tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15777679112693023222024-03-19T04:09:16.761-06:00NORTHSIDER northsider http://www.blogger.com/profile/00716743611909673869noreply@blogger.comBlogger1854125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1577767911269302322.post-33123007389650822012024-03-18T09:01:00.002-06:002024-03-19T01:56:33.627-06:00Bank Holiday Carboot Antiques Hunt.<p> It's a Bank Holiday here in Ireland giving everyone a day off after Saint Patrick's Day.</p><p>The weather forecast was not good but we still got up earlier and drove for over an hour to a carboot sale on a dairy farm. </p><p>Here's some photos for your perusal dear readers:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_yjrzysLSnsblRivRLfaAby9vgO2pFHHdwcao8sAAVHr-UGisJPQ7Ie6bBKaZEC0ByY8dVl1OWNjralS145tHkiJfn3wWcPrxznqPTfyCc1S9-1Rx2mbZFUnScOf2Hyn-rLheSkpemIhHQwU2o5VvI6WvbAAgEuYwPhaq6OXankUaIazO6uymVm5HyAM/s4624/20240318_100926.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="3468" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_yjrzysLSnsblRivRLfaAby9vgO2pFHHdwcao8sAAVHr-UGisJPQ7Ie6bBKaZEC0ByY8dVl1OWNjralS145tHkiJfn3wWcPrxznqPTfyCc1S9-1Rx2mbZFUnScOf2Hyn-rLheSkpemIhHQwU2o5VvI6WvbAAgEuYwPhaq6OXankUaIazO6uymVm5HyAM/w300-h400/20240318_100926.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>It wasn't very busy and began to rain and it's still quite bitter for the middle of March.<div><br /></div><div>Here are some of our finds. I am sure my American blog friend (Life's Funny Like That) Debby will like our boot finds?</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicvDnY7HhF0olUr9xZcMsoZAN2PZmoMzTna2CywrZ0m8TpNmwAWwiMVCDlU8kEORw3euQ94wSZBzMSKhOxfD5DTIK_W1N961dseA4fjLyXA9nmDWujB2y46f5JrZOLX2zbydl6lezjHUmYSzaNLPVUO9kLZEVi5AnzejCGJ3XJ6fm2gOh2ClNjWYdAQnE/s4624/20240318_140231.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="3468" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicvDnY7HhF0olUr9xZcMsoZAN2PZmoMzTna2CywrZ0m8TpNmwAWwiMVCDlU8kEORw3euQ94wSZBzMSKhOxfD5DTIK_W1N961dseA4fjLyXA9nmDWujB2y46f5JrZOLX2zbydl6lezjHUmYSzaNLPVUO9kLZEVi5AnzejCGJ3XJ6fm2gOh2ClNjWYdAQnE/w300-h400/20240318_140231.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>More 1940s cottage ware consisting of a teapot and a biscuit barrel. A big Beswick Toby Jug for my brother who collects them. Five pieces of blue Wedgewood pottery. Look them up on Ebay to see their antique shop value. What do you think they are worth? Shall I tell you what we paid for them?<div><br /></div><div>It was a good run out and we satisfied our hoarding addiction. Have you been to any good carboot sales lately? </div><div><br /></div><div>Would any tv companies like to film an Irish Hoarders programme?</div><div><br /></div><div>A vegetable post tomorrow again. I bet you can't wait?</div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /><p><br /></p></div></div>northsider http://www.blogger.com/profile/00716743611909673869noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1577767911269302322.post-4276587770715429862024-03-17T06:36:00.000-06:002024-03-17T06:36:24.519-06:00Artichokes Barter.<p> "I'm going to see that Prog band Artichokes Barter this weekend". </p><p>" Oh I saw them on their first tour supporting Steve Hillage at Stonehenge free festival".</p><p>No not really. We got in contact with someone who had some Jerusalem Artichokes and they said they would give me some tubers in exchange for a big bag of well rotten fym. I also gave them a small bag of seed potatoes and a Buddleia and a geranium. </p><p>Every one was happy with our barter. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlYW3-d5SqAwMZFX_DCYpp9myGF9Yehbu3PgYXcLLEE4bhbrds4iGxHHA1Nnm4Ch9CzYnxVXrb3VKRJ-QztKEVGtlKs_ouJwhRyC3ccvxYzIs4FKXUXbzEcXSLQBH0UhG1nflrnL8TxPQwf6wT07gqx2f6YTbTR21MiGr9AH_WrMPJoPqaWPrKYNjuHpk/s4624/20240317_081604.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="3468" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlYW3-d5SqAwMZFX_DCYpp9myGF9Yehbu3PgYXcLLEE4bhbrds4iGxHHA1Nnm4Ch9CzYnxVXrb3VKRJ-QztKEVGtlKs_ouJwhRyC3ccvxYzIs4FKXUXbzEcXSLQBH0UhG1nflrnL8TxPQwf6wT07gqx2f6YTbTR21MiGr9AH_WrMPJoPqaWPrKYNjuHpk/w300-h400/20240317_081604.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>They lived in a nice housing estate and told me they had got tired of mowing their lawns and had replaced the grass with raised vegetable beds full of vegetables.</p><p>It was like Tom and Barbara Good had moved from Surbiton to Ireland ๐ฎ๐ช. </p><p>Have you done any vegetable barters recently?</p><p> </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>northsider http://www.blogger.com/profile/00716743611909673869noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1577767911269302322.post-71488931208539348392024-03-16T02:34:00.001-06:002024-03-16T02:34:19.825-06:00A Great Gift For A Soil Slave.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbI3cTz62TXF4GswLlm43D8D8ht-XoDgmhmzB3cp7Bd8IzcBDxIaX1TIbAq7fKZDZbblpN3D0u8_lyACTGvxy1DRcBauFiTdlgTdrtkp3p1aDqV1NMwTyzUCWHyetEafe3h6MA47Osq0InbUcdGDhmAi50P6lLZnEdtC1PFjhFONtp6nJ2QQMw_VCq8A/s3468/20240315_110446.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2364" data-original-width="3468" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbI3cTz62TXF4GswLlm43D8D8ht-XoDgmhmzB3cp7Bd8IzcBDxIaX1TIbAq7fKZDZbblpN3D0u8_lyACTGvxy1DRcBauFiTdlgTdrtkp3p1aDqV1NMwTyzUCWHyetEafe3h6MA47Osq0InbUcdGDhmAi50P6lLZnEdtC1PFjhFONtp6nJ2QQMw_VCq8A/w400-h272/20240315_110446.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> Number one son and his girlfriend went to the biggest carboot sale in Ireland in Kilkenny last weekend. <p></p><div>They returned and presented me with this wheelbarrow. They paid 15 Euros for the beauty. I got out the Brasso metal polish and gave it a good polish and it's taken pride of place with our eclectic and myriad of collectibles. It about a foot long from wheel to handles or shafts . I have seen similar ones for sale for fifty Euros and more.</div><div><br /></div><div>The wheelbarrow was invented by the ancient Chinese who also invented gunpowder and paper and fireworks to name just a few things. It never ceases to amaze me how so much weight can be carried by one wheel.