tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77443948211927246732024-03-20T15:07:02.694+00:00A window on Alentejoveronicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014627398376882098noreply@blogger.comBlogger219125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744394821192724673.post-51965730250814279482024-01-18T18:12:00.000+00:002024-01-18T18:12:17.140+00:002024<p> We have rain. It's raining like it used to way back when I first came to Alentejo.</p><p>I am living my minimalist life in the van, with my dear Bonnie and sometimes the cats are allowed to join us.</p><p>I fear that the internet is rotting my brain. In the old days I would spend a lot of time writing and thinking. Now, if I have a 'spare' moment I am drawn to the videos and posts of other people's lives. Days go by. I miss having a garden and a house, but am not ready for that yet. </p><p>I will try and squeeze back into blogging.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSdTWDEIsvTZQDnXyj5iA9qL6XP9ISzXf4mHgXKi-HQmDdxhyphenhyphenRopO9ugCGn7-0y9-sVpacbwtcyhP184tkZjzJ9JZw79Hi0lVAj7ozTKVmntL5WSaNqBex7W_vnUKjNnS_qpv1c482W6ISIOy_6X45U4Wmz5D9YxIW3Cl_tgMiflzjYgfzelWQwZCDQY4/s4128/20231126_110548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSdTWDEIsvTZQDnXyj5iA9qL6XP9ISzXf4mHgXKi-HQmDdxhyphenhyphenRopO9ugCGn7-0y9-sVpacbwtcyhP184tkZjzJ9JZw79Hi0lVAj7ozTKVmntL5WSaNqBex7W_vnUKjNnS_qpv1c482W6ISIOy_6X45U4Wmz5D9YxIW3Cl_tgMiflzjYgfzelWQwZCDQY4/s320/20231126_110548.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimIy4jsokOf9ACoTOQx5jlJ2mErzsYnTjM6Z9b01cC5fIUOtBF2gpxoBHlDlSA-YaR5DbRMFunEzL4J2_7r30JYinpEbBO4XgKI3z3WI5xH10ghI3SZhrsg-PAuYWGt6joX1Z9RF3Jau98RzrGcwimmhxKX-DstuqocUNUEHCyDbA-rUJ0P9dEmXLjLrs/s4128/20231130_111106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimIy4jsokOf9ACoTOQx5jlJ2mErzsYnTjM6Z9b01cC5fIUOtBF2gpxoBHlDlSA-YaR5DbRMFunEzL4J2_7r30JYinpEbBO4XgKI3z3WI5xH10ghI3SZhrsg-PAuYWGt6joX1Z9RF3Jau98RzrGcwimmhxKX-DstuqocUNUEHCyDbA-rUJ0P9dEmXLjLrs/s320/20231130_111106.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p>veronicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014627398376882098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744394821192724673.post-11633239038839609602023-08-27T21:13:00.001+01:002023-08-27T21:13:23.624+01:00August Heat in a Peaceful Place<p> I managed to avoid some of the heat waves by going to Wales for 9 days of blissful soft rain and 15degreesC, and later, on my return, by taking the van to the coast. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxi4Pr5iQjZ5fRA45mbjZMCic1581mP_Z71eCsJ5oDMi3-T7WfQmYIBq5FFOlRAQIoi8X06f5dVQKbehc7sc2lUEirLHAl7YB6HN7wkdyfYCWTHbC4ZeRlgbFsueS3h4M6qAXMhE7B53lO6oRkJDfTpJoL0YkwOqFDrLr-MqOoD-jFoG49gx4AA-zcAB8/s4128/20230803_121919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxi4Pr5iQjZ5fRA45mbjZMCic1581mP_Z71eCsJ5oDMi3-T7WfQmYIBq5FFOlRAQIoi8X06f5dVQKbehc7sc2lUEirLHAl7YB6HN7wkdyfYCWTHbC4ZeRlgbFsueS3h4M6qAXMhE7B53lO6oRkJDfTpJoL0YkwOqFDrLr-MqOoD-jFoG49gx4AA-zcAB8/s320/20230803_121919.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxW9pdre-4klT-W-r0YmWhr5cWnatpMqSDmVdXhG8QsKjqVDV561TgcAtX9AWZ1nhv9c4kjAEDDPXAmQzEuhWo2UHRQ26cA9RGdiPyiBWPT9n8v-jF4qrIpkrTTwO4V6FJxf6gi44GyR1I6qhg6Yy38M4tvWHjhEkE4YMu8fSqTCl5Q2nYf2gj88zRUVo/s4128/20230803_121856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxW9pdre-4klT-W-r0YmWhr5cWnatpMqSDmVdXhG8QsKjqVDV561TgcAtX9AWZ1nhv9c4kjAEDDPXAmQzEuhWo2UHRQ26cA9RGdiPyiBWPT9n8v-jF4qrIpkrTTwO4V6FJxf6gi44GyR1I6qhg6Yy38M4tvWHjhEkE4YMu8fSqTCl5Q2nYf2gj88zRUVo/s320/20230803_121856.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hazel Rainforest<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirvD_NWP5KIy0oTvEMWTNuc7fJzHolA_ZjkIu_atGzRAZbQD2PKoqoHfGCfwZCpIq4CsHALHT4BtD0UoqrpW6qpxgYaRY8VEAXnSVMTE5Yo7lCOcQQg7r4-xhXYRe4H6CCDin3QSp2VR0NlrYM_qkoceyvdf3oTSaVUrqHxYDCvPrkjEUqfC0Uuef1SGM/s4128/20230804_162150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirvD_NWP5KIy0oTvEMWTNuc7fJzHolA_ZjkIu_atGzRAZbQD2PKoqoHfGCfwZCpIq4CsHALHT4BtD0UoqrpW6qpxgYaRY8VEAXnSVMTE5Yo7lCOcQQg7r4-xhXYRe4H6CCDin3QSp2VR0NlrYM_qkoceyvdf3oTSaVUrqHxYDCvPrkjEUqfC0Uuef1SGM/s320/20230804_162150.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The coastal footpath near St David's<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSdekS-rHwXculDRCFhuFWDMDKbRee9uUOlHU9v_CFQbu4ZltqvnqPxDusoKRPuXlZesft90o0TH3NGWN_I8t_jsVq8cTyXi0dLZ2i2UfURFr2GI-nddzaQ2zD0iiSLCwcWXAGjtjmmJ8Q1FFc3FGzdWSeORns3ZFx2GXZuE4MRniJTgpUUm8W2eXLQGM/s4128/20230821_104406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSdekS-rHwXculDRCFhuFWDMDKbRee9uUOlHU9v_CFQbu4ZltqvnqPxDusoKRPuXlZesft90o0TH3NGWN_I8t_jsVq8cTyXi0dLZ2i2UfURFr2GI-nddzaQ2zD0iiSLCwcWXAGjtjmmJ8Q1FFc3FGzdWSeORns3ZFx2GXZuE4MRniJTgpUUm8W2eXLQGM/s320/20230821_104406.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cavaleiro, Alentejo Coast.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>A couple of kittens have come to join the family. They love to play in the van, on the shade netting and everywhere else.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh9JTBZK4vC5iGgJ1npBzc6WeawRdFPbGp902Jk3dCZJdiGc4qF-OSpyoBxPNWr_JaRWhe5XFzOHXCY9eGYW0nifHTmJwM0dSgaUc0Oo4LoL29RoJ9cs-041xDozKrMZw_uiKwvwUzm_-Nr6YQ9Hp1i40L6h1h9miqkwWjdEYwCBsxmaEaW3ASEOh_Ix8/s4128/20230816_074857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh9JTBZK4vC5iGgJ1npBzc6WeawRdFPbGp902Jk3dCZJdiGc4qF-OSpyoBxPNWr_JaRWhe5XFzOHXCY9eGYW0nifHTmJwM0dSgaUc0Oo4LoL29RoJ9cs-041xDozKrMZw_uiKwvwUzm_-Nr6YQ9Hp1i40L6h1h9miqkwWjdEYwCBsxmaEaW3ASEOh_Ix8/s320/20230816_074857.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table>That's the news from a peaceful place.<br /><br /><p><br /></p>veronicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014627398376882098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744394821192724673.post-86288623959078632212023-07-23T13:54:00.001+01:002023-07-23T13:58:28.456+01:00New post from Old blogger<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMOCmkWK9reG7iF3MDtiXTwUmUpYrM6KdUQzcvI-lnc1-5oVXuS1jcBRNC-UK8AN3MXK9TG47Mq7EHYnZ0w8F-JTe4iirUMVXkbEydPcCYeCVV5oWXClub0HraCODU3yNX9fkNctmnL0ovkaZVDqnQqm9tgW_d5glQ8KErHCavWME8J6_-SV8etuf4Qnk/s4128/20230526_121032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMOCmkWK9reG7iF3MDtiXTwUmUpYrM6KdUQzcvI-lnc1-5oVXuS1jcBRNC-UK8AN3MXK9TG47Mq7EHYnZ0w8F-JTe4iirUMVXkbEydPcCYeCVV5oWXClub0HraCODU3yNX9fkNctmnL0ovkaZVDqnQqm9tgW_d5glQ8KErHCavWME8J6_-SV8etuf4Qnk/s320/20230526_121032.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmKe44aR6iyY63vVRC2ycSY7tF-I6ovxOSrdWEsXn0OHVPTwwZWf1mPLbqxgkN0FMEcvcq6gcY905_QM1mM184kzelT3-8IS8U7xwKKYmVHG5dlroPSNMAOjAfQdlez_cJAfGWnNv4-T4DnFiaMPT5vjPCB38jaRBKEsfb08VFfFKv2fY4-VXh8srOIfs/s2576/20230526_121007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1932" data-original-width="2576" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmKe44aR6iyY63vVRC2ycSY7tF-I6ovxOSrdWEsXn0OHVPTwwZWf1mPLbqxgkN0FMEcvcq6gcY905_QM1mM184kzelT3-8IS8U7xwKKYmVHG5dlroPSNMAOjAfQdlez_cJAfGWnNv4-T4DnFiaMPT5vjPCB38jaRBKEsfb08VFfFKv2fY4-VXh8srOIfs/s320/20230526_121007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl4vPw4H9Bb5QjYfnP8NWxVWjx_LstuC8MLIEhUXAOlr8FU2MjiuiE0BVeAcyzk8OEjSAe-tbd4GVvp_C3gV3xv36m0W-XYTrp-EvceU_ypp9QhrvQfWu8TSDv3F0BGsbCydmAKIiFsKqFo_wvMI9fVgyCmb-48lxrXWJB3FQxUcT6Fu4kUFfh4SQOe78/s4128/20230526_114956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl4vPw4H9Bb5QjYfnP8NWxVWjx_LstuC8MLIEhUXAOlr8FU2MjiuiE0BVeAcyzk8OEjSAe-tbd4GVvp_C3gV3xv36m0W-XYTrp-EvceU_ypp9QhrvQfWu8TSDv3F0BGsbCydmAKIiFsKqFo_wvMI9fVgyCmb-48lxrXWJB3FQxUcT6Fu4kUFfh4SQOe78/s320/20230526_114956.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-JU2lKrAjfi9_eaV6idcUoWkc-7Rq0U3x787858UPbEEz0jRexJtpaen6pmC5LfSV4wU2zZHaBKodDviqQouIvNT1DLuCJAYSgk_TD22xVqD3xkq2Evx-tYJRrtP2gLrnQTmTe4rYd5fAL_p2qpHdFR4cW1GvP-XMJetGNMHC3hmYD4MbFOVp97x7Sw/s4128/20230601_194508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-JU2lKrAjfi9_eaV6idcUoWkc-7Rq0U3x787858UPbEEz0jRexJtpaen6pmC5LfSV4wU2zZHaBKodDviqQouIvNT1DLuCJAYSgk_TD22xVqD3xkq2Evx-tYJRrtP2gLrnQTmTe4rYd5fAL_p2qpHdFR4cW1GvP-XMJetGNMHC3hmYD4MbFOVp97x7Sw/s320/20230601_194508.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /> I know, it's been a long time away from my blog. My excuse was that I couldn't use my laptop due to no electricity, but my darling son, Robert, installed a system donated from my other darling son, Billy. I feel so lucky and blessed to have my kids.<p></p><p>I have done some travelling around Portugal in my van but I am mostly parked in my darling daughter, Laura, 's garden. I decided to build a wee bathroom out of the mud here. It's perfect mud for building. It took a couple of months, just doing it slowly. I love the rain shower. The younger granddaughters decorated the inside using coloured clay.