13 Comments
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eileen rachel's avatar

Wonderful post Sam. I went back to bed with cuppa to enjoy it. Thank you. I love your writing.

Samantha Clark's avatar

Happy to join you (remotely) for a morning cuppa, Eileen!

Liza Green's avatar

Really enjoyed reading this, now have garden room envy. Ours would be too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter to house all those plants. Just returned from a hectic week of island exploring, long walks, crazy wind and sea, sea, sea on the Orkney Islands. Although I’ve been several times before your homeland never fails to disappoint. Whether I’ll have the stamina to go to London to see the Zurbaran when I visit my brother is another matter. Happy painting!

Samantha Clark's avatar

Yes, we weren't sure how it would work out but we love it. It doesn't seem to get too hot in summer as we can open windows and a skylight and there's always enough breeze to cool it down, plus it only gets full sun in the early part of the day. In winter we don't use it much ourselves as it's unheated, but it seems to stay frost free for wintering plants.

Kalle's avatar

The Requiem! My choir sang it I think 10 years ago. What. A. Thrill. Rex! Your lettuces nom nom nom. There is room for new raised beds here and your lettuces give me motivation for that..but nexr year. This summer we are learning about all the stuff we have!

The opera looks astounding. I love your reports from London and the culture-spiong-soak you do there.

Samantha Clark's avatar

Yes, a year of watching what grows...even if that's dock and hogweed! London was a refreshing blast of city life but I'm digging in here now, going nowhere for the next few months.

Barbara's avatar

Ah, I planted salad in my parent's garden in Germany in early May, I think they'll be eating it by now :-) So much tastier.... I'd love to see the London Zurbaran exhibition. Low on cash at the moment so not much travelling planned unfortunately. Good luck for the last few rehearsals for the Mozart Requiem! That must be so amazing to sing.

I missed my choir's last performance (as a singer, got to listen luckily still!) because I was in Japan for too long to take part. We usually sing only Renaissance music but this last one included Howell's requiem which I had not been familiar with before at all!

Samantha Clark's avatar

Being part of a choir is very special - especially that long journey to learn a piece and getting to a stage you can really perform it - purest joy!

Barbara's avatar

It's such a joy isn't it?! I'm really enjoying choir. I used to sing in a choir at university and only managed to join this one again finally at the beginning of last year. Best choice I made in a long time!

The Bird Soup Diaries's avatar

Very beautiful 😍

Yasmin Chopin's avatar

As always, I enjoy reading your posts and it’s interesting to compare the weather and outdoor life of the city down south with your island home. I hope your veggies catch up and grow strong in this changeable climate!

Samantha Clark's avatar

The tomatoes have been sulking about the cold but they seem to be putting on a growth spurt this week - everything seems to get there in the end, but yes, we do have a short growing season here.

Cathie Cummins's avatar

Thank you for sharing so much! A feast.