</div><div><br /></div><div>There are wheelbarrows mentioned in England in the 13th century. Apparently it is derived from the word barrow Mine is a beauty. </div>northsider http://www.blogger.com/profile/00716743611909673869noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1577767911269302322.post-17242547217919232492024-03-15T02:47:00.000-06:002024-03-15T02:47:26.559-06:00Wet, Wet, Wet Outside And Green Shoots Inside.<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOjro07GmXm_aEHe2qlSt4gNARnrVgivEfG22PqSYTCrAysBGrKinRyNIkI6qb4WxgE2yHgaXnV8JmoxclHEEyM2t590-clBVQ0UBc9GRIuRhAidZVx-4PyjYJcKu5gViWPFn0ZLrLV2L1w4fdhbMXCjcqKNVqOHljSKN9YbKX8XAMS2YwCNpsTGgqRXg/s4624/20240314_102838.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="3468" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOjro07GmXm_aEHe2qlSt4gNARnrVgivEfG22PqSYTCrAysBGrKinRyNIkI6qb4WxgE2yHgaXnV8JmoxclHEEyM2t590-clBVQ0UBc9GRIuRhAidZVx-4PyjYJcKu5gViWPFn0ZLrLV2L1w4fdhbMXCjcqKNVqOHljSKN9YbKX8XAMS2YwCNpsTGgqRXg/w240-h320/20240314_102838.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Half a wheelbarrow full of rain water. It's been horrendously wet here this week. You would not put a milk bottle outside in that weather. If it was not for my polytunnel I would be very fed up with the weather. I have not even been for a long walk because it is always raining. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thankfully things are different in the polytunnel:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEajtfFSy5Mv38TF61DPFdb5faQ3cXA4WpFR51Y_fnzabRf-lwzzZbxWg5z9OQP1awngLeJCOluyy0HEV6Hwhgni2q2qGSDd0FbvosQ-d8mh79I5QYTHCVppDw9HT38TXWyGsk3FLr2LitN41OSH_W_jcnCG7DICEWnI82KFFkXZMD1tQz4E-E6_BbZHc/s4624/20240314_102713.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="3468" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEajtfFSy5Mv38TF61DPFdb5faQ3cXA4WpFR51Y_fnzabRf-lwzzZbxWg5z9OQP1awngLeJCOluyy0HEV6Hwhgni2q2qGSDd0FbvosQ-d8mh79I5QYTHCVppDw9HT38TXWyGsk3FLr2LitN41OSH_W_jcnCG7DICEWnI82KFFkXZMD1tQz4E-E6_BbZHc/w240-h320/20240314_102713.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>The first potato shoots emerging from the ground.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9zCGmLcpkWXX3HLD59BB_t7_SkjWECniJsvxCKdci0S4pyYV9sWZeG0mth0EbrWihTZaEdQ0Im6K8cT7v3rtLCff5qJaL3KnRoLrJyh4cPwrKgq85GlDYc9glHALVIYceydXlze2On-GCsMyr-1Wu4qZjof7yL3GyRrFhu_C0xB6lZ1CD-VxrceCCVVM/s4624/20240314_101558.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="3468" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9zCGmLcpkWXX3HLD59BB_t7_SkjWECniJsvxCKdci0S4pyYV9sWZeG0mth0EbrWihTZaEdQ0Im6K8cT7v3rtLCff5qJaL3KnRoLrJyh4cPwrKgq85GlDYc9glHALVIYceydXlze2On-GCsMyr-1Wu4qZjof7yL3GyRrFhu_C0xB6lZ1CD-VxrceCCVVM/w240-h320/20240314_101558.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>Peas sprouting.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTkFZ-tTN8dUOINGHM2Df8_MvniALgZm3-OmKFr2EDnlR0gH9m3uiBn9Ra0nLOxKZrvZ4GRiqD9cin57Q3wcXcGzb9X_2qPctfSerDhpKRK8ApIGbIwbUwIZmvGXvkslw88D_eyuc75YS0HOVZ23AU5S0xmToGE0egQoL30w3jDpY8yuRITxjwFHR1MCs/s4624/20240314_101634.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="3468" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTkFZ-tTN8dUOINGHM2Df8_MvniALgZm3-OmKFr2EDnlR0gH9m3uiBn9Ra0nLOxKZrvZ4GRiqD9cin57Q3wcXcGzb9X_2qPctfSerDhpKRK8ApIGbIwbUwIZmvGXvkslw88D_eyuc75YS0HOVZ23AU5S0xmToGE0egQoL30w3jDpY8yuRITxjwFHR1MCs/w240-h320/20240314_101634.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-R-h2a7nT9j3hYqsTP4RU1USBDCYMOeoZgDA3PfB_3tqsn08OLs8wiV53PcjJxTU8JhqHawTmAYHIIJlRgWlxssHRVJrf55WWb7pZN4ACK9PcucNuxi0ikd-MyMKgi9gmviLmucCplyzCX4_la7eNDuSPJOHZOs5vT6sZR66AW9Wf5J4fragQ7R4Pzr8/s4624/20240314_101539.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="3468" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-R-h2a7nT9j3hYqsTP4RU1USBDCYMOeoZgDA3PfB_3tqsn08OLs8wiV53PcjJxTU8JhqHawTmAYHIIJlRgWlxssHRVJrf55WWb7pZN4ACK9PcucNuxi0ikd-MyMKgi9gmviLmucCplyzCX4_la7eNDuSPJOHZOs5vT6sZR66AW9Wf5J4fragQ7R4Pzr8/w240-h320/20240314_101539.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />Onions๐ฐand Globe Artichokes. I have never grown them (artichokes) before. Have you? Apparently they are perennials and members of the thistle family. I think I have planted far too many. Anyone want so globe artichokes plants for free?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's traditional to plant potatoes around St Patrick's Day but things are very very wet at present. At least there are some growing in the polytunnel.</div><p></p>northsider http://www.blogger.com/profile/00716743611909673869noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1577767911269302322.post-69057671794670585372024-03-14T02:44:00.005-06:002024-03-14T02:46:20.517-06:00"I'll Never Find Another You".<p> Sang the ram to the ewe.๐๐ค</p><p>My dad would have been eighty nine this week. </p><p>The Bachelors song "I Believe" the other day really jogged my mental jukebox. I will post a few bands in blog posts of some music that my dad and my mum use to listen to. </p><p>He did not have a lot of records but now and again we would go to our local Woolworths store and come home with an LP of his choice.</p><p>Then he would place it on his radio gram and we would often sing along. Perhaps you will post the songs your parents played when you were young? It will be interesting to hear them on your blogs.</p><p>Here's one of my dad's old favourites:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wZf41UudAbI" width="320" youtube-src-id="wZf41UudAbI"></iframe></div><br /><p>What a voice.</p><p><br /></p>northsider http://www.blogger.com/profile/00716743611909673869noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1577767911269302322.post-36012177593840202092024-03-13T01:53:00.001-06:002024-03-13T01:53:29.784-06:00The Best Seat In The House.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfOoAYw4x8MD8_NUnqyUQ1YhcU5kmNgH52IpQEQuPutwpsuT4VyyPJ1l0voqBKppGy8pUDGHdbQHcgV-7O9LcJUJXTgyM-uelu8Bz0AWI9HwIeypyL1_BbdRoTaZVTsr_1XdWOvY3_SEIBhsPGwDRgWoqkR-VlLGFfjYYQX55Ha_06c_RvDZTKMZFjgtY/s4624/20240311_105709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="3468" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfOoAYw4x8MD8_NUnqyUQ1YhcU5kmNgH52IpQEQuPutwpsuT4VyyPJ1l0voqBKppGy8pUDGHdbQHcgV-7O9LcJUJXTgyM-uelu8Bz0AWI9HwIeypyL1_BbdRoTaZVTsr_1XdWOvY3_SEIBhsPGwDRgWoqkR-VlLGFfjYYQX55Ha_06c_RvDZTKMZFjgtY/s320/20240311_105709.