In case you wonder what I am, getting up to . . .

I am in the garden again today (having been there most days this week!) I am also in the garden on Saturday but I am taking Sunday off. Early plans are St. Paul's Cathedral, then a bus to the Tower, then the river to Greenwich to enjoy the covered market, then the Docklands - where I may get off from time to time if the mood takes me - ending up in the delights of Stratford where anything could happen - and may well do so!

You see, I watched a BBC One programme last evening about how not to grow old. One test of whether or not you are growing old is to cross your legs, sit down and get up again - all without using your hands. I decided not to try this, but will take the advice to exercise a lot by walking. I will not be taking up dancing (the best way to keep young, we were assured) or going to the gym (which is borning, so they said).

To whom it may concern

To Whom It May Concern

I do solemnly and sincerely declare and affirm that, following leaking of the Panama Papers as reported in the GRUNDIAN and the BBC, and the malicious rumours circulating in the environs of Aldborough Hatch, that I have no cash or shares stashed away either offshore, onshore or inshore (nor buried in the sand thereof and thereby).

Nor do I have cash on which I have not paid tax stored under the bed, in the bed or around the bed (nor in the airing cupboard or the shed-with-the-overhang)

Furthermore and notwithstanding, I declare that I am not the beneficiary of any income resulting from investments made by my late Father offshore, onshore or inshore. I am, however, fully cognisant with the fact that my late Father had the sum of four pounds, ten shilling and ninepence three farthings invested in the Christmas Club at the Pig and Whistle, Islington, until my late Mother found out and blew the lot on Gin and Orange, which was her favourite tipple, whilst my late Father drowned his sorrows in a Guinness or three, and we children had an orange and nuts in the old socks that they hung at the foot of their beds on Christmas  Eve.

I would, therefore, be grateful if those who are putting these stories about would please take a walk along the A12 facing the oncoming traffic. Should the rumours persist, I will have no alternative but to instruct my Solicitors, Humble, Bumble and Trumble, whose fees are scarcely creditable and are based in the Cayman Islands, in case you are wondering (but mind your own  business for these are private matters).

Ron (I-know-which-side-my-bread-is-buttered) Jeffries

No feather dusters!

I am back from Ilford with scourers, stain remover thingy, plastic spray bottles and - for the first time in my life I bought clothes line pegs! The latter in multi colours - and very good they look too. Some of the pegs that Yvonne used have broken so I thought I would treat myself. Indeed, I  bought 30 for £1 - so I have ten set aside for Heather!

But I could not find one of those clothes pegs baskets that you hang on the line (mine blew away!), nor could I find a feather duster! I have asked Heather if she happens to see these two items when in a pound shop or the like, to please buy them for me. My cleaner says there are cobwebs which she cannot reach - and that will never do!

I also bought five more picture frames - in the hope that I will sell more A3 signed limited editions of St. Peter's with the daffodils. I have sold the first five at £22.50 each, with £10 for St. Peter's and the balance covering the costs of production and the frames. There will be 50 in all - and one day they will be valuable, of that there is no doubt! They will be on sale from now onwards and at the Flower Festival.

But I cannot sit here all day chatting, there is work to be done in the garden! I am clearing the wildflower area and replanting - although some stuff has self-seeded!

The porch is sorted for the summer

I have sorted the Porch at 37 for the summer! On Saturday I spring cleaned - three hours including cleaning the windows, sorting out the sliding doors with WB40 and vacuuming the carpet (removing spiders!). Then to B & Q for some new plants – African Violets, a spider plant (which I have split) and two ferns. The Christmas orange trees are in the garden and may revive for next Christmas.
Sunday I was in the greenhouse, repotting the bought plants. I have potted up some Minibel tomato plants – they grown to about 9inches with a cherry-type tomato and could do well in the porch. I have also potted up some bush Fuchsia – I bought the plug plants in Stewarts at Christchurch when visiting Graham and Danielle in early March. I will pot up the trailing plug plants soon too.
Richard will recognise the grey pot and the trough which Yvonne and I bought on a visits to one of the many amazing Nowegian garden centres that Richard took us to see.
This week is all garden. Today I moved the music down to the summerhouse.(I trust the neighbours will enjoy St Paul's Cathedral Choir, James Blunt, Simon and Garfunkel and a dose of Ska!) Then it was all systems go! I find I can do about two hours in the morning and the same in the afternoon.

The Sky Garden - at the top of Number 20 Fenchurch Street - City of London

Look carefully - you can see the Olympic Stadium and also the High Rise at Ilford Broadway!

The Sky Garden at 20 Fenchurch Street is an amazing experience and it is FREE! There are 35 floor - so the lift told me 0 with a cafe and restaurants at the top and a range of plants that defy description. Google Sky Garden, book tickets in advance, take a passport or driving licence - and it is yours for the asking!

Easter Day at St. Peter's Aldborough Hatch

The floral arrangements for Easter Day were as brilliant as ever and speak for themselves, including this year for the first time a cross in the car park garden.

The Passion of Jesus - Trafalgar Square, London, Good Friday, 25th March 2016

The Passion of Jesus, staged by the Wintershall Charitable Trust of Bramley, Guildford, was an inspiring and moving experience on a warm and sunny Spring afternoon. The photographs speak for themsellves - starting on Palm Sunday, through the Last Supper and betrayal to the cruicifixion and the resureaction with Thomas greeting Jesus. Earlier in the Day I experienced a wondertful interpretation of Stainer's Crucifixion at the Savoy Chapel, with a choir of 20 boys and eight adults Brilliant. I arrived at Trafalgar Square for the last hour of the first performance where the Cardinal of Westminster Cathedral spoke, and then found a place standing behind a ballustrade of which I was able to lean for the nexrt three and a half hours! I had an early night! But how fortunate I am to be able to explore all these wonderful things in London - all for free!