</p><p>It's nearly the end of July and we have been lucky with the weather, as it has not been as hot as last year. The van is well insulated so it's really pleasant. I sometimes go and park by the sea for a night or two. I love to hear the waves as I'm lying in bed. I also love to go onto the beach in the night when there's maybe a fisherman and that's all.</p><p>I hope to do a bit more exploring in the van in the autumn when it's cooler, as my wee dog, Bonnie, suffers the heat.</p><p>Meanwhile, life is good.<br /></p>veronicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014627398376882098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744394821192724673.post-86226000761715184652022-03-15T19:08:00.000+00:002022-03-15T19:08:28.277+00:00I lost the blog plot<p> I've been doing lots of thinking and trying to figure out how to make changes without making too much change! 'Tis the nature of the beast... I thrive on change. I love to have a new challenge. </p><p>These last two years have been weird and challenging in some ways. </p><p>I thought it would be fun to buy a van and do it up to go visit other places. I've spent a few months playing around with wood and cork and hessian and made a cosy home on wheels.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEik4uYENv7l_B4dBGMiZJK2rivmxrJ54iSW4us18NXHn1uVk06f1cdaHFTfMp1AEYKAqztXHFgAC7G1MzP0JGDFXSmGCGtRvBiAnj1-J0__E0FHwrRBorqvdyW_i0PWK6-S-EibVc9jp4fgUmeeDsTPyRTchLT-eqnVNvVX1f0Lzps0PPc7cUp-F4a9=s2560" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1184" data-original-width="2560" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEik4uYENv7l_B4dBGMiZJK2rivmxrJ54iSW4us18NXHn1uVk06f1cdaHFTfMp1AEYKAqztXHFgAC7G1MzP0JGDFXSmGCGtRvBiAnj1-J0__E0FHwrRBorqvdyW_i0PWK6-S-EibVc9jp4fgUmeeDsTPyRTchLT-eqnVNvVX1f0Lzps0PPc7cUp-F4a9=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>I've taken it out to some lovely places nearby to practice sleeping and living in it. I love it. I love the minimalism. I love the outdoors being one step away. I love the changing views. Last weekend I went to a groovy place near Ilha de Pesseguiero, behind the old fort, and spent 24 hours with a big flock of crows!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhsvkRDeY1RHd7jsWzNDkIts3E248TaMd1QqS7Ub3Deuj0_-blMO89u2SpT1HPYRAr24RMi2Isrb4urw4MzTY4qKPnCsjqrOJlk2I-3vR-2M_dWGv34CaXsf7Vn1D1R2FNWSuv03zQdlSdky2hLS4YCGSAwCspwFC_AJve8hIK_QXLcOhlnnb1zETYA=s2560" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1184" data-original-width="2560" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhsvkRDeY1RHd7jsWzNDkIts3E248TaMd1QqS7Ub3Deuj0_-blMO89u2SpT1HPYRAr24RMi2Isrb4urw4MzTY4qKPnCsjqrOJlk2I-3vR-2M_dWGv34CaXsf7Vn1D1R2FNWSuv03zQdlSdky2hLS4YCGSAwCspwFC_AJve8hIK_QXLcOhlnnb1zETYA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg40e0soxnc60gHrfj4pE29FaWPYm5Eb9nSX22vDo5I2dGt_kGZeT5_n0D3pPAfSSZYhiWmJ2TCtndOT_96peW8CoyN_XBwVjoE3vYi9r6o93Q3Q9pdoRAtA0DkKlr5V1xiX5IuaXCVknX5ZN0X5Z8HlPAVtUt5kkAqDjRn0i1iVb7Vy8dXYspGnpFw=s4128" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1908" data-original-width="4128" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg40e0soxnc60gHrfj4pE29FaWPYm5Eb9nSX22vDo5I2dGt_kGZeT5_n0D3pPAfSSZYhiWmJ2TCtndOT_96peW8CoyN_XBwVjoE3vYi9r6o93Q3Q9pdoRAtA0DkKlr5V1xiX5IuaXCVknX5ZN0X5Z8HlPAVtUt5kkAqDjRn0i1iVb7Vy8dXYspGnpFw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>I am also making the old compost loo room into a shower room. I found a shower base by the rubbish bins and that triggered me into action. I have cobbed it in and now I just need to finish the plumbing.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEipoD8inUYHm8vfkYbsM5y2GjTAzAtgFCuHdnRsZxd80AHrFJZEVAHJTS-EpMLlBTQADXqcfq3Yku95D1sXlql_fxa2UsUwhbMrAKl2Qok6j515uQ1VcxbHtRu19Ddf9CdwZV0BJgQVPRZk1ESjWwkwIKCDpkdQoE4Hr30KmWFpG8pMe8_NakhjcWxC=s2560" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1184" data-original-width="2560" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEipoD8inUYHm8vfkYbsM5y2GjTAzAtgFCuHdnRsZxd80AHrFJZEVAHJTS-EpMLlBTQADXqcfq3Yku95D1sXlql_fxa2UsUwhbMrAKl2Qok6j515uQ1VcxbHtRu19Ddf9CdwZV0BJgQVPRZk1ESjWwkwIKCDpkdQoE4Hr30KmWFpG8pMe8_NakhjcWxC=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p>I think the oldest guinea pig has gone... She was much older than the normal lifespan of a gp, and she had a lovely life. I miss her.</p><p>So now it's the beginning of spring. We hardly had winter. Very little rain, which is worrying. But everything is beginning to burst into bloom. </p><p>Such an exciting time of year. I have prepared a few beds and sewn some rocket and carrots. (Always the optimist). Let's see what happens. With the price of fuel going up so much I may not be travelling far in my van, but this is such a beautiful country I can mooch around locally.<br /></p><p><br /></p>veronicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014627398376882098noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744394821192724673.post-88855525843655271502021-10-05T14:59:00.000+01:002021-10-05T14:59:24.164+01:00<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68-OntxDzN3MrRlcxRV9oLeRwIrLcWphPL9uxJlGtSjz210K7cZJvaYAi3u-1s2k4OGZ7ho0b7eM0R5TwkzYYHf5cQZtuQsjyHHZ5sZ6WpKyWoWGv3XUdsNAokn1hsUosVYCqZtlUYik/s4128/20210911_131629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68-OntxDzN3MrRlcxRV9oLeRwIrLcWphPL9uxJlGtSjz210K7cZJvaYAi3u-1s2k4OGZ7ho0b7eM0R5TwkzYYHf5cQZtuQsjyHHZ5sZ6WpKyWoWGv3XUdsNAokn1hsUosVYCqZtlUYik/s320/20210911_131629.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I went with my daughter and granddaughters to visit Sintra. It is a dreamy place.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjacdROs1Leo5S3YPaCLXgEobvvHVcZDURZSwl5z8RRSFl8QvH0zZFkLsV2271HbPT7F4mJ_sCTAITfWa8aQs4TLvwMN1wb8b8rnKg4w9lEGgS-37b-k0Vex8n43PLVlFGBx-dLPUeoV_8/s4128/20210911_103742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjacdROs1Leo5S3YPaCLXgEobvvHVcZDURZSwl5z8RRSFl8QvH0zZFkLsV2271HbPT7F4mJ_sCTAITfWa8aQs4TLvwMN1wb8b8rnKg4w9lEGgS-37b-k0Vex8n43PLVlFGBx-dLPUeoV_8/s320/20210911_103742.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4_zEmc610HhhI_N2ZBQ_bclWyrHLDjT9mMguMdKaMKZpp-k2EVaFGrnPD2oOrGQuZqBFYO9ZWY5o0IXlaqhTDKmIu5hIUWdr6JvUPhHFVEr3q4SeDi9iK4ebPASgNsPtOOIcyPyAcoXw/s2576/20210911_125558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2576" data-original-width="1932" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4_zEmc610HhhI_N2ZBQ_bclWyrHLDjT9mMguMdKaMKZpp-k2EVaFGrnPD2oOrGQuZqBFYO9ZWY5o0IXlaqhTDKmIu5hIUWdr6JvUPhHFVEr3q4SeDi9iK4ebPASgNsPtOOIcyPyAcoXw/s320/20210911_125558.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoBRm4FU2JXYYNdc-FGnvvMbbntcuALvLz9ct4AyBt9uX7hhlAJGmhW8jF7qrf2mk41K0Y7WBh1eUGFGzrmujpLRRbnHCLamDRnLosNNVdhcav1QiZ1dDu2ETS2ZprMrwbn9-HVEtwXqs/s4128/20210911_130021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoBRm4FU2JXYYNdc-FGnvvMbbntcuALvLz9ct4AyBt9uX7hhlAJGmhW8jF7qrf2mk41K0Y7WBh1eUGFGzrmujpLRRbnHCLamDRnLosNNVdhcav1QiZ1dDu2ETS2ZprMrwbn9-HVEtwXqs/s320/20210911_130021.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>There's so much to see. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNChkJIh57jn-zX0-_WNLwKxnlRYqiAoyK5bIYm6lzY-qNxAJq9VagdQiJUJZM7XAfJZLbj8utLi89d1abc83mXGA80Tl3TtQZnFnIBLR5CLleTCOhZLit9TDlhKS6Hp8l36LlDefaimg/s4128/20210922_104755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNChkJIh57jn-zX0-_WNLwKxnlRYqiAoyK5bIYm6lzY-qNxAJq9VagdQiJUJZM7XAfJZLbj8utLi89d1abc83mXGA80Tl3TtQZnFnIBLR5CLleTCOhZLit9TDlhKS6Hp8l36LlDefaimg/s320/20210922_104755.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKFYii06ODm_mLX5xv9nwuEM3Y6ktMJ7A23LJpQv0kkkWoXokVJg4exDODFMWDm5oqq5ggfu1WMbVvgB-p2gw96vHtn14TwqvggWdTWjq47eh6A99yEVX812Cd1KzJtEN5QEC0H1eDtOE/s4128/20210922_104822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKFYii06ODm_mLX5xv9nwuEM3Y6ktMJ7A23LJpQv0kkkWoXokVJg4exDODFMWDm5oqq5ggfu1WMbVvgB-p2gw96vHtn14TwqvggWdTWjq47eh6A99yEVX812Cd1KzJtEN5QEC0H1eDtOE/s320/20210922_104822.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p><br />The new loo, which I've decided to use as an undercover wood store, so one doesn't get wet getting logs. Let's hope we get some rain. It's been so dry.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3dnzAhLDkxA5K3VEbh0eiRUpGGOQ0aA8iGM2UBX4zQCMk0tZR9us9XwgCkkM9anCTwaVT2EtPvB9VBzWCwYI-5GlPVkmkcmd4Uxp3jYqkz7pDuJCpePhstCadFlsNqIrqDWE0i5pecDg/s2576/20211002_171958.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1932" data-original-width="2576" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3dnzAhLDkxA5K3VEbh0eiRUpGGOQ0aA8iGM2UBX4zQCMk0tZR9us9XwgCkkM9anCTwaVT2EtPvB9VBzWCwYI-5GlPVkmkcmd4Uxp3jYqkz7pDuJCpePhstCadFlsNqIrqDWE0i5pecDg/s320/20211002_171958.