tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76270804842684594942024-03-13T09:03:08.830+01:00Deep in DordogneOur journey in the Dordogne; renovating an old 16 acre farm - creating five stone holiday cottages, orchards, gardens and a more self-sufficient life.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7627080484268459494.post-73907427703241632842012-09-04T18:18:00.000+02:002012-09-04T19:33:43.723+02:00The Long Hot SummerIt seems ages since I posted on this blog. It just seems that while the sun is shining and the weather is perfect, there is always something to do on a project as big as ours.<br />
<br />
We are trying to finish the little house before Christmas, and still have so many things to complete. My main task has been to renovate the exterior walls, which sounds like a relatively small undertaking, compared to the mountain of tasks that Nick has had to tackle.... but still it feels never-ending.<br />
<br />
I had to chipper off all the render first, to expose the old stones. I needed to dig out all the old pointing that was dry and dusty, until I got back to the original mud pointing that was still solid. As we wanted to expose the stones, for 'pierres apparantes' I had to remove sufficient to enable the stones to stand proud after repointing. A hammer drill and a screwdriver, proved to be the most effective way to remove everything.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8XgCGOJq8pUapfTQL7hbhqlet6CFS5_NmG1jYOeWwBc0oxKXxtYyfgncT88bBEWuXKsUDPTGnhCshcT2HLaa4OU0kE3xofiPRADD7_wRfjTuHCfyL5mBMnqoNyh92xsi8t8BDo26Dyb7/s1600/exposing+stone" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8XgCGOJq8pUapfTQL7hbhqlet6CFS5_NmG1jYOeWwBc0oxKXxtYyfgncT88bBEWuXKsUDPTGnhCshcT2HLaa4OU0kE3xofiPRADD7_wRfjTuHCfyL5mBMnqoNyh92xsi8t8BDo26Dyb7/s400/exposing+stone" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Having gone round the whole building twice, it was then time to clean the stones. After trying a number of methods, I settled on diluted chlorine and wire brushes (the technique advocated by our neighbouring farmer). It seems to take an age, having gone round the entire property at ground level, I then had to start again with a platform for the upper level. I can't say I'm looking forward to repeating this process on the barn! However it is starting to look beautiful...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7nUr-9QIJ6G30e1JZfupyhKU_No8dCE-kC-4EhHNS29h19Dt5ZO869Is-Cqb6ahyphenhyphen7_uwyzcs5Tp5uzRGgudT_PAwpI6eQ2wlmt4J5YIGSWdcnNxtd_DnaU9-aVKICCN_lZ94eSEKKyiwN/s1600/cleaning+stone" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7nUr-9QIJ6G30e1JZfupyhKU_No8dCE-kC-4EhHNS29h19Dt5ZO869Is-Cqb6ahyphenhyphen7_uwyzcs5Tp5uzRGgudT_PAwpI6eQ2wlmt4J5YIGSWdcnNxtd_DnaU9-aVKICCN_lZ94eSEKKyiwN/s400/cleaning+stone" width="330" /></a></div>
Just one more round cleaning the top of the walls, and then I can start repointing, and buttering them to finish.<br />
<br />
We used a sandblaster on the inside walls to clean the areas we wanted to expose like the chimney breast, as we also needed to clean the old wooden beams<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDBT-bjw9R1rFBwi6Rz2u8GJuZCvhdbcGJ8rGiOGY8RvGU53DUg72XkQcigwgCuUha-gj-l2bDBhKMZZBXk5c5kfGGFeZgwj_elEDw5c8T-78TPB8YiBvaTD3xUJFwujhxcOv2-h8ouHXM/s1600/chimney" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDBT-bjw9R1rFBwi6Rz2u8GJuZCvhdbcGJ8rGiOGY8RvGU53DUg72XkQcigwgCuUha-gj-l2bDBhKMZZBXk5c5kfGGFeZgwj_elEDw5c8T-78TPB8YiBvaTD3xUJFwujhxcOv2-h8ouHXM/s320/chimney" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicNEtVHMYjmimTQSsQ6jPlVaUDGUMpKpYMyQpQwba8_CyherqU32MxmJgMCT_sho6NZIrIhLNgeaKyHWT0p0mNfdkdluTuby_we9bjI3ronFORRpJO3BZBFtNsetrA7r-2hNHhyphenhyphen0pXSXSn/s1600/sandblasted+chimney" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicNEtVHMYjmimTQSsQ6jPlVaUDGUMpKpYMyQpQwba8_CyherqU32MxmJgMCT_sho6NZIrIhLNgeaKyHWT0p0mNfdkdluTuby_we9bjI3ronFORRpJO3BZBFtNsetrA7r-2hNHhyphenhyphen0pXSXSn/s320/sandblasted+chimney" width="293" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
It was a much quicker process, but still hard work particularly in the deep sea diving helmet that allowed you to breathe clean air. It was incredibly heavy, and the equipment rental firm had forgotten to give us a new visor for the front.<br />
It was so difficult to see through the front panel (as the sand pitted the surface) that Nick had to remove it periodically to sand the surface flat....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVLDk2E2Xl7ewNRXUOcju0KfBiD8Q8d1y_LM2gn5AgwetnaL_7De6APAI5rhlCnF5oY9HdAU9Y0bw7ImLeJ8vzDR5BgzZ2dVzxeyM_uuxYFhNQ3sHa9PQ1QkzOML9mtSv0d5ycquosHIoP/s1600/sandblasting" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVLDk2E2Xl7ewNRXUOcju0KfBiD8Q8d1y_LM2gn5AgwetnaL_7De6APAI5rhlCnF5oY9HdAU9Y0bw7ImLeJ8vzDR5BgzZ2dVzxeyM_uuxYFhNQ3sHa9PQ1QkzOML9mtSv0d5ycquosHIoP/s400/sandblasting" width="390" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Although I am quite proud of my efforts to date, they pale into insignificance when compared with the productivity of the man machine that is my partner. In the time it has taken me so far to renovate the exterior walls, Nick has managed to....<br />
<br />
Lay the foundations for the ground floor; lay cabling to take all the electrics; and pour and level the concrete.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFFYbmyX_LO-of7BtviJ9pd_5X97n0nri7XTL1VafmF0DiCvUnihUVaKoLXc0ntbOl-xC9UCBhSRAkliXQp5MYYbpAXG28gRxDX6hg_PsNtGNLhXwvlfIEfVooUf0OV7vNxlsvRieaGFxh/s1600/laying+foundations" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFFYbmyX_LO-of7BtviJ9pd_5X97n0nri7XTL1VafmF0DiCvUnihUVaKoLXc0ntbOl-xC9UCBhSRAkliXQp5MYYbpAXG28gRxDX6hg_PsNtGNLhXwvlfIEfVooUf0OV7vNxlsvRieaGFxh/s400/laying+foundations" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjxWosN_Igpr5z3GqwDO3tI-fEeNJqiaR8uCbz0iLowYy930tWYW-qqBdj5xBnG4eOH4D2c0HdaAzoJGn9HgnJbjPiv5D6Sw7pnPfHXXM8mudf3jUr-Gs-ca0DfMscQwp2xtSA5VfHJj6w/s1600/laying+a+floor" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjxWosN_Igpr5z3GqwDO3tI-fEeNJqiaR8uCbz0iLowYy930tWYW-qqBdj5xBnG4eOH4D2c0HdaAzoJGn9HgnJbjPiv5D6Sw7pnPfHXXM8mudf3jUr-Gs-ca0DfMscQwp2xtSA5VfHJj6w/s400/laying+a+floor" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
To lay the flooring for the first floor, inch thick marine ply to ensure that it has no bounce...</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
To construct a Hot Tub from cedar, fashioning the planks and constructing the metal banding and tighteners.....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_aogbjakHVrRS1XV9rgw8gIzd6JOow-BF480vyzQdo92r_bvgHpLLjWYIapsokeeWMImz2ha_ytoBc69GazUWdr_4B98dMuPeXeIKEOAInXmX-RriAVzfI_znNZK0N26EsAns9-ZKNZ9Y/s1600/hot+tub" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_aogbjakHVrRS1XV9rgw8gIzd6JOow-BF480vyzQdo92r_bvgHpLLjWYIapsokeeWMImz2ha_ytoBc69GazUWdr_4B98dMuPeXeIKEOAInXmX-RriAVzfI_znNZK0N26EsAns9-ZKNZ9Y/s320/hot+tub" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-bdsC1aArZPzWA6P-666Olj6Fr5lnb2Gk3ieAGwQlEK40rUDHBInwk4SXgLcpcXHuol9VUzY9uU8lCagLsQD6K2EihoD4Heks8gflbPayBfULyP1H97cVkEHmZdLnYrWSADsaJruj8YKy/s1600/windows" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-bdsC1aArZPzWA6P-666Olj6Fr5lnb2Gk3ieAGwQlEK40rUDHBInwk4SXgLcpcXHuol9VUzY9uU8lCagLsQD6K2EihoD4Heks8gflbPayBfULyP1H97cVkEHmZdLnYrWSADsaJruj8YKy/s400/windows" width="298" /></a></div>
Make hardwood windows by cutting down french doors, and fit all of the doors and windows.... Albeit I did lend a hand in the painting department. A key task which I'm sure was pivotal in the overall development timeline!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqLFFwuBlLwTftBpNF0f6cMfbjyxzF5S6_uTHeWWcp8WnP2HtNlMtD6EQ3VonN5LNurh_Le4Jw6iMx1-ocrmxljIoJxKPBqG-AT8gx0PKTACpxEw2i3dtZfOehcBvW4STFNOy7ftUrmyVl/s1600/front+door" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqLFFwuBlLwTftBpNF0f6cMfbjyxzF5S6_uTHeWWcp8WnP2HtNlMtD6EQ3VonN5LNurh_Le4Jw6iMx1-ocrmxljIoJxKPBqG-AT8gx0PKTACpxEw2i3dtZfOehcBvW4STFNOy7ftUrmyVl/s400/front+door" width="298" /></a></div>
<br />
To construct a unique front door made from oak planks taken from the barn, cleaned and planed to form an entrance both beautiful and original.....<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
To lay the framework for the decking at the rear of the property, while we wait for the sawmill to cut the 90 metres2 of chestnut we will lay....<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHN-npmem57kQWWRwUR6j7vCycnw4b16lMv1M8rKy6dTuPbgJkGSjxswoLh9nGUY8eWk3JEoLonzpQqxCRuAghSnrO7JWYWfwF9lwpivrK8ZlZCkIRAnivYeyxvpEY0kOVpxlbwsAELxBT/s1600/constructing+a+deck" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHN-npmem57kQWWRwUR6j7vCycnw4b16lMv1M8rKy6dTuPbgJkGSjxswoLh9nGUY8eWk3JEoLonzpQqxCRuAghSnrO7JWYWfwF9lwpivrK8ZlZCkIRAnivYeyxvpEY0kOVpxlbwsAELxBT/s320/constructing+a+deck" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidPAe0IH_WcJkUyNR4rQFYwj7j2VRqWcd5o5L9CnDdbRrJ4x5OtYjfQE8wD-ub43HEP9ycn8JvzkotydyKT8bxAw7wQ6iYyA5Lse9PZyOrPzFSEDIc-oglXRgvv8eAN_ng2JXJiiStgSij/s1600/building+a+staircase" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidPAe0IH_WcJkUyNR4rQFYwj7j2VRqWcd5o5L9CnDdbRrJ4x5OtYjfQE8wD-ub43HEP9ycn8JvzkotydyKT8bxAw7wQ6iYyA5Lse9PZyOrPzFSEDIc-oglXRgvv8eAN_ng2JXJiiStgSij/s320/building+a+staircase" width="213" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And most recently to construct an oak staircase, made again from the oak planks he has reclaimed and cleaned from the barn..</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I would feel slightly overwhelmed by the productivity compared to my meagre efforts, but I have also had responsibility for the vegetable garden, and here I have definitely restored the balance.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
My cherry tomatoes started to crop in August and I have had four weeks now of continual harvesting...<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjJrVEJR0HSZ3tOdC6TsoKYS1zoi2hxyXUmci2qmZGJ_lwPphd1_FNLKAPwODD9z9L458mmHtiP4ErQNuHwQMXU2eeziQ5t0W0hluXBFDsLHi3IrDGlOkHyVrPJP_GKMEotPkjJtU-aS7U/s1600/tumbling+tomatoes" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjJrVEJR0HSZ3tOdC6TsoKYS1zoi2hxyXUmci2qmZGJ_lwPphd1_FNLKAPwODD9z9L458mmHtiP4ErQNuHwQMXU2eeziQ5t0W0hluXBFDsLHi3IrDGlOkHyVrPJP_GKMEotPkjJtU-aS7U/s320/tumbling+tomatoes" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In fact there have been so many, I have slow roasted over 300 tomatoes. I cut them in half, added a touch of salt and pepper and olive oil, and roasted them in the oven for 3 hours. The depth of flavour is amazing, so sweet and sticky, and great to add to pasta or salads. I have frozen most of them and they can be used straight from the freezer without reheating.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNJUel_voH4C4mRvF7-yyAXQ_bVv6KppHRdbfffTfrhqt-mfC4TfSPrOaMAmdwoev7lB282Sm_1rcfbfzJih99MUw_EJ3k2OX53ApkNtF-gQW50GTS7yed_mUijpR-29djkUG6SXGd8jgt/s1600/slow+roasted+tomatoes" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNJUel_voH4C4mRvF7-yyAXQ_bVv6KppHRdbfffTfrhqt-mfC4TfSPrOaMAmdwoev7lB282Sm_1rcfbfzJih99MUw_EJ3k2OX53ApkNtF-gQW50GTS7yed_mUijpR-29djkUG6SXGd8jgt/s320/slow+roasted+tomatoes" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
My other great passion has now become 'cucurbits'. I had never even heard of the word 8 weeks ago, but I now know that this is the family of pumpkins, squash and melons. And my interest is down to the fact that I seem to have the ideal soil, conditions and weather for growing them.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The first notion I had was when I realised that I had quite a few pumpkins growing in the patch and they were starting to get quite big. From the tiny seeds that I had grown in the greenhouse there were some sizeable fruit and a lot more flowers still being pollinated by the bees...<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFDAubsRK5d_BbXdXfWOjlR9O9gAc6e2XA3bu6ZosXSHNSQjYzHWqD7A1L6YLkcxArCTTdDoHlIxe4FTLllsZl_3DqxsLgvmm2oGM2Hd3suG94rAq1w-m9u9XbbHvIB_FynQdRT4uFTvCo/s1600/pumpkins+on+vine" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFDAubsRK5d_BbXdXfWOjlR9O9gAc6e2XA3bu6ZosXSHNSQjYzHWqD7A1L6YLkcxArCTTdDoHlIxe4FTLllsZl_3DqxsLgvmm2oGM2Hd3suG94rAq1w-m9u9XbbHvIB_FynQdRT4uFTvCo/s400/pumpkins+on+vine" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyNE5fEimt5wdIiJafnNQpGJ6i7hprdp9j1yzLESOf7qPf5wR8s_OEXIMum4sdbXWKZb7a4DGhOQerw_dlAS24zVZGwX1vlupge9FYHtPvatvV3I8F3DA9Tzw3C8hu8GEtWOR8mcObe3eP/s1600/pumpkin+patch" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyNE5fEimt5wdIiJafnNQpGJ6i7hprdp9j1yzLESOf7qPf5wR8s_OEXIMum4sdbXWKZb7a4DGhOQerw_dlAS24zVZGwX1vlupge9FYHtPvatvV3I8F3DA9Tzw3C8hu8GEtWOR8mcObe3eP/s400/pumpkin+patch" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I was quite amazed when they started to </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
mature in August, swelling and ripening </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
on the vine...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I had thought that pumpkins were harvested in October ready for Halloween, and yet mine were definitely ripe and ready to be hardened off in mid August.... and so we started harvesting them<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm4vANaiN02Cjt7Mjix6TVNRpHadQyBlu2XuyWfTXdq-rpeI2x98uXr8GI5H8fdjWYnCr20Dq5pcmqfjfxT2jEoYCU0pvfF3KQxnCrUlObXq6FlE7fEvtd3kzzbIcRsuaaxjIunR5-u4r0/s1600/pumpkin+harvest" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm4vANaiN02Cjt7Mjix6TVNRpHadQyBlu2XuyWfTXdq-rpeI2x98uXr8GI5H8fdjWYnCr20Dq5pcmqfjfxT2jEoYCU0pvfF3KQxnCrUlObXq6FlE7fEvtd3kzzbIcRsuaaxjIunR5-u4r0/s400/pumpkin+harvest" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My butternut squash have taken a similar journey. Loads of tiny fruit set in July after the bees had done their work.... and then swelled on the vine...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJCKxJrjw2yuB7QzYax1kAStd_Vrb_sovZT0ehSLx3kIGp4kM_ZZmVvVDBlcmvAsRSLniLN6_sie9Xyi6EWv6wfvbJ7CTPa6lykVKeSZXaX__ONCZkPbDvYgtHKjQG9xlsB-U9i8AA7dSF/s1600/tiny+butternuts" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJCKxJrjw2yuB7QzYax1kAStd_Vrb_sovZT0ehSLx3kIGp4kM_ZZmVvVDBlcmvAsRSLniLN6_sie9Xyi6EWv6wfvbJ7CTPa6lykVKeSZXaX__ONCZkPbDvYgtHKjQG9xlsB-U9i8AA7dSF/s200/tiny+butternuts" width="149" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJuyjQI4QUzS3iv4FnOkC3xFFdsiUxRIDwVXY4EAu0RgRNDvE3VgDvDUpGgZeCNYdwF0dR3KprmANyMs607aDjbkjaegNh72WZ20rlxbIy52v_oEWYItWHeLZMpUMII1WQhS1li8goV_i/s1600/butternut+patch" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJuyjQI4QUzS3iv4FnOkC3xFFdsiUxRIDwVXY4EAu0RgRNDvE3VgDvDUpGgZeCNYdwF0dR3KprmANyMs607aDjbkjaegNh72WZ20rlxbIy52v_oEWYItWHeLZMpUMII1WQhS1li8goV_i/s200/butternut+patch" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Until I had 35 huge squash gradually turning a deep biscuit colour in the August sunshine..</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq2HlxPCXMdtxBsQw9MYMwrDqiboDR8KJtI_sm-lZpd5eaKe_AOUGjsxHurbcoqAJHdUK9LukM53zVXnOqHD1xyNUa4oanS6yr7OaDn6J7IKnC4zNBhaD0bMrnqLDijkeNAUhhkm_VKg5k/s1600/butternut+ripening" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq2HlxPCXMdtxBsQw9MYMwrDqiboDR8KJtI_sm-lZpd5eaKe_AOUGjsxHurbcoqAJHdUK9LukM53zVXnOqHD1xyNUa4oanS6yr7OaDn6J7IKnC4zNBhaD0bMrnqLDijkeNAUhhkm_VKg5k/s320/butternut+ripening" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And I planted 6 canteloupe melon seeds. After a profusion of tiny yellow flowers, the fruit started to grow....</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtCDWXXbnIN6Xx7f8XvRfqvAN0QsJlrZc5LuSQ4HrQv2dvOjZ_fS6XO_gkjweQO2C_DxqtMPTiiplEWlkgv4aha24phSbZVKFqUAKoSrY_zH1RR0dIum-JMDlWk-nFRJDmjeGvB8u8rfsa/s1600/little+melons+on+vine" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtCDWXXbnIN6Xx7f8XvRfqvAN0QsJlrZc5LuSQ4HrQv2dvOjZ_fS6XO_gkjweQO2C_DxqtMPTiiplEWlkgv4aha24phSbZVKFqUAKoSrY_zH1RR0dIum-JMDlWk-nFRJDmjeGvB8u8rfsa/s400/little+melons+on+vine" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I had read that it is best to cut off the smaller fruit to allow one or two per plant to reach full size, but I just didn't have the heart. So I left all the fruit on the vine to see how many would ripen...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8X-pz27r-GASx6YDyH82KC-syFWlH1NVg6i5xtos0smmTiEbMCkNbMwj2EdzcOlsJHMVqxVJLYLGXq5b3P_2cSG5A9sxe4CGdyjj5LHZCfeas2QPnvJZ5Ozbvue5A-Q0JkgIW86YsbBYp/s1600/melons+on+vine" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8X-pz27r-GASx6YDyH82KC-syFWlH1NVg6i5xtos0smmTiEbMCkNbMwj2EdzcOlsJHMVqxVJLYLGXq5b3P_2cSG5A9sxe4CGdyjj5LHZCfeas2QPnvJZ5Ozbvue5A-Q0JkgIW86YsbBYp/s200/melons+on+vine" width="149" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDkd5NIdXtHlSeBJAmoEktVTHevghGA7wOsSMwxPddnIuaaoC5wRSt-51g0kfMvlyutE8Fof-GeC6C1gcVGYG7jqThRvNspfM3cl6PFJfCu9tKbovvDa9atKzOA-RuoefqFdbwzjJzpqcs/s1600/melon+ripening" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDkd5NIdXtHlSeBJAmoEktVTHevghGA7wOsSMwxPddnIuaaoC5wRSt-51g0kfMvlyutE8Fof-GeC6C1gcVGYG7jqThRvNspfM3cl6PFJfCu9tKbovvDa9atKzOA-RuoefqFdbwzjJzpqcs/s200/melon+ripening" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
