Tuesday, 14 June 2011
Mattress next day.... part two.
Now I know that Wales is on a different time zone to the rest of the world, but even so I still find it hard to believe that you order from Mattress next day on Tuesday, and the bed arrives on Monday, so have I got the order of the days wrong ?? I always thought Wednesday follwed Tuesday, but it appears that I am wrong. I did write a very factual letter to the compnays customer service manager, but needless to say so far there has been no reply. What a surprise. Well its not much use wasting any more time on Mattress next day, apart from to cross their name out of the address book.
Slow but sure, the fencing saga.
Brian arrived two weeks ago to "do the fence", but I knew it was too good to be true. He managed to do about a quarter of the job, them had to rush off on urgent business... grave digging. Well I'm not sure how many graves or haw big they were, but it took him 12 days before he turned up again. The fencing is looking good but is still not complete.He has had to cut down a lot of overhanging tree branches to knock the fence posts in, so we have plenty of wood in the fields that will need chopping up and bringing in to be stored for winter. I doubt David will be letting me have a go with the chain saw, but that's OK with me. Interestingly, the sheep have been eating the greenery off the chopped down branches, which is great, as it reduces the bulk that will need to be moved a lot.
Today, Tuesday, Brian arrived again with all his toys ie chain saw, digger, dumper truck, fence post banger thingy, all smiles, as if he was here just yesterday, instead of 12 days ago. When he had finished doing the bit of fencing he was working on, we realised the sheep had been fenced into a field with no access to their water. David soon got them all marching across the vegetable patch filed, following him and his food bucket. Daisy was quite surprised to see twenty five sheep trooping through the field, and decided she must be seeing things, so took herself back to the house for a rest.
The sheep are now back on the same side of the fields with access to their water, and the gates are tied up very firmly. They might have thought that the veggie patch looked tasty, but that's as near as they are going to get. We will have to see if tomorrow brings another wonder in the form of Brian and his magnificent machines.
Today, Tuesday, Brian arrived again with all his toys ie chain saw, digger, dumper truck, fence post banger thingy, all smiles, as if he was here just yesterday, instead of 12 days ago. When he had finished doing the bit of fencing he was working on, we realised the sheep had been fenced into a field with no access to their water. David soon got them all marching across the vegetable patch filed, following him and his food bucket. Daisy was quite surprised to see twenty five sheep trooping through the field, and decided she must be seeing things, so took herself back to the house for a rest.
The sheep are now back on the same side of the fields with access to their water, and the gates are tied up very firmly. They might have thought that the veggie patch looked tasty, but that's as near as they are going to get. We will have to see if tomorrow brings another wonder in the form of Brian and his magnificent machines.
A spot or two
We woke on Sunday morning to a wet, grey cloudy outlook. For the first time since we have been at Llaingof, it rained non stop all day and we recorded one whole inch in 24 hours. Bliss, the garden and the farmers really needed the water, and David and I had a nice indoor day. It seems criminal to stay in doors and do some of the necessary chores when the sun is shining, so we managed to do a little catching up on the really boring things. As soon as the rain stopped we were out for a breathe of fresh air.I find it more tiring to be indoors than outdoors doing some manual labour out doors.
The gardens and veggie patch look nice and fresh after their wash. I felt sorry for the sheep, who were shorn last week and were out in the fields in the rain. They didn't seem to mind though.
We have three huge water butts, which each feed into the next one, and they were overflowing in no time at all, so we might have to think about increasing the number. I would like to have them a bit nearer the poly tunnel, which is using a lot of water at present, but for now walking to and fro with the watering cans about 20 times a day is doing me a lot of good in the waist line department.
The gardens and veggie patch look nice and fresh after their wash. I felt sorry for the sheep, who were shorn last week and were out in the fields in the rain. They didn't seem to mind though.
