There's not a lot happening on the vegetable plot at the moment. The ground is still saturated so apart from cleaning out the cattle and ducks and feeding them silage and straw, there's not a lot we can do. On a positive note. You can see my Japanese Winter onion sets starting to push up their green stalks.
There's not a lot you can do except chop wood, read, watch the television, eat and drink well and maybe listen to some good music. Time for some music. Here's the late and great (Deep Purple and Whitesnake) John Lord's version of 'Green Onion's.
Yes, our garden looks really sad and dis-spirited, leafless trees, long(ish) grass all covered in frost, has been for about 4 days, no breeze, and bright sunhine with blue skies. Other than the occasional birds, and the even more occasional squirrel, no sign of life of any description. Might look dreary, but so very tranquil, I just wish it was warm enough to sit out on the decking with after-dinner port and cigar.
Nice to see some form of life stirring, I think I need to get a container full of compost and a few Japanese Winter onion setts.
Another bright clear frosty morning, this will be 5 consecutive days without rain, the longest this year I think. The river's gone down a bit from very brown torrent and almost ready to burst its banks, to a sedate flow. Raggy cat curled up in front of fire (it's on)
Saw Jon Lord a couple of times with Whitesnake (1981 and 1983) and with the reformed classic line-up of Deep Purple (Blackmore, Gillan, Glover, Lord, and Paice) in 1986, Dave.
With both bands, Jon Lord just quietly stood in the background with his shirt sleeves rolled up, while his keyboards boomed out. Incredible keyboard player and wonderfully laid-back/reassuring presence on stage. Great contrast to David Coverdale being spruced up for the women.
Yeah always wish I saw Deep Purple Pat. I saw the David Coverdale band at Donington once? My favourite keyboard players got to be Keith Emerson. Didn't know he was born in Todmorden and he's 68. It frightening when you realise that you and your heroes are getting old. Who is your favourite keyboard player Pat?
Same as you, Dave, Keith Emerson, but didn't know he was born in Todmorden (quite interesting town centre with the canal and the sight of the surrounding moors).
Usually stop off at Todmorden on the way back from Hebden Bridge to Rochdale. Hebden Bridge is a great place with the walks by the canal and the Folk club (enjoyed watching a full afternoon of an Ashes Test match in there with a giant-sized screen and great Real Ale).
No I didn't know about Keith Emerson being born in Todmorden until today Pat. Todmorden is in Lancashire and Yorkshire. Not many towns that are in both counties. I really miss those old northern English places like Hebden Bridge and Haworth. Had many a great holiday with my parents in Scarborough too.
The folk club, test cricket and real ale sound excellent Pat.
Did you ever go to Whalley Abbey or Salmesbury Hall? Two other great places. Parts of Preston round the centre are also interesting (retracing the steps of Dickens and 'Hard Times').
As this is our first year on our smallholding we're up to our eyes with things to do! The polytunnel being the priority. Onions to be planted, the rest of the soft fruit to get down, and then to tackle the pruning of apple trees and cherry tree. And wood to chop. We've also got to look at re-fencing the front field.
Been outsidede Whalley Abbey Pat. Never been inside the building. I know Salmesbury Hall from watching 'Most Haunted. I believe it's one of the most haunted buildings in Britain? Visited Preston many times. Used to go to the second hand market on a Tuesday.
Think you would like a lot of places in Cheshire Pat. Knutsford (Mrs Gaskell) , Tatton Park and my favourite: Cholmondley Castle and gardens. It's so quintessentially English with a mock castle, landscaped formal gardens (Italian sunken is incredible) and an old fashioned tea rooms with incredible food and coffee and tea. My other favourite places are Herefordshire, Shropshire, the Welsh Marches and the West Country. Every county in Britain is so different full of a charm of its own. You have just got to find it. Perhaps we should go on a literary tour of England Pat? That would be good. Visit some real ale pubs, steam trains, ancient churches, watch some cricket..?
