is writing, reading, cleaning, cooking, washing the car etc or basically anything the wrist objects to doing really. Driving isn't too bad though cycling is out as I can't brake let alone hold the handle. It's quite annoying as the weather's been ok for cycling too. I'm waiting to start physiotherapy in 3 weeks time though.<br /><br />I decided to replace my car in the autumn as the foam gasket leaked (more like gushed really) which meant the floor of the car was constantly soaking particulary after any amount of rain. The garage did try to sort it but some water was still getting through so thought I'd better bite the bullet and get a new one. I've got a brand new Corsa which had to be built as there were none left in stock so it's built to the 2012 specification instead of 2011. It meant waiting a couple of months and praying the weather held and luckily I picked it up the day before the first major frost arrived. Just as well, I would have had to de-ice the inside as well as the outside of the old one!<br /><br />Never had a brand new car before, the Corsa I replaced was a year old when I got it but bizarrely it worked out cheaper to get a new one once all the discounts had been applied. The last one did really well in snow, floods, parking etc so that and the fact that the bike had to fit in it were my only criteria. It's very red, has a/c since there's no sunroof, is slightly larger than the last one (6 inches), has heated wing mirrors but handles very well though it's still being run in. I tried going up a brae in 5th gear as I usually did but nope, 3rd gear and that was flooring it! It's much happier now thankfully and certainly moves when you need it. It's better on the fuel as well - I've certainly noticed it's not guzzling as much which is great since I'm now skint as replacing the car wasn't on the list for 2011! I also had to replace the washer/dryer since it died in the summer and of course, mine's integrated into the kitchen which means extra costs of course. I'm praying the 2012 has no big outgoings and nothing else decides to die on me :)<br /></div>Spud Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02523069007894697903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2935896305837560259.post-17115789510822325472011-03-06T14:40:00.004+00:002011-03-06T15:11:17.274+00:00UpdateOops, hadn't realised I hadn't updated this since August!! So in a nutshell......<br /><br />I'm still at College though I've got my HNC in Computing. I needed to do another 3 modules to be able to go on and do the HND in the future. Block (term) 3 starts this week and I've only 1 module to do which is building a network - quite looking forward to that.<br /><br />I've also been to another 2 author events. <a href="http://www.stuartmacbride.com/">Stuart MacBride</a> writes a crime series set in Aberdeen featuring DS Logan McRae and manages to combine some humour with the gory descriptions. He was really good, chatted for ages and had a good banter going with the audience. The other author was Alexander MacGregor who is a Dundee author. Funny thing was he turned up at the Rotary Club a couple of weeks after! So, another 2 signatures in my autograph book.<br /><br />I'm still cycling though I stopped during the winter. I had intended trying to cycling through winter but gave up with all the snow and ice we had. I dug the bike out a couple of weeks ago and managed to get out for a long run yesterday. Reckoned we cycled around 15 miles which was good.<br /><br />I went down to London in September and stayed with family. First time I'd ever been on a sleeper and would certainly do it again. Gained a couple days by travelling overnight which was even better. By the time I'd left, I was quite jealous of their transport system. Folk were complaining that the trains weren't running more often - they were every 4 or 5 mins! Up here, the bus to Dundee is every hour and a train is on average every 30 mins.<br /><br />I went to both the Natural History and British Museums, the Phantom of the Opera, walked alot but didn't go on the cycle tour. I also visited areas outwith London too. All in all, it was really good and I had a great time. Problem now is - where to go this year?!<br /><br />So, I'm still trying to keep up with my reading (not doing well with that) and I've just finished another blanket for a friend who's living in Belgium. Photo will appear shortly once I've taken the picture. I was in the wool shop yesterday and noticed there's a knitting club running so I thought I'd give it a shot and see what it's like. I can't knit well - for some reason I increase the number of stitches on each row!Spud Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02523069007894697903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2935896305837560259.post-4659354080862748342010-08-23T21:45:00.004+01:002010-08-23T22:00:14.694+01:00Author EventI heard <a href="http://www.brookmyre.co.uk/">Christopher Brookmyre</a> speak tonight - very entertaining guy, had us all in stitches. I've been listening to "Pandemonium" on CD though I'm only half way through it and it's very funny. The first disk had me worried to begin with - I thought the CDs were in the wrong box as I couldn't figure what on earth the story was about! Words we used at school like "boufin" and "barkit" came flooding back (no idea if that's how to spell them!). I got my autograph book signed as well as buying "Be my Enemy".