We have had some weather this week. Lots and lots or rain which is ironic since a drought was declared a few weeks ago. H and I had to do lunch in Loughborough on Saturday for one of H friend's birthday. We had a very nice lunch at Brown's. We were done by 2pm but the weather wasn't. I had said that I make a holster out of leather. I made the former and soaked the leather, put it in the former then clamped it all down and left it for the evening.
To add to the rain the wind got up. Full gales all night. I had put away want I thought might get blow around in the garden. The wind found new things to blow about. No damage done. The rain hammering on the window all night made me think about the bees. I had hope the weather would ease up but a leisurely breakfast came and went before the wind settled down. I got a a cake of bee candy from the shed put on my warm clothes and trundled off to the bees. I should not have worried. The hives where sheltered from the worst effects of the gales by the hedges. I took the roof of the hive and using the hive tool levered up the supers to see where the bees were. They were a bit slow but they were not clustering. I took the feed off and replaced it with an eke, dropped the candy on the top of the frames, put the crown board back and finally the roof. As a precautionary measure I ran a ratchet strap over the hive to make sure it stayed put. It was good to out in the wild and woolly weather. It was just a pity I could do the planned work at the lottie.
Having sploshed home in Degsy, H and I had bacon butties to see us through to dinner.The weather did give a smashing, conscience free excuse to watch the MotoGP. I spent the rest of the afternoon fettling with the leather I had let mould overnight turning it into the holster. I was quite happy with the result. Having made one holster I was able the create a template then trim the leather side.
I have a few days off next week. With a bit of luck the weather will have cleared up so I can do my lottie.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Monday, April 16, 2012
Hairy Bittercress
I was almost guaranteed to have the lottie to myself this evening. On my last visit I had left a wheelbarrow full of weeds because I needed to empty a black compost bin. I got a black bag from my store. The top end of Bed3 has a lot of Hairy Bittercress [pictured]. It is a pain because it can run to several generations in one year. If only crops grew that fast. The bittercress was already in seed so I needed to make sure it did go in the compo bin. As I cleared the soil I bagged the weeds. That gave me a clear spot on the bed to empty the compo bin which I did. Having tidied up the area round the bin I dumped in the weeds from the wheelbarrow and the pile of weeds I had dumped nearby the previous weekend. With less than half the width of the bed to go the weeds changed from mainly Hairy Bittercress to mainly grass and Red Deadnettle. Those went straight in the compo bin. When I finished the bed I spread out the pile of compost into a fairly thin layer. I used the fork as a rake to dress the soil into a seed bed. The recent rain and frost has the soil in a perfect condition for bed preparation and cool temperatures have held back the worst excesses of the weeds. It is a pity I will be in London for a few days this week as I could get the remainder of bed3 finished with an hour of so each evening this week.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Black Powder
I decided not to go to Cumbria for a Bee auction. I knew I would spend too much money. Instead I decided to do something a little closer to home. Whilst doing some research I came across the website to The British Association of Shooting and Conservation [BASC] Click HERE for the website. They were holding their gamekeepers fair not very far from home. H decide she would come along too. We also decided to go in Degsy. It would be just the right company for him in the car park. We could tell we were getting close because every vehicle was a 4x4. It had rained most of the previous day so the car park, which was just a huge field on a hillside, was a becoming cut up and a bit sticky as hundreds of cars rolled in. No bother for Degsy. We strolled up the entrance, presented our discounted tickets, and made our way to a snack bar for a bacon butty and a brew. The sun was out but the wind was a but fresh when it blew.
Sustained we set off down the first avenue of trade stands. Despite the number of cars we had seen in the car park it did not feel over pressed in the avenue between the stalls. There was the usual stalls of country wear, every conceivable gadget for fishing, shooting, riding, dogs, ferrets, raising stock, managing land and many other niche products. There are whole other worlds out there and we were getting an insight to it. We met some one we knew at the leather suppliers stall. H got to pet a whole Beagle pack. We watched a few of the arena displays only to realise that these were the people we were having a good chat to about there horses or dogs. On the third pass by the Honda quad display I could not resist taking up the offer of a spin. The chap was very pleased to have someone to talk to about bikes. I had a spin on three of the quads. They have lots of low down torque and even have four wheel drive and power steering.
we had a good look round the food marquee. There was lots to see, small and taste. Inevitably we bought some goodies. I had a chat with a beekeepers and compared notes with hime a the winter and swarming mangement technique. I was surprised to find to was starting the use the shook swarm method which I have always used.
