Back in Harness
This week I have had a message from a reader near Bristol (Nailsea to be
precise). My goodness, I didn’t believe that my little column would
become so famous and widely read. Mrs C. Clarke writes to say how much
she enjoys reading about us Paulet-Halts on the Basinga Extra website.
Whilst she is not intending to enter any village shows at present, she
nevertheless has sent me word of a cautionary tale from her neck of the
woods. Apparently, there has been an article in her local paper about
a poor lady who always wins first prize with her hanging baskets at their
local village show. This year, somebody has come in the dead of night
and cut all the heads off her flowers and then rang her anonymously to say
“well you won’t be winning this year will you?”
How awful. I sent Spencer outside immediately to check the security
around the Manor as show day draws near. I have also been in touch
with our local beat bobby to ensure that regular patrols are in place.
It did give me a thought about collecting some carrot flies and letting them
loose around Jeff Owen’s garden, but that would be really mean wouldn’t it?
We Paulet-Halts like to win things fair and square in any case.
Nevertheless I might see if we can borrow our neighbour’s German Shepherd
dog “Blu” for the next 2 weeks to patrol the outer perimeter of the Manor.
Sunday 26th August
The garden and the produce in the greenhouses has coped quite well with us
being away in Cornwall. The only casualty seems to have been the cucumbers.
I am not sure quite what has happened but whereas I had 5 cucumbers when we
left for Cornwall, now I only have one. The staff have excelled
themselves- I shall have to remember their Christmas bonus this year.
Now that I am back, I have been busy going round selecting possible exhibits
for the show. I will not put my entry in until the last moment to
ensure that I enter as many classes as possible. I shall be going
round to Mr Steve Layland in Priory Gardens with my form on Wednesday 5th in
the evening.
Monday 27th August
Selected and dug up my onions for the show. Leaving them to dry out on
the ground. Cut the potato foliage down. Got Violet Elizabeth
making the finishing touches to her entries that can be made in advance.
Marcus and Spencer have now been able to print off their photos of a flower,
although there was a slight delay in this because Spencer had forgotten to
get a new colour cartridge for the printer. Marcus had over 100 photos to
trawl through as he took so many on holiday in Cornwall. Mind you, we
seemed to spend all our time looking around gardens in the rain. We
went to Eden, Heligan, St Michael’s Mount, Llanhydrock to name but a few.
Tuesday 28th August
Spent the afternoon assessing which plants in the herbaceous border might be
good enough for incorporation into the flower arranging classes and making a
list of what other things I will need to buy. Have a look at my
photos- what do you think?
Wednesday 29th August
Made a shopping list for next weeks mammoth baking exercise. I intend to enter most of the baking classes, so will need to stock up on flour, eggs sugar and the like.
Thursday 30th August
This week has been quite exciting (notwithstanding all the washing and ironing I have had to give the staff to do after our holidays), as today is my birthday. Regular readers will know that I have been waiting for this to hopefully get some presents that will help me with my show entries. As usual Spencer has surpassed himself this year by providing me with a copy of the RHS Horticultural Show Handbook, which is even signed by the President of the RHS no less. He has also thoughtfully ordered me some seed potatoes and onion sets for next years show and a long handled pruner to reach the fruit trees in the orchard.
Friday 31st August
Labelled up all my jam, jelly, lemon curd etc ready for the show. I have put them in one of those folding crates in the cupboard under the stairs ready to transport to the Village Hall next week. Made Marcus push the trolley round Tescos this afternoon. I almost cleared the shelves of eggs, sugar and flour-no change there then, I hear you say! I also took Violet Elizabeth with me to eye up any possibilities for the fruit and vegetable monster. All Tescos stuff seems to be of a regular shape and size- no knobbly vegetables there! Instead we came home and Violet Elizabeth started her garden in a seed tray. She has some novel ideas for this year’s entry, so we shall have to see whether they come off.
Saturday 1st September
Well, the show is nearly upon us, and it will soon be the end of my regular weekly column here on the Basinga Extra Website. Next week I shall be reporting on the progress with my baking, and ensuring that my plants are in tip top condition ready for the 9th.
Remember - Only 1 week to go before the show!