My Garden in July 2025

1st - 7th July 2025

Peter built the compost bin earlier this year. The compost on the left is ready to be used. I've added some pots of herbs for decoration and in the far right hand corner of the fresh compost we have potatoes growing. I've told Peter to leave them there, we'll eat them when they're ready.

I've sown more basil and parsley seeds to get a supply going. At the moment Peter is stripping the parsley and basil weekly.

The beds really do need thinning out. There are raspberries, cucumbers, chilli's, herbs, melons and pak choi growing in this one.

My pots labelled as 'peas' have turned out to be pumpkins grown from last years' halloween carving. There are 6 of them in here with multiple flowers. I need to thin out the leafs as they're taking over. I also have tomatoes, radish, parsnip, beans and rhubarb growing here. It looks crowded but there is a lot of space for each plant.

The lettuce is shaded by the parsnips, but I don't eat much of it, so it's not a problem. You can see there is actually space in these beds though. The tomatoes are thriving.

After a trip to Witley Court last month I bought myself a grape vine. I'm hoping we can train it under the canopy by the lounge door.

Stephanie's rose has provided us with a 4th flower. There are several more buds and it's lovely to have it in continuous flower.

8th - 15th July

I wish you could smell the sweet peas. I have them growing in pots all around the garden, the scent is very strong.

There will be pumpkins for everyone this year to carve.

I went away for two nights and the sunflowers have come out.

I was advised to grow the melon plants undercover, but due to the summer we've had it looks like I'll be over run with Cantaloupe's soon.

The first of the cucumbers.

There's a glut of tomatoes. Every plant in the back and front garden either has green tomatoes to ripen or is full of flower heads.

16th - 23rd July

I'm harvesting the parsnips as I need them, they are so sweet.

The strawberries are finished and I think the raspberries are coming to an end.

The cucumbers are really juicy, the figs lovely and soft and there were some surprise radishes.

I've made some space in the raised beds by hanging the cantaloupe melons over the sides to grow so I can plant some more basil and parsley as we're eating a lot of it in salads and with fish.

24th - 31st July

We're away now for a week and on our return we will be making a border in the front garden and sifting through all this soil to level the front lawn out a bit and provide more soil for our hedge to grow in.

 How is your garden doing this July? 

Word of the Week - Mornings

It's the school holidays. 

The alarm is off.

I'm still waking at 6am.

I'm more productive in the mornings than afternoon and evenings, although I do have a flurry of activity just before bed.

I've always woken early and I do enjoy the peace and quiet of a cup of tea, sitting in my happy place outside, regardless of the weather.

6am on a Friday before work.

6am on a campsite.

6am in bed.

No matter how hard I try to stay in bed, I'm awake by 6am most mornings. But as it's summer I'm not so worried about it, because the first thing I do, is make tea, feed the cat and go sit outside with my laptop or phone.

Most of my blog posts are written at 6am. It's rare to read a book and normally I just flick through social media on my phone.

Sometime I wake earlier and just stay in bed for a while hoping I'll go back to sleep, but the traffic noises keep me awake, vans pulling up with engines running and the occasional tooting of a horn to hurry their workmate up for his lift to work and car doors banging.

Are you an early riser? Do you have a time of the day where you get more done?

Post comment Love - 25th-27th July 2025

Welcome back to #PoCoLo with Stephanie from Bosworth.Life and I.

Post Comment Love #PoCoLo is a friendly weekly linky where you can link up any blog post you've written this week. If you're new or a regular visitor we're sure you'll find something of interest.

We'd also appreciate your help spreading the #PoCoLo word on Twitter, tag us and we'll RT. You can find us on twitter here: Stephanie - @BosworthLife and Suzanne - @ChickenRuby 

I'll be catching up with reading your posts, sharing and commenting over the next few days. 

I've had a good week, no surgery needed for the gall bladder but negotiating a high fibre, low fat and gluten free diet is a tough ask.

Booked a last minute trip to visit our grandsons and for Peter to meet the youngest who is now 3 months old.

Lots of reading, gardening and chilling out in the afternoons and evenings. Days out and sunshine.

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Is life better in the sun?

For 12 years whilst living abroad in South Africa and Dubai all we heard was 'at least the sun shines' whenever we dared to complain about anything.

