New bunting??

Greetings from Frankfurt! Only 3 more days until I am off for 2 weeks!

A glorious day yesterday. Really sunny and warm. Jase left at 8am and I got up and ready for the day. Thought I would weed the front garden and then mulch with bark chippings.

Went out to see the girls and was greeted by a hunched up, unhappy Shirley.

As she was still unwell and I made the decision to take her to see the vet yesterday. I called up and made an appointment and was surprised that they were open on a Sunday, When I got there, the doors were locked so I called. Was told that the appointment was at the Stonehenge branch. Had no idea where I was going, so headed off down a country lane to find it. At one point I thought I was in Kansas, a long country lane with fields either side. Could have been anywhere apart my own door step! It is amazing what is hidden down a country lane.

I finally found the vets and we think she has sour crop. Not a nice thing. The vet tried to flush her crop out but didn't work too well. He gave her some probiotic powder and a massive antibiotic and we have to hope for the best. I don't think she has been too well for a while, but I thought it was just a few soft eggs and nothing too serious.

Got back home and let her out of the cat basket, she went straight into the eglu and sat on the nest. Poor girl.

I had to leave for work and 4pm and really didn't want to leave her. She is in the blue eglu with her old pal Laverne, so hopefully she will be ok. I have some tablets to give her when I get back on Tuesday. It is times like this that I can't stand the job. I want to be at home to look after her. *sobs*

Next door said they would pop in and keep an eye on her.

I decided to water the garden at 2pm (not an ideal time) as it is going to be hot for a couple of days. The newly planted front garden got a thorough soaking, so that should be ok until I get home. Really do need to set up the watering system for the veggie garden. There is nothing worse than sowing seeds, tending to seedlings, only to have them turn into little crispy things after a couple of days away. Has happened a few times this year.

The spinach and chard plants are 3 ft tall and have gone to seed. I have several courgettes/pumpkins still to be planted out and feel that summer is running away with me. I have time next week to get things in the ground though.

The potatoes are very impressive. The king edwards in the raised bed are massive and the potato bags are also doing well.

I am in Aberdeen tonight and home late tomorrow night, Have two 'available' days on Wednesday and Thursday, so will see what wonders they are filled with. *rolls eyes*

I also missed the social highlight of the year yesterday. The local village Fete. A few stalls with bric a brac, one for plants, bottles, and the obligatory coconut shy and cake stall! Never mind. We did give them lots of bottles for the raffle and I grew some rather impressive beans for the plant stall. Hope they raised lots of money for the village.

I missed the head of the WI, frantically waving, shouting 'Yoo hoo, flying boys' (as we are known) across the field, as she did last year!

What are they raising money for? Who knows? The bus stop was re-thatched 2 years ago, big news for the village. Maybe a new urn for the village hall? It was for bunting last year. Bless.

C x x x

p.s Have received a text from next door to say Shirley is still with us and eating a little. Good sign.

2 still to lay!

Here we are again. June is here, so where is the sun?

I have had complaints that my blog hasn't been updated for a while, so here you go!

Busy week at work and the days off seem to fly by.

Shirley is better now, back to her old self. She still hasn't laid an egg though. Her breast feathers are coming through blonde which is a worry. I have told her that blondes don't always have more fun, but she is loving the look! Laverne is still on strike, but Winifred, Elsbeth and Pru are keeping us well supplied with eggs.

The recent rain has made the garden blossom. The beech hedge I planted earlier in the year is in full leaf, but needs tying in to hide a mould of rubble/weeds left behind by the builders. It is too much to move, so will disguise it.

Most of my veggies are now in. Must remember to keep planting bits and bobs to make sure we have salad all summer. Desperate for a poly tunnel after visiting Lesley's farm on Sunday. It was so warm in there and really would be a bonus in the winter. The pigs were tempting too, but I couldn't smuggle one out in the Mini! *wink*

I have been 'approached' by someone wanting to sell my jams, jellies and Christmas puddings! We will see if it comes to anything, but I do like the idea of it. Need to think of a brand! They will pick up my produce from the house and sell it at a local market. I could do biscuits and cakes as well.

Made chilli and cottage pie for the freezer today. I bought some mince from Lesley, who raises her own livestock. The meat is so tender and delicious. Will be placing further orders I think. Still have 4 sirloin steaks in the freezer too!

It's getting dark now so had better go and shut the girls in for the night. I started writing this hours ago. Dinner got in the way, as did a few phone calls.

One more day off then 5 days at work :0( Will update again soon.

Night night.