We have three huge water butts, which each feed into the next one, and they were overflowing in no time at all, so we might have to think about increasing the number. I would like to have them a bit nearer the poly tunnel, which is using a lot of water at present, but for now walking to and fro with the watering cans about 20 times a day is doing me a lot of good in the waist line department.
Sunday, 5 June 2011
100 days looms on the horizon
Tomorrow, June 6th, we have been at Llaingof for 100 very happy, busy days. I guess although we feel that things are moving along slowly, actually we have managed to do quite a lot, though there is plenty more to do. In the veg garden we have about 200 onions, 50 leeks, 12 tomato plants, seven different types of potato, peppers, radishes, strawberries, melons, cucumbers, butternut squash, lettuce, parsley, courgettes, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, celery, so if everything carries on growing well, the wind in Penboyr could be rising. We have yet to start on developing the house,guess that will come later in the year when the weather is not so good.
The golden girls ( chickens) have settled in well, and are keen to help with any digging or gardening that needs doing, or doesn't need doing, they are still willing to help. Most of the day they are free range in one of our fields, but every now and then they get returned to their arc when they are being over enthusiastic with offers of help. They follow me at a cracking pace when I shake their Quality Street tin ( full of corn) and are quite easy to get back into their pen. To my amazement they patiently wait for their turn to lay an egg. There is only one nesting box, and during the morning we will suddenly see one of the hens hurrying back to the arc, and dashing up the stairs to the nesting box. All goes quiet for a while, and then, when the deed has been done, the chicken really does announce it to the world with a lot of cackling and " look what Ive done " noises. Then that chicken returns to the garden, and shortly one of the others will head off to repeat the ritual. Most days we get two eggs , and about every fourth day we get three, so I am kept busy thinking of what to do with all these lovely eggs. Approximatrely twice a week we have a double yolker, which is always a nice surprise. I can now turn out a very tasty lemon curd and can always think of another cake to bake, and of course eat. I will have to watch the waist line.
This week I have seen some unusual sights. Ruby the dog trying to climb the stairs into the chickens sleeping quarters ( I think she gets worried when one of her friends dissapears for a while. ) I have also seem ruby eat the sheep food, the sheep chasing Daisy the cat out of their field, Daisy eating the bird seed, and the chickens eating my beans ( pests) I have also seem the chickens peck hopefully at the Quailiy Street tin when I have not yet put it away. Maud, Davids favorite sheep is now so tame that she stands still for David to give her a good scratch, just like a dog. Im not sure that sheep can smile, but if they can Maud does. Her fleece is about six inches thick, and looks a right mess on the outside where she has got a little wet, then rolled in the dry sand in the field. I sure dont fancy a jumper made from anything that comes off her back, though no doubt the fleece will look a lot better when it has had a wash and brush up.
The other strange site i have seem is Brian, actually doing some of the fencing, hopefully he will not have too many graves to dig this week and can get on with the gates etc. He has cut down quite a few overhanging branches from trees which he felt would potentially damage the new fence. I was surprised to see the sheep stripping the branches of all greenery. We will have plenty of fire wood to chop up and add to out wood store( which needs a jolly good sort out ). Wood is usually stored for at least a year before it is put into the wood burner, and if it can season for 2 years thats even better. Even managing the wood store requires a bit of thought. Apart from being kept as dry as possible, it is useful to stack the wood in year piles so you can use them in rotatio.The logs also need to be cut to a size that will actually fit in the log burner, and they usually need spiltting, otherwise the fire will just go out when you chuck a big log on.My goodness, never thought there would be so much to know about firewood.