And it seems that the Dordogne sunshine and the heavily manured raised beds we had built were perfect for them, so they all carried on growing to full size, and we are now harvesting melons on a daily basis.<br />
They are sweet and honeyed and bursting with flavour.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPA_aRl0pxpUlCX1fuZdFU-3OG06Lgwb-3dMp_Ht-qH4zDnSq8-odCT6NhPOUKt8aPdJJIu3WkcgBCXkb0-3cdJ9eSh5aeEI1JPiKtgBOl2wf4bJ2cxNCp2nAfEN3vHIo1qxvwVC-J3R9d/s1600/melon+cut+open" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPA_aRl0pxpUlCX1fuZdFU-3OG06Lgwb-3dMp_Ht-qH4zDnSq8-odCT6NhPOUKt8aPdJJIu3WkcgBCXkb0-3cdJ9eSh5aeEI1JPiKtgBOl2wf4bJ2cxNCp2nAfEN3vHIo1qxvwVC-J3R9d/s320/melon+cut+open" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
It feels like a Harvest Festival display in the potager...... and yet it is only the end of August. However if the amount of new flowers on the cucurbit plants are a sign of things to come, then we should be harvesting all the way through till October. Anyone for soup.... !<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieWC68ePQqjJtk57f06kzAjkZgPBk7etT7sP9y5vt4XUTmUMG9zIYqsdp8R9vmWAZ__bN5fQaRsG3h-522BtDFR2LqjDyULHB8QLGXXS4XYq1rsjtOx2WYz8p9OIIYr2hNXBDUJV4GNahm/s1600/harvest+festival" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieWC68ePQqjJtk57f06kzAjkZgPBk7etT7sP9y5vt4XUTmUMG9zIYqsdp8R9vmWAZ__bN5fQaRsG3h-522BtDFR2LqjDyULHB8QLGXXS4XYq1rsjtOx2WYz8p9OIIYr2hNXBDUJV4GNahm/s400/harvest+festival" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span id="goog_1533548730"></span><span id="goog_1533548731"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7627080484268459494.post-53423272767982107802012-06-04T12:54:00.000+02:002012-06-04T12:55:20.838+02:00First Harvest<br />
It is now early June and the sun has been shining for weeks, the temperature has hit the early 30s and I have emptied two of the rainwater butts keeping my young plants watered. There has been a major burst of growth over the past week and I am starting to harvest the fruit and salad that is ripening in the warmth and sunshine.<br />
<br />
The peas are swelling in their pods, which are hanging heavy from the winding climbers<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXNXPLcA-WQ0X6YAQlbl5cmsB7kQTOdU6n96lzcAy_eSyl05kMZg7spVCvLEcrJPqphBmx9qvXbP6nga4PD9rM6F35Hdrwayk_8n4obVbCw2yPBD_FRE6KhLycDQ6jb4BOAPv4Sm8U50Bg/s1600/peas+ripening" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXNXPLcA-WQ0X6YAQlbl5cmsB7kQTOdU6n96lzcAy_eSyl05kMZg7spVCvLEcrJPqphBmx9qvXbP6nga4PD9rM6F35Hdrwayk_8n4obVbCw2yPBD_FRE6KhLycDQ6jb4BOAPv4Sm8U50Bg/s400/peas+ripening" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The broad beans have been flowering profusely for the last 3 weeks, and the bees have been busily pollinating them. Huge purple black carpenter bees, alongside lumbering bumble bees have done their work, and despite a bit of brown spot on the plant, I have spotted the first beans<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhHoMY-9P2N6ziE48byH0UeeA1e8p6E1L1aPssp7IuUTW0qTvs4xknbkbUP0zlpppIFeQZjPvRbR63f9tPMgmUtLyVSP7WcHHf1bkdAxG4Lz378cFqNLaSGh4HccrJ2AMrfw-W8GYmhxg/s1600/broad+bean" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhHoMY-9P2N6ziE48byH0UeeA1e8p6E1L1aPssp7IuUTW0qTvs4xknbkbUP0zlpppIFeQZjPvRbR63f9tPMgmUtLyVSP7WcHHf1bkdAxG4Lz378cFqNLaSGh4HccrJ2AMrfw-W8GYmhxg/s400/broad+bean" width="222" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
And even the french beans which went out into the garden a little early, have started to produce their first crop.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjClupG3rLU1SFvnIOPe2ju-aiPJLOQBp59HBav2mbi3xS7NJGHF7NJqIOqdTW265jnXvzr3Fi1zHTmMn6YUyC4mlOY-OCoBVZpGDiwH_kxdeGWyRr-i2lxDY38Eo1P-Sg_uMo5Wa55En-j/s1600/french+beans" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjClupG3rLU1SFvnIOPe2ju-aiPJLOQBp59HBav2mbi3xS7NJGHF7NJqIOqdTW265jnXvzr3Fi1zHTmMn6YUyC4mlOY-OCoBVZpGDiwH_kxdeGWyRr-i2lxDY38Eo1P-Sg_uMo5Wa55En-j/s400/french+beans" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The canteloupe melons have been planted out and have been putting on new growth,<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBsb50EZw1H8KrIwL3w-s0McmMqVnBjQfHmtWyLtMS2-92ySq2TTRysBcCnDhL1v2E-ikb_6PlU_i9XrA3BeUrhgWohQJ6OmxpwjafwB_TYqDPlV20WsV8Num5s7xTqSxv1wtdxrFTxnXx/s1600/melon+plant" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBsb50EZw1H8KrIwL3w-s0McmMqVnBjQfHmtWyLtMS2-92ySq2TTRysBcCnDhL1v2E-ikb_6PlU_i9XrA3BeUrhgWohQJ6OmxpwjafwB_TYqDPlV20WsV8Num5s7xTqSxv1wtdxrFTxnXx/s400/melon+plant" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
And the butternut squash plants are growing rapidly, and the first pumpkin has appeared. A mite too early to start carving it yet though.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIaYo5Ktw5girZ3Xa4Wb8_rSx6y0Lj60bFOgjKw7yOm1-qIA4bQK1huJuj3FONzQSzD6wNvlTYcCMMD67uHZ8mBR19e_KNlE6Qn61xx-v07FPPRjQLbzhDFw3DyFjfe7riaFJ6IdwxCeLO/s1600/butternut+squash+plants" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIaYo5Ktw5girZ3Xa4Wb8_rSx6y0Lj60bFOgjKw7yOm1-qIA4bQK1huJuj3FONzQSzD6wNvlTYcCMMD67uHZ8mBR19e_KNlE6Qn61xx-v07FPPRjQLbzhDFw3DyFjfe7riaFJ6IdwxCeLO/s400/butternut+squash+plants" width="346" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUSx9TfIAt8uaLbhxgXKSaqTfZD5HrnU_44xX8A4vOaCOgNAkSAKpK-RQ_BFdwMyDn4evAp5i2FOTrBZZ5ONNg4GVJBHS_rEiKek3HP6nVbu6iUcndcSlhiI66n6A681kuJRRZIDvJnJxi/s1600/pumpkin" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUSx9TfIAt8uaLbhxgXKSaqTfZD5HrnU_44xX8A4vOaCOgNAkSAKpK-RQ_BFdwMyDn4evAp5i2FOTrBZZ5ONNg4GVJBHS_rEiKek3HP6nVbu6iUcndcSlhiI66n6A681kuJRRZIDvJnJxi/s400/pumpkin" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The ferny tops of the carrots have completely filled the enviromesh cover<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLsEe8rf48NsKz6r5eg7X54_PoIWdffQk71-y26Ci7R5rulLCq2PBPfxRNLRpvjcO1skXiTjZWThrFNeUgNwdZ5sresYrpUEHPQ5neiu8VqtEyP5xDbljeGguxZ5ZBq29yoAvKypjLdEBB/s1600/carrot+plant" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLsEe8rf48NsKz6r5eg7X54_PoIWdffQk71-y26Ci7R5rulLCq2PBPfxRNLRpvjcO1skXiTjZWThrFNeUgNwdZ5sresYrpUEHPQ5neiu8VqtEyP5xDbljeGguxZ5ZBq29yoAvKypjLdEBB/s400/carrot+plant" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
And the broccoli, sprouts and cauliflower are thriving under the mesh, as it is providing some shade from the intense heat of the sun<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhODvat02MWq4-kzonqMsnLO_a6DPNEeBlW9Ethy-w0fRpNLv_edDrw7J_Aoc_xOz4AHp3CV5gn1n_SNy2Y7aVKeCToWKEYYCqqv5uthMGDCY6Fctf0WFC0hNCQCMeHuqwmUPm7s-SKv9cb/s1600/broccoli+plants" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhODvat02MWq4-kzonqMsnLO_a6DPNEeBlW9Ethy-w0fRpNLv_edDrw7J_Aoc_xOz4AHp3CV5gn1n_SNy2Y7aVKeCToWKEYYCqqv5uthMGDCY6Fctf0WFC0hNCQCMeHuqwmUPm7s-SKv9cb/s400/broccoli+plants" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
After starting them in the greenhouse, the sweetcorn have now been planted outside in a block to ensure they are all pollinated, and we get the sweetest corn cobs<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQDjjfKfJ150zF7dHT__9r3rYZ9FLC1qwksThuL7dLXSNt2F2oyU0PXFVR8VL2lci1ZHIccUiVPnnbHrM_tosVhlrQL8Vdt7HM5tBzLglYf_kPQgtcwUah6JfSGZfSux82B0AGNzVsYJp/s1600/growing+sweetcorn" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQDjjfKfJ150zF7dHT__9r3rYZ9FLC1qwksThuL7dLXSNt2F2oyU0PXFVR8VL2lci1ZHIccUiVPnnbHrM_tosVhlrQL8Vdt7HM5tBzLglYf_kPQgtcwUah6JfSGZfSux82B0AGNzVsYJp/s400/growing+sweetcorn" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
All the tomatoes have been planted out now as the night time temperatures are staying above 10 degrees, and after the tiny yellow flowers, I now have the first signs of the cherry tomatoes<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi44RZdslYV2HjUBld-eUCpkHpVm8yKd1Q3sNj69ULa5QJRTh4KiKH-IbvTOx6vgbPHwuh35_lj8MNTZiIkB9sqP8-J2JPedIVM4D-iqjsybJRW_1_WzXIA521yovC6wxVrpZYs5xB3srTJ/s1600/tomatoes" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi44RZdslYV2HjUBld-eUCpkHpVm8yKd1Q3sNj69ULa5QJRTh4KiKH-IbvTOx6vgbPHwuh35_lj8MNTZiIkB9sqP8-J2JPedIVM4D-iqjsybJRW_1_WzXIA521yovC6wxVrpZYs5xB3srTJ/s400/tomatoes" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Our fruit bushes are also bearing fruit now, in various stages of ripening.<br />
The raspberries have just formed and are starting to swell<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_zgzxleGogGrEUdPhohXKBZtS-k-XpySiNYYT_-caQ2BQN6Tr0fg8_kSNnOLRTR_t5hGpywv9mQ2gGnQwvDkUyAwLc9FxirUrpVoBOriTIrPaWxH8977Y1veILykKdi3v0QUy8H8fPFn/s1600/raspberries+ripening" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_zgzxleGogGrEUdPhohXKBZtS-k-XpySiNYYT_-caQ2BQN6Tr0fg8_kSNnOLRTR_t5hGpywv9mQ2gGnQwvDkUyAwLc9FxirUrpVoBOriTIrPaWxH8977Y1veILykKdi3v0QUy8H8fPFn/s400/raspberries+ripening" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The little bell flowers on the blueberry plants have been replaced with the berries that are starting to turn from green to blue<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96Dekd9BQh6C58KhxcGmmVZO_bHpWLYQAoz4Q81-69eRZ9_UfTXfxCV89LdhioSWRIhX7kce4rQgSKB2_i3jpZ3Lb-BOYmQkTc68dRaoHLqmkaixHyp0AsnOr1KrXDnO7Bg3CK22owwZ5/s1600/blueberries+appearing" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96Dekd9BQh6C58KhxcGmmVZO_bHpWLYQAoz4Q81-69eRZ9_UfTXfxCV89LdhioSWRIhX7kce4rQgSKB2_i3jpZ3Lb-BOYmQkTc68dRaoHLqmkaixHyp0AsnOr1KrXDnO7Bg3CK22owwZ5/s400/blueberries+appearing" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Whilst shading under the leaves of the bush, the gooseberries are starting to ripen<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-CMcPYT_LaDGzvZTofhyphenhyphennGGuzIqroMrEtcT2eBTYiE-4A678SKbw4CQAuKo1RhoucfrkZDiP7f9D5KEiHxUDHYGsnw9yOuPhyphenhyphenF2e9p3eKp5WUvTnzXo9hftNQgNW5y6-v6Gz9Z3l2rg3S/s1600/gooseberries" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-CMcPYT_LaDGzvZTofhyphenhyphennGGuzIqroMrEtcT2eBTYiE-4A678SKbw4CQAuKo1RhoucfrkZDiP7f9D5KEiHxUDHYGsnw9yOuPhyphenhyphenF2e9p3eKp5WUvTnzXo9hftNQgNW5y6-v6Gz9Z3l2rg3S/s400/gooseberries" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
And the rhubarb has almost taken over one side of the fruit bed<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXTQ-6yny5svRGhS2XaaG6THa5_ozG5LBVDqOMxuyuvLF7Kb3Ixkkolcg4xTusq2EgmSg6cpVHSpsqGD0le7Lq3czOVZ9xCwtLBfrCAIcCPfLi5kFwvqOD-XTKFF4W7b_IymxyChYSwC3Y/s1600/rhubarb+plant" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXTQ-6yny5svRGhS2XaaG6THa5_ozG5LBVDqOMxuyuvLF7Kb3Ixkkolcg4xTusq2EgmSg6cpVHSpsqGD0le7Lq3czOVZ9xCwtLBfrCAIcCPfLi5kFwvqOD-XTKFF4W7b_IymxyChYSwC3Y/s400/rhubarb+plant" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Even the grapevines that we transported over from England made it through the -16 degree winter freeze, and have not only put on leafy growth, but we also have the first grapes appearing<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmKi3l79mUzAXs0XW-Ewl3weeIdBOQSN7JcuPDmGjvAHlfheYJrtJlxIiT3xUkZI2EqsnxWXpfvNZmbhhzaUvApLPO9PKJrtZY5piFMftpmPY1yNZGWxtNEglaLMSboz0ckWEmq1g4NkBK/s1600/first+grapes" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmKi3l79mUzAXs0XW-Ewl3weeIdBOQSN7JcuPDmGjvAHlfheYJrtJlxIiT3xUkZI2EqsnxWXpfvNZmbhhzaUvApLPO9PKJrtZY5piFMftpmPY1yNZGWxtNEglaLMSboz0ckWEmq1g4NkBK/s400/first+grapes" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
And finally our strawberries are bright red jewels in the veggie beds, sweet and juicy, best tasting when eaten warm straight off the plant.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ebBlgOn5t-foTZDUTrlGCegzevY9pRUOEQwdzFf4MFaQ0aZkqDL-cDdBTEiExvxHe3xDN6kJ2pl8ekt2kns3gR9i0WzGIOVycDHfS5OrqI-CqZb7p4WuCz0kY5kGTdRh8TPHpTEEE6oT/s1600/strawberries+ripening" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ebBlgOn5t-foTZDUTrlGCegzevY9pRUOEQwdzFf4MFaQ0aZkqDL-cDdBTEiExvxHe3xDN6kJ2pl8ekt2kns3gR9i0WzGIOVycDHfS5OrqI-CqZb7p4WuCz0kY5kGTdRh8TPHpTEEE6oT/s400/strawberries+ripening" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
And along with the spinach salad leaves and radishes, they have provided us with our first harvest.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1wLffOUdwrYNfLT3nNj9E9qpP0XBJKrQt2owkSTdwnVCwpyM2mOEqzBSnUdW_ZbP6zPtkFLEcNsiszyUdWpGoDZwRyeand2ikHEkbA7-qVC4gfyldVgu23xdWJgXVAPACSjkLpO31JD4S/s1600/radish+harvest" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1wLffOUdwrYNfLT3nNj9E9qpP0XBJKrQt2owkSTdwnVCwpyM2mOEqzBSnUdW_ZbP6zPtkFLEcNsiszyUdWpGoDZwRyeand2ikHEkbA7-qVC4gfyldVgu23xdWJgXVAPACSjkLpO31JD4S/s320/radish+harvest" width="283" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Hugh Fernley had a great tip to store strawberries. He advised putting them in a sealed container with some golden sugar and then to shake them about to break the surface of the fruit slightly which when mixed with the sugar produces a sweet natural glaze to the fruit. He added vinegar too, but I don't think they need this. Served with a big dollop of creme fraiche, they are amazing - so sweet and juicy, and an intense strawberry flavour - didn't manage to see how long they last with this method though as we ate them all!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVKh3eCNoajFYOi41VWwcZNkfQDMByq6ZITkjEgU6kMZmjKIDAyx8rIAzpJojx6ngp_-gl9rSYMk1N__nCJVJXwCsn_IDIr43LGoZ2VjvKFZK12n0VT_hYBTmNBap2Ig7XQu4edSM_yfxm/s1600/first+harvest" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVKh3eCNoajFYOi41VWwcZNkfQDMByq6ZITkjEgU6kMZmjKIDAyx8rIAzpJojx6ngp_-gl9rSYMk1N__nCJVJXwCsn_IDIr43LGoZ2VjvKFZK12n0VT_hYBTmNBap2Ig7XQu4edSM_yfxm/s400/first+harvest" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7627080484268459494.post-5123402021376576542012-06-04T12:24:00.001+02:002012-06-04T12:24:50.234+02:00Planting out in MayWith the re-appearance of the sun in early May, it is finally time to plant out in the garden. The water butts are full, the soil is thoroughly wetted and the conditions are ideal for planting out seeds. The temperatures are climbing again to the mid 20s, and overnight staying above 7 degrees, so with the chance of frost over, some of the more tender plants can be planted out directly.<br />
<br />
The broad beans and peas are planted as seeds straight into the bed with a wigwam of canes erected to help them clamber upwards.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimUzDtav4y15UNBinUZfL-oXwdWxu1xRqqaqmviLmxz2ckF4nOKp8CdCy_H2UMey3v3OW_bVex3mQVXMAwe9-jy9Mm5ygnGr2uBk4i7nKi7uQ4gflqRQ1zOlz8-tii-NR2bQA0u2_n5RFf/s1600/broad+bean+seeds+growing" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimUzDtav4y15UNBinUZfL-oXwdWxu1xRqqaqmviLmxz2ckF4nOKp8CdCy_H2UMey3v3OW_bVex3mQVXMAwe9-jy9Mm5ygnGr2uBk4i7nKi7uQ4gflqRQ1zOlz8-tii-NR2bQA0u2_n5RFf/s400/broad+bean+seeds+growing" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLNRxXZy1kfJpx8dtvM2zaNVQOSq5-anKfmioSfQ6jQsa1-pdOp6fo7vHvUEjBSoIoRZS1bcsHoNHbdbIwLD3qWm8FbMjBjuRDQcfxlkI9_pT4ZSoA_X9P76jdFrYfWHkIIVYBLM3S2X9_/s1600/peas+growing" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLNRxXZy1kfJpx8dtvM2zaNVQOSq5-anKfmioSfQ6jQsa1-pdOp6fo7vHvUEjBSoIoRZS1bcsHoNHbdbIwLD3qWm8FbMjBjuRDQcfxlkI9_pT4ZSoA_X9P76jdFrYfWHkIIVYBLM3S2X9_/s400/peas+growing" width="263" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The swede and turnip seeds have been sown ready for winter stews and soups, and thinned to give them maximum room for the roots to swell<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgntSC8INCazjqLbyYzBErXl1-9TMTKx2aayVslQZPWo5PiqfKBVxv3IWzCBiH8tjzyFy5M4hNAWbkmcosPESauML3l1kTaV1f3wSr5QptSnLTli9uQrmtoYrEmBt-Gjh6zbLy0ZKBbNALx/s1600/turnips+and+swede+planting" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgntSC8INCazjqLbyYzBErXl1-9TMTKx2aayVslQZPWo5PiqfKBVxv3IWzCBiH8tjzyFy5M4hNAWbkmcosPESauML3l1kTaV1f3wSr5QptSnLTli9uQrmtoYrEmBt-Gjh6zbLy0ZKBbNALx/s400/turnips+and+swede+planting" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Whilst the carrot and parsnip seeds have been planted and then covered with Enviromesh to keep out any carrot fly that would happily decimate our crops<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjazN1zpTHXgH4A98f9U_CrqC8V9p39GuwT94uor1P_DzqUeJD9USeuek8GzfY-VVDYLISgZdQEoYdxfj3YuD7NR0xBi6VWoEVPqLnOgQc1UMryfOlCASVOG97qtv261GXcHxMVpzqefTlc/s1600/covering+carrots" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjazN1zpTHXgH4A98f9U_CrqC8V9p39GuwT94uor1P_DzqUeJD9USeuek8GzfY-VVDYLISgZdQEoYdxfj3YuD7NR0xBi6VWoEVPqLnOgQc1UMryfOlCASVOG97qtv261GXcHxMVpzqefTlc/s400/covering+carrots" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Two types of spinach seed have been sown, the large leaves for cooking down with butter and plenty of salt and pepper to accompany our roast chicken. Whilst the smaller salad leaves are eaten raw and give a lovely peppery flavour to summer salads<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTLs93yQnLlKsw6b9toNEdohfCA2Draz5xCvI2WPbzg9_eQjRq8cHFSgU8S2K5XgQb5Dfa2a0s1rHDYyYU303uaUXNfKWwWRIGVu1NdXboVUMfheGkbr_buWiwnL7n0CQAosLklp7pWHZX/s1600/spinach+growing" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTLs93yQnLlKsw6b9toNEdohfCA2Draz5xCvI2WPbzg9_eQjRq8cHFSgU8S2K5XgQb5Dfa2a0s1rHDYyYU303uaUXNfKWwWRIGVu1NdXboVUMfheGkbr_buWiwnL7n0CQAosLklp7pWHZX/s400/spinach+growing" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
