PEAR TREE LOG

pear tree log: I started this blog to keep my younger son, Jonny, in touch with life in Lincolnshire, while he spent a year working in China. That year turned into five! Now he is home and training to become a physics teacher. This is simply a patchwork quilt of some of the things I enjoy - life in rural Lincolnshire, our animals, friends, architecture, books, the gardens, and things of passing interest.



Monday 15 October 2012

Happy Families & Awaiting New Arrivals



This is for my sons, Tim and Jonny, both of whom have lamented my lack of posts.    

Sorry, boys.   Time is in short supply at the moment.   One reason being that I have been busy making things for the church craft sale next month, at South Thoresby, and I still have a way to go.   However, now that I know you really do still read my blog I will try to fit in a few posts to keep you in touch with life back home.  Love, Mum xx

Thank you to everyone for your lovely comments on previous posts, my apologies if I haven't answered your comment yet.

Whenever I take Toby out for a walk we call in to visit old Arnold,  give him a few treats and a bit of attention.    

The other day we had a stalker - Bennie.


Can you see her?   

It seems that Bennie and Arnold are well acquainted for she strolled up to him, through his legs and then sat down and had a wash.   Arnold bent his head to her and blew softly through his nose; Bennie calmly carried on washing, looking for all the world as though she belongs there.


Moments before, Arnold and Toby had been 'nose to nose' having a little exchange of old gentlemanly conversation - restrained,  dignified,  amiable.

I had a chat with the wonderful John.   He is keeping busy, despite having had a fall earlier in the week.   Luckily he doesn't seem to have done anything more than bruise himself.  Thank goodness.
I was admiring the Chinese Lanterns in his garden, their glorious orange and pumpkin colours are such a delightful sight on an autumnal day.
Chinese Lanterns (Physalis franchetii).jpg
I was privileged enough to be shown his greenhouse.
I was struck with tomato envy!
They are big and very prolific, great heavy clusters draped all around.
Despite his modesty, his vegetable garden was making a good show too.
Runner beans, carrots, beetroot, outdoor tomatoes, etc, etc.

John always has something to chat about, some helpful advice, or an interesting story.
Ninety-five years old and going strong.
A truly wonderful man.

Toby and I bade John farewell, left Bennie with Arnold, and continued our walk to the fishponds.       Some of you may remember that there were two families of geese raised together on the fish pond, earlier this year,  here they are - all grown up.

Toby sauntered over, acting for all the world as though he couldn't see them, he got pretty close and then whoosh, up they flew, over my head and back onto the pond.

All their care and caution seems to have paid dividends.
Now I am wondering, will they stay or will they go?

A bit further on I passed another family, I think they could be related to Triffids...



They were about eight feet tall and pretty large, I'm so pleased I took this quick photograph of them because they have been cut down now.






 I know I have shown you this family before, but they seem to be the most relaxed and contented group.
They won't be outdoors enjoying sunshine on their backs for much longer,
so I made the most of the opportunity to photograph them again.

On the homeward stretch we were met by Bennie sauntering along the road, her tail up in greeting.
I am going to have to run through the road safety code with that little cat.  

I had hoped to be able to bring you news of some new additions to our family,  they were due in September, but they haven't arrived, as yet.

We are expecting another little group of rescue hens.  
Poor little things will arrive 'ready plucked' and bewildered, but before too long they will feather up and then we'll gradually introduce them to the woodland and freedom to roam during the day.

Exciting times.

34 comments:

  1. I enjoyed the walk with you. Lucky hens. Paradise awaits them. Hugs, Deb

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    1. Hello Deb, We heard today that they will be with us within the next couple of weeks - they will have much more fun with us than they would have had being turned into chicken pie!

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  2. Hello Elaine....It seems my children feel the same way Tim and Jonny feel. They have encouraged me to continue writing. It seems they enjoy reading the blog. So, did you find out John's secret to large and prolific greenhouse tomatoes?

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    1. Hello Meggie, When I asked John his secret, he said that the only thing he does is plant them in good quality organic grow bags and feed them with regular tomato food...I guess he just has the knack. As he said, he has been growing things for most of his 95 years!

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  3. Ahhh hens, how I love animals :) Enjoyed meeting everyone :) x

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    1. Hello Cheryl, The last group of hens were real characters, I'm really looking forward to meeting this foursome and getting to know them. We have been promised them within the fortnight.

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  4. Tim and Jonny aren't the only ones who have missed you.
    Jane x

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    1. Hello Jane, You are very kind. I'm being pulled in all directions at the moment, I'm sure things will settle down soon...probably just as I slip into hibernation for the winter. ;)

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  5. Oh my goodness, those are great pictures :) I can't get enough of your landscape - it's so beautiful. Those rescue hens ~ oh my ~ poor things!

