365 day challenge
Learn or observe something new
My next set of observations, continuing from 2-August-2014
The challenge is just that, challenging. On some days I see plenty of things, other days almost devoid. Not sure why this is, but I've managed to put together the following:
Day 21: 3-August-2014
Pruning Eleagnus ebbingei - noticed it has long, sharpe thorns - didn't realise this plant had thorns.
Day 22: 4-August-2014
Article on BBC news; "Bubble Tea" - a drink becoming popular in the UK. Often brightly coloured tea served with milk, with a layer of jelly like globules - tapioca balls that settle at the bottom of the cup. Drunk through an extra thick straw.
Day 23: 5-August
Ceramic poppies being placed around the Tower of London to represent loss of life in WW1 - over 800,000
Day 24: 6-August
Heard shocking statistics relating to sexually motivated attacks on young Indian women (as they walk from their homes to places in the countryside to do their toilet 'business') all as a result of lack of basic sanitation in the home.
Day 25: 7-August
China plans 'Christian Theology' according to BBC, China may try to create a theology based on Christianity - that integrates the religion with Chinese culture and is compatible with the country's socialist beliefs. Senior official says "the construction of Chinese Christian theology should adapt to China's national conditions". (Something tells me they don't understand Christ and what it means to follow Christ. Christ doesn't adapt!)
Day 26: 8-August
Found out how to reset and disable service warning messages on my VW van.
Day 27: 9-August
People are using small canisters of Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas) to get a 'high' or 'relaxation fix', by inflating balloons and then inhaling the gas. STUPID PEOPLE!
Day 28: 10-August
Visiting speaker in church today explained how there are some innocent women in prison in Cochabamba, Bolivia; with no idea why they are in prison or any date when they might be released.
Day 29: 11-August
Found out about the LIST function on Twitter, will have to have a play..
Day 30: 12-August
The site in Cheltenham that housed the main Vauxhall dealership has been flattened, in readiness for new housing development.
Day 31: 13-August
In Birmingham there are at least 15000 'old' (pensioner aged) people living on their own and lonely.
Day 32: 14-August
Saw a vole today (first time ever), stuck in an old tin (half full of water); managed to rescue it though it was soaked it proved to be very feisty and would have administered a bite!
Day 33: 15-August
The Yazidi people in Northern Iraq being persecuted. Read a brief description about their beliefs - it appears a complex mix. Some outsiders consider them devil worshippers.
Day 34: 16-August
If the plant 'Box'; Buxus Sempervirens is left unclipped, it is less likely to succumb to box blight.
Saturday, 16 August 2014
Sunday, 3 August 2014
Time to change - start looking
Yes, I know it's been ages since the latest entry - just been working hard and not having the time...
My blog entries have mainly focused on gardening and allotment activities, but for a while I'm changing this.
A couple of months ago we met up with our daughter, husband and children and visited a local farm during an open farm weekend. While have some refreshments I was watching our little grand-daughter walking and she was distracted by a summer flower display. Obviously something she hadn't seen before and so took time to have a look - and learn. This got me thinking; just how much we adults just don't notice, or even take time to learn, or look at something new.
Well, I've set myself some sort of challenge; a 365 day (a whole year) challenge of daily looking out for something new, learning or seeing something I didn't know the day before. Hopefully I can do this; and am writing short notes daily to force myself to think about what happened during the day and was anything new to me.
Here are the first set of 'observations' -- things I didn't know when I started on the 14th July 2014.
Hopefully you might find something new yourself as you read!
365 day challenge
Learn or observe something new
Day 1: 14-July-2014
Doing some gardening for some clients I totally missed seeing new handrails installed on the front steps of the garden. When these were pointed out to me - I informed the client of the 365 day challenge and how I thought about starting this, so I've decided to start with a picture of the new hand rail.
Note to self - must do better to observe!
Day 2: 15-July-2014
Watched episode of BBC Click. Learned new development of drone technology - an autonomous capability that allows a drone to fly and follow a person and also film at the same time.