<br /><br />I got the autography book as a present about 6 years ago and it's fairly filling up with author signatures. When I used to run children's reading groups and events, we'd have competitions to see how many and which authors had signed our books. I also decided a few years ago to only buy books that I either would read over and over again (something I rarely do) or if I got them signed by the author. This is mainly because my bookcase is severely sagging in the middle and I've nowhere else to put them! I also prefer to borrow books from the library as it's free. So now all I need to do is find time to read them all :))Spud Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02523069007894697903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2935896305837560259.post-75242825681584215342010-08-22T21:51:00.004+01:002010-08-22T22:06:13.614+01:00Holiday CountdownIām off to London for a week in September and Iām going by sleeper which I've been dying to do since I was a child. Because I'm going by sleeper it actually works out a longer stay as I gain two days by travelling overnight.<br /><br />Iām staying with my aunt and uncle and Iāve been trying to narrow down things to do. I looked on the <a href="http://www.nhm.ac.uk/">Visit London site</a> and within a couple of minutes found <a href="http://fattirebiketours.com/london/tours/royal-london-bike">cycle tours</a> ā fantastic idea! I vaguely remember taking an open top tour on a bus the last time I was down but the bikes sound more fun.<br /><br />Iāll either go to the <a href="http://www.britishmuseum.org/default.aspx">British Museum</a> or <a href="http://www.nhm.ac.uk/">Natural History Museum</a> (I keep swithering) and the London Eye is a must. Apart from that, Iām not sure what else Iāll be doing. I want to spend time with my aunt and uncle as well as pounding the pavements so Iāll probably just wait and see how the week pans out (especially the weather!).<br /><br />Before London though, I'm due to go to the Scottish mobilemeet in Kilmarnock on 11th September which will mean an early start especially if we take one of the library vans. We'd probably have to leave about 5am to get there! The mobilemeets are great fun though and I love seeing the other vans. Of course, it's under the guise of a conference but everyone goes for a nosey at all the vans!Spud Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02523069007894697903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2935896305837560259.post-31068069808164804762010-08-22T21:17:00.004+01:002010-08-22T21:51:03.940+01:00At long last.....Yikes, didn't realise it had been ages since I've updated the blog! This is my third attempt to try and update and no wonder it takes me forever as it doesnāt always save properly or thereās a problem with the editing and youāve to re-type everything!<br /><br />I really enjoyed the cycling course the Council ran in April and managed to change my inner tube with help from the tutor. I have 20" wheels which are harder to get the tyre off but much easier to get it back on! We cycled round Forfar mainly practising turns and roundabouts and I was surprised at the abuse we got from some drivers because we were cycling in pairs. Apparently, it's recommended that you cycle in pairs instead on one big line (there were nine of us) as it's much riskier for a driver to overtake and they could knock you off. Iāve also been cycling round Angus, up the Glens and even got more abuse when using a cycle path. Iāll stick to taking my chances with the traffic I think. I was on holiday for a couple weeks a month ago and reckoned I cycled around 60 miles over the fortnight. I even treated my bike to a thorough cleanup which took close to three hours (yes, it's true!) as I had to adjust the brakes. Even my car doesnāt get that much attention!<br /><br />I hosted a candle party thanks to Shona - she does the demo bit thankfully and I hosted another one with <a href="http://heritage.scotsman.com/heritage/Restoring-our-pride-The-Little.6390690.jp">Joe at his house</a> in June. He's staying in the National Trust for Scotland's Mud House at Logie which is lovely and a great setting for loads of candles burning. During study leave, I'd been itching to blitz the house (anything to avoid studying) but didn't. I did blitz it with an inch of its life for the candle party! The car still has stuff in it as I forgot to take half of the junk round to the dump - typical. My house now smells lovely ā currently got a chocolate mint one burning which doesnāt help if youāre craving chocolate!<br /><br />Well, my boss retired in April and I'm now doing his job and mine which makes life a bit hetic. I do more of his than mine though I'm hoping that things will settle down in about a year's time :) I've a massive backlog to get through have asked for training on Horizon (our library system). I quite like the system administration side (so far anyway) but I donāt have much time to concentrate on it having to do my own job as well. I hate to say it as well but last week I managed to buy some books for the first time since April. I seem to spend a lot of time doing pointless paperwork which is daft in this age of technology.Spud Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02523069007894697903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2935896305837560259.post-84892962260488128542010-04-06T16:32:00.004+01:002010-04-06T17:27:14.612+01:00UpdateIt's been ages since I've updated so now that I've got a week off, I've time to catch up on things and the blog is one of them. I've been quite busy with, well, everything really.