25th April 2021 - Duck Ponds and Spring

Thought for the day :"If someone dies and came back as a tin of condensed milk... would that be reincarnation?

Sunny Sunday at the Homestead.

Ouzle and Ondle were released into the main coop today. They seem to be fighting their agoraphobia well and enjoying the sun. Went back tonight without problem so probably we can let them out into the paddock in a couple of days.

Started updating the duck pond, digging the lining under the earth and putting paving slabs around. Also started collecting the fallen wood, and chopping into logs for use in the outdoor firepit.

Went into the river to collect stones to put around the Duck Pond and barrowed them back to the pond.

Took the opportunity of raising the hammock to a better height - so needed to test it out - of course! 'Thena appreciates having someone at head level and with a stick can keep you in perpetual motion by her tail wagging!!

Susie started digging her "Three Sisters" bed - Corn Squash and Beans. Also know apparently as the Holy Trinity Bed.   

Three hundred years ago, when early American colonists took a look at the food gardens in Native American villages, they often saw a unique companion planting plan – sweetcorn, climbing beans and pumpkins or squash being grown together in the same plot. Compared to the neatly ploughed rows and fields of Europe, these “corn gardens” looked suspiciously wild, but for the Iroquois, Cherokee, and other Native American tribes who grew Three Sisters Gardens, their success amounted to a minor agricultural revolution. With cleared land at a premium, here was a way to grow three nutritious, easy-to-store crops in one space.

We examined the lower quarter which is drying out well at the moment. we have a Cherry tree which is probably the largest that we have ever seen. There is a Wild Cherry as well. Bluebells are in full bloom at the moment, and the hand held chain saw had some use getting rid of some ivy and dead wood.

Cut the lawn on the go-kart - and failed entirely to get the strimmer fired up - tomorrow is another day.

We have had a number of dry days now - so Susie was watering for over an hour this evening.

I meanwhile enjoyed a nice can of lager watching the wild Mallards on the river...

Some views of the day ..

Ouzle and Ondle

Slabs for the Duck Pond

Pond at the start of the day 

Blooming

Susie in the Bluebells of the Lower Quarter

And this is a Cherry Tree! A Wild Cherry

and a Bird Cherry 

The Wild Cherry is Huge 

Bluebell Quarter

Susie with her Peony Tree

The Flowers are ready to come out 

Susie's Gate behind the Peacocks - all hung and secure

View back to the house through the
azalea and Bullace Blossom

Mallard on the river - Honest !

So - half way through the duck pond

Temple of Doris - in Flower

Susie hadn't noticed that a small Buddha had appeared 

I can't believe it's not...

Duck Pond from the other side

And the Gate is protected again 

Ouzle and Ondle

Enjoying some freedom..

A long day - probably will not go to Llanelli tomorrow ..  Have booked the dump of Thursday so perhaps Tuesday and Thursday is better..

Cheers !