Day 3: 16-July-2014
Saw photo of 20 month old grand-daughter 'play feeding' her 'doll' friend; how quickly do young children learn!
Day 4: 17-July-2014
Saw a family group of house sparrows; mum, dad & 5 youngsters. All 5 small birds were feeding off weed seeds on our rough pathway in the garden. This brought home to me that plants we may consider a pain or having no purpose can support life! Being too tidy has an impact we may not be aware of.
Day 5: 18-July-2014
At the National Trust Snowshill Manor; noted items being thrown away. I spotted a large bracket and an old set of working sacktrucks. It was ok to take them. I hate seeing serviceable items being scrapped. Good to keep eyes open to spot opportunities.
Day 6: 19-July-2014
Installing software on new PC - found out that Microsoft stopped upgrading & support of MSMoney in 2007.
Day 7: 20-July-2014
Bought 2nd hand book from Snowshill fete book stall, about history of Minchinhampton Common. I didn't know that there is a long barrow (or tump) upon which in 1743 the Methodist preacher George Whitefield addressed a crowd some 20,000 strong.
Day 8: 21-July-2014
One of the most important things in life is knowledge, but this can only be applied through understanding. Both overcome ignorance.
Day 9: 22-July-2014
Useful to be assertive with clients sometimes when discussing what jobs to do (and which to delay), when the weather is very hot.
Day 10: 23-July-2014
Microsoft announce future strategy to bring a common operating environment across hardware platforms.
Day 11: 24-July-2014
In the Bible, in the Kingdom of God, the expression "for His name's sake" actually refers to God's reputation.
Day 12: 25-July-2014
Electricity supply had tripped out at Snowshill office, now know how to reset/restore supplies.
Day 13: 26-July-2014
Read news that the power station cooling towers at Didcot are to be demolished on 27-July-2014.
Day 14: 27-July-2014
At daughter's birthday party her friend's young daughter played guitar and sang; appears to have a natural gift to play a range of instruments - all self taught.
Day 15: 28-July-2014
Whilst working at a client's garden, a neighbour drew my attention to overgrown shrub, concerned something should be done to prevent further overhanging or blocking light. Decided not to get involved - leave such discussions to happen between neighbours - don't do others bidding.
Day 16: 29-July-2014
Read a story about convenience marriages in Yemen. If a brother & sister in one family marry a sister & brother from another family no doweries are paid. However, if one couple subsequently divorce, the other couple are forced to separate - what a bizarre tradition!
Day 17: 30-July-2014
Changes in law to allow further trials of 'driverless' cars on UK roads! Why?
Day 18: 31-July-2014
On BBC news - on the Internet there is a 'hidden' "darknet" used for and by drug dealers/distributors. This has a worldwide reach, taking drug dealing off the streets - drugs are mailed direct and anonymously to any address.
Day 19: 1-August-2014
Learned that NASA will be attempting to 'make' oxygen on MARS during the next mission to this planet.
Day 20: 2-August-2014
Checked someones Twitter profile - said they aim for ARCADIAN lifestyle. ARCADIAN = simple, rural, peaceful & contented life.
My blog entries have mainly focused on gardening and allotment activities, but for a while I'm changing this.
A couple of months ago we met up with our daughter, husband and children and visited a local farm during an open farm weekend. While have some refreshments I was watching our little grand-daughter walking and she was distracted by a summer flower display. Obviously something she hadn't seen before and so took time to have a look - and learn. This got me thinking; just how much we adults just don't notice, or even take time to learn, or look at something new.
Well, I've set myself some sort of challenge; a 365 day (a whole year) challenge of daily looking out for something new, learning or seeing something I didn't know the day before. Hopefully I can do this; and am writing short notes daily to force myself to think about what happened during the day and was anything new to me.
Here are the first set of 'observations' -- things I didn't know when I started on the 14th July 2014.
Hopefully you might find something new yourself as you read!
365 day challenge
Learn or observe something new
Day 1: 14-July-2014
Doing some gardening for some clients I totally missed seeing new handrails installed on the front steps of the garden. When these were pointed out to me - I informed the client of the 365 day challenge and how I thought about starting this, so I've decided to start with a picture of the new hand rail.