We'd reply with we may be living in the sun but we still have the same things to do everyday, like work, washing, housework, food shopping etc.

And the response would be 'but life is better when the sunshines'

And our response would be 'the grass may look greener, but it's actually spray painted.

'But these hot countries are built for the weather, with air con'

'Nope not in South Africa and in the winter when the temps dropped to below zero, there was no heating either'

'But the sun in Dubai is a dry heat'

No it's not, it's on the bloody coast.

In Dubai from June-September, it was that hot, there was condensation on the outside of the windows. The cold water tap ran at 40c, we'd shower after 10pm or before 9am when it was cooler. The aircon was blowing cold air on you 24/7 and cardigans and socks were worn in the house.

Our air con didn't cool below 28c and opening the front door to get to the car was like stepping into an oven, wearing full winter gear with a hairdryer blowing on your neck.

If you could manage to be outside and the hot sand on the beach, burning your feet even through trainers, you'd get in the sea and it would be 36c. Not refreshing and you'd feel worse.

The air temperature in the summer didn't drop below 36c, so dog walking was done around 4am.

Walking from the front door to the car and from the car into the mall, you'd be dripping in sweat.

My phone was constantly over heating, even sitting in my bag.

But, despite telling you all of this we'd still get 'I'd love some of that sun'

We weren't on holiday, sitting by a pool all day, with room service and air conditioned taxis picking us door to door. 

When the air con in the house broke and also in my car, it was unbearable. Both took a week to get fixed.

Summer temps reached 53c while we were there. The car temps would read up to 57c.

But now you're experiencing several weeks of hot weather, it's clammy, humid and it's making you tired, you're craving cooler temps and even some summer rain.

But for us - we got used to it. We've got 3 large fans on the go around the house, have a covered outdoor area to sit under in the shade. I have a wardrobe full of airy clothing bought in Dubai that keeps me cool and quite frankly I'm fed up of hearing how oppressive this heat wave is, it's topped 34c in some parts of the country, we know it won't last long. 

Just get on with and enjoy it as 'life is always better when the sun shines'

Michael Macintyre explains it.

I do appreciate that there are some people struggling and the effects this heat can have on people's health and how dangerous it can be to certain members of society and you are of course exempt from the above commentary.

Week 29 One Daily Positive and Project 365

I've been on a restricted diet due to my gallbladder and then numerous tests in different hospitals this week. By Wednesday I was able to eat a normal diet again. A normal diet for me is a Gluten Free one anyway.

I got a job. Cover Supervisor at a Secondary School about 15 miles away. Such a relief. It's a permanent contract and probably more suited for me than the Teaching Assistant posts I was applying for. Feedback from both schools was 'I'm not the right fit' Angela and Emma - you'll be pleased to hear that yes, something better did come along.

Galina - I often sleep in the van on my own.

Nicole - Thank you for your comment re our daughter. I'm so sorry for your loss too.

Day 195 

A lie in then off to hospital to collect some medication followed by a job interview at a school 15 miles away. Into work after lunch and cleared out my stuff. Home to read and a phone call to say the job is mine. I can now switch off and relax for the summer. More reading and an early night after a bit of gardening and watering the plants.

Day 196 

There’s a ray of hope at the end of the rainbow. Kidderminster hospital for tests (I’ll talk more about this another time) I’m deciding how to honour Stephanie with some fundraising for a bowel charity. Read some more of book. Spent an hour relaxing in the bath and preparing for my last 3 days in work. 

Day 197 

Off to the Black Country Museum with school. It was a calm and relaxed day, a good journey up and back on the coach and 2 of us took it in turns to take students down the mine. It was pitch black inside. I managed to get half an hour to walk around as I've never been before and we had coffee and a packed lunch. Not too hot for a change. Peter spent the day in Keynsham with his mum and got home after me. I popped out for a coffee and to do some blogging, bath and an early night ahead.

Day 198

A trip to Cadbury World with work, then a drink farewell drinks for a colleague. Peter joined us, then home for dinner, tv and an early night reading in bed.

Day 199

My last day in work, just hanging around all morning then a whole school BBQ indoors because they thought it might rain. This was after they cancelled the hills walk because they thought it might be too hot. I literally chucked my lanyard at HR as I legged it out the door with 2 colleagues to go to the pub. Home around 7pm after Peter joined us all for a drink. Evening spent reading.

