Cunard Cruisers - How are things where you are ?

[Bigmike911]

Well February is nearly here and this January has been a doozy. Two weeks ago we had a Siberian cold front that took overnight lows to 11 degrees (-11.67c) for several nights among the lowest on record. I lost all of my citrus trees.

 

The last week 7.25 inches of rain over three days. There is still a pond of rainwater in the back garden. Warm and sunny on Sunday and I began the task of taking out the trees. I grew them in large pots on my pool deck, and was able to remove all eight of them. All but one came out with some dirt left in the pots. In one old tree, probably in the pot ten years or more, had the roots completely filling the pot and it came out with no dirt left. 

 

I have two Arctic Frost Satsuma Mandarins on order for March delivery. They will go down to 10 degrees and with some wrapping should survive. My days as a citrus planter are pretty much over, between the freeze of Feb 2021 and this year, the desire to replant is nearly gone. The Satsuma's are the last call.

 

The weather forecast for the next two weeks more like normal 70 high and 40 low. Once we get to mid Feb, we should be home free and I can begin to work on the yard again. 

 

It looks like it's been a tough winter all over the Northern Hemisphere. 

[alc13]

That's a shame, Bigmike911.  I remember when you lost citrus trees a few years ago.  Your new Satsumas sound promising, hope they live up to their name.

[Bigmike911]

On 1/29/2024 at 10:52 AM, alc13 said:

That's a shame, Bigmike911.  I remember when you lost citrus trees a few years ago.  Your new Satsumas sound promising, hope they live up to their name.

If it can't take high heat or freezing cold, it probably won't grow in South East Texas. I am ordering re-blooming Azaleas for the pots. If not fruit, then at least some color. They love the sun in summer and the ones I have in pots now have wintered well. Not a lot will grow in zone 9 so it is quite a hunt. But if they can grow in zone 4 they should be fine for anything winter throws at them. 

[TowandaUK]

Just watching Landscape artist of the year on Sky arts. Among other buildings in Liverpool they are painting the Cunard building. Love this programme, and its sister programme portrait artist of the year 

[MrsPeel55]

Haven't read the posts since I was last here, maybe you guys have already spoken about this, but we watched The Haunting of the Queen Mary on Sky Cinema, there is some real video of when QM was first docked ion California, Captain being interviewed, and the film was shot in the ship.... there are some good scenes, thought of you here, wonder if anyone has seen it?

Timing goes from 1938 to present day, jumps on and off, apparently the 1938 is well done as in looks of the ship goes, made us even more willing to go for QM2 Transatlantic this year 🙂

[MrsPeel55]

here it is the trailer

 

[Bigmike911]

The first signs of Spring are here along with a couple of days of cold nights, but nothing below freezing. Driving through the Woodlands, to the barber last week I noticed there is a definite green haze on the deciduous trees, and my Red Maple is already leafing out.

 

I removed the dead  potted citrus and prepared the pots for new plants and trees. I added a Republic of Texas Orange and a Citron "Buddha's hand" to the citrus order for delivery early next month. 

 

I am replacing my potted Hydrangea flanking the front door with another cold tolerant pair, this time in a brilliant red. 

 

The pots that previously held citrus on the pool deck will receive hot and cold tolerant Encore Azaleas in red, pink, purple and lemon yellow. 

 

In a continuation of my Oak tree collection I have a Cork Oak on order. I am going to grow it in a pot for the first year as it is very short and young. I had one when I lived in Southern California and it was a very interesting attractive tree. 

 

The underperforming plum trees and an Eastern Redbud have been removed from the rear garden The redbud was lovely in the spring and then after blooming develops seed pods that look like bats. Enough of that. 

 

Because of the heat last summer, I moved all of my Japanese Maples that were in the yard to the protection of my fern garden which is heavily shaded. The relocated trees have nice fat leaf buds already, and my green Fig is leafing out as well.

 

Yesterday as my Cat Charlie was sitting on the top of the sofa in my study which backs up to windows, he started making a guttural sound. I got up to look and saw a herd of ten Roe Deer crossing the front lawn. They live in the woods surrounding my house and will eat any thing they can. Last year, one gave birth in the area between my house and a hedge in front of the house. 

 

Life in the country. I love it. 

[D&N]

30 minutes ago, Bigmike911 said:

Yesterday as my Cat Charlie was sitting on the top of the sofa in my study which backs up to windows

Charlie obviously knows where it's sensible to be at this time of year!