To accompany them, I have sown mixed radish seeds, of different sizes, colours and heat levels. An easy salad plant to grow as they swell so quickly and can be eaten within a couple of weeks of sowing the seed.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE04ZM1cC5p0AAw6hk5XlB_meoIRnhqQGKgTFJ3GUZdxaM8s3CbU_aP7ZXPRI6EsUYc8QxZsk3yY8OIvJ5cXibBboH1MiOcuENZ3HmdP-4g_JZH3GZ9ZhPgoGEp1OZzOluK8oICy1vM1_Q/s1600/radishes" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE04ZM1cC5p0AAw6hk5XlB_meoIRnhqQGKgTFJ3GUZdxaM8s3CbU_aP7ZXPRI6EsUYc8QxZsk3yY8OIvJ5cXibBboH1MiOcuENZ3HmdP-4g_JZH3GZ9ZhPgoGEp1OZzOluK8oICy1vM1_Q/s400/radishes" width="285" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
In the greenhouse I have started planting my more tender crops. Sweetcorn seedlings are just pushing through the compost,<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPtvgvPUvL25dbN-e7N5AKZP6G0L7vPnBuVggsNCuF-Tr_lXRZ7S0IgBfvjQyenM5rhZX3RNZmAg4SESpYU0rQvzu1EBnXYO2KNaV4daenOgGJYBXwj860Un3R_ZJvzeiIHvIhePz68nIl/s1600/sweetcorn+seedlings" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPtvgvPUvL25dbN-e7N5AKZP6G0L7vPnBuVggsNCuF-Tr_lXRZ7S0IgBfvjQyenM5rhZX3RNZmAg4SESpYU0rQvzu1EBnXYO2KNaV4daenOgGJYBXwj860Un3R_ZJvzeiIHvIhePz68nIl/s400/sweetcorn+seedlings" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Canteloupe Melon, butternut squash and pumpkin are rapidly growing in size<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipWkU0rvAKHPI5pzZYTtaCD8WxGgx0Y64yfyCTrY1bLja9W1cl-R0gz9-fRCQXkz_rBPO2R8bTkYo1YyytBsDAZb62B5QQKF-pc-cHe56xaJ9TxQxpeoL2juWoLn-GkXDpRRg3YTO47Rft/s1600/melon+and+pumpkin+seedlings" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipWkU0rvAKHPI5pzZYTtaCD8WxGgx0Y64yfyCTrY1bLja9W1cl-R0gz9-fRCQXkz_rBPO2R8bTkYo1YyytBsDAZb62B5QQKF-pc-cHe56xaJ9TxQxpeoL2juWoLn-GkXDpRRg3YTO47Rft/s400/melon+and+pumpkin+seedlings" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Whilst the dwarf french beans have grown strongly to form solid little plants<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYd7WfwlIp_AyrszdHjVkJJ4plaOvmnhDP54IA4Y7FBArB7tnGTW8c5KRhfAWiXDMqZyLvc3SFRWXKFRNZmFx8SH2nyI9II8o8b8mXFgMqkpUQIcPdK3aYR00uL4uFDqcu1VUCcRYE24mY/s1600/french+bean+seedlings" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYd7WfwlIp_AyrszdHjVkJJ4plaOvmnhDP54IA4Y7FBArB7tnGTW8c5KRhfAWiXDMqZyLvc3SFRWXKFRNZmFx8SH2nyI9II8o8b8mXFgMqkpUQIcPdK3aYR00uL4uFDqcu1VUCcRYE24mY/s400/french+bean+seedlings" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I am growing flowers from seed to attract the pollinating insects, both for the vegetables and for Nicks macro photography. The seedlings are growing happily in the greenhouse, and the morning glory vines are already in flower<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnsG4hTSNGHMknogcWHW53_Sc7otQA6oIRWBZk_utbQjtvAdNAz4T1UaaRbrnet5WA2jvBhW7yAvUQl_1x6G56rHn-slhInu5-9fHPE8Q3JHvdi2AYtFDr38fsnVGHAzFf61htlK54j1_4/s1600/morning+glory" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnsG4hTSNGHMknogcWHW53_Sc7otQA6oIRWBZk_utbQjtvAdNAz4T1UaaRbrnet5WA2jvBhW7yAvUQl_1x6G56rHn-slhInu5-9fHPE8Q3JHvdi2AYtFDr38fsnVGHAzFf61htlK54j1_4/s400/morning+glory" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
In the orchard, the rains in April caused some peach leaf curl to the Nectarine and the Peach tree, even though I had applied Bordeaux Mix in Autumn and early Spring, but picking the leaves off and disposing of them seems to be working as the trees are both bearing fruit<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiyHbRGCD4BiAFYiWhf_BDp3fVpfnXWy2hR7L7_vPon88nlJsSFfBEdE8FYfGMgA7CG7EF_jwINqPyBVBunv7ZbySFRQZLcMRDyrOLGdQS206QReKszKzjq8cFaLrNHbkSYrAcJzk780OM/s1600/peaches+on+tree" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiyHbRGCD4BiAFYiWhf_BDp3fVpfnXWy2hR7L7_vPon88nlJsSFfBEdE8FYfGMgA7CG7EF_jwINqPyBVBunv7ZbySFRQZLcMRDyrOLGdQS206QReKszKzjq8cFaLrNHbkSYrAcJzk780OM/s400/peaches+on+tree" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Although I will need to pick off some of the immature nectarines in order to ripen just a few, as there are over 20 young fruit on the tree<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX41G2Do3KHbwC0M6HbOH94Xo6l0SMFzUk0150BBCp6b1h5isJSj_PBHJ3Eq1rG8kMf5mOuripYjjAVCrSzvVCDO_S-BhrZdJfDy6ZMmzyKo_7fhskI-qN7HoKmneH2YxheWVbIqcMB4uj/s1600/nectarines" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX41G2Do3KHbwC0M6HbOH94Xo6l0SMFzUk0150BBCp6b1h5isJSj_PBHJ3Eq1rG8kMf5mOuripYjjAVCrSzvVCDO_S-BhrZdJfDy6ZMmzyKo_7fhskI-qN7HoKmneH2YxheWVbIqcMB4uj/s400/nectarines" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
And the apricot tree which is flourishing in terms of leafy growth and size, has just one ripening fruit. I can't decide whether to make an apricot tart (for one), or a tablespoon of apricot jam!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidr17Cslk4Y6PlgBo01-JA8Vs66P3rk_YkL8X-T9Qkq1EOcq3532swmaj12mXnWYKXjceiu0p9gFOZ9anpbUemNU8xQVPTJxpL7s8SJpTBgT2NzKMhuMVDhyuz5o-LDeo2IVKVoVYi0Qev/s1600/apricot+on+tree" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidr17Cslk4Y6PlgBo01-JA8Vs66P3rk_YkL8X-T9Qkq1EOcq3532swmaj12mXnWYKXjceiu0p9gFOZ9anpbUemNU8xQVPTJxpL7s8SJpTBgT2NzKMhuMVDhyuz5o-LDeo2IVKVoVYi0Qev/s400/apricot+on+tree" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7627080484268459494.post-71095441267139524992012-06-03T15:29:00.000+02:002012-06-03T17:04:29.885+02:00The Roe Deer are HungryWe have a small herd of roe deer living in the orchards behind our farm buildings. A stunning male<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY4z10fTE9q-oL_epE4b0IBzHW6YwQFrYNKAjLm4mYFyq4OATWj2Uvj4R3FXoiDgGSzAlpbWVKwhhyqyjlCIfoyJbWGGCv6BmSFUnliNO9TsQRjUoDgPT78mgczv1XwHB5uMWFVs_I_bFv/s1600/male+deer" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY4z10fTE9q-oL_epE4b0IBzHW6YwQFrYNKAjLm4mYFyq4OATWj2Uvj4R3FXoiDgGSzAlpbWVKwhhyqyjlCIfoyJbWGGCv6BmSFUnliNO9TsQRjUoDgPT78mgczv1XwHB5uMWFVs_I_bFv/s400/male+deer" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
leads a herd of 6 young females<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2d0MNcMj2y-yP1wQU5-HAvgOEibrnbMSOs-nNtbSYbbZSWkusNDWNKHet9GKk76VB0vNqZJGwn3gNVOBPxHhxp-SVKhpBiy-Pchs6klhH5rQvTwpxxpBVOMOxh5Uqva8O21uSprElkM0f/s1600/roe+deer" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2d0MNcMj2y-yP1wQU5-HAvgOEibrnbMSOs-nNtbSYbbZSWkusNDWNKHet9GKk76VB0vNqZJGwn3gNVOBPxHhxp-SVKhpBiy-Pchs6klhH5rQvTwpxxpBVOMOxh5Uqva8O21uSprElkM0f/s400/roe+deer" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
and they regularly explore our gardens, coming within feet of the house. We have always loved watching them delicately picking their way through the buildings, grazing the shrubs and lawns, on guard at all times and ready to flee at any noise.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately their love of young tender shoots has cause a few issues.<br />
<br />
When planting all of our young trees, we were conscious that we had to protect them from voles and rabbits, so we surrounded them by tree guards<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihc6m_xrP_VO-xXL0dd5TokaOP0CoWQ898vy5DLvg6VIyUz4_U1crUAQHserA_HekBKfiAga1pSdsEW7B9l3qkxeKm6sS33vzpKuYy1gpx3waVHSM9sTAuLtGiUqxTbgS84iRnuapVEbAs/s1600/tree+guards+1" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihc6m_xrP_VO-xXL0dd5TokaOP0CoWQ898vy5DLvg6VIyUz4_U1crUAQHserA_HekBKfiAga1pSdsEW7B9l3qkxeKm6sS33vzpKuYy1gpx3waVHSM9sTAuLtGiUqxTbgS84iRnuapVEbAs/s400/tree+guards+1" width="185" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Unfortunately these guards were no match for our hungry deer and many of the leading shoots were torn off the young saplings.<br />
<br />
So some replacement saplings were ordered, with some special deer-proof tree guards 4 foot high - apparently the maximum height that a roe deer will graze, and some chestnut stakes.<br />
The fine-holed netting is very stiff and stands four square, when folded and staked with a chestnut stake and a cane support<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQezDSg-ey-d52Fd7t-nNbV3W0x6iyNT-KurBO_ibn43ul0-wiTOx-gFUL9h04Po0NAFLUmJEI1pIZzS55szYimCE-oRazpPBQX8Bs1m-WsNK7gcHk40xmk_rIR0wzC-etcf9D2sanG-QP/s1600/tree+guards" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQezDSg-ey-d52Fd7t-nNbV3W0x6iyNT-KurBO_ibn43ul0-wiTOx-gFUL9h04Po0NAFLUmJEI1pIZzS55szYimCE-oRazpPBQX8Bs1m-WsNK7gcHk40xmk_rIR0wzC-etcf9D2sanG-QP/s400/tree+guards" width="298" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Only 85 trees needed to be re-netted, and about a third of the saplings needed to be replaced!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy8tFS3gjYV5XxFZyUdX_DIznDHGT_L1CevUQyUgdp34qCPPNRkuWN13NKCxTmm24ulxU7kATOinrwmC6M0el71pN_qmh2QY7hpbcMEYXfvxjH4Wn6VUBac0kmkatiDvJQqmlGdo_V085o/s1600/tree+netting" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy8tFS3gjYV5XxFZyUdX_DIznDHGT_L1CevUQyUgdp34qCPPNRkuWN13NKCxTmm24ulxU7kATOinrwmC6M0el71pN_qmh2QY7hpbcMEYXfvxjH4Wn6VUBac0kmkatiDvJQqmlGdo_V085o/s400/tree+netting" width="331" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
On a positive note, the farmer was due to cut the fields and bale the hay, so the taller chestnut stakes made it much easier for him to see the new saplings, and we managed to avoid any casualties.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_tmS80gKTn8HCLiPjhY6nbRbBjdxetDJdaPdg8e9dJPh0deBgwPGtU8Y2wBw2pzizuG2KcTyJcCfWJpLhDLvgb1w5qEnn7WdsMyPyCi2np-UzSFkR5nwpvnqv-G5QnbfDqCiViveTf0S/s1600/trees+and+haybales" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_tmS80gKTn8HCLiPjhY6nbRbBjdxetDJdaPdg8e9dJPh0deBgwPGtU8Y2wBw2pzizuG2KcTyJcCfWJpLhDLvgb1w5qEnn7WdsMyPyCi2np-UzSFkR5nwpvnqv-G5QnbfDqCiViveTf0S/s400/trees+and+haybales" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7627080484268459494.post-18578914005058821022012-06-03T09:43:00.001+02:002012-06-03T09:43:47.019+02:00April RainHaving had a glorious March this year, April was a whole month devoted to filling the lakes and water reserves! It has rained almost every day this month. and it has been cooler than normal. It has been an ideal month for sitting in the greenhouse and potting on my seedlings, which have been developing fast. Watching the rain pattering down outside and listening to soothing music, while our new husky puppy sits contentedly under the bench feeds my soul.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCRdWvDi_FFxUoVCjpOc_hSBvHRxL5BXmUyyWxzb6cLpJJ_HBXEs7tkZBxTLcZqy2mTrOKcXkmTdcYNlX9G9mJR6LxwT9KDCsOXOxo9HtfKmhbwXYVilTt6B2SMJqZVxPKAXpCerIbG_lT/s1600/greenhouse+and+husky" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCRdWvDi_FFxUoVCjpOc_hSBvHRxL5BXmUyyWxzb6cLpJJ_HBXEs7tkZBxTLcZqy2mTrOKcXkmTdcYNlX9G9mJR6LxwT9KDCsOXOxo9HtfKmhbwXYVilTt6B2SMJqZVxPKAXpCerIbG_lT/s400/greenhouse+and+husky" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
As each new seedling breaks the surface of the compost, it amazes me. I have never grown anything from seed before, and assumed my success rate would be minimal, but it seems nature has a way of overcoming even an amateur's fumblings.<br />
My french beans unfurling in the sunshine<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4oFUaGwIFsrukPvB5D2PPUparOpsKwrr91CzrVM4_1wHqlVdTu_a84ZAW7HkvA0Xrq5-KGSbQLk_Te4AR3S06AIV-k_S3NKBpLtF6upTRtfTO4OrFhrypKaBKpCMid7vMuS9B3XL3Ffwy/s1600/french+beans+unfurling" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4oFUaGwIFsrukPvB5D2PPUparOpsKwrr91CzrVM4_1wHqlVdTu_a84ZAW7HkvA0Xrq5-KGSbQLk_Te4AR3S06AIV-k_S3NKBpLtF6upTRtfTO4OrFhrypKaBKpCMid7vMuS9B3XL3Ffwy/s400/french+beans+unfurling" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Any my sturdy little nasturtium and marigold seedlings..<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhODcohFZNxroDGVV2Qg2mS__7379LrLdddqcONZ_GHvUfoRwAiWV2wyq0z0q7XIu7Zfi7uGpiRhSRBBC3bj5S43DlOlfGybAWI6oG1a_knZxSi3zx8Mpy1sbZhMYTXDdFApXdBY28nslkW/s1600/nasturtiums+sprouting" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhODcohFZNxroDGVV2Qg2mS__7379LrLdddqcONZ_GHvUfoRwAiWV2wyq0z0q7XIu7Zfi7uGpiRhSRBBC3bj5S43DlOlfGybAWI6oG1a_knZxSi3zx8Mpy1sbZhMYTXDdFApXdBY28nslkW/s400/nasturtiums+sprouting" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtBD3Nq9k5ujpLDIbiU7gvlHtEduhbDCz2DLIGUBE1mvSRlrhpvm1IPhmbFFXWzm9dmGkW5DJCPRVTqUXcA32rtzSKAbU12TxpWDr_tScpQr3NgLBtKUihaHAou9CWs8HQSIqsUrqmz3ZW/s1600/marigold+seedlings" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtBD3Nq9k5ujpLDIbiU7gvlHtEduhbDCz2DLIGUBE1mvSRlrhpvm1IPhmbFFXWzm9dmGkW5DJCPRVTqUXcA32rtzSKAbU12TxpWDr_tScpQr3NgLBtKUihaHAou9CWs8HQSIqsUrqmz3ZW/s400/marigold+seedlings" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I sowed asparagus from seed, in addition to the asparagus crowns planted directly into the ground, and they seem to be doing well in the bright greenhouse<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjatHSXAuWyPv_xIs-8pm86Hfid0bk-Bf70La0aVnr_u9HtKvJiVY0HKsxKA7sB6DS5rfkeMWjZMJvazI8AC3zjiyGRcXiVyUrC55QCeAHmss0TyLqTLgQVwg6R-94PhjfGKYtDWhb8bbr4/s1600/asparagus+seedlings" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjatHSXAuWyPv_xIs-8pm86Hfid0bk-Bf70La0aVnr_u9HtKvJiVY0HKsxKA7sB6DS5rfkeMWjZMJvazI8AC3zjiyGRcXiVyUrC55QCeAHmss0TyLqTLgQVwg6R-94PhjfGKYtDWhb8bbr4/s400/asparagus+seedlings" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I have planted three different types of cherry tomatoes - Yellow Pear, Reisentraube and Gardeners Delight. Reisentraube seems to grow more slowly but is dense and strong, but all of them are progressing well and have been potted on for the third time before they go out into the garden<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfos0JHlDySbwXZf3ec8CLKBerhB8b7mnRGR1p-cPc-45yYUGZt19ntbePiiZAe3a81NfBWhiktpnS6ee77k5GH0WyU8_ZkL8_AcPDPPkcHlNf760uN-mN54fnXIq-XoleQCXSLjmfwfQA/s1600/tomato+seedlings" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfos0JHlDySbwXZf3ec8CLKBerhB8b7mnRGR1p-cPc-45yYUGZt19ntbePiiZAe3a81NfBWhiktpnS6ee77k5GH0WyU8_ZkL8_AcPDPPkcHlNf760uN-mN54fnXIq-XoleQCXSLjmfwfQA/s400/tomato+seedlings" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
And considering the temperature at night is still under 10 degrees, and the greenhouse is not heated, the chillies are also growing well. I have grown Jalapenos 'Early' and 'Purple', and Red Habaneros, as Nick loves his chillies.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB24TFKcU5jsseArbabNtmb7HGsHy_2thdF5-jpM8U0yr5FfAuRkusEqlU0LB_L4WXZkzSkXiuZ-vjeQRE4sBWV5WSV-iF4sQraWE_HVj01MV56ZunRBK-ZsggCp5mZQWB1D5An_iGzClP/s1600/chilli+seedlings" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB24TFKcU5jsseArbabNtmb7HGsHy_2thdF5-jpM8U0yr5FfAuRkusEqlU0LB_L4WXZkzSkXiuZ-vjeQRE4sBWV5WSV-iF4sQraWE_HVj01MV56ZunRBK-ZsggCp5mZQWB1D5An_iGzClP/s400/chilli+seedlings" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