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>That's the news. Oh, and I've got a cold. Lots of sniffing and sneezing. Staying at home. I put in a few rows of garlic and some sprouted potatoes. Pray for rain.<br /></p>veronicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014627398376882098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744394821192724673.post-77478070623156567142021-08-19T20:58:00.000+01:002021-08-19T20:58:00.150+01:00It's Been a While...<p> August is half way through and it's been VERY hot. I've been like an old trout in a deep bend in the river, lurking. Today it felt different. The poplar trees are going yellow and falling to the ground. The fig trees are also thinking they've had enough. It's still hot but not so hot!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVugkouoF5bM4e2jA4YTLNth-Z5Z86SWRnlnpF9FCR4-EB0BG9mnWdAksSEZi1lx8KjiZjBAyridVVxQAXR7N0Du1iATawj-uw4Kxt9LlwVWtQjebMpEXKH15ZdP1AHZCM7D7On9q66pM/s4128/20210808_150317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVugkouoF5bM4e2jA4YTLNth-Z5Z86SWRnlnpF9FCR4-EB0BG9mnWdAksSEZi1lx8KjiZjBAyridVVxQAXR7N0Du1iATawj-uw4Kxt9LlwVWtQjebMpEXKH15ZdP1AHZCM7D7On9q66pM/s320/20210808_150317.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>The Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are almost ready.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo5CehWLRzZjDIa1TarF3I4vPf92jhMOBB1k8YFdl4VP7M3BL13cnTfeIB5k7f6mlF0dqNl2WP4p58d7HBpfxPsFOdoKGWXAlO3rjbCS6A74kSZEZbW5L2H_xsyqKmDxO5I8ZvF7UF6mw/s4128/20210811_095028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo5CehWLRzZjDIa1TarF3I4vPf92jhMOBB1k8YFdl4VP7M3BL13cnTfeIB5k7f6mlF0dqNl2WP4p58d7HBpfxPsFOdoKGWXAlO3rjbCS6A74kSZEZbW5L2H_xsyqKmDxO5I8ZvF7UF6mw/s320/20210811_095028.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Oh, and what's this??? It looks like mud! Yes, I couldn't resist a wee dabble. I've decided to build a shower room next to the compost loo. One mix a day before it gets too hot. It's nearly done. Then I have to figure out the roof.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiankwiQgMwVhy-WqD6XUI68WHXvHatRGilEddZVEbqDj9ks803-NtVjRiKsYyqna_oFyIF0JNbwlBfTgSc0fQMN7ayWnodfRJRv5KclpFm0KX3xo-gVyhWZnSg0p2hpW7p4Wg7o3NL84/s4128/20210817_110951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiankwiQgMwVhy-WqD6XUI68WHXvHatRGilEddZVEbqDj9ks803-NtVjRiKsYyqna_oFyIF0JNbwlBfTgSc0fQMN7ayWnodfRJRv5KclpFm0KX3xo-gVyhWZnSg0p2hpW7p4Wg7o3NL84/s320/20210817_110951.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>The walls are quite thin but strong. It will do fine!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQFoY4J27LcM0vE3YLgc9j6fvTGjMe1_NzNQxWcfwZ3I_drLB1vXhlElojoVzFZS2PslXTTocdQfyS9v7NkcGqpATSwOx5iDrhjaMV04OsBE0KIKa-rgNFZxYhwaJjNWXtJ4GEvINMMvI/s4128/20210813_084936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQFoY4J27LcM0vE3YLgc9j6fvTGjMe1_NzNQxWcfwZ3I_drLB1vXhlElojoVzFZS2PslXTTocdQfyS9v7NkcGqpATSwOx5iDrhjaMV04OsBE0KIKa-rgNFZxYhwaJjNWXtJ4GEvINMMvI/s320/20210813_084936.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>Good book came in the post. Full of scary stuff.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlu-XlmEYrTk5MOepMSNP7MTkGCQIeZBk1Em1NSAYij_bYDKc4pmBrZDHQlEHWGRLssKHwBlu4yiq5hDTIXgJyb4BPGf9RNMu-epmlxgrFe2FyyOrzQTXFVD_HPLKMzRBWF2IzghI0EQI/s4128/20210714_112209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlu-XlmEYrTk5MOepMSNP7MTkGCQIeZBk1Em1NSAYij_bYDKc4pmBrZDHQlEHWGRLssKHwBlu4yiq5hDTIXgJyb4BPGf9RNMu-epmlxgrFe2FyyOrzQTXFVD_HPLKMzRBWF2IzghI0EQI/s320/20210714_112209.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>The guinea pigs are finding it a bit hot, too. They burrow deep into the straw and sleep.</p><p> The vegetable garden is rubbish.... well, one bed is brilliant because I used a whole compost heap of compost on it and planted sweet corn and melons and water it copiously. The rest is over. Swiss chard just keeps on.</p><p>So that's how it is in August.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-yUyYbTPJtiFMw2XU2bwt2jSBlwHJO9rols08UU3rf8rkyNxYiCUlzKT4VmTvNZi5QnjhnN-KIxgWb1HwY2_OAMgPBOCL9KVlwK03A5W2pQ_dyoU2tmOrkLBWFzTjHNBDCWeFtvjWbdE/s4128/20210815_094851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-yUyYbTPJtiFMw2XU2bwt2jSBlwHJO9rols08UU3rf8rkyNxYiCUlzKT4VmTvNZi5QnjhnN-KIxgWb1HwY2_OAMgPBOCL9KVlwK03A5W2pQ_dyoU2tmOrkLBWFzTjHNBDCWeFtvjWbdE/s320/20210815_094851.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>veronicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014627398376882098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744394821192724673.post-40224066201781812042021-06-30T15:39:00.003+01:002021-07-01T10:25:54.520+01:00June is fast fading. <p> For some reason (or for many reasons) I have been a bit 'doon in the mooth', as they say... I've spent a lot of time alone in my garden and house. I love it. My refuge from the world.</p><p>I did a few home improvements and lots of spinning and knitting.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh07_l_Y4_L3fiYjqvzUuHUVIqrdM1IG03iWBeAtgYDqWmBF5UDMOcNC_GhnJCzSZik6Fm2vvrfevTZLIH8cicsRUyW96B8cMICdeZR3wkwrtuMf5KrYlAZVKQqCGa3W1Jpk9u1ipnyLaQ/s4128/20210623_125315.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh07_l_Y4_L3fiYjqvzUuHUVIqrdM1IG03iWBeAtgYDqWmBF5UDMOcNC_GhnJCzSZik6Fm2vvrfevTZLIH8cicsRUyW96B8cMICdeZR3wkwrtuMf5KrYlAZVKQqCGa3W1Jpk9u1ipnyLaQ/s320/20210623_125315.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I had a bit of broken marble which I made into a surface beside the cooker. Very simple and satisfying.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ5lxHUgVKetoM4OXCBSvPLzpSRfFCDI0FGkwBZL-wnydI4qrc5uWuKzut7Kyp7pX2wlCRwr5pWMAUlUn6mVFp57xL7kuXA-PE9A2fQAyj7FUnuIPwmNTCDmw2GGqbc6NlTDXoZirgYLE/s4128/20210625_164059.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ5lxHUgVKetoM4OXCBSvPLzpSRfFCDI0FGkwBZL-wnydI4qrc5uWuKzut7Kyp7pX2wlCRwr5pWMAUlUn6mVFp57xL7kuXA-PE9A2fQAyj7FUnuIPwmNTCDmw2GGqbc6NlTDXoZirgYLE/s320/20210625_164059.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The blanket. I had planned to make it bigger but it got quite heavy! So now it's just right for me on my bed.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9KuCI6BWLSEvjMKjkaQiv5PtqKkG__F_IFXJ3lkbQYV_pTSDNG4I_ghntwwyHxWTsRqx-omEoH_5YcxkCVBGUVyJYEjyqCDyx3Cm9Sc20Y0mPz9hcpvR3v__ZErj346iAIkOZC98XITg/s4128/20210626_145834.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9KuCI6BWLSEvjMKjkaQiv5PtqKkG__F_IFXJ3lkbQYV_pTSDNG4I_ghntwwyHxWTsRqx-omEoH_5YcxkCVBGUVyJYEjyqCDyx3Cm9Sc20Y0mPz9hcpvR3v__ZErj346iAIkOZC98XITg/s320/20210626_145834.jpg" /></a></div>On a visit to a beach I saw these sea hollies. I love their blue green leaves.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7YNdJrHrATj5zywchJUmMpgxWdr2mqYGpwjRlzOHe8AL39-ON3HwxrYom7yHlRc4isbOkULPgP1VHYQFYudm1ve36UaHgfS4cd_d4QdjR2VcpCTFhuAILJjaHdag9MRQlBV104BxRX1k/s2576/20210628_181502.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1932" data-original-width="2576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7YNdJrHrATj5zywchJUmMpgxWdr2mqYGpwjRlzOHe8AL39-ON3HwxrYom7yHlRc4isbOkULPgP1VHYQFYudm1ve36UaHgfS4cd_d4QdjR2VcpCTFhuAILJjaHdag9MRQlBV104BxRX1k/s320/20210628_181502.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>My sunny kitchen.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFNIFfM46jju1dCFjXYt5WSv252CKQ0VRfniJ2YrI1fT4JI0sxEjGfe7PublJKHfk_vJvGkVLRINTKNMFEENt_qB6IuTx1PZUKdlgA9hyphenhyphen_6oE5fIsFhtry8Xm97kfTALumT0b0IWxQqeE/s4128/20210628_181416.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFNIFfM46jju1dCFjXYt5WSv252CKQ0VRfniJ2YrI1fT4JI0sxEjGfe7PublJKHfk_vJvGkVLRINTKNMFEENt_qB6IuTx1PZUKdlgA9hyphenhyphen_6oE5fIsFhtry8Xm97kfTALumT0b0IWxQqeE/s320/20210628_181416.jpg" /></a></div><p>A bouquet from the garden.</p><p>This summer hasn't been too hot, so far. I am grateful. Tomatoes are ripening and pumpkins are swelling. Beans hang from their vines. Courgettes get picked before they get too big. I'm not growing a lot of stuff as the watering becomes a chore and I'm not in the mood for chores!<br /></p><p><br /></p>veronicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014627398376882098noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744394821192724673.post-43931226636569536872021-05-19T20:28:00.000+01:002021-05-19T20:28:55.316+01:00Heaven is Now<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLItsp6kn0yIjAX8rVA-0IyYJ3amQxpc2_jrqZ88eJBs2awjPgYBB6rO2Lt6YyTVQPpg30D1REOQVtpLqCieJqs-kbAdQOTvUpLx5xdM4vMCuLitcHfawJTMCG6twqNbceOOez9dVE3JU/s4128/20210513_085354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLItsp6kn0yIjAX8rVA-0IyYJ3amQxpc2_jrqZ88eJBs2awjPgYBB6rO2Lt6YyTVQPpg30D1REOQVtpLqCieJqs-kbAdQOTvUpLx5xdM4vMCuLitcHfawJTMCG6twqNbceOOez9dVE3JU/s320/20210513_085354.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The jasmine and vines are now in full bloom and much else besides. So many roses! The magnolia will be flowering soon.