C x x x

Shirley is better :0)

Well, the logs are stacked! All 27 wheelbarrow loads! I was exhausted afterwards. The hardest thing was where to put them all. The log store was full after the 4th barrow! Anyway, they are stacked and look pretty good all over the place.







A severe frost warning was forecast again last night, so I dutifully went out and wrapped everything in fleece. I can't remember the last time we had frost at the end of May. I thought it was getting warmer? I lit a fire and sat in the lounge, laptop on my lap. The new logs went up really well. Will order another load before winter (if we can find somewhere to put them) and that should do us until spring next year!! I have said it before, but there is something comforting about having wood stacked up, like having a full fridge.







I have a hen Party tomorrow for a local charity. A group of five, for a special party! Been busy baking scones and oatie biscuits, ready for tomorrow. Kick off at 10.30, so have time to get organised in the morning.

I gave the eglus a thorough clean out for tomorrow and all was well until Elsbeth decided to sleep in the nest box (again) and poo'd up the side! Little madam!

Shirley spent a good few hours chatting to me in the kitchen yesterday. After a while she shuffled around and laid an enormous soft shelled egg. She immediately poked her head out of the box, as if to say 'ok, I'm done now'. I let her out into the front garden while I continued stacking the log mountain. She discovered the area under the conifers and happily scratched around for woodlice. I coaxed her back into the run with a trail of sweetcorn, a la Hansel and Gretal.

She seems back to her old self again today. Noticed she is quite thin though?? Will feed her some extra tuna tomorrow. Mixed corn will go down well too.

Woke up at 2.30 this morning on the sofa (again, must stop doing that), fire still glowing, but i felt sick. Really hot and sweaty and managed to crawl to the toilet. Not pleasant. Made my way upstairs and slept well. Was hoping to have lost at least half a stone, judging by the amount of time I spent vomiting, but no!
Felt fine this morning, don't know what that was about? Probably the excitement of going back to work on Monday. Not.

Only one egg today!! Free loading ladies! Will search the run tomorrow in case they have decided to make a nest elsewhere.


The front garden is taking shape. Have lots of room to plant more things. Can't seem to pass a garden centre without popping in to get some 'essentials'. Have a few things waiting in the porch to plant, but can't spell the names! Will take pictures when they are in flower.




Need to sleep now and Blogger is taking an age to upload pictures. Will add more tomorrow when I get a chance. Apologises now, for the shocking grammar and typos!

C x x

p.s logs......







p.p.s some more..........











oh, this is just silly!! I like the pink tint to these ones!! Must be the sun setting. Yes, I was stacking them all day *rolls eyes*

And relax......

Good morning everyone! What a busy week it has been!

On Friday, my Aunty, Uncle and Cousins visited from Germany. I haven't seen them in about 7 years. Nice to catch up.

On Saturday was my Brother's wedding. A lovely hotel near Basingstoke. Charlie the bride looked stunning and we had a nice day/evening. Jase and I were nearly the last to leave at midnight.

Ellis and Grace, my nephew and niece looked adorable in their wedding outfits - Ellis couldn't wait to get his tie off!!

On Sunday we drove my Gran back to Kent and popped in on Mum and Dad for an hour or so. They went out and left me with the children, as Andy and Charlie are away on their honeymoon, Mum and Dad are babysitting for the week. After an hour I was exhausted. Good luck to Mum and Dad, they have them all week!

Yesterday was my Birthday and we went out for lunch and visited a garden centre, then out for dinner to a local Indian......both felt full to bursting as we left so must have been good!

It looks like a Nigella Lawson shop in the lounge! Loads of lovely Bowls, serving platters and measuring cups! Can't wait to use them all!

Shirley looked a little hunched and unwell last night, so left her in the eglu overnight with Pru sat next to her keeping watch. No better this morning as she was still in the nest box where I left her last night. She is now sat in her cat box in the kitchen with me, checking my spelling. A bowl full of sweetcorn and water and a towel to keep her warm. Not sure what is wrong, she has a red comb, with a slight temperature but isn't right in herself. I'm hoping it is a soft shelled egg on the way. She will feel better once it is laid. She is drinking lots of water and honey and pecking at the odd bit of corn. She seems to prefer the scone that I am eating!

We had a log delivery late last night, so I have 2 cubic metres of logs to get off the drive at some point today.

The heating is back on as it has turned really chilly again. I was in shorts this time last week! Mad dash to wrap up the veggies in fleece the other night, as frost was forecast. It was 4 degrees at 5am this morning!