On the odd sunny days in the garden the fruit bushes are coming into flower and setting us up for a good supply of fruit. The strawberries are sprinkled with little daisy like flowers<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHxfIo8FnklonBpZyfj0IK-G_dOY_d9fWqOBS5I472rnpaxL2CLJwLKtcOClCeHoxsCis_Y8UqSZQDyzSv-AxvHgY0Ami65Yafwz4-b-ApFa9lxNboDyZOxzNg7wW_Ao9oDixOpKrTHFxW/s1600/strawberries+in+flower" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHxfIo8FnklonBpZyfj0IK-G_dOY_d9fWqOBS5I472rnpaxL2CLJwLKtcOClCeHoxsCis_Y8UqSZQDyzSv-AxvHgY0Ami65Yafwz4-b-ApFa9lxNboDyZOxzNg7wW_Ao9oDixOpKrTHFxW/s400/strawberries+in+flower" width="253" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The raspberry canes are covered in tight buds and flowers<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggevaGCpBRk9XomrKHrZ97qYPi4WHjXM7NLxBzlUuKMBM_tz1t-noznAYSKGcCo8kAsQHS_SoPwEt3KzkWdql5xmHEiud4Yramrs1KoESBlAAOAW2OSglN5Paz1cdaQ-ZH8FMYRd-sHUbX/s1600/raspberry+buds" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggevaGCpBRk9XomrKHrZ97qYPi4WHjXM7NLxBzlUuKMBM_tz1t-noznAYSKGcCo8kAsQHS_SoPwEt3KzkWdql5xmHEiud4Yramrs1KoESBlAAOAW2OSglN5Paz1cdaQ-ZH8FMYRd-sHUbX/s400/raspberry+buds" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
And tiny bells have appeared all over the blueberry bushes.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNvwTvEVp50P8OrZvxb1pi0ISZF3jIpuEQcQcZ1UBJUYoDWJz1xcBesH2XySjNzxIbc5hqvCPy5dT-Qk4oXp0FtAwwMRf0jbRE6xBAIWRqETbpEQU_jtyGhLtY1YuJAYibi5xskXaak_Dw/s1600/blueberries+blooming" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNvwTvEVp50P8OrZvxb1pi0ISZF3jIpuEQcQcZ1UBJUYoDWJz1xcBesH2XySjNzxIbc5hqvCPy5dT-Qk4oXp0FtAwwMRf0jbRE6xBAIWRqETbpEQU_jtyGhLtY1YuJAYibi5xskXaak_Dw/s400/blueberries+blooming" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
And as the sun starts to appear more regularly at the end of April, the seedlings can go back outside to harden off before I start planting them out into the beds.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9sid3DlZuAiqp3F-BIr4UQq_RCbjHGs3lX7-WvIgGFBAVCrkM5y797OGri7z3plGss2hK83wKQTUbubD7MvW12-nrDjdJhmFt-QUeUEt96mhRJVSJ4TQ8MhFqIrpmwNAKH2mtzdeMwcQb/s1600/seedlings+for+planting" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9sid3DlZuAiqp3F-BIr4UQq_RCbjHGs3lX7-WvIgGFBAVCrkM5y797OGri7z3plGss2hK83wKQTUbubD7MvW12-nrDjdJhmFt-QUeUEt96mhRJVSJ4TQ8MhFqIrpmwNAKH2mtzdeMwcQb/s400/seedlings+for+planting" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7627080484268459494.post-31483468946385361652012-03-31T12:02:00.000+02:002012-06-03T14:10:08.290+02:00Seeds of SpringThe winters seem to finish so suddenly here. The weather went from a blisteringly cold -16 degrees at its lowest, to within a matter of days climbing to a balmy 24 degrees. The level of activity in this region seems to rise at the same rate as the thermometer. The tractors rumble back out of the barns, and every day a new attachment is connected to the back and rounds of spraying begin; fertilising and protecting the orchards through the vulnerable spring period. The plum trees are just bursting into life,<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHqzyb7nnTozxOcUXdv8w0jAfqt7xI3f6BysRj48ZRtL2Of1MLtHQqO5tciIgNlElVFjcolfkfchhnrvGxWcPUqiS0Gsf8npjclFXAlo8jYzNXhLWqvS8JyVGpn4zJAXT7_76z5fD4kplp/s1600/orchard+blossom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHqzyb7nnTozxOcUXdv8w0jAfqt7xI3f6BysRj48ZRtL2Of1MLtHQqO5tciIgNlElVFjcolfkfchhnrvGxWcPUqiS0Gsf8npjclFXAlo8jYzNXhLWqvS8JyVGpn4zJAXT7_76z5fD4kplp/s400/orchard+blossom.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
And even the small fruit trees we planted in the Autumn are blossoming...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLa1aNKW3S8cJnpcCXr2gA7c2iMQu-OxZEFf5brEGSIPtMA6szsa1FZI0mmGIET40eNr5oNGSA4WEKD8EMXYDEQz3Lz-SCQQulrzGjPxzd9U1MzFE5A7cnMUuWiBxM70lhFkEzxwOI3KQE/s1600/blossom+on+fruit+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLa1aNKW3S8cJnpcCXr2gA7c2iMQu-OxZEFf5brEGSIPtMA6szsa1FZI0mmGIET40eNr5oNGSA4WEKD8EMXYDEQz3Lz-SCQQulrzGjPxzd9U1MzFE5A7cnMUuWiBxM70lhFkEzxwOI3KQE/s320/blossom+on+fruit+tree.jpg" width="308" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Spring has also meant that the potager garden can start to function.<br />
The greenhouse has become a nursery full of germination trays<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYaxlXdxag4jh9lUIMR7cnAlt9pndG856sc75Lynysh84TQGKPVw4TFq9mKBvVM0Sq65EbAZ8AcZldrMfc4nx09xzdXtuuZ9s6-No5h3ZIP9NRr2dn6fMxPByQ67gVZuGTZZxisl3z1U2l/s1600/germinating+in+greenhouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYaxlXdxag4jh9lUIMR7cnAlt9pndG856sc75Lynysh84TQGKPVw4TFq9mKBvVM0Sq65EbAZ8AcZldrMfc4nx09xzdXtuuZ9s6-No5h3ZIP9NRr2dn6fMxPByQ67gVZuGTZZxisl3z1U2l/s400/germinating+in+greenhouse.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
And after my first seedling unfurled<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjReN7RqCN1kvUlhdN-4np5fv5jQ3-LgvB3662GSW6Y0PPOZws32Bu39gorloFvD49uaLPLeQLgeP_aF1qCp-R-8sZxG2dR-gZfhN4mMgTZnpmpOFoHIS5SvhjDk_a4_dVLJxUsxSHy6_Vb/s1600/first+seedlings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjReN7RqCN1kvUlhdN-4np5fv5jQ3-LgvB3662GSW6Y0PPOZws32Bu39gorloFvD49uaLPLeQLgeP_aF1qCp-R-8sZxG2dR-gZfhN4mMgTZnpmpOFoHIS5SvhjDk_a4_dVLJxUsxSHy6_Vb/s400/first+seedlings.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
They just kept on coming... and I'm kept busy morning and evening now, moving them in and out of the greenhouse.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9_QaDE7BNtUxTIVYMEtNSQmDkyR67Hw69CX_63MJugN8vWUswc8kvxd0djY4Mft3O_2PyznpVZQ0I4PX7YlkRk82K7dIkyqNRmhSY-M4qVhV46RYq3vg3yWHiOlt4X_22TKVnUSbZRx2l/s1600/seedlings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9_QaDE7BNtUxTIVYMEtNSQmDkyR67Hw69CX_63MJugN8vWUswc8kvxd0djY4Mft3O_2PyznpVZQ0I4PX7YlkRk82K7dIkyqNRmhSY-M4qVhV46RYq3vg3yWHiOlt4X_22TKVnUSbZRx2l/s400/seedlings.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Even more gratifying is that all the fruit trees we planted in Autumn survived the harsh winter temperatures and the snow, and the soft fruit bushes have now been relieved of their fleecy blankets and all seem to be showing signs of growth..<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcLscGyjDu-CMeMRdYB4dqQJzaSVCpoDsZS3sQy2w1AgO1b9cLNnv-GrmgyCsDQZy5AlXXpCGkRd2Vl0vWtrU1K8Mx1Y5zkz7hNZn9XmECMwNfq1PflVDG1UwbgLZ6AhCdnKvqWdlBWvta/s1600/raspberry+canes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcLscGyjDu-CMeMRdYB4dqQJzaSVCpoDsZS3sQy2w1AgO1b9cLNnv-GrmgyCsDQZy5AlXXpCGkRd2Vl0vWtrU1K8Mx1Y5zkz7hNZn9XmECMwNfq1PflVDG1UwbgLZ6AhCdnKvqWdlBWvta/s400/raspberry+canes.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The raspberry canes are all coming into leaf, and will need post and wires soon.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The gooseberry bush has beautiful fresh green leaves and is attracting a lot of attention from the ants..<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAqCSH8lDo1MbmYHU-L4Shndgel4aR8RYxNlHBhFoM8EfM0mHs4gcL-kT1u9PS6rKlJV9IPookAu1lfOx0MhsHwe2kbfHrbXwBVDCO8mQNNJTQlrDmbNgT_UX94BnA_AF5PYOT2fx1PYUs/s1600/gooseberry+bush.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAqCSH8lDo1MbmYHU-L4Shndgel4aR8RYxNlHBhFoM8EfM0mHs4gcL-kT1u9PS6rKlJV9IPookAu1lfOx0MhsHwe2kbfHrbXwBVDCO8mQNNJTQlrDmbNgT_UX94BnA_AF5PYOT2fx1PYUs/s400/gooseberry+bush.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Large leaves have unfurled from the rhubarb crowns,<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4PXWoRxZszqZ9Rt7R1cb1n4ZVtNGu-tssxlKXxp-oJJG8y0Th__c_hK6dUDCm_Q9WTE32yDqAAT8a7OjCC6cNfU9Qh8gxiwM5skjFMC6ZlBuzR9tNx5Wu-BFgYrcjia_Hwf98q92Ke8w1/s1600/rhubarb+crown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4PXWoRxZszqZ9Rt7R1cb1n4ZVtNGu-tssxlKXxp-oJJG8y0Th__c_hK6dUDCm_Q9WTE32yDqAAT8a7OjCC6cNfU9Qh8gxiwM5skjFMC6ZlBuzR9tNx5Wu-BFgYrcjia_Hwf98q92Ke8w1/s320/rhubarb+crown.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
And the first asparagus spears are poking through the earth. I can't believe that we can't eat them this year and must wait till 2013 to harvest the first spears, it seems criminal when they look this tasty.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_rl2QSG-mxJYE7s_PZM_SeJmhwrqEJdRVgxc-XKhnO-KVa8kbsaqNGlIA5V5DV8hd7lLg4IzwKSubwEQz6ciO0nm1L6pa8vHx6zXAOHjcKF96E9Mjv5NutGzTXsojpjNGUhGAwyum1-f/s1600/asparagus+spears.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_rl2QSG-mxJYE7s_PZM_SeJmhwrqEJdRVgxc-XKhnO-KVa8kbsaqNGlIA5V5DV8hd7lLg4IzwKSubwEQz6ciO0nm1L6pa8vHx6zXAOHjcKF96E9Mjv5NutGzTXsojpjNGUhGAwyum1-f/s400/asparagus+spears.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The Blueberry bushes survived even though they only wore the lightest of fleece wraps, and are now covered in plump buds,<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50GYQZjwzlYW0ei0NdCRL9E7SbWtjVBItuQ3zzfsXa3GzGlb37ep-rZ8nm6m8bv5Mt4SoqQgW4AZ24c5lIfMqEIDyE0ALg3jh5wUsKQnbBTs2-Duna-2WgO88Z_0KQ64eR3Umw1KwtRsL/s1600/blueberry+buds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50GYQZjwzlYW0ei0NdCRL9E7SbWtjVBItuQ3zzfsXa3GzGlb37ep-rZ8nm6m8bv5Mt4SoqQgW4AZ24c5lIfMqEIDyE0ALg3jh5wUsKQnbBTs2-Duna-2WgO88Z_0KQ64eR3Umw1KwtRsL/s400/blueberry+buds.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
And the Kiwi plants, which are known to be less hardy.... are sporting fat new buds and hairy new leaves.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMMpJSY1kalocvrr1zavzx0aGNwNK8giq18xb9YwPxR_l7wlmyTzasc9PRZY9iyGTMs12Be6xXMGb1x1PB4rWFIMJTHUMV0Rs6x2MUcZGAU_JoQgVmmQcMcFphpHpARIqjshgn44lcZlAB/s1600/kiwi+buds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMMpJSY1kalocvrr1zavzx0aGNwNK8giq18xb9YwPxR_l7wlmyTzasc9PRZY9iyGTMs12Be6xXMGb1x1PB4rWFIMJTHUMV0Rs6x2MUcZGAU_JoQgVmmQcMcFphpHpARIqjshgn44lcZlAB/s400/kiwi+buds.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
We have also been busy making the potager more functional.<br />
On top of staining all the raised vegetable beds, to protect the old oak floorboards we used to construct them,<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-q9HA6P5nNJFGulAU1lYYN4wnkgRHMabq1k9bBNT9OIJdN8e7JVa6kiKTrN_xd54Sy2mgiDRBC-5z9MePxgvSwnNK3fX4qRvuf4IUEJrMNiwtqvODh1fcgQyA3zgYymsQJ7ox5Jld__9U/s1600/stained+veggie+beds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-q9HA6P5nNJFGulAU1lYYN4wnkgRHMabq1k9bBNT9OIJdN8e7JVa6kiKTrN_xd54Sy2mgiDRBC-5z9MePxgvSwnNK3fX4qRvuf4IUEJrMNiwtqvODh1fcgQyA3zgYymsQJ7ox5Jld__9U/s400/stained+veggie+beds.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
We have piped a water butt from the greenhouse roof, which is really useful to fill all the watering cans needed to keep the seedlings happy<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_D3LpjbiOTHOiS9GMaS2_4Nerk9U69b34qnO0uKTDlVafD6HNuTNBsoM6BmOe0Y6KQaY9OJmwV6GOHG430b-EtNATHHaS4U-ySAFUJo2ogikwZTaVGYR2gH0UkCL9ATD0RKlho3hJxd7n/s1600/rainwater+butt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_D3LpjbiOTHOiS9GMaS2_4Nerk9U69b34qnO0uKTDlVafD6HNuTNBsoM6BmOe0Y6KQaY9OJmwV6GOHG430b-EtNATHHaS4U-ySAFUJo2ogikwZTaVGYR2gH0UkCL9ATD0RKlho3hJxd7n/s400/rainwater+butt.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
And Nick has built me the poshest four bin compost heap possible. Made from inch thick marine ply, it has front lids that pull down to fill from the top, and then the bottom panels pull up to access the bottom.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdlM0pwK7JTXJ4b2bbxWbcJSHVH03CeWEWq1lBpnn8GycGcy1gNy2ZsqdWB3LOJYqQdomfPYByzDMngib-IDzdEuoWBADdgJs07B-hJQZ9Usn9W9-IORYCEpWyh8iiltO54YeX_uBpBFeJ/s1600/four+bin+compost+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdlM0pwK7JTXJ4b2bbxWbcJSHVH03CeWEWq1lBpnn8GycGcy1gNy2ZsqdWB3LOJYqQdomfPYByzDMngib-IDzdEuoWBADdgJs07B-hJQZ9Usn9W9-IORYCEpWyh8iiltO54YeX_uBpBFeJ/s400/four+bin+compost+.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
We drilled holes through the back and sides to allow the compost to aerate,<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-6C0OtUBTly3Bk9JBTGPvG4zYAlRmHdrsx_JQ5sTk_uMo_MHejVMEj6Rwk63544UHcJBfwfO2Q4xKjRZqTFmU4xMAdwT2r120lZ3bUnOk-xtjM9s61u-K82Y-npguPB39Ah2s89C0Ktz/s1600/holes+in+compost+bin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-6C0OtUBTly3Bk9JBTGPvG4zYAlRmHdrsx_JQ5sTk_uMo_MHejVMEj6Rwk63544UHcJBfwfO2Q4xKjRZqTFmU4xMAdwT2r120lZ3bUnOk-xtjM9s61u-K82Y-npguPB39Ah2s89C0Ktz/s400/holes+in+compost+bin.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
And until I have built up sufficient composting waste, I have filled one bin with well rotted manure, another with the remains of the shop bought compost we used in the beds, and the third is filled with all the leaves I collected in the Autumn to rot down into leaf mould. <br />
<br />
There is something deeply satisfying about having a place for everything, and everything being in its right place.<br />
I guess when you live in the middle of a major renovation project, its good to have a tiny corner of that plot which you can go to at the end of the day, and know that short of a few invasive weeds, there is a constant sense of calm and order that is hugely therapeutic.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7627080484268459494.post-78027502098640750162012-02-09T13:04:00.003+01:002012-02-09T16:35:02.469+01:00Tis the bleak midwinterWe knew that south west France had extremes of temperature.<br />
<div>We had been warned that the summers could get very hot (and we had first-hand experience of the high 30s whilst tiling the roof) and the winters could get very cold.... but we weren't quite prepared for how cold....</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsXyTynm-N6jY8-qKc2Xig601eildeE6Ee7jfNzbym-YwDVt9LUtFmmLR7WDJsWDiw6nc4wGwryMiGsjTEjgjdUXXZo8T-8OEhSBmCUz1PJMSF25SyI9j8Eliz_NEGIKzQuOa9F1eQsPIU/s1600/snow+at+lake" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsXyTynm-N6jY8-qKc2Xig601eildeE6Ee7jfNzbym-YwDVt9LUtFmmLR7WDJsWDiw6nc4wGwryMiGsjTEjgjdUXXZo8T-8OEhSBmCUz1PJMSF25SyI9j8Eliz_NEGIKzQuOa9F1eQsPIU/s400/snow+at+lake" width="400" /></a></div><div><br />
<div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>It has been between -8 and -13 degrees every night for the past 10 days.</div><div>We had a 6 inch snowfall that will not melt, as daytime temperatures remain below -3 degrees....</div></div><div><br />
</div><div>And we are waging an anti-freeze war inside the house; an extra jacket for the water heater; extra lagging for the waste pipes and every day we take the heaters down to the cellar to defrost the pipes that have frozen again overnight. The paint has frozen in the barns, and even our trusty JCB has now frozen and burst a hose!</div><div><br />
</div><div>But when the sun shines the Dordogne looks amazing under a thick layer of snow and ice...</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggeIdEGKsj5Ixvxp7yFaF8s2-d_DiqHSaXSWfpevISNOD-zrWm_c90oQXLhjL0K0J_Oz5ImAaGgva4KEEzkumbjNptGAxmCLbTBdnIzpY-sOByz97npofN5mnHKKAUV20pO3F1CWNL0Ou4/s1600/snow+on+dordogne" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggeIdEGKsj5Ixvxp7yFaF8s2-d_DiqHSaXSWfpevISNOD-zrWm_c90oQXLhjL0K0J_Oz5ImAaGgva4KEEzkumbjNptGAxmCLbTBdnIzpY-sOByz97npofN5mnHKKAUV20pO3F1CWNL0Ou4/s400/snow+on+dordogne" width="400" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>The snug stone houses with the chimneys smoking..</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmr2N39zgFmsVLbMq_H8PC8AVu9R6cReBzJnE1PoMGB8gu8lTPNoVCMlUmRGupxHZgUVRdhB_IZLhqlDN9P2BcBzNy90qLm2m2edkDoe5zfNzYaOmkuoJZEyrshTRiEDKsnaNSJxTiN3HB/s1600/snow+on+house" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmr2N39zgFmsVLbMq_H8PC8AVu9R6cReBzJnE1PoMGB8gu8lTPNoVCMlUmRGupxHZgUVRdhB_IZLhqlDN9P2BcBzNy90qLm2m2edkDoe5zfNzYaOmkuoJZEyrshTRiEDKsnaNSJxTiN3HB/s400/snow+on+house" width="400" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>And the bare plum orchards....</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMkjYVss1GOBJaQ1nTgjok37EU3Ioink_ZVe-szucAMDKQoUTg85Xss0VqG-VW0Rv3qRTopg0Gy0baykYJu7nDEAmT27DbqNjbQ-UbQkiHEIq3gxDbzxXgcaLiHBihxKng914uko0cGDU/s1600/snow+orchard" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMkjYVss1GOBJaQ1nTgjok37EU3Ioink_ZVe-szucAMDKQoUTg85Xss0VqG-VW0Rv3qRTopg0Gy0baykYJu7nDEAmT27DbqNjbQ-UbQkiHEIq3gxDbzxXgcaLiHBihxKng914uko0cGDU/s400/snow+orchard" width="400" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>And even our own potager looks stunning buried under a thick layer of snow, against the clear blue sky.....</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhibYVawGuMo3pQ8ZZbKbIQJanRal4gKoteaf_IFs6vmbeB2ELiNYkCIiMpG91Pe9Qx_ZCMTBX8kwkUXjj1S3d61XsmRaUjaStqUBw7yg0F7nb2MpJEv0aXxoritLEyEkQ4TmDvoWUGVRpz/s1600/snow+in+potager" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhibYVawGuMo3pQ8ZZbKbIQJanRal4gKoteaf_IFs6vmbeB2ELiNYkCIiMpG91Pe9Qx_ZCMTBX8kwkUXjj1S3d61XsmRaUjaStqUBw7yg0F7nb2MpJEv0aXxoritLEyEkQ4TmDvoWUGVRpz/s400/snow+in+potager" width="400" /></a></div><div><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7627080484268459494.post-13542717220757302012012-02-09T10:02:00.000+01:002012-02-09T10:02:03.593+01:00The Potager is finished just in timeImmediately after Christmas we were back to work. Nick actually started making the gates for the potager during Christmas. He has always worked with wood, and it is his main love. <br />