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /> Heidi is still knackered after raising her ten beautiful ๐ถ puppies.<p></p><p>She is looking forward to going to the beach and rescuing pebbles from the sea. </p><p><br /></p><p> </p>northsider http://www.blogger.com/profile/00716743611909673869noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1577767911269302322.post-87292512761305203052024-03-12T02:07:00.000-06:002024-03-12T02:07:42.469-06:00 "I Believe".<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> This was the sight when I went to feed and water the livestock on Sunday morning:<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQKE9ymU4jaNABCa26LSAkHjRQMl_iXiuCF3O8BbLTJR-OaNFTgCUFjKLQti1n66O3OlSKLaswyWHnDr343m2wx27P5s1S1Qz0euTqNFnPWkeF5pSBqjkY7Bf0dVZPkORgHaWpH9sT05sbkHMDt1UiuIAbBAiMifcbfHgOoSDZIgXfmWVZtsMvTE9bfk/s4080/20240310_171050%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3060" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQKE9ymU4jaNABCa26LSAkHjRQMl_iXiuCF3O8BbLTJR-OaNFTgCUFjKLQti1n66O3OlSKLaswyWHnDr343m2wx27P5s1S1Qz0euTqNFnPWkeF5pSBqjkY7Bf0dVZPkORgHaWpH9sT05sbkHMDt1UiuIAbBAiMifcbfHgOoSDZIgXfmWVZtsMvTE9bfk/w300-h400/20240310_171050%20(1).jpg" width="300" /></a></div>The Oxford sow had given birth to seven beautiful piglets.<div><br /><div>I remember seeing The Bachelors with my mum and dad at the Floral Hall in Scarborough in the nineteen seventies. My mum and dad were not singing with them I might add.๐</div><div> </div><div>We sat on seats in the theatre and watched The Bachelors sing. </div><div>One of their songs began playing on my mental jukebox when I saw the piglets:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VuHFQ7KZOKA" width="320" youtube-src-id="VuHFQ7KZOKA"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>They really could sing.</div><div><p><br /></p></div></div>northsider http://www.blogger.com/profile/00716743611909673869noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1577767911269302322.post-49128219995241800822024-03-11T01:45:00.001-06:002024-03-11T01:46:16.354-06:00Wild Ramsoms Growing In The Polytunnel. <p> I noticed some Ramsons or wild garlic growing in the polytunnel and in flower yesterday. I don't know how it got there but it seems happy enough growing amongst the Japanese winter onions.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHjliHuQu-lfaqhTxDMno1QZLnlbiaqKwzWbkGcSet87vkm52B-z_Jyoe5nz0kuAvCVb-UINtDIMTXVqxFGE4ikiLaLWB_OzwYLCnMRfoVCztxMOmhyphenhyphenbBe6o9SJoemDXMLfCUDF_aCT75F9aI6EO8g77d-GbzSOd-oFzGSKaIexk1qlw8icVvuN9SCH14/s4624/20240310_120046.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="3468" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHjliHuQu-lfaqhTxDMno1QZLnlbiaqKwzWbkGcSet87vkm52B-z_Jyoe5nz0kuAvCVb-UINtDIMTXVqxFGE4ikiLaLWB_OzwYLCnMRfoVCztxMOmhyphenhyphenbBe6o9SJoemDXMLfCUDF_aCT75F9aI6EO8g77d-GbzSOd-oFzGSKaIexk1qlw8icVvuN9SCH14/w480-h640/20240310_120046.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Apparently there is archeological evidence that we have been collecting it and eating it for the last thousand years or so.</p><p>You can eat it and the European brown bear is very fond of Ramsons. So are cows and it's also called cow leek.</p><p>I have read that in Switzerland they use to make butter with the milk that the cows had ate wild garlic.</p><p>Ramsons usually lives in woodlands and damp meadows. </p><p>Usually it is in flower in April outside. Ours in flower now in March.</p>northsider http://www.blogger.com/profile/00716743611909673869noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1577767911269302322.post-92197005923082409212024-03-10T03:06:00.002-06:002024-03-10T03:06:29.267-06:00Repurposing My Old Garden Hoe.<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1uDtq3vXm9ykT_9GNman7fhEZ_vUkNg4DEXA9uxlqDPm_nkZwYWALsnEuc2Byq7ckSFwOIXgZpSZ4fPO4o4yll82kRnWaH54O3YGkJ8veYhG4FJw0nJZA2ETopisDC2G-dGNteBbh8k3pbGSR13A6lMPZaSDMa6zimbqaCe5r1MdHwficNxG1lVoyna0/s4624/20240309_082145.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="3468" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1uDtq3vXm9ykT_9GNman7fhEZ_vUkNg4DEXA9uxlqDPm_nkZwYWALsnEuc2Byq7ckSFwOIXgZpSZ4fPO4o4yll82kRnWaH54O3YGkJ8veYhG4FJw0nJZA2ETopisDC2G-dGNteBbh8k3pbGSR13A6lMPZaSDMa6zimbqaCe5r1MdHwficNxG1lVoyna0/w150-h200/20240309_082145.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>I found this old hoe lying on the ground at the back of Portugal ๐ต๐น my polytunnel the other day.<p></p><div>So I picked it up to attack some weeds and grass and the metal handle snapped and dropped off. The rust had successfully made the hoe give up the ghost.</div><div><br /></div><div>However me being a tightwad smallholders and gardener. I decided to use the hoe blade for a onion hoe. </div><div><br /></div><div>Not really a repurpose more than an adaptation more like necessity is the mother of invention. Or "tell the bus driver I want wee wee" kind of moment.</div><div><br /></div><div>I tried it out on my raise bed which is full of Japanese onions and Kale at the moment. It cuts through weeds like a knife ๐ช through butter ๐ง . Have you reused a garden tool when it broke on you?</div><div><br /></div><div>I think I am turning into a person like Eric Olthwaite except I keep coal in the bath next to the pigeons and not in the sideboard.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kulkUAUEWrs" width="320" youtube-src-id="kulkUAUEWrs"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>northsider http://www.blogger.com/profile/00716743611909673869noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1577767911269302322.post-50462069872612483982024-03-08T17:15:00.005-07:002024-03-08T17:15:53.637-07:00Tightwad Plant Dividing.<p>Last Summer I was presented with 50 Euros of plant bulbs and tubers like Dahlias and Red Hot Pokers and Kaffir Lilies. They were selling them off at the end of a flower show so number one son and his girlfriend brought home many carrier bags of flower bulbs and tubers.</p><p>We spent at least a day planting them in soil filled plant pots. Regular readers know I have enough plastic plant pots to last me many years.</p><p>Any way yesterday I noticed the pots are sprouting and I remembered the gardeners mathematical equation: " The only way to multiply is to divide"๐ค?