[Colin_Cameron]

After 25 days and 3850Km around the North and South Islands of NZ our ferry to the West Island arrives right on schedule.  Unfortunately so does the rain.

[NE John]

We are visiting Delray Beach, Fla and there is a British pub established in 1864 in London and literally transported from England to here. I’ll give a report on the food over the next couple days. Looks like a good mix of English/Florida offerings:

[exlondoner]

Do you know where in London it was moved from?

[Host Hattie]

Chancery Lane according to this article 

 

 

 

[NE John]

Update from the Transported British Pub in Delray Beach, Fla:

The fish and chips at the Golden Lion is much much better. 
But there’s the original door and window are legit with a picture of royalty serving a pint. 

Edited February 26 by NE John

[Victoria2]

The Queen Mother was probably hoping there'd be Gin or Dubonnet in that dispenser she's pulling. 🙂

[Bigmike911]

March First. I have received and planted two citrus, an Arctic Frost Satsuma, and a Citron-Buddha's Hand. The Satsuma can take 15 degrees (f) and the Citron is in a light weight pot that can be moved indoors during freezes.

 

The deciduous trees all have buds or leaves including the Pecan's which I will treat today pre-emergent for thrups their buds are fat and will soon be leafing out. I got two Scarlet Hydrangea's for pots by the front door, and will also pot them today.

 

Since I am in my dotage now with a bum knee I am hiring a service to feed the lawn and kill the turf insects. They wanted to come eight times a year, but I got them down to four. We will see how they do this year, and I can make a decision for the long term.

 

I find Spring a very energizing time of the year and I need all the energy, I can get. After a couple days following a cold front, we will be back in the 80's (f) today, with sun and relatively low humidity. So today is a good day to "play" in the yard. 

[Lanky Lad]

I am just back from an eventful trip to Bognor Regis on the South Coast of England. Credit to Alfa the tour company for being efficient when things went wrong. 

 

The coach (bus) broke down on the way so we had to get a replacement for the list bit of the journey. 3 nice days at the hotel including a trips to Arundel, Chichester and Portsmouth. On the way home we had a tyre blowout, thankfully we were in traffic and not going very fast so we had to get a replacement for the rest of the trip. In total I had 6 coaches and 5 drivers. 

 

I got to see HMS Queen Elizabeth in Portsmouth, from a distance anyway. 

[NE John]

I can’t get away from Britishness! At a pub in San Antonio, Texas. 

[Camberley]

A day of gentle house and garden work today, in and out of the rain showers. But excited to have just booked our first Cunard cruise: will be our 3rd cruise this year following Princess at Easter and P&O in the summer. for October. So for our first Cunard we’ve squeezed in 4 nights on Queen Victoria in a Queens Grill. Cannot wait. 

[Host Hattie]

Good start !

[Bigmike911]

On 3/7/2024 at 12:47 PM, NE John said:

I can’t get away from Britishness! At a pub in San Antonio, Texas. 

Is that on the Riverwalk? It looks like it might be.

[NE John]

47 minutes ago, Bigmike911 said:

Is that on the Riverwalk? It looks like it might be.

Correct. I forgot the name of the pub but it was very good. First time in San Antonio and very nice people in Texas. 
As a bonus, I visited the Alamo on March 6 - Texas Independence Day. Wonderful experience. 

Edited March 10 by NE John

[D&N]

These aren't the best of photos, but I think they make the situation clear...

Coco-Canel is now about nine months old and is very good at jumping and climbing.

We'd prefer that she didn't go on top of our main aircon/heating unit. We've now been gathering the curtains to hang a few feet to the right.

 

 

 

Unusual for someone sign up to CC and make a first post to wish HH a Happy Birthday. I wondered if it was a wind up, but I see it was this time last year. Ursel and Coco join us in wishing you a Happy Birthday!

 

[Host Hattie]

Thank you, I've had a lovely day with lunch in sunny Saundersfoot. 

 

[MylesS]

Had a very eventful flight back to London from Orlando today.. upon landing we were stuck at the end of the runway as the forward steering wasn't working! We ended up having to be towed from the runway by a tug.. hopefully that won't happen again anytime soon!

[Lanky Lad]

1. A damp day here, but no more work for me until Tuesday. 

Happy Easter to those celebrating this weekend.