In anticipation of a larger family gathering here (4 out of 6 Broderick siblings) at the beginning of July, we began to tackle our plan to transform our patio into a more spacious outdoor dining area. We seem to have mostly finished unpacking, except for a number of model train totes, and our new pergola with louvred roof had arrived, so we couldn't wait to get started.
It meant uprooting roses, clematis and ivy from the uprights, and pulling the wire fencing off the structure. It was pretty tiring and draining working in the heat, so we took a break with the idea of continuing during the cooler evening hours. When Dale came to tell me it was time to return to work, he found me sitting at my desk, hand on the mouse, fast asleep in my office chair.
Dale was able to reach the trellis without a ladder so it made the deconstruction all his job, while I hauled plants away and crushed the disintegrating roof covering into a bin.
We're pleased with how much more open the area looks, but some pavers need to be moved to fill the gaps after plantings were removed. We're pleased to have made some steps towards making the yard our own, but we have a long way to go yet.
A beautiful small tortoiseshell butterfly (Aglais urticae) graced our doorstep last week. They lay their eggs on nettle plants, which abound around here. Interestingly, the nettles belong to the genus Urtica, which features in the species name of this butterfly.
Though this butterfly is widespread in Europe and the U.K. its numbers seem to decline during drought conditions that affect the caterpillar's host plant. Global warming has been noted to be impacting populations in western Europe.
We brought one full tube of toothpaste (8oz) with us from the U.S. (it fitted into our container!) and have since bought the largest size one (2.5oz) we can find here in Welshpool, Wales. Here they are alongside each other. Producing things that are so much smaller means a lot more plastic and packaging, but many homes in the U.K. have limited storage space, so packages are often produced in smaller sizes.
So much for the slogan "Recycle More." There isn't even a bottle deposit system here - it feels like the Middle Ages of recycling and sustainability sometimes. I don't know why, but I was expecting more. Maybe that's because this country was once part of the EU?
I find the excessive amount of 'film' produced here to be unacceptable - it is NOT recyclable and goes into the trash. Many vegetables and fruits are pre-packaged in a recyclable plastic tray, but sealed with a non-recyclable cover film (also done in the U.S.). Ditto for individual yogurts, cream and crème fraîche - the plastic 'cups' are recyclable, but not the cover film. Grr.
Why must a 2 pack of biscuits be sold as package, each with their own wrapping, as well as a cover film that is also not recyclable? Excessive, unnecessary waste - I could buy 2 and get a discount if that's what the offer is, but no one needs it to be wrapped that way to get the deal. I see I have a mission here ...
Talking about packaging, this is how our mattress travelled (yes, we used cellophane - nonrecyclable if it has tape stuck to it - in this instance. I hang my head in shame!)
Gym mats get to experience their first Welsh air
Under the mats, the mattress was wrapped in a large cotton quilt cover
