Last week was a pretty hectic week although gardening hardly featured at all.
The only remotely gardening related occurrence was the delivery of a small parcel of seeds from D T Brown.
We bought:
Broad bean - Luz de Otono for a late sowing
Climbing French bean - Golden Gate
Lettuce - Headed Mix
Radish - Icicle
Cabbage - Rigoletto
Mooli - April Cross
Tomato - Crimson Crush
Swede - Invitation
Broccoli - Rudolf
I’m really disappointed that our main seed order from Kings Seeds is being seriously delayed. A group of the plot holders on our site have group membership of the NAS which entitles us to discounted seeds from Kings. This year we placed our order as usual but received notification that due to COVID related issues and higher than expected demand our order could be delayed for up to 8 weeks. It seems retail and individual orders are being processed before allotment group orders. This means that we will not receive our seeds until March and even then some items could be missing. I have expressed my disappointment that orders from long standing allotment customers seem to be at the bottom of their list of priorities.
So if we have not been gardening why have things been so hectic.
Last Wednesday, Ruby was booked in at the veterinary hospital to be spayed. This was something that we were dreading as she hasn’t had an anaesthetic before and we didn’t know how she would react. To make matters more stressful we had another fall of snow on Tuesday so we were worried that we wouldn’t make the appointment.
Then my sister rang to say she had received a telephone call to arrange for her to have her COVID vaccination on the Saturday.
Fortunately the snow didn’t hang around and Ruby minus her breakfast was duly delivered to the hospital where the hand over was arranged under pandemic protocol conditions. We’d opted to have her surgery done laparoscopically and also for her to have an optional blood test to check whether she was likely to react badly to the anaesthetic. It was then a case of going home to wait for a call. This is always a fraught experience.
After what seemed to be a lifetime we had a call to say everything had gone according to plan and Ruby had come out of the anaesthetic but was still groggy. A pickup appointment was arranged and we could breathe again.
Her fur that was nicely groomed the previous week is now rather patchy but it will soon grow.
Meanwhile, Martyn received a text inviting him to book his Covid jab which he did for the following day.
We picked up Ruby who although still a little wobbly was ecstatic to see us. On arriving hone she was ready for a small meal, the portion size didn’t impress but as advised she had another small meal an hour later.
The next day she was her normal self. The vet told us to keep her calm which is being a full time job as she is so full of bouncy energy. She thinks our attempts at play are pathetic and can’t understand why we won’t let her have crackerdog or doughnuttting sessions. We also have to keep her constantly in sight to ensure that she does interfere with her stitches. On Sunday we had to send a photo of her stitches for the vet to check that everything was OK and hopefully her stitches will come our next week.
Both vaccination appointments were kept so now I am the only non-vaccinated member of our social bubble. I did, however receive a text today and am booked in for my first jab on Thursday.
Weather wise when it hasn’t been snowing it has been raining which has resulted in flooding. Fortunately we escape flooding at home but some roads around us are flooded.
Despite being on Ruby watch I did manage to do some cooking.
On Monday we had Chicken curry with green beans that incorporated our frozen French beans and onion. I used yoghurt instead of creme fraiche as it was what I had in the fridge and my own spice mix instead of curry powder.
On Wednesday we needed something quick and so had some of our frozen tomato sauce with shop bought aubergine, mozzarella and tomato ravioli.
Thursday I made a stir fry using our onions, frozen peas, and green beans. I also added carrot, peppers and spinach. Instead of adding soy sauce which we don’t use I used sweet chilli sauce. This was served with noodles.
Friday I used the slow cooker to make a vegetable hotpot. Into this went our parsnip, Crown Prince squash, onion, and carrot. There was enough here for two days so on Friday it was served with dumplings and on Saturday with Apache potatoes.
That’s it for this week. With another week of Ruby watch to look forward to wish us luck.
As always stay safe and healthy.
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So glad Ruby came through without problems. I've heard of seed problems this year. That must be very frustrating.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly is frustrating, tepals.
DeleteGood luck trying to keep your little girl quiet. That always makes me laugh when they advise that.
ReplyDeleteGlad you will be jabbed this week. I got my first last week.
We need all the luck that we can get, Lisa. Ruby doesn’t do calm for long
DeleteOh dear, I only put in my Kings' order on Friday! You are going mad for white radishes Icicle and Mooli, how do you use them? I wondered about flooding in your area when I saw the news reports. Are you going to Elland Road again - for your jab? Ruby has come through well.
ReplyDeleteThey said that they were suspending their online sales, Amal. Have they recommenced them. If yours was an individual order you may get it before us..We’ve never grown mooli before. I think you mentioned using it in coleslaw with red cabbage so I decided to try it.
DeleteWe come under Wakefield so our jabs are done at Sandal rugby club.
Wow! You have had a lot going on. Glad Ruby is ok. It is always stressful when a pet has surgery. Sorry about your seeds. I had the same thing happen last year.
ReplyDeleteRuby is fine, it’s just us that are frazzled trying to keep her steady, Bonnie. She is so bored. I just hope the seeds actually come.
DeleteIt's always a worry when our fur babies need the vet. Happy it all went well, and Ruby was dealt with very carefully under the protocols. Delicious looking plates of food, just what is needed now. Sorry about your seeds. I managed to get some but not all. My issue was blamed on Brexit though, not Covid.