</p><p>Any road or anyway. I started dividing the plants:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiseLOwe_1QIx5_4xIY_ZaJpl5uOvVgByb32AXJ3V2IYtrxOBGkF5JWzWrnKct5vZNTS_xgoVCEOFYo1kffB6uuULV8Q5zkwt9BFCrsUIXG25by2Y95BQj-SRLErKmN2felvrJhhSvjUVkcXHe5WMTSOb-Pvf3NTD7pNFm-GriCsrEGBkfTfXMLXbpNV9A/s4624/20240307_100519.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="3468" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiseLOwe_1QIx5_4xIY_ZaJpl5uOvVgByb32AXJ3V2IYtrxOBGkF5JWzWrnKct5vZNTS_xgoVCEOFYo1kffB6uuULV8Q5zkwt9BFCrsUIXG25by2Y95BQj-SRLErKmN2felvrJhhSvjUVkcXHe5WMTSOb-Pvf3NTD7pNFm-GriCsrEGBkfTfXMLXbpNV9A/s320/20240307_100519.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Here's some I made earlier or prised apart even. I think they are Kaffir Lilies? Wifey zoomed in on her Picture This on her mobile phone App. It costs 20 Euros a year to subscribe. Usually it's brilliant but this time it said wild garlic which it is not. Answers on a postcard or a comment please below if you have any idea what it is?<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_7Y8ragSv1Hz_cDw0nnqDU8_a6ASnlyvlf_1bYYdQbSCuSZNXwaU4e9qCrf-ulNb1figVZQe-8rIdZ3oQA176zXfgmDQFCubt-TxTDdWF5FKWnnYbDf5h8oKz6Oa4eLkM6cftE9o1yePJz-m1nOc_Z-WEnWuHCTe3ST3J1aSyjntYpwEpnhcv7WDoFPQ/s4624/20240307_114357.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="3468" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_7Y8ragSv1Hz_cDw0nnqDU8_a6ASnlyvlf_1bYYdQbSCuSZNXwaU4e9qCrf-ulNb1figVZQe-8rIdZ3oQA176zXfgmDQFCubt-TxTDdWF5FKWnnYbDf5h8oKz6Oa4eLkM6cftE9o1yePJz-m1nOc_Z-WEnWuHCTe3ST3J1aSyjntYpwEpnhcv7WDoFPQ/s320/20240307_114357.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>I think I have got the green fingers habit? I am a plantaholic and here's my many new ๐ชด plants. <div><br /></div><div>So much for me half emptying the polytunnel of plants the other day. I really need to sell some plants. <br /><div><br /><p>2000 views plus yesterday. Thanks for reading.</p></div></div>northsider http://www.blogger.com/profile/00716743611909673869noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1577767911269302322.post-78039519146728340212024-03-08T01:15:00.002-07:002024-03-08T01:15:47.292-07:00The Eighties.<p> Tasker and Yorkshire Pudding posted two excellent posts about the nineteen eighties and Thatcher's awful Britain under her control. Mass unemployment and a divided country and haves and have nots. </p><p>The two blog posts jogged my mental juke box. Here is three songs that say it all for me about those awful years. At least music was good back then:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eda_VcxiPhw" width="320" youtube-src-id="eda_VcxiPhw"></iframe></div><br /><p>The track said it all.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ld0RFYYZgOE" width="320" youtube-src-id="ld0RFYYZgOE"></iframe></div>The end of free music festivals in England.<div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LzcN6C54PVI" width="320" youtube-src-id="LzcN6C54PVI"></iframe></div>God bless the miners. I collected money for them. The salt of the earth.</div><div><br /></div><div>A plant post again tomorrow.<br /><p><br /></p></div>northsider http://www.blogger.com/profile/00716743611909673869noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1577767911269302322.post-80114911037748828122024-03-07T00:38:00.000-07:002024-03-07T00:38:13.637-07:00More Polytunnel Potatoes Planting.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbQaP-l4GHcYS3BBzAmqAU3s8jU2WPBSqqbVNk6VfFh9mLjO97KYk6ymJrGwjkVjmxdtg6UEOexOLv-D8nzsdHzQqqB197zXTb1oXJI4eDd2xjVPJliIcky4Bn7ueAILfWm6dg8u5xp8fkIedBDvEd8wFoZSzGAet17I9rJhzR-G24cQcQaI0UqmM4AOw/s4624/20240306_100447.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="3468" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbQaP-l4GHcYS3BBzAmqAU3s8jU2WPBSqqbVNk6VfFh9mLjO97KYk6ymJrGwjkVjmxdtg6UEOexOLv-D8nzsdHzQqqB197zXTb1oXJI4eDd2xjVPJliIcky4Bn7ueAILfWm6dg8u5xp8fkIedBDvEd8wFoZSzGAet17I9rJhzR-G24cQcQaI0UqmM4AOw/w150-h200/20240306_100447.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>six wheelbarrows of last years fym dug and piked and spread on a new planting area in Portugal ๐ต๐น my polytunnel. I found lots of juicy red worms ๐ชฑ in the muck heap. So it is obviously cooler and rotten enough to use for growing vegetables?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglbr3RM7uqxnqzRRoOS-ETshuFOjn8FBYqUomPmMZ2xj7l1NbI76ylKmHLrCBam9uvGxZsCSYvv-Ros4R4hY9n_TjL9vVOyk34DmNlykO-AVz_f0mT0R4FxYac4rgRKGhgW0kQKubRwjEr0uVZYFskc_Plo9CiCDkmRgepfwaQ5NgFLLo11TqBPwD8Cgg/s4624/20240306_105627.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="3468" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglbr3RM7uqxnqzRRoOS-ETshuFOjn8FBYqUomPmMZ2xj7l1NbI76ylKmHLrCBam9uvGxZsCSYvv-Ros4R4hY9n_TjL9vVOyk34DmNlykO-AVz_f0mT0R4FxYac4rgRKGhgW0kQKubRwjEr0uVZYFskc_Plo9CiCDkmRgepfwaQ5NgFLLo11TqBPwD8Cgg/w150-h200/20240306_105627.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><br /><p>Three six inch trenches hang dug and potatoes planted at a foot a part. I cut Buddleia branches for row markers like I did on the other potato growing sites. These should strike roots and I will have even more shrubs. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnsLocZYlPR9Skh9OVlXTDdRtGhkN7oAboSUoN39cMYMkXjstJKx0rNIZ_lP9uHimmAQ_3yD9dKJ81ryEV_G9ZDolgkFBuIb6PHiuVefGax-1XDfSSGVWHFrOLnc_P6fzcJVLIcl2ODzjGaMpAvthDqGzTdBbgNKKUWTFgA8JjS514EDAWPkg6DcxvaMQ/s4624/20240306_105917.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="3468" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnsLocZYlPR9Skh9OVlXTDdRtGhkN7oAboSUoN39cMYMkXjstJKx0rNIZ_lP9uHimmAQ_3yD9dKJ81ryEV_G9ZDolgkFBuIb6PHiuVefGax-1XDfSSGVWHFrOLnc_P6fzcJVLIcl2ODzjGaMpAvthDqGzTdBbgNKKUWTFgA8JjS514EDAWPkg6DcxvaMQ/w150-h200/20240306_105917.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><p>All covered up and my four prong pike takes a rest.</p><p>Hopefully next week the weather will improve and the ground will dry out and I can plant my early potatoes outside around the 17th of March. I have dug 3 trenches and manured the potato area ready on one side of the tunnel.m</p><p>The Bim and Purple Rain are chitting along with the British Queens. These will go on the other side of the tunnel.