I had a coo over the shot gun suppliers. There was 12 gauge, 20 gauge and 410 shot guns, under and over, side by side, semi-automatics, old, new, bespoke and all manner of airguns. I would like to be able to shoot on a regular basis. There is a club in Swad which I should look into. There was very interesting display which took in a number of interests in one go. The people did Deer stalking in Scotland and supported the guns using horses. They had a highland breed of type called a "Garron". He was quite big for a pony and very stocky with stout legs. He looked like he could go all day without stopping. The Garron was used to carry the stag carcass back from the hillside. For that job they have a special saddle which I had to have a good look at. We had a good look at the special dog breeds. The Beagle pack was good. Forty hounds controlled by a couple of whipper ins. There was a pack of Bloodhounds. They were less controllable but still well whipped in. Lastly the Otterhounds. Apparently they are quite rare and not surprising as they are big and active animals.
There were a couple of bird of prey groups. H was very taken with the Owls. She was particularly taken with the Little Owl. The Eagle owls were very impressive as they sat impassively on their perches. One display was by a historical firearms group. They explained the history of firearms which took in the guns themselves but also the development of the ammunition. The chap dressed as a 18th century redcoat rifleman did a very good display of shooting a reloading a musket. The standard infantry of the day were considered good if they got off three rounds in a minutes. This chap just got of four rounds and three reloads in the minutes. It was impressive display of dexterity and drill. We gave all the trade stands and craft stalls a good coat of looking at. We bought some Cromer dressed crab and a flagon of cider both as gifts for our hosts that we would be dining with later that same evening. I even got a pair of new shoes at a bargain price. We were about done so made our way back to Degsy. Whilst we loaded Degsy I looked around to see where the noise of the shooting was coming from. There had been a steady stream of shotgun reports as a background to the day. We walked over to see what was going on. There was a group firing black powder rifles and you could have a go. A had a couple of shots of a flintlock muskets. They were firing a clay pigeons which I thought was a bot optimistic. I missed the first clay and hit the second. The chaps were enthusiasts and were having s great time. The stand next door was much more serious. There were the BASC themselves. I parted with a bit of cash and had a lesson of clay pigeon shooting. The chap was were knowledgeable and patient with me. After a few misses and corrections I started hitting the clays on a regular basis. The best thing was that a got the choose a gun to use. The chaps went straight for a 12 gauge under and over. I selected a 20 gauge semi-automatic. It was lovely to shoot.
The wind was really cold up on the hill and that finished H off. I was feeling it too so we strolled back over to Degsy, fired him up and trundled home across the flood plain of the River Trent. We dropped in on the Bees, as we had to go right past them. It was very cold at the apiary. I was able to have a peek in the hive and all seems well. I dropped off the hive parts that I have had in Degsy for the past week. I took an inventory of the apiary, packed up Degsy and went home. I had a sit down and a brew before getting ready to go out for dinner. I climbed in to bed just after 1pm and was instantly a sleep. That was a very full and rewarding day.
Sustained we set off down the first avenue of trade stands. Despite the number of cars we had seen in the car park it did not feel over pressed in the avenue between the stalls. There was the usual stalls of country wear, every conceivable gadget for fishing, shooting, riding, dogs, ferrets, raising stock, managing land and many other niche products. There are whole other worlds out there and we were getting an insight to it. We met some one we knew at the leather suppliers stall. H got to pet a whole Beagle pack. We watched a few of the arena displays only to realise that these were the people we were having a good chat to about there horses or dogs. On the third pass by the Honda quad display I could not resist taking up the offer of a spin. The chap was very pleased to have someone to talk to about bikes. I had a spin on three of the quads. They have lots of low down torque and even have four wheel drive and power steering.
we had a good look round the food marquee. There was lots to see, small and taste. Inevitably we bought some goodies. I had a chat with a beekeepers and compared notes with hime a the winter and swarming mangement technique. I was surprised to find to was starting the use the shook swarm method which I have always used.