The weather was awful yesterday and we just couldn't muster the enthusiasm to stand outside in the freeing cold and rain to put up the polytunnel bars. Today looks like a mixture of weather - so I reckon we can get work done between the showers :)
I know it was Lorraine. I got wet through and muddy yesterday moving some silage bales with a neighbouring farmer. We had to do it yesterday when the main road is quieter. Can't believe the speed limits on rural roads - crazy!
We used to have a polytunnel but it got wrecked in a gale. We shut the doors - not a good idea.
I have read tales of people giving up this year with their allotments. The weather's been terrible everywhere. I may get another tunnel. But it's not a good idea living on the Western edge of Europe and all those Atlantic gales. Perhaps if I got one of those that you can't fully stand up in, it may do the trick.
I look forward to reading all about your smallholding adventures Lorraine.
Hi John, I think rural isolation and the bad weather puts you off working on the smallholding. Think there is a lot more comraderie on an allotment. Only thing with a smallholding, you're the boss. This isn't always good though and you don't get the work done.
I'm itching to get the veg plot dug over. Half of it any way. Like most most gardeners, I suffer from a bad back. Anyway. One half (potatoes) is my 'Lasagna Garden 'no dig' project. I just flatten large cardboard boxes and fork FYM over them and let the worms and the weather feed the soil mulch. The other half of the veg plot is going to be dug over 'bastard trenched' and dug by hand. I use a spade and my trusty Azada to scrape off the vegetation then I dig a trench fill it with weeds and compost, scrape off vegetation and dig a trench... It's the old way that you read about in the old gardening books. The one that says the frost and rain will kill the nasty creepy crawlies and leave you with lovely friable soil. That's the plan anyway. All we need is the rain Gods to go somewhere else.
I am carla houston from usa. I was in trouble when doctor told me that I have been diagnosed with herpes I though about my children and my husband, I know my children will face a serious problem when I'm gone, I lost hope and I wept all day, but one day I was surfing the internet I found Dr. Alika contact number. I called him and he guided me. I asked him for solutions and he started the remedies for my health. Thank God, now everything is fine, I'm cured by Dr. Alika herbal medicine, I'm very thankful to Dr. Alika and very happy with my hubby and children.if you have any diseases contact dr alika via email on dralikaherbalhome@gmail.com or add him up on whatsapp +2348116570358.
Greatest thanks to Dr Oyagu for his herbal drugs that he prepared for me and when i start using it in just 2weeks i was completely cured and that ended my HERPES SIMPLEX 1&2 DISEASE i am so happy and grateful to Dr Oyagu . after reading about him on a testimony of Jason Cash on a blogger. i knew suddenly Dr Oyagu was the right Doctor to cure my HERPES SIMPLEX 1&2 DISEASE. i discuss with Dr Oyagu and he prepared a herbal medicine for me and when it got sent to me in south korean . i used the herbal medicine and 2weeks and i went to check up again. after 15years of suffering from HERPES SIMPLEX 1&2 at last i am smiling once again. Dr Oyagu also has remedy to others disease like COLD SORES,HIV/AIDS,DIABETES.CANCER,HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND MANY MORE. I oblige everyone to contact this powerful herbalist Dr Oyagu and be free from your suffering. contact his WhatsApp line: +2348101755322 or his Email:Oyaguherbalhome@gmail.com
Suffering from herpes is a Terrible Experience which i suffered till i meet a herbal doctor called Dr. KHAM. I tried all possible mean to get cured but i never received cure from any of the 7 hospital i visited.Just Match,14,2018 i saw a recent post of how Dr. Kham herbal medicine cured people and that he is a honest man to work with in the procedures on finding a cure, then i contacted him in trial and he sent me a herbal medicine with the full prescription oh how to drink for two weeks and i exactly followed the guidelines that was given to me by DR. KHAM to cute the long story short the herbal medicine flushed out my whole system and make the herpes virus inactive all thanks to Dr. Kham who God is using to cure people of this terrible virus (herpes simplex virus) for anyone here that has herpes or other kinds of disease and Virus should mail all his or her complain to DR. KHAM on his email which is (dr.khamcaregiver@gmail.com) or whats app him on +2348159922297
