I have an issue with an aster.  It's in my garden and it really shouldn't be.  I mean I know it's my fault.  I brought the thing.  In fact I bought two, on impulse, at the local B&Q a couple of years ago. 

Read More...

Hedges frustrate me.  The trouble is I'm not a patient soul.  I want everything NOW or better still a week last Thursday.  Hedges, unfortunately, don't fit with this sort of timescale.  Unless you are prepared to take out a second mortgage for some pre-grown sections, you are left with only two options

Read More...

The main difference in moving from two to three kids is you lose the ability - if you'll forgive the football analogy - of man-to-man marking.  However this weekend makes that sound easy.  I have my niece and nephew staying and MM isn't even here to help.  It will be as though Stevenage Borough were playing Manchester United with 10 men and a host of injuries

Read More...

I used to be really good at birthday presents for my other half.  I would give it months of thought, scour shops, even commission special items to be made.  For example, there was the original Super 8 Russian movie camera and projector, George Best Wedding Present mug (well, he loved it...) and even the custom built oak chest for storing his vinyl collection.  Impressive huh

Read More...

So what do Sportacus, ladybirds, Dora the Explorer and dinosaurs have in common?  Well, in this house at least, they are all considered fitting subjects for commercial wellie decoration.

I'm not sure when exactly it was considered strangely eccentric to just have plain old rubber boots but there was definitely a tipping point.  I can't even pretend I'm immune as I now garden in a fetching pair of pink spotted wellies

Read More...

I've had many an occasion to be thankful my neighbour's a plumber.  He connected up the washing machine the day we moved in, saved the pre-school from flooding with the timely intervention of some scary looking rods and even rehung the shower door after it fell on me (I did make sure I was both conscious and dressed first). 

Read More...

One day, when Ava turned her nose up at something on her plate, I sagely said "Well you might grow to like it.  Tastes change." 

Read More...