Having set up all his benches and woodworking tools outside the big barn, he settled to his work in the gentle afternoon sun with the promise of a turkey dinner and mulled wine when he had finished...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj69wx38LDMHFYB9_N6Mrh86UMN048Ta7ZJY7oqdYiwnNAQQ45WO4eqkZf5qkBawWl78tt1ol-1_RGE2mSXRlwLZm4FVQX-s9zcgMqu5kL9wDVvV1VOIOYuaLVvMWQplPlsZjKEd26Mvc5o/s1600/gate1" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj69wx38LDMHFYB9_N6Mrh86UMN048Ta7ZJY7oqdYiwnNAQQ45WO4eqkZf5qkBawWl78tt1ol-1_RGE2mSXRlwLZm4FVQX-s9zcgMqu5kL9wDVvV1VOIOYuaLVvMWQplPlsZjKEd26Mvc5o/s400/gate1" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">We decided we would use post and rail fencing for the whole plot, as it is such a pretty natural form of fencing, so we used a lower two rail version for the potager...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-Igm6gvw8gvD2Audzs5ZXPdGm3qQKrVfZ-yXjYNUM1pcDURekDRl7VTy9WlRqdqKCUYGpviWmeOU4aJOlwf84mPxsTWBxaL98qyVCRWnSLSmt7WIy-W-yENdqX11FSFAc_gTVQcMKHoT/s1600/fencing+finished" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-Igm6gvw8gvD2Audzs5ZXPdGm3qQKrVfZ-yXjYNUM1pcDURekDRl7VTy9WlRqdqKCUYGpviWmeOU4aJOlwf84mPxsTWBxaL98qyVCRWnSLSmt7WIy-W-yENdqX11FSFAc_gTVQcMKHoT/s400/fencing+finished" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">We attached netting to the bottom rail, and a layer of gravel at the bottom to discourage the wildlife from setting up home in the raised beds..</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyogU6frBBhxxm-GPvSASyLegaxAXdVRhtH3Eyw22m0Cf6T0VPVSDYqT_FpWgmHbMig2rALOzH5u3dEFpETHD9aDHZ3lC6lAokaJcR0YABOX0CEO2-ApvgNW8wVvk-nu4J23cyvD1COQah/s1600/netting+on+fence" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyogU6frBBhxxm-GPvSASyLegaxAXdVRhtH3Eyw22m0Cf6T0VPVSDYqT_FpWgmHbMig2rALOzH5u3dEFpETHD9aDHZ3lC6lAokaJcR0YABOX0CEO2-ApvgNW8wVvk-nu4J23cyvD1COQah/s400/netting+on+fence" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">Then with the help of the JCB we finished gravelling the pathways.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbbDFqkfP7DtGHvfuPXAtYIyW_39jNv48ezLVtLVfUiGp_AVzn33_9zE_sInfBsGvYiFJaDx0GpK9CZP7Y3MpoLthH3vasFyvKDNfxUbOvX4eFApDwTiElD8NF3NcqrCzuDsIqadmvpS_B/s1600/jcb+gravelling" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbbDFqkfP7DtGHvfuPXAtYIyW_39jNv48ezLVtLVfUiGp_AVzn33_9zE_sInfBsGvYiFJaDx0GpK9CZP7Y3MpoLthH3vasFyvKDNfxUbOvX4eFApDwTiElD8NF3NcqrCzuDsIqadmvpS_B/s400/jcb+gravelling" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">We want to grow grapes and kiwis, so we also dug in posts and set up a wire trellis system to support the vines as they get bigger and hopefully heavy with fruit...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLzYA7uLmhHFbuxFpNw2LuvcHow_gm-4vgwQcxYa8sF3tl-eDnrPeeL6t8NmmIwI9ihHSdRzAw_eNU_t65HO4O9HUhIUyT8Q_Nr4AUDkUCYAKjDvsgLcvc3L0citz7wZH3l211YUo1HFJn/s1600/vine+posts" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLzYA7uLmhHFbuxFpNw2LuvcHow_gm-4vgwQcxYa8sF3tl-eDnrPeeL6t8NmmIwI9ihHSdRzAw_eNU_t65HO4O9HUhIUyT8Q_Nr4AUDkUCYAKjDvsgLcvc3L0citz7wZH3l211YUo1HFJn/s400/vine+posts" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">Excited that we finally had everything in place, we took a trip to the nearby garden centre and bought our first fruit bushes...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">Three raspberry canes - Mailing Promise and Heritage are both summer fruiting, and Fall Gold, an Autumn fruiting yellow raspberry.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">Two gooseberry bushes - a white and a purple variety.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">Two blueberry bushes for the ericaceous bed, both large fruit varieties.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">And three Kiwi vines, one male and two of the female Actinidia variety. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">We planted them all as soon as we returned, and it was a joy to plant in soft raised bed soil, without having to break the heavy clay ground as we did to plant all the trees.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">After a short trip back to England to collect some materials for the renovation, a new greenhouse, and two beautiful old vines from Nicks parents, we returned to the sunshine, and to finish the final elements of the potager. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">We had laid a concrete base to secure the greenhouse, so we were able to erect the frame easily. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQuKuBgfUi8qoDAtpuhJ0AdCBXd9trOI-0OuaWv2IcfGUwnJFhaiueRRt1pH6n4Ewbe2sdqvTf8VAmgzyBfucQKgFBPd0rSqFgNlJpaUMsRrnCTMkZIBSBvXr_Kl67NzcMubdftrXZemuv/s1600/greenhouse+frame" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQuKuBgfUi8qoDAtpuhJ0AdCBXd9trOI-0OuaWv2IcfGUwnJFhaiueRRt1pH6n4Ewbe2sdqvTf8VAmgzyBfucQKgFBPd0rSqFgNlJpaUMsRrnCTMkZIBSBvXr_Kl67NzcMubdftrXZemuv/s400/greenhouse+frame" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">And having glazed it, Nick set to work to make the shelving and potting benches I had designed for the inside of the greenhouse. We had picked up some thick plywoood from England at a really good price, so I have some really sturdy shelving to start this years seedlings, and a good thick bench to pot up, with a place to mix the potting compost.....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6nJhgd2SC7vcDgJlF8rrbswtajJ56QRSUErDh0oUWttqYpOG1Aj99Lb4U3NEp7v-eCobNwhgCAOfr4BjC-r7pVxdEiou5bSpHlZR7xZPooorwi4pHFDmVn2bXNUeRl8txGkLdtPfCJYmq/s1600/greenhouse+shelves" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6nJhgd2SC7vcDgJlF8rrbswtajJ56QRSUErDh0oUWttqYpOG1Aj99Lb4U3NEp7v-eCobNwhgCAOfr4BjC-r7pVxdEiou5bSpHlZR7xZPooorwi4pHFDmVn2bXNUeRl8txGkLdtPfCJYmq/s400/greenhouse+shelves" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">And he has even put in a car battery, with a solar panel on the outside of the greenhouse to power it, so that I can connect up the kettle and an Ipod dock to have music and cup of tea whilst I'm working.....perfect!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-1dG_DrPVHwlym8uAGChKp5hEsZLIGCuuInMWhh3xcgCQVGX5a1peJUxE4miuw1eARjwdKQsl71t_-R8rqxnkQU2vADN1cK8dt4L-ATGMYjfg0T27Z47OQp42xxgtSYSMkCTEwem1WTe6/s1600/potting+area" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-1dG_DrPVHwlym8uAGChKp5hEsZLIGCuuInMWhh3xcgCQVGX5a1peJUxE4miuw1eARjwdKQsl71t_-R8rqxnkQU2vADN1cK8dt4L-ATGMYjfg0T27Z47OQp42xxgtSYSMkCTEwem1WTe6/s320/potting+area" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">We just need to buy a water tank and then some guttering to direct the rainwater from the roof to the tank, and I will have an easy way to water the seedlings separate from the main watering system for the beds.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">As the weather was starting to turn very chilly, we decided to wrap all the newly bought plants with some fleece...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWycNPdw6fsamcxvhyX9bzCJjHpTU60a93PonMThwgm2__bQ9FJe7preRYs9GPCpeQlJmL10z9vce_DC2PRjQXXlFYJL6nDn6v6HtgNzpAViwDHTPV8ytZjbAeB4KNEkUKLJRcfJTf9-q_/s1600/fleece+plants" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWycNPdw6fsamcxvhyX9bzCJjHpTU60a93PonMThwgm2__bQ9FJe7preRYs9GPCpeQlJmL10z9vce_DC2PRjQXXlFYJL6nDn6v6HtgNzpAViwDHTPV8ytZjbAeB4KNEkUKLJRcfJTf9-q_/s400/fleece+plants" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">And we were just in time!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">The night time temperatures got lower and lower to -8 degrees, and then it started to snow....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHitUJkteoVl6egoVbiuMsgL44gNBGCqoaHhg1yWnQKPLOgZXmSRQA0AjaEzWdY630W54uVF68NspAlfeJu_NpKgPtEUXFjg6qzjfAfR3nX5xEhTpuPJB22k2KxHvYdyRrjkUgR42XmA-s/s1600/starting+to+snow" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHitUJkteoVl6egoVbiuMsgL44gNBGCqoaHhg1yWnQKPLOgZXmSRQA0AjaEzWdY630W54uVF68NspAlfeJu_NpKgPtEUXFjg6qzjfAfR3nX5xEhTpuPJB22k2KxHvYdyRrjkUgR42XmA-s/s400/starting+to+snow" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7627080484268459494.post-79664322896162980012012-02-07T18:09:00.001+01:002012-02-07T18:10:16.385+01:00Christmas in the DordogneChristmas and New Year were very different down here in Dordogne. I have always enjoyed the build up to Christmas; the mounting excitement at work, the ever-growing list of parties and the spectacular light displays throughout London. But as the lead-up to Christmas started so early, it was easy to become tired of the commercialism before the actual day had arrived. We usually flew out to Canada mid December to spend the festive season in the Rockies, playing in the snow, ice skating on the lakes and avoiding the crowds.<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>I expected Christmas in rural France to be quieter and more traditional, but I was not anticipating how beautiful it could be. We visited Sarlat, a mediaeval town less than an hour from us, and the cobbled old town was stunning...</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP7CfPPWD4KuNCqTTkyJfgB0d_0v7brM1JW001TVmlod-Y6820vP-UAsZpbi-lq7wdnXBNhsnYT8G25UFosiTTv-C5Q9MVzBVEmQXmGDXcL3F7tnOmNzg77M4wtUv5WHrWOSZNMtf_wFNk/s1600/sarlat" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP7CfPPWD4KuNCqTTkyJfgB0d_0v7brM1JW001TVmlod-Y6820vP-UAsZpbi-lq7wdnXBNhsnYT8G25UFosiTTv-C5Q9MVzBVEmQXmGDXcL3F7tnOmNzg77M4wtUv5WHrWOSZNMtf_wFNk/s400/sarlat" width="300" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>The Christmas lights were subtle, and the place was almost deserted, with most people heading for the Christmas market at the lower end of the old town - a warren of small wooden cabins selling crafts, mulled wine and local gourmet food. We preferred to wander round the empty streets soaking in the atmosphere, and imagining Christmases of years gone by...</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj48PpwT18q38RMFDpPwgGXOd96iOYOu3z_Tu3kQsa4pspQQ8iOtreexaW8Wq7eKbLhgsd5VFixK8VPMrRgjltxBlGlFYBHSZqQM3aserW6hI8kfQi4wM74XaBy5WqX63lyRE1RFvpCRHvj/s1600/sarlat2" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj48PpwT18q38RMFDpPwgGXOd96iOYOu3z_Tu3kQsa4pspQQ8iOtreexaW8Wq7eKbLhgsd5VFixK8VPMrRgjltxBlGlFYBHSZqQM3aserW6hI8kfQi4wM74XaBy5WqX63lyRE1RFvpCRHvj/s400/sarlat2" width="290" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>We spent Christmas Eve in Bergerac, which is as beautiful as Sarlat in our opinion. The old town was buzzing, shops were all open, the traditional red carpet had been laid between the shops and the Marché de Noël was in full swing. Although there were more people, the focus seemed to be on socialising - enjoying mulled wine in the streets, chatting with friends and enjoying the music. There was little evidence of the mad crush to buy last minute presents in the pre-Christmas frenzy we had seen so often in London, and the reason we used to seek the peace of the mountains in Canada.</div><div><br />
</div><div>In the stone farmhouse, that we are using temporarily as a home before renovating it - temperatures had started to drop dramatically, and the metre thick stone walls, and uninsulated roof and floors were devouring any heat from two small radiators. So a lucky find on Lebancoin (the online market the french use in preference to Ebay) meant that we became the proud owners of an old Godin woodburner - a large double door version which can be used with the doors open to really enjoy the heat and flames.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Christmas Day was spent in front of the logburner and a huge stack of oak logs, enjoying the warmth with plenty of good food and wine..... perfect.</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbgZJRP9KdQ7ZFyc6tQCCV0cnktlQKyUFsTtHvFYVas-571AMHRN76Arm5YstWtS2HEHIGTiN7-AdZhWxTI2gBcacuShQfsjLE-15mPmqOSYUE22P8ZOfj-BEZsoXbokzbr1ZZhahXuuXZ/s1600/logburner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbgZJRP9KdQ7ZFyc6tQCCV0cnktlQKyUFsTtHvFYVas-571AMHRN76Arm5YstWtS2HEHIGTiN7-AdZhWxTI2gBcacuShQfsjLE-15mPmqOSYUE22P8ZOfj-BEZsoXbokzbr1ZZhahXuuXZ/s400/logburner.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7627080484268459494.post-71065426568943816762011-12-31T14:25:00.003+01:002011-12-31T14:38:14.906+01:00Building the PotagerWe decided to dedicate December to building the potager (the kitchen garden). This was our first real step into self-sufficiency, and it needed to be; easy to manage; easy on the eye; large enough to supply our needs, and to supply a basket of fresh fruit and veg. in a welcome pack for guests to the cottages.<br />
<br />
The final plan covers a 20 metre2 plot, bordered on the west side by mature trees, and the south by low farm hedging.<br />
<br />
<div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bgm23h2vpFs/Tv7hcN8To_I/AAAAAAAAAv8/kLxvZEJukG4/s1600/potager.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bgm23h2vpFs/Tv7hcN8To_I/AAAAAAAAAv8/kLxvZEJukG4/s400/potager.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>It is a very sunny position and the sun does not go down behind the mature trees until 3pm in the winter, so all the raised beds will be in full sun for most of the day.</div><div><br />
</div><div>The garden has been separated into three main areas.</div><div>1. The fruit and vegetable raised beds.... (click on pictures for larger image)</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G2_RPTkUuIM/Tv7nFuHUV6I/AAAAAAAAAwI/JIRFmLDHHCc/s1600/raised+beds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G2_RPTkUuIM/Tv7nFuHUV6I/AAAAAAAAAwI/JIRFmLDHHCc/s400/raised+beds.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>The raised beds are 10 foot x 5 foot, and between 12 and 20 inches in height - as the plot is on a sloping site.</div><div><br />
</div><div>There are two beds dedicated to fruit, the larger being 10 foot x 10 foot and containing the fruit bushes - raspberries, gooseberries and blueberries, with some rhubarb. Whilst the smaller will be used to grow strawberries and melons.</div><div><br />
</div><div>The six vegetable beds have been divided into brassicas, root vegetables and legumes, to enable us to rotate the crops each year. We have used companion planting principles where possible, and used flowers like nasturtiums and marigolds to help us keep pests down. However this is all design from books and research, and like most novices, I'm sure when we start planting we will learn far more from our experiences as to what likes our plot, soil and weather conditions. </div><div><br />
</div><div>2. The Flowerbed and Vines</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E_B_3hrolng/Tv8QB65kUSI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/o66A7Yb2HNQ/s1600/flowerbed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E_B_3hrolng/Tv8QB65kUSI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/o66A7Yb2HNQ/s400/flowerbed.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>The greenhouse is situated to get the most sunshine through the day, and the bench and table will have a lovely view over the flowerbed, that will be full of plants to attract the insects - Buddleia; Alyssum; Cornflower; Cosmos and Zinnia. We will also be planting flowering plants for 'infusions', and intend to experiment with mixes of herbal teas - Chamomile; Verbena; Valerian and Echinacea.</div><div><br />
</div><div>The two vines will be used for table grapes and kiwis, both of which should grow well in this climate.</div><div><br />
</div><div>3. The Herb Garden and Maintenance</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-scbkAOAoKxI/Tv8GiA8IpwI/AAAAAAAAAzs/dIvNT04Yvxs/s1600/herbs+and+maintenance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="157" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-scbkAOAoKxI/Tv8GiA8IpwI/AAAAAAAAAzs/dIvNT04Yvxs/s400/herbs+and+maintenance.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>Although we have planted a small amount of herbs in each raised bed, the majority will grow at the entrance to the potager, surrounded by blackberry, sloe and elderflower bushes.</div><div><br />
</div><div>This part of the garden is screened by mature trees, so the compost bins, water butt and leaf mould containers will all be sited here, out of view.</div><div><br />
