Far Lands

With all this cold weather, we have had our heating on for long periods, and have burnt a lot of pellets - over three tonnes in two months. So, I ordered another delivery. But then with all the recent snow I was worried that the huge six wheeled tanker would not make it. I was also concerned with our imminent back-to-back cottage bookings and an Ellson family gathering over Easter that we would be back to the bad old days of puffa jackets and hats inside. So, I ordered a back up delivery of bagged pellets - another tonne or 67 fifteen kilo bags. Of course, the two deliveries converged on our little bridge within 30 seconds of each other. I then spent several hours sorting out the mayhem. The six wheeler got stuck in our drive, then could not turn round and had to reverse all the way back including across our bridge. The bagged-pellet driver on seeing this carry-on decided to unload his pellets before the little bridge. I am now well acquainted with each bag of pellets ...

It has snowed again. The Winter just seems to be going on and on this year. In fact it has been a mad night and morning. About 6 cm of snow but blown all over the place and v v windy. I cleared the road, and waved (not a big girly wave you understand) to the local farmer going up and down in his land rover. Sarah then set off to work only to return two minutes later because a tree had blocked our bridge. The tree had fallen in the ten minutes or so between me seeing the farmer and Sarah setting off. So, both Tony and Sarah were quite lucky. Out with the chainsaw, and then off for a bit of bridge clearance. Hope all ok with you wherever you are (I imagine my in-laws in Guatemala have been spared the worst of this blizzard?).

We are under attack, probably on all sides, from badgers. For some reason this year (Max, any suggestions?) they are digging holes everywhere and the lawn now resembles a rugby playing field. So, I am improving our defences; starting with the main lawn area. Below is a new section of fence complete with badger-proof chicken-wire skirt dug three inches into the ground and then reinforced with stone before replacing the soil. Hopefully, I will not be forced to actually man the battlements.

Not a personal question or even an admission. Just my latest project - a hot bed.     I made it from one of our cold water tanks wrapped in a piece of insulation that was a present from our builders! It is filled with layers of fresh horse manure and leaf mulch and finished with 15cms of top soil.   It is is in the greenhouse and hopefully (despite our second Winter) getting hot.   The plan is then to get some early crops before planting something really exciting like a melon!

On Sunday when I went running I met a badger. Seemingly also out for a morning trot, or perhaps late home after a hard night's worming. Ran towards me on the Sett Valley Trail for perhaps 40 metres, then saw or smelt me and did a U turn, re-traced its steps and disappeared into the scrub. Left an extremely distinctive and powerful musky smell. On Tuesday there was a large bird caught in our fruit cage. I opened the door and encouraged it to leave. But it could not find the way out. It was a large bird with talons so I put my hood up and went in to help. But it could not find the exit. In the end I caught it - it simply gave up and just hung from the cage roof. When I had it in my hands I realised (95%) that it was a peregrine - a very special moment for me. I lay it on our (empty) bee platform and after 5 mins of recovering it flew off. And yesterday saw the first lambs being born next door. Not strictly wildlife, but for any of you urban dwellers...

Day 2 saw us plant another 39 trees, so 108 trees in total:- 106 in the foraging hedge and two (a Mirabelle and a Brownlee's Russett in the orchard). We planted the following:- Hazel x 25 (good for hedge structure, fast growers); Elder x 10 (elderflower cordial and elderberries for desserts); Blackthorn x 20 (sloes for sloe gin!, and early source of nectar for bees); Dogrose x 10 (for colour); Sea Buckthorn x 10 (berries can be cooked with); Crab apple x 10; Wild pear x 10; Willow x 10 (we hope they are male, and if so they will be an early source of pollen for bees); Medlar x 1. Before... ...and after. Now, we have just have to wait. And hope that the badgers don't dig them up, the sheep don't nibble them, they don't get too much rain (nor too little) and the sun comes out.   Then it'll be time for a sloe gin or two...

We have started. Sarah took the day off, and we planted 69 trees.   Hope they are appreciating all that dung! Full report next week.