The weather has turned much colder over the last week with sharp frosts. Saturday was dry and cold. The weathermen say it will rain on Sunday so I decided winter digging was in order. I am writing this on Sunday so they were right. The patch that had pumpkins is the target for now. Usually the pumpkins grow so well they smoother the weeds. Not this year. The bed is fourteen foot wide. The pumpkin area was twelve foot long. I got togged up, ipod plugged in, wheelbarrow positioned and trug for the stones placed in a handy spot. It was slow going. The soil is covered with Toad Flax which requires quite alot of picking from the soil. There were a few Dock but they were quite small. Although I have dug this plot over several times, big pebbles keep coming up. It is all grist to the path's mill. The path is filling up nicely.
The new website "A Nice Cup of Tea and a Sit Down" inspired me to get my Trangia out of the shed. For those who don' t know what a Trangia is click HERE. I usually take a flask but there is nothing like a nice steaming hot cup of Tea, however you can not make tea without tea leaves. In my rush out of the house I left the tea bags and milk behind. I just boiled up the water and just had it like that. Nevertheless on a cold day after working up a sweat at digging the hot water was welcome and warming.
The Trangia is a smashing gadget. Mine runs off Methylated Spirits. We have had it for years. The little kettle holds enough water for a big mug of tea or two cups. From cold to boiling takes about four minutes. You get two pans and the lid makes a frying pan or a lid for the pots. It is wind proof and safe. We used it when camping. We used set it up in just inside the flysheet. It made the tent lovely and warm. I might start staying at the lottie through the winter when the day is fine to make the most of the daylight and dry days. I can make my diner and brews on the Trangia.
