Getting down to earth

Woke up to a damp grey morning but eventually sun came out and another good afternoon. Farmer Franz had phoned to say they had a wheelbarrow full of Chinese Lantern (Physalis alkekengi) roots they had dug out of the garden (apparently they have a very strong, invasive root structure) and whether I would like some. Never say no to some colour, so got two large boxes which I planned to dig in this afternoon. Had forgotten I needed to get around to doing the weeding I hadn't got around to last October. Armed with fork and strong gloves attacked one patch of man high thistles/nettles/golden rod/sorrel. Half way through Angie arrived from Ottobeuren after her vocal chords session and quick trip to supermarket where the manager gave her 1o very sorry looking cherry laurel plants they had forgotten to water. Will try to get them going again. Not sure where we can use them as I think they are toxic for the horses (as are Chinese lanterns).

Early evening, we were accompanied in the garden work by a live rock band, warming up for a gig in a tent just 200 yards from the end of the garden/horse fields. We had actually been invited - normal here to invite people close by and likely to be disturbed - to this every 5 year birthday event but we were not feeling up to it. I did pop over quickly & took the Blip. Germans are very good at organising such things - portaloo, generator, large air-con trailer for beer & drinks. Tried Bliping the band warming up - Days of Thunder - but they were sitting in semi darkness, with a black backdrop and for some reason could not get a single in focus shot, not even with flash. Music sounded good, lots of 70's classic rock & a few blues-ish numbers.

Back home to make 2.5kg of Branston like pickle thanks to MrB's swede gift and having found a caramel colouring. Took ages chopping up all the ingredients and so it was almost tomorrow before I got around to cooking myself something to eat - Angie had long given up going to bed which looks out towards the field where the tent is. So she will be rocked to sleep by the time I finish Bliping.

Have a great weekend one and all.