</div><div>The first step was to measure everything out on the plot and lay out tarpaulin cut to size...</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fk1nNoLirIs/Tv73Fl6RBVI/AAAAAAAAAw4/BsfzMv7dzaM/s1600/tarpaulins" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fk1nNoLirIs/Tv73Fl6RBVI/AAAAAAAAAw4/BsfzMv7dzaM/s400/tarpaulins" width="400" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>Amazing how small the beds looked when spaced out in the plot.</div><div>Then it was down to the JCB to clear the turf and then scrape away the top soil to re-use.</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MTtMdh5Ae60/Tv74Btk1jUI/AAAAAAAAAxE/pX5Je6VAUyU/s1600/digging+out" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MTtMdh5Ae60/Tv74Btk1jUI/AAAAAAAAAxE/pX5Je6VAUyU/s400/digging+out" width="400" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>We then had to run all the water pipes from the water butt to supply collected rainwater and agricultural water to each of the beds..</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GjYnot0T6hQ/Tv75iT8lQ9I/AAAAAAAAAxc/UzIJNi_e7vI/s1600/wtering+plan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="366" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GjYnot0T6hQ/Tv75iT8lQ9I/AAAAAAAAAxc/UzIJNi_e7vI/s400/wtering+plan.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>We decided to use seep pipes on each of the beds, so we had to install filters throughout the system to ensure the the pipes did not get clogged with debris.</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E9PIEHhLAUg/Tv783JfsmWI/AAAAAAAAAyA/RJPfK5y3lHE/s1600/filters" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="357" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E9PIEHhLAUg/Tv783JfsmWI/AAAAAAAAAyA/RJPfK5y3lHE/s400/filters" width="400" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>Then we had to start building the beds. </div><div>Nick pulled up the oak floorboards in the little cottage to re-use for the raised beds. They were too far gone to keep for floorboards, but when cut down they were still solid enough to recycle.</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XYXH3bI-5ak/Tv78Iw051NI/AAAAAAAAAx0/6O2X66pvPs8/s1600/building+beds" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XYXH3bI-5ak/Tv78Iw051NI/AAAAAAAAAx0/6O2X66pvPs8/s400/building+beds" width="400" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>At the same time we needed to dig through the top soil..</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dGZyavFZSh0/Tv79y0mbEOI/AAAAAAAAAyM/FY15AmLfY6o/s1600/digging+topsoil" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dGZyavFZSh0/Tv79y0mbEOI/AAAAAAAAAyM/FY15AmLfY6o/s400/digging+topsoil" width="300" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div>Weeding out two full wheelbarrows of dandelion roots!</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xI2cB7YaKMk/Tv7-d0tCWUI/AAAAAAAAAyY/ssZfhubhlt4/s1600/picking+out+weeds" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xI2cB7YaKMk/Tv7-d0tCWUI/AAAAAAAAAyY/ssZfhubhlt4/s400/picking+out+weeds" width="400" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>We decided to line the raised beds, as we weren't sure if any insect repellants had been used on the floorboards, and didn't want anything seeping into the soil. The plastic pipes will act as holders for hoops which we can insert when we want to drape parts of the bed with mesh or fleece...</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f-nEi6t7-Pg/Tv7_yy62hXI/AAAAAAAAAyk/a2ePm9TKRo8/s1600/lining+beds" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f-nEi6t7-Pg/Tv7_yy62hXI/AAAAAAAAAyk/a2ePm9TKRo8/s400/lining+beds" width="400" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>It was finally time to start filling the beds, and again we used the JCB to redistribute the manure from the farm...</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9NvArMLtLVA/Tv8BkN0EFwI/AAAAAAAAAyw/7Eg1LHgadxI/s1600/filling+beds" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9NvArMLtLVA/Tv8BkN0EFwI/AAAAAAAAAyw/7Eg1LHgadxI/s400/filling+beds" width="400" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>We worked on a ratio of one third well-rotted manure and straw, then a layer of clay soil we took from the top of the dried pond, a layer of compost and then a final layer of sifted top soil. Hopefully this will provide enough nutrients, and will loosen the clay soil sufficiently. We kept one bed manure-free for the root crops, and part of the fruit bush bed was cordoned off as an ericaceous bed for the blueberries, and we filled with ericaceous compost and top soil.</div><div><br />
</div><div>We finished each bed with the seep pipes...</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SdjYMMDSxGo/Tv8EcFEHLXI/AAAAAAAAAzI/AXMY-U1oYoU/s1600/seep+pipes" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SdjYMMDSxGo/Tv8EcFEHLXI/AAAAAAAAAzI/AXMY-U1oYoU/s400/seep+pipes" width="291" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>Then it was time to lay some pathways, before the winter became too muddy and wet...</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PE-ykWi2OaE/Tv8E_TSWELI/AAAAAAAAAzU/15wirYscWwE/s1600/weed+matting" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PE-ykWi2OaE/Tv8E_TSWELI/AAAAAAAAAzU/15wirYscWwE/s400/weed+matting" width="400" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>And with an interesting tipper action for the quad and trailer....</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jD_kHevvSBY/Tv8Hb3srNBI/AAAAAAAAAz4/vXqDZvhn0D4/s1600/trailor+tipping" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jD_kHevvSBY/Tv8Hb3srNBI/AAAAAAAAAz4/vXqDZvhn0D4/s400/trailor+tipping" width="400" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>We laid the gravel for the pathways....</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2SeSDmrdy5I/Tv8IUMo1t2I/AAAAAAAAA0E/pJxtZkF_z8w/s1600/gravelling" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2SeSDmrdy5I/Tv8IUMo1t2I/AAAAAAAAA0E/pJxtZkF_z8w/s400/gravelling" width="400" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div>And feeling quite deserving of some downtime, we have now packed up our tools, set the wine mulling, and put our order into the sawmills for wood for the fencing....</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7627080484268459494.post-57167680759309345942011-12-02T18:04:00.000+01:002011-12-02T18:04:54.347+01:00A lot of landscapingNovember is our month for landscaping our grounds.<br />
Whenever I have considered landscaping a garden before, it has always been a combination of paving, hedging and large shrubs. However with a plot this large, developing structure and colour in the garden means large scale tree planting.<br />
We pulled together a plan to plant fast-growing trees to screen the road and telegraph poles, create an avenue along the entrance, and shape the gardens of each holiday cottage....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCnZy-x3engtFKZBuOMnX8-j_cFziTaYM5tzX_NgI3FqIMg4t8xPHG4ctd96YdSUnWPEVyP0-lNRIgASeERCmh63ZznlBha46FoOmeMdpEHQjshOiXGV2wsWxmPVoz24vtcRnhTZ8CFx5v/s1600/plan+of+trees" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCnZy-x3engtFKZBuOMnX8-j_cFziTaYM5tzX_NgI3FqIMg4t8xPHG4ctd96YdSUnWPEVyP0-lNRIgASeERCmh63ZznlBha46FoOmeMdpEHQjshOiXGV2wsWxmPVoz24vtcRnhTZ8CFx5v/s400/plan+of+trees" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
We have tried to use native species, or trees that we have seen growing widely in the local area to ensure that the planting is in keeping with the environment, and have included oaks, horse chestnut, and beech to provide focal points when mature.<br />
<br />
As this part of France is truly beautiful in Summer, with the orchards in full leaf and the fields swaying with sunflowers and corn, we decided to plant the majority of our trees for Autumn colour. We hope that the reds and yellows of the maples, gingko, sweetgum and tulip trees will provide a dramatic backdrop to the properties.<br />
<br />
Using smaller trees near the buildings to define the edges of gardens and provide shade, we are also planting fruit trees - mulberry and figs - in each garden, so that guests can pick their own fruit to eat straight from the trees.<br />
<br />
We ordered 75 small whips from the garden centre....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyMdJTEHaxhV48nylSEVwCIQp8qfIxodI8hLfbI3R6fvyUj1icpHtY-lCQRpdXKsRx96HweZJuKkRD7eawcDO-cUK_st5ke4AfDwsZvzzbv9QDj69wxQo5P6Oh7s8nGKrWCc25DP6eUqG2/s1600/tree+plugplants" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyMdJTEHaxhV48nylSEVwCIQp8qfIxodI8hLfbI3R6fvyUj1icpHtY-lCQRpdXKsRx96HweZJuKkRD7eawcDO-cUK_st5ke4AfDwsZvzzbv9QDj69wxQo5P6Oh7s8nGKrWCc25DP6eUqG2/s400/tree+plugplants" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
and 10 larger 3 year old fruit trees for an orchard...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ICMS-NaA6EBRUMEfR8KfyrDLuzjUJjtn3VsnVI6dmoBPBveBrDZDebt7YbPOgFpB1XvWWQ52a9m5Rd3YuDRQd3ECfIzYiO1Tj_cG-rba7IkNQ947YRwm_V7A6IawqXU_tfVfd894-Wg4/s1600/orchard+trees" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ICMS-NaA6EBRUMEfR8KfyrDLuzjUJjtn3VsnVI6dmoBPBveBrDZDebt7YbPOgFpB1XvWWQ52a9m5Rd3YuDRQd3ECfIzYiO1Tj_cG-rba7IkNQ947YRwm_V7A6IawqXU_tfVfd894-Wg4/s400/orchard+trees" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
So with 85 young trees to plant and at least 5 existing trees to transplant, we needed a system.<br />
<br />
First we needed to cut 85 pieces of weed suppressing fabric - so a template was in order...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghxPBS_H75z076GrjWlKwbUtXg7EXO-ii0gqa0Hpf8wkRgOq5tkcz-smumgDuSUBZ5NuArcszLWGcv5Tdzmg05dDro46BXrG9s7duRgrRZc7W09f-PDoQoSvdnFZvSWDILsAoHjdoUWDNw/s1600/weed+suppressing+template" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghxPBS_H75z076GrjWlKwbUtXg7EXO-ii0gqa0Hpf8wkRgOq5tkcz-smumgDuSUBZ5NuArcszLWGcv5Tdzmg05dDro46BXrG9s7duRgrRZc7W09f-PDoQoSvdnFZvSWDILsAoHjdoUWDNw/s400/weed+suppressing+template" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Then we needed to be able to take all our tools and materials with us round the plot, so the trailer was hitched to the quad and filled with tools, trees, compost and a water butt, and the JCB was loaded with a big bag of limestone gravel.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC-JX3jFroUKqHFCII4wuvde9eWR0y9yCFp0KckM2aNXfd_FaczFlt6FD7FsIJ4sqEiTB0grREEJ6D88KcXhWN3BE8B_s3gasUpRi7B-JoR1ZyHDRr2KYfkufAH95Eziye1Yz1tY4dwldb/s1600/jcb+gravel+quad+compost" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC-JX3jFroUKqHFCII4wuvde9eWR0y9yCFp0KckM2aNXfd_FaczFlt6FD7FsIJ4sqEiTB0grREEJ6D88KcXhWN3BE8B_s3gasUpRi7B-JoR1ZyHDRr2KYfkufAH95Eziye1Yz1tY4dwldb/s400/jcb+gravel+quad+compost" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Fully prepared, we were ready to start the process...<br />
<br />
1. Scrape the turf away...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipmS4E92vqx6QmxmhXZ0xwsondOLc7XnpgWqV7Vt-NsEf1QdL5dwDapZHUsela0f4-oA-_49DNd0-WlaF-36S3OjvrHK16dfBxM9MXvulgQNQaG5AniiNDD5XQTzWDL7vucqX7Ftg2o_ys/s1600/scraping+turf+2" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipmS4E92vqx6QmxmhXZ0xwsondOLc7XnpgWqV7Vt-NsEf1QdL5dwDapZHUsela0f4-oA-_49DNd0-WlaF-36S3OjvrHK16dfBxM9MXvulgQNQaG5AniiNDD5XQTzWDL7vucqX7Ftg2o_ys/s400/scraping+turf+2" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
2. Dig the hole...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpEQzi2lJ0bsPS_NsUK4tzRP6-uE6nPFakI1cuefgXolNnwGJUhQ2D5ygczFsZHudvuTg3UoJQmnEMWGexHNo5qKeg1ycHCZ2tPSNkU39J2FHRdc7pToPrgsBQpxgXH5HFI5Sh7K-Fexsv/s1600/digging" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpEQzi2lJ0bsPS_NsUK4tzRP6-uE6nPFakI1cuefgXolNnwGJUhQ2D5ygczFsZHudvuTg3UoJQmnEMWGexHNo5qKeg1ycHCZ2tPSNkU39J2FHRdc7pToPrgsBQpxgXH5HFI5Sh7K-Fexsv/s400/digging" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
3. Sift through the big bag of compost to take out all the cockchafer grubs...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM3QNq02lxOjzfpRerMWdK11hI8DpJUYbH1x4EWJUe3zkacTYYI87IWfJvway0B9w_GqcAnmZaZU1Z9b97DsuE5v1mZEovd0cQdidGG9EMklj069drd3z5R1b-XMxprPyjVRVzVpktffrJ/s1600/grub" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="357" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM3QNq02lxOjzfpRerMWdK11hI8DpJUYbH1x4EWJUe3zkacTYYI87IWfJvway0B9w_GqcAnmZaZU1Z9b97DsuE5v1mZEovd0cQdidGG9EMklj069drd3z5R1b-XMxprPyjVRVzVpktffrJ/s400/grub" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Apparently the cockchafer (May Bug) lays 60 - 80 eggs in the ground, and they develop into these grubs which live underground for 3 to 4 years eating roots. We seem to have all 80 in our bag of compost and not wishing to plant them to feed on our tree roots, we had to sift and squish them before planting.<br />
<br />
4. Fill the hole with sifted compost and plant young tree...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfNY_r7j2FnDBff2MyxNweWYww5OtL-Mq53GftgyyyH3M3a7hbrlq3gxyn92qC6p9myKFxNKNj8IJIkv-H4nKi199Oq41rPnDqWrZ10jg_gb-1kOzMOBqyfOt7UhyphenhyphenoBcYokuct_7el0RvZ/s1600/planting+with+compost" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfNY_r7j2FnDBff2MyxNweWYww5OtL-Mq53GftgyyyH3M3a7hbrlq3gxyn92qC6p9myKFxNKNj8IJIkv-H4nKi199Oq41rPnDqWrZ10jg_gb-1kOzMOBqyfOt7UhyphenhyphenoBcYokuct_7el0RvZ/s400/planting+with+compost" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
5. Cover with weed supressant, fix wire netting to stop animals from eating the young trees...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7q3-61pk7fxEF9J2JI8sSQA1NPxFy3xoQInZTvLd4Wty_axoH94w9zEFsh9pbRL7Fm0hUqQehzVBVeVBXT-zNx7TUHnseOZpeaCgcDRZ3TgUqFe8NL2Jc6fRPpz6VQAWHBiF9IOyegWQG/s1600/netting" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7q3-61pk7fxEF9J2JI8sSQA1NPxFy3xoQInZTvLd4Wty_axoH94w9zEFsh9pbRL7Fm0hUqQehzVBVeVBXT-zNx7TUHnseOZpeaCgcDRZ3TgUqFe8NL2Jc6fRPpz6VQAWHBiF9IOyegWQG/s400/netting" width="185" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
6. Cover with limestone chipping, water and repeat.... a further 84 times!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3qgUtG-cLhbwYzP-QXq2Y6iQCp-TqQqX_oHx5WTkrwqx50FJEhnAJ_qsfVCkOOPZWR4bXKUly_WCj85uEvZ7CgGSHRSQPxSmNSn3q3UsLlibaXoaZkjSngpkbuyyeegle0o0sJ6vUcyYU/s1600/gravel+on+tree" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3qgUtG-cLhbwYzP-QXq2Y6iQCp-TqQqX_oHx5WTkrwqx50FJEhnAJ_qsfVCkOOPZWR4bXKUly_WCj85uEvZ7CgGSHRSQPxSmNSn3q3UsLlibaXoaZkjSngpkbuyyeegle0o0sJ6vUcyYU/s400/gravel+on+tree" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Not forgetting to transplant and stake any nice young saplings growing too close to other trees to develop properly...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUtBxgR9OlMFlaUrHVwNyQ_cneCnKLBVaWbndq16oQKnklBhJ9zRgFayH6eRWStHUFCUKptOcoxAoMhGs9-NBwjW4k0DsACd43TjP_zDQIkWnGOzSKq457p5fR1MYnAN_A8Us1h0npUGZt/s1600/staking+ash" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUtBxgR9OlMFlaUrHVwNyQ_cneCnKLBVaWbndq16oQKnklBhJ9zRgFayH6eRWStHUFCUKptOcoxAoMhGs9-NBwjW4k0DsACd43TjP_zDQIkWnGOzSKq457p5fR1MYnAN_A8Us1h0npUGZt/s400/staking+ash" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
We were slightly disheartened to find, after planting all 75 young trees, that they were barely visible over such a large area. So it was gratifying to finish the planting in the orchard with the larger fruit trees. With a selection of cherry, pear, peach, nectarine, fig, walnut and sweet chestnut, we are hoping to be able to grow most of the fruit we will eat, and provide home grown fruit and nuts to our guests.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinLkx6KTlAuPR09lEfBZ3WgxLlRZycm2JCC8hUituaMWa7znG96kpYQWyrJuiNIaup4doJ8_3mHp5S-HMWgrdsXLO6V4yy19RbhnascWyOGZ0FTWV8EznWZfzabCdF2otNBa0301lYANVL/s1600/system+planting" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinLkx6KTlAuPR09lEfBZ3WgxLlRZycm2JCC8hUituaMWa7znG96kpYQWyrJuiNIaup4doJ8_3mHp5S-HMWgrdsXLO6V4yy19RbhnascWyOGZ0FTWV8EznWZfzabCdF2otNBa0301lYANVL/s400/system+planting" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Now that the last tree has been planted and staked, we can stand back and admire what is a small but very healthy looking young orchard, and keep our fingers crossed that the rains will begin soon, and we will not have to water all 85 trees by hand.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO13926RwPYao-lGIr81lJUkO2WxaELdw4zlvYHJf9vvHfO8DWp8kIfa-8Ml4GE4h1dqEfafHtAoHGvBMmuiPtdzqLu2Yn5NItb5Jdhi4TJirq4AunfT5d_EUFQDUBw9ZWHBLnqFYra1eb/s1600/orchard" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO13926RwPYao-lGIr81lJUkO2WxaELdw4zlvYHJf9vvHfO8DWp8kIfa-8Ml4GE4h1dqEfafHtAoHGvBMmuiPtdzqLu2Yn5NItb5Jdhi4TJirq4AunfT5d_EUFQDUBw9ZWHBLnqFYra1eb/s400/orchard" width="400" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7627080484268459494.post-20265038514470681272011-12-02T11:55:00.001+01:002011-12-02T11:56:14.926+01:00A New Roof for the little CottageThe first house to be renovated is the 16th century cottage. It sits at the back of the whole plot and has its own private entrance from the road, so it can be screened off from the rest of the buildings and be rented as a finished holiday unit.<br />
