Home Page
   Articles
       links
About Us    
Traders        
Recipes            
Latest Articles
... the sky is baby blue, and the just-unfurling leaves ...
Page Previous  1, 2, 3 ... 308, 309, 310 ... 423, 424, 425  Next
 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Downsizer Forum Index -> Grow Your Own
Author 
 Message
Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Thu Feb 22, 18 8:00 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Have gone to another browser and read that now Jam Lady. Very nice. We have had snowdrops in flower here for a couple of weeks, but other things are being slow.

Shan



Joined: 13 Jan 2009
Posts: 9075
Location: South Wales
PostPosted: Thu Feb 22, 18 9:04 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Some snowdrops in our hedge:



The first daffodil in flower. It's really odd because all the rest are tightly closed:




Please excuse the quality of the images as I had to use my phone. Our camera has decided that it's not working so well anymore...

gregotyn



Joined: 24 Jun 2010
Posts: 2201
Location: Llanfyllin area
PostPosted: Thu Feb 22, 18 3:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

My daffodil leaves have been around for a couple of weeks; about a foot high but no sign of the flowers putting in an appearance. it is a bit on the cool side here today, although pleasant. They who know are promising some cold weather to come very soon; someone said minus 20 degrees, I am assuming that is F; really cold if it is to be degrees C. Actually cold whichever degrees it is!

I am away tomorrow for my friends' lad's 40 yo. party with the family and friends in Bridgnorth. Away there straight from work tomorrow, and back to it on Tuesday morning but I will enjoy well cooked food for a few days.

Shan is right to tell you to take it a lot easier with a bad back, MR. A besom and log sacks will have to wait till you are right. Otherwise it takes a lot longer to put right and you will still try to do something too soon, we have all been there and paid the price at some point. I assume you fill the log sacks with a chute. I find the hard part now is picking the net up after I have filled it.

My culinary ability Shan is nil. after my father died I did the outside stuff for mother my brother did the paperwork. All I "cook" with is a micro wave and a whatever I fancy in the shop. I eat a lot of sardines and salad, or smoked salmon and salad, or baked beans with a jacket potato and that just about fills the page of "my cooking". Pudding consists of apple pie with plain yoghurt, blueberries and blueberry yoghurt on top with a conglomerate of tablets-from the doctor, to keep me ticking over so to speak. I am going away this weekend to the friends where the wife can cook, and I will come away with a fair bit of weight added-no joke-I once put on over half a stone when I stayed there for 4 days, a few years back, when I could and would eat anything. Now I have to be careful. I find that I pile it on in winter and lose a lot in the summer. A variation of up to 5 stones has been achieved between winter and summer and around 6 inches on/off the waist line, and a different set of clothes for the seasons! It is quite dramatic to see the difference-and I get the comments about looking gaunt in summer and fat in winter!. I think I have your cold Shan, hoping it will be better for us both for the w/e.

Enjoy your weekends, I will.

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Fri Feb 23, 18 7:30 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

There are a few daffodils in flower here, but mainly down near the coast where it is warmer. I know one place where they have a variety of daffodils planted, so they start early and finish late; a lovely show for a couple of months.

Hope you have a good weekend Gregotyn. I seem to be still losing weight, which is a good thing. I am not exactly fat, but at the high end of normal weight, so losing a little isn't a bad thing. I tend to do that at this time of year because I am working so hard physically with logs and coppicing.

We did another 30 log sacks yesterday. Husband and son helped, and where I had to pick them up, I was very careful and picked them up by the top so I didn't have to bend down much. My back is a lot better; think it just had a spasm rather than seriously damaging anything, so I am taking it as a warning. I didn't have time to make the besom, so we are either going to have to sell him one son made some time ago, or leave it for a week or so.