</p><p>We like new potatoes at our house. Have you planted any potatoes yet? Or will you wait until it's Scorchio and you hear yourself say ths following: </p><p>" It's too hot for potatoes" and: "Is it hot or it me?"</p><p><br /></p><p><br /> </p>northsider http://www.blogger.com/profile/00716743611909673869noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1577767911269302322.post-7775297230639786652024-03-06T04:08:00.001-07:002024-03-06T04:08:14.001-07:00Emptying Part Of The Polytunnel And Preparing The Ground For New Crops.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg57WtGZWVkh-CawQPOc8iyQJoU2Pa9GpW5nsAE-IUDpVdPxl47XzVtWd8RPfc_dGCY1HNfSBIA5TR_nCp7FjARWmYowpoY36NP8HxsjlooIB_qfWU7YQIf1EEM1Avk9gCbsCP4Phw8Zn1DADi40FTKxVYXqSuT4NfH0RgTD7sQkGOwvzA-Mz6S297ngFA/s4624/20240226_130525.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="3468" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg57WtGZWVkh-CawQPOc8iyQJoU2Pa9GpW5nsAE-IUDpVdPxl47XzVtWd8RPfc_dGCY1HNfSBIA5TR_nCp7FjARWmYowpoY36NP8HxsjlooIB_qfWU7YQIf1EEM1Avk9gCbsCP4Phw8Zn1DADi40FTKxVYXqSuT4NfH0RgTD7sQkGOwvzA-Mz6S297ngFA/w150-h200/20240226_130525.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><br /> I had been a busy bee yesterday. I emptied lots of my shrubs and perennials in pots from the right hand bottom side of the polytunnel and placed them outside on a sheet of black plastic. This took me all morning and some of the afternoon. I really am something of a plantaholic. <p></p><div>Then I moved(dragged) my dining room table / potting bench to the centre of the tunnel and away from any draughts.</div><div><br /></div><div>Monday was a dreadful day with lots of rain and wind and damaging more of one gable of Portugal ๐ต๐น my polytunnel pal. Yesterday was so much better.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then we lifted and rolled up the sheet of black plastic and dragged it outside on to a vacant area of the veg plot.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZzZfGlw7DeSCihhvF6nPMyMOWqFguuWJAH5F1tUWSC-a2GoPFl9svHcEMcv4V7nnED-wvNkoZCkvK16sHfgicMjTYIz_e50Kwqt7cF4w1lIGoDgLU3ISjU2TClxp85W_lirSPlR35B-lXiLSl1wtv96cDoSLKFqK2vyuExzTGD586HcDzptRpVYQThns/s4080/20240305_131012%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3060" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZzZfGlw7DeSCihhvF6nPMyMOWqFguuWJAH5F1tUWSC-a2GoPFl9svHcEMcv4V7nnED-wvNkoZCkvK16sHfgicMjTYIz_e50Kwqt7cF4w1lIGoDgLU3ISjU2TClxp85W_lirSPlR35B-lXiLSl1wtv96cDoSLKFqK2vyuExzTGD586HcDzptRpVYQThns/w150-h200/20240305_131012%20(1).jpg" width="150" /></a></div>All empty and cleared away.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOH2mR8KVUZt7ajtV4PA3LQE4I0TFUrFbEjpSEhDMzwQNsib-0itV3r7a70i5pCbksrOaossqi-_CDaoG5VDhem48v_I2DyEnSiDpif5jsn99WErAqgsZdv8A3qcZ2ab5K2D4cEjYJofo7zIh3AT6SIdwA17z0qRDyT6-uyYKRQiH8T_h-VR33vnBOelQ/s4624/20240305_145718.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="3468" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOH2mR8KVUZt7ajtV4PA3LQE4I0TFUrFbEjpSEhDMzwQNsib-0itV3r7a70i5pCbksrOaossqi-_CDaoG5VDhem48v_I2DyEnSiDpif5jsn99WErAqgsZdv8A3qcZ2ab5K2D4cEjYJofo7zIh3AT6SIdwA17z0qRDyT6-uyYKRQiH8T_h-VR33vnBOelQ/w150-h200/20240305_145718.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>All forked over and I soon had a real sweat workout. I was sweating cobs!<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVUAWtKULJfiofwdT7_uycXjRjPj7Yn3DAi66cnGSjbQ8hH-2Ze533kBxgfa8zbgxBL49PKEuRDANMbLeIAA7uaMhJsFTRD8mke9hOM5n1TBkPjfKlb0fzWveLC6-lrwcyFPAqNUpUxiyd-QhNp9_SzHSO6_9dqAt6G-RtiOzRS7FDqtS5pbylYbmw974/s4624/20240305_145731.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="3468" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVUAWtKULJfiofwdT7_uycXjRjPj7Yn3DAi66cnGSjbQ8hH-2Ze533kBxgfa8zbgxBL49PKEuRDANMbLeIAA7uaMhJsFTRD8mke9hOM5n1TBkPjfKlb0fzWveLC6-lrwcyFPAqNUpUxiyd-QhNp9_SzHSO6_9dqAt6G-RtiOzRS7FDqtS5pbylYbmw974/s320/20240305_145731.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>I collected bamboo roots and stones while forking over the ground. </div><div><br /></div><div>The pigs ๐ had cleared the area over a year ago so I was well dug and I found lots of well rotted dung. </div><div><br /></div><div>I will add more fym another day. I will just empty barrow loads of the stuff and let the worms take it down.</div><div><br /></div><div>I will dig some more potatoes ๐ฅ trenches before the week is out and fork some fym in the trench and place some chitted seed potatoes in the bottom and cover it up again.</div><div><br /></div><div>I noticed my peas are sprouting so it's obviously warm enough to so more stuff. So we sowed Pak Choi and some tomatoes which are going to germinate in the Chitting Room.</div><div><br /></div><div>Quite a productive day.</div><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /></div></div></div>northsider http://www.blogger.com/profile/00716743611909673869noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1577767911269302322.post-74227961486945948782024-03-05T08:15:00.000-07:002024-03-05T08:15:04.109-07:00Piglets Progress.<p> I thought I would show the latest picture of some of the piglets since you saw them last:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD_ASxTGT9CUQtzMzi3_yJucpAtHIlDtdbCajQPbgGLXM7rWeH5_veU287ilPqTsDVpdAnLiA_1L6xVeQl3ZqPWC57BWgyFBwW8-f8F-_QDqCi-8RX3pdZnGWBZsGsKE0xkoVOYT67f9s-xyHjIMv9es4NUHnJILrI2Ho3c-9pLSkzU9uRBK_cdsU-EcU/s4624/20240301_092618.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="3468" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD_ASxTGT9CUQtzMzi3_yJucpAtHIlDtdbCajQPbgGLXM7rWeH5_veU287ilPqTsDVpdAnLiA_1L6xVeQl3ZqPWC57BWgyFBwW8-f8F-_QDqCi-8RX3pdZnGWBZsGsKE0xkoVOYT67f9s-xyHjIMv9es4NUHnJILrI2Ho3c-9pLSkzU9uRBK_cdsU-EcU/w480-h640/20240301_092618.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>That's five of the Berkshires and one Gloucester Old Spot away from their mums.</p><p>The piglets are growing like mad and they are eating pig ration and they often eat some of their straw bed.</p><p>It won't be long before they are being sold and going to new homes.</p><p>Anyone else keep pigs for fattening and to sell? Or perhaps you are thinking of getting some?</p><p><br /></p>northsider http://www.blogger.com/profile/00716743611909673869noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1577767911269302322.post-73523438086186603782024-03-04T05:27:00.003-07:002024-03-04T05:27:25.276-07:00Bim And Purple Rain.