<p></p><p>I made a stone wall and a raised bed for tomatoes, peppers and basil seedlings. That was fun. It is for my neighbours.<br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH7GsamYyWm-rkPnd0Dfy5r7x03JwnUdza70cDi-P6dCEwtm_Kp6-lhyphenhyphenoeD6f4w7gvEYzqcsa7Ta0dO2NbDoEfxA0cohjtLqUeUHhKBcZ7d4q6aDvqEsTVfucofCiNcNqtqfny40oEqV8/s4128/20210506_120958.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH7GsamYyWm-rkPnd0Dfy5r7x03JwnUdza70cDi-P6dCEwtm_Kp6-lhyphenhyphenoeD6f4w7gvEYzqcsa7Ta0dO2NbDoEfxA0cohjtLqUeUHhKBcZ7d4q6aDvqEsTVfucofCiNcNqtqfny40oEqV8/s320/20210506_120958.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>I painted the big window in the sitting room and got rid of the big table which I usually dumped stuff on. I think it's an improvement. </p><p><br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5jhJeYGIRxasGNDBDAU4oOayhoJZ3htyslKoJW5gVYItZ3fcS5FfmTv6H6XBjnuzrNEvOrvcW7J_XyePYI6h_VF-czG3lPv8JWpsWPsq-wwhzZOThMkrUdvdf3_Zcb0Nnwj80JkocFkE/s4128/20210427_153509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5jhJeYGIRxasGNDBDAU4oOayhoJZ3htyslKoJW5gVYItZ3fcS5FfmTv6H6XBjnuzrNEvOrvcW7J_XyePYI6h_VF-czG3lPv8JWpsWPsq-wwhzZOThMkrUdvdf3_Zcb0Nnwj80JkocFkE/s320/20210427_153509.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZO2AHOv0sPnOSNwoXb0if3XKIEqh3Zcb5dfluINgcBSdvBRCikx5cllu-bFGVLRfzuoDLmoSf5x-tw6D9PZ3ieCvcfNhkBAXXJwXAg6uId3PIAGUb4KVsQ77ercu8-sVoEQmsLglBcqA/s2576/20210420_182118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2576" data-original-width="1932" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZO2AHOv0sPnOSNwoXb0if3XKIEqh3Zcb5dfluINgcBSdvBRCikx5cllu-bFGVLRfzuoDLmoSf5x-tw6D9PZ3ieCvcfNhkBAXXJwXAg6uId3PIAGUb4KVsQ77ercu8-sVoEQmsLglBcqA/s320/20210420_182118.jpg" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfmf32NPLg1U_FKURC8pgyTAoDvBc8xPVXgPlPD6bFtri2jKZF-fWd4RoM5Rj8i1v1a9-qf4OaeSZMQ147MqcNE1Z4vRX0-llrkng6dOsmHviCTSsEQcp3k2Yecp8Ht0cSYaWAksxBp4g/s4128/20210506_155452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfmf32NPLg1U_FKURC8pgyTAoDvBc8xPVXgPlPD6bFtri2jKZF-fWd4RoM5Rj8i1v1a9-qf4OaeSZMQ147MqcNE1Z4vRX0-llrkng6dOsmHviCTSsEQcp3k2Yecp8Ht0cSYaWAksxBp4g/s320/20210506_155452.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiprTncV0GU-m-P29EJQIH3O4Zwdo7fo52bKBFGX_1BTFw1qMUDoun89ailu4HGn6hboHAl6W9dSyxDmGAf6dei4luf6_Vt_gnozUP0UT8xOz1WqDbifCftEDKkkSt0Sz9jnS3NLYx378A/s4128/20210511_130506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiprTncV0GU-m-P29EJQIH3O4Zwdo7fo52bKBFGX_1BTFw1qMUDoun89ailu4HGn6hboHAl6W9dSyxDmGAf6dei4luf6_Vt_gnozUP0UT8xOz1WqDbifCftEDKkkSt0Sz9jnS3NLYx378A/s320/20210511_130506.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div>The chickens love to eat the blossoms of the jasmine. As soon as they come out of their pen in the morning they run to the climber and jump up and snap off the flowers. <p></p><p>I would say life is pretty sweet right now. I harvested the garlic. Some of the bulbs are as big as my fist! The onions also did well. Broad beans a-plenty. Peas almost ready. Carrots coming. Potatoes flowering. Tomatoes beginning to fruit. Like I say, pretty sweet.<br /> </p>veronicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014627398376882098noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744394821192724673.post-85424045472783444622021-04-21T18:39:00.000+01:002021-04-21T18:39:47.211+01:00April Showers<p> The land is so green! The trees are all in full leaf and the grass grows as fast as I cut it. I have a retired cockerel come to hang out with three young chickens. He is perfect. Very calm and very beautiful.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtXeHGPLDi4IKRh8IPVcTxjwwwIFCmGMFHzMasIQHbLlQJbDt1JJ0Ucw4mY08PbaJn8-zXI6kJKZV3wrt8_Uc_nnXiFtb34K-_yEsvXhIOj2uthoaRTSqSvrLVoQkj0Gk_dN-_YhmBYNA/s4128/20210419_123735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtXeHGPLDi4IKRh8IPVcTxjwwwIFCmGMFHzMasIQHbLlQJbDt1JJ0Ucw4mY08PbaJn8-zXI6kJKZV3wrt8_Uc_nnXiFtb34K-_yEsvXhIOj2uthoaRTSqSvrLVoQkj0Gk_dN-_YhmBYNA/s320/20210419_123735.jpg" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFK_JNgHsToP8N6s2l4Lh4gC3nzTD048GWiEy2ASfXYxAjG1OGuDSazMgxUgOM14DMmzOJdDdVPRDFV7WeZ_rqk4uZiw-zDlW3U2_1B8DkYR9d02wMn32o2UCqr2AUpwTumoDXoP4f2jo/s4128/20210419_090815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFK_JNgHsToP8N6s2l4Lh4gC3nzTD048GWiEy2ASfXYxAjG1OGuDSazMgxUgOM14DMmzOJdDdVPRDFV7WeZ_rqk4uZiw-zDlW3U2_1B8DkYR9d02wMn32o2UCqr2AUpwTumoDXoP4f2jo/s320/20210419_090815.jpg" /></a></div>Bonnie sits on her favourite bench.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmMR9mBxf6ePS8k9Pr1rDaQ5FRXO2GTSkuy3Onln7JKGogzB0XQUEGfVN-JO23tYs9auFfdISLONOJyAxt8pCw_n_E9Inf6O0CXD3mhk1aDDxEKKPE98DzRUFhW9Ow6cYa-78qKS-2Ul0/s4128/20210417_125257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmMR9mBxf6ePS8k9Pr1rDaQ5FRXO2GTSkuy3Onln7JKGogzB0XQUEGfVN-JO23tYs9auFfdISLONOJyAxt8pCw_n_E9Inf6O0CXD3mhk1aDDxEKKPE98DzRUFhW9Ow6cYa-78qKS-2Ul0/s320/20210417_125257.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>A birthday party on the beach.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwkZtFSR_-4MQvP6_t2DPs4OsrSqaiysYfS70OQe0yaL4rkoWq8k35kmny_b-849U0O0h86yms4pT0ogtWnfoyNzyp7I_8AzAkWwSyoLNlfhe_WTBFV8vWAbraIngFl_-PoC3zltVJc4w/s4128/20210317_131233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwkZtFSR_-4MQvP6_t2DPs4OsrSqaiysYfS70OQe0yaL4rkoWq8k35kmny_b-849U0O0h86yms4pT0ogtWnfoyNzyp7I_8AzAkWwSyoLNlfhe_WTBFV8vWAbraIngFl_-PoC3zltVJc4w/s320/20210317_131233.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Some progress in Cob<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGwbF_zWhZqIk5CJmtsT6G0JxhF7N7NNpW5QJz3n4ipb9xbkhjiRikifMn3C77dhb-bWT9SHXhM8xfhLsTIYxANlBV7Td5CiYB9pHoafLkpz1KsUSv5b5lq2aecDs4QsUeMQzo97q2-vo/s4128/20210311_082417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGwbF_zWhZqIk5CJmtsT6G0JxhF7N7NNpW5QJz3n4ipb9xbkhjiRikifMn3C77dhb-bWT9SHXhM8xfhLsTIYxANlBV7Td5CiYB9pHoafLkpz1KsUSv5b5lq2aecDs4QsUeMQzo97q2-vo/s320/20210311_082417.jpg" /></a></div>A sketch of my bedroom.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQ-RQNxO_WOR__PwPpGj8_K0xMmDxuNZ90g-v9Kp1JTvqHvmhbz-PVZkvQYzQTQDK3OZSRb_BSqgyZCrHYFZ3WLbuhaSHgeed3Cv2pbGwZ9jymTBexHbC3GIFxH4Kb-EcGhj-JTrMjOQ/s4128/20210419_090431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQ-RQNxO_WOR__PwPpGj8_K0xMmDxuNZ90g-v9Kp1JTvqHvmhbz-PVZkvQYzQTQDK3OZSRb_BSqgyZCrHYFZ3WLbuhaSHgeed3Cv2pbGwZ9jymTBexHbC3GIFxH4Kb-EcGhj-JTrMjOQ/s320/20210419_090431.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The delightful donkeys next door.<p></p><p>The garden is beginning to look quite good. Onions and favas are ready. The garlic looks huge. Strawberries are ripening but not very sweet yet. They need a touch more heat. Lettuce is ready. And so it goes. I can sit by my pond and listen to life around me. Nightingales, cuckoos, doves, frogs, crickets, chickens. Donkeys bray nearby. There are also chainsaws and diggers and tractors but they go away, thank goodness.<br /></p>veronicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014627398376882098noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744394821192724673.post-65323907961890561022021-03-05T17:05:00.000+00:002021-03-05T17:05:05.207+00:00A quick catch-up. The Lowdown on Lock Down<p> And so on it goes. Most of this year we have been in lock down and I am so grateful to have the garden and my home to enjoy. It got really cold and some of my plants have suffered from frost, but I had a good fire going and was cosy. Then the rain which kind of keeps one in anyway. I even did some oil painting which I really enjoy even if the results are ... well, it's therapeutic!</p><p>My granddaughters haven't been able to go to school or playgroup and I think that's very hard for them. Even the local playground is out of bounds. No children are seen in the village. They are all indoors doing remote schooling via computer. I take the younger ones for walks around the lanes, observing the signs of spring and finding fairies!<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXuhYehfsiqvlPaCXrtMxPHPdVOlUR9jBXbXqUW_6HTvTe3LzD3BT95fbFWQW5N0Jdj7TgGmZriJxsnEB8axnd1WjfkT9qUjXXXSX8zZIEoixCKVRYL1DLRaAztz0YyOzisbhW0bNI3Fs/s4128/20210223_170749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXuhYehfsiqvlPaCXrtMxPHPdVOlUR9jBXbXqUW_6HTvTe3LzD3BT95fbFWQW5N0Jdj7TgGmZriJxsnEB8axnd1WjfkT9qUjXXXSX8zZIEoixCKVRYL1DLRaAztz0YyOzisbhW0bNI3Fs/s320/20210223_170749.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>We have had more rain which is a blessing after the years of drought. Still not the same amount that used to pour out of the sky when I first arrived. 24 years ago it rained nearly every day for 5 months! It was very muddy and my youngest son learned to say 'deep' standing in a puddle with the water pouring over his wellies!