Forecast is for cold weather here too. Down to -5 or -6 C next week at night and about 2-3 during the day. Unfortunately, although it will be good to dry the wood, the wind is forecast to be easterly, which blows through the log store, and makes it just a trifle cold, in fact freezing.

gregotyn



Joined: 24 Jun 2010
Posts: 2201
Location: Llanfyllin area
PostPosted: Fri Feb 23, 18 3:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Well I thought I would be going away, but not to be today as the cold I have endured for the last few days is still going strong. I am staying at home and seeing how it goes. If I am right in the morning then I will be going if not we will try for Sunday, the day of the 'bash'. If I am not right then I will be stopping at home till I am right. I got home yesterday and packed it all ready and loaded the motor, so as not to delay my early morning usual start at work, but I was still full of yuk in the nose and decided it would be a bad present for all at the do to go there snivelling and where I stay with the parents my friends, they don't want this cold and cough either.

We are opposites then MR, as I put it on in the winter when I am eating so much to keep warm and eating less in the summer and working at work and at home in the summer. Wood chopping takes place all the year round, but I sit for that most of the time, other wise I wouldn't have the stock for winter sales. I will be going home soon to saw, chop and net a bit and see how it goes; if I don't feel good as I do it I will go in and get a bit of early rest. Currently the cough is the worst thing. I don't feel so bunged up as I did this morning.

I thought your husband did besoms as well as you, MR; talk him into doing the hard parts or then again is it all hard work with besoms? Just look after yourselves is the main thing at this time of the year. I am glad the boys are helping with the log sacks. I would have thought it was a job that, executed as a family, would be done much faster than a lone wolf so to speak-wolves hunt in packs to achieve their goals.

We had a frost coming down as I left this morning, so although the roads had not been gritted they were clear of frost for some reason, unless they were done the night before, which they do sometimes do. I had to give the night man his keys back today; he phoned me yesterday to ask if I had found them-I said yes they were in the gate! along with 3 other folks gate keys. Now there was an invitation if ever I wanted one! I secured them to my 'jailers' set ready to return them this am. I expected to be there before 5 am., but this morning I couldn't get going for some reason and I was late well only an hour before I get paid-6 am. I officially start at 7am. But I usually go at 1pm. but don't feel guilty if I leave a bit early. Basically I am lucky to have a job which I enjoy doing and get well rewarded for even though I am not up to date enough for the job in reality. Tractors are so electronic these days, that it is a pleasure to get on my Fergy. 35, where every thing I do on it is manual or it doesn't happen. I am hoping to make hay this year up to baling-just got to go find and buy the right tack. I am looking for a single row wuffler- a box with tines inside which lift and aerate the grass, and a vicon acrobat, ideally trailed, not mounted and for a double row I think they are still made, but such a good tool. I would get the mowing and baling done by those who know how. One of my fields needs draining, ploughing and reseeding, and my good neighbour has a digger, so I am hoping! It is called forward planning, something I have just discovered, but keeping quiet about in case it doesn't work! I will probably be about tomorrow morning, if I still have the cold and cough that have stopped me going to the friends today.

cassandra



Joined: 27 Mar 2013
Posts: 1733
Location: Tasmania Australia
PostPosted: Sat Feb 24, 18 4:59 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Signs of spring I see - how lovely for you. Here I picked my first meal of mushrooms, so I guess that works. And very tasty they were too!

Poppet is venturing further and further into the house, and her encounters with the dog are not so ........ electrifying?! as they were. She still calmly retreats and he still gets a little excited, but the excitement is dying down.

My trips to Hobart are coming thick and fast, and the next two will provide ample me-time while I am there. Monday's won't be much use as I have no money left till next pay, but Thursday will give me a couple of hours at my favourite shopping centre, so I should be able to get the groceries etc all sorted while I wait. Woohoo. I will stash them in the boot of the vehicle to avoid comment from patients.

We have had a rain session last night and this morning but temperature wise it is still rather warm - bit like living in the sub-tropics again. I have cleaned out the woodheater and polished the glass in anticipation of the next fire, but it will certainly not be tonight.

