Chitting has started!

Yes, the time has come to set out the seed potatoes bought in January. I checked both bags today to find that the 2nd early variety (Maris Peer) has already started, and they are quite well advanced. The main crop, (Victoria) has just started sprouting too. So, both sets are now in trays 'chitting' in one of the cooler bedrooms.

Just 'chitting'

Just as well I've managed a few hours on the allotment gently forking over and preparing part of the plot for the seed potatoes - likely the end of March before the 2nd earlies go out. I've still plenty of catching up to do on the plot, nothing too serious, just last minute cutting back and soil preparation. Knowing how fickle February and March can be weather wise, I'm fairly relaxed about this - given previous experience; plants always seem to make up for late sowing/planting.

Lynne and I spent a very wet weekend in Canterbury (last weekend). Lynne doing a seminar on Genealogy business,  (she does Genealogy don't you know!) whilst I 'entertained' myself walking in the rain. Well, actually, I spotted a free entry CD and record fair - couldn't miss this I thought. Loads of old records and CDs being viewed by various 'characters' - I'll say no more. Spent 5 minutes wandering around, and much to the relief of Lynne did not purchase a Barry White live DVD! awwhh... Still, I had a few  nice coffees, read a magazine, browsed a second hand book shop and purchased two gardening books.

Spent Sunday morning driving around to see the sites at Whitstable and Herne Bay - rather gloomy and damp. Tried to visit a garden displaying hellebores and snowdrops, but when we got there we realised that the walking underfoot was going to be really muddy and boggy, and with the range of shoes we had thought better of it. Back to Canterbury and spent a while in the Cathedral. Loads of visitors all taking photos with their infernal digital cameras - twas like a circus..

Back at home, this week I visited Snowshill Manor (NT) to attend a volunteer meeting - though not sure to what extent I'll be able to volunteer this year as I start and run the business. After working in other people's gardens and my own + allotment, I might not want to 'volunteer' to do more gardening! I'll just have to see how things pan out.. Bought a couple of Snowshill snowdrops from the head gardener, so I'll have a piece of Snowshill in the front garden now.

It's been 4 weeks now since leaving paid employment, and the feeling of being on leave has diminished. Lynne has also realised I'm not going 'back-to-work' and that I'm here to stay!

I'm also looking forward to getting back out on the bike again. It seems so long since I've managed to ride any decent distances. The local club ride this Saturday takes in a lot of climbing so I'm avoiding that one until my legs have regained the strength I had last year - nothing more depressing than being continuously dropped off the back of the group on every climb!

First successful job completed

Thank goodness that the weather improved yesterday and today, compared to Tuesday (a complete wet wash-out!).

I was able to complete my first job - a pruning job on a fairly large flowering cherry tree. This was quite a challenge given the height and spread of the tree, which saw me standing both on the last rung of the ladder and within the main branches of the tree itself.

It was good though to be in the fresh air for almost 2 days - no phones, texts or emails... and the end result was appreciated with the tree looking in better shape.

Muscles are now, well, 'exercised' - but this was to be expected.

Back at base, I decided to clean off the tools used, ready for the next job:- a newly acquired bow saw, pruning saw, extending pruning saw and extending loppers - which incidently has a sharp blade that cuts the ends of fingers surprising well - if you're not paying correct attention whilst cleaning! Business accident book hasn't yet been acquired!

Checked that the advertising I sorted out last week is in place, and it is; so I'm content I've got some specific targeted coverage in Bishop's Cleeve, Woodmancote and Gotherington. The web-site has had a number of hits recently too, so that's promising.

Some more work maybe forthcoming next week, so I'm pleased about that.

Beware - sleepy ladybirds..

Over the last few days I've spent most of my available time outside, getting used to physical labour on a daily basis! On average it amounts to around 5 hours per day.

This week so far I've managed to:
* complete major winter pruning of a large pear tree in my back garden.
* emptied out a large compost container (300 litre size); which generated 8 large bags of good compost which I used as a top dressing on the front garden borders.
* tidied up the front garden borders; cutting back dead wood from many shrubs - also I had to remove a number of plants that didn't make it through the harsh winter - a couple of small Hebes, and a Convolvulus cneorum (this isn't really that tolerant of cold, wet winters so it isn't surprising -10c finally killed it off!), a Pittosporum tenuifolium (also fell to the harsh temperatures).

One thing I noticed in particular was the number of sleepy ladybirds. I lost count in the end, amazing to find so many had survived the bitter winter temperatures and pleased to find them sheltering in and under the plants - so I was careful to avoid destroying their temporary homes (and waking them up!).

I also got to the allotment for a few hours and started preparing the soil for the first potatoes that should be planted in March (weather permitting) and also took the time to prune back some growth on the dessert apples that I'd missed during the summer pruning. I also took out the growing tip of the cooking apple I'm growing as an espalier - this should encourage some new laterals to form what will be the final top level of the espalier (making 4 tiers in total). I'll try and get a picture next time to illustrate.

