Rock'n Roll


 It's been a hot day here again and Mrs Trellis dropped off some flowers early, a congratulatory bunch for staying in the village. I washed bedding and throws and blankets and cushion covers and hung them on the field gate and fencing to dry and with a new bunch of flowers in the house, I opened all of the windows and cleaned the place from top to bottom
Even the heavy bedthrow that is almost too bulky to carry when damp was dry in half an hour, so all of the dog bedding got a wash, before I went for a haircut and a brief shop to buy a black funeral jumper from Marks.

Mandy from next door strapped for a chat across the garden wall and we watched the butterflies on the buddliea for a while. I counted 62 on just the giant bush that overlooks the back door
We all shared the remains of a chicken for tea, and even Albert got his share and the frozen peas were wrapped in a tea towel again and placed under Winnie as she tried to cool down on the patio concrete.

Tonight I'm reading Women Beyond The Wire by Lavinia Warner,
The windows are all still wide open as the cottage tries manfully to cool down and it's nearly nine pm
I can hear music floating over the Churchyard from the old Rectory


For Rachel....see



71 comments:

  1. Looks nice and cosy John. Your cottage sets the flowers off beautifully. Enjoy the book xx

    ReplyDelete
  2. You have to wash big stuff a lot. Do your dogs smell?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Winnie does ..as most old ladies do

      Delete
    2. In fact you are always cleaning. You must be filthy. I note you cleaned from top to bottom again.

      Delete
    3. I like to be squeaky clean, don't you?

      Delete
    4. Did you do the washing up this time? Last time you forgot.

      Delete
    5. Me? yes. My fanny is clean. The house is presentable.

      Delete
    6. Yes, it's always the last job on the list.
      I like to wipe my sink with windowlene as a final flourish

      Delete
    7. Photograph will be added as proof

      Delete
    8. Last time you photographed it with dirty washing up stuffed in the sink.

      Delete
    9. I was keeping it for a washing frenzy finale

      Delete
    10. I see. You don't't dry up and put it away then. You need to vacuum under the woodburner.

      Delete
    11. Haven't you got a draining board in the Belfast wonderland?

      Delete
    12. I don't hoover the soot and ash, it will bugger up me dyeing,
      And in true Alan Bennett, northern Britain style
      I " side" the pots

      Delete
    13. No, I just have the two sinks! The extra one is a godsend

      Delete
    14. I deleted because it came out in wrong place. I don't understand the ash comment. It needs vacuuming. Please delete the other deleted comment for me

      Delete
    15. Side the pots? That's probably why Chris left you.

      Delete
    16. Do you scrub the step every morning?

      Delete
    17. Once a week
      I' haven't got a net curtain to soak, not that I've got a new kitchen window

      Delete
    18. You might grow old there.

      Delete
    19. I doubt I'll grow old anywhere

      Delete
    20. With old women bringing you flowers and old farts reading your blog.

      Delete
    21. Perhaps , perhaps not....where will you grow old?

      Delete
    22. Here. In my farmhouse with a few cats. I have finished with people.

      Delete
    23. Never finish with people rachel, there's always a nice friend around the corner

      Delete
    24. I can't speak of that here but, yes, I have met some new friends who I wish I had met a long time ago. But I have cast off a few people who have let me down. But I feel better for it.

      Delete
  3. Music from the Old Rectory A Hot August Night?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Mrs Trellis is so kind-hearted! Are they the flowers she brought you in the vase on the mantelpiece? Or are they they the ones in the window? They are magnificent!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The window, the ones on the mantelpiece are from another friend

      Delete
  5. in pets at home I saw a cooling jacket for dogs that is like a harness. They were on offer. Love the picture of your chair with the throw. looks super inviting

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was a gift from a friend and is super comfy

      Delete
  6. How come your washing machine will do so many loads in one day? Mine (supposedly super efficient) takes hours to do one load. And was Mandy really strapped across the garden wall, or is that a saying I've never heard?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I haven't washed anything in three weeks

      Delete
  7. Have I missed something here? A bunch of flowers 'for staying in the village' - does that mean you are able to stay? I do so hope this is the case John - you are so important to everyone and the village is so important to you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad you're staying, it's your home environment.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous11:13 pm

      I was wondering, too. Great news! I'm happy it all worked out for you. Carol in Philadelphia.

      Delete
    3. Brilliant news!

      Delete
  8. There's been a bit of a theme going on John with vaginas and bushes. Are you on the change?

    ReplyDelete
  9. YOUR home...YOUR refuge...YOUR sanity.

    ReplyDelete
  10. John, you've come into your OWN. Every major change in my life generated a new haircut & a cleaning splurge. Fresh flowers, fresh linens, fresh start.
    We're so happy for you and your furry family, John.

    ReplyDelete
  11. A nice clean start ! So very happy for you.
    parsnip

    ReplyDelete
  12. It feels so right that you have things settled and are staying. No more unknowns in that area must be nice.

    ReplyDelete
  13. That's lovely news to hear you're staying put! A bunch of flowers is a sweet gesture of Mrs Trellis...62 butterflies is a lot to count when you're having a back fence chat!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Well, dear John, I've missed a few days, but took the time to catch up. I am so pleased, for both of you.

    ReplyDelete
  15. What a relief that you have the final word on being able to stay in your beautiful cottage, It must be a huge weight off your shoulders.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I love this.
    I love the tone of your post, the pictures, everything.


    XoXo

    ReplyDelete
  17. I've been following your blog for years now and I don't think I have ever commented before, I just enjoy. It has helped me through some difficult times and so I just wanted to say how happy I am for you and your little menagerie. It feels like your just reward for being a such decent, self-aware and caring human being.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I'm so glad you get to stay in your Beloved Cottage and Wonderful Community! It sounds Idyllic, I miss living in a Community like that and a lovely Old Historic Home.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous3:26 am

    Another ordinary, beautiful day in Trelawnyd. Love how you bring us there with your words and pictures. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Your sitting room reminds me of my own. Very different, of course, but it demonstrates a very healthy attitude to life.

    ReplyDelete
  21. And it’s all yours...

    LX

    ReplyDelete
  22. A fresh start for you John.
    I bought Raffie a cooling mat from Amazon, does the job... I might get myself one !

    ReplyDelete
  23. Now all you have to do is pay the mortgage. Glory be to your blog and your followers; may they gallop in the fields of buttercups and daisies.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's going to be a struggle Rachel , thank you for reminding me

      And despite the gentle sarcasm I hope we ALL are able to gallop in a field full of buttercups......it's a nice place to be


      Delete
    2. Your blog needs me from time to time.

      Delete
  24. So happy things have turned a corner for you John. Love your cottage and you have so many kind neighbours. Nothing like a "good drying day" to raise the spirits. Good luck for your new job. Xxx

    ReplyDelete
  25. Thrilled beyond believe that you are staying in the village! Poor Winnie...the heat is tough on plump girls :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. Your cottage looks warm and inviting John nothing like a good spruce up and airing with the windows open like a new lease on life.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Can't find time to read today's post - too busy jumping for joy at the fact that youu are staying put.

    ReplyDelete
  28. I am so happy you get to stay in this gorgeous home and in a village filled with friendship and love.

    ReplyDelete
  29. What joy to hear you are staying in your home and the village. It seems so right, I am glad it is happening.

    ReplyDelete
  30. All that work in the heat! You're a better man than I (and that's not the first time I've said that).

    ReplyDelete

I love all comments Except abusive ones from arseholes