I texted my wood man on Friday and asked if he could please start building up my stockpile - no rush, whenever it suited him. The first load was there within the hour! He does only live across the road, and had been cutting wood that day, so already had a trailer load ready to be delivered, so I got lucky. The load was dumped in a heap, so in between deluges, I have been organising it into two walls at right angles, so the next delivery does't go rolling down the bank as some bits did this time (not complaining at all I would add). Since I already have some bits of hardwood cut, I won't be burning any of the new delivery, and will try to avoid doing so at least until 2 weeks into Autumn - silly to start on it this early.

I asked for 6 tonne (which I can pay for since I have been deliberately over-paying my electricity and can draw back some of that) but he then asked how much I used last year which was 8. So now he is delivering 8, I am paying for 6 and will pay for the rest as it comes to hand. Can't complain about that! I did warn him I am presently saving up to have the kitten spayed, vaccinated and microchipped, but he was not concerned. Like he said - I know where you live! haha.

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Sat Feb 24, 18 8:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

That is always one advantage with wood deliveries Cassandra; you know where the person lives, and as long as it isn't locked up, you can always retrieve it in the case of non-payment. So far we have been lucky and only lost payment for half a load. Good idea to get the wood in early as it saves a rush for you and the woodman when it gets cold-talking of which:

Log sacks are going like hot cakes at the moment. We delivered 75 this week, and still have 20 to complete one order. No doubt they will then want another 50. Husband and son have helped this week, partly to get the numbers done, and partly because I hurt my back, which is a lot better now. The reason I usually do them on my own is that they are working on something else, like felling, splitting down long lengths, or log loads. They provide me with the cut and mainly split logs, then I can bag, split a few down that need a bit more, and stack the sacks.

Son hasn't been at all well this week, and husband and I have been a bit off colour. We wonder if it is flu, as son is the only one of us not to have had the jab; his wife gets it too as she has a compromised immune system.

Hope you get better and can go away for your weekend Gregotyn. Look after yourself.

Cassandra, the driving job seems quite good. Gives you time in Hobart, and no doubt some of your passengers are interesting people, although sooner or later you will probably get one who is difficult unfortunately.

We were thinking of going to a hedgelaying competition today but it is a. cold with a cold wind, b. on the Isle of Wight which means a ferry ride, c. in such an awkward place we would need to take a car, so we are giving it a miss and will support the lads working in our wood 'in absentia'.

gregotyn



Joined: 24 Jun 2010
Posts: 2201
Location: Llanfyllin area
PostPosted: Sat Feb 24, 18 10:24 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I didn't expect to be here this morning, but to be going to Bridgnorth as expected as I am much better and guess not throwing the germs round the place.

I am glad you are getting trips to Hobart, Cassandra, must save you a fortune in fuel, and presumably goods are cheaper and more variety there than in your local shops and, importantly, you are helping someone else. Bit of a bonus for the wood man if he already has a load on and is on your doorstep, you should be getting a discount-he doesn't have to unload and reload to deliver. I am pleased Poppet is doing well and getting braver.

The librarian has just brought me a cup of coffee, which I was not expecting, but the heating has gone off so welcome. Lack of oil, a regular occurrence. The best quote for oil to us here came from a company in Liverpool-about 60 miles north, but the service is useless! If they asked a local firm to top up they would do so with ease and quite cheaply as they have access to the tank and a friend who drives for one I know said the the firm would deliver at a good price because they often get orders for more than tanks will hold and so would bring the excess to the library as a matter of course. But I suppose we are dealing with public money. So if the man delivers when the library is closed he doesn't get a signature for proof of delivery.

You will have to take on some volunteers for the log bagging process MR, to relieve the back. They are heavy, and as I am getting older I am loosing the strength I had as a youngster. I can lift as well as I used to but not with the same frequency! I may look for an apprentice, for logging/ kindling cutting and become a gentleman woodman....on second thoughts I enjoy doing it!

Jam Lady



Joined: 28 Dec 2006
Posts: 2501
Location: New Jersey, USA
PostPosted: Sat Feb 24, 18 2:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Firewood has me in an extremely grumpy mood.