Note to self - must do better to observe!
Day 2: 15-July-2014
Watched episode of BBC Click. Learned new development of drone technology - an autonomous capability that allows a drone to fly and follow a person and also film at the same time.
Day 3: 16-July-2014
Saw photo of 20 month old grand-daughter 'play feeding' her 'doll' friend; how quickly do young children learn!
Day 4: 17-July-2014
Saw a family group of house sparrows; mum, dad & 5 youngsters. All 5 small birds were feeding off weed seeds on our rough pathway in the garden. This brought home to me that plants we may consider a pain or having no purpose can support life! Being too tidy has an impact we may not be aware of.
Day 5: 18-July-2014
At the National Trust Snowshill Manor; noted items being thrown away. I spotted a large bracket and an old set of working sacktrucks. It was ok to take them. I hate seeing serviceable items being scrapped. Good to keep eyes open to spot opportunities.
Day 6: 19-July-2014
Installing software on new PC - found out that Microsoft stopped upgrading & support of MSMoney in 2007.
Day 7: 20-July-2014
Bought 2nd hand book from Snowshill fete book stall, about history of Minchinhampton Common. I didn't know that there is a long barrow (or tump) upon which in 1743 the Methodist preacher George Whitefield addressed a crowd some 20,000 strong.
Day 8: 21-July-2014
One of the most important things in life is knowledge, but this can only be applied through understanding. Both overcome ignorance.
Day 9: 22-July-2014
Useful to be assertive with clients sometimes when discussing what jobs to do (and which to delay), when the weather is very hot.
Day 10: 23-July-2014
Microsoft announce future strategy to bring a common operating environment across hardware platforms.
Day 11: 24-July-2014
In the Bible, in the Kingdom of God, the expression "for His name's sake" actually refers to God's reputation.
Day 12: 25-July-2014
Electricity supply had tripped out at Snowshill office, now know how to reset/restore supplies.
Day 13: 26-July-2014
Read news that the power station cooling towers at Didcot are to be demolished on 27-July-2014.
Day 14: 27-July-2014
At daughter's birthday party her friend's young daughter played guitar and sang; appears to have a natural gift to play a range of instruments - all self taught.
Day 15: 28-July-2014
Whilst working at a client's garden, a neighbour drew my attention to overgrown shrub, concerned something should be done to prevent further overhanging or blocking light. Decided not to get involved - leave such discussions to happen between neighbours - don't do others bidding.
Day 16: 29-July-2014
Read a story about convenience marriages in Yemen. If a brother & sister in one family marry a sister & brother from another family no doweries are paid. However, if one couple subsequently divorce, the other couple are forced to separate - what a bizarre tradition!
Day 17: 30-July-2014
Changes in law to allow further trials of 'driverless' cars on UK roads! Why?
Day 18: 31-July-2014
On BBC news - on the Internet there is a 'hidden' "darknet" used for and by drug dealers/distributors. This has a worldwide reach, taking drug dealing off the streets - drugs are mailed direct and anonymously to any address.
Day 19: 1-August-2014
Learned that NASA will be attempting to 'make' oxygen on MARS during the next mission to this planet.
Day 20: 2-August-2014
Checked someones Twitter profile - said they aim for ARCADIAN lifestyle. ARCADIAN = simple, rural, peaceful & contented life.
Tuesday, 6 May 2014
Colour, beauty and youth
In a previous blog entry entitled 'endings-and-beginnings'
I included an image of some plant pots within which I'd planted tulip bulbs, with much hope and faith for some spring colour.
The tulips have performed well, with a good show. They wouldn't have won any horticultural prizes but we were pleased to have such a range of shapes and colours to brighten the season. The very dark, almost black tulips had the look of natural silk - amazing to think of the miracle that happens to transform a hard, brown bulb to such a thing of beauty.
So for your pleasure I've included a few images below.
