Slight frustration this week, following a quiet but relaxing Christmas break.
The snow disappeared quickly after some rain and a fairly dramatic rise in temperatures. We now have a green lawn again and some pretty sorry looking borders in the garden. Many of the visiting birds seemed to have disappeared now, back to the countryside I guess.
I had sort of planned to take advantage of having Wednesday, Thursday and Friday off from work this week. The allotment hasn't been visited for a long time now, and I haven't had an opportunity to get out on my bike either. So, I am slightly frustrated this week because of seasonal illness - cold predominantly, but feeling yuk. No allotment visit and the bike will have to wait.
So, I have used the time to make progress on the new business venture, with a business card designed. Just need to get some printed now. Also, I've just about completed the definition of what my business is going to offer on start-up, so I'm happy about that now.
I got my website hosting sorted out too, so plenty of web space available for publishing my business details - just need to work on the site design over the next few weeks. The web site address is www.nigelcleaver.co.uk
Nothing published yet...
New Year's eve beckons, but I intend a quiet affair, likely to be in front of a nice fire with a glass of red wine.
Just one month left with my current job - so looking to start the new venture in February 2011.
Plenty to think about, plan and do... an exciting time ahead.
Friday, 31 December 2010
Tuesday, 21 December 2010
Snow bound - simple pleasures of nature
Second day at home because of snow.
Radio Gloucestershire reporting majority of buses not running and freezing conditions continue with many roads in bad shape. So, decided to play safe and yet again dig out the snow from around the car and house (about 3 inches had fallen late yesterday afternoon).
Put the new bird table in place, with food and waited - the first picture.
Didn't have too long to wait as a friendly robin obliged and helped itself to some bird seed, and took time out to 'pose' for the camera!
Plenty of red wings out today, probably in excess of 20 going about in one large group.
Forecast has more snow late this evening and early morning - but hoping to get to work tomorrow....
Radio Gloucestershire reporting majority of buses not running and freezing conditions continue with many roads in bad shape. So, decided to play safe and yet again dig out the snow from around the car and house (about 3 inches had fallen late yesterday afternoon).
Put the new bird table in place, with food and waited - the first picture.
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| The new bird table - awaiting its first customers |
Didn't have too long to wait as a friendly robin obliged and helped itself to some bird seed, and took time out to 'pose' for the camera!
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| Cheeky robin - lovely seed - you looking at me? |
Plenty of red wings out today, probably in excess of 20 going about in one large group.
Forecast has more snow late this evening and early morning - but hoping to get to work tomorrow....
Monday, 20 December 2010
Snow stops play - well, work actually
A new working week, dared to look out the windows at 6.45am wondering what my chances were going to be like for getting to work today...
Spent an age de-icing my car, but as I ventured out I felt reasonably confident I'd make it in to Cheltenham. Well, how wrong was I !
After half an hour I managed to get as far as Swindon Village, with what looked like chaos at Kingsditch. Indeed, according to Radio Gloucestershire it was, and, it was!
Cheltenham and surrounding roads gridlocked and not much moving. This coupled with the forecast of more snow midday/mid-afternoon convinced me to turn round and head for home.
Good choice! This afternoon more snow, about 2 to 3 inches I'd guess.
So activities today included; calling out the double glazing company to fix a door that decided of all days not to close and lock. This was quickly fixed, so well impressed.
Managed to update my ageing laptop with all relevant patches etc.
Sorted out some firewood and chopped up a goodly supply in time for Christmas. Then, was inspired to put together a bird table out of scraps of wood. The poor birds had been fed this morning, as I'd cleared some ground and put out some bird seed and a few apples. But, now it's all covered with snow. So, tomorrow sees a new creation in the garden and hopefully it'll do the job. I'll get a picture uploaded soon.
Plenty of birds in the garden today; some we don't normally get to see very often; a wagtail, a flock of red wing birds, a small bird looking similar to a black cap. Plenty of sparrows, black birds (fighting over the food as usual), blue tit, great tit, robin - quite a selection. Most seem to be ok, eating the snow for water I guess.
Tomorrow looks like it might be a repeat of today weather wise; will have to check with Radio Gloucestershire first thing to see if the roads are clogged up again...
Thoughts of getting to the allotment before Christmas to pick sprouts - looking more unlikely.
Still, it's good to be inside, warm in front of the fire.
Spent an age de-icing my car, but as I ventured out I felt reasonably confident I'd make it in to Cheltenham. Well, how wrong was I !
After half an hour I managed to get as far as Swindon Village, with what looked like chaos at Kingsditch. Indeed, according to Radio Gloucestershire it was, and, it was!
Cheltenham and surrounding roads gridlocked and not much moving. This coupled with the forecast of more snow midday/mid-afternoon convinced me to turn round and head for home.
Good choice! This afternoon more snow, about 2 to 3 inches I'd guess.
So activities today included; calling out the double glazing company to fix a door that decided of all days not to close and lock. This was quickly fixed, so well impressed.
Managed to update my ageing laptop with all relevant patches etc.
Sorted out some firewood and chopped up a goodly supply in time for Christmas. Then, was inspired to put together a bird table out of scraps of wood. The poor birds had been fed this morning, as I'd cleared some ground and put out some bird seed and a few apples. But, now it's all covered with snow. So, tomorrow sees a new creation in the garden and hopefully it'll do the job. I'll get a picture uploaded soon.