                                                                            Day 200

Into Worcester in the morning for coffee and shopping, followed but a nap. Peter walked me into town for 

a night out with friends. He was still up when I got home around 1am. View from the pub.

                                                                               Day 201

I spent 3 hours walking the Malvern Hills from home. I got absolutely soaked after the skies opened at this point at the very top. Walking down was tricky as the paths were glowing like a stream. Dried off in town with a coffee. Home for a hot bath, a quick food shop. I cooked a roast, finished my book then watched the Netflix documentary on the same subject.

Things to make you smile:

I got smoked through to my underwear on the walk up the hills. I had packed a rain coat. I sat in the coffee shop and left a wet mark on the seat and got home to discover the back of my legs were splattered with sheep and cow poo.

Things that made me happy this week:

Getting a job offer and 3 nights out with different colleagues/friends for leaving do's. Finishing two books.

On the blog this week:

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Word of the Week - Gallbladder

Life goes on  without Stephanie

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Word of the Week - Gallbladder

A few weeks back I had the worse pain of my life. I'd had a bacon butty for lunch and 2 poached eggs on toast for my dinner and my gallbladder decided to turn on me.

After two hours and pain meds, heat and rest not sorting it as previously, I called 111 and was told to go straight to A&E.

6.30am Saturday.

Arriving in Worcester at 9pm I was seen and by 10pm I'd had a paracetamol drip. At 3.30am I had the second drip and at 9am I was transferred to Same Day Emergency Care, still in pain, although it had subsided and for the first time since going into hospital I was actually examined by a Doctor who confirmed it was my gallbladder, then seen by a surgeon who has arranged for me to go on the waiting list for surgery.

I was offered the surgical option earlier this year, but declined, the pain wasn't that bad and back in October 2024, our daughter died in theatre and going through those theatre doors, albeit at a different hospital, was an absolute no for me.

I'd already altered my diet after the first couple of attacks, but now it's no red meat, especially pork, no spicy food and no ice creams, cakes etc. Homemade cakes with no/low fat spread will be ok and I'm cutting back on sugar and down on milk.

Being gluten free, options are already limited, but it won't do me any harm. I'm also on new meds and my appetite had changed, craving sugar and fats. I haven't drunk fizzy drinks for almost 2 years as they tasted flat and syrupy on the previous meds.

I've got my first appointment with the surgeon on the 23rd July.

Post Comment Love 18th - 20th July 2025

Welcome back to #PoCoLo with Stephanie from Bosworth.Life and I.

Post Comment Love #PoCoLo is a friendly weekly linky where you can link up any blog post you've written this week. If you're new or a regular visitor we're sure you'll find something of interest.

We'd also appreciate your help spreading the #PoCoLo word on Twitter, tag us and we'll RT. You can find us on twitter here: Stephanie - @BosworthLife and Suzanne - @ChickenRuby 

I'll be catching up with reading your posts, sharing and commenting over the next few days. 

I've had a job offer this week and going out on Saturday to celebrate with my current colleagues.

I shall be sad to leave them as time does move on quickly and whilst we've all promised to keep in touch, work and life will just get in the way. 

I had a lovely gift and card from a student last week and she also threw a little leaving party for me with snack and decorations.

I've mentored her for 3 and a half years and I've promised mum I'm happy to meet up with them both for a coffee occasionally as she goes into year 11 and prepares for her GCSE's. I'm in touch with another student I supported through A Levels.

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Life goes on - without Stephanie

'Give it a year and a day'

'It'll be easier once you've got through all those firsts'

'Life goes on'

Our last visit with Stephanie. We had no idea.

Yes it is getting easier going through all those firsts.

But not because it gets easier, but because all those firsts hit you like a ton of bricks and the rawness of her death hits so bloody hard. But as the next first approaches, you start to prepare. Book the day off work, book something nice to do on the day.

Christmas - not being able to buy presents and write her card, get gifts for the staff, visit her, take her out. I did a non Christmas shopping trip for Stephanie to get things out my system. I already had a bit of a list going before she died in October. I picked things up, I checked the size, the ingredients on treats and toiletries, then I put it back down on the shelf. We bought gifts and a card for the staff and dropped it round as we always did, just this time Stephanie wasn't there. 

