The Brindisi

The new incubator arrived today, the grand sounding Brinsea octagon DS 20! For some reason I have found myself referring to it as the "Brindisi" ( wasn't that the drinking song in La Traviata ?) and after half an hour of construction it hit the desired temperature, was bang on with the humidification and automatically turns the eggs without any bother or fuss. I love it! 12 runner duck eggs (pure white birds) and a further 6 runner (apricot coloured birds) should arrive tomorrow and we are off into incubation world again.

Lots done today, I have cleared and weeded the entire back garden, cleaned along the cottage walls and have sown beetroot in the allotment.

Son Of Rambow

I really wanted to like Son of Rambow (2007):-it's a quirky British comedy about how important heroes are to children growing up in those hot summers (long past I am afraid) which always seemed to consist of fantasy films of the day and simple day dreaming. Director and writer,Garth Jennings obviously loved his decade of the coming-of-age film, such as The Lost Boys, The Goonies, Stand by Me and E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial , so much so in fact, that I thought that Son Of Ranbow felt totally like an 1980 American production. The Britishness of this piece, which could of made for a much funnier,individual and moving film was lost somewhat in a US homage, which was at best innovative and sweet, but at worse also a bit of a mess.
Pity.....

Bloody hell

Bastard, bloody, bastard, frost..........sneaked up on my potatoes last night and there we have it............bugger, bugger, bugger!!!!!!!!!

Not sure of how much damage has been done as some of my earlies have already been earthed up,, but this morning when I was letting out the chickens a local know all did comment that my planting had been somewhat premature.....

Oh how I needed the unwanted and unnecessary advice .............

Hunting Squirrels

George Loves squirrel hunting, and will spend many happy hours bouncing around after the hairy little buggers in the woods up the Gop. This afternoon I took time out from the allotment to take the Scotties ( without the more demanding Welsh terriers and Jess the hysterical patterdale) for their own walk in the woods. George and Maddie are easily pleased. They follow their leader, demand nothing and seem to take pleasure in everything they do, so for a sunny hour or so I enjoyed giving them my entire attention ..

A poor show

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7347691.stm

I found the above link and the story it covered an interesting one for review this morning. The same tale ( with a very different, almost hysterical slant) was debated on LBC radio this morning also, and I must admit the whole thing brought back some poignant memories. The "teenager" in the story I knew very well indeed and I am glad that he has been awarded the sum outlined in the news report.My only reservation about the MOD "one off" compensation award, is that our own government fails to support its own servicemen when they are equally disabled when on active duty.
When a soldier for example looses all four limbs in a land mine attack or the like then a pre ordained limit is set on his compensation claim. I think from memory that the maximum award is around 250 thousand pounds..........yes pathetic given the level of injuries sustained.
I applaud the support given to this young boy after his dreadful and very public accident, I just wish there was some fairness with the financial help given to our own disabled service men and women when they get "dumped" back home in relative isolation..

The work starts

The allotment NOW looks the part, This morning I have set up the runner bean canes, and a long set for a wall of sweet peas to screen the chicken coops. The dirty little bugger Rabbits have scoffed all my sprout seedlings overnight so with Maddie and George for company I have recovered a new planting with netting.
Following Blanche's surge of hormones Beatrice has started with bad tempered broodiness, I hope it stops there as broody hens don't lay eggs. If not perhaps a whole new clutch of eggs can be adopted.

3 years in June

It is a lovely day ( so far) this morning. And keeping the slight "Bird" theme going, I noticed the pair of blackbirds, beaks full of nesting materials, swooping back and forth from the old nest by the cottage's front door.
Every year the couple have raised their chicks just feet away from our lounge, and this year seems to be no different. It got me thinking that in June we have been over in Wales THREE years. God, how time passes.
The one thing I do notice with living at a quieter pace is that you notice the little things. The arrival of the blackbirds,like the green sprouting on the allotment and the increased egg production of the hens, mean longer, warmer and comfortable days outside, and hopefully a bit of space from the wet damp winter we have just experienced

Stop Larking about......and lists.....

Up early this morning.......started hen jobs then sat down and made a list of "to do's" for the next three weeks.....
AS I AM OFF ON HOLIDAY! Great stuff...
Having said that I have a load of things planned:- so with my trusty cup of coffee on hand, here is my list.
Plant remainder of the potato crop
Set up the new incubator (Chris has bought me one for my birthday)
Set up the runner bean and sweat pea canes,
Plant the cornflower flower boarders,
(pot up) Sweetcorn,Runner beans,Butternut squash and pumpkins
Hoe the small plat and manure it,
plant Broad beans,
Set up new compost bins,
titty-vate the whole allotment so it looks neat and tidy,(to keep the neighbours happy)
Edge and weed all the plots,
plant out under cover my other salad crops,
Succession plant radish,leeks,,start my french beans,peas,and beetroot.
look for a small poly tunnel,
Then I can start on the garden, and all the boring home jobs such as window washing,patio cleaning,outhouse clearing and painting.....

It's not going to be all veg orientated as I have arranged to catch up with Kathryn in Dronfield ( and staying over so we can catch up properly) then off to Sheffield the next day for a spot of window shopping, lunch with some old work mates then off to All Bar One for wine and a chat with Mike and hopefully Jane. Chris is kindly working from home so I can spend two nights away from the farm.

Went to the Beach this morning with Jess ( Janet and Ned in tow too) great to have Ned (aka James 'Grizzly' Adams) along as he could point out the wildlife amongst the sand dunes.He pointed out a lark (ascending) high above the grass, and I never knew that it is the only bird to sing so long and strong "on the wing"

Chris is taking me out for lunch to Prestatyn's Bistro which is a treat.....