Plenty of birds in the garden today; some we don't normally get to see very often; a wagtail, a flock of red wing birds, a small bird looking similar to a black cap. Plenty of sparrows, black birds (fighting over the food as usual), blue tit, great tit, robin - quite a selection. Most seem to be ok, eating the snow for water I guess.
Tomorrow looks like it might be a repeat of today weather wise; will have to check with Radio Gloucestershire first thing to see if the roads are clogged up again...
Thoughts of getting to the allotment before Christmas to pick sprouts - looking more unlikely.
Still, it's good to be inside, warm in front of the fire.
Thursday, 9 December 2010
Gardening - a bit of history
My gardening started in early childhood, where my mother helped and encouraged my interest - initially growing veg, helping out with soil preparation and sowing seeds. Eventually I took over the majority of the sowing, tending and harvesting. Typical veg being carrots, beetroot, parsnips, potatoes and runner beans.
I now appreciate where my love of gardening originates.
At the moment I tend my own garden at home together with my wife Lynne. The garden isn't large, but it's got a good mix of perennials, pear trees and a plum tree, a small pond, patio, deck and lawn area. I also have an allotment too. I've had the allotment now for 9 years, and after the early years of battling rabbits, rats, mice and cows... yes cows once broke through the allotments boundary fencing and ran amok, large holes in fences and in the plots too... I now feel in control of the plot.
The plot is on the Nortenham Allotments, on the North West of Bishop's Cleeve (near Cheltenham, England), close to the busy A435 road.
Over the years I've managed to improve the soil, and keep the majority of the weeds in check. I suppose I get down to the plot once or twice a week on average, though, with the bad weather in November and December 2010 (really very cold and frosty with a touch of snow) thoughts of winter digging and tidying up take a back seat. I have some broccoli and sprouts growing currently and I'm hoping they'll provide some tasty pickings for Christmas..
I've included a few pictures taken in November 2009 to give an idea what the plot is like - quite empty of produce at this time of the year. The plot is about 50 metres long by 8 metres wide and it's separated into smaller fenced off areas, mainly as protection against rabbits - the theory being that if one area is 'broken-in-to' by a rabbit it can't have full run of the whole plot. So far it seems to be working.... the area covered by plastic sheeting in the first picture has been left for about a year, killing off weeds and preventing new weeds from growing. I cultivated the majority of this area in early 2010 and planted potatoes and courgettes.
I now appreciate where my love of gardening originates.
At the moment I tend my own garden at home together with my wife Lynne. The garden isn't large, but it's got a good mix of perennials, pear trees and a plum tree, a small pond, patio, deck and lawn area. I also have an allotment too. I've had the allotment now for 9 years, and after the early years of battling rabbits, rats, mice and cows... yes cows once broke through the allotments boundary fencing and ran amok, large holes in fences and in the plots too... I now feel in control of the plot.
The plot is on the Nortenham Allotments, on the North West of Bishop's Cleeve (near Cheltenham, England), close to the busy A435 road.
Over the years I've managed to improve the soil, and keep the majority of the weeds in check. I suppose I get down to the plot once or twice a week on average, though, with the bad weather in November and December 2010 (really very cold and frosty with a touch of snow) thoughts of winter digging and tidying up take a back seat. I have some broccoli and sprouts growing currently and I'm hoping they'll provide some tasty pickings for Christmas..
I've included a few pictures taken in November 2009 to give an idea what the plot is like - quite empty of produce at this time of the year. The plot is about 50 metres long by 8 metres wide and it's separated into smaller fenced off areas, mainly as protection against rabbits - the theory being that if one area is 'broken-in-to' by a rabbit it can't have full run of the whole plot. So far it seems to be working.... the area covered by plastic sheeting in the first picture has been left for about a year, killing off weeds and preventing new weeds from growing. I cultivated the majority of this area in early 2010 and planted potatoes and courgettes.
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| Covered area to stop weeds growing - prior to cultivation |
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| Island beds, so that I don't have to walk over the cultivated areas - I can reach all the crops from the paths |
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| My pride and joy - 3 Espalier Apple Trees grown from maiden (1 year old) trees - and very productive |
Monday, 6 December 2010
First blog
Well, finally made it to starting a blog, and I guess like many before, will wonder if anyone will be interested in reading this.
I've been drawn to following/reading one particular blog at the moment, this was advertised on BBC Radio Gloucestershire, namely the Scrubditch Care Farm Project.
The blog is here: Scrubditch Care Farm Blog
As I'm interest in gardening and horticulture, and I'm in the planning stages to start up my own gardening business, the fact that someone was inspired to just start a venture to engage with their local community was really encouraging. So, thanks are due to this project in inspiring me to start. Thanks Emma.
I've been drawn to following/reading one particular blog at the moment, this was advertised on BBC Radio Gloucestershire, namely the Scrubditch Care Farm Project.
The blog is here: Scrubditch Care Farm Blog
As I'm interest in gardening and horticulture, and I'm in the planning stages to start up my own gardening business, the fact that someone was inspired to just start a venture to engage with their local community was really encouraging. So, thanks are due to this project in inspiring me to start. Thanks Emma.
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