When its been wet I've been in the house producing a sketch scale plan of the back garden; something I'd started a while ago but now I have the interest and impetus to complete it. There are some changes I'd like to make to some features in the garden, such as replacing the patio area, renewing some pathways and reshaping the lawn - and replacing many of the shrubs and herbacious plants that we've had for years. Plenty to think about and plenty to do...

Also, this week I noticed a pair of blue tits becoming very interested in one of the nest boxes in the garden. Last year a pair built a nest in one of the boxes I had put up, and we thought they were sitting on eggs. Unfortunately we believe something upset them and they went elsewhere. So, given the renewed interest this year I took the opportunity to open the nest boxes and clean them out - there were no signs of eggs. I found a beautifully formed nest in the one box, all sorts of materials had been used - very clever. So, we watch with interest this year and hope they'll stay around.

I have my first potential client next week to visit so I'll be interested to see how this goes.

Business advertising in some of the local shops should be in place by Monday the 14th February.

Progress

The new business web-site has finally been uploaded yesterday. Very pleased that at last the business has started - so to speak.

The weather hasn't been too kind recently so I've managed to devote some time to the business admin (there's plenty of that), such as registering with HMRC, National Insurance, Business Insurance, record keeping, more advertising... quite something to get to grips with.

Good to see progress though...

Pigeons don't like sprouts

My 'career' is over... 30 years and 9 months have brought me here..

Walked out of work on Friday, with a friendly goodbye from a close work colleague, to face 'retirement'.

Wednesday was the eventful 'send-off' from work with a many kind words from work colleagues and some humorous reflections, a card full of signatures and a very generous gift - also many thoughtful words of encouragement for my new ventures..

Friday; and I met Lynne and Richard for a celebratory lunch - followed by a few present openings at home. When I say 'presents' it was Lynne's and Richard's less than veiled attempt at humour / winding up. Gifts included: a book on how to retire and be obnoxious, a pair of slippers, a cap, a pipe and a pair of pyjamas!
Hilarious :-0

Saturday; received my P45! ummm...

Managed to get to the allotment on Saturday to check the state of play. Unsurprisingly the site looks bleak, though I know it shouldn't take too much effort to 'fluff-up' the soil in the coming months - but just as well to keep off the soil whilst it's too wet to work. Took a few photos to remind me of the condition of the plot in January, as it's always encouraging to look at these during mid-summer to see how the effort and labour has paid off and the how well the plot looks when full of growing crops. I noticed that the few purple sprouting broccoli plants I had have not survived the ravages of the winter snow, ice and minus whatever temperatures, plus the attentions of the local pigeon population. However, whilst the tops of the sprout plants have been pecked about, the sprouts remain intact - hence I can only deduce that pigeons don't like sprouts!

Likely to be a quiet-ish week ahead as we adjust to the change in my circumstances. Loads to do though...

 

Bleak view 

 There be sprouts !

Let's try again..

Well, things appeared to be reasonably set fair - with some plans firming up. However, on Saturday 15th, went down with a very quick and heavy head cold that saw me off to bed in the early evening. Felt rotten, and was annoyed that I didn't make it to Dundry Nurseries.

That was just the start...

Man.. I've had flu before, but nothing could have prepared me for this. Basically in bed for 4 days, very little to drink and nothing to eat is one way of losing 8 pounds of weight. Collapsed on Sunday morning (early), bruised knee and fortunate not to bang my head on the way to the bathroom floor.

Eat some toast on Wednesday, and got some more food in me on Thursday, but feeling nauseous all the time. Friday was slightly better with more food and drink with Saturday and Sunday seeing definite improvements.

Managed to get to work today, though feeling out of it for most of the morning. Trying to catch-up some bits and pieces, but difficult to make up 5 lost days.

Managed to phone a potato order through to Dundry Nurseries and picked them up today. So I now have 2nd early and main crop supplies for the new growing season. Allotment condition remains unknown..

Retirement is 4 days away...

I have my business cards, and the majority of the web-site is ready. Just need to pull this together and upload.

I have a few contacts to call in mid February which might be the start of some new work - exciting times.

The start of a new year

Some time since the last entry..

Well, we survived the entry into the New Year, a quiet affair recovering from a bout of illness. Recovered just in time to return to work on the 4th - I've sort of got back up to speed at work after a nice time away.

Finally managed to get out on the bike on my own, for an 18 miles spin around to Tewkesbury - I can't recall how long it's been since I went out with the club on a Saturday morning - got to be 2 months. So, nice to be out in the 'cool' fresh air again.

Still haven't managed to get to the allotment - no idea what state it's in, but now getting concerned that I haven't managed to cultivate some of the plot. Experience is such that things will balance out, and it's surprising how much time you can make up with a few days of fine, drying weather (whenever it comes!). Looking forward to visiting Dundry Nurseries this weekend ahead of their potato weekend on the 24th of January. Never ceases to surprise me how quickly the seed potato buying season comes around. An exciting time of preparation and looking forward.

The new business planning continues. Business cards ordered, web-site design coming together, looking at getting business insurance sorted. 11 working days left in the old job...and people keep asking whether I'm counting the days...