ReplyDeleteWe have an excellent vet, Deborah. He’s a partner at the practice. The problem is that he now only works two days a week. I think some companies are just using it as an excuse as the D T Brown seeds arrived really quickly.
DeleteWe have had a lot of seed delays here in the States too. Just like last year. Some sites will close down for a few days. Or only take orders from private individuals (as opposed to commercial growers) certain days of the week or not at all. And our Postal system is so overwhelmed it could take weeks in the mail instead of days.
ReplyDeleteLOL! Crackerdog. No one ever understands me when I use that term. Or flopbot.
So, Alex did you get All Creatures Great and Small? It was filmed not far away in Nor5h Yorkshire where pre Covid we had many days out. Our postal service wasn’t too hot even before the pandemic
DeleteThat does sound like a busy week! It's good to hear Ruby made it through okay, and that the humans are on their way to vaccination. My wife got her second shot yesterday, and I am scheduled for my #2 next week.
ReplyDeleteSeed companies are struggling to fill orders over here. Many have shut down ordering for several weeks to play catchup. I am lucky I started early and have most of my seeds in hand already.
You're getting your second jab quickly, Dave ours are 10 to 12 weeks apart.
DeleteI'm so pleased to hear that everything went according to plan with Ruby's op. The hardest thing now is keeping her calm so that she can heal well, easier said than done, I know. How frustrating about your seed order, you'd really think that they'd look after long standing customers but there again, loyalty counts for nothing these days.
ReplyDeleteIt is the hardest part, Jo other than the waiting. Her stitches are managing to avoid being pulled out which is the main thing. Recovery from keyhole surgery is fairly quick. The day after she acted as if nothing had happened.
DeleteI'm guessing Kings put us low in the priority list as we get a good discount so they would rather fulfill orders for those who pay the top price,
I'm relieved to hear that Ruby is recovering well. I hope that, vaccination excepted, you'll now be able to have a more relaxing week tucked up in the warm. Gosh it's cold outside, even down here in Devon.
ReplyDeleteSo are we Rebecca. The vaccination was very well organised so no problem really, The only concern was whether it would snow and prevent me from getting there. It's cold here too.
DeleteSo pleased to hear all went well with Ruby, it is hard to keep young dogs quiet. Great news about all your jabs coming through! How annoying about the delayed seeds, lots of things I've ordered have been delayed too. Your meals look delicious, they always have me feeling hungry.xxx
ReplyDeleteIt certainly is difficult, Dina, She just has so mus=ch energy and we haven't been able to take her for walks/runs.
DeleteI was surprised when the test for a jab came as I'm not in thew top 4 groups.
Oh that is bad luck with your seed order Sue especially when I imagine that the total plot order would be a sizeable one. Glad to hear that all went well for Ruby and I hope that she heals quickly. What good news that you all have had or are getting your first vaccinations! My husband had his first one a week ago 😂
ReplyDeleteIt is Anna and as I do the ordering I feel responsible. Things looked to have healed well p I can't wait for the stitches to come out, Jab done this morning.
DeleteSending a hug for Ruby ! xxx
ReplyDeleteRuby sends a big lick back, Debs
DeleteGosh, yes, what a week this has been Sue! Hope you were able to get your vaccination ok yesterday and that weather or other factors haven't delayed it. That's absolutely brilliant news if your bubble has completed the first dose :-) I don't know when they will get to me here in Scotland (news suggesting supply issues for Scotland and Wales also) but my husband who has been shielding got a phone call from our local surgery last Friday and got his first jab the next morning, 24 hrs later almost to the minute. Our family is delighted and very much relieved he has finally had it :-)
ReplyDeleteI can't comment at all about a dog or dog owner's life, hehe, but I've seen neighbours' dogs when they have been young and they have been absolutely full of beans and I could see how a gentle recovery from surgery would be a challenge for you to control. I can though, imagine how hard it must be leaving your beloved pet, so young, at a vet's and sitting by the phone. I'm delighted for you all that this went well too :-)
As for the planting of beans and other seeds, that is very unfair for regular big orders from loyal allotmenteers to be set back in favour of new customers, larger and individuals. Yes, covid has made people think more about growing your own, that is good, but I do hope you find a way round this and all get the seeds you are looking for.
I did get my vaccination, Shirley. All very well organised. It was strange sitting in a room with chairs all spaced out at 2 metre intervals with a timer in hand waiting for 15 minutes to tick by. Every so often there were beeps going off.
DeleteKeeping Ruby relatively calm has been a challenge - fortunately her stitches come out next week. I guess that she was still wanting to charge around was a good sign,
Oh gosh I feel your worry with Ruby (my parents have just gone through it with their Border Collie bitch), it's all such a worrying time and not made any easier with the current situation. Glad she's on the mend. That's an awful long wait with the seed order :(
ReplyDeleteI felt bad putting her through it when she wasn’t ill, Karen, it was hard handing her over at the door too.
DeleteSadly, this is a seed problem and delivery delay. Glad that Ruby is doing well, soon she will be playing like before.
ReplyDeleteYour meal looks delicious, Sue.
She wanted to play the day after her operation, Nadezda so it was very difficult to try keeping her steady. You wouldn't think anything had happened to her.
Delete