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9uTUvLBfI7kxrPDNr3bNXNJ9fG0AHbWNteLGJ8IqTg0-K15wXMzu0Jd3A1Inn8u1XW5mK0GGZazx8NAIsMgHw3qt7TRWSb7-ubkMVOEXotneGnf6CAkpPmJhloDjF0NtAdfbaG6omoAMEqeegGrxvRE_XAM_7x0zlZ4Tfut09iPCzaWoSJR-yoWOw2Bc/s4624/20240304_121152.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="3468" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9uTUvLBfI7kxrPDNr3bNXNJ9fG0AHbWNteLGJ8IqTg0-K15wXMzu0Jd3A1Inn8u1XW5mK0GGZazx8NAIsMgHw3qt7TRWSb7-ubkMVOEXotneGnf6CAkpPmJhloDjF0NtAdfbaG6omoAMEqeegGrxvRE_XAM_7x0zlZ4Tfut09iPCzaWoSJR-yoWOw2Bc/w150-h200/20240304_121152.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><br /> More seed potatoes ๐ฅ for the veg plot and polytunnel yesterday. <p></p><p>One variety is called Bim and the other is called Purple Rain. Anyone heard of them?</p><p>They are supposed to be blight resistant and full of Anthocyanin. I thought that was the name of a Prog Rock band?</p><p>Anthocyanins are said to be very good for you and are present in blue berries and red cabbage.</p><p>Purple Rain potatoes have purple flesh.</p><p>I wonder if Prince was singing about his allotment potatoes when he penned this ๐ต song?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TvnYmWpD_T8" width="320" youtube-src-id="TvnYmWpD_T8"></iframe></div><br /><p>Up to nowI have planted Homeguard seed potatoes in the polytunnel and we have British Queens, Bim and Purple Rain chitting in the Chitting Room. Have you planted any potatoes or started chitting them yet?</p>northsider http://www.blogger.com/profile/00716743611909673869noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1577767911269302322.post-72965133839305108522024-03-03T08:57:00.002-07:002024-03-03T11:21:25.032-07:00Roughing It Tips When You Go Camping.<p> I will be all being well going to Blighty again this summer to visit some literary places and of course take in a rock festival, Prog preferably.</p><p>We try to keep our accommodation costs down by taking tents and staying on camp sites and a couple of nights in a Travelodge. </p><p> Last year my towel was saturated and I did not fancy carrying it around for days so I threw it in a litter bin and bought a dry one for one pound from a charity shop.</p><p>Then I had my light bulb moment when I got back to my tent. I cut the towel in half with a pair of scissors. I now had two towels and I could discard one when it got wet.</p><p>It's a good way not to take home wet washing with you.</p><p>This tip may be useful for JayCee and P?</p><p> </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>northsider http://www.blogger.com/profile/00716743611909673869noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1577767911269302322.post-41620464531941753622024-03-02T02:25:00.003-07:002024-03-02T03:24:20.753-07:00A Talcum Powder Sprinkling Of Snow. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> This is a scene I could see from outside my polytunnel and from our kitchen window yesterday (Friday) morning:<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijkzkvvQZ6rsySXQjUalLUDTtWH72VD7V3AhwFc7QwS086xLlYi05ZTl4YD_PvtCTTYBbbdtKWgvw-tw4xtr6S3y6_BzwOFRr4HzwvwHk2WctCIAqyGxsX3LWq9ztL9ElLzQ0EGWWLge8O8WAPo139Uq5Z0S0hABkxW7W6dV0FKXkUWXQT9O7EOOTR7fE/s4624/20240301_092757%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="3468" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijkzkvvQZ6rsySXQjUalLUDTtWH72VD7V3AhwFc7QwS086xLlYi05ZTl4YD_PvtCTTYBbbdtKWgvw-tw4xtr6S3y6_BzwOFRr4HzwvwHk2WctCIAqyGxsX3LWq9ztL9ElLzQ0EGWWLge8O8WAPo139Uq5Z0S0hABkxW7W6dV0FKXkUWXQT9O7EOOTR7fE/w150-h200/20240301_092757%20(1).jpg" width="150" /></a></div><p>Sugarloaf in the Caha mountain range over on Beara peninsula. I was going to take a photo of Hungry Hill but that was shrouded in Irish mist or mizzle.</p><p>There are 450 mountains and mountain ranges in the world called Sugarloaf. There are at least four in Ireland.</p><p>One day this Summer I'm going to get dropped off over on Beara at Adrigole or Glengarriff and walk up to the summit and look at the panoramic view and see parts of Kerry and West Cork and even where we live hopefully?</p><p>A Neil Young song began playing in my mental jukebox when I composed this post. Enjoy:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XVajUY-hBVI" width="320" youtube-src-id="XVajUY-hBVI"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p>northsider http://www.blogger.com/profile/00716743611909673869noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1577767911269302322.post-70427120736558939092024-03-01T00:42:00.000-07:002024-03-01T00:42:01.589-07:00Making Dogwood Cuttings In My Polytunnel Potting Shed.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWM-Vs8Q6buy8OUMDjGgtipL5W0qr3U8XTsw08-hvM5ZnurQPmWL3v-Qi3CgqQaBUNlvnKFLAiTiYgwOdCoY1QojXHLC1DbfmBPv59YFAGcYyNAjBh_AXVRsGfcr-tOg2yBU7GDj3GV8cx2AQxD_vS6GBXKfTuTQFQ9Y-y0LKOtHS6fal2O8r-uvLJHYc/s4624/20240229_122012.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="3468" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWM-Vs8Q6buy8OUMDjGgtipL5W0qr3U8XTsw08-hvM5ZnurQPmWL3v-Qi3CgqQaBUNlvnKFLAiTiYgwOdCoY1QojXHLC1DbfmBPv59YFAGcYyNAjBh_AXVRsGfcr-tOg2yBU7GDj3GV8cx2AQxD_vS6GBXKfTuTQFQ9Y-y0LKOtHS6fal2O8r-uvLJHYc/s320/20240229_122012.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Dogwood cuttings on my dining table/potting bench.<div><br /> I took some Cornus or Dogwood cuttings yesterday.<p></p><p>I like it for it's red bark in winter. It's very hard wood and Jesus's cross is claimed to have been made from Dogwood.</p><p>It's also been used in medicine instead of quinine.</p><p>Butcher skewers use to be called 'Dags' or 'Dogs' or even skewer wood.</p><p>Dogwood are native to North America, China and Europe.</p><p>I make new Dogwood cuttings every year. I take my secateurs or loppers and take pencil โ๏ธ sized cuttings and place five or six of them in a black plastic plant pot full of sand or my homemade potting compost.</p><p>Black plastic plant pots reflect heat and soon warm up the soil.</p><p>You can also plant them straight into a slit trench in the veg plot and leave them until next Autumn.</p><p>I like to keep mine in my ow portable plant pots.</p><p>It's a good way of getting shrubs for free. </p><p>Dogwood Cuttings sounds like an old branch line station in the Home Counties doesn't it?