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    1. Hello Little Home in the Country, I'm looking forward to getting to know these new little hens; they have to learn to deal with the dog, the cats, and freedom. We'll work on it and gradually they will have their freedom and a great life. I'm delighted that you enjoy seeing our little corner of Lincolnshire!

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  6. Kids can be annoying that way--Kelly made me promise to keep blogging and even when I thought I couldn't do it anymore, Erin, my oldest daughter starting chiming in:-D I love taking walks with you and seeing the changes in the scenery. Our geese have left the lake and I miss the honking; alas the seasons are changing, XOXO

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    1. Hello Susan, I have to smile when I find myself being advised by my children - surely they were toddlers just a couple of years ago? I have a feeling our geese will leave soon - I worry about a duck who has spent all summer with them. When the geese fly around the field this poor little duck flies after them but has no chance of keeping up with them.xx

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  7. You have no idea how we miss the John and Arnold news bits. Strolls with Toby. The grandchildren. Scones. No idea at all....

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    1. Hello Joanne, You must come for tea and scones - but first I had better improve my baking skills! John is a really remarkable man, it always brightens my day when we have a chat - and I think Toby feels pretty much the same about Arnold! As I type this Harry is tucking into his tea and telling George about his day at school - my role is to provide the food!

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  8. Loved reading your blog, Elaine. I also clicked on the story of John. He's a 95 year old treasure.

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    1. Hello Molly, John is wonderful! He still works in the gardens, looks after Arnold, keeps bees, drives, plays bowls, enjoys a lemonade at the village pub and has a keen interest in world news and a particular interest in agricultural stories. On top of all that he has a brilliant sense of humour!

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  9. I love following you on your walks. I hope that all the preparations for the fete go smoothly. Jx

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    1. Hello Jan, I am knee deep in fabrics and patterns, trimmings and buttons, it is great fun! Definitely on par with a visit to a really good wool shop... I scoured the charity shops for woollen jumpers today - I failed to find any, but I did find a couple of scarves - they are going through the felting process as I speak.

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  10. Enjoyed your post as always. We had a friend (Jack) who was 96 when he died. He also kept bees - he made mead and told everyone to put their pyjamas on before drinking it as it made ones toes splay!!

    He was gardening to the end.

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    1. Hello Susan, Your friend Jack sounds as though he was cut of the same cloth as John! I haven't drunk mead for far too many years - I think the last time I had some was on a visit to Lindisfarne Island which is well known for mead. Time that was remedied!

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  11. Thanks for taking me on your walk and lifting my spirits.

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    1. Hello Scarlet, Toby and I are always happy to have your company. Join us any time!

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  12. Lovely walk and loved the photos. I hope "Mr. 95" with the Chinese Lanterns continues to be okay fom his fall . . .

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    1. Hello Lynne, I'm so glad you enjoyed it. John was fine when I saw him yesterday, thank goodness. He is a most remarkable man!

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  13. Those Triffids are Globe Artichokes... what a pity you didn't get to them before they flowered. Next year!

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    1. Hello Cro, Thank you, so that is what they are! I spotted them over the hedge of a remote property in another village - they were spectacular!

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  14. What a life! I look forward to your posts and miss you when you're not around. I'm grateful to Tim and Jonny for their laments. My mother would always have Chinese lanterns in a vase in the house, but I never saw them before they turned their shades of gray/brown. The orange shades are beautiful.

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    1. Hello Mitch, I was really surprised by Tim and Jonny, I really didn't think they would have noticed, but it is nice that they did. The trouble is that I really am busy at the moment, so posts will be sporadic as I do my stint as a needlewoman! PS Thank you.x

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  15. Replies
    1. Hello Pauline, Everyone is being so kind, I feel rather guilty now. It is that old problem again, not enough hours in the day to do all the things I enjoy, as well as the things I have to do. I may have to give up a couple of hours sleep! ;)

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  16. Hi Elaine, I was beginning to worry that you were sick or something. I'm so relieved to hear that everything is as it should be at the Applebee's farm! I hope your workload eases up soon so you have more time to relax.

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  17. Elaine
    I love your photos.... seemingly ordinary but oh so clear and descriptive
    the geese particulary caught my eye

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  18. What beautiful countryside where you live! I love seeing the geese! Happy Fall! I'm putting together a sisters blog list today so that I can keep up with your posts! Hugs!

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  19. I love the image of the bull peacefully resting.

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