Hoping this week will be calmer........

Off to get dressed now and tackle that log pile!

The drippin' is driving me mad.

After a few good days at work and an early (5am) stand by yesterday - i got a Paris and back- my throat can't take anymore! I thought it was hay fever at first, but the puffy neck tells a different story. Tonsilitis (again)!!! I say again, but I haven't had it for a few years. I am lucky that I don't get the aches and pain, just the sore throat. Sniffly and horrible.

I was up at 5.30 this morning and felt rough, so Jase told me to go sick. Feel bad, as it was one flight out to Rome and all day there, but hey ho. Sick is sick.

Got lots done yesterday. Planted out my potted onions, sowed carrots in between the rows, tomato plants are in as are beetroot, radishes and peas!







I need to get a couple of chili plants from the garden centre at some point. Thought I would plant some with the tomatoes and a couple of basil plants to deter white fly.










My little greenhouse is working overtime, packed with sunflower seeds, borlotti and runner beans and a few marigolds. The sweetcorn is about an inch tall which isn't bad as I only planted it a week or so ago. Poor rickety old thing! Look at it! Hee hee. The bungee cord is to stop it blowing over!
I have dug over a small square bed and will grow a pumpkin underneath and some beans up the corn a la 'three sisters'!











The blackbird chicks hatched a few days ago and have vanished! They must have left the nest already as it was empty 3 days ago. Checked yesterday and look what I found.......




They might get 3 hatches at this rate! Good for them.



The giant, fancy schmancy garden umbrella with lights has seized up, so I found another one in the garage. Sat outside now, typing away, 27 degrees at 11.30am and snot running down my chin. Lovely! Nice to wear shorts for a change, my legs need the sun.

Mum and Dad are popping over later with some goodies from Germany. Have made some cheese scones and think we will sit outside for a while.

The 2 lawns need mowing again! However I am under strict instructions to do nothing today! So that is what I will do.

Who am I kidding?? I can never sit and do nothing. Might do a white wash and mop the kitchen floor. It really needs it. The bedding could do with a wash too. *taps fingers on table looking for things to do*

Going to take a sudafed to try and stop this runny nose. Either that or shove some tissues up my snoz.

C x x x

p.s 4 eggs today! Nothing from Laverne, as she is taking a well earned break. Or so she tells me!!

Water wings for chickens?

Good afternoon All!

Been a busy week yet again.  Work was hectic, as we moved into Terminal 5.  The new crew report centre (CRC) seems to be half the size of our old report centre, hot as a greenhouse and full of managers!  We were the first crew to arrive yesterday and were greeted by people in Polo shirts, clipboards and radios.  Really not in the mood at 7am, having been up at 3.30am!

Had a voucher for coffee and pastry thrust into my hand and was smiled at constantly.  "Welcome to your new home".  Made me want to vomit.  Everywhere you looked, managers were scuttling around beaming.  They have no idea it won't work as a building.  Far too small.    

By the time I reported for my second sector of the day, I had a collection of enough vouchers and 'sickly smiles'  to open an internet shop.  Roll on retirement.  

21 years.  

Should fly by.

The girls are fine apart from the quagmire of a run.  Little puddles are forming and I really don't know what to do.  The eglus really need moving out and the whole lot excavated with a mini digger.  Jase would love to drive one of those!

2 more days at work (from tonight) then off to Scotland on Sunday to visit Jason's Mum, Sister and BIL (well not yet but can't be far off *wink*).  

Will be home tomorrow morning, so time to clean out the chooks and get ready for the drive to Ayr. 

The oil tank is full - 56p a litre- outrageous. 28p last year.  Don't dare put the heating on.  

The lawn is growing like mad and will need cutting again!  2 smaller lawns as I am determined to get another bed put in the back garden sometime this year.  

Had a major planting frenzy earlier this week.  Most seeds are now sown for the summer.  The mini green house is groaning under the weight of seed trays.  Only parsnips and more carrots to sow, but waiting until I have planned the veggie garden layout of crops until I do 'long term' planting.  Will use the new bed in the 'front' garden for some crops like rainbow chard, and maybe some beans.   

I managed to 'borrow' some old bricks from the paddock which work well as edging.


I have planted a fair few cottage garden plants like lupins, daisies, nicotiniana (sp)? and grasses so far, but quite a lot still to plant. The pear tree is in and so far the slugs have avoided most things..........The jasmine at the back will hopefully cover the fence. Hoping it will stand up to the wind.