<div><div>The most important task is to renew the roof before the winter weather causes any problems to the structure, which is still dry at the moment with no hint of that damp smell usually found in older properties. However we want to tread carefully, conserving all the features we can and re-using as much of the original materials as possible - so progress is likely to be slow.</div><div><br />
</div><div>We need to break through the roof first, to be able to strip the old clay tiles...</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZMUFpoa9mBHw7PPdhFBpE9J-SJOzdiICqnV92z3fDWUJJph5heiylE9nx01RZSgcEJjQY5K8v7LP6qE3UWFO_JeqUUZeEYSwM3tic6zeZpM-yUip2hKmuy4p6dHgmjt-hAK3O6VTjqkw6/s1600/breaking+through" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZMUFpoa9mBHw7PPdhFBpE9J-SJOzdiICqnV92z3fDWUJJph5heiylE9nx01RZSgcEJjQY5K8v7LP6qE3UWFO_JeqUUZeEYSwM3tic6zeZpM-yUip2hKmuy4p6dHgmjt-hAK3O6VTjqkw6/s400/breaking+through" width="266" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>Opening up the attic space reveals the beautiful wooden structure inside; the original ring beam and rafters, all solid oak, joined with original wooden pegs... </div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZj4xJZvlIABSxW8K7XNfi8UtRSdk5nQ-7UocAQk8bslR9XPxDMiwctsq_lDk9aZrbYA2JtA__91QVqBcaepFqoPAm9hQjlzwZKbg-ti3C2Kn1sSnCmnCJ9JXUOblT8msiI1-zpnzcMz1_/s1600/internal+beams" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZj4xJZvlIABSxW8K7XNfi8UtRSdk5nQ-7UocAQk8bslR9XPxDMiwctsq_lDk9aZrbYA2JtA__91QVqBcaepFqoPAm9hQjlzwZKbg-ti3C2Kn1sSnCmnCJ9JXUOblT8msiI1-zpnzcMz1_/s400/internal+beams" width="400" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>Most of the original chestnut battens are sagging now with the weight of the original clay tiles, and will have to be replaced. All the clay tiles need to be checked, moss removed and stacked for re-use where possible, whilst the chestnut will join the growing stack of firewood to see us through the winter.</div><div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6k1HYKC10p2HZ1c6G108almMovAZLAhZ_3KDtiSSS1oEiIL6iupoKgmMkdHSo-QqjuZBgFDfAD3qlq4bLy24FTxsPEjLXtv9fYiYktPS57VYiFwwHqDDNTlvsIQ4uVpxaWw80t8t26__X/s1600/stripping+tiles" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6k1HYKC10p2HZ1c6G108almMovAZLAhZ_3KDtiSSS1oEiIL6iupoKgmMkdHSo-QqjuZBgFDfAD3qlq4bLy24FTxsPEjLXtv9fYiYktPS57VYiFwwHqDDNTlvsIQ4uVpxaWw80t8t26__X/s320/stripping+tiles" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>When all the tiles have been removed, we can concentrate on building the structure of the dormers, and the velux windows at the rear. We are keeping all the new windows and doors in proportion to the original structure, an important factor when we visited the Architectural Heritage department in Perigueux as part of our planning process.</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwarXR1LTiD_7DWvDC7-viWJyA82xRD45kTsMrqmFWy_6B_0RoYuQKXNydRt_B_jH6VmoH0KFgMij_XMorvloMGgvs2xLjaA8fnlIDG_x5UF4wjOAkbxMAEJZBS8UXRzGnZwpxHw4OUrf/s1600/dormers" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwarXR1LTiD_7DWvDC7-viWJyA82xRD45kTsMrqmFWy_6B_0RoYuQKXNydRt_B_jH6VmoH0KFgMij_XMorvloMGgvs2xLjaA8fnlIDG_x5UF4wjOAkbxMAEJZBS8UXRzGnZwpxHw4OUrf/s400/dormers" width="400" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>Although it is now end August and the temperatures are in the high 30s, making each day on the roof an interesting challenge, it still feels good to start the process of covering the cottage again...</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ikREqWmNrq9imiauBvYk8tSULaUO7gPiYy1oyzBtmvfZyKApTueb3rcrBWBtuvxDkmrfQ9hEjsQLgyQfZUIX1ABUKXbZ7HsT72t3SIQOO_GISta7aRCnV0-5y-gk1GJ3_6LW5Dbf2FNC/s1600/battening+up" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ikREqWmNrq9imiauBvYk8tSULaUO7gPiYy1oyzBtmvfZyKApTueb3rcrBWBtuvxDkmrfQ9hEjsQLgyQfZUIX1ABUKXbZ7HsT72t3SIQOO_GISta7aRCnV0-5y-gk1GJ3_6LW5Dbf2FNC/s400/battening+up" width="400" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>By laying the battens 12 inches apart on the way up, Nick is able to walk up them still, and then fill back in, to 4 inches apart, on the way back down...</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNqeRpwwl6O0tdsHpOcihyphenhyphen0j-OJO8k_wcTspZGadWK6Z3gYQ3jSqb8LzC16HIbBejwmdjhCR8N0y0LbZG2zc6oTkgQz9T7wsQ-kf1b3VFMEilcvozmg2fDWZsC8xdKjAcyLBJlwfttUgHB/s1600/batten+down+2" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNqeRpwwl6O0tdsHpOcihyphenhyphen0j-OJO8k_wcTspZGadWK6Z3gYQ3jSqb8LzC16HIbBejwmdjhCR8N0y0LbZG2zc6oTkgQz9T7wsQ-kf1b3VFMEilcvozmg2fDWZsC8xdKjAcyLBJlwfttUgHB/s400/batten+down+2" width="400" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>And finally the battening is complete, and the cottage is at least weatherproof if we have any summer storms - although we have not had rain for 8 weeks.</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNtJXV36NhtKXICmuV-WJrvpY0f0UTPDTlv9g1ZO9uc60JT-FJKWQ_TiWZZXBJbWS7O3Pc4UvfqG9NGhV3cBQn1rV4tdpNl-y_Mg136yk6_ELDW53UONn5HIB3amDxNMJemzrOpr3cjJmS/s1600/battening+finished" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNtJXV36NhtKXICmuV-WJrvpY0f0UTPDTlv9g1ZO9uc60JT-FJKWQ_TiWZZXBJbWS7O3Pc4UvfqG9NGhV3cBQn1rV4tdpNl-y_Mg136yk6_ELDW53UONn5HIB3amDxNMJemzrOpr3cjJmS/s400/battening+finished" width="400" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>We manage to save half of the original clay tiles, and source another 4000 reclaimed tiles, so having taken a welcome break collecting the tiles in the air-conditioned car and trailer - it is time to re-lay them..</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDCzitcr-ty-f08xFV6ooOf6HaztTccRzi8dLzNgH_eLoI9PcI-e9Sxlp0xyDQ7LEo-zH0LjgN526DZkT6faS3Ck0_B_o1VHjU7o0uwqrx9gmdQh9X3KFHd3wZyPo8y9-yROpnFGw2knBb/s1600/tiles+up" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDCzitcr-ty-f08xFV6ooOf6HaztTccRzi8dLzNgH_eLoI9PcI-e9Sxlp0xyDQ7LEo-zH0LjgN526DZkT6faS3Ck0_B_o1VHjU7o0uwqrx9gmdQh9X3KFHd3wZyPo8y9-yROpnFGw2knBb/s400/tiles+up" width="400" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>There is still time within the process to ensure we replicate the craftsmanship that was on the original building though. The original roof had a tiled vent, common to the houses of the Perigourdine region... </div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiLIYnJ2uF2OVqncwATj4Rrxe2iUP5ajWmadaVDxGl96iOqAznBvp0YAA_Qf1_eslNW6p1eLuGcEvTs4irCm8aotjr7NyV6WiWwfPePZfTJliBFupivC48tSfE5YA-L4Kj78kr1S0JmmWJ/s1600/ventilation+tile+2" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiLIYnJ2uF2OVqncwATj4Rrxe2iUP5ajWmadaVDxGl96iOqAznBvp0YAA_Qf1_eslNW6p1eLuGcEvTs4irCm8aotjr7NyV6WiWwfPePZfTJliBFupivC48tSfE5YA-L4Kj78kr1S0JmmWJ/s400/ventilation+tile+2" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC9x4XlgAyHBuVPF4fjOON3cMWDoG6oUQxjKnVfC7RCjQFBgMtbvIbgut0o53l3tK3tYCmOn_IJjxve4YZsh9Y6f0_IAljFxbd8l9lqBPmiW531RuFztxo0u594LB8-hmTwuyxZpHR-XJt/s1600/ventilation+tiles" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC9x4XlgAyHBuVPF4fjOON3cMWDoG6oUQxjKnVfC7RCjQFBgMtbvIbgut0o53l3tK3tYCmOn_IJjxve4YZsh9Y6f0_IAljFxbd8l9lqBPmiW531RuFztxo0u594LB8-hmTwuyxZpHR-XJt/s400/ventilation+tiles" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So Nick creates a new decorative ventilation structure from wood we reclaim from inside the house, using the design motif we have seen on a number of the houses in the local villages....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNCN_sYalgDcxbqj-BVPTuiKdmegENYc13e29fCJLSC_Kh4EJ5uQ9Fr_cnhZSxI_UYMb9Qgsh7Hte04icu_5uFtIeygXaKOw6BV7_c1I0uesf5GJObsSNrZYGVVX20FPoJgpH_j-mGf_IF/s1600/new+tile+vent" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNCN_sYalgDcxbqj-BVPTuiKdmegENYc13e29fCJLSC_Kh4EJ5uQ9Fr_cnhZSxI_UYMb9Qgsh7Hte04icu_5uFtIeygXaKOw6BV7_c1I0uesf5GJObsSNrZYGVVX20FPoJgpH_j-mGf_IF/s400/new+tile+vent" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We also use burr oak we have found in the house, to make beautiful facades for the new dormers...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjerh_dBM5JDOQ4KeJHvkz9R5uQTaA9afye2iaR0YHwf97Kgl1Bx3v-TN9t-6bZQboeyQ-65jcWYKhmHZDxGiYb_6mLy311-abv5TBFPd9t5sUm1Rq_tpTMGSuq2eENUU1tr8W9x0A_0i3E/s1600/details+on+dormers" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjerh_dBM5JDOQ4KeJHvkz9R5uQTaA9afye2iaR0YHwf97Kgl1Bx3v-TN9t-6bZQboeyQ-65jcWYKhmHZDxGiYb_6mLy311-abv5TBFPd9t5sUm1Rq_tpTMGSuq2eENUU1tr8W9x0A_0i3E/s400/details+on+dormers" width="400" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>The chimney also needs rebuilding to bring it up to current building regulations, and to ensure a good draw for the woodburner we will install in the fireplace...</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGdvCQF05tYqfW8elt3deba2Ep2RwsNVZPg0Sh86_EpThjqp_sZJvzDcHwfUbqLSBXth-thN53GX7MJ0h2EjC42WgDu78mJrkxRP3NhnXUpoYxKhmjNnIYZSSnW43NmU7K8Sfcu6DbcOL/s1600/building+chimney" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGdvCQF05tYqfW8elt3deba2Ep2RwsNVZPg0Sh86_EpThjqp_sZJvzDcHwfUbqLSBXth-thN53GX7MJ0h2EjC42WgDu78mJrkxRP3NhnXUpoYxKhmjNnIYZSSnW43NmU7K8Sfcu6DbcOL/s400/building+chimney" width="300" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>And finally at the end of October we finish re-laying all 8000 old clay tiles....</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg6KxWZPg5BN9ceG8d4x0P01YmgPbL6yrUlPG5MPC62JBWL6jGElJveSOKpMDz4yIx4GaoUosv96ZOuOG0S0abiAombO0_nMUTdWXB795SLp33TeyQPZSgxoub4C_KFkw1jdNTIKEaaCBu/s1600/finishing+tiles" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg6KxWZPg5BN9ceG8d4x0P01YmgPbL6yrUlPG5MPC62JBWL6jGElJveSOKpMDz4yIx4GaoUosv96ZOuOG0S0abiAombO0_nMUTdWXB795SLp33TeyQPZSgxoub4C_KFkw1jdNTIKEaaCBu/s400/finishing+tiles" width="400" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>And as November starts, we have only the ridge tiles to finish. Some creative adaptations to the JCB to extend its reach, allow us to lay the hip and top ridge tiles...</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ_8ozM_rlM4udWWdgfr-I4_eONPeTXxXuqzaQ18jLRSAIDvXbEbqQErswxKwwGKc9e30WrwLIbYqJqK0ZDwdo6CPvFQyu444Jizo5SmQuMG9qVmUZ4F4jqpkWQHWnQ4vUZ910x79a1Xa-/s1600/platform+to+ridge+tiles" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ_8ozM_rlM4udWWdgfr-I4_eONPeTXxXuqzaQ18jLRSAIDvXbEbqQErswxKwwGKc9e30WrwLIbYqJqK0ZDwdo6CPvFQyu444Jizo5SmQuMG9qVmUZ4F4jqpkWQHWnQ4vUZ910x79a1Xa-/s400/platform+to+ridge+tiles" width="400" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>And literally as we lay the last two ridge tiles, the raindrops start to patter down.... the first rain in the last 12 weeks. It is only a shower, but as we put the tools away and close up the cottage, there is an overwhelming sense of pride in having completed the first stage of the renovation, and ensuring the little cottage is snug and dry for the coming winter.</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2NAfnXD75QgNXLZBEENh5Gin6AD7Ic4N2ujdiXdoYZULJNNotECbXVWmrdG7gpSZOZ88U5ZgoeQx14BTHz4Yj7XiYLnCj27unYmjxtOb-Iqe8VajACXyxsxIzdCb7MZiaA10IOUzLuGiq/s1600/finished+roof" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2NAfnXD75QgNXLZBEENh5Gin6AD7Ic4N2ujdiXdoYZULJNNotECbXVWmrdG7gpSZOZ88U5ZgoeQx14BTHz4Yj7XiYLnCj27unYmjxtOb-Iqe8VajACXyxsxIzdCb7MZiaA10IOUzLuGiq/s400/finished+roof" width="400" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7627080484268459494.post-64615338674628628972011-11-01T22:20:00.000+01:002011-11-01T22:20:29.450+01:00Season of MistsMisty mornings make Autumn a beautiful time of year,<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn1jlnwKdEKkAAfbrMGCuonfF4lam70NVWgEf4fIG4kfqAGSYaWKsHItgIjBm9uA1JGxFwOJiVOAa6JnoM2maZW6EKGOdUCLl6I7gY0Zx37OW0aVN076rrH4v6YsFydtgR5oeIh1xOqeZZ/s1600/misty+morning" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn1jlnwKdEKkAAfbrMGCuonfF4lam70NVWgEf4fIG4kfqAGSYaWKsHItgIjBm9uA1JGxFwOJiVOAa6JnoM2maZW6EKGOdUCLl6I7gY0Zx37OW0aVN076rrH4v6YsFydtgR5oeIh1xOqeZZ/s400/misty+morning" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
And turn our east-facing fields into a magical place....<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi_-R_AHtuBe97ZahpEIsbsJBze6PQHdS2c3GA3_9xvtBSRkpUMpgbpKEn107HNAjaB0gUu8sgrmx1NvvHNzOAYGFaMvphl_wI84AGvsPS7uTY4W_rWCgpXH82YWBIPmT_84r0TdPzYLcl/s1600/misty" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi_-R_AHtuBe97ZahpEIsbsJBze6PQHdS2c3GA3_9xvtBSRkpUMpgbpKEn107HNAjaB0gUu8sgrmx1NvvHNzOAYGFaMvphl_wI84AGvsPS7uTY4W_rWCgpXH82YWBIPmT_84r0TdPzYLcl/s640/misty" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I remember misty mornings from the car window in England. The 5 am alarm call; the instant coffee whilst checking my briefcase, and that first step out into the cold dark morning; all vivid memories of my former life. The darkness would gradually lighten part way around the M25, and I would glimpse the mist laying in the fields, in between taking calls and studying the presentation I was due to give that day. It was a snapshot, an image of something that had no connection to me and my life, but something beautiful that made me smile.<br />
<br />
Now I no longer wake in the dark, I have no alarm clock, and I rise with the sun. If the mist is rolling across the fields, I have the time to go outside with a freshly brewed coffee and take photos of the day as it unfolds. It is one of the biggest luxuries that my new life affords me, and one of the things that I never want to compromise going forward.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7627080484268459494.post-26479364949587265362011-10-30T17:05:00.001+01:002011-10-30T19:31:12.852+01:00Our Resident WildlifeThe wildlife that has lived in these wonderful old buildings for many years is part of the natural tapestry here, and we see it as our job to ensure that we protect them from the impact of our renovations where possible. They have been resident here for much longer than us, and have 'right of way', so to speak.<br />
<br />
Our first discovery were the swallows in the main barn. There were about 20 couples who were all very quiet when we first moved in. They would sit on the milking pipes, and watch all the activity...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNueF6RLPmD4hR5hL2p6C3UdFYzaSsfGbMBWA6OcXv6-Pd0klHwhmwn8x-ntyPxLXAidOxoUf4P9-eawYFb8-3bekJD2h4HUEpvxBMw01BSWh5zRiXOOXpJuTIGcyAetU66kRWuNbMn3gj/s1600/adult+swallow" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNueF6RLPmD4hR5hL2p6C3UdFYzaSsfGbMBWA6OcXv6-Pd0klHwhmwn8x-ntyPxLXAidOxoUf4P9-eawYFb8-3bekJD2h4HUEpvxBMw01BSWh5zRiXOOXpJuTIGcyAetU66kRWuNbMn3gj/s400/adult+swallow" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
As we unloaded all our boxes and equipment into the barn, they remained undisturbed - twittering softly and simply curious about the new arrivals.<br />
After only a few weeks, the activity heightened in the barn, and we would leave the big doors open for the swallows to go back and forth, collecting materials for their nests. <br />
And very soon, entering the barn meant ducking under the swooping and wheeling parents, intent on protecting the new arrivals....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ1mCWZiidW5Gu3mFWF2s2y8bP7aHrROgizw1z8RMRRYuTaWeiXqJa4UE9_m4cx8_7TknkONjEWGPnUfK9lQjYyq4dmurJ61eNc-Aj7SlaId1lXn2WJS5urCjfR3OUa6pQVeS_TtXAD7Wi/s1600/baby+swallows" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ1mCWZiidW5Gu3mFWF2s2y8bP7aHrROgizw1z8RMRRYuTaWeiXqJa4UE9_m4cx8_7TknkONjEWGPnUfK9lQjYyq4dmurJ61eNc-Aj7SlaId1lXn2WJS5urCjfR3OUa6pQVeS_TtXAD7Wi/s400/baby+swallows" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