</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>northsider http://www.blogger.com/profile/00716743611909673869noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1577767911269302322.post-81670626235252610232024-02-29T03:45:00.001-07:002024-02-29T03:59:02.935-07:00Filling Up The Polytunnel.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvFOiBq1KDg1iLh4_-9fefkhAVJS3coJ9XJg8nL6Hk-Deswy51F9KGQJMcloU9WAUefoYiIpe_anLL0A1SYrpl9cVT1l66BBGJE1I46NU4wTt8bb9icv1bKCFFYaYdNS44An7IxweQkwq6m8ef4RBciI0h_g397VqMmC6P2-HNw4aXxgP6MQCaUkeiK8w/s4624/20240225_103814.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="3468" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvFOiBq1KDg1iLh4_-9fefkhAVJS3coJ9XJg8nL6Hk-Deswy51F9KGQJMcloU9WAUefoYiIpe_anLL0A1SYrpl9cVT1l66BBGJE1I46NU4wTt8bb9icv1bKCFFYaYdNS44An7IxweQkwq6m8ef4RBciI0h_g397VqMmC6P2-HNw4aXxgP6MQCaUkeiK8w/s320/20240225_103814.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /> The polytunnel is starting to fill up already and it is only the end of February.<p></p><p>I have over wintered perennials like Osteospermums which are not native to these shores and are not frost hardy.</p><p>Potatoes have been chitted and planted and so have our onions and garlic.</p><p>Cuttings of shrubs and hedging have been taken and I have started dividing perennials to make new plants.</p><p>I sowed peas and beetroots the other day. I am waiting to see how long they take to germinate before I sow anything else.</p><p>The temperature definitely warmed up this week in the polytunnel and I am watering more often.</p><p>This is my 50th blog post of the year. </p><p>I am glad I weeded and dug over the veg plot and dug potato trenches on Monday. </p><p>March can be a hellish like month here. </p><p>It sometimes comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.</p><p>You can get four seasons in a hour here.</p><p>Are you ready for Spring?</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>northsider http://www.blogger.com/profile/00716743611909673869noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1577767911269302322.post-31191336529777534322024-02-27T09:55:00.005-07:002024-02-29T01:42:43.272-07:00A View Of A Newly Planted Raised Onion Bed In The Polytunnel.<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSmsf3xzAdVMDuypUEqbNlzTxBtEydDaKGu8l3Y6-RASRcKqtc5yMOTKSnexjJEVO65emAyknL_HY-CmqNGtGnhIRH_vOFR6nWsmvXGi-xobyoXWpGaZ41KoYnt2u9vRTMKnASVKx2fT0LAMT8F1xtHYXYQjl5Bpe3YgxZdXjdshsIySpZvWPIXtsiwEQ/s4624/20240227_101201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="3468" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSmsf3xzAdVMDuypUEqbNlzTxBtEydDaKGu8l3Y6-RASRcKqtc5yMOTKSnexjJEVO65emAyknL_HY-CmqNGtGnhIRH_vOFR6nWsmvXGi-xobyoXWpGaZ41KoYnt2u9vRTMKnASVKx2fT0LAMT8F1xtHYXYQjl5Bpe3YgxZdXjdshsIySpZvWPIXtsiwEQ/w150-h200/20240227_101201.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>I planted the onions ๐ฐ that had been growing in plastic modules in the polytunnel.<p></p><p>This raised bed is in the polytunnel. Yes you're right we also have Japanese Winter onions growing in the polytunnel.</p><p>Some people do not bother growing onions because they are so cheap to buy especially from discount supermarkets like Lidl and Aldi.</p><p>You can say that about growing your own vegetables. We buy supermarket vegetables especially like now when there is an hunger gap. </p><p>I have been an organic or natural vegetable grower for over thirty years</p><p>One thing about growing your own vegetables is the freshness and the taste.</p>northsider http://www.blogger.com/profile/00716743611909673869noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1577767911269302322.post-81486867286107605972024-02-26T06:33:00.002-07:002024-02-26T16:15:40.922-07:00Digging And Weeding The Plot Listening To Thin Lizzy.<p> This morning it wasn't raining for a change. </p><p>After feeding and watering the livestock I planted some more onion sets in trays in my homemade compost and I decided to weed one side of the polytunnel with a bucket and mytrusty Azada hoe. Hoe (Oh!) how I love my Azada. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0J_14YknTO7mxGiZ-ZAt7jofGC_5MNLb7NKXBOGj-Vs0b5lP4SiEWlKyrGMjvytEvLI3E4SiKHj78hyphenhyphenAv6nGDb-6nADMUW11iiiIMBOPc4z9u4YorBt3BqUgufp-97FOxQVbkm2N_c7aaq5OnZ0GSHK87UDcE3nmcsScrEA8KCu6tvbdwK8Dw2E46OiU/s4624/20240226_130555.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="2852" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0J_14YknTO7mxGiZ-ZAt7jofGC_5MNLb7NKXBOGj-Vs0b5lP4SiEWlKyrGMjvytEvLI3E4SiKHj78hyphenhyphenAv6nGDb-6nADMUW11iiiIMBOPc4z9u4YorBt3BqUgufp-97FOxQVbkm2N_c7aaq5OnZ0GSHK87UDcE3nmcsScrEA8KCu6tvbdwK8Dw2E46OiU/s320/20240226_130555.jpg" width="197" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Then I forked and stone picked and whilst doing this, I listened to my second favourite Rock band Thin Lizzy on my mobile phone. I once saw them back in 1981. What a band!</p><p>"Don't believe a word none of this is true. Don't believe it if I tell you I'm still love with you".</p><p>A song for my veg plot.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FJm_abdapvo" width="320" youtube-src-id="FJm_abdapvo"></iframe></div><br /><p>Do you believe in digging over your veg plot or a you a "no dig" gardener? On our rain lashed heavy ground you have got to fork the ground over to remove compaction, improve drainage and aerate the soil. My backs aching but I am happy with my work. There's still life in the old dog, even though I am sixty years of age. I will deserve a few cans of beer tonight!</p>northsider http://www.blogger.com/profile/00716743611909673869noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1577767911269302322.post-12027498356978840102024-02-25T05:51:00.000-07:002024-02-25T05:51:05.721-07:00German Shepherd Puppy Dog Gardening Club.<p>No not the name of a Berlin Prog Rock band. </p><p>The pups had been busy in the night gardening:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyPzbsy6HBDTUXdXCNrsqyAEqazSQb_v8lsQOsr_tekNGsgGB7v26EwmdzQD5yO-t1QS_nKJcJbu2h2OWhJWzMgRgyrCkkT7ZmEJ54pCU1785g6HcPV4HQSOlLY1SmkCh7xE51ZFYWuPn9sshbHXXEZZE64-Rf0q3z3ABpCtY1R9_83L8G2PveWBu7Afw/s4624/20240223_085306.