We have a couple of trees that came down across the seasonal brook in Superstorm Sandy. Mr Jam Lord doesn't want to mess with them - 18 to 20 inches in diameter, reach across from bank to bank, good oak, and heavy. There is a young man who needs firewood. Last year's firewood season he came and got downed trees that were easier to deal with. It is awkward because the path in along the brook is somewhat narrow for his ATV and trailer. And I have plants growing along the path.

Well, about 3 weeks or a bit longer ago he came, cut, and hand split into quarters - they are heavy. And piled the wood on either side of the bridge across the brook. He said he wanted to cut more before he removed it. But has not been back since.

I mentioned to his wife that it needs to go before plants start into growth. She said he was concerned that the ground was soft and he would tear it up with the equipment. I said it needs to go before the plants start growing.

Well, guess what - snowdrops, winter aconites, etc etc are growing and flowering. And the firewood is still there. This means it is up to me to get it the h-ll out of there. The only thing I can see is moving 6 to 10 pieces a day using a hand truck. It's on me - Mr Jam Lord is not interested and it is my garden. I am not at all happy. This is the last time he can get firewood from us.

I will report back how moving the first set goes.

cassandra



Joined: 27 Mar 2013
Posts: 1733
Location: Tasmania Australia
PostPosted: Sun Feb 25, 18 6:27 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

How inconsiderate of him JL - I think I would be sending hubby over to explain it is now too late to be going in to cut and he can please remove the stacked timber by x date or you will start barrowing it into your own heap.

Today they had a bit of a thing happening at the Mill - Japanese themed day with noodles made from grain ground at the Mill, drumming, origami, kimonos, singing etc. So we set up across the road with our wheels and sat and span - at least most of us did. I sat and wound endless skeins of wool into balls - but it was a job that had to be done and which would have taken forever at home due to Billy's objection to anything being on my lap other than him.

I came home to find Poppet and Billy both on the arm of the lounge in the sun but she seems to be rather more timid in the loungeroom than elsewhere so dived for cover and headed back to the bathroom with Seb close behind. But clearly they have an understanding of sorts, so its all good. Two of the spinning ladies are also dog trainers it emerged, so I took Seb in to meet them and to discuss his disconcerting habit of not paying attention once his nose is engaged. His nose became engaged as we chatted and they concluded he has such a good nose it is unlikely he will ever be trained out of it. They then went on to tell me there are tracking dog groups, so perhaps we can find one that we can join. It does seem a terrible pity he has such a good nose but is unable to exercise it at will.

Fortunately the galeforce winds forecast failed to put in an appearance, and it was a nice day apart from the woman beside me who had a voice like an air raid siren that she exercised all day - and got louder as the day wore on. And dominated all attempts to converse with anyone else. So I left a bit early on the excuse I would need to get the dog and talk to the people at the other end of our happy little row.

I will probably not bother lighting the fire after all as it has been sunny this afternoon and I really can't be bothered. Off to Hobart again tomorrow, so there will be little to report.

The passengers are fine - after all you only have to put up with them for a hour each way. Some of them are back seat drivers which was not helpful as I came to grips with the vehicle and less so when trying for car parking spots close to their destination and in a busy location, but since by that point I am about to get rid of them, it is not a real problem.

Later this week I am going to try to drop off some plums to a friend en route (I have told her this is subject to my assessment of the temperament of my passengers), so that will be interesting.

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Sun Feb 25, 18 8:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Glad you are feeling better Gregotyn, and hope you get to Bridgnorth for 'the day'. It would make a lot of sense to use a local man for oil top ups, but that, unfortunately is not how even local government works; you have to have a quote from 3 suppliers and go for usually the cheapest. If a local man can't supply all the public buildings in your district, he won't get a look in.

Seems a shame the oaks had to be used for firewood at that size Jam Lady, but I suppose it would have been impossible to get them out as a long length. Good luck with moving the pieces; oak is heavy. Nice your flowers are coming up though.

