8th July 2026 - Another Work Day

Thought for the day ;"This morning I started out feeling Bold,
but then I lost my B."

Dry 

An early start as the sun was getting hot - so Chris and I started on the river - starting the river defences. The concept is a row of steel poles thumped into the ground, and then a row of pallets using the poles as a base to stop them being driven back when the the river gets sronger.

The pallets are all fixed to each other and battened. Today we got all the posts in place, and used all the pallets that we had available - we need 5 more I think - and may use a few more to act as a right angle support behind the pallets.     

The plan is to then take the 5 and 6ft  logs that we have felled and stack them against the pallets to change the water direction and to get the stones and river bed to stack up against the pallets so as to stop the eddies behind. A work in progress!

Sadly, the John Deere ran out of fuel  before we could move any of the logs - so that is a job for next time. 

After lunch, we moved one of the Aviary Poles so that it could form the gate for the new Aviary.

Then we took four sacks of bottles down to the lower quarter, ready for a future Bottle Wall in the Field Refectory...   

On the way back we took the opportunity of reweaving the Willow Fedge..   

That left one main task - which was to put Nancy's Marquee up .. Without instructions !

And by guesswork.

So the first time - we ran out of poles of the same size and had to take it apart again.

Then we found that some of the poles were different sizes - so we found nine we thought were the same size and built the structure. When finished - we tried to get the cover on and found that we were 18" short on the long side.  

Seems we had the long ones where the short ones should be and vice versa!!

So the whole think had to be taken down again - and rebuilt - correct this time.

Happily, this time if fitted and though it is a lot larger than I was expecting - should be fine for the Wedding.

 

Of course, had to get the Landie back into the driveway as it was right up to the gate, and with a bit of wriggle we managed to manoeuvre and will be able to get the car out later.

So, after all of that, a shower and a change of clothes, and some salad...

At least the sitting room is cool in the evening

Cheers 

 

7th July 2026 - Another hot day

Thought for the day :"I tried to call my local Chinese restaurant but I misdialled and got through to the maternity hospital instead. It was okay - they do deliveries too."

Dry 

Started the day with a little willow hedging in the lower quarter before it got too hot.

Dogs are a little bored but Tilly decided my crocs were a comfort blanket.

 

Can't really see here but I put a fence across the lawn to try to keep Toby and Tilly in the garden area.

Not sure what success we are going to have in the long run - but after a few abortive attempts, we seem to have them restricted to one area.

In other news, the Pea-chick seems to have a dodgy leg - which is a pity, but it seems lively enough so fingers crossed.

Watered the towers, and tried to sort out Doris again but it seemed that the glue got stuck in the tubes so we will have to try a different method tomorrow - I think maybe cutting the base out to reach the inner tube - if there is one !

Cheers 

6th July 2026 - Salt and Vinegar

Thought for the day :" Paul: Any ideas on how to end "Hey Jude” ? John: Nah. Ringo: Nah. George: Nah."

Dry (and Hot)

Heading for another heat wave so stayed inside as much as possible with fans on.

But first I tried the salt and vinegar recipe for an animal safe weed killer. Not very confident as the spray was very slow and didn't seem t be covering very well 

however, after a couple of hours the difference was quite noticeable 

Susie waters her beds

While I have a  go at fixing Doris. The pipe in her base has broken so trying to glue a new pipe in place with Gorilla  glue

Meanwhile on Johny's bridge the dogs had some early fun

But we have a TillyVision for the day 

Cheers,

5th July 2026 - And a new Peahen

Thought for the day :"I was going to take up stargazing. But have you seen the prices of telescopes? They're astronomical!"

Dry

And some family shots with Tom and 3, Charlie and Lily

Cheers

4th July 2026 - Family Visits

Thought for the day :"In the Middle Ages, knights were often involved in sworded affairs."

Dry

Nice to have the Rodger Family with us for another day - they popped off to see Cilgerran Castle and back for roast chicken dinner and a brain 

Charley thinks it may be a
dolphin brain as it is so big

Cheers

3rd July 2026 - Garden Strimming and Lawn Cutting

Thought for the day :"I have a pet tree. It is like a pet dog but the bark is quieter."

Dry 

Did some work in the Romany Caravan next door and took some photos for Charlotte to see what needs to be done strimming the main way .. But the meadow is cut and the fairy lights are working again and switched on ...

Meanwhile on my land - cut the lawns and cleared the grounds to the lower quarter 
Strimmed the main lawns and used the bit mulcher on the waterfall and the pontoon 

Luckily visitors arrived to allow me to take the rest of the day off 

Lily and Tom

Charlie and Nan

Cheers