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="3468" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyPzbsy6HBDTUXdXCNrsqyAEqazSQb_v8lsQOsr_tekNGsgGB7v26EwmdzQD5yO-t1QS_nKJcJbu2h2OWhJWzMgRgyrCkkT7ZmEJ54pCU1785g6HcPV4HQSOlLY1SmkCh7xE51ZFYWuPn9sshbHXXEZZE64-Rf0q3z3ABpCtY1R9_83L8G2PveWBu7Afw/s320/20240223_085306.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>They had only gone and knocked our Bilburgia or Queens Tears off the windowsill and my first chore of the day was to gather up the plant and stones and compost.<div><br /></div><div>They made a very good job and wrecking seems to be their speciality.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then I noticed that four plants ๐ชด joined together.</div><div><br /></div><div>So I took them to my dining table potting bench in the polytunnel and I teased the plants apart and </div><div>I repotted them in my homemade potting mix and they residing and recuperating in the ICU section of the polytunnel.</div><div><br /></div><div>I gave them a drink with my watering can and they seem to be doing fine.</div><div><br /></div><div>Do you have any four legged gardening pals?</div><div><p><br /></p></div>northsider http://www.blogger.com/profile/00716743611909673869noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1577767911269302322.post-60345886532873844052024-02-23T06:21:00.001-07:002024-02-23T06:21:36.287-07:00Tightwad Leaky Wellington Boots Temporary Fix.<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzDzPLF_itvgdoUqCfjDS4O5Qxk7uKmtclo5lVUCV-oOFbCcCv8MAoLMXkX4tY_cPG9OnORtc-eONIbvUwe8EK62uszi_lkZZYk8aj0KbMGlYPS8eHM6VmvdgRVhz00WD1_krxWiiJeeI7kg7hWDc8ttvogHrc98iyzKcG4XOluJFO-mSrjwrZAiyQS6A/s4624/20240221_152802.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="3468" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzDzPLF_itvgdoUqCfjDS4O5Qxk7uKmtclo5lVUCV-oOFbCcCv8MAoLMXkX4tY_cPG9OnORtc-eONIbvUwe8EK62uszi_lkZZYk8aj0KbMGlYPS8eHM6VmvdgRVhz00WD1_krxWiiJeeI7kg7hWDc8ttvogHrc98iyzKcG4XOluJFO-mSrjwrZAiyQS6A/s320/20240221_152802.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>My wellingtons have started letting water in the toe.<p></p><p>But I am not going to throw them away just yet. Oh no.</p><p>I took a plastic pedal bin liner bag from the kitchen cupboard and made myself a waterproof sock cover.</p><p>You can also use it to protect your hair when it's raining.</p><p>I think I should patent my Wellington boot repair kit before someone pinches my idea.</p><p>Perhaps I should start a Crowdfunder campaign for a new pair of wellingtons? Any donations would be very welcome.</p><p>Anyone got a pair of size 11 wellington boots needing a good home? They will get plenty of exercise and fym to roll in.</p><p>I might make them into plant pots or even rubber hinges for a gate. Ones got to be resourceful when you're a tight wad smallholder like yours truly.</p><p>Remember this song?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PsyXin4eiSY" width="320" youtube-src-id="PsyXin4eiSY"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p>northsider http://www.blogger.com/profile/00716743611909673869noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1577767911269302322.post-58283451158205407062024-02-22T04:16:00.001-07:002024-02-22T04:16:35.151-07:00Scrambled Eggs On Toast.<p> You know you are good at blog writing when you can write a post about most topics.</p><p>The hens and ducks are prolific layers at the moment. They are like the Dixie Dean's and Erling Haalands of the egg laying world.</p><p>Yesterday ("All my eggs seemed so far away") see song at end of this post, we had scrambled eggs on toast. Even the dogs love them and the pigs like fresh ones.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFilE7Q6jg2JEe0Jlc8xkEsbDfTxsKSWvDt-luz_F_MUZruKcoZVXmGuHKmgT-CUeBgw1q5LGWuwR7BkOBB5DsG04yd_9w5kAlIk94ywR9vZsS9L0wKu7hzNdBDsvo6O1CbNfkgWrzthoiNV6QNHlj9c33d4aF3uYornB53AJw0hGFlQ4rkZWM0hEQEHM/s4624/20240219_113156%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="3468" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFilE7Q6jg2JEe0Jlc8xkEsbDfTxsKSWvDt-luz_F_MUZruKcoZVXmGuHKmgT-CUeBgw1q5LGWuwR7BkOBB5DsG04yd_9w5kAlIk94ywR9vZsS9L0wKu7hzNdBDsvo6O1CbNfkgWrzthoiNV6QNHlj9c33d4aF3uYornB53AJw0hGFlQ4rkZWM0hEQEHM/s320/20240219_113156%20(1).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>Scrambled eggs on toast complete with House of Parliament brown sauce or HP for short and is now made in the ๐ณ๐ฑ Netherlands.</p><p>Apparently according to WIKIPEDIA the first recorded or written account of Scrambled eggs was in a 14th century Italian cook book.</p><p>Do you like scrambled eggs on toast? We had Indian omelette for Sunday tea.</p><p>Here's a song by one of the Beatles about Scrambled Eggs. Who knows he might write a classic hit one day?๐</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UaN64yi3ioc" width="320" youtube-src-id="UaN64yi3ioc"></iframe></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p>northsider http://www.blogger.com/profile/00716743611909673869noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1577767911269302322.post-32664139157493990592024-02-21T06:29:00.000-07:002024-02-21T06:29:07.676-07:00Texting Instead Of Talking.<p> I have noticed people texting each other even when in the same room. The younger generation are very good at it in fact.</p><p>When we went to Tenerife in December we walked into a English pub and we were the only customers. </p><p>The bar owners sat down next to us eating their dinner. They gave us the menus to look at.</p><p>There was nothing I fancied and the wife began texting me via WhatsApp:</p><p>What you having?</p><p>I dunno, There is nothing I fancy.</p><p>Me neither.</p><p>Do you want another drink?</p><p>Why are you having one?</p><p>Shall we sup up and go to that Indian restaurant?</p><p>If you want?</p><p>We drank our drinks and wifey said to the bar owners:</p><p>"We'll have a walk round and we may come back later for something to eat."</p><p>Bar Owner: " Ok see you later."</p><p>Texting can get you out of some awkward situations.</p><p>I wonder how many couples text each other when their visitors don't seem to want to go home? Well I suppose it's different to putting the cat out, yawning and winding the clock and saying:</p><p>"Is that the time?"</p>northsider http://www.blogger.com/profile/00716743611909673869noreply@blogger.com22