‘I may not yet be as old as dirt, but dirt and I are starting to have an awful lot in common.’ Stephen R. Donaldso
Today I was working next to a main road today trying to reduce a hedge. The hedge was growing through the railings which meant I had to squash between plant and railing, my arm rubbing against the leaves. After a day, I looked like this.
(note: my arms look like truly odd shapes in these photos,. I don’t think they are odd shapes, it’s just difficult to take a photo of your own arm with a phone.)
No, that isn’t dirt exactly, it’s pollution. In central London, next to the road, the plants are covered with this. You can see it in the trees too.
It was a good day though, every time someone walked past on the pavement, I stopped the hedgecutter and waited (for safety, mainly, but also so as not to freak people out with the noise). People passing would see this squashed gardener behind the railing, hedgecutter held aloft. I’d smile, they’d smile, and it would make me a bit happier each time.
Word of the day: Ramentum – chaffy scale on plants
inkbiotic 
The smiles are a good perk of the job.
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They are! 😀
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glad they didn’t take you for a hedge trimmer slasher……lol
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It wouldn’t be the first time if they did! 😉
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Figured that!! lol
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😂
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In these parts we call that gruft (ground in, almost immovable grime). Best part is watching it sloosh down the shower plughole. Pleased you had a good day, despite the pollution. I hope your lungs haven’t collected all that shite as well… 😦
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My lungs are like a shield of steel! Wish I’d known about gruft before coming up with word of the day, because that is a fine word.
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One of my favourites… 😉
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