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3KlJbcTzGKYdm58vxLBuAyP2lg0PRfBXdSYvDlyxjzY7vT7FhF4umbKua0RMdDhYufmQb894FdI0yChFs36ZmvSfB0wvwS2vgdSCx2tubCHrZBtYLq_rUMjlF92OvCxMUpNeih9QrjVY/s4128/20210223_140008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3KlJbcTzGKYdm58vxLBuAyP2lg0PRfBXdSYvDlyxjzY7vT7FhF4umbKua0RMdDhYufmQb894FdI0yChFs36ZmvSfB0wvwS2vgdSCx2tubCHrZBtYLq_rUMjlF92OvCxMUpNeih9QrjVY/s320/20210223_140008.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>The land is everywhere green and lush with chamomile, including my roofs. The garden has been dug over and some vegetables have been sown, but the slugs and snails have been voracious and sometimes I feel like quitting the whole b*****y thing! But I don't. I put cuttings into pots and they either make it or not. Usually they do.</p><p>The little pond is still a delight. It has a tiny solar fountain which keeps the surface rippling. There are at least six frogs living in it and the little fish.</p><p>I am helping a friend to build his own cob castle. I find it so exciting that it is possible and massively satisfying to build with the clay soil from beneath our feet.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVI_ggNmGIpH5pg6477ky7wSu_HPfdSoreSLwAAzaAx7AUXAUGgeRfOCJGQ36ZQ-vBpvaCNutkM-XTRRD20b7G1MNbGVpY9TT_HxTrgXCvqO-gKCnX0Wvjymi0beKBoXyF1h6sIASTn7U/s4128/20210303_131246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVI_ggNmGIpH5pg6477ky7wSu_HPfdSoreSLwAAzaAx7AUXAUGgeRfOCJGQ36ZQ-vBpvaCNutkM-XTRRD20b7G1MNbGVpY9TT_HxTrgXCvqO-gKCnX0Wvjymi0beKBoXyF1h6sIASTn7U/s320/20210303_131246.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn32C8JrJTdRHeuJVmFYoF9hBNzcVbg43u4b7ruCLpuw2ASE2lS642efxEr6LnLrSkUYUNB3abX5yGXJoqy2qfQRx-GoUKxDtT5WIdW4JJZW_uc69aI1qXvVzdAaxtZRp8oiDhBPThbws/s4128/20210219_133315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn32C8JrJTdRHeuJVmFYoF9hBNzcVbg43u4b7ruCLpuw2ASE2lS642efxEr6LnLrSkUYUNB3abX5yGXJoqy2qfQRx-GoUKxDtT5WIdW4JJZW_uc69aI1qXvVzdAaxtZRp8oiDhBPThbws/s320/20210219_133315.jpg" /></a></div>The guinea pigs are doing well. Baby Jesus is almost as big as the adults. He scoots about very quickly and is very shy. I say 'he' but I don't know if he's a boy or a girl! They follow me into the garden squealing delightfully, knowing I will pull some long grass and dandelion leaves for them. I thought the cats were becoming too interested in them but it turns out that mice have started to nest under their straw so that they can eat the left over seeds of their food...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjD4-CGF6RrskJFks9vIteRVHat1CixFgyWvh1w8JAMvKxORIE_r9eAODnzBWKVwoHCSCymcPY1fpKPl91Ed0XabWkca4Z3IYXgUFEQspKEFZR5XRAIjtCM58qrEhn3Fb0vLrlZTgV4PA/s4128/20210219_134406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjD4-CGF6RrskJFks9vIteRVHat1CixFgyWvh1w8JAMvKxORIE_r9eAODnzBWKVwoHCSCymcPY1fpKPl91Ed0XabWkca4Z3IYXgUFEQspKEFZR5XRAIjtCM58qrEhn3Fb0vLrlZTgV4PA/s320/20210219_134406.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>All the fruit trees are beginning to blossom. Who cannot be thrilled by the sight? Let's hope for a gentle easing into spring and an easing of the lock down. I miss the cafe culture!<br />veronicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014627398376882098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744394821192724673.post-34457497513378328422020-12-29T17:07:00.000+00:002020-12-29T17:07:27.742+00:00Good Bye 2020<p> It's been quite a year. Plenty of time to think about lifestyle and aims and ambitions. Plenty of time to do handy works and enjoy the views. After the outbreak of fear mongering news reports I felt a kind of peace at being obliged to stay at home. I know I am fortunate in my choice of home. I got used to wearing a mask (more or less, it will never feel normal) when in the shops. My granddaughters missed about 6 months of school. My daughter made life-changing decisions. Dear Johnny died, but not of the deadly virus.</p><p>It was a very hot dry summer and autumn but then, finally the rain came! Hooray! The kind of rain that actually makes a difference. Now all the hillsides are green and the slugs and snails are on a wave of indulgence. I've given up trying to grow brassicas until after the winter... </p><p>The guinea pigs are still free and surviving. I got another one from a local lady and then, just before Christmas I saw this tiny little guinea pig running about. Baby Jesus! So now I have four. They are so sweet.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJuNEvs-PdSfLTgU3DgojH5BQbVICrasJEiwAdDjvLgQTWbSvoxq8fd4OP-1wy_rwZqGDslma2nu47DeL4AFrtu-kdDGgCCS8aYX7KXMx2bymw6aizREMsRtmuCwOaeszsf2sjLO9uBLQ/s4128/20201223_084054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJuNEvs-PdSfLTgU3DgojH5BQbVICrasJEiwAdDjvLgQTWbSvoxq8fd4OP-1wy_rwZqGDslma2nu47DeL4AFrtu-kdDGgCCS8aYX7KXMx2bymw6aizREMsRtmuCwOaeszsf2sjLO9uBLQ/s320/20201223_084054.jpg" /></a></div>I have started to plaster my kitchen/bedroom as I think, although it works, it's a bit rough. So with a fine mixture of sieved earth and donkey poo I made a beautiful plaster and began to apply it. Now I need the 4m ladder to reach the high spots, so I've put that on hold. It's very tricky above the stairs... but what I have done looks really nice.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQmc_c8CNL-2mG2Ac7senxKEPJf9i6q4rRzLKAvZR4I9bpRp3EkRerlhFUck1ue1XnbfyTdTj8vtMxnetraEgLI9GmR-YXkXSmcOi-LMzz4x7dRLyICdWNR1Bq8RpzcLN-92IODkj5jFk/s4128/20201206_144349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQmc_c8CNL-2mG2Ac7senxKEPJf9i6q4rRzLKAvZR4I9bpRp3EkRerlhFUck1ue1XnbfyTdTj8vtMxnetraEgLI9GmR-YXkXSmcOi-LMzz4x7dRLyICdWNR1Bq8RpzcLN-92IODkj5jFk/s320/20201206_144349.jpg" /></a></div>After wanting a plate rack for years and struggling with how to buy or build one myself (carpentry not being my forte) I suddenly had a brainwave and built one into the clay shelves.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdN-CH0SPks5IeJ8TVhzYdOGCwLWtPwTY3firOgbpN8KISneXDzIbxCpidY_uYf3CasRPHWgE-idGoZ2ZOC3iKwXmMnVmms-tixQ9CiewNejctfzhxdPY9DDU-NRcuZZxPS2KGkFSYh5U/s4128/20201129_144316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdN-CH0SPks5IeJ8TVhzYdOGCwLWtPwTY3firOgbpN8KISneXDzIbxCpidY_uYf3CasRPHWgE-idGoZ2ZOC3iKwXmMnVmms-tixQ9CiewNejctfzhxdPY9DDU-NRcuZZxPS2KGkFSYh5U/s320/20201129_144316.jpg" /></a></div>My seven-year old granddaughter has just learnt to knit so I feel very happy for her. My father knew how to knit and crochet. When we were kids we were always asking him to make dresses for our trolls! It's a great skill for all ages and gender.<br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdDCqDsPg4D7eRgDiz0DvFzMuW8hwRvMq0T7adb299sf04n8RJvd4lAdM6yj0ddTQiOcXRkFHTmKln3IqnCNqgkv2V2Dz1VnxfoUdkzH41B1B8N_BAK30e4okjfDEdhKjQlKGrlFMEomY/s4128/20201229_082645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdDCqDsPg4D7eRgDiz0DvFzMuW8hwRvMq0T7adb299sf04n8RJvd4lAdM6yj0ddTQiOcXRkFHTmKln3IqnCNqgkv2V2Dz1VnxfoUdkzH41B1B8N_BAK30e4okjfDEdhKjQlKGrlFMEomY/s320/20201229_082645.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLQBBgGP7pDzdko-8b_rmxIfZK2WPBUeMoNOnyJbbgneNcE7tAWw0NohCV9_MbJYTLJibLZGrgbvWxiAZuEx5L-Feycduxz-NXfiDt2GhKztX1QCKFG4cv3f6kdTod-0Uc4t6D8B-TN08/s4128/20201225_093156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLQBBgGP7pDzdko-8b_rmxIfZK2WPBUeMoNOnyJbbgneNcE7tAWw0NohCV9_MbJYTLJibLZGrgbvWxiAZuEx5L-Feycduxz-NXfiDt2GhKztX1QCKFG4cv3f6kdTod-0Uc4t6D8B-TN08/s320/20201225_093156.jpg" /></a></div>I love how my house blends into the landscape. The roof is full of grass and some nasturtium leaves are growing up there, too, so there may be a riot of colourful flowers in the spring. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgziquTAWu8EGxonUvlaPI6KzfOIMK8S7GNEhHygEC9I5BM0NW6jzxNGzmkrFuEAE0f0vo8IQQFvtpPPy0jODZ1G2hqBNQRQUdLOIV9xZNv4kXziqnDVZwmu7YhcwcXx9UACuaxEamiYeY/s2608/20201225_093319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2608" data-original-width="1956" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgziquTAWu8EGxonUvlaPI6KzfOIMK8S7GNEhHygEC9I5BM0NW6jzxNGzmkrFuEAE0f0vo8IQQFvtpPPy0jODZ1G2hqBNQRQUdLOIV9xZNv4kXziqnDVZwmu7YhcwcXx9UACuaxEamiYeY/s320/20201225_093319.jpg" /></a></div><p>I had my 63rd birthday and feel grateful for my life so far. Lovely friends and family and good health. I wish the same for everyone over the coming year.</p><p>Good bye 2020. Welcome 2021.