It wasn't long before the chicks had outgrown the nests, and the calling became louder and more insistent as they were beckoned out for their first flights...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfbFTpEOX_xKYJWF0SSjsEp8OIOTuzs7wRCaGrCYYowTM-9iRW9fawAK0u4NJ2yljNrAYWVmoYPsOPCELiTN1fAnL0oELMkiezUxiNSGONe3hXMbbED2Pqy38nX0zteHt2PSCL0wK2qcFJ/s1600/baby+swallow" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfbFTpEOX_xKYJWF0SSjsEp8OIOTuzs7wRCaGrCYYowTM-9iRW9fawAK0u4NJ2yljNrAYWVmoYPsOPCELiTN1fAnL0oELMkiezUxiNSGONe3hXMbbED2Pqy38nX0zteHt2PSCL0wK2qcFJ/s400/baby+swallow" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
They have all left now for warmer climes, but we will make sure we open the big barn doors in March to welcome them back home.<br />
<br />
Another interesting feathered neighbour is a family of red-legged partridges..<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw4Bixx_msGaz2SCCtNEXh7U4-6O_RVUjP6IWojsOsw627rh3xVfuwkB6It9e7SbjaeI70zUqrJj7-eIcf921iv1EcMVampTwzZPPBkzK1rC088IG3zsWzNc4eeAGfSSryjlAKBZgOuBpF/s1600/red+legged+partridge" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw4Bixx_msGaz2SCCtNEXh7U4-6O_RVUjP6IWojsOsw627rh3xVfuwkB6It9e7SbjaeI70zUqrJj7-eIcf921iv1EcMVampTwzZPPBkzK1rC088IG3zsWzNc4eeAGfSSryjlAKBZgOuBpF/s400/red+legged+partridge" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
There are six in the main group, and they spend most of their time pecking in the newly exposed manure, looking up when we approach, but not moving until we start an engine - at which point they all run, clucking and twittering, in the opposite direction.<br />
<br />
In the smallest house we discovered a small colony of bats...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvXrzRtP_55wd3jF8X2ruFiONnn6inXuDiA0CvNSd7wedX0KV09OKFF96NPS_f3LHxikntDGOxAjhwTj-apScQ7NL9DDJZwQTR4u6LfObO3KZ8_nnS-BW_useyMtJ0TBVzOYLueSXKk3zU/s1600/bats" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvXrzRtP_55wd3jF8X2ruFiONnn6inXuDiA0CvNSd7wedX0KV09OKFF96NPS_f3LHxikntDGOxAjhwTj-apScQ7NL9DDJZwQTR4u6LfObO3KZ8_nnS-BW_useyMtJ0TBVzOYLueSXKk3zU/s400/bats" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Being around them was very peaceful, they would remain calm even when we stood beneath them....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzCoS7UMOwbY9qIYa0tn5clozHyoH24dK0f6BnLKzIJOWQVSaB1KyDtKJtuFt7DgaSbCawwjhBT-2CXaXhetZfSuq5fjRXlWIPEagWpNnbvI9Yrbr16piklT_JJd-9uojwDO2IktC1XLjv/s1600/bat2" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzCoS7UMOwbY9qIYa0tn5clozHyoH24dK0f6BnLKzIJOWQVSaB1KyDtKJtuFt7DgaSbCawwjhBT-2CXaXhetZfSuq5fjRXlWIPEagWpNnbvI9Yrbr16piklT_JJd-9uojwDO2IktC1XLjv/s400/bat2" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
And when they became conscious of us, they would twitch slightly, and then flutter silently around the room and disappear up the chimney where they would remain until we vacated again. As we needed to work on the roof of the little house we left the doors of the opposite barn open, as an alternative home. <br />
They stayed with us while we removed all the old roof tiles, remaining downstairs where we kept the shutters closed for them to keep it dark. It wasn't long though before they moved into the big barn where they, and their young, remain undisturbed for most of the day.<br />
<br />
The other discovery made, while we were removing the old roof tiles, was a tiny nest of mice. We couldn't leave them undisturbed, as without the shelter of the tiles, the young would have baked in the 38 degree searing sun. We bought them inside and made them a nest in a warm towel. Feeding them with a cotton bud soaked in cat milk...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB5jN7fejnyqNMwPI0_2OYnZd-nOTKUAtFpvfG66CAF4HuGtFtgYiVwLAQJw_vVdyukDOtCo8zttcjUxiGNQigMEADfrouKWBfRQAJD66msPSlbM2S_Qlk2OWmUvYMDExrJs8UhKDbxCWE/s1600/feeding+baby+mouse" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB5jN7fejnyqNMwPI0_2OYnZd-nOTKUAtFpvfG66CAF4HuGtFtgYiVwLAQJw_vVdyukDOtCo8zttcjUxiGNQigMEADfrouKWBfRQAJD66msPSlbM2S_Qlk2OWmUvYMDExrJs8UhKDbxCWE/s400/feeding+baby+mouse" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
It seemed to work, and they became quite active when they opened their eyes after a week. However a night of major thunderstorms must have proved too traumatic, and the following morning we had to pack the cage away again.<br />
<br />
We have a host of amphibious friends at the farm. Our pond is full of frogs, who sun themselves on the big flat lily pads, and keep the mosquito population at the farm down to almost zero....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDXp6DMOI5NRcsZDsjgV3803T-1Zdx1ZCiBRyUM9wUISeTWYAGDCUWeV27hr2Xsxr-NdEGEo3DEpTZYz_wSEM8y4MfCS90PbCgyTu2QmyQ-2Q7E6J9D1_CXpZjdDS8ElnmmDF96mYyiSf/s1600/frogs" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDXp6DMOI5NRcsZDsjgV3803T-1Zdx1ZCiBRyUM9wUISeTWYAGDCUWeV27hr2Xsxr-NdEGEo3DEpTZYz_wSEM8y4MfCS90PbCgyTu2QmyQ-2Q7E6J9D1_CXpZjdDS8ElnmmDF96mYyiSf/s400/frogs" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
We even have frogs living in the EDF electric box, whose croaks would suggest they were slightly larger than their diminutive frame...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQqK-xMvS_lYVKaJM0M7po6F7nxzsl1C2F0NuC03JdVPn9TW7KS_fXRbnDjegGx0emSGVKkgUoAEfIQ5_aFs18uv53w9PCqKtybezDKHfxLjKaIcJI63BfCoka80baLPb1A7px9C0nyTp/s1600/frogs+in+edf+box" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQqK-xMvS_lYVKaJM0M7po6F7nxzsl1C2F0NuC03JdVPn9TW7KS_fXRbnDjegGx0emSGVKkgUoAEfIQ5_aFs18uv53w9PCqKtybezDKHfxLjKaIcJI63BfCoka80baLPb1A7px9C0nyTp/s400/frogs+in+edf+box" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I particularly like the toads, who seem to be hiding under everything I need to move. Turning their warty backs on me, they puff themselves up to make themselves as terrifying as possible, and then sit placidly in my hand as I transport them off to a quiet dark place. I love the cool dry feel of them, and the way they sit so patiently in my hand.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8azqLunDnfxfJ7eNJGw3DU1IpJmYbcyQizGSRZ_Emm60yWKxOkxiJpDjgWrvODltqahWYw3SZY1qIN4geXgXn_dOPyLWV9DpeSf3Aix4qswv-hFLymwcMP2HFiC6fmsQT8ziizwht4Qkp/s1600/toad" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8azqLunDnfxfJ7eNJGw3DU1IpJmYbcyQizGSRZ_Emm60yWKxOkxiJpDjgWrvODltqahWYw3SZY1qIN4geXgXn_dOPyLWV9DpeSf3Aix4qswv-hFLymwcMP2HFiC6fmsQT8ziizwht4Qkp/s400/toad" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I think my love of toads began at our last property in Lot et Garonne. Without knowing much about toads at that stage, we found a large one under a concrete disc covering the water meter. Concerned that he had got himself into a hole and could not get back out, we decided to rescue him and take him to the nearest pond. I picked him up and cradling him in my hand, we rode off on the quad to the nearest pond we could find. We then very carefully dropped him into the water and rode back feeling very pleased with ourselves. It was only later when we googled 'toad rescues', that we found they prefer dark places on land, and only use ponds to find a mate!<br />
<br />
We have a plethora of tiny lizards that spend their days on the hot dry stones of the houses, skittering away as you approach. But we found this one under a pallet of roof tiles...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBOJ7qtZTEsUTnPJaT9I1d5R6NqdVc-P3GVvilcMb6gJc-DrwF_4TDfKiCktnqgGMFbo4D9Z7aTc5jKcxkYY_nbzyh8Cld9EiY93mPs5CSlzcZoCT8NEHo8fxSkwFadskVH1gMd2KbdUzB/s1600/marbled+newt" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBOJ7qtZTEsUTnPJaT9I1d5R6NqdVc-P3GVvilcMb6gJc-DrwF_4TDfKiCktnqgGMFbo4D9Z7aTc5jKcxkYY_nbzyh8Cld9EiY93mPs5CSlzcZoCT8NEHo8fxSkwFadskVH1gMd2KbdUzB/s400/marbled+newt" width="288" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
It is apparently a marbled newt, and unlike the other lizards he seemed calm and placid. He was very similar to the toads, sitting quietly in my hand, and moving around very slowly when placed on top of the warm seat of the quad.<br />
<br />
We also found a very small snake that had a very big attitude...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibXfkgOUkWI5S-cNU11viOoFneO0JecljIM1CJwvFwZLYe9NL_bn0DTQ6wzNOa6Hf3zjF3sMH5Zn8FvGD_X75pHxNYCWZvNoUqka89_mfWMxV5YD-uqidRltr45SqHrP2wu1nb6o0nWDHb/s1600/snake" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibXfkgOUkWI5S-cNU11viOoFneO0JecljIM1CJwvFwZLYe9NL_bn0DTQ6wzNOa6Hf3zjF3sMH5Zn8FvGD_X75pHxNYCWZvNoUqka89_mfWMxV5YD-uqidRltr45SqHrP2wu1nb6o0nWDHb/s400/snake" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
and seemed intent on biting through my husbands finger. Forunately his aggression was not matched by ferocious fangs, albeit they did draw a tiny bit of blood.<br />
<br />
Finally we have a few passing visitors, that stay for short periods and then disappear again.<br />
Our first is a pair of deer that graze in the far meadow. We spot them very early in the morning, but any slight movement sends their white tails up and they bound away. We have still to capture a great photo as they are so quick... but as the 'chasse' (hunting) season has begun now, we are seeing them less regularly.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC9uALNAnI0rHxUIKVilFPSC2i5wBqOBmJrjxdDAe7CqqRGG6Si8XekghyW4BHQxZIO7OLcgCfMct1iXzuybphGhIp7E4Yd_nInkfAwkGb1rZTSz-dTH6bceor0TSTIUiQxslllFgfK2Pk/s1600/deer" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC9uALNAnI0rHxUIKVilFPSC2i5wBqOBmJrjxdDAe7CqqRGG6Si8XekghyW4BHQxZIO7OLcgCfMct1iXzuybphGhIp7E4Yd_nInkfAwkGb1rZTSz-dTH6bceor0TSTIUiQxslllFgfK2Pk/s400/deer" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Our most awe-inspiring visitor was a buzzard. He had been sitting on overhead wires and the huge hay bales near the property for a while, hunting in the newly cut fields. When we returned from a brief visit to England, we found him sheltering from the rain under the barn roof, and although he flew off, it was a lazy unhurried exit. The following day he sat on a pile of stones in front of the polytunnel - just 20 metres from the kitchen window....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXQ0GFmVm4GM7xBphDLBJ_HEWKL4ZhIke3TQbKMlO72JMlmTp1juNnLdWl8USlaCXf7XqnwleFKjxRK2oqgNE-Q_gCA2iqjGY8J0ArcN290YgMPrSA-_z4bHukFQAKCUM-JGDZv7lrE5QS/s1600/buzzard" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="357" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXQ0GFmVm4GM7xBphDLBJ_HEWKL4ZhIke3TQbKMlO72JMlmTp1juNnLdWl8USlaCXf7XqnwleFKjxRK2oqgNE-Q_gCA2iqjGY8J0ArcN290YgMPrSA-_z4bHukFQAKCUM-JGDZv7lrE5QS/s400/buzzard" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
He stayed around the property for another week, but has left us for now. <br />
We can only hope that our visitors will return regularly in the future, and that we are sufficiently careful with our environment, for our residents to continue to call it home.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7627080484268459494.post-56765036611680379612011-10-30T10:53:00.001+01:002011-10-30T10:54:41.826+01:00Our Inheritance - Part Deux.The fruit trees are not the sum total of our inheritance. Our farm belonged to the parents of the french farmer who sold it to us. He is still our closest neighbour and had used the property to over-winter his small herd of charolais cattle before we moved in. Although he cleared most of the manure piles, he has left us plenty of rotting down manure, in the barn...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6vYE0ceN4AayZSuU93Ecxv9CGYeCB_Jk4D9lmwn_Kust59ZcAFDm2mU3OFpsZwcBBpBRqnwIQ1bGUYGFh4iCd4B_AYH1enApQwmcPHEqkHw-aEJAe88iAP5MDnK0lrXJvLjQddZqU1tuS/s1600/manure+in+barn+2" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6vYE0ceN4AayZSuU93Ecxv9CGYeCB_Jk4D9lmwn_Kust59ZcAFDm2mU3OFpsZwcBBpBRqnwIQ1bGUYGFh4iCd4B_AYH1enApQwmcPHEqkHw-aEJAe88iAP5MDnK0lrXJvLjQddZqU1tuS/s400/manure+in+barn+2" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
And also under the polytunnel...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgCQJ2DuwypcjP3mct9gbqxa2ssFIjfnHJ9QFICR50HZU9WKDNrDe9UkNPi_V3eZbWLSofH88qU-tUZsgrdI6jzwuUeV5x1aJMqjHcDoutYJkoeiUB1kVaiLDEVzlVMmNIrG29KMG5sKHA/s1600/tunnel+front" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgCQJ2DuwypcjP3mct9gbqxa2ssFIjfnHJ9QFICR50HZU9WKDNrDe9UkNPi_V3eZbWLSofH88qU-tUZsgrdI6jzwuUeV5x1aJMqjHcDoutYJkoeiUB1kVaiLDEVzlVMmNIrG29KMG5sKHA/s400/tunnel+front" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
We managed to sell the polytunnel - a monstrous 15 x 10 metre construction with a 4 metre height. Three frenchmen turned up with a small Peugeot van and plenty of Gauloise cigarettes. There was much scratching of heads, heated discussion about the best division of labour, and then shirts were removed, cigarettes lit, and with the help of our JCB, they dismantled it in a day. <br />
<br />
We were just left with the task of moving the huge steel stock bars, and were then able to see the extent of our slowly rotting 'black gold,' perfect for the new vegetable garden.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG68PS7A_f0xWeczx6jP3v2ejf8tQriHmIMOLBSD7K-HmjzyQrhUUbycM87ILec_oM37ABcM1u_2muFwt7JeFMkRrQIxJgZ7sm5eZCJodHQ3pkwY37YGXiLtctSdHagg7Mz7a7zpVNIBcM/s1600/DSC00993" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG68PS7A_f0xWeczx6jP3v2ejf8tQriHmIMOLBSD7K-HmjzyQrhUUbycM87ILec_oM37ABcM1u_2muFwt7JeFMkRrQIxJgZ7sm5eZCJodHQ3pkwY37YGXiLtctSdHagg7Mz7a7zpVNIBcM/s400/DSC00993" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The JCB was also employed as a crane to move the huge concrete tank, formerly used to mix the weedkiller for the plum orchards. It was lifted and moved into position in the new vegetable garden.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrto16kSC89x01CXXcb4n7n-tC94IeKHgfXx_ZgxqLOzt_W0_SwgKL_GN0Md8Eh6NzWPniiUmwJAPWAadRwYVKdaUJyVz4wYQtniZGSa4RAy7PvzClAZg9MBfbJk-YNk-p5_n7K3yryisJ/s1600/water+tank" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrto16kSC89x01CXXcb4n7n-tC94IeKHgfXx_ZgxqLOzt_W0_SwgKL_GN0Md8Eh6NzWPniiUmwJAPWAadRwYVKdaUJyVz4wYQtniZGSa4RAy7PvzClAZg9MBfbJk-YNk-p5_n7K3yryisJ/s400/water+tank" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
It holds 1700 litres, and will be ideal not just to collect rainwater, but also to store agricultural water to use for irrigation.<br />
As the property was formerly a working farm with 60 acres of orchards, maize, sunflowers and wheat; it was supplied with agricultural water, piped underground to 4 huge taps along the perimeter of the property. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinCAZgyXCJPh-HFS1pKAfXXl4yKxW0tg6044FE2KGsQfTMj327v92oxCS9kRk0Cfry27cNrqWZia2s8VMzS64r3WoHJXiaPkVxTRw902mf-WX-FbycQciKQGa4HNRbrbroQTBzU2XMadNL/s1600/agro+water" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinCAZgyXCJPh-HFS1pKAfXXl4yKxW0tg6044FE2KGsQfTMj327v92oxCS9kRk0Cfry27cNrqWZia2s8VMzS64r3WoHJXiaPkVxTRw902mf-WX-FbycQciKQGa4HNRbrbroQTBzU2XMadNL/s400/agro+water" width="295" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
We have retained the rights to use this agricultural water and at less than 5 pence per bathful, it will be an extremely cost efficient method of irrigating the gardens, and a great bonus for us.<br />
<br />
We have also identified the two large mature trees planted beside the houses. They are both Linden trees (Lime trees)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYi21y5J67km5EQp1df8n3JWUbCYGfpVqm97XnuCIrHMG4ro1clPmpvLTdw4Kq4Io7CVSf3mALjQvI0JmceS70y5LDV8A6mFrmi4eEb7Y45mQEPgpW-82B2aZJwgJSnq8JIIUKczuBouhh/s1600/linden+tree" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYi21y5J67km5EQp1df8n3JWUbCYGfpVqm97XnuCIrHMG4ro1clPmpvLTdw4Kq4Io7CVSf3mALjQvI0JmceS70y5LDV8A6mFrmi4eEb7Y45mQEPgpW-82B2aZJwgJSnq8JIIUKczuBouhh/s400/linden+tree" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
These were traditionally planted when a house was built in the Perigord, to provide shade for the heat of the summer days. When they come into flower in late Spring they produce a nectar that is irresistible to the bees and butterflies. It is quite amazing standing under the tree when it is literally buzzing with life, the noise all around you as though the tree itself is emitting the low humming.<br />
<br />
The blossom is used to make a herbal tea - an infusion popular in France, and known as tilleul. It is known to help indigestion and to help promote sleep. Interestingly it is also used with distilled water as a facial tonic for skin, soothing and relaxing tissues. It would be lovely to provide guests at the holiday cottages with natural products made on the farm, so an area to explore for the future...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYkVvOUNaPwY_9lb1adKmdP74os27saMpnQbLkjq7nqihK8TRxqQBY5wYMxWlYTMdWOrnhGMoMR_zvuqdkgh4UvAU_lOxs2BhrQsJJgcutEX_