And... when we had a recent visit from our daughter and family, I was especially pleased to see our 17 month grand-daughter walking around our garden, taking a very early interest in gardening. Start em young I say..
I included an image of some plant pots within which I'd planted tulip bulbs, with much hope and faith for some spring colour.
The tulips have performed well, with a good show. They wouldn't have won any horticultural prizes but we were pleased to have such a range of shapes and colours to brighten the season. The very dark, almost black tulips had the look of natural silk - amazing to think of the miracle that happens to transform a hard, brown bulb to such a thing of beauty.
So for your pleasure I've included a few images below.
And... when we had a recent visit from our daughter and family, I was especially pleased to see our 17 month grand-daughter walking around our garden, taking a very early interest in gardening. Start em young I say..
 |
| A 'budding' young horticulturist in the making |
Monday, 21 April 2014
Under way ..
The gardening season is well under way.
I'm back working with all my regular clients together with a new customer. Already I'm enjoying this new garden as the work will not only consist of maintenance activities, but helping the owner consider and implement some changes to the borders.
It's been very busy since mid March as all my client's gardens have needed loads of clearing/tidying to do.
The seasonal gardening job at Snowshill National Trust holiday cottages also features in my weekly garden visits. As there are 5 gardens to look after there has been much to catch up with, given that the gardens remained untended since I left them last year in early December.
Health wise this year hasn't been the best, a short list since mid January:
January - Cold/virus - knocked me hard for a week and a half.
Early April - Pulled back muscle(s) (1 day work lost).
Early April - Some ugly cold/virus - razor blade throat and major chest cough - approx 2 weeks in duration (1 week work lost).
So, now that I'm back to some degree of health normality I'm hopeful that the year ahead will be kinder to me.
With some settled weather this month it's been a pleasure to be working outside. Seeing spring arrive, with the glorious colours and fresh foliage appearing everywhere. I've managed a few visits to the allotment and so far the early potatoes are in. Onion sets are in pot trays at home, just starting to grow. I've learned the usual hard way that planting sets in open allotment ground is a fraught experience. Birds tend to get interested in new green shoots appearing and pull out the sets just as they start growing and in the past I've lost quite a few sets that way. So like most things destined for the allotment I start things off at home first in trays/pots. The allotment is a wild place....
I'm on Twitter and was interested to spot a new gardening group start up called @Oldhorts. This is a group of like minded gardeners interested in sharing their experiences. The organiser of this has also set up a network group called Old Horts at http://groupspaces.com/OldHorts. This looks like an interesting initiative which I've joined in with. As I understand, interest in Horticulture with the younger generation is at a fairly low level, so anything that the established horticulture/gardening fraturnity can do to encourage each other and our youth has to be a good thing.
I'm back working with all my regular clients together with a new customer. Already I'm enjoying this new garden as the work will not only consist of maintenance activities, but helping the owner consider and implement some changes to the borders.
It's been very busy since mid March as all my client's gardens have needed loads of clearing/tidying to do.
The seasonal gardening job at Snowshill National Trust holiday cottages also features in my weekly garden visits. As there are 5 gardens to look after there has been much to catch up with, given that the gardens remained untended since I left them last year in early December.
Health wise this year hasn't been the best, a short list since mid January:
January - Cold/virus - knocked me hard for a week and a half.
Early April - Pulled back muscle(s) (1 day work lost).
Early April - Some ugly cold/virus - razor blade throat and major chest cough - approx 2 weeks in duration (1 week work lost).
So, now that I'm back to some degree of health normality I'm hopeful that the year ahead will be kinder to me.
With some settled weather this month it's been a pleasure to be working outside. Seeing spring arrive, with the glorious colours and fresh foliage appearing everywhere. I've managed a few visits to the allotment and so far the early potatoes are in. Onion sets are in pot trays at home, just starting to grow. I've learned the usual hard way that planting sets in open allotment ground is a fraught experience. Birds tend to get interested in new green shoots appearing and pull out the sets just as they start growing and in the past I've lost quite a few sets that way. So like most things destined for the allotment I start things off at home first in trays/pots. The allotment is a wild place....