PERFECT NATURAL HERBS AND VEGANS CURE FOR Herpes 1&2 THAT WORK FAST WITHIN A COUPLE OF WEEKS WITH DR ELINFOH HERBAL MEDICINE, I saw so many testimonies about Dr ELINFOH a great HERBAL DOCTOR that will help you CURE and give you the rightful health to live a joyful life, i didn't believe it at first, but as the pain got worsen and my life was at risk after using lots of ARV drugs from the hospital and no changes so i decided to give a try to Dr Elinfoh I contacted him also and told him i want a cure for Herpes , he gave me advice on what i must do and he deliver it to me in my home address i gave him and i got the medicine which i use according to his instruction, and today i must say I am so grateful to this man Dr Elinfoh for curing me from Herpes and for restoring me back to my normal health and a sound life and i am making this known to every one out there who have been trying all day to be cured from Herpes or any sickness should not waste more time just contact him with his details below, believe me this is the only way to get cured from Hepres , this is the real solution we all have been searching for. Do not waste more time contacting him today for you can also leave a sound and happy life. contact info below. Email: (drelinfohherbalhome@gmail.com) or Whats"App or Call him on: +2348110492072. and you can as well contact him on other issues you are having like*HEPATITIS B*DIABETICS*CANCER*ALS*HERPES*BODY REDUCTION*BREAST ENLARGEMENT*FIBROD*CANCER*PREGNANCY MISCARRIAGE*Relationship issues etc.. ** Neoplasms*Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)*Chronic Respiratory Diseases* Mental and Behavioral Disorders*Alzheimer’s Disease Email: drelinfohherbalhome@gmail.com Via whatsapp +2348110492072
Yes, our garden looks really sad and dis-spirited, leafless trees, long(ish) grass all covered in frost, has been for about 4 days, no breeze, and bright sunhine with blue skies.
ReplyDeleteOther than the occasional birds, and the even more occasional squirrel, no sign of life of any description.
Might look dreary, but so very tranquil, I just wish it was warm enough to sit out on the decking with after-dinner port and cigar.
Nice to see some form of life stirring, I think I need to get a container full of compost and a few Japanese Winter onion setts.
Another bright clear frosty morning, this will be 5 consecutive days without rain, the longest this year I think. The river's gone down a bit from very brown torrent and almost ready to burst its banks, to a sedate flow.
Raggy cat curled up in front of fire (it's on)
Saw Jon Lord a couple of times with Whitesnake (1981 and 1983) and with the reformed classic line-up of Deep Purple (Blackmore, Gillan, Glover, Lord, and Paice) in 1986, Dave.
ReplyDeleteWith both bands, Jon Lord just quietly stood in the background with his shirt sleeves rolled up, while his keyboards boomed out. Incredible keyboard player and wonderfully laid-back/reassuring presence on stage. Great contrast to David Coverdale being spruced up for the women.
Yeah always wish I saw Deep Purple Pat. I saw the David Coverdale band at Donington once? My favourite keyboard players got to be Keith Emerson. Didn't know he was born in Todmorden and he's 68. It frightening when you realise that you and your heroes are getting old. Who is your favourite keyboard player Pat?
ReplyDeleteSame as you, Dave, Keith Emerson, but didn't know he was born in Todmorden (quite interesting town centre with the canal and the sight of the surrounding moors).
ReplyDeleteUsually stop off at Todmorden on the way back from Hebden Bridge to Rochdale. Hebden Bridge is a great place with the walks by the canal and the Folk club (enjoyed watching a full afternoon of an Ashes Test match in there with a giant-sized screen and great Real Ale).
No I didn't know about Keith Emerson being born in Todmorden until today Pat. Todmorden is in Lancashire and Yorkshire. Not many towns that are in both counties. I really miss those old northern English places like Hebden Bridge and Haworth. Had many a great holiday with my parents in Scarborough too.