I had a coo over the shot gun suppliers. There was 12 gauge, 20 gauge and 410 shot guns, under and over, side by side, semi-automatics, old, new, bespoke and all manner of airguns. I would like to be able to shoot on a regular basis. There is a club in Swad which I should look into. There was very interesting display which took in a number of interests in one go. The people did Deer stalking in Scotland and supported the guns using horses. They had a highland breed of type called a "Garron". He was quite big for a pony and very stocky with stout legs. He looked like he could go all day without stopping. The Garron was used to carry the stag carcass back from the hillside. For that job they have a special saddle which I had to have a good look at. We had a good look at the special dog breeds. The Beagle pack was good. Forty hounds controlled by a couple of whipper ins. There was a pack of Bloodhounds. They were less controllable but still well whipped in. Lastly the Otterhounds. Apparently they are quite rare and not surprising as they are big and active animals.
There were a couple of bird of prey groups. H was very taken with the Owls. She was particularly taken with the Little Owl. The Eagle owls were very impressive as they sat impassively on their perches. One display was by a historical firearms group. They explained the history of firearms which took in the guns themselves but also the development of the ammunition. The chap dressed as a 18th century redcoat rifleman did a very good display of shooting a reloading a musket. The standard infantry of the day were considered good if they got off three rounds in a minutes. This chap just got of four rounds and three reloads in the minutes. It was impressive display of dexterity and drill. We gave all the trade stands and craft stalls a good coat of looking at. We bought some Cromer dressed crab and a flagon of cider both as gifts for our hosts that we would be dining with later that same evening. I even got a pair of new shoes at a bargain price. We were about done so made our way back to Degsy. Whilst we loaded Degsy I looked around to see where the noise of the shooting was coming from. There had been a steady stream of shotgun reports as a background to the day. We walked over to see what was going on. There was a group firing black powder rifles and you could have a go. A had a couple of shots of a flintlock muskets. They were firing a clay pigeons which I thought was a bot optimistic. I missed the first clay and hit the second. The chaps were enthusiasts and were having s great time. The stand next door was much more serious. There were the BASC themselves. I parted with a bit of cash and had a lesson of clay pigeon shooting. The chap was were knowledgeable and patient with me. After a few misses and corrections I started hitting the clays on a regular basis. The best thing was that a got the choose a gun to use. The chaps went straight for a 12 gauge under and over. I selected a 20 gauge semi-automatic. It was lovely to shoot.
The wind was really cold up on the hill and that finished H off. I was feeling it too so we strolled back over to Degsy, fired him up and trundled home across the flood plain of the River Trent. We dropped in on the Bees, as we had to go right past them. It was very cold at the apiary. I was able to have a peek in the hive and all seems well. I dropped off the hive parts that I have had in Degsy for the past week. I took an inventory of the apiary, packed up Degsy and went home. I had a sit down and a brew before getting ready to go out for dinner. I climbed in to bed just after 1pm and was instantly a sleep. That was a very full and rewarding day.
Friday, April 13, 2012
Clayton's
I had the day off today. I had planned a trip to Matlock to see a leather workers suppliers. I needed a skiver and some edging gum. Whilst I was there I got into conversation with Charlotte. During the chat she let slip that there was a leather suppliers in Chesterfield. Chesterfield is not twenty minutes drive from Matlock. I gave them a call. They were open and gave me directions. But first we had to have lunch at H favorite cafe in Matlock. To be fair I was ready for lunch and it set me up for the afternoon. H and I found Claytons without a problem. Clayton's is a tanners in Chesterfield. Not only that but the building was purpose built in 1840 as a tannery by a Joseph Clayton and has been in the same family since it's founding. It is a fantastic place. Purpose built and doing the same job today as the day it opened. Not only that but prospering.
H and I presented ourselves at the office. The formidable Margaret greeted us and gave us directions to "Les", the foreman of the warehouse. We trooped over to Les's domain. His domain was an Aladdin's cave of leather. Les was grumpy to begin with as he had a rush order to fill for Germany. I told Les what I was after and he was a mine of knowledge. He was at the top of his game and the king of his domain. He had a couple of youths that did the hand balling of the leather under his direction. One lad Jim was shifting leather about on a bogie that was new in 1840 and had any number of Jim's hauling on the rope of that bogie since then. I happily parted with a few quid for nine square feet of general purpose saddle shoulder. I am going to get a tour of Clayton's tannery one of these days.
