30th November 2022 - Planting Tulips in the lower quarter

Thought for the day :"Time marches on....but I think I lost step."

Surprise sun today !!

Temperatures are not overly high but walking the dogs allowed me to tie my heavy shirt around my waist as we crossed the top fields..

Also an opportunity to start on the fallen Log flower beds in the lower quarter.

Had an early idea to remove the log and then flatten the area for more camping area - but decided instead to put some tulips, daffodils and narcissi, and crocus - with the hope that they will replicate and spread...

So today started digging and found the 6 inches below the soil is hardcore - whether there has been something here before or they have used the area to dump the hardcore - can't say - but complicated the digging - bad enough with the roots there. Lost of stuff has been there before and so we shall see what managed to survive and grow. But 20 or so tulips were planted today. 100 Daffodil/Narcissus bulbs tio go in tomorrow if it is clear, and then some 20 or so crocuses for a bit of early colour.

In other news - met another neighbour out walking today - lives across the village but parks his car by the fallen Oak and the "Scramble" and then walks the donkey trail.  Name of Ron and Jenny the black lab cross (I think) hound. Toby thought she was very special and they had a good run around....

Couldn't stop to look around the gardens as he was waiting for his Tesco Delivery . Maybe another time and probably will come to the Christmas opening. Seemed to be trying to work out  if it was too far to walk - he lives on the Ffostrasol Back Road...

World going to pieces - not affecting too much in our little haven - but Ambulance and Nurses heading for strike action on top of the rail and the post office, taxes heading higher and inflation going through the roof.  Avian Flu heading our way now and we are on shut down form next Monday.

Think I had better open a bottle of red !!

Cheers !  Ooh!  Dog Wine Counting

 

29th November 2022 - Cough and Pear trees

Thought for the day :"The earth is 70% water and isn't carbonated so technically the earth is flat"

A quieter day today 

Had a rough night with bad cough that did not want to go away.

Covid test yesterday and today are both negative but ended on the couch so as not to disturb Susie 

Called doctor and went this afternoon but apparently all seems to be standard virus infection for this time of year - not anything to do with allergies (Susie is convinced it is black mould)  and wait for a few days and see how it goes...

There is an hour of my life that will not come again - but apparently my chest sounds okay - the throat has no abnormalities and temperature and BP are reasonable ..  Ho Hum !!

My Chest x-ray is in however so I can make and appointment for the asthma nurse once the cough has gone 

Rest of the day seemed a little better but not gone 

walked the dogs and Susie cleared some of the Pear Tree ...

Cheers !

28th November 2022 - Clearing Ground for a Polytunnel

Thought for the day :"When one door closes and another door opens, you are probably in prison"

Weather was meant to stay fairly mild but that did not stop the rain popping in to check on our progress today with clearing an area for Susie's Polytunnel.

Up early (for us) and cleared the tunnel and put the car away ready for the early arrival of the digger and Dave and Sarah ...   and let the birdies out as Susie took advantage of me being up and having an early shower...

As the clock slowly moved on it seems that a short delay due to looking after a friend's horses meant a gentle rest in the sun - rain staying away for the moment ...

And as they arrive and the digger gets disgorged from the trailer and we get ready to manoeuvre this mini digger down the pathways passed the Ty Bach and into place - of course we stop for a cup of coffee - I mean Dammit - We are British - you can't start without a cuppa!!

But that means that when we get into place it is time for the rain to start - I get an umbrella but no-one is impressed and so we get on with the removal of the tree stumps in the rain

And so we see a master of his craft ...

Pretty Spectacular !!!

And some photos from Sarah...

And with some pictures pointing out that yours truly did not just stand watching - honest !!!

And so, as Susie cleared the Duck and Chicken runs ready for the shut down next week 
we finished the clearing and enjoyed some bacon and duck eggs for brunch....

and another cuppa - for goodness sake - we are British!

Later - popped out for some straw and wheat chaf  poultry bedding and took the opportunity to pop up to our new neighbours by South View - seems Rod (Maybe Rhod now he is in Wales) arrived last week most recently from Dorset (Sherborne) so welcomed them with a bottle of Mead and a few contact details.

Seems enough for one day ...

In other news - A crowd Funding option last year for some German Friends the "Schandmaiden" arrived today 
Will be on my playlist tomorrow ..

So here is one to keep us going 

Cheers!!

 

       

27th November 2022 - Pruning Pears and Getting ready for the Avian Flu Shutdown

Thought for the day: "Not everyone thinks Cleopatra was beautiful. That is just the way Julius Ceasar"

Susie was pruning the pears today - while I had a go at securing the chicken and duck runs with the forthcoming shut-down next Monday 

Cheers !

26th November 2022 - Life is a Bagatelle

Thought for the day :"I don't suffer from insanity; I enjoy every minute"

Another day for staying at home - though seem to have picked up another nasty cough and wheeze.

Took a Covid test but negative ....

Bought a bagatelle for the Tavern today - form a local trader 

Needs to be repaired and repainted but should be a fun additional thing for the kids to play with ...

Rest of the day spent scanning and taking pictures for some archives...

Cheers !

25th November 2022 - After the Storms

Thought for the day :"Well, to be Frank, I'd have to change my name"

Well after a really interesting day yesterday with water levels coming high 
and the Island getting overwhelmed and waterlogged - today was a much quieter version and a time to get out and walk the dogs and enjoy a rainbow or two ...

In other news -  Susie decided to prune the apples

A little every day ...

Cheers !