ReplyDeleteThe folk club, test cricket and real ale sound excellent Pat.
Did you ever go to Whalley Abbey or Salmesbury Hall? Two other great places. Parts of Preston round the centre are also interesting (retracing the steps of Dickens and 'Hard Times').
ReplyDeleteAs this is our first year on our smallholding we're up to our eyes with things to do! The polytunnel being the priority. Onions to be planted, the rest of the soft fruit to get down, and then to tackle the pruning of apple trees and cherry tree. And wood to chop. We've also got to look at re-fencing the front field.
ReplyDeleteMaybe next year we'll be less busy?!
Been outsidede Whalley Abbey Pat. Never been inside the building. I know Salmesbury Hall from watching 'Most Haunted. I believe it's one of the most haunted buildings in Britain? Visited Preston many times. Used to go to the second hand market on a Tuesday.
ReplyDeleteThink you would like a lot of places in Cheshire Pat. Knutsford (Mrs Gaskell) , Tatton Park and my favourite: Cholmondley Castle and gardens. It's so quintessentially English with a mock castle, landscaped formal gardens (Italian sunken is incredible) and an old fashioned tea rooms with incredible food and coffee and tea. My other favourite places are Herefordshire, Shropshire, the Welsh Marches and the West Country. Every county in Britain is so different full of a charm of its own. You have just got to find it. Perhaps we should go on a literary tour of England Pat? That would be good. Visit some real ale pubs, steam trains, ancient churches, watch some cricket..?
Thanks Pat.
Thanks.
Hi Lorraine. Sounds like you're going to be busy on your smallholding this Winter?
ReplyDeleteI have an hundred one jobs to do on mine and the wet weather doesn't help. What gets done will get done and what doesn't will have to wait.
I'm really pleased you are so enthusiastic for the smallholding life.
Thanks for visiting.
The weather was awful yesterday and we just couldn't muster the enthusiasm to stand outside in the freeing cold and rain to put up the polytunnel bars. Today looks like a mixture of weather - so I reckon we can get work done between the showers :)
DeleteI know it was Lorraine. I got wet through and muddy yesterday moving some silage bales with a neighbouring farmer. We had to do it yesterday when the main road is quieter. Can't believe the speed limits on rural roads - crazy!
ReplyDeleteWe used to have a polytunnel but it got wrecked in a gale. We shut the doors - not a good idea.
I have read tales of people giving up this year with their allotments. The weather's been terrible everywhere. I may get another tunnel. But it's not a good idea living on the Western edge of Europe and all those Atlantic gales. Perhaps if I got one of those that you can't fully stand up in, it may do the trick.
I look forward to reading all about your smallholding adventures Lorraine.
Thanks!!
Hi John, I think rural isolation and the bad weather puts you off working on the smallholding. Think there is a lot more comraderie on an allotment. Only thing with a smallholding, you're the boss. This isn't always good though and you don't get the work done.
ReplyDeleteI'm itching to get the veg plot dug over. Half of it any way. Like most most gardeners, I suffer from a bad back. Anyway. One half (potatoes) is my 'Lasagna Garden 'no dig' project. I just flatten large cardboard boxes and fork FYM over them and let the worms and the weather feed the soil mulch. The other half of the veg plot is going to be dug over 'bastard trenched' and dug by hand. I use a spade and my trusty Azada to scrape off the vegetation then I dig a trench fill it with weeds and compost, scrape off vegetation and dig a trench... It's the old way that you read about in the old gardening books. The one that says the frost and rain will kill the nasty creepy crawlies and leave you with lovely friable soil. That's the plan anyway. All we need is the rain Gods to go somewhere else.
Thanks for visiting.
