Procrastination!

I was reading this blog the other day and there was word that I decided suited me to a tee.  I am a procrastinator but not in a negative way: I have been busy lately but there is nothing that would be worth a blog post on its own.

Since becoming a volunteer with Nenescape I have had the chance to do a variety of different projects and at the end of March I went to a conference organised by the Nene Valley Archaeological Trust  at Castor near Peterborough.  It was an excellent conference and so interesting and afterwards I had a look round their parish church dedicated to St Kyneburgha.

What I found interesting was that the graveyard had been fenced and there was a small flock of sheep and lambs in there keeping the grass down - what a good idea, but no good if you wanted to put flowers on a grave!

Inside I tried to take a photo of the ceiling and this is the best as I was almost lying on my back!

What wonderful angels!

If you read my blog (and I know some do as they ask me when it is going to be written!) you will remember that I recently did a 'litter pick' down the Greenway and we also planted new shrubs and there were some bigger trees planted.  Well the vandals did uproot some of the bigger trees and they were replanted, but cycling down there yesterday I was amazed to see these -

three different seats, that we were told were going to be installed but quite unusual in design.  There is carving on the back -

Click to get a better photo

and the third one -

Backless!

 but the trees round it are in blossom, so the vandals have been vanquished for the moment.

This cycle ride yesterday was part of my participation in a scheme called 'Beat the Street' that I got into by chance.  If you use Facebook, does something flash up and then you can't find it again.  Well that happened to me and annoyingly, I couldn't find it again but I did remember something about a cycle ride so I went on the off-chance and it was part of Beat the Street and I was hooked.  It is a Lottery funded scheme supported by the local council, to get people out and about, whether walking, running, cycling or scooting, but exercising.  A clever scheme because schools are participating and the more points they get, so they get prizes and if the children are out so will be the parents, grandparents etc.  I have a credit card and a map showing the 'Beat boxes'

fixed to lamp posts and if you can't find it ask any child you see nearby!  The first time I went out I met a 'lycra clad' young man (well he was about 30!) in a local village and we teamed up to find the other boxes.  As he had only lived in the area for three years I showed him a quick way home and in the course of conversation discovered he had a son at a local school so they are getting all my points - all 660 of them.  Over Easter I have covered 30 miles looking for boxes and still have my local ones to tap.  I am feeling very 'exercised' at the moment and decided to rest today AND write the blog!!!

Apart from  exercising I have been gardening both at home and at my 'Cambridge' allotment.

When my late husband and I first moved into this house I brought with me a Bay Tree that I had in my last house.  It was about 12" (30cms) tall and, like Topsy, it grew and foolishly I did nothing about it

It was too tall and too dense and was making my garden dark, with too much shade and so I had it cut down 

and what a difference it has made. I am still deciding what to do with the space and have just sprinkled a wildflower seed mix for the time being.

However, in Cambridge my son and I have been busy finishing 'Muntjac proofing' our raised beds

Wire netting around each bed, with a very smart gate to get in AND it appears to be working.  The only problem is pigeons and black netting is all that is required for them and so we have a much more productive vegetable garden from 2 of the beds and third is going to be soft fruit.

This little fellow was helping us

Mr 'Bailey'!

who will be coming to stay with me soon when the family go on holiday. I am currently growing seeds in my greenhouse

for planting out in the raised beds.  Yes, those are lavatory roll holders and have runner and French bean seeds in them!

I have a pair of socks on the go and another sewing project but I will save them for another day, as the sun is out and I must cut the grass!  Oh and I am so excited as I have a place on a workshop at the British Museum with my train fare paid!!  Watch this space.