<br /></p>veronicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014627398376882098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744394821192724673.post-73844688986395561752020-11-02T21:20:00.004+00:002020-11-02T21:21:07.230+00:00Autumn Notes<p> I have spent the last few weeks digging out couch grass. Not every day! But there is a LOT of it. I guess it's because I took a year off gardening and tried no-dig as well. No-dig only works if you have perfect compost soil and not invasive weeds like couch which grows deep down and keeps coming back. So anyway, the soil is looking good and I put tons of the stuff, (the couch grass), on the roof. It makes a fine thatch.</p><p>We had a day of heavy rain when we got the tail end of storm Barbara, which really perked up the ground, but since then there's been hardly a drop. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7dPH1-hupgZrtYgcqZzlQJBkrtAmWDSdVWWD7b1UDjte07-buPdWS0k-_xarOc58CIdg1IJCTbvL3GOyy8XmbZrmknysTNHalzufWDL4g-oVWWRf277ND3351cO3tNndY7xrTBj5bEfs/s4000/P1000715_1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7dPH1-hupgZrtYgcqZzlQJBkrtAmWDSdVWWD7b1UDjte07-buPdWS0k-_xarOc58CIdg1IJCTbvL3GOyy8XmbZrmknysTNHalzufWDL4g-oVWWRf277ND3351cO3tNndY7xrTBj5bEfs/s320/P1000715_1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The view from the garden.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqal1YPAsObxfSz2mLV7y6NdvAyfUClO3zutMoT48gB2p6xRVL23uCO8xPwcNMwUfDz6MPPNZim3g65-ZPrqxN9CmcQB5GelKXdqMAXONcHdyZdhv0dC8AMqnYW5vOx-ny8fhEOOEfUY/s4000/P1000725.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqal1YPAsObxfSz2mLV7y6NdvAyfUClO3zutMoT48gB2p6xRVL23uCO8xPwcNMwUfDz6MPPNZim3g65-ZPrqxN9CmcQB5GelKXdqMAXONcHdyZdhv0dC8AMqnYW5vOx-ny8fhEOOEfUY/s320/P1000725.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>All ploughed and ready for rain...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzm_n_IVEfQalJ-MvNK5K2gYiNYjoGP50MfoR6D_b6qdU6FhJtq1S3Wfrp927ZT8tXmsEAZUm5xfWdYANdmGY_AN2YzyzNtSP3p_uBTjUZh6VcSwCVmbYJxP2GDDsSyJw_Pai7FbfxzZ4/s4000/P1000723.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzm_n_IVEfQalJ-MvNK5K2gYiNYjoGP50MfoR6D_b6qdU6FhJtq1S3Wfrp927ZT8tXmsEAZUm5xfWdYANdmGY_AN2YzyzNtSP3p_uBTjUZh6VcSwCVmbYJxP2GDDsSyJw_Pai7FbfxzZ4/s320/P1000723.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Old Rammed earth wall, maybe 70 years old. It's amazingly resilient stuff.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_t7N72uIQkkDIXLzcaz_HaURlw5zmsvrl1nfgxpE1_4QtDqojrXKocTHkFLdCT3LvwECdxoI_vGsQFCF3nS6brN3pl4Ol_iKUG8zTStOmT3Gx9u97O7JDY1bl40swTsxEuFZMZ6eOow/s4000/P1000708_1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_t7N72uIQkkDIXLzcaz_HaURlw5zmsvrl1nfgxpE1_4QtDqojrXKocTHkFLdCT3LvwECdxoI_vGsQFCF3nS6brN3pl4Ol_iKUG8zTStOmT3Gx9u97O7JDY1bl40swTsxEuFZMZ6eOow/s320/P1000708_1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Bonfire night!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1zk9ahRYJyzFZKlTwvNdMHM1oQHik-dqEryPb-S5A8smgS5LYPJ96oF7RcGDzny_NYi4OSoIM9lnhDBQ7m9vX1zJAkqBdORxST_MuWhO8SPBq_A133WFblDp-6WYTNGuTS-dD6-rZr_8/s4128/20201023_182203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1zk9ahRYJyzFZKlTwvNdMHM1oQHik-dqEryPb-S5A8smgS5LYPJ96oF7RcGDzny_NYi4OSoIM9lnhDBQ7m9vX1zJAkqBdORxST_MuWhO8SPBq_A133WFblDp-6WYTNGuTS-dD6-rZr_8/s320/20201023_182203.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br />Jotul installed and ready to go but it's not cold enough yet. I love it's simple elegance and efficiency.</p><p>Now it's November. Let's hope for health and sanity.<br /></p><p><br /></p>veronicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014627398376882098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744394821192724673.post-79174613105452476952020-09-13T12:39:00.000+01:002020-09-13T12:39:54.402+01:00No Computer.<p> I haven't written a blog on the phone before, so here goes.</p><p>It's been a long hot summer and it's still hot, but now the sun slants in under my hat. I haven't done much due to the heat. Today there's a lovely wind coming from the south and it feels like...RAIN!</p><p>I made a tiny pond just below the house and I sit and stare into the water for hours! I got some lily plants and some little fish that eat mosquito larvae ( I hope). </p><p>I am digging out the couch grass from the vege beds and putting it on the roof. That always feels satisfactory. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoaTFVuj5CJGYO3JShL8DCyziHevH-l4NaZeO5hfulnQuHe5xxtCkAshA8KtJUPkph27CVLaQGG8qBEn7ceIOhPSXM0AbTXbm3LgHQ512_vN4hzNFjYCre9VK7VY5HmqpT_3QwzANaw10/s4128/20200913_080536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoaTFVuj5CJGYO3JShL8DCyziHevH-l4NaZeO5hfulnQuHe5xxtCkAshA8KtJUPkph27CVLaQGG8qBEn7ceIOhPSXM0AbTXbm3LgHQ512_vN4hzNFjYCre9VK7VY5HmqpT_3QwzANaw10/s320/20200913_080536.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>veronicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014627398376882098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744394821192724673.post-76452412146391428282020-07-04T14:01:00.001+01:002020-07-04T14:01:39.402+01:0040 degrees Outside!Today is one of those days... I did a bit of work outside in the early morning while the air was still fresh. I picked a few ripe tomatoes and earthed up some leeks. Ate a physalis fruit. Gave some to the Guinea pigs. I love the Guinea pigs. They welcome me in the morning with joyful squeals and leap to the underneath of the bench to nibble on the goodies I give them.<br />
Then I came indoors to retreat from the heat. Where I am now in my sitting room .My feet are actually cold and the room is about 25 degrees. Feels like a fridge in comparison to the outside.<br />
I washed my laundry by hand and hung it out to dry. Probably roasted stiff by now.<br />
My garden is a bit of a jungle of grass and tomatoes. The sunflowers and the giant artichokes were fab but now they are over. Birds sit on the dried stems and peck out the seeds. The peach tree that seeded itself from the compost is full of fruit. I will pick them very soon, before they all fall off, full of worms, and make jam. I sowed some French beans, a bit late, but under some straw, and they have come up. They are so much more tasty than the ordinary green beans (sometimes called 'string' because basically that's what they taste like!)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Millpond</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFjaAg8hBSsCef97yW8XJRSENQ7hoxgAt9z2K7xHszsaKjRxy4AWOx7biNtrqOJfzk5XJ9C1pIPoLXLGHfer0S-HIZ7_xMzRuBS4F17yfySiV6mVU0TQJFv4qh25KQOk4h06WciQ5w30M/s1600/20200616_142242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFjaAg8hBSsCef97yW8XJRSENQ7hoxgAt9z2K7xHszsaKjRxy4AWOx7biNtrqOJfzk5XJ9C1pIPoLXLGHfer0S-HIZ7_xMzRuBS4F17yfySiV6mVU0TQJFv4qh25KQOk4h06WciQ5w30M/s320/20200616_142242.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keeping Cool</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbqjosWBZAbLielhwUrSoqne9-ZPrDkzlJQzHBnpkROGkHGNpPAn5-aU1RVfi0tVcOOLuoY5fHAphcUYgSBqo0ynSEeiX0ndo_MJD92Nyoxi4cqbnO7PMOLF7bl54VSStIP3RdYV5nHw8/s1600/20200628_161903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbqjosWBZAbLielhwUrSoqne9-ZPrDkzlJQzHBnpkROGkHGNpPAn5-aU1RVfi0tVcOOLuoY5fHAphcUYgSBqo0ynSEeiX0ndo_MJD92Nyoxi4cqbnO7PMOLF7bl54VSStIP3RdYV5nHw8/s320/20200628_161903.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cool Atlantic Breeze</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Writing About Oak</td></tr>
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<br />veronicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014627398376882098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744394821192724673.post-83819587678653829722020-06-09T10:28:00.002+01:002020-06-09T10:28:51.892+01:00This June is BlissI've just been wandering in my garden in the freshness of the morning, enjoying the colours and smells of everything. 'Tis bliss.<br />
I picked some oregano to dry. The stuff that wasn't mistakenly mowed down by a certain man! Never mind. I have enough and know where to get more. Now is the time to pick it, just before it flowers.<br />
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The potatoes are growing so fast! It must be because we actually had real rain last week. Very strange. In fact, strange is the new normal.<br />
I have been making smelly herbal oils using the petals of rose, calendula and lavendar, individually in jars that sit in the sun. The rose oil is lovely. The calendula I hope to make into a cream, mixed with hypericum which is flowering right now. I love how the oil of that herb goes dark red.<br />
I put up a swing under one of the fig trees, for the grandchildren, but it's strong enough for me and that is where I sat for a while this morning, just enjoying the day. It's good to have moments when you realise you don't have to 'do' stuff.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">calendula</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHhTPhyphenhyphenguoVI6NKdEnGfmvm47VqUIb3ck0jFi8DOKnLrph93ACT8c_pCdBuhXCdGHFFLBPr2IoZzYXOGQEFc6VzQxv4qb1blcACurLV2GoaZ5xK2p1K0ZpSDHpBVjmXSPUYKRSAUBsM1g/s1600/20200609_095257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHhTPhyphenhyphenguoVI6NKdEnGfmvm47VqUIb3ck0jFi8DOKnLrph93ACT8c_pCdBuhXCdGHFFLBPr2IoZzYXOGQEFc6VzQxv4qb1blcACurLV2GoaZ5xK2p1K0ZpSDHpBVjmXSPUYKRSAUBsM1g/s320/20200609_095257.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lawn!</td></tr>
