Kind of Sad

I didn't post yesterday because I couldn't access the comments and I fell asleep before I could thoroughly enjoy Germany v Spain the night before. Perhaps it's just as well because I'm feeling somewhat sad. One of the chilli plants that had been badly infested with mites (I think) and that I'd cut right back had sprouted more leaves. 

It's not a brilliant pic because I was distracted by an enormous rat shooting across the garden. We've hardly seen any since we stopped feeding the birds, but I'm not surprised. There's been a lot of heavy rain and I know that the stream near us will have been a lot higher than usual and rising up the banks. The run off will have also got into the drains and sewers and I suspect that quite a few rats may have been flooded out. I still don't approve. 

Regardless, all the chilli plants are affected. I've recognised whitefly on them and the plants aren't doing well. After a skin-crawling search (I hate creepy crawlies), it looks like the infestation has dug in and is almost certainly now in the soil. I'm reluctantly going to get rid of the plants, even though they've given good service, disinfect the plant pots, windows and windowsills, put new soil in and plant new plants. With a bit of luck, I should be able to overwinter them. I've got some potassium soap, or insecticidal soap, and at the first sign of trouble, I'll spray around liberally. I am not giving up!

I am also a little concerned about the freezer. Earlier on, that sort of freezing ice-mist was pouring out of it when I was going in and out to make dinner. It looked like an overdone special effect. We've had quite an expensive time, replacing a lot of items like the washer, fridge and oven recently and I don't want to add the freezer to the list. It had calmed down last time I looked, but I'm keeping an eye on it. The Tesco Clubcard vouchers that I've been saving up have covered a lot of stuff for bear, but I'd rather keep an eye on expenses. 

Hugs and good health to all.