Harvested the first radishes of 2017 this morning. They were direct sown on April 1st, and there are plenty more to come. The variety is French Breakfast, although I’ll probably be having them with my lunch!
Starling Madness
I’ve been trying to capture a video of the starlings in our garden “eating” from our mealworm feeder – decimation would be a better adjective as they can empty it in minutes. I’m not sure whether this is deliberate to share the worms with their fellow birds or whether it’s just a consequence of their rather mad feeding behaviour on the feeder.
There are often three or four on the feeder, but this is a small proportion of the total flock of around 15 birds. The remainder are on the ground under the feeder, hoovering up the fallout.
Hope you enjoy the video, which is a series of clips edited together.
Quick Links 1st May 2017
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. – My car was back in the garage on Monday, for a couple of items picked up on the service to be worked on. It was back on Friday after the repair started leaking oil, it was fixed while I waited, and I spent a nice extended lunch break sitting by the seashore and walking along the sea wall. I dropped a few stories to Instagram, and they’re in the video below if you’re interested. I also spent a bit of time on things related to my Dad’s and Grandma’s estates, these wheels seem to grind slowly onward. As the end of the month arrives, it’s been a fairly expensive one!
Work – Some work on a proposal for a meeting in a few weeks, and also a presentation for that same meeting. Thursday I was in Winchester for a really productive business development session, and I’ve got a couple more of these planned over the next few weeks. Looking forward to those, as well as getting the results from the work that the Solent University students have been doing in another couple of weeks time.
Allotment. – My leeks are in.
We’ve also had a series of cold nights this week and some frosts. The temperatures have ranged between -1°C and 18°C, which is quite a difference. The frost doesn’t appear to have done too much damage, the potatoes have a few scorched leaves but they should recover if there aren’t anymore frosty nights. The low temperatures also did for one of my hoselines (see below), when I picked it up it literally cracked open in my hand. Unfortunately it was live at the time so I also got an unexpected shower!
Currently Reading
I’ve been dipping in and out of a few different things this week, including:
The World-Ending Fire: The Essential Wendell Berry by Wendell Berry [GoodReads], which also pointed me towards:
Confessions of a Recovering Environmentalist and Other Essays by Paul Kingsnorth [GoodReads], who edited the Wendell Berry collection. In amongst these two books are some fairly profound and important statements and observations on environmentalism. They’ve both been quite heavily highlighted on my kindle so far.
Wolves of the Calla by Stephen King [GoodReads] – which I am reading for an online group.
The Week In Wildlife – In Pictures
Kingsman: The Golden Circle – I quite enjoyed watching the first Kingsman movie, but I didn’t realise that they were working on a sequel.
Smaug Theresa May
Bug Season – Short piece on The Last Word on Nothing Blog about getting bitten by an Assassin Bug [LINK]
Air Pollution – I’m pleased to see that the government lost their case to delay the publication of their plans to tackle air pollution [LINK]. I suspect it won’t end there because I suspect the proposals still won’t be up to much, and the court cases may well rumble on.
The Circle – Not sure whether this is one to watch in the cinema or wait for the DVD.
Quick Links 24th April 2017
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. – Easter came and went, and on Tuesday my car had it’s annual MOT and service. It passed the test okay, but is going back again on Monday to have a repair completed, one of those things that wasn’t bad enough to fail the MOT, but needs to be attended to. I also had my annual dental checkup and also passed without needing any work done. I’m not a fan of the dentist, so I’m quite pleased that I don’t have to go back for any treatment.
In other news, the rather depressing thought of having to go through a general election, so between that, the revived threat of nuclear conflict, and the ongoing pantomime that is Donald Trump, it’s probably going to be a depressing news cycle for a while.
The election is opportunistic and despite the issues with brexit, the NHS, and education to name a few it seems as though the current administration will tighten it’s grip, as there is no meaningful opposition.
Work. – A meeting with a potential client in Southampton, that might lead to some work, a couple of things to do in the week ahead to progress that, but otherwise a quiet week on the work front.
Allotment. – We’ve had a long period of dry weather now and keeping things watered has been the order of the day. Things are doing well though. The potatoes are through and have been earthed up, and I’ve prepared the ground for my leeks.
Currently Reading
Not much time for reading this week, and I haven’t started anything new so just making progress with Wolves of the Calla by Stephen King [GoodReads] – which I am reading for an online group.
The Week In Wildlife – In Pictures
A nice piece on The Last Word On Nothing Blog [LINK] regarding good neighbours.
Looking forward to this:
First Swallow of 2017
I know that “one swallow doesn’t make a summer”, but I did see my first of the year yesterday. I checked my notes from last year and it is a day later than in 2016, but still pretty consistent. (The first Swifts of 2016 were 7th May).
This year is marching on at a pace.
Quick Links 17th April 2017
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. – So this last week has been a little all over the place with different family things, we’ve had the Easter Bank Holiday weekend, with my Mum coming for an Easter Sunday Roast dinner. Although my diary has been a little light on appointments, it has been fairly busy with ad-hoc arrangements.
Work. – Got my tax return finished this last week (nearly a few year before it’s due)! and now just need to make my payment. I also had a call, which has resulted in a meeting with a potential client next week (someone I’ve worked with before), I’m hoping that might lead to something. I’ve also been working on revising another proposal.
I had an email at the end of the week from one of the teams at Solent University who are working on one of the two development projects. They seem to be making good progress and I’ve got a date with both groups for mid-May to hear their recommendations. Something I’m looking forward to.
Allotment. – I started moving the compost bins last weekend and finished the project on Monday (apart from a couple of minor things). There’s a video, scroll down on the blog homepage if you want to see it.
Currently Reading
I’ve not had a lot of time for reading this week, but I’ve been continuing to read, Bee Quest by David Goulson [LINK] and am really enjoying it.
Also continuing with Wolves of the Calla by Stephen King [GoodReads] – which I am reading for an online group.
The Week In Wildlife – In Pictures
Moving The Compost Bins
I’ve been meaning to get this project done for a while now. The “new” bin is much bigger than old ones, and will be a good addition to the plot.
Allotment Video Update 8th April 2017
It’s been a few weeks since I managed to do an allotment video, and now there might just be two in one week. The plot is picking up as the warmer weather arrives, so I’ve been sowing a few seeds and thinking about my plans for the year ahead.
Quick Links 10th April 2017
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!
Head In The Trees
As I was walking the dogs this afternoon, I was spending quite a bit of time looking up.
Specifically I was looking in the canopies of Ash and Oak trees to see which was further ahead in leaf. The Oaks are clearly ahead which if you believe in folklore, means a dry summer.
Also lots of hoverflies in the canopy, as well as butterflies about too.
Electronic Scrapbook 