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Congratulations on growing an Almond tree from seed - particularly in England. I always thought that such tree needed a Mediterranean type of climate ?

Do you think this could be why it does not blossom?

Two years ago, after losing my husband, I had a strong nervous breakdown and the garden (and everything else) got neglected. When I started to feel a little better, I was faced with a forest of small cherry trees - A lot of the fruit that had fallen to the ground grew so well that when I attacked the job, I ended up by cutting 127 young trees ! Of course, the land had not seen a mower for so long!

If I didn't put a stop to it by uprooting them, I would have hundreds of young trees (poplars, maple, acaca Zumacs etc) growing everywhere and could open a garden centre! Nature is amazing !

Sorry to hear of your loss Pigale.
It has made me determined to appreciate mine a lot more. We are inclined to take each other for granted after 46 years.

The almond was grown from seeds brought back from Spain by a friend. It grew successfully around the Bristol area and I brought it with me in a pot when I moved down to Devon. I think it should flower in time but it gets too big and I have to prune it!
I envy you your large garden, but they can be a worry when you get older. I'm involved with several planting projects in my town so in a way I have an enormous garden!

Rossim, I do need help now; I simply cannot cope with it on my own, even if I can invest in a small 2nd hand 'sit-down motorized mower' , if you know what I mean - can't find the English name for it anywhere.

But it's not only the mowing, there are hedges to cut, trees to prune every now and then, and I do like some flowers ! So I have a local chap who gives me a hand at certain critical times of the year - april/may when the lawns start to grow like mad and for general clearing after winter high winds, and late October/november to rake and burn all the leaves and hibernate the garden.

I am going to make an arrangement with him by which he grows whatever he wants in the veg garden at the back of house, in exchange for keeping an eye more regularly on the rest of the place, This will also mean that the back part will be looked after as well, and he has a family to feed and no garden, so that should suit us both.

Good idea no?

Hello Pigale
I have been unable to communicate in a coherent manner after the debacle at Lords. What a pity. Still, there are three more Test matches to go so I have my fingers crossed.
Somebody must be feeling my pain as the cricket tea towel is on its way, so I don't have to wait until Christmas!

My husband was so upset he didnt even watch the highlights,I think they need to change the captain and to stop relying certain players which means they dont get a rest and younger players dont have the opportunity to prove themselves,but as you say there are more matches to come

Brilliant idea Pigale!
Only last week I suggested to a newly retired (young!) friend to see if there was anyone in his road that could offer him the same sort of arrangement. He wanted an allotment but there is a long waiting list.

My sympathy goes to you Kenyatta, as well as to all cricket lovers ! As you say, all is not lost if there are three more matches.

What about if they all were rained off ? that would mean a draw no? Or am I miles away from the truth?

Anyway, there is always something positive that comes out of most things I suppose, proof; your forthcoming tea towel.

I have received today the book 'And God created Cricket' by Simon Hughes; well, I thought it would be semi- serious semi-humorous, but it looks like solid reading, 302 pages hard back book in perfect condition though second hand, and it only cost me two euros!

I'll just type here the last few lines of the book:

" In the end, the true allure of cricket is the prime subscriber to the most famous sporting line ever written:
It's not who won or lost that matters, but how you placed the blame. "

Agree?

Good Evening, Rusty!
How are you? I hope you had a good weekend?
We've been very busy, cat -visiting! it takes about forty-five minutes each way to get to our daughter's, and then we've been spending a further two hours with the cat to keep him company! It's been a hectic time - but they came home from Brittany today , so all back to normal from now on!
They had a great time but somewhat unsettled weather .
Did you get the chance to watch that clip of Bahrami and partner playing the two Macs? Very amusing, wasn't it? and such clever and skilful tennis!
How are you enjoying the progression of the Tour? I think I'm beginning to grasp some of the essentials but it's certainly a complicated - and hazardous - sport, isn't it?!
How is Father Flanagan doing?

Hello Pigale
If it rained the series would be a draw – and very unsatisfactory! I think I’d prefer England to lose than for there to be no cricket – but I’ll have to think about that for a bit longer!
Simon Hughes is a good writer but sometimes ‘a bit too clever’. As you may have realised he has misquoted (intentionally) as the last bit of the quotation originally read ‘but how you played the game’.
I should like to think that the original still applies to cricket, as it does for rugby but not some other popular sports.
Mind you, when money becomes the prime motivator in anything it tends to alter people’s attitudes.

So after a very poor showing in the first test match the Aussies re-bounded.
I hope this means the English come out with "all guns blazing" and the test series will be worth watching.
It's more about the sportsmanship shown than who wins for me.