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<br />veronicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014627398376882098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744394821192724673.post-79961538243517303322020-05-19T20:36:00.001+01:002020-05-19T20:36:27.420+01:00May Is Passing QuicklyMay is passing quickly. Rain storms, rainbows and now the heat. Soon all the green grass will dry up and the hiss of summer will be upon us.The fields around us have been cut and turned into silage in those white plastic balls. One field is even being ploughed again!<br />
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My lovely friend, and father to two of my children, died. He was very ill and it was surely a relief for him to go, but it was so sad to say good bye. We picked lots of flowers from the hedgerows for his journey.<br />
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I finally have chickens! I ordered them from the builder's merchant, of course. Four little chooks. They are probably about a month old or less. They are timid. Bonnie is very curious and goes to look through the netted door every now and then. I have bought some 1'5m netting for the fence which I will put round the hen house. They are fine staying inside for a few days. It's very comfy with wood shavings on the floor and straw in the nesting box, which they nest in.<br />
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The garden is doing what they do in May... go berserk. I have peas, carrots, potatoes, cabbage, leeks, beans, beetroot, onions, broccoli, strawberries (not enough of them). The fruit trees are coming along nicely, too. It looks like there will be lots of apples and pears.<br />
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The earthen floor up by the windmill is drying VERY slowly. It has cracked but that's alright. I have started to rub it and burnish it and if the cracks persist I will fill them with a different coloured clay just for fun.<br />
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Here is a bunch of lentil bushes drying. Nearly ready to thresh them. (Good word 'thresh'.)<br />
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I have waited seven years for this strelitzia to flower! Bird of Paradise flower. Isn't nature amazing?<br />
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The guinea pigs have gone wild. They have moved into the huge rose bush and love to hang out under the bench to eat tit-bits that I give them. I am thinking I may get a male one and see what nature does.... I love having them around.<br />
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And so life goes on for some of us. veronicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014627398376882098noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744394821192724673.post-20462619402777274172020-04-25T12:47:00.000+01:002020-04-25T12:47:57.652+01:00Cool Calm SpringFrom a boiling hot and dry end of winter to a cool damp spring, strange times indeed. I am glad for the rain we have had, and the cool days, but the seedlings in the green house feel a bit shocked! Slugs and snails are happy. I try to keep the numbers down by slinging them far over the fence...<br />
Mammoth cauliflowers which I thought were cabbages until I peered inside one.<br />
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We are eating the onions straight from the ground. It's not worth letting them dry. They will not store. They are fine and tasty but not the onion crop I was hoping for. Still, I have put some more seeds in a pot. Always the optimist!<br />
The lentils and chickpeas are doing fine. Small seed pods are forming. I am wondering how and when to harvest the lentils as I remember growing one plant years ago and found that all the little lentils has just fallen to the ground! No doubt I will find a way.<br />
The favas are nearly done. We had lots of them.<br />
Peas are flowering, strawberries are ripening, beans everywhere are coming up, climbing and low ones. I've got some called red noodle beans which grow up to half a meter long (the beans!) which are coming up on some canes. Maybe the canes aren't long enough...<br />
Courgettes are beginning to flower. I have put gala melon seeds in an old compost heap and they are sprouting and leafing...<br />
I am eating mostly all my food from the garden. <br />
I have poured the earthen floor in the wine house. It looks lush. Now I have to wait for it to set,then I will go over it to smooth it out.<br />
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I had a go at making some clay from the soil near my house. I soaked the earth then strained out all the stones, etc. I made a few things which I haven't fired yet as I am just learning. It's not as easy as it looks to make a pot!<br />
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I finished a tapestry weaving of rocks and sea. It felt good to do. It reminded me of the lovely time I had in the Western Isles last year. <br />
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<br />veronicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014627398376882098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744394821192724673.post-9446008236038552262020-03-25T20:57:00.001+00:002020-03-25T20:57:22.554+00:00The Little Red House On The HillI am very happy with how this building has turned out.<br />
Still to finish the floor inside, but the rest is more or less done.<br />
It fits into the landscape beautifully and its shape is like an echo of the windmill just above it.<br />
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<br />veronicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014627398376882098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744394821192724673.post-16837505873445659442020-03-25T20:48:00.000+00:002020-03-25T20:48:03.681+00:00Strange TimesStrange times indeed.<br />
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I have been busy finishing the chicken house. A building I started two years ago but then I got sidetracked. It has worked out quite well and looks quite cute. Now I just need some chickens. I asked my neighbour but now we are all in lockdown because of the virus I think I will have to wait.<br />
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The flowers of spring are gorgeous as usual, and the cuckoo has returned along with the swallows. It is such a joyous time in nature. I was walking past this field of lupins with the sun shining on them and a soft breeze blowing towards me. I was enveloped in their sweet, almost soapy smell.<br />
It's just a bit grim for humans at the moment.<br />
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The garden is producing food. Brocolli and cabbage and Swiss chard. All the onion sets I planted are not doing their thing because I stuck them too deep in the ground! Darn. I spent today scraping away the earth from around them and hope they will bulb-up. I have carrots in pots because all the ones in the ground got nibbled by a carrot fly worm. I also have lots of tomato and pepper seed, some cotton plants (well, I am a spinner), basil, sweet corn, more cabbage, cucumber and courgette. Let's hope I can keep them all watered. Lots of mulch this year.<br />
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The guinea pigs are doing fine. They've discovered they can get out under the cage. The cats are fascinated and try to scare them but these little piggies lived with a dog and a cat that liked to cuddle up with them so they aren't scared. When they move towards the predatory cat, the cat jumps and runs off! Long may it be so... I love to watch them and they are keeping the grass down.<br />
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This is a rather bad photo of the Hunza apricot tree I grew from a stone. It is over 3 meters high. It has lots of flowers tangled in its branches. So exciting. Maybe it will produce Tibetan apricots!<br />
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I have been trying to do some artistic weaving, using hand spun wool, based on the colours of the west coast.<br />
I miss spending time with my lovely girls but we are being sensible. Let's hope this will all blow over soon.<br />
Stay safe everyone.<br />