Looks very 'rustic' in my opinion, like it has been there a while. I was going to spread bark over the whole lot to keep the weeds down, but my Mum assures me that when the plants grow, I won't need it.

The sweetpea wigwam is in place and I have planted up the hanging baskets already. Tempting fate, but hopefully no more frost before late Autumn. The tomato plants are doing well in the coldframe (more bricks and a sheet of plastic) as are the marigold seedlings for the Village fete - i just hope they are a decent size by the end of May when the 'Plant Coordinator' stops by.

Off to get ready and tidy up. The rain has stopped and the sun is out :0)

C x x x

The Lodger......

A glorious day yesterday and was very tempted to wear shorts.  Couldn't inflict my lily white legs on the chickens though.  

Did quite a lot of

planting and managed to repot the tomatoes and  plant out the peas.  Beetroot went in, as did my sweetpea seedlings.  Bit early for the sweetpeas but they should be ok.  Had lots of pea seeds left so planted another 20 or so in pots.  Must remember to sow little and often as that is my down fall.

Like a crazed lunatic, I decided to start digging out a new bed for the front/side garden.  You may remember the path I dug at the side of the garage last year.  Well, on what I think was the warmest day this year, I set to it!  With trusty mattock in hand and some rather fetching B&Q wellies, I started hacking away at the turf!!  

3 hours later, sweat dripping off nose, soil in inconceivable places and a fused spine, it is done.  Well the digging is.  6 wheel barrow loads of reclaimed bricks from the paddock behind the house - I am allowed to take them- I just need to edge the bed and get plants tomorrow.  

I have a pear tree bought from Lidl last year that is doing well in a pot, but will plant that out.  The bed will be 'Country cottage' style, with some veggies thrown in for good measure.  No matter how much garden you have, you always need more in my opinion.  Off to the garden centre with my car seats down I think.....they still have lupins and foxgloves.  Need another climbing support for some beans as well as sweetpeas. 

Forgot to mention that I got an early birthday pressie from Mum and Dad.  3 potato sacks and 15 seed potatoes!!!  All planted up and ready to go now.

I will keep topping up the soil as the potatoes grow.  They even have a velcro flap on the side, to open the bags up at harvest time!

We have a blackbird nesting in our log store!  I saw the nest a few days ago when I was stacking logs.  SO far 4 beautiful eggs and a very dedicated Mrs Blackbird.  Mr Blackbird returns every 30 minutes or so to feed his Wife!  You can just see her tail sticking out of the nest.  

3 eggs today, as Winifred had a day off and Laverne is on strike.  She seems happy enough, but maybe she is just getting old.  I have upped her calcium uptake and we shall see.  She gave us so many eggs last year, she deserves a break. 

Off to have a bath now and soothe my weary bones.

C x x x 

'I am ready for my close up'

Been a busy bee this week, work and at home.

Finished my week with a trip and was desperately looking forward to my 11 days off.  As always.  The 1 week off/3 weeks on pattern is wonderful, but 2/2 would be better *wink*  There just aren't enough hours in the day.  

Did a hen course last weekend.  Ilene and her partner Phil took several pictures using a superduper hi-tech camera!  Will post some pictures later.  Did a course today and Winifred was an angel as always.  Even when I showed the group her vent!

Potatoes are on the hob, boiling away for the cottage pie to be finished off.  More batch cooking for the week.  Made hobnobs, scones and a cake for the course today that went down well.

Jase went away for 3 days today, so will chill out later with my magazines for some 'me' time.  I am told I never relax and it is true.  I rarely sit and chill.  Always things to do.  I really must learn to switch off  (he says looking at the lawn that needs mowing)!!  

The fire is stacked and ready to light for this evening.  TV will remain off and I will chill out.  

Here is the first picture Ilene sent me - 

'Copyright 2008 Ilene Sterns'












Many believe I have a career as a hand model! Lets not take the spotlight away from Shirley. After several hours in 'feathers & make up' she looks stunning!!
The others didn't want to be left out of the limelight and decided to have a make over too!

'Waiting for Salad'


'Copyright 2008 Ilene Sterns'

A HUGE thank you to Ilene and Phil for the pictures!

The veggie garden needs some serious attention. I have repositioned the strawberry plants and interplanted with spinach, as the two grow well together apparently. Carrots have been sown between the garlic to knock the carrot fly off the scent. My onions are doing well in pots, ready to be planted out as soon as I plan the garden for this year.

Tomatoes are growing well, as are the peas in the shed. I really must get out there and start planning. Ordered some seeds from the www.organiccatalog.com which should be here in a couple of days. Was really warm today so I managed to get some basil and nasturtiums planted up.

