Friday Smiles 2025 # Week 47

Having checked and double checked, I have decided that this really is week 47! Hence I have been numbering wrongly ever since I had a break a few weeks back. So this is my second post titled week 47. (Might as well get it right before the year ends).

We woke up to frost across the grass in the park today. That's a first here. The water in my bird bath is still frozen. But it was a bright sunny morning, so while I ran some errands, Chris did a bit in the front garden, cutting down a small shrub that is very deseased, and also tackling the catoneaster that is growing throughout the back and front gardens. It was all along the front of the house and was very neglected so it was full of dead branches and rotting leaves. We want it gone because we have just ordered some rose bushes and there will be a pink climbing rose on either side of the window. They have been dispatched and are on the way to us. I have also ordered the Peace rose I promised mum I would have in my garden. It is a more meaningful way to remember her than occasionally visiting her grave, (not really within visiting distance for me anyway). I am sure I will be talking to her most days by her rose.

Some more of the cotoneaster is growing in three places along the back garden wall. They all looked much the same when we moved in, but now one has lost most of its berries, but has dense green foliage, one has lost its berries and the leaves are mostly  yellow now, and the one in the middle is bright red with its overload of berries. A big blackbird comes to sit at the top of it and feast himself. Yesterday the bush was caught in a shaft of sunshine and it shone out like a beacon. We won't be cutting that one down until the winter is over.

Walking through the park I felt quite sad to see all the bare trees. Even our favourite little red tree has lost its leaves now. But one tree, though leafless, is covered in small bunches of pink blossom and it is so pretty. I took a couple of pictures so I could ask Google lens to identify it, and apparently it is Viburnam.

Our workmen arrived on Monday and we now have the fire taken out, and the alcove cupboard removed. As the builder is also a plumber he has brought water pipes down from the bathroom to feed the new sink, and removed a radiator which will be sited further along the wall once the plasterers have been in.

When he took up the carpet we found the floor was covered in very old red and black tiles in a checker-board pattern. If they had been in better condition we might have kept them, but several are chipped or broken, and the floor is not level, so it will be treated with a levelling gel, and our new chosen tiles will be layed on top of them.

The electrician was also here and he has chased in the wiring for all the new sockets, and made holes all over the ceiling ready for the spot lights.

We are in limbo now as the plasters are needed next and they are not available until next Wednesday. So we have to be patient. At least the work is underway now.

And that is about it for this week. I will try to send my link round in the morning.