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<br />veronicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014627398376882098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744394821192724673.post-10530932091787894012020-02-19T13:46:00.000+00:002020-02-19T13:46:22.216+00:00A Quick Word About No-Dig GardeningIt was with great enthusiasm and conviction that I dove into the no-dig gardening technique. Now, a few months down the line I have some thoughts on it.<br />
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First, it seems that the mulch is meant to be wood chips, fresh from some chipper, and as I didn't have any I used straw, which duly sprouted all the seed heads in it.<br />
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Second, and the worst thing, was that the slugs and snails loved it! They ate every little cabbage into lace. I went out at night and caught tons of the slimy buggers. During the day they would hide in the mulch of cardboard and straw. They got enormous!<br />
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Third, in winter the mulch keeps the ground very cold.<br />
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Fourth, unless you have managed to smother and kill off the weeds like couch grass, they will keep popping up.<br />
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So I think that I will start mulching more now that the weather is warming up and there's no sign of the much-needed rain, but until the ground has no more weeds like couch grass, no-dig is heaven for gardeners' enemies. I am much more vigilant in searching for the slugs and snails.<br />
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<br />veronicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014627398376882098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744394821192724673.post-20569786170449230352020-02-18T20:23:00.000+00:002020-02-18T20:23:01.758+00:00Update from the Hill.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A rosy dawn with mist.<br /><br />
I have been neglecting my blog. I am still trying to figure out how to get photos from the phone to the computer! (Aha! I've found a way!)<br />
Meanwhile, the 'Wine House' has got nearer to completion<br />
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and the vegetable garden is bulging with cabbages.<br />
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I have two temporary residents in the vegetable garden. My granddaughters' Guinea pigs have come for a holiday. They are eating the grass and fertilizing the ground and I think they are so cute! The cats find them fascinating.... I am glad they are in a cage!<br />
I have spun and woven a tweed scarf. It's very soft. The rigid heddle loom can be a bit boring but it's lovely to make fabric.<br />
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The ground is very dry. We have had no rain for weeks and none in sight. I have been watering the onions and garlic and broccoli. The weather is mild, warm in fact. Hot at midday. Cool at night. Hardly need a fire. Let's hope we get some real rain before the summer comes.<br />
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My funny greenhouse. But it works. The seeds germinate in the warm atmosphere.<br /><br />
The lentils I sowed a couple of months ago are coming up well and so is the garlic, on the big terrace. I also sowed some chickpeas which have also come up. These are the things that traditionally one can grow without watering. They are meant to have some rain! Still, they get the dew and the mist sometimes. That will have to do. The broad beans are in full flower. I chopped some down and covered them in straw, using them as a green manure. I am not sure what I will plant in the terrace, but it will have to be something that doesn't need watering. Perhaps corn or potatoes.<br />
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It feels that we have left winter behind even though the swallows haven't arrived on the hill. They are already making nests closer to the sea.<br />
So that's the news.<br />
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<br />veronicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014627398376882098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744394821192724673.post-71973328484360758182019-12-23T22:18:00.000+00:002019-12-26T18:42:37.707+00:00A Wee Video, And Some Progress on the Wine House<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Come in! My house is so cozy. The big storm that attacked Portugal was scary but we survived. Now we have a few days of sunshine to celebrate Christmas. OOPS! Technical hitch. I will investigate.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A roof is beginning to happen!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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I spotted this strange looking fungus mushroom thing. It's called a red cage. When I saw it I thought it was a bit of red lace that someone had dropped. It's about the size of my thumb.<br />
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I hope that we all survive Christmas and have a brilliant New Year.veronicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014627398376882098noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744394821192724673.post-63016695949340675952019-12-07T16:57:00.002+00:002019-12-07T16:57:16.188+00:00December SunAfter a stormy wet and windy November the weather has set fair and the farmers are roaring about on their tractors sowing wheat and barley. The hills are greening up and so is my garden. I have cabbages heartening up, and carrots swelling. The cardboard is keeping the weeds down. It seems to be working.<br />
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Days are shorter and shadows longer.<br />
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Parasol mushrooms are popping up around the place. This one was the size of the frying pan. <br />
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The neighbour's wine house looks rather wind tossed but it is fine. That red clay is extremely hard. I had to take down the tarp as a huge storm tried to take everything away! Looking forward to getting the roof on it.<br />
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Life on the hill is pleasant. Cosy evenings with the wood stove burning merrily and bright sunny days. We do need more rain. It will probably arrive in January. Until then, be safe.veronicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014627398376882098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744394821192724673.post-45692597304711679742019-11-15T18:47:00.001+00:002019-11-15T18:47:38.256+00:00Cosy Cob Cottage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />veronicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014627398376882098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7744394821192724673.post-21284139242679747952019-11-10T14:35:00.001+00:002019-11-10T14:35:46.351+00:00Starting the No-Dig BedsI stopped to talk to a cow farmer nearby and asked if he had any manure for sale. He thought about it and then said he had some. If I followed him up the the monte he would show me. And sure enough there was a small pile of left over very well composted manure, probably two years old. He said I could have it! So I went over there first thing Sunday morning to dig it up and take it home. He described it like this: Melhor do que isso nao e. Better stuff than this doesn't exist.<br />
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So I've been barrowing it down to the vege garden. That's the hard bit of this gardening on a steep hillside. I managed to do two loads and have started to do no-dig beds. See how that works. I need more cardboard, but am using black plastic for the moment, to black out the soil and kill off the dreaded couch grass.<br />
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It's windy and we have had some rain off and on for the last few days. Soft rain that encourages growth and softens the soil, but it is still dry when you dig below 20 cm.<br />
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One of the little guava bushes has fruit on it. A good dose of vitamin c in each fruit. I grew these from seeds. They are no bother and don't need lots of watering in the summer.<br />
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I have planted a cheery red bougainvillea on the south west corner of the cob house. Let's see how it fairs. I've put it in a big pot as I don't want the roots to interfere with the drainage below the foundations.<br />
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<br />veronicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09014627398376882098noreply@blogger.com4