The golden girls ( chickens) have settled in well, and are keen to help with any digging or gardening that needs doing, or doesn't need doing, they are still willing to help. Most of the day they are free range in one of our fields, but every now and then they get returned to their arc when they are being over enthusiastic with offers of help. They follow me at a cracking pace when I shake their Quality Street tin ( full of corn) and are quite easy to get back into their pen. To my amazement they patiently wait for their turn to lay an egg. There is only one nesting box, and during the morning we will suddenly see one of the hens hurrying back to the arc, and dashing up the stairs to the nesting box. All goes quiet for a while, and then, when the deed has been done, the chicken really does announce it to the world with a lot of cackling and " look what Ive done " noises. Then that chicken returns to the garden, and shortly one of the others will head off to repeat the ritual. Most days we get two eggs , and about every fourth day we get three, so I am kept busy thinking of what to do with all these lovely eggs. Approximatrely twice a week we have a double yolker, which is always a nice surprise. I can now turn out a very tasty lemon curd and can always think of another cake to bake, and of course eat. I will have to watch the waist line.
This week I have seen some unusual sights. Ruby the dog trying to climb the stairs into the chickens sleeping quarters ( I think she gets worried when one of her friends dissapears for a while. ) I have also seem ruby eat the sheep food, the sheep chasing Daisy the cat out of their field, Daisy eating the bird seed, and the chickens eating my beans ( pests) I have also seem the chickens peck hopefully at the Quailiy Street tin when I have not yet put it away. Maud, Davids favorite sheep is now so tame that she stands still for David to give her a good scratch, just like a dog. Im not sure that sheep can smile, but if they can Maud does. Her fleece is about six inches thick, and looks a right mess on the outside where she has got a little wet, then rolled in the dry sand in the field. I sure dont fancy a jumper made from anything that comes off her back, though no doubt the fleece will look a lot better when it has had a wash and brush up.
The other strange site i have seem is Brian, actually doing some of the fencing, hopefully he will not have too many graves to dig this week and can get on with the gates etc. He has cut down quite a few overhanging branches from trees which he felt would potentially damage the new fence. I was surprised to see the sheep stripping the branches of all greenery. We will have plenty of fire wood to chop up and add to out wood store( which needs a jolly good sort out ). Wood is usually stored for at least a year before it is put into the wood burner, and if it can season for 2 years thats even better. Even managing the wood store requires a bit of thought. Apart from being kept as dry as possible, it is useful to stack the wood in year piles so you can use them in rotatio.The logs also need to be cut to a size that will actually fit in the log burner, and they usually need spiltting, otherwise the fire will just go out when you chuck a big log on.My goodness, never thought there would be so much to know about firewood.
Friday, 3 June 2011
Never judge a book by its cover.
On Tuesday evening we visited the local Permaculture Trust with the Garden Club. The Permaculture Farm is located at the back of our property and we have met Phillip and Michele who live there. We were of the impression that they were hippy sort people who might do a lot of lolling around. Well how wrong was I ( again).
Permaculture is an ecological way of living, and the participants observe and co operate with nature. Their way of living encourages creativity,resourcefulness and self reliance. Phillip and Michelle have no mains electricity, no land line telephone ( though they do have a mobile phone) and no mechanised machinery or transport , all through choice. They travel far and wide, either on shanks pony, or by bicycle, with a little trailer towed behind them for the children to sit in. Phillip farms the land with no assistance,and how he puts us to shame. He has two small poly tunnels, and they are absolutely heaving with all sorts of crops, he even has pots suspended from the ceiling to grow strawberries. They farm organically and are completely self sufficient, apart from some meat in the winter. Pest control is provided by a couple of ducks, and Merlin, the snow white cat, who looks rather evil to me.
He has rows and rows of veggie beds, brimming with healthy looking plants, and a huge nursery area with dozens of cell trays full of healthy looking plants that he is growing on.Everything needs to be planted before the summer solstice, so I had better inform my plants that they had better get a move on.All this without any bug sprays, or additional chemicals. I have sooo much to learn and will be popping down to pick up some hints and tips whenever I can.
Michelle was telling me that they have no fridge, and live off fresh vegetables and dried legumes. They must be two of the fittest people I know, so maybe its something we should think about.I really admire people that live as near to their principles as they can, though, though I am not sure that I could do without my creature comforts. I really like the light to turn on at a switch, hot water to come out of the tap without too much fuss, and a store cupboard and fridge that has a wide range of foods. I don't think I will make a very good permaculture person, but I will try harder to be a better small holder.
