Here's toasting to the start of 2010, I hope it will be a good year although I for one can't say that 2009 was a bad year for us. True that things could have been a bit better or certainly different, but in total 2009 was a good year.
So what are you hoping for in 2010? I'd like some regular work, a good crop from the garden and maybe even some more work on the house done and finished. Hopefully there will be some changes made this year which may benefit us all, nothing major but still some things need a little improvement.
I'll continue to post on this blog and keep you up to date on what's happening here. For anyone reading please feel free to post comments and criticisms if you have any ideas on how this blog could be improved. Thanks to a friend I've found some garden planning software to play around with and I'm looking forward to getting stuck into planting soon. Especially since we've been having nice weather lately - 18 degrees Celsius today!
Friday, 1 January 2010
Wednesday, 30 December 2009
Totally Muddled
The weather here is totally muddled up again - today hit a high of around 13 degrees C, the sun was shining, all the animals were happily grazing or pecking around outside and it was like spring had come early! According to our friends we are expecting temperatures of up to 20 degrees C in the next week and then 4 weeks of bad weather between mid February and mid March.
On checking the 10 day forecast for the closest city it's showing +14 on new years day and then a fall in temperatures dropping to -2 on Monday, but nothing worse than that so far. I do tend to check the forecast quite regularly and find they're usually right within a couple of degrees. The summer we reached well over 40 degrees C and it was unbearable to work in. Our house doesn't have air conditioning and we have no plans to put any in as we're getting quite good at coping with the temperature changes now. Plus the fact that air con does cost a fair amount to run, we're happy to live without it.
I've been looking today for a downloadable FREE garden planner but not yet found really what I'm looking for. I want something based on vegetable growers and not where to put your fountain and reading bench! If I find one I shall post details as I'm sure there are others out there like me who forget where everything is planted or draw a plan only to lose it in a week!
It's almost time to start planting seeds in trays to get ready for the garden. So far I've sorted out a few things to start off with, they are :- Broad Beans, Peas, Chilli Peppers, Lemon Balm, Sage, White Cabbage, Leeks, Brussels Sprouts, Broccoli, Swede, Melons and Lettuce. All of the packs came from the UK so the planting times are a little out on the packets but I'll give them a try. I still have Red Cabbage, Garlic, Black Radish and some Lettuce in the ground overwintering and they seem to be doing well.
What are you growing this year?
On checking the 10 day forecast for the closest city it's showing +14 on new years day and then a fall in temperatures dropping to -2 on Monday, but nothing worse than that so far. I do tend to check the forecast quite regularly and find they're usually right within a couple of degrees. The summer we reached well over 40 degrees C and it was unbearable to work in. Our house doesn't have air conditioning and we have no plans to put any in as we're getting quite good at coping with the temperature changes now. Plus the fact that air con does cost a fair amount to run, we're happy to live without it.
I've been looking today for a downloadable FREE garden planner but not yet found really what I'm looking for. I want something based on vegetable growers and not where to put your fountain and reading bench! If I find one I shall post details as I'm sure there are others out there like me who forget where everything is planted or draw a plan only to lose it in a week!
It's almost time to start planting seeds in trays to get ready for the garden. So far I've sorted out a few things to start off with, they are :- Broad Beans, Peas, Chilli Peppers, Lemon Balm, Sage, White Cabbage, Leeks, Brussels Sprouts, Broccoli, Swede, Melons and Lettuce. All of the packs came from the UK so the planting times are a little out on the packets but I'll give them a try. I still have Red Cabbage, Garlic, Black Radish and some Lettuce in the ground overwintering and they seem to be doing well.
What are you growing this year?
Monday, 28 December 2009
Rodents 0 - Humans 1
For the last couple of days we've been hearing the pitter patter of tiny feet through the night, rodent feet to be precise and I'm sure they're wearing hob nailed boots! A few nights ago a rat ran across the upstairs hallway as I was sat on the computer and it was aware that I was there, so we've had the traps set again and caught nothing!
It seems that the little blighters are getting rather clever - they aren't afraid of us even when I'm armed, with a badminton racquet of all things! they are happy to go about their normal business. By the way I did hit the thing with the badminton racquet, 4 times, and it still managed to survive and get away!
So yesterday when we saw a rat on the pipework above the living room ceiling drastic action was needed. It quietly sat there with hubby swiped at it with a metal rod we use to clear the fire grate, he hit it a few times and the rat moved just out of sight. At that point I'm beginning to think the thing is invincible! Then out comes the artillery - other half gets his air rifle and sets it just below the point where we think the rat is in the ceiling cavity, a minute or so later and a small furry head, nose and whiskers appear in the right place and "Boom" it's life is cut rather short. One down, probably many more to go, but at least last night was quiet, roll on spring when they'll move back out into the barns and leave us humans alone!
It seems that the little blighters are getting rather clever - they aren't afraid of us even when I'm armed, with a badminton racquet of all things! they are happy to go about their normal business. By the way I did hit the thing with the badminton racquet, 4 times, and it still managed to survive and get away!
So yesterday when we saw a rat on the pipework above the living room ceiling drastic action was needed. It quietly sat there with hubby swiped at it with a metal rod we use to clear the fire grate, he hit it a few times and the rat moved just out of sight. At that point I'm beginning to think the thing is invincible! Then out comes the artillery - other half gets his air rifle and sets it just below the point where we think the rat is in the ceiling cavity, a minute or so later and a small furry head, nose and whiskers appear in the right place and "Boom" it's life is cut rather short. One down, probably many more to go, but at least last night was quiet, roll on spring when they'll move back out into the barns and leave us humans alone!
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