I miss wiping her spit of my hands and arms and coat, miss my hair being pulled and I wear it down now more often, I struggled to find a disabled toilet that is clean enough to use.

9 months on when I use a public toilet I still check to see if the disabled one is clean. I can't help it. I did it all the time when I was out, so I knew where I could take her next time on a day out. The trend was if it was clean once, it'll be clean 90% of the time and staff would be receptive to freshening it up if I asked.

For Halloween, Valentines and Easter I'd put together a little parcel of gifts. Things to decorate her room and something to eat and wear.

I send these boxes to the grandchildren as well. Now I pop in a little treat for me and I send the decorations to my son and his girlfriend in Australia, instead.  I still get to buy all the things, I still get to send them.

Stephanie's birthday - I couldn't face work and called in sick. We went to Clifton in Bristol. Her boarding school where she lived from the age of 12-18. We had her home almost every weekend, driving down after work on a Friday with her 4 brothers in tow and back up the motorway home. A 3 hour trip. Drop offs on the Sunday would usually be just the one of us. Or we'd go down as a family on a Saturday and visit her grandmother and cousins.

Mother's Day and Father's Day - These were hard. We still have mother's to buy for, we still have children who will send cards and buy for us. Mother's Day snook up on me because of this. Remembering you're still a mum, but there is one child missing.

On Father's Day we went to Gloucester, for a coffee and some shopping where we used to take her. It doesn't make us feel closer to her, it's just part of our routine that stopped when she died.

My birthday last month, in June. I had some gorgeous flowers from family and friends. The last time we had this many flowers was when Stephanie died. It was nice to have bright, colourful flowers to change the image in my head from before.

Holidays are still a struggle. We would send a card and buy her a gift. We went to Las Vegas over Christmas just to be a million miles away. I sent a postcard to the staff and bought them a t towel for the kitchen. It gave us an excuse to pop back in.

We won't be popping back in again though. There's a new person in her room, some of the staff have changed. But we've decided we'll send our last holiday post card from Australia next month.

That just leaves the last day memory that we saw her and Peter's birthday. The day before she died.

We deliberated going to visit her for the day, but as we were going the following weekend, we decided to go for a coffee into Worcester instead. I don't know what happened to her card and gift from her for her dad. I guess they were going to give it to him the following weekend, then decided not to. Maybe they were taking her out in the week to shop.

The bin lorry ritual. Every Monday morning I'd take a photo of the bin lorry and send it so our grandson (he loves bin lorries) then I'd make my coffee and go to work.

Every Monday morning after that I'd watch the bin lorry as I made my coffee and relive every minute of that day. I'd struggle to get out the house. I was off work for 7 weeks and on my return I'd have to break my journey and sit in the park to have my coffee, find somewhere else to park as I was on half days for 3 months and my leaving time was the same time I left work to drive to the hospital on the day she died.

Life does indeed go on, we're joining in with it more, dwelling less on all the sadness although the sadness is still very much there. Every day Stephanie is in our thoughts and in our conversation.

We have planted a Jasmine called Stephanese outside the front door and have a pot of Angel Wing bulbs that flowered for Mothers Day that were planted with our granddaughter after the funeral.

There's a In Memory Rose that my mum gave us to mark the 6 month anniversary of her death, that was planted with our grandson, it flowered for Father's Day and there was a new bloom for my birthday.

There's always been photos of Stephanie around our home. Now there is an additional frame of her with all her siblings in the hallway, our family. There are 3 more grandchildren to add to the frame as sadly they never got to meet her their Aunty Stephanie before she died.

I'll be booking the day of her death, one year on, off work. We've no idea what we'll be doing yet. Maybe go for a walk in the Forest of Dean where we used to live and wander around the Arboretum, her favourite spot, where she was happy, sitting amongst the leaves.

I'm writing this blog post because we were going out in the evening and we'd be home late so must remember to put the bins out for the morning and I realised that while I'm still aware of the bin lorry and my coffee routine before work, it no longer triggers me. I no longer relive the Monday morning over and over.

But as life goes on around us and our family grows, we live life very differently. Stephanies life serves to remind us of the compassionate people we have in our lives, we're no longer mourning those who have left us, whether they died of their friendship just dropped away.

We're grateful for every minute of every day and make the most of everything we have. 

Life is fragile, it can go in an instance.