Posts by: ELW

This topic was started in May and, unfortunately, still no Anthea. I for one would love to see her return to TV. She has always appeared warmhearted and friendly. What more could one ask?
Les from Lincoln (with a definite soft spot for Anthea!)

I have lawns to the back and front of my garden with a small amount of border. On the whole of the East side are 30 (thirty) Scotch Pine trees. (two rows of 15)
I doubt very much if I could afford to remove them even if the council gave permission.
I am plagued by cones but more especially the pine needles. Because I have bluebells growing annually I have been careful where I tread in the springtime. Unknown to me Sycamores decided they didn't care where they went. As a result I also have three or four large leafed Sycamores, which came almost from nowhere, and I am trying very hard to stop anymore growing.
Not sure what you can tell me but I needed to say something in case there was a solution?
If this all sounds a bit pathetic, I'm sorry, but I am not the world's best gardener!!
Best Regards
Les of Lincoln

I feel a bit guilty because I have to confess I enjoyed John Lesley presenting Wheels of Fortune!
Still, I suppose I was easily pleased!
I keep opening up the UK Style website and thinking Anthea is back.
The eyes are going but anyone else think the following has any resemblance?
Hollyhock (Althaea Rosea)

Les from Lincoln

Angela,
Glad you agreed to acccept advice of friends as the best option. Whenever, I go for the three quotes, why is it that the first caller always seems to decent, honest, trustworthy and friendly? I hesitate to go any further to fear of upsetting them!
Thankfully Ann, my wife, has better judgement of character.
Les
P.S. Don't you have any views on Pine Trees shedding their cones and needles and causing me constant annoyance. (see gardens 'Scotch Pines in the neck")

Thanks both.
In fact, I have a garden vac but I think the cones would be too much for the impeller.
I had this clever idea of not picking up all the cones when mowing with my power rotary mower. Not only did it jam the mower, bits of cast iron flew off from the engine.! I managed to stop the engine just in time. Actually, it's not so much the cones but the pine needles. They just don't like being sucked up by the vac and love to find and block my drains.
Angela, I have to confess that if I took 50% of the trees, 100% more Sycamores would, probably, invade the vacant spaces. However, I try to do a bit of weedkilling on the new growth but I have to be so careful I don't destroy the bluebells.
Isn't life fun.
Keep up the good work
Les from Lincoln

A good tip for any gardener is to use the Garden Message Board for Gardening! Or were you 'shopping' for tips??? Only kidding.
Les from Lincoln

I have thought very seriously about Angela and Tertia's answers.
There are a couple or three points that need clarifying.
1. I have lived here 12 years now and survived all that the Scotch Pines could throw at me...just.
2. The bluebells are between the trees themselves not on the lawns as such.
3. I have regularly picked up cones which seem to fall anytime from March to September. The suction of the vac for the pine needles is so poor that I have to virtually place it on the needle to vac it/them up.
4. I have collected cones, brushed them to the side of the lawns, bagged them and even given some away for Chritmas decorations.
What I have never thought about is having netting between the trees to catch the cones? What a brilliant idea. Unfortunately, this would not stop the cones and pine needles landing on the lawns. OK, so you have now decided that I am not easy to please.
I accept that I will have to continue to brush, vac, pick up (as long as the old back lasts out) until one of my daughters marries a big strapping lad (I hope Alan Titchmarsh won't be offended by this phrase)who is prepared to do a bit of gardening.
I do so love to get out into the garden when I am not quite so busy on the computer. I started this message earlier but Ann told me to break off and get to the dining table for my tea. I think my next question will have to be on Homes and Property and be:- How can I eat hot meals and garden and/or use my computer at the same time.
Cheers
Les from lincoln

