BROKEN TOE (AGAIN!)

What a day....!

I was down at the garden this morning. Really pleasant: lovely Northern Autumn sky - you know that sort of almost-but-not-quite washed out pale blue sky you only get this far north because of the 'blue light'; a nip in the air enough to rose your cheeks up (must replenish my supplies of Dr.Hauschka Rose Day Cream); no noise except the occasional cluck of the hens or bird song (I think Goldfinch); and good company. I really wouldn't mind working there full time in the future. Anyway, I got the keys from Yosin and gotmy attractive green overalls on and then went and got some bulbs off Mike to plant out in the wildflower area next to the pond. Incidentally the pond is looking very cloudy so I might look this up online and see if there's any obvious reason related to, say, the recent heavy rains. The soil in the wildflower garden is apparently 'too fertile' so it has a membrane under the top layer. I had to try and dig holes for the bulbs using this little plastic trowel and I wasn't really holding it right because I was trying to gouge holes out as it was really tough digging. I ended up with a blister.....

When we went for our lunch break I took my boots off and decided to put them outside as the doorway was - rather anti-Health- and-Safety-ishly - blocked by too many pairs of boots from the group of DWP Teambuilding Excercise volunteers who were eating their lunch in the 'conference room attached to and accessed by the office. As I went out, I tripped on the little metal lintel across the doorway and my foot went right into the edge of the door jamb and - in an uncannily perfect repeat of the incident a couple of weeks ago involving Thom-Cat- I mashed my little toe against the very edge of the door. YOWWWCH!! I ate my pizza (which was delicious and made by the resident chef) with my right foot in a recycling caddy (one of those big grey stackable ones with a half open front) full of frrrrreezing cold water. It did numb my toe sufficient for me to hobble up the street back home! But it is really sore now, although mustn't grumble as at least it has stopped throbbing. I spent the afternoon on the sofa covered by my Totally Autumn throw with Thomas underneath it, and fell asleep within minutes....adrenaline wearing off - endorphines kicking in (kicking! Ha! Get it?!) I haven't dared look at it, because it was bad enough earlier on today when I'd just done it,but at least it doesn't feel as bad as the other time. They say we have no memory of pain,but that is only partly true because we can tell if something is more or less painful than something previously.

Ive knitted a few more rows of my Cold Mountain scarf. and I've discovered more beautiful yarns on Etsy. Wild Fire Fibres has some more gorgeous lace weight yarns in blues and purples, and I have discovered another secret hideyhole of absolute epic win-ness, Yarn Art Serious.
Have a look.

BLUE SKIES,GREEN THUMBS

Today was my first real day working at the horticulture project. I have really enjoyed it! We have been picking beans, a rare variety called Cherokee Trail of Tears. Then took down the plants and dismantled the frame things. By then it was lunchtime and we were cooked a delicious organic vegetable stir-fry with roast potatoes; then a post-lunch tea break at the top of the garden where there is a deck and a pond and a wild area. On to the afternoon's work then,and it was back to the poly tunnels, this time to dig out some weeds and the remainder of the Rocket, then put some slug deterrent down and made a few hanging baskets. Finishing off with moving some summer plants to make room for some winter varieties. The guys I am working there with are Phil, the Manager of the whole project, including the Garden Rooms, and Mike, who has a lot of experience with things like the Healthy City Project and so forth. I've learned so much from him in such a few hours, but he doesn't lecture, he just tells you about things while you're working. I met some of the Residents,who live in the Garden Rooms - although it is meant to be rehab of sorts they are allowed to - and do - drink booze. The main house is undergoing extensive renovations so the men - apart from those in the Garden Rooms - have all moved out, and been accommodated in other places run by the organisation.
It's been a good day to ease into the job - not too cold (though it is windy) and the skies are blue, blue , blue! That gorgeous Autumn sky blue which goes from an almost lilac colour and fades right through to the palest of sky blue.

There are free range hens there, and a little black and white cat comes to say hello.


I got some yarn in the post, some Colinette Hand dyed DK. From eBay. It's gorgeous - lots of different colours, and will make a lovely pair of wristwarmers, from Knitty's later patterns of the season. But now I have to go and mail my own eBay sales, and get some groceries - things I would normally have done by now, but because I was working I have to do them now instead of putting my feet up and knitting.