I am carla houston from usa. I was in trouble when doctor told me that I have been diagnosed with herpes I though about my children and my husband, I know my children will face a serious problem when I'm gone, I lost hope and I wept all day, but one day I was surfing the internet I found Dr. Alika contact number. I called him and he guided me. I asked him for solutions and he started the remedies for my health. Thank God, now everything is fine, I'm cured by Dr. Alika herbal medicine, I'm very thankful to Dr. Alika and very happy with my hubby and children.if you have any diseases contact dr alika via email on dralikaherbalhome@gmail.com or add him up on whatsapp +2348116570358.
ReplyDeleteGreatest thanks to Dr Oyagu for his herbal drugs that he prepared for me and when i start using it in just 2weeks i was completely cured and that ended my HERPES SIMPLEX 1&2 DISEASE i am so happy and grateful to Dr Oyagu . after reading about him on a testimony of Jason Cash on a blogger. i knew suddenly Dr Oyagu was the right Doctor to cure my HERPES SIMPLEX 1&2 DISEASE. i discuss with Dr Oyagu and he prepared a herbal medicine for me and when it got sent to me in south korean . i used the herbal medicine and 2weeks and i went to check up again. after 15years of suffering from HERPES SIMPLEX 1&2 at last i am smiling once again. Dr Oyagu also has remedy to others disease like COLD SORES,HIV/AIDS,DIABETES.CANCER,HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND MANY MORE. I oblige everyone to contact this powerful herbalist Dr Oyagu and be free from your suffering. contact his WhatsApp line: +2348101755322 or his Email:Oyaguherbalhome@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteSuffering from herpes is a Terrible Experience which i suffered till i meet a herbal doctor called Dr. KHAM. I tried all possible mean to get cured but i never received cure from any of the 7 hospital i visited.Just Match,14,2018 i saw a recent post of how Dr. Kham herbal medicine cured people and that he is a honest man to work with in the procedures on finding a cure, then i contacted him in trial and he sent me a herbal medicine with the full prescription oh how to drink for two weeks and i exactly followed the guidelines that was given to me by DR. KHAM to cute the long story short the herbal medicine flushed out my whole system and make the herpes virus inactive all thanks to Dr. Kham who God is using to cure people of this terrible virus (herpes simplex virus) for anyone here that has herpes or other kinds of disease and Virus should mail all his or her complain to DR. KHAM on his email which is (dr.khamcaregiver@gmail.com) or whats app him on +2348159922297
ReplyDeletePERFECT NATURAL HERBS AND VEGANS CURE FOR Herpes 1&2 THAT WORK FAST WITHIN A COUPLE OF WEEKS WITH DR ELINFOH HERBAL MEDICINE, I saw so many testimonies about Dr ELINFOH a great HERBAL DOCTOR that will help you CURE and give you the rightful health to live a joyful life, i didn't believe it at first, but as the pain got worsen and my life was at risk after using lots of ARV drugs from the hospital and no changes so i decided to give a try to Dr Elinfoh I contacted him also and told him i want a cure for Herpes , he gave me advice on what i must do and he deliver it to me in my home address i gave him and i got the medicine which i use according to his instruction, and today i must say I am so grateful to this man Dr Elinfoh for curing me from Herpes and for restoring me back to my normal health and a sound life and i am making this known to every one out there who have been trying all day to be cured from Herpes or any sickness should not waste more time just contact him with his details below, believe me this is the only way to get cured from Hepres , this is the real solution we all have been searching for. Do not waste more time contacting him today for you can also leave a sound and happy life. contact info below. Email: (drelinfohherbalhome@gmail.com) or Whats"App or Call him on: +2348110492072. and you can as well contact him on other issues you are having like*HEPATITIS B*DIABETICS*CANCER*ALS*HERPES*BODY REDUCTION*BREAST ENLARGEMENT*FIBROD*CANCER*PREGNANCY MISCARRIAGE*Relationship issues etc.. ** Neoplasms*Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)*Chronic Respiratory Diseases* Mental and Behavioral Disorders*Alzheimer’s Disease Email: drelinfohherbalhome@gmail.com Via whatsapp +2348110492072
ReplyDelete