Hi Angie and all message boarders,
Now, there is a problem that you have brought to mind, Angie. You love watering you say. I used to - and Ann warned me not to - but I would insist on getting a water meter installed. Now I daren't use water. It was great to start with £42 a month down to £18. Now its up to £39 (thirty nine) and still rising. Luckily, I don't have to water the scotch pines!
I've just realised that I could fill what borders I have with the cones that fall. This would save having to plant the annuals? I could even paint the cones gold.
A lawyer, eh? Now who could fight my case to get the Scotch Pines cleared......
Bye for now
Les

For Sale:- 30 Scotch Pines - subject to Planning authority approval. Will sell falling cones as an alternative or meantime.
Hi Angela, just practising!
Lincoln recently had a bit of a nonsense over 4 or 5 scotch pines. They applied to have the trees chopped down. Lincoln's 'favourite' protestors (rightly or WRONGLY) could not see 150 year old trees taken down. This was even though they were bending into and damaging a wall at the bottom of a home owner's garden.
I believe the result is:- They have moved the wall and the council will maintain the wall in the event of further disruption. I felt like applying for authority (or confirmation that I could act) at the time but was scared of the outcry.
I think UK Style could help by putting up a Vote for Les' Trees To Go page. A simple Yes majority would give me a bit of comfort.
Meantime, Angela has my vote as the next Home Secretary (too late to be a Lord Chancellor?).
Best Wishes
Les
Best Wishes

This looks like the place to have a good gossip. However, as usual, I have to keep it brief. Especially as I have to run into the front room in a minute to tape Eastenders for Ann (she's at work).
The problems I have are:-
1. If I don't log out from UK Style but just file and close, when I come back onto the site I get a little message. "Welcome back E.Les" I'm E.Les (the E stands for Ernest - not Ernist as NTL salesman once wrote for posterity (it's now part of my TV e-mail address). I'm losing track of my ('s and -s's.
I therefore think that because I am recognised I am logged on site. But, when I write a message and send, nothing appears. I have to log out and back in again before I can get a message to send and be saved.
Now I know that, I hope others benefit from my experience.
2. Is it www.UKstyle.co.uk or www.ukstyle.tv
I used to use .co.uk but had trouble getting onto the site. Now I use .tv I think from a Google recommendation.
So there you have it. I think I am logged on so I will send this message and then go and do my evening chores before Ann returns.
Bye for now
Les from Lincoln
P.S. anyone want any scotchpine cones??

Hi JacquiD, Hi Deborah, Hi Style Council and Hi Angie,
I think I am in the garden message board but get confused after reading some of the messages!
However, thanks style council. I am going to test your theory with this message. It's not that I don't trust you but I may copy the message first.
My Mum couldn't cope with my dad before he went into hospital. A week or so before he died, the hospital told my Mum they were sending him home. It was a cold living room cum dining room with no space for a bed. My Dad was too heavy for my Mum to handle and she was a very frightened lady. I managed to convince the hospital that it was not a good idea. He died peacefully in the hospital.
My Mum went into a home after a lot of hospital stays for strokes etc. The authorities in Leicester would would not put her in home unless my Mum agreed. They wanted to send her to that same house all on own despite regular falls etc. She went into a home but eventually had to go into a nursing home. She lay flat on her back for two years, couldn't speak and it was an ordeal visiting her. Two years after going into the home the original doctor saw her. He was shocked that she had been allowed to lay in such a condition for so long. She died a couple of days later.
My Mother-in-Law is in warden-controlled accommodation in Essex. She is not happy, is being tested for altzeimers but insists when interviewed that she is a very capable person and doesn't want to move. So they haven't moved her. It seems that authorities will accept the word of a 90 year old regardless of her day-to-day actions. She is being interviewed today by social services as a result of the tests. We live in hope that sense will prevail.
We live 150 miles away. Her son lives 7 miles away and is nearly at his wits end. Despite weekly, or more, shopping for her, handling her money, regular visits MinL insists she never sees him.
Tea time
Best wishes
Ernie (especially for Angie)