H and I presented ourselves at the office. The formidable Margaret greeted us and gave us directions to "Les", the foreman of the warehouse. We trooped over to Les's domain. His domain was an Aladdin's cave of leather. Les was grumpy to begin with as he had a rush order to fill for Germany. I told Les what I was after and he was a mine of knowledge. He was at the top of his game and the king of his domain. He had a couple of youths that did the hand balling of the leather under his direction. One lad Jim was shifting leather about on a bogie that was new in 1840 and had any number of Jim's hauling on the rope of that bogie since then. I happily parted with a few quid for nine square feet of general purpose saddle shoulder. I am going to get a tour of Clayton's tannery one of these days.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Ambion Hill
Saturday morning found me doing the poo trailer run. It was nice to out and about in the spring weather. I dug up some of the Leek that had over wintered. They have weathered remarkable well. Very little rust and the stalks were very firm. I trimmed them up at the lottie. The compo bin smells very strongly of Leek. 
When I dropped the trailer back to the stables I gave the Leeks to Angie & Chris. Back at the lottie Bed3 beckoned but first I had to put the wheelbarrow wheel back on.
There were the remains of a few Chard that had not made the winter. Digging them up clear large potions of the bed. It was just a case of digging over what was not disturbed by the removal of the Chard. Raking out this part of the bed was harder work but it come together. Once finished I had prepared about half the bed. It ready for planting.
There are a lot of weeds but I justified them by noting that they were full of Bumble bees and Ladybirds. That's my story and I am sticking to it. Other folks came down to the lottie so we had to have a chat. That put a dint in the work but it was nice all the same. I was done in by one o'clock so went home for some lunch, Corn beef and Branston pickle.
In the afternoon Miss L, H and I had a outing to place were the Battle of Bosworth field took place. This place was the last time a king lost his life and crown on a battle field. Purist will say the battle took place a little further away but tens of thousands of men take up a lot of space. There is a flag on the top of Ambion Hill that is supposed to mark King Richard III's camp. Click HERE for the website. It was a grey day whilst we were there but it is a spot that has an air about it.
On the way home we dropped by The Rising Sun in Snarestone for a cheeky pint. Timothy Taylor for me; half a Guinness for H - for medicinal purpose you understand and a half of cider for Miss L, one of her five a day. Cider it is made from Apples after all.
When I dropped the trailer back to the stables I gave the Leeks to Angie & Chris. Back at the lottie Bed3 beckoned but first I had to put the wheelbarrow wheel back on.
There were the remains of a few Chard that had not made the winter. Digging them up clear large potions of the bed. It was just a case of digging over what was not disturbed by the removal of the Chard. Raking out this part of the bed was harder work but it come together. Once finished I had prepared about half the bed. It ready for planting.
There are a lot of weeds but I justified them by noting that they were full of Bumble bees and Ladybirds. That's my story and I am sticking to it. Other folks came down to the lottie so we had to have a chat. That put a dint in the work but it was nice all the same. I was done in by one o'clock so went home for some lunch, Corn beef and Branston pickle.
In the afternoon Miss L, H and I had a outing to place were the Battle of Bosworth field took place. This place was the last time a king lost his life and crown on a battle field. Purist will say the battle took place a little further away but tens of thousands of men take up a lot of space. There is a flag on the top of Ambion Hill that is supposed to mark King Richard III's camp. Click HERE for the website. It was a grey day whilst we were there but it is a spot that has an air about it.
On the way home we dropped by The Rising Sun in Snarestone for a cheeky pint. Timothy Taylor for me; half a Guinness for H - for medicinal purpose you understand and a half of cider for Miss L, one of her five a day. Cider it is made from Apples after all.