Been faffing around for so long that it is now 9pm! I started writing this at 5! Ok, hit the publish button! Night night All!!

C x

The dalmatians?

Mortimer the Mini was due for a service yesterday. His 30,000 mile one. He is getting on now the poor old boy. After staring at the dust covered mats and filthy interior for long enough, I dragged out the hoover and jet powerwasherthingmejig. He came up a treat, but somehow I managed to cut my hand. Not sure how, but didn't notice until i was dripping blood on the newly polished bonnet.

That evening, I noticed my left hand had a blue tint, like it was really cold. Didn't think much of it to be honest. Same yesterday. Jase jumped on Google and did a search. I wish he hadn't.

Ranging from Raynaud's phenomenon, *shock - don't know what it is but sounds scary*, to left ventricle disorder of the heart. I told him I would see a Doctor next week if it was still the same.

Whilst waiting for the garage to call, we popped into Salisbury to do some shopping. Lakeland was beckoning. 6 le Parfait jars and 12 1/2 pounders for jams and jellies. I would hate to run out of jars (me winning the London marathon, running backwards with my laces tied together is more likely)!! *wink*

Picked up Mortimer from the garage and he is flying!!! My nippy little mini is back! AND they washed him! Typical, could have saved myself the bother.

Clare came over about 7pm and had dinner and a chat. She is still asleep. Think the bottle of vin rouge and 2 cans of Carling helped.

I mentioned my hand to her and she started laughing! Cheeky mare, I could have a rare condition affecting my digit colour and she is laughing!

"Are those new jeans you are wearing"? She said. The penny dropped. Dark blue jeans. Hands in pockets. Dye on hand!!!
I am an idiot. At least i won't have to parade around a la Michael 'one glove' Jackson to hide my abnormality!!

Girls are fine, let them out and found the 'remains' of an egg in the nest box. A softie, probably laid by Laverne and 5 guilty looking chickens. Winifred even had a smudge of egg yolk on her beak...........naughtly hens! Will give them a thorough clean out today as have a hen course tomorrow at 10.30. Check in for Paris at 7pm tomorrow night. Yuck.

This is my 101st post, hence the title!!!

Thanks for reading.

TTFN

C x x x

you want fries with that?

Arrived in Madrid at lunchtime and headed out to the shops.  23 degrees and tshirt weather.  The Spanish were in their winter coats, scarves and gloves.  They must have thinner blood than us Brits.  

Found a pair of jeans and tried on 15+ tops, all looked a little too figure hugging for my liking.   A zepplin in a condom springs to mind.  What is it with 'stretch' fabric these days??  Oh god, I sound old.  

Walked back to the hotel, basking in the sun.  Avoided McDonalds, as i thought after the recent shopping nightmare it was wise.  Filet-o-fish was calling me, but I resisted.  Just.

Went to bed at a reasonable time and was woken by 3 Americans screaming outside my door.  They weren't being attacked, just being loud and brash.   I threw open my door and yelled at them to shut up.  I wasn't happy.  A bloke shouting at you at 2am in boxers shorts, tshirt and 'big hair' terrified them.  The fact that I was squinting at them, as had forgotten my glasses, didn't help.  Must have been quite scary.  Tough.  

Pick up in 2.5 hours............

"Snow"?? I said, as the Captain made his announcement, welcoming passengers on the flight.  "It'll be a couple of flakes on the control tower and Heathrow will grind to a halt"!!!  

I was wrong.  

When we came through the clouds the countryside was covered in pure white fluffiness!  Shame I didn't have my camera handy.  

We landed into Terminal 1 so all should have been easy.  Wrong again.  No steps.  Correction, 2 sets of steps, but 'elf and safety said they were too dangerous as were covered in snow.  How this country became a superpower is beyond me? 

The Milan flight was cancelled so here I am, back at home!!!!  Always the best nightstop.  

Jase is on a Rome and back, due to take off at 12.40.  Last heard from him at the report centre at 2pm......who knows what is going on??  

5 eggs today and the girls are wandering around their 'garden'.  It was once lush with grass, but is now barked as they ate it all.   I gave them a handful of mixed corn and left them scratching away happily.   Might treat them to spinach later.  

Update, Jase's flight is now showing 3pm take off!  Its going to be a late one for him.  I find out at 6pm what I am now doing tomorrow.  Something vile no doubt.

Off for a nap as I can't believe I was up at 3.25 this morning and I still have the energy to type without falling asleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee..................