I'm on Twitter and was interested to spot a new gardening group start up called @Oldhorts. This is a group of like minded gardeners interested in sharing their experiences. The organiser of this has also set up a network group called Old Horts at http://groupspaces.com/OldHorts. This looks like an interesting initiative which I've joined in with. As I understand, interest in Horticulture with the younger generation is at a fairly low level, so anything that the established horticulture/gardening fraturnity can do to encourage each other and our youth has to be a good thing.
Saturday, 8 March 2014
Preparation, preparation...
With a break in the wet weather, and with a little spare time available before I restart gardening for my customers, I managed to get to the allotment last week.
The primary activity was addressing the repair or replacement of a number of fence posts. All of the posts needing attention had rotted off within the ground. As I dug new holes for the replacements I hit very high ground water, literally 10-12 inches beneath the surface. Some wire fencing also needed attention having been in situ for over 10 years.
In addition to the repairs, the area of the plot that has the espalier apple trees has been tidied up, with lateral growth tied in and any wayward shoots pruned out.
Today another visit to feed all the fruit in this plot: apples, raspberries (summer and autumn varieties), blackcurrants; using pelleted chicken manure. After applying the feed I applied a mulch of compost (made on site). I was very pleased with the condition of this compost, being dark, rich and moist.
I attempted to apply a (late) winter wash to the apple trees to kill off over wintering pests, but as luck (or not) would have it, before I could complete the task, my 2 litre hand sprayer packed in and stopped working. Looks like a replacement is needed as I couldn't fix it even after washing it out.
The rhubarb is growing very well now, up at least 18 inches and we've already sampled the first pulling. Got some more today so rhubarb crumble must be on the Sunday lunch menu.
A few pictures are below just showing the fruit tree plot - up together, set for spring...
The primary activity was addressing the repair or replacement of a number of fence posts. All of the posts needing attention had rotted off within the ground. As I dug new holes for the replacements I hit very high ground water, literally 10-12 inches beneath the surface. Some wire fencing also needed attention having been in situ for over 10 years.
In addition to the repairs, the area of the plot that has the espalier apple trees has been tidied up, with lateral growth tied in and any wayward shoots pruned out.
Today another visit to feed all the fruit in this plot: apples, raspberries (summer and autumn varieties), blackcurrants; using pelleted chicken manure. After applying the feed I applied a mulch of compost (made on site). I was very pleased with the condition of this compost, being dark, rich and moist.
I attempted to apply a (late) winter wash to the apple trees to kill off over wintering pests, but as luck (or not) would have it, before I could complete the task, my 2 litre hand sprayer packed in and stopped working. Looks like a replacement is needed as I couldn't fix it even after washing it out.
The rhubarb is growing very well now, up at least 18 inches and we've already sampled the first pulling. Got some more today so rhubarb crumble must be on the Sunday lunch menu.
A few pictures are below just showing the fruit tree plot - up together, set for spring...
Wednesday, 5 February 2014
Can't help dreaming....
As a follow-on from my last posting - one photograph of a place that some (most) of us might choose to be at this moment. Warm, blue sky... need I say more?
Well, it made me smile..
With a little enforced time inside out of the wet and wind I've had the opportunity to start sorting a few things out.
My daughter spent some time in the Solomon Islands during her university days and checking through a non-functional digital file storage device I've salvaged a hard-disk containing loads of photos and some videos of her travels. She knows about this, and has copies already before anyone asks...
One video clip made me smile today - which helped make up for a really bad weather day here. In the video I couldn't help but notice that wet ground didn't seem to put off the performers. Hope you enjoy...
My daughter spent some time in the Solomon Islands during her university days and checking through a non-functional digital file storage device I've salvaged a hard-disk containing loads of photos and some videos of her travels. She knows about this, and has copies already before anyone asks...
One video clip made me smile today - which helped make up for a really bad weather day here. In the video I couldn't help but notice that wet ground didn't seem to put off the performers. Hope you enjoy...
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