Apologies in advance as this will be quite a short blog. It has been busy, as usual, with an interesting mix of good and less good bits. The weather for much of the time has been glorious and we have finally been able to cut a narrow path through to the back of the wood. Moving the logs was posing a problem – enter the mower that has really earned its keep recently. It is a model designed to pull and transport relatively light loads so we fashioned a rope and clip link, fastened the trolley to the back and towed the logs, a chair and the cutters back up the path. Mower as beast of burden – happy days!
As regular readers will know, our polytunnel made a break for freedom in the last lot of bad weather. Despite early optimism we were not able to locate a suitable greenhouse and were left searching for options. Jacqui drew up plans for a wooden base frame and we ordered the timber to be cut and delivered. Alas, it was not cut and it was all dumped in the wrong place leaving us with 16 foot beams to saw and move. Enter our beast of burden once more. It took 3 days and a lot of work but the beams were cut, holes drilled at one end and then dragged up to the space below the orchard. We have found a builder to do a lot of the rest so soon should be able to get on with the planting and growing.
The orchard and wood are both doing very well now. Every tree has a spray of leaves and a good number have started to blossom. In the orchard the James Greive is looking very handsome with red buds and in the wood the flowering cherries are putting on a good show. There are a lot of bees around now, a very heartening sight. They love our trees and the lavender of course and we even have some bluebells for them this year. One farmer a little way down the road has left his meadows uncut and they are a riot of golden yellow, a true heaven for bees! It is such a contrast to the stark mown fields around us where close cut grass is mixed with ugly brown stripes of silage.
Now, one of the less good bits. I inherited my grandmother’s armchair, an orthopedic design that is very comfortable. Sadly after almost 20 years the webbing failed. I tried to fix it myself with mixed results – bad and utterly terrible. A search on the web led me to a highly recommended repair workshop who promised to get back to me with a date for repair but of course I’ve heard nothing for several weeks. My back and shoulders were suffering badly and in desperation we went out and found a reasonable replacement in a local shop. It’s not perfect but still pretty good.
Alas, the damage was already done and I woke yesterday unable to move. I’d trapped a nerve in my back and couldn’t even get out of bed, especially as my shoulder is still very weak and painful. It’s loosened up but is still painful and fragile so I’m resting and trying not to set it off again. It’s a bit of a setback but I won’t let it get me down.
Ah, I’m feeling really old at present!
Well, thank you for reading, take care and enjoy the sun if you can.
Jennie