He hasn't put his hand in his pocket yet but....

We have had a lovely day here, sun shining...marvellous...typical though now the children are back at school, but after school we strolled down to the little shop for lollies.

Dexter has had a major fall out with yellow ball!!!

He destroys balls like no one's business

So when I saw this very heavy monster

We thought he won't get his

jaws through this one

WRONG

Somehow he has

I though he was a bit quiet

And he has well and proper

Chewed both handles

the little rascal!!!

And something is not

Right with the old Apple tree

I will have to ask our garden man

What is going on

At least a third of the 

Apples are like this

I don't even know if I 

Can compost them

Obviously not if it is a disease

Such a shame.

On a happy note ..

Now it is amazing what a little bit 

Of sun can do

To change a man's mind 

(and puddings and lots of cake helped too!!!)

When we moved here I said I wanted a smaller garden as I had been utterly fed up trying to keep up with our last one which was 140 feet long , had a sorry excuse of a greenhouse with more cracked panes of glass than good ones, 3 tumble down sheds and a husband who hates every aspect of gardening including mowing!!!!! Over the years I dug out beds which i did love and had quite a good
little veg and fruit patch going too, but as I have on occasions a dodgy neck and back it became a labour of  hardwork and not of love.  Husband was in full agreement too..  I wanted something much more manageable here and the last two years , I have relaxed, and some how rediscovered my mojo for gardening again.
I have  grown what I wanted in tubs but I have missed raspberries, gooseberries and growing cabbages, Brussels etc, something I didn,t think I would but do!!!

So I had a cunning plan and over the last couple of weeks I have buttered my husband up a treat.!! He has had favourite puddings cooked, favourite dinners, seen his house emptied of the last remaining bits of my clutter and the odd last box here and there.  He has enjoyed the few beans , strawberries and raspberries we have had and then mentioned how he missed our home grown proper veg, so not missing a chance I pounced!!!! We have a man that cuts the high hedgerow around our garden and does the jobs neither me or husband feel able or experienced enough to do.  He mended a fence for us
and made quite a super job of it...so I suggested a spot in the garden and said if our man was to create
a raised bed ...and then walked to show him how big and where I would like it , during the winter , it could be ready  for next year.  He scratched his chin a bit, sighed a bit , walked the measurement out , sort of looked like he was seeing if it was facing the right direction (but I,m sure he hadn't a clue really!!!) and he has agreed providing of course that he has absolutely no involvement other than to
Eat what I grow...!!!! I think I can cope with that so just waiting for our man to visit this week and I shall accost him .  I know during winter months he is looking for work so I think he will be interested.   He has a degree in horticulture too so I think I have landed on my feet for getting advice , and you never know husband may agree in time to a flower bed to two?? Won,t push my luck though!!!.

This is the intended space ,

Another view 

Is the one of Dextie 

And yellow ball

and 

The space in the background.

Today upstairs got a thoroughly good declutter and pulled furniture out for a thorough clean.  I felt
really pleased with myself .  I loathe housework , but  with a retired husband, 2 children and a forever molting dally I feel like I am forever treading water  , but today I was a very happy bunny.   I am having a little break from the annex for a few days . Tomorrow I hope to start pot tidying and put in a few spring bulbs and some winter violas and pansies which I adore.!  Fingers crossed the for caste is good again..

                                   See you soon  xxx