Pruning Shrubs

[Robinia]

Have any of you lovely gardeners hard pruned, into old thick wood, any of the following shrubs and had them live to see another year?!!  I read all the books but there's so much conflicting advice when it comes to renovation pruning.

Olearia haastii (Daisy bush)

Lonicera fragrantissima (winter honeysuckle - think this one will be ok)

Cotinus (smoke Bush).

[Jude123]

Morning Everybiddy... Off to meet my 'live for the moment' younger sister today. She's going to help me buy something for this wedding which I am getting fed up with looking for.
That's sad about that Dr Neti. I just don't understand why they wont pay if he has paid his insurance. I'm pleased he is in remission.
Enjoy your next trip Jno. You do get about don't you. Maybe just one day you may tell us more - or then maybe not :~)
I love strawberries too but when I've eaten them I always end up with one big spot on my face. Sounds daft, but it's true. So I have to pick my time when I have nowhere special to go! Or make sure I have a concealer in stock.
Later today I will send an email about where I went Monday. I was mixing with the Acting fraternity :~) I'm not sure of who will be interested, so if you're not particulary then just delete it and ignore it I'll understand.

See yer later 'gater(s)

[jno]

nothing to tell, really, Jude - I am retired on a modest pension and travel is what I like to spend it on.

[Jude123]

Brilliant Jno ~ I wish I had the confidence to get up and go travelling. All the best to you.

[jno]

I mostly pay tour operators to do all the hard work; but I feel confident enough to go it alone in places like USA and New Zealand, where they speak the language and don't usually try to rip you off.

[LoftyLottie]

I have done a fair amount of travelling alone in my time jno and actually quite enjoy it - you can please yourself what you do! I must admit I am not so keen on travelling as I used to be, mainly because of Arthur Itis. He's a bloomin' nuisance. I also nowadays have a real aversion to air travel. I used to like it but now it's just hard work.

Have had a busy morning. Been to my new bank manager who looks about 18 Delightful young man though and very dishy!! He was actually very, very efficient and knew his stuff.

Then went and bought a couple of very cheap sleeveless tops just to wear in the garden. I won't put my bingo wings on public show!! Met a friend in town and had a long chin wag.

It's Master LL's birthday and he is on holiday, so took him round a birthday cake and had a slice whilst I was there.

Then went to Garden Centre and spent yet more money on garden stuff.

Had some lunch and in ten minutes am going out for walk with Meggie and my over the road neighbour.

I will come back and properly read through all the posts.

xxxxxxxxxxx

[jno]

I have to agree about air travel. But BA were offering free upgrades if you used airmiles, so this is what I did. I don't think I could make it to Arizona in economy any more. Though my impression has been that seats are slowly starting to move apart over the last couple of years; five years ago I couldn't sit there without splayed knees, now there seems to be more legroom.... or perhaps I am shrinking, at least lengthways.

[woofgang]

interesting day. WE went to the DVLC office in Portsmouth to retain DH's numberplate so he could put it on the new bike. It used to be a "while you wait" jobbie, keep in mind it costs 150 quid (????How much??????) they now want 4 to six weeks to do it and during that time you can't sell the vehicle. DH said okay, give me back the cheque I won't do it. The girl was flabbergasted and went into the but but but routine but DH stuck to his guns and off we went to Gunwharf quays. Keep in mind it was a sunny day, no hurry and I had cash in my pocket and carte blanche from DH who went off for a coffee to Starbucks...which had closed...oh well go to cafe Nero instead. Anyway i could not find a thing to buy....not a new handbag, not a book, NOTHING and the hot chocolate and shortbread in Nero was carp.
The day wasn't a complete loss however as I now have new mower and pressure washer and we saved 60 quid cos it was pensioners day at B and Q.

[Robinia]

In a nutshell, too tired & annoyed to go into detail but I've just given TalkTalk a good talking to & I could be telling them to stick it in the next few days...so if I disappear from the tinter, you'll know why.

[woofgang]

we are happy with Bt but its not the cheapest.
Hav ejust been groveling on the floor fixing the skybox

[shaneystar2]

I've just sat on my posterior and watched Exile .All three episodes .It was brilliant . John Simms is a good actor .I loved him in Ages to Ashes and Jim Broadbent was good .
It was so sad .

I never watch TV during the day but did today as I felt a bit under the weather . Couldn't get warm for some reason .It's been ever so cold at night here the last couple of days .Now the sun is blazing out the back and I've had to open the doors .

I wish I could travel somewhere ,preferably the further away the better,somewhere hot. Guaranteed hot with a pool and dishy waiters bringing me cool drinks .Dream on Shaney .

I see the resident God basher is getting a camera up his bum ..hope it's not too painful for him and he doesn't have to yell ... "Oh my God "..... :=)

You give them a good talking to Robinia and if that fails tell them you know someone who gives lectures on the subject :)
Hope you are all OK .Be good xx

[Jude123]

This is the dress I bought today

http://www.wallis.co....Id=209167&pageSize=20

[woofgang]

oooo pretty Jude.

[netibiza]

Lovely dress jude, but I don't wear dresses, maybe I should.

Have 2 episodes of Exile left to watch, it is good, I dread getting Altzeimers, but forget so much these days!

[woofgang]

Neti i have been a forgetter all my life...you just get a HUGE notebook!

[Jude123]

Neti I don't wear dresses either That was only the 3rd one I possess. but 'live for the moment' says I should and that was the one she saw the other day and said would look nice on me. I have now to buy a jacket to go with it. I'm fed up!!

[Jude123]

Also Neti I'm a prolific note writer I have a pad on the go all the time hanging round my kitchen. So like Woofy says get yourself one.

[woofgang]

It's a great excuse to shop, my current pad is a darling little pink leather Filofax. ;-) gift of DH of course.......night night all.

[Jude123]

I'm off to bed now as well. Goodnight All. Sleep tight x

[jno]

just booked another night in a motel, on Route 66, no less. And in Flagstaff Arizona, just like the song says. I don't think I'll make it to Barstow or San Bernardino, but I've been there before and there's not much to see.

[netibiza]

jno is gonna get her kicks, on Route 66!!

Morning all!