Each week I’ll try and post quick links to things that I’ve seen, read, inspired me or just sparked my interest in the previous week, with a little background and my thoughts and other things that I’ve been up to in the previous week. Mostly gardening, cooking and environmental stuff but not always.

Life In General.  – It really feels like spring has properly arrived, and I’ve been trying to enjoy the sun each day. We took a walk alongside the Titchfield Canal on one afternoon, I was hoping to catch sight of my first swift or swallow of the year, which didn’t happen but we were lucky enough to see a Barn Owl snoozing in a crevice inside a tree. We’d have completely missed it, if someone hadn’t pointed it out to us, and shown us where to look, as it wasn’t obvious.

Work. – I’ve been working on a proposal this week, and also sorting out all the paperwork and details for my tax return. I like to get this done as soon as I can each year (technically it isn’t due for nearly 12 months), so that I can budget for the year ahead, it means I know where I am financially. I put money aside from each invoice I raise to cover the tax and national insurance that will be due, so I shouldn’t have any surprises.

Allotment. – The night time temperatures are still pretty low, so I’m holding off on some things for a few more days at least. I want to sow some cucumbers, courgettes and pumpkins in the potting shed but the temperatures need to come up a little more even though they won’t technically be outside.

I managed to get my compost bin moved. Well almost, there’s still a bit more to do, but the bulk of the work is done. I’m thinking of growing pumpkins on the old site, should be good and fertile ground. 

Currently Reading

I read, Guests of Summer by Theunis Peirsma [LINK] this week, it’s only a 100 pages or so, about the House Martins that the author observes in his home village of Gaast in The Netherlands. It was one of those short books that you wish was a lot longer. It also got me thinking that I haven’t seen any swallows, swifts or house martins myself yet this year. I normally start seeing them about now, so I’m keeping my eyes peeled!

I also started reading, Bee Quest by David Goulson [LINK], I love David’s other bee related books and so far this one is just as good. He has a very readable style, as well as some great stories to tell.

Wolves of the Calla by Stephen King [GoodReads] – reading for an online group.

The Week In Wildlife – In Pictures

This [LINK] is one serious fish!