Hi Angie,
When I was about 7 years old, nobody had ever called me Ernest (let alone Ernie). However, at 7, I had to visit the dentist. I was very nervous as I entered the dentists(I'm nervous about most things in life). My Mum was with me but I went into the dentist on my own (I expect Mum thought I was a big boy). I was asked to sit in the chair by the nurse, the dentist arrived and said "Now then Ernest...". This was the proudest moment of my life (up until then) and I felt no pain at all despite drilling or pulling of teeth.
So Angie, it gives me great pleasure in announcing that you may, most definitely, call me Ernie.
Have you forgotten how many trees I have already.
There are 30 scotch pines (2 rows of 15). The rows are spaced about 5 feet (1.75metres?) apart.
I realise that this is a very public place but I have a confession to make. I am 61, and have not paid off my 'endowment' mortgage (due completion when I am 65 with whatever shortfall they care to advise me - currently thousands). I worked for Alstom but Siemens bought the Company. Alstom have deferred my final salary pension. Hopefully it will be safe until I am 65.
The point I was going to make is that I am a bit strapped for cash. It looks as though I could be for some time. Personally, I would like to think that, one day, I will have a nice lump sum land on my lap. I can then prepare the way to do away with at least some of the trees and make it an easier life for myself.
P.S. I believe Ann has the same sort of 'dream'.
P.P.S. Your not going to believe this. My younger daughter has just bought a house. Ann is taking me to mow the lawn (cut the grass) tomorrow and a bit of decorating. My daughter is in the RAF stationed in the Falklands. No, the house isn't there, fortunately.
Best wishes
L..whoops,I mean,Ernie,

There it was staring me in the face...
A good tip for any gardener is to use the Garden Message Board for Gardening.
Les

Hi,
Today's TV listing for 1030am
Quote
10.30am, Real Rooms Simon Biagi, Jon Astrop, Dee Mortimer and Callum Ives travel
to Somerset to sort out the home of Audrey Cole, which is in desperate need of ...
Unquote
Now you see him but then you didn't!
Best wishes
Les

Tertia,
I think Angie had forgotten it was 30 at the moment. I was chatting to a couple of chaps at work yesterday. One of the said what a lovely sight the trees made when he pased by in his car. The other chap said he was one of the voters against the recent Scotch Pine felling problem that I spoke about. I have to agree that when I sit in the garden some days and look at the trees with the blue sky in the background, it can look such a romantic and peaceful setting. So I can sympathize with the protestors' views. I think I am nearly convincing myself to keep them.
Does anyone know how to keep the number of cones and pine needles down to a minimum has to be my question now? That is without reducing the number of trees. Netting wouldn't work on the lawn very well because it is not an annual event. There are always at least some cones on the lawn at whatever time of the year you care to mention. Cones are of course easier to pick up than the dreaded needles. We have now been given a green wheelie bin by the council. Funnily you cannot put the bags you put the cones in, into the bin. The bin, which is emptied on a free of charge basis, itself is a great help.
I expect I am beginnning to repeat myself now so I will close.

Best Wishes
Les and Ernie

Tertia,
I think you have cracked it (or up!). Would you believe that in our office at work there's not one but two scout leaders.
I will get them to establish the Lincoln Cone Collectors Society. I think we'll have to get the society members (cubs and scouts) contesting for both the largest and the smallest cone. That way they'll be frightened to leave any.
Maybe I could get the army involved. They could lend me some scrimnets to test out your theory re netting.
Still got those blessed pine needles, however.
All the Best
Ernie

Tertia,
my golden rule book says:-
Take cuttings 4-6in. long. With a sharp knife cut straight across the stems just below a joint, and insert the cuttings in sandy soil in an open, shaded cold frame. Water the cuttings freely during dry weather and, when roots have formed by early autumn, pot the cuttings singly in 2 and half to 3 and half in. pots of potting compost. Leave the potted cuttings in a closed cold frame during winter and transplant next spring.
Hope this helps
Ernie

