2020 Stash & Grab (our virtual pub)

[Serinde]

I'm having a and , trying to talk myself into weeding. Which needs to be done. It does. I know. Maybe I'll go for a walk before it rains. No, can't do that: wash on the line will be wet if I'm not here to retrieve it. Meanwhile,

[Mabel Figworthy]

Too wet here to weed, I am delighted to say - so instead I have been making amandelspijs (Dutch almond paste) which needs to rest overnight before being made into pastries tomorrow, and I will be making dough for tomorrow's focaccias (you leave it to prove in the fridge and it produces really fluffy bread). And I'm thinking of the goldwork I'll be able to do tomorrow now that the butterfly has been finished - although I also rather feel like making another one to make up for the one I gave away!

[wendywombat]

It's the Longest day today!!

The sun is shining and the Birds are singing!

[Serinde]

Indeed Happy Solstice to all Wombats! May require a celebration, you know...

[rcperryls]

It's the Longest day today!!

The sun is shining and the Birds are singing!

What a beautiful and wonderful way to welcome the first day of Summer!
That is what our weather is supposed to be for most of the day. And hot. My house finches have returned to their freezer container nest to start a second family this year. We have had so many different birds choose that for a nest over the years. Usually only one nest per season so I'm hoping this is a harbinger of good luck.

Glad to share in your toast, Wendy!


Carole

[Serinde]

Extra lemonade and elderflower cordial on tap for this hot weather we are experiencing (at least in the UK; apologies to Southern Hemisphere members). Even here by the loch it's meant to be well over 25C.

[wendywombat]

It's hot here too 35+ at 7pm yesterday evening!

Thanks for the cooling drinks...very welcome!

I see that the Social Distancing doesn't seem to have the same meaning outside the $&G!!

I saw a Lowland Gorilla riding a Unicorn with a Puffin on it's shoulder yesterday!!

And if you believe that you are as Nuts as that red Squirrel over in the Tree House!!

[Mabel Figworthy]

It's probably heat hallucination, but it's very entertaining

[richardandtracy]

35C!??!?!
I start melting at 25 and start getting woozy at 32-33C without the need for alcohol. Not nice conditions at all. Think I'm more designed for Ice & Snow than that.

Regards,

Richard

[rcperryls]

Our summers are almost always in the 90F to 95F (33C to 35C I think). Made worse by very high humidity. However, I prefer that to the cold winters I grew up with, so I rarely complain about the heat and complain a lot about the cold (which isn't usually very cold here). Then again, I do admit that without AC my preference would be different. But the perfect atmosphere in the S&G garden makes this a perfectly perfect place to be at all seasons.
And I saw the Unicorn with the puffin, but no Gorilla. They were strolling with a tiger that reminded me of Tigger. So I guess I can qualify as being as

Nuts as that red Squirrel over in the Tree House!!

Carole

[Serinde]

It's hot here too 35+ at 7pm yesterday evening!
And if you believe that you are as Nuts as that red Squirrel over in the Tree House!!

As a matter of fact, the red squirrel family have their digs right beneath the treehouse (but have promised not to steal the afternoon tea cakes).

[wendywombat]

35C!??!?!
I start melting at 25 and start getting woozy at 32-33C without the need for alcohol. Not nice conditions at all. Think I'm more designed for Ice & Snow than that.

Regards,

Richard

You can understand why I want to move to Scotland.

We have had 42C one summer followed by -16C the winter after. I can cope with cold weather but the heat floors me as the humidity here is high.

[richardandtracy]

Those conditions are pretty horrible. I can fully understand the move now!

Regards,

Richard.

[fiddler]

I will have along cold drink with plenty of ice. Don’t mind what it is. Hay fever pretty bad today so am feeling miserable need some cheering up

[Mabel Figworthy]

Mind if I gently melt into a puddle somewhere? I know it's only mid-afternoon, but I'd love a Pimm's mixed with home-made cold lemonade and lots of bits of fruit! (No mint please; I'm not a great fan of mint)

[rcperryls]

Fiddler, I'm sorry that your hay fever is acting up. That is so annoying. And Mabel, I'm not sure what a Pimm is, but one is on its way with that lovely cold lemonade (no mint added) One of the best things here is that the garden is completely free of all pollen and other irritants that can bring on hay fever. Make yourselves comfortable and I will be happy to bring your cold drinks over to you. The weather is so lovely that the animals are all playing with each other and providing lots of entertainment!

Carole

[wendywombat]

I've just been sheltering in the S& G Garden in the shade. I had a delicious cooling glass of Elderflower Champagne...made with Fizzy water as it's still mid afternoon! I had to make a dash over to the cool quiet of the S&G garden actually as we have just had our 2nd thunderstorm in 12 hrs!! BTW who made that delicious shortbread? I have just taken my second piece of it!

[richardandtracy]

Carole, you made me smile.
Pimm's is one if those British oddities. It's basically a gin based fruit drink that tends to be treated as if it's a soft drink because of the other 'healthy' additives. It also acts as a strong class signifier, with the probability of drinking it increasing with higher social position. I have a colleague who believes himself to be firmly working class, who would never allow such a snob's drink to befoul his lips. The irony of his own snobbery is entirely lost on him.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pimm's

Regards,

Richard.

[Mabel Figworthy]

Oh dear Richard, have you just painted a picture of me as an upper-middle class alcoholic ? I assure you mine are mostly lemonade, and even with plenty of fruit I am honest enough not to count them as one of my five a day

[wendywombat]

Now I would be counting those fruit additions as part of my 5 a day!!