Cutting back on oil and growing vegetables
We used to have an oil refill in October (900 litres) for our hot water and central heating. And another just before Christmas plus a final one in February that would generally see us through to the Autumn. This year it was different. We used the wood burning stove in the kitchen after dark. So the hub of the house was always warm in the evening. The oil fired heating and hot water used to run for nine hours a day in the past and was blissful. This year we cut it back to just one hour in the morning and one in the evening. This two hours a day...
read moreGooseberry Sawfly Beware
When I was at school and hadn’t revised properly for an exam, I put the main course text book under my pillow hoping that magically the information would be transmitted into my brain as I slept. This guaranteed a restless night, especially if the tome was large. I’d usually wake feeling tired and stressed. Perhaps it was the adrenalin and desperation that made me creative with my exam answers. Generally I passed. But would have done far better if I had prepared properly for the exams. These days my radio headset is a boon but often I’m...
read moreVegetarian asparagus, potato and Parmesan frittata recipe
We were given three chunky bunches of young asparagus. Washed and tied neatly with string. When I dropped them into the basket of the asparagus steamer I suddenly realised the wisdom of the string when they didn’t flop tails above the water or drop through the basket. The three bunches sat upright in the water. The bottoms simmering as the delicate tips basked in the steam. We had a bunch each, served with melted butter and lashings of pepper. Unbelievably good. Ultra fresh asparagus is angel food. Danny leant back in his chair and sighed...
read moreEarly May in our garden
“I’m expecting something to break through by Monday.” “You may have a sporting chance!” Danny glanced at John Coe’s rows of potatoes bursting through the earth. “I don’t want to win the challenge. I just want loads of spuds. I’m worried that John’s rows don’t have the contents of the composter and mine do.” “I sprinkled sulphate of potash on his rows. Perhaps the compost is too high in nitrogen to be good for your potatoes. The main thing is the watering. Don’t you remember the farm shop near Bury? They didn’t...
read moreHome grown presents and the joy of radio
I’m working for a very sparky couple at the moment. I’ve been with them on and off for years now. They were the first people to employ me as a professional decorator – I painted their stables. On the way to do the initial quote I had to pull over in Jalopy to get my breath. I was really nervous. This summer I’ll repeat the exercise but six years later I have got a lot faster, so it will be the same price! Swallows nest in their stables in summer and add a dash of added wildlife enjoyment. Swallows are so elegant and beautiful to...
read moreBank Holiday Saturday, chicken pellets and slugs
The bliss of waking up to no commitments was perfect this morning. I’m working for a couple of hours tomorrow but this is good as it will finance my extravagance at the garden centre today. A happy hour spent with loads of other people enjoying the prospect of a sunny bank holiday, choosing their summer bedding, grow bags and vegetables. For the first time in months I noticed that nearly everyone was smiling. My trolley was unwieldy from the start as I cashed in on the offer on grow bags (3 for a fiver). I bought a tray of dark blue...
read moreLost
A few weeks ago I had lunch with an old friend. She confided that she wanted to learn how to play the piano. Somewhere in the area (a deep black hole in the short part of the L in our sitting room), I had tossed an M Audio O2 mini slim keyboard and the Charanga Keyboard software training CD. A perfect combination that I loved playing before I started this blog. “Don’t buy a keyboard or software, they’re expensive. I have both if you are willing to wait.” Last night I finally ventured into the black hole and within half an hour...
read moreWe’ll have Leghorns in three months time, if all goes well.
I miss Mrs Boss. Somehow that small grubby bantam got under my skin. When I let the hens out each morning I miss her skippy feathered feet and her enthusiasm for the morning corn. All our flock are precious but Mrs Boss was special. Her tendency to go broody drove us nuts in the early years. We didn’t want to raise more stock but learnt a lot about how to stop a hen from being broody . I also discovered that some chickens have very strong personalities. A flock of hens are not a demure group of Stepford wives. They are a gaggle of birds...
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