Hi,
I have grown some escallonia bushes at the front of my front garden. Mainly because my garden fronts onto a main road. (What's another word for 'front'?) I am on the corner and there are traffic lights. P.S. there is also now a footpath for both pedestrians and cyclists.
There are two lanes of traffic on my side. When I was mowing the lawns, and picking up the pine cones, I felt that the exhaust fumes were a bit too much to take. The Escallonias have only been in a few years but have grown to about 4 foot with a bit of pruning. I find that pruning in the Autumn is best. Trouble is I probably reduce the following July's production of the red/pink flowers. If I cut after July's flowering I find it is a bit straggly the next Spring/Summer. As it is on public view I don't want to many derogatory comments.
I have one box in the back garden. It's about 18 inches tall after 6 years. It's perhaps the last few year's lack of rain that has caused the slow growth.
Tertia, I didn't realise that goldfinch went for the dandelion seedheads. I thought there was a lack of goldfinches (and most other birds) this year. I was trying to control the dandelion production. I'll have to have a re-think.
Bye for now
Ernie

We have used a flexible plastic curtain rail. It hs brackets for either the ceiling or the wall. I had to be careful that I screwed into the batons above the ceiling but it worked. I even put up a pelmet rail behind it.
I guess your problem is working out where the batons above the ceiling are. I was lucky I watched the plaster boards being put up.
I normally stick to gardening!
Best of luck and keep smiling
Ernie

P.S.
I presume that plasterboard rawl plugs would overcome the baton problem.
Can I call myself Les, please?

Dear Mrs Patsyann,
I would have suggested Berberis which is prickly. However, I presume you would prefer evergreen and I believe only the deciduous types of berberis can be kept to a manageably low height.
I reckon I could have kept the escallonias down to 3 feet for about five years. By then the kids may have grown up!
Where is everyone during the evenings, gardening!!
Les

I have just measured up. In fact, I forgot to say that the curtains are draped one foot from the window itself, due the one foot window ledge. They could in fact be put next to the window down to the window ledgewhich is 55 inches from the bay ceiling. The actual length drop of the curtains is 7 feet (84 inches) to the floor. The rail is screwed to the ceiling at 18 inch intervals round the bay. I reckon with this number of attachments plasterboard rawl plugs may, perhaps, take the strain. However, you should be able to locate at least some batons when attempting the fix.
Please use the UK Style calculator if you wish to convert to metric!
Les

Angie (and not forgetting Tertia and everyone else)
So, Angie,you have given up on my Scotch Pines, eh! I'm not prepared to agree to Ernie without your full support regarding important matters such as cones and needles.
How are you going to get rid of the ash seedlings. Surely you can't paint them all as you are expecting me to do with my sycamore seedlings (is that what you call new shoots or do you call them new shoots?)?
Have you written to www.toowrite.com yet with your true life stories? Look for my photo with my latest entry. I had two in competition 8.
Back to UK Style - What do you want air-conditioning for. I haven't got it in the house yet, let alone the car!
Bye for now
Ernie

House Doctor!
I feel I should share this with the world.
I used to have smelly socks until one day I found a simple remedy.
This was to ensure I soaped between my two smallest toes and then don't dry between them.
I dry the rest of my body after my daily shower but leave the small toes. Probably walking about on a carpet helps to dry them a bit. I have never had any soreness as a result.
However, as a result of this finding, I can now go a whole day and feel confident that I can take my shoes off without the problem of everyone standing back, as the result of what used to be an offensive smell coming up from the exposed socks.
Les from Lincoln
P.S. some may say it's because Ann washes my socks on a more regular basis than I used to! I still believe in my theory nevertheless. E.

It's not that I mind who presents a programme. There are times, however, when I am sat watching a programme with Ann. I am not necessarily interested in the content so, I take pleasure in watching the presenter. OK, dirty old man may spring to mind!
One can never have too much of a good thing I suppose. Whilst we have the very lovely Linda Barker and also that cosy, red 'devil' Kathryn Rayward, I think I (we) should be more than contented. So....Anthea has to channel her charm elsewhere, for the time being, at least.
Les