Sunday, 31 May 2015

SOPPY SUNDAY


15 comments:

  1. Lovely pics! Where is that second picture, is it Scotland? And that lovely back garden, is it yours? I know it's a back garden because unlike the ones you pay to get into, it's got washing lines!

    The German shephards I saw on twitter, so cute but I wouldn't like to meet them unless the owner was present...

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    1. PP: The second photo is of the coast around Uummannaq, in Greenland.

      https://500px.com/photo/72586277/arctic-landscape-by-gaaba-jensen

      Yes, that's our back garden. Surprisingly in 2008 it was just two "back greens" for drying clothes for the residents of the flats. I decided to make it a garden back then and with a lot of opposition from some neighbours, started a planting regime. Everyone came round since an estate agent pointed out that, at my expense, I had put between 7% and 10% value on everyone's property.

      LOL You are right about the dogs. They can be lovely, and scary at the same time.

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    2. Tris, if you are not busy, I have a blank canvas needing turned into a garden, those pictures are beautiful.

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    3. Get in line Helena... Tris next time you are in Glasgow bring a trowel and I'll take you to the wilds of East Ren ;-) Actually I have a trowel.

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    4. Ha ha... Thanks for the compliments girls.

      I'm doing gardens for 3 of my friends at the moment. To be fair one is a very old lady with a wee balcony garden that I made for her and that doesn't take up much of my time or much effort on my part, compared to the pleasure it gives her now that she doesn't get out much.

      One is a massive garden in the country for a converted mill, but fortunately my friend is also paying another person do do the heavy work (and there is lots), and there's another smaller garden which we are turning into a sort of Japanese thing at the moment.

      However, I can say that if you ever have Munguin round for a coffee (he likes Gaelic Coffee by the way), I will doubtless be his chauffeur, and after partaking of something light in the servant's quarters (a glass of water is always appreciated) I will be happy to go work in the garden until such time as Munguin decides to return to Munguin Towers.

      :)

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  2. Good pictures as usual. Must pick some nettles for making nettle soup. It is good for you.

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    1. Thanks Marcia... I'd love to try nettle soup. Have you made it before, and if so do you have a good recipe?

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    2. I've made it a few times. Plenty different recipes around. I tend to sieve the leaves out after boiling to have a clear soup but this recipe is okay. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nxbt2W6qyQM

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    3. Thanks very much, Marcia. Well have a go at that!

      :)

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    4. How about nettle and rabbit stew?

      Get water, nettles and a rabbit. Skin and gut the rabbit, and chuck the whole lot into water and simmer for about an hour.

      Had the above dish on a survival exercise many years ago. Damn it was delicious, especially after not eating for 24 hours! Until then, I never knew you could eat nettles.

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    5. That sounds good. I'd have to get someone to do the rabbit though... I'm not good with skinning and gutting things, although I guess I could do it if I had to.

      My dad used to talk about nettle soup... but I've never had it. However, nettles do really well in the wilder part of my garden.

      They are really good for insects too, and apparently make fantastic compost.

      I remember a few years ago a friend of mine from Malaysia, Zek, was here at uni. We went out into the country and I warned him about the nettles as they could give you a nasty sting.

      He responded by telling me about some of the horrific plants, animals and insects that they had back home, including (I think) a fungus that just touching it would kill you. He didn't seem very impressed with the nettles and kinda ignored my warnings... till I had to find him dock leaves to rub all over his blisters!!!

      Still that's a bit like me ignoring the midges on the West coast... och, wee beasties... won't do me any harm.... arghhhhhhh.... much!

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  3. I was brought up with two German Shepherds ( Alsation's to those of us old enough to know better). There is a lovely chap ( think it is a chap) who lives a couple of doors down from the Community Centre here. Well he is an excellent guard dog and has a good bark at all and sundry. So why does my wee dog run to the sound of his barking, his head is bigger than him? I also lived the wee bear cuddling the teddy bear, awww so soft and cuddly himself (not).

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    1. My brother had two, but was warned that they could not be 100% trusted, although they were both really good with his little daughter.

      I think David (below) is right. It's not a bear, although I can understand why you mistook it for one.

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  4. Looks like a cock eyed spaniard pup to me Helena?

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    1. I wouldn't have known the breed David, but definitely a dog I'd say. Cute nonetheless!

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