27th April 2026 - And back to the shed

Thought for the day :"I became a book-keeper about 5 years ago. Just found out that the library calls it stealing."

Dry 

Started the day taking the signs out and putting them around the village and area ow that the Landie is working again. Still have a few to do and (note to self) take a screw driver as the panels on the new signs are screwed in after the laminated sheets are attached. Have to go to get some bedding for the ducks tomorrow so can  adjust things tomorrow .

Sad news on the chicks front - seems a rat got in and took all four babies in the night. They were fine last night when I gave them chick crumb and as far as I was concerned they were safely protected by chicken wire. Not sure how they got in but that makes the whole egg scenario this time a wipe-out . £50 badly wasted as the egg man has not been forthcoming with any replacements. Won't be going there again.  

But back and took the dogs for a walk up the lane and along the Donkey Trail. Not only are the bluebells completely over the top this year I passed the trees by the kissing gate and saw that beneath there is a complete bed of saplings !!   

But back to the main task in had - clearing the shed - we are making progress - you have to go backwards to go forwards I think.

This is looking better - but everything is just in the beer garden - though getting sorted !

But Susie has finished her first chair - taken far longer than expected. Very fiddly, both to rub down and to paint . But looking good - only two more chairs and the table - not sure that it will be done by the weekend.

And another put off task- the Barbecue by the patio. The bottom has fallen out about four years ago - indeed we have only used it once and that was at the very beginning when we first moved here,

First though was the dump and burn the wood - but then I saw there was a possibility of re-purposing the stand as a mobile hostess trolley ..

The clear space

The new trolley, wipe down top and food and plate store below.

An finally, the Laburnum tree is flowering giving us the yellow to contrast with the red of the Chilean Fire Tree, and with the Green Grass - we have out traffic lights !!

And so another day ..

Did some admin - ordered Beer, Cider, Meads and Wines. Invited to go to London to take part in a ceremony for Athelstan for the new PGM of Brazil - quite an honour to be picked for one of 10 speaking parts out of the whole country.  Have to work out the logistics of the travel etc but have accepted.

Head in book for meeting on Wednesday in Narberth.

Ho Hum 

Cheers 

26th April 2026 - Landie Fixed again

Thought for the day :"My cows won’t give milk, they just laze in the field and write in little books - turns out they were a diary herd"

Dry 

Had another attack at the workshed  - and am making progress - but not enough for a photograh!

Susie hit Meerkat Mountain and has cleared all the weeds - and will be planting  antirrhinums and other stuff tomorrow 

 

Meanwhile the Landie was on stop again - turns out that the negative connection on the battery was corroded inside and giving bad connection - turned out to be an easier fix than expected . Tom and Jay enjoyed a bottle of wine each on the patio this evening as Mika and the dogs ran riot. Can't thank these guys enough...  I will be able to get the signs out tomorrow for the opening of the Tavern - they were stuck in the back of the Landie - and then get back to the clearing of the Work shed 

Good rehearsal at Narberth for  the meeting of Athelstan on Wednesday, and a sneaky pint in the Eagle!

Cheers 

25th April 2026 - Thomas of Accon and Garden Colour

Thought for the day :" Great news, my Taxi Business is picking up..."

Dry 

A day in Carmarthen for St Thomas of Accon so most of the day was taken up with that.

Back this evening to put the girls to bed and the colours in the garden are now getting to their zenith.

Flame Tree out at last and the azalea and rhododendrons.

 

Susie stripping down one of the metal chairs - ready for painting. More progress tomorrow ..

Cheers 

24th April 2026 - And finally to the Workshed

Thought for the day :"Many universities are now old and decrepit. Luckily, they still have their Faculties."

Dry 

Susie bronzed Doris today - 

and then we adulted to try to check the solar water pump

A walk around the gardens - more colour

the mahonia berries are vivid

Meanwhile I finally attacked the workshed 

It is a start ...

And in other news - A photo from the Red Cross Meeting

 

Cheers 

23rd April 2026 - Chopping List

Thought for the day :"I used to wave the finish flag at Formula 1 races but they sacked me because I had a chequered past"

Dry 

Chris with me again and a little unsure about how active I could be with the leg wound but in fact it is almost completely healed - even after splitting yesterday. 

But after Susie managed to fall off the broke plastic step, I had a trip to A & E , today was the day I decided to put the full chainsaw leggings, find some proper gloves and wear the helmet with the ear pads. Not taking any chances wit the new Chainsaw!!

So the ash Tree in the parking lot is now reduced to slabs - I have finished the chainsaw part! 

Chris worked well all day with his axe and he managed an extra hour while I cleared all the tools.

Put together another wood shed - though we will need a roof and side for it in due course.

Photos don't really give justice to the amount of work this has been 

But a trip up to Sarah's house while she was away (I phoned her to say that we were going) we went up to pick up a number of metal poles for the reconstruction of the aviary for the peacocks.

Got back and the Landie dies - an electrical fault and pushed the wagon into the drive, just enough room to get the car past it - hoping that I can see Tom and Jay tomorrow  

and with the lovely weather it was time for a beer

Drinking the Bud not the WD40!!!

And Susie found some lovely new flowers out on her trip around the garden

A Tiring day - but will be ready for my bed tonight 

Cheers