Good that Poppet has ventured into the loungeroom Cassandra, even if a bit unsure at the moment. Hopefully she will settle down with the other two. If Seb has such a good nose, he should be trained to use it. It might make him better behaved, and will give him a sense of achievement being praised for something that comes naturally to him.

We decided to go down to the village yesterday to a rather good cafe. Husband suggested we use our bus passes as they came a couple of weeks ago, so we caught a bus down there, then walked back. It is all up hill on the way back, but after lunch we needed a walk. There is a mirabelle plum just out of the village that is in flower and looking lovely, and the odd crocus and daffodil, but it is pretty cold at the moment, so not much in flower, and most things keeping their heads down. We have burgenia in flower in the front garden, but the flowers are right down among the leaves, and even the leaves looked a bit sad yesterday. The amaryllis son gave me is now in full flower and quite spectacular. Hope it last well, as it is really looking good.

Jam Lady



Joined: 28 Dec 2006
Posts: 2501
Location: New Jersey, USA
PostPosted: Sun Feb 25, 18 3:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Cassandra, I said something about if it stays in the woods it becomes ours. But Mr Jam Lord said no, it is Andrew's.

Yesterday I made 6 trips in 2 hours, moving 10 pieces of firewood.



The heap on this side of the seasonal brook has about 45 pieces.

Today it is raining, raining, raining. Maybe tomorrow will be good for moving wood. Tuesday I'm going to NY botanical garden for the orchid show press preview. My brother (who lives in the city) will join me. Wednesday I'm presenting at my garden club - the scheduled speaker canceled on us so two other members and I are going to talk about sowing seeds. I intend to get the wood moved by the weekend, weather permitting, and then start on the wood on the far side of the brook, across the big bridge.

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Mon Feb 26, 18 7:58 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Good luck with it Jam Lady, and hope your talk and visit go well.

We went up to the Devil's Punch Bowl at Hindhead yesterday. It was a lovely day, but the wind was cold, so thought if we were down in the valley it would be nice. They are doing work on the cafe and toilets, so the car park, already inadequate, has temporary toilets and all sorts on part of it making it even smaller. We couldn't find anywhere to park but found a small car park round the corner and walked back. Had a lovely walk and I got birch envy. There is so much there that would be ideal for besoms. In future years I might ask if I can cut on a common somewhere as I am likely to find better stuff there than in the woods, and most people running them want the birch scrub cleared.

gz



Joined: 23 Jan 2009
Posts: 8577
Location: Ayrshire, Scotland
PostPosted: Mon Feb 26, 18 1:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

My besom looks to be made from heather..but that would make sense in Scotland!

Jam Lady



Joined: 28 Dec 2006
Posts: 2501
Location: New Jersey, USA
PostPosted: Mon Feb 26, 18 11:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Moved some more firewood yesterday after lunch. Very muddy, what with nearly an inch of rain Saturday night. Moved more this morning. But first moved large buckets of wood chips to fill in where the hand truck was making ruts in the mud.

Then Mr Jam Lord set remaining pieces up on the bridge, standing on end. Makes them easier to set upright on the hand truck. So I moved more after lunch. Have now moved 39 of the 50 pieces at this side of the bridge.

Have decided we will keep the wood on the far side of the bridge, somewhat stacked on the ground. It is going to be more arduous to move, and I am not happy about spending several hours a day moving firewood that has been cut and split in quarters and sitting around since late January.

Hellebores well in bud, lots of winter aconites in flower, also snowdrops (several species and cultivars.)

Post new topic   Reply to topic    Downsizer Forum Index -> Grow Your Own All times are GMT
Page Previous  1, 2, 3 ... 308, 309, 310 ... 423, 424, 425  Next
Page 309 of 425
View Latest Posts View Latest Posts

 

Archive
Powered by php-BB © 2001, 2005 php-BB Group
Style by marsjupiter.com, released under GNU (GNU/GPL) license.
Copyright © 2004 marsjupiter.com