Saturday, 8 August 2026

Pick A Number

 As Peenee laments in his latest - anniversary - post (happy 19th blog birthday, mrpeenee!),
"There are times when I sit down to write my latest hilarious blog and I discover I have absolutely no idea about what to write."
 The same is very often true here, so I just slap up a few photos that I've taken recently and call it a day.  But not today.
 Today we're going to play a game.
Well, we've thought of a game to play but whether any of you join in is another matter.
I'm sure they will.
 Anyway, it's very simple, there's no strenuous activity, and you don't really have to use your brain.
And we'll get two blog posts out of it!
"What about prizes?" I hear you ask.  Well, there are none because this game doesn't have a winner or loser (except, possibly, the Host's dignity).  Instead, the second results post is the 'prize'.
 Plus, if you like it, you can play the game on your blogs too.  It'll be different for everyone, so there'll be no boring repetition - well, it's very unlikely that there will be.
 
 Right.  Are you intrigued?  Or at least a little curious?  Or bored enough to take part in whatever the hells this is?  Good.  Then we'll begin: 
 
 All you have to do is pick a number between 1 and 108 and leave it in the comments.  In a couple of days time, I will return with the consequences of your chosen numbers.
 
☙❧
 
 Just in case anyone feels this is all too unfamiliar, discomforting, and too much to take in, I'll just slap up some photos I took from Thursday's visit to the Old Vicarage Gardens in East Ruston (last seen back in 2025, although I have been several times this year):
 
Inside the Diamond Jubilee walled garden
 
Between the Diamond Jubilee Walled Garden and the massive fruit cage (which I heard one visitor confidently tell her companion was an aviary.  Silly cow.)
 
Pineapple lilies (Eucomis comosa)
 
And some more, but these are 'Sparkling Burgundy' (like the ones I have at home)
 
This massive bee was laden down with pollen by the time she'd finished at this hibiscus
 
I used to know what this pink thing is called, but I do know a gladdy when I see one!
 
I do not know what this graceful, pendulous flower is, though.
 
Some startlingly red roses.
 
Just a small part of the North Garden with hydrangeas, tree ferns, acers, tetrapanax (rice paper plant) and more!
 
That Acer's undercarriage!
 
Two different agapanthuses (agapanthi?) surrounded by geraniums.
 
☙❧
 
 Remember: For a bit of a lark, before you go, pick a number between 1 and 108 and leave it in the comments.  See you again soon!

22 comments:

  1. 73!!!! 73, please. What happens now? Will you have to wait 73 hrs before Blogger realises that you pressed the publish button??? Does it work like a raffle???
    I am sort of working on a post. I have lost confidence in writing anything other than my morning journal. So silly.
    Congrats to Mr Peenee for his 19th!
    That pendulous flower looks rather aggressive - I hope Jon knows what it is.
    Sx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 73 it is, then. I haven't looked to see what 73 is yet, so this is very exciting! And it may not have been 73, but I'm sure it was about 7.3 hours before this post found its way onto the sideboards of Savvy, Mitzi and your good self.

      As for your next post, if push comes to shove, maybe a couple of excerpts from your journal like you did before to get back into the swing of things? Or maybe you could host your own version of my game once mine is over?

      Delete
  2. I'll have number 45, please. And after some more coffee and, maybe, breakfast, I'll have a crack at that "pink thing"

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "I'll have a crack at that pink thing" is a euphemism if ever I heard one!

      And 45 joins 73 off the board.

      Delete
  3. The last photo reminds me so much of the glasshouse at chatsworth house

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    Replies
    1. I haven't been to Chatsworth in years - a revisit is overdue.

      Delete
  4. Isn't that the garden where you got cruised a few years ago? Anyhow, it's beautiful, and so well-kept considering the continuing heat and drought!

    The mystery plant #1 is Hesperantha (formerly Schizostylis) coccinea - and you say you know a gladdy? Mystery #2 is Gladiolus papilio! I'm not sure I like it, to be honest.

    I'll take #'63 from the top, please, Carol. Jx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah, yes, The Frisson was four years ago, now. And it was at Felbrigg - somewhere else I must revisit (especially as it's just down the road).

      Thank you for the identification. Although Dinah might be miffed that she didn't get to finish her breakfast, first...

      63 is now saved.

      Delete
    2. I thought it was a gladdy type!!! As I noted a likeness to the gladdy above.
      Sx

      Delete
    3. I don't know how I missed it? I blame the heat.

      Delete
  5. PS your blog post arrived in the Reading List before Mistress Maddie's...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Google Blogger gnomes are really being mischievous at the mo!

      Delete
  6. Glorious garden photos. The fruit aviary must be fascinating...

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Yes, nowhere else is there a display like this one. Raspberries and plums flying around with apples and strawberries. It really is quite remarkable!

      Delete
  7. Absolutely Marvellous
    a Eucomis wonderland.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It really is. And those white ones are absolutely MASSIVE!

      Aren't you going to pick a number, Madam A?

      Delete
  8. Happy 19th Mr Peenee.

    I may have number 96 please.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. An excellent choice, Mago. (I counted along to see what it would be having just discovered what 73, 45, and 63 are while preparing the results post.)

      Delete
  9. 76, please, Sir! The garden photos are gorgeous and make feel incredibly jealous and downtrodden regarding my own inabilities to garden successfully! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ooh, 76. Well, that's a surprise!

      As for the garden, this one is tended to by both paid and volunteer staff, dear Savvy. If we could afford such things I'm sure our own gardens would look just as lovely.
      Although, you do have your MITM and all those family members around. What are they for if not to do your bidding in your own garden?

      Delete
  10. 69 pleeease! The rose looks like a rugosa Robusta. I always keep a poly bag in the car with a bit of water in it for taking cuttings. No joy with the Paulownia Tomentosa cutting, so I bought one from Gardening Express £16.97 it broke my heart having to pay for it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 69? If I didn't know you better, I'd think you picked that particular number for the connotation. Actually...
      Shitting Hells, Mitzi! You forked out £16.97 for a plant?!? Who are you??!

      Delete

Tickle my fancy, why don't you?