Whips
The weekend was set fair for Friday and Saturday and given as deteriorating Sunday and Monday. Well it is Easter Bank Holiday weekend! I went to the lottie on Friday morning. I need to get busy weeding and turning the beds from a mass of Pineapple weed and Red Deadnettle into a seed beds but first a work party job. A bucket full of two year old whips (Young hedging plants) had been left at the end of my plot. The whips were to be planted in the space made vacant by felling the Willows. I got a small spade and went the area to be planted. The ground is hardly improved since the plots were laid out. The "soil" is mainly blue clay. I decided where the whips were to be planted by placing out the whips on the ground. One by one I stabbed the spade into the clay and made a slot by moving the spade back and forwards. Next I dropped in a handfull a wiggly wonder worm cast, I won this at a raffle, into the slot. I figured the whips needed some help. Then the whip was placed in the slot and heeled in. I just had to that forty odd times and the job was done. I am hoping for a nice thick hedge in five years.
I decide that I had a week or two before I put more spuds in but I have not yet planted any Onions or Garlic. I went to get my wheelbarrow only to find it had a puncture. I took off the wheel and put it in the back of Degsy. I had no way to fix it at the lottie. I went over to another plot and borrowed their wheelbarrow. With the right tools in hand I went up to the bed3 and made a start. It had rained earlier in the week but the soil was reasonable digging condition. The weeds came out easily which was just as well I had a lot to do and not much time to give to the job. As I went along I also weeded the side path. They are so much easier than dealing with the centre path however I did dig out the pernicious and perennial weeds from the centre path. When I had done about an hour or so I stopped digging and started raking. The bed looked great.
The next job and to rest my back, was to chop down some more of the overhead netting. After four years of weather the plastic netting has become brittle and starting ripping. I pulled down another section. I had to pick up all the shreds that fell off. I rolled it all up and put in the bags with all the other netting. I moved over to Bed1 which was for spuds. I change tack a little. I took a wheelbarrow load manure and spread it along the trench left by the last session of weeding. Then I loosened up the bottom of the trench then worked my way long the trench weeding and turning the soil over the manure. I decided this was the process I would adopt on the remainder of the bed.
Time was running out so I did a little hand weeding in the Asparagus bed to clear the few weeds I missed the week before. The Garlic in the greenhouse has failed to germinate however the Garlic I missed harvesting last year is growing very nicely in Bed2 so I shall be digging them up, splitting them and replanting them in Bed3. H got me a net full of White Onions and Red onion sets during the week so they have to go in soon.
When I got home I went in the garage and got the inner tube out of the tyre and glued on a patch. A few hours later I put the tube back in the tyre and pumped it up. Another job done. I put the wheel back in Degsy ready of the next morning.
I decide that I had a week or two before I put more spuds in but I have not yet planted any Onions or Garlic. I went to get my wheelbarrow only to find it had a puncture. I took off the wheel and put it in the back of Degsy. I had no way to fix it at the lottie. I went over to another plot and borrowed their wheelbarrow. With the right tools in hand I went up to the bed3 and made a start. It had rained earlier in the week but the soil was reasonable digging condition. The weeds came out easily which was just as well I had a lot to do and not much time to give to the job. As I went along I also weeded the side path. They are so much easier than dealing with the centre path however I did dig out the pernicious and perennial weeds from the centre path. When I had done about an hour or so I stopped digging and started raking. The bed looked great.
The next job and to rest my back, was to chop down some more of the overhead netting. After four years of weather the plastic netting has become brittle and starting ripping. I pulled down another section. I had to pick up all the shreds that fell off. I rolled it all up and put in the bags with all the other netting. I moved over to Bed1 which was for spuds. I change tack a little. I took a wheelbarrow load manure and spread it along the trench left by the last session of weeding. Then I loosened up the bottom of the trench then worked my way long the trench weeding and turning the soil over the manure. I decided this was the process I would adopt on the remainder of the bed.
Time was running out so I did a little hand weeding in the Asparagus bed to clear the few weeds I missed the week before. The Garlic in the greenhouse has failed to germinate however the Garlic I missed harvesting last year is growing very nicely in Bed2 so I shall be digging them up, splitting them and replanting them in Bed3. H got me a net full of White Onions and Red onion sets during the week so they have to go in soon.
When I got home I went in the garage and got the inner tube out of the tyre and glued on a patch. A few hours later I put the tube back in the tyre and pumped it up. Another job done. I put the wheel back in Degsy ready of the next morning.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)