Week 17 Pottering (again, or still)

Week 17

I was rummaging through my Google Keep notes, when I found the story about "pottering" - I've mentioned it here before, but maybe it is something that picks up again in Spring...it still feels totally relevant as so many things now appear on the "to do" list, simply because it is good to be outside and, in fact, having so many things "to do".

From the BBC, the bit about pottering written by an employee who was off work for some reason IIRC. I do remember exclaiming "that's me!" when I first read it...

In 2002 he wrote that, though he was actually doing something quite technical in the garden, "to the onlooker I have merely been happily pottering", he said. "Pottering and happiness are very likely bedfellows. There is much to be said for it."
Don says he is "very happy pottering around"

Perhaps the difference in understanding is explained just as Don indicates - to an outsider, pottering looks like time wasting.
To the potterer, it's about getting stuff done. Admittedly, not always the stuff they had intended doing, and indeed not necessarily getting stuff finished - that's a slightly different skill.

The full story can still be found here...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7428376.stm

Monday.

Frost and 2nd vaccination. Pfizer...and it made me sleepy for a couple of days (although one has to hope that was actually the reason!).

Tuesday.

Frost again, and Ben's 25th birthday (oh, and the King's Birthday as well)...so a public holiday. We took the bedding to the boat and filled the water tank.

We spoke with a woman who last year lost her husband. She still has their very beautiful boat but is thinking of selling it because he is no longer there to enjoy it.

As I sat waiting for the water, I contemplated the fact that the hatch is also an emergency escape route from the boat. An easily removed panel allows access to the anchor well (the bucket!) and safety. I haven't tried it yet, so I hope that I can fit through it!

I am also considering leaving the boat in the water this year...

So, if I take the doors home (to save them from the weather) I can clamp temporary doors in place (from the inside) which means that I have to be able to get out...via the forward hatch...so works the idle mind...

One of the "news" outlets (who knows these days?) suggested that the public gave the "grote middelvinger" (the Big Middle Finger) to the idea of any restrictions, in celebrating The King's Birthday holiday...now waiting to see if there is a rise in Covid numbers.

Ben's Birthday (in Madrid)

Wednesday.

No frost but it has been the coldest April "for many years" and they are also predicting a cold May. So, I'll have to be careful with the pumpkins.

Thursday.

Back to "normal" with rain!

We worked in the rain so that we could get our second raised vegetable bed ready...

It is made from old doors - full of wood worm, so they won't last long - they had to be dug in to get the right working height...

The first one has rhubarb, beetroot, leeks and Moroccan Mint...with room for a bit more. The recommendation is not to put seeds directly in the ground before mid-May...which accounts for some of my previous failures - trying to go too early.

The modest pumpkin patch is ready...

I also had to rotary hoe Janny's Beach Volleyball court in the village...

"Terraces" (beer gardens?) are now allowed open - maximum of 50 people - signing in, wearing facemasks and social distancing... this is our local.

We're getting ready for Lucas' 12.5 years celebrations. It really has worked out well for him (and us) - before he came to us he had been "home" for a year as he could no longer work stacking shelves in a supermarket...It really is a good system here where they try to find a place for everyone - even our Daniel, who lives in a modified apartment out the back. (He and Peter will be also be coming up for 12.5 years shortly).

More on Ben (still in Madrid)

He is still able to work "from home", even though he is in Madrid. He is also getting a little bit of modelling work while he is there.

He picked up another job in Amsterdam at a place where he had been modelling glasses (Ace & Tate). As well as doing advertising work for them he has now been made Main translator/copywriter for Dutch/English...

It  made me think of when he was very young... a late friend of mine had said "you're better off speaking English with him - so that he doesn't learn your crappy Dutch!"

So he grew up learning Dutch, English and Frisian and from about age 3 he would switch languages, depending on who he was talking to...English with me, Dutch at school and Frisian with family.

He also learnt German and French at school and is now having Spanish lessons in Madrid...

...and I continue with my crappy Dutch... (but I am so pleased that the English worked out for him).