Permaculture is an ecological way of living, and the participants observe and co operate with nature. Their way of living encourages creativity,resourcefulness and self reliance. Phillip and Michelle have no mains electricity, no land line telephone ( though they do have a mobile phone) and no mechanised machinery or transport , all through choice. They travel far and wide, either on shanks pony, or by bicycle, with a little trailer towed behind them for the children to sit in. Phillip farms the land with no assistance,and how he puts us to shame. He has two small poly tunnels, and they are absolutely heaving with all sorts of crops, he even has pots suspended from the ceiling to grow strawberries. They farm organically and are completely self sufficient, apart from some meat in the winter. Pest control is provided by a couple of ducks, and Merlin, the snow white cat, who looks rather evil to me.
He has rows and rows of veggie beds, brimming with healthy looking plants, and a huge nursery area with dozens of cell trays full of healthy looking plants that he is growing on.Everything needs to be planted before the summer solstice, so I had better inform my plants that they had better get a move on.All this without any bug sprays, or additional chemicals. I have sooo much to learn and will be popping down to pick up some hints and tips whenever I can.
Michelle was telling me that they have no fridge, and live off fresh vegetables and dried legumes. They must be two of the fittest people I know, so maybe its something we should think about.I really admire people that live as near to their principles as they can, though, though I am not sure that I could do without my creature comforts. I really like the light to turn on at a switch, hot water to come out of the tap without too much fuss, and a store cupboard and fridge that has a wide range of foods. I don't think I will make a very good permaculture person, but I will try harder to be a better small holder.
The Mirage Materialises
Well I almost could not believe my eyes, when Brian and his helper actually arrived on Tuesday morning and started doing the fencing. It all looks so easy when you have the right kit, which they do, there seems to be a fleet of vehicles in the field, a digger, a tractor, a pole basher thingy, a 4 x4 with a trailer, a huge chain saw. Hope we are not paying for the purchase of all the items. LOL.
He has had to lop off quite a few overhanging branches, which he felt would damage the fence if they fell, and we were surprised to find that a lot of the branches are rotten inside. Anyway they will be chopped up and will be next year’s fire wood. So far they have fenced almost two fields, and are still to put the gates on, so hopefully the job will be completed next week. I am ever the optimist.
Today Friday theres no action in the field as Brian has gone off to do a couple of other jobs that can not wait... ie dig graves for next week. Even I don’t expect those people to wait.
Mattress next day... my foot
Now if you ordered from a company called Mattress next day( on Tuesday ), what day would you expect delivery ??For me I thought Wednesday was the day after Tuesday, but apparently not so. On Tuesday we decided to order a bedstead and mattress, order went through OK , card was deducted OK, but surprise surprise, come Wednesday, no delivery. When I called the company to see what the problem was, first they tried to tell me that their computer had a problem over the weekend.. have weekends changed , I thought they were usually classified as Saturday and Sunday, with an occasional Bank Holiday Monday, but Tuesday as a weekend day, I think not.Anyway then it seemed I had managed to order a mattress from their next day delivery range that was out of stock, and a bedstead from one of thier suppliers that was closed for the week. Not impressed. Even less impressed with the service, maybe they could have phoned on Tuesday ( I did order before 10.00) to let me know. Anyway enough whingeing, now its Friday and Im still waiting for the new items I chose to arrive.I hope they are here before Tuesday, otherwise Uncle Dave, Doris and Deslyn will be sharing two single beds. Might make for some light entertainment.
Its odviuosly not the right week to order stuff, we have also had two office chairs, one desk and the legs only of the second desk, and a pair of shoes that took two weeks to walk to the post office to be delivered first class mail .
Its odviuosly not the right week to order stuff, we have also had two office chairs, one desk and the legs only of the second desk, and a pair of shoes that took two weeks to walk to the post office to be delivered first class mail .
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)