15th March 2026 - Sunday Sunday

Thought for the day :"I was convicted of being egotistical. I'm appealing..."

Wet 

I have the new roof on the Beer Garden but the rain means that it is already sagging and full of water - which is not what I was wanting yet. Tried to stretch it a bit but succeeded in getting Tilly soaked - came as a shock to her as she walked passed as I lifted the canopy !!!

Managed to walk the dogs before the rain started too hard, and popped up to Sarah for her Birthday taking a card and a bottle of Strawberry Wine. Had a nice gathering and tasted Guinness Cake which was very nice - thank you Nickie!!

Clunk on the Volvo got worse so stopped off with Tom and Jay to find that the front offside spring has snapped in two !!  New part being ordered and hopefully repair by Wednesday. Still looking for  a Camper van for me.

Have the laptop working on Ubuntu as my escape plan from Microsoft. Could be a long trip ! Getting the basics at the moment.

Some Daffs on the road.

Seems I mainly took video today for TillyVision 

 

Watch out for the pile driver into the tree - Toby got up afterwards but it was a slam dunk!

Nancy popped up for Mother's Day - which we don't really follow but was nice to see her.

Loaned a microphone and lead to Torren for his band.

Aldo investigated the Vinyl Collection and she borrowed a set of LP's for use ...

Will have to sort through properly when we get an opportunity !!

Didn't get around to any of the garden jobs - other than climbing the ladder to take out the cobwebs from the bedroom windows in the cottage. 

Should have a delivery of Coal tomorrow - enough to last until next year. For the record I am paying £12 a bag (with 15p discount for the 50 bags) so a load costs £575.  Will be interesting to see what has happened to prices by next year.

Also it he good news - my pension has gone up to £185 a week - should be more but the Police apparently contracted out without my knowledge - I probably am ahead between the state and police pension but difficult to work it out. Susie gets £225 a week!

Still, between us both we are certainly not suffering, so we will continue as we are.

Diesel Prices today are 159.95 per litre.  Petrol about 142.95

The World is going to hell in a hand cart !

3 eggs again today - wo we are getting in the right direction for our Girlies.

At Sarah's found that she has a number of steel posts that I will be able to use to redo the Peacock aviary. Will have to pick them up after Easter.

My main plans will be to get ready for opening now   

Gray and Cathy will be with us on Tuesday  - Looking forward to it ...

Cheers 

14th March 2026 - Swansea for OSM Installation

Thought for the day :"At school, I wasn’t the sharpest tool in the box; that was Stanley."

Dry 

Early morning start to get to Swansea for the Installation meeting of Dewi Sant Order of the Secret Monitor.  Didn't dine but managed to get back in time for a walk with the dogs before the weather looked like changing.

But the start of the day was bright and breezy

The willow hedge is bursting with buds

Bluebells will be out soon 

And the Forsythia is well in bloom  

Cheers

 

13th March 2026 - Busy with Chris

Thought for the day :"Hiking in the mountains in your 70's is a good way to meet people. Today I met two paramedics, mountain rescue team and I think I saw Jesus's for a moment."

Wet

(Nice during the day but rain in the evening) 

Th day of pain!! though in fairness I am the one that chooses the work that we will try to achieve.

Yes it is a Chris day and for once the sun was out and the weather was fine.

Susie's Lemon Tree is outside with the hope that the days of Frost are done.

She also had most of her seeds delivered today so it was a day in the Greenhouse for her.

The Geraniums that have been wintering in the sitting room have been taken out to the Polytunnel before going back out onto the ramparts 

Meanwhile - In the Beer Garden we have a roof again 

   

And a trip to SERB to pick up some pallets  and some various bits that we found in a skip.

Also some boards that should be able to be used for more Road Signs to replace those broken

In reverse order - the new Car Port 

Meanwhile a lot of the wood chippings are bagged to be taken around the gardens

The Man!!

Clearing the area

It started in a box

And a Cockadoodle do 

Tilly inspects the ponds 

Cheers 

12th March 2026 - New Crimson Moon SIgns

Thought for the day :"I identify as a kleptomaniac tortoise. I will take things slowly"

Wet

Not a day to be out and about so spent some time inside working upon the advertising for the forthcoming Easter Opening.

New signs - need to find a secure way of ensuring that no-one decides to walk off with the display 

But looking good I think 

But the wet is giving a very green but very wet sign of the gardens - really would like to get the mower on this grass but there is no way that I could chance it at the moment 

Tilly is in Charge - and a little wet 

and a TillyVision

A big day today as we had 3 eggs from the Chickens 

No Duck egg this morning though - first day without for a while 

Cheers 

11th March 2026 - Strange Light in the Sky, & Carpel Tunnel

Thought for the day :"Looking out my window I saw some people jogging - it inspired me to get out of bed and close the curtains"

Dry 

A bit of spring to celebrate the sun coming out.

Susie spent most of the day sowing in the Greenhouse.

Diesel Prices up to 159.95 a litre 

Glad I filled when I did 

Cheers 

10th March 2026 - And then came the rain again

Thought for the day :"Just a quick reminder that  at a Nudist Colony Wedding, there are NO dress rehearsals."

Wet

Walking the lane - just got home before the skies opened!

And on the feed popped up some old photos I thought I would share 
March 1991 - 35 Years ago !!  St Teilo Ladies Night Llanelli Masonic Hall

 

Ordered some items from Temu - we shall see whether they arrive via EVRI or whether we lose them.

Keeping fingers crossed.

Hopefully the tarpaulin for the Beer Garden arrives tomorrow and I can start clearing the Bar area.
TEN arrived and all set for the weekend 

 Cheers 

9th March 2026 - Raised Beds

Thought for the day :"My mate suddenly quit his job at BMW. Gave absolutely no indication he was leaving"

Wet (though mainly dry)

A miserable day though it stayed dry for much of it ...

Managed to get some 4" hexagonal screws so fixed one of Susie's raised beds

Took the opportunity to fix the wall to the Gents Urinal at the Tavern

And stacked the willow kindling and small logs from the Pontoon area.

Had time to get a TillyVision down - Push Him off the Cliff!

In other news

Had a look at what CoPilot thinks of Vollsanger 

(Prompt: What do you know about Vollsanger the Bard?)

Vollsanger (Iain Sewell) is a renowned UK-based LARP (Live Action Role Play) bard and musician, recognized as the winner of the 2018 LARP Awards Bard of the Year. Known for his persona from "Northern Norsca" and the Crimson Moon Tavern, he writes and performs songs about lore, heroes, and taverns, often asking for a "copper" for a song.

This video provides a shout-out to Vollsanger and a brief interview with him:

Vollsanger the Bard is a well-known figure in the Live Action Role Play (LARP) and medieval re-enactment community

Iain Sewell portrays him.

He is known for his music at European LARP events, including Conquest of Mythodea and Curious Pastimes.

Character Details

Vollsanger's character is a Skald from Northern Norsca and the Skadi Mountains.

He is linked to the Crimson Moon Tavern, where he works and sells songs.

He performs as a traditional minstrel with instruments like a lute. He has over 200 original songs.

Accomplishments

In 2018, he was named LARP Awards Bard of the Year.

His music is available on Bandcamp [https://vollsanger.bandcamp.com/].

He is active on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/AndaGreenOne/] and Twitch [https://www.twitch.tv/vollsanger]. He shares updates and hosts digital performances.

An online songbook with his lyrics and music is available [http://www.songs.crimson-moon.co.uk/intro.htm].

It is a resource for the LARP community.

Thank you CoPilot - Try it yourself !!

Cheers