Lá Féile Padraig to all my G&G friends.

Following on from the Ology thread, if you had your time over, what would you do instead?

Having had three careers (archaeologist, chef and bookshop manager, then early retiree) I know I lack stickability, but looking back I'm happy with my choices and always chose a path that lead to daily satisfaction rather than material wealth, although we're paying the price for that now! 

I wonder how many of us made the right choice at 16, 18, 21 or even 50?

I have just watched a recording about how to age well, there were several interviews with some of societies seniors and showing what they do to keep feeling young, so made me wonder others on here do to keep themselves feeling young.
Mostly I  mess about in the garden, though I do go for a walk for about a mile every day, up to the start of the pandemic I run a garden club, organising monthly meetings, I also help maintain the church, which being an old building takes a lot work, but I suppose it all contributes to keeping me active, so again what do you do to keep yourself young

Last year I bought some expensive compost that had been recommended by the likes of Charles Dowding, but which (last year at least) turned out to be less than ideal quality - Charles said as much on a recent video, and said he had been in touch with the manufacturers about the drop in quality. This was Moorland Gold, which is made from reclaimed peat fragments taken from reservoirs - it was a lovely fine texture that seemed ideal for propagation, and who could resist environmentally friendly peat? 

However everything I sowed in it last summer failed, and just to prove a point, when I tried it again this year (because I'd run low on seed compost) the results were less than impressive:

   

   

These are different seeds from different suppliers (beetroot, calendula - some home-saved - and alyssum), but only about half of all the modules had any germination

Contrast this with the broad beans I sowed in Dalefoot Seed Compost:

   

Around 90-95% germination rate. I rest my case!

There are so many knowledgeable people on here that I'm feeling a bit left out.
Then I remembered the BT ad from many years ago -    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NK5-2fPyCjA 

So I'd like to warn people that I'm likely to make an ology comment whenever I feel its warranted.. No offence intended - maybe a tinge of jealousy though. .

So, my question is - do you have an Ology that you'd care to tell us about? 


Don't be shy! Remember, this is the Nutty thread where we try not to be too serious..

Area 51 is temporarily closed! 

Translation - chillies have been evicted from the dining room. Apparently they’re creating to much humidity for his table finish ( osmo ) to cure. Just as well he’s getting paid well for finishing tables. He better hurry up, he’s Upsetting my chillies!

This is a thread for recommendations on cleaning/ household items/ beauty / health & wellbeing & hygiene products. That are all or a combination of plastic / chemical / palm oil & cruelty free. 

I’ve ordered my first products from a couple of companies this morning. I’ll report back when I’ve tried them out.
I’ve wanted to go plastic & cruelty free for a good few years if I’m honest but it’s always been very expensive and quite limited and difficult to find. Now there are eco shops springs up all over the place. Still more expensive then the commercial stuff. Which is to be expected. I’m very excited for the post to arrive next week. 

So please if you have any recommendations share. Name drop those small companies 

Apparently the seeds for this can only be bought from Real Seeds? Real Seeds are out of stock so this is a plea for a few seeds off anyone who has any?
If I could just get one plant I think it can be propagated from cuttings, but getting that one plant is harder than it seems.

I will gladly pay for the seeds and P&P. Or if anyone knows where I could purchase some, that would be better.

Because the charity shops are closed my supply of Historical fiction books has dried up. I've even read all my gruesome murder books.

Getting desperate, I decided to start reading  Geoff Hamiltons Cottage Garden book last night in bed. I have had this book for ages along with others from the same author, if and when I find them.
I am finding it very interesting and the bloke seems a man after my own heart with a sort of sense he was anti-establishment and a bit of a rebel at heart.
Looking forward to reading how the cottage garden has evolved through the ages from its humble beginnings.