Brighton!

It’s been a while, the cacti haven’t enjoyed the storms and frost snaps but those that have survived the winter will be nurtured back to life…meanwhile, a fab weekend in Brighton saw two little ones left in strategic places.

Firstly in The West Hill Tavern, whilst DJs Simon Price, Alexis Petridis & John Burgess were spinning the tear-jerking, heart-searching Late Nite Minicab FM tunes…

And then at what is the rebranded Leonardo Hotel, literally opposite the train tracks. Good luck to anyone that finds them.

Dentists’ Cactus - Thriving!

Missing-presumed-killed-off….what a pleasant surprise today that the cactus I gave to the Dental Surgery several years ago, that I was told was dead; is not only alive, but positively thriving!

It’s acquired a sombrero and lives in the Staff Room. Kerry brought it down to show me. Thank you!

Steve and Carrie’s Flower

Steve and Carrie sent me this today of their beautiful first flower…as happens sometimes the weight of the flower, particularly if the stem grows quickly, falls off. Still a beauty though! Well done both. And thanks for sharing.

Flowers on the same day

Two different cacti one owned by Steve and the other by Ceri flowered on 31st July 2022. Both owners kindly sent me pictures. Ceri’s flowers annually and prolifically whilst Steve’s was its first time.

Ceri’s plant

Steve’s

Best Tyre Place I’ve Been To Get Cacti

Getting your tyres done is one of the great levelling experiences in life. Like waiting for your baggage at the airport carousel, you mix with many different types of people. And no-one really wants to be there, but it’s a necessity.

ATS in Caldicot are, by some distance, the best car tyre depot I’ve ever visited. The four lads there not only work hard and efficiently but they’re really friendly and personable.

So I left them a cactus each.

Cacti in Dubai

On the international front: Great news that my friend Zubair sends this morning that his baby cacti have arrived safely in Dubai. We tried during lockdown and they were postmarked as having got into the country, but were sent back. These ones made it through!

Back to cactus Bombing

Lovely cafe and pizzeria Acappella in Knowle, Bristol, courtesy of Richie McCarthy - found by Pattie. Thank you for getting in touch a couple of days later and letting us know it’s going to be loved and looked after.

RIP Mick Mason

Day Of The Cacti is very sad to learn of the passing today of local traditional cobbler and all round top bloke Mick Mason. One of the biggest heartbeats of the little town of Chepstow, Mick always looked after my Jeffery West boots. He’d always tell me what a quality brand they are and that meant they’d cost a bit more to repair. Here he is with his cactus.

Cacti in California

Met Mike over a game of online chess. And this is where it led to: Thanks to Mike and Judy for this picture of their five Day Of The Cacti babies which made it across the Atlantic safely last month. Looking forward to seeing how they develop in that warm Californian sun.

Flowering Season

This is the time of the year in the UK when many of my Day Of The Cacti plants push out a beautiful pink flower or two or several even. The flowers last for one day only and then begin to wilt. But while they last, they are truly magnificent.

Double Flower

Double Flower