<br /><br />First of all, work is going ok at the moment though I'm so far behind I doubt I'll ever catch up. Also, my boss is away to retire in a couple of weeks and I don't know if I'm taking over from him or not. No doubt I'll be told eventually but in the meantime he's handing over to me which means I'm constantly taking notes. The day-to-day stuff in the office is fine, it's managing the servers and interrogating the system that I'm more worried about. There are implications whether I move up or leave (I'm still job-hunting) as my post will cease to exist but I don't know what they plan to do about my responsibilities. Still, if I do get moved up, it's a good opportunity and more secure than some positions because it's system admin and IT departments in general won't carry out that type of work beyond making sure the servers are up and running.<br /><br />Of course, we were just about to start the handover when the Council announced the closure of our part-time libraries so that meant both of us have spent the last three weeks pouring over maps of Angus restructuring the mobile library routes to include the affected villages. Not much fun I can tell you though I'm quite attached to some of the places now!<br /><br />I've been quite busy at the weekends as well as both mum and I have been taking part in a Women's Spirituality Group. Our minister is working towards her Doctorate and this group is for her thesis. It was over 8 weeks, with 6 group sessions and I must say it was the best thing I've ever done and the first time for ages that I haven't grudged giving up a Sunday.<br /><br />We looked at different women from the Bible (some of whom I'd never heard of, not that I know it well anyway) and through various methods (dance, meditation, acting) we looked at their stories and talked about what they meant to us. We basically came to the conclusion that the Bible needs to be rewritten! I've always known that the Bible has to read in context with the time it was written but it's amazing how it still affects how we live today. For example, most people know the story of Adam and Eve but folk still assume that Eve is to blame for eating the apple. Well, Adam was standing there - why didn't he say something?! The Bible era was male dominated and we're still a male dominated society today but on a more equal footing thankfully. I could for on for ages but won't except to say that I didn't realise how different the various interpretations of the Bible are.<br /><br />College. Well, I got an "excellent" for the website I designed for my boss. It's still live at the moment (it's on the college server) so if you want to look at it click <a href="http://studentweb.angus.ac.uk/mini-projects/hc-comp/vicky_fraser/Yoga_Website/index.htm">here</a>. I think it'll only be up for another month or so but I'm quite pleased with it. When I started writing the report I was having problems with the pages collapsing when I tried to remove some of the images and the tutor couldn't understand why. So in the "what I would do next time" section I basically wrote something like "never again"! On the second edit though I'd decided I quite like website designing and would take it further if I could. I'd need much more patience I think. Part of the problem was that I didn't know Dreamweaver at all so something that was simple took ages to do. Of course, now I have to sit the exam this term - I'm going to study this week as it's mid-May which isn't far away. I haven't sat an exam since Uni. and it's not something I'd go out of my way to do either!<br /><br />Rotary is coming up to its busy period which is just typical. The new year starts in July which means the handbook needs to be ready in June. No idea where the time for that will come from! Anyway, I'm away to do a 4 week bike course through the Council in Forfar which basically shows you how to take care of your bike, ride it (I can do that bit!) and how to navigate the cycle paths. That's the bit I'm interested in as the Council have designed ours in the weirdest way possible. The path is on the opposite side of the road you'd be on normally - fine. But it then ends and doesn't tell you where to go! So you have to cross the road and cycle on the main road till you see the next sign and cross the road again onto the path! This is then repeated while you're trying to avoid traffic and potholes. So that starts this Thursday. I went out on the bike at the weekend in between the showers and gales and hopefully will get out this weekend as well. In June I'm taking part in a sponsored walk with the Rotary up some hill/mountain in Glen Dye. Hopefully both Kate and James will do it as well. Add to that a candle party, my spring weekends look like they'll be busy.<br /><br />Well, that's about it really. I'm giving the house some TLC this week, actually, this is the longest time I've seen it since Christmas, so it's certainly needed. I've a book to finish for the book group but it's on a waiting list so I've less than a week to read a 700 page book - no pressure then. It's <a href="http://library.angus.gov.uk/ipac20/ipac.jsp?session=G270A71208H50.861275&profile=ang--7&uri=link=3100006%7E%21513351%7E%213100001%7E%213100002&aspect=subtab183&menu=search&ri=2&source=%7E%21horizon&term=Wolf+Hall+%2F&index=ALLTITP">Wolf Hall</a> by Hilary Mantell. The car has taken a battering this winter. The windscreen has loads of these tiny little chips in it thanks to the grit and I'm sure another spring has gone thanks to the roads that are like Swiss cheese. I washed it a couple of weeks ago thoroughly (first time since the floods) instead of chucking a bucket of water over it and my neighbour had to jump start it! Must have been the shock of being clean but it was pointless in freezing temperatures. I think the coldest I drove in was -12 so I'll be glad when the summer arrives this year!Spud Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02523069007894697903noreply@blogger.com0