A waiting game, growing update & school

It's been a while again since my last post but in the last few days, I'm pleased to see that a new interface has been created for Blogger users. I'm using it now and I must say it's quite good, so thanks Blogger people.

I'm still waiting for word from my prospective new employer. I've heard nothing since my medical and being prone to constant bad luck, I did begin to fear the worst. I did call on Friday to get an update but I was told the chap in HR was on holiday and would be back on Monday (tomorrow). I was actually quite relieved in a way as this explained why no one had been in touch. So my optimism has been restored once again. I've resigned myself to finding out this coming week whether I have a future driving buses in Peterborough, or not.

I've been busy in the garden department. Having pretty much given up growing anything in the ground due to everything getting eaten, I purchased a very nice mini-greenhouse from Wilko. At £9 I thought it was a bargain not to be sniffed at, and expecting something flimsy and unstable, I was pleased to find a very sturdy and solid vertical greenhouse. So I've started filling it with new herbs that I'm growing from seed and some new tomato varieties. I'm also having a go at growing onions.

A bargain at just £9!

My peppers really haven't done anything at all so I will probably wait until next year before trying them again. There are many varieties I would like to have a go at growing but it's too late in the year to begin sowing.

Growing fast!

My honeydew watermelon plant has grown about 6 inches in the last couple of weeks. I'm quite amazed at how clever the thing is. It sprouts 'arms' that seek out things to cling on to and they wrap themselves around whatever they find to provide much needed support. It is growing at such a rate that I'm wondering if the conservatory roof is sufficiently high enough to accommodate it! There is no indication of fruit yet though I expect to see something develop soon.

My sugar snap pea plant is also going well. I already have a couple of pods and it too is training itself to cling to the bamboo supports I've provided for it.

Coriander

Basil

My herbs are growing very well, especially rocket, basil and coriander. I now have a surplus I am able to dry and freeze. The aroma from these plants is quite extraordinary, very pungent and sweet. I have recently bought some sweet cicely seeds which I hope to plant this coming week. They are said to produce leaves that have a slight aniseed scent and a sweet flavour. I have also read that they can be used as a natural sweetner. I'll certainly be giving this a try.

Onto other things and my son starts school proper tomorrow. We've bought his new school uniform, shoes and PE kit. He also has a new Scooby Doo rucksack and new lunch box. I'm probably more nervous than him to be honest. He's actually looking forward to it, which is a good thing given the fact he'll be spending most of his waking hours there for the next ten plus years. I'll take some photos tomorrow morning and try to record the event. My little boy is growing up too fast!

I'm also taking my parents to King's Lynn tomorrow morning to help them to buy a new TV and digital recorder. I know I am making a rod for myself but I simply cannot bare the thought of them being fooled into buying something they don't need or spending more than they really need to. Despite my many faults, I do still try to keep my finger on the pulse of everything consumer electronics-related and I like to think I'm able to dispense good advice. I am also thinking of myself as I am the one that'll be installing it all and on-call in case anything goes wrong. I'll report back on the experience in my next post.

The weather is appalling at the moment. It has been raining heavily for the last five hours. Apparently it's what is left of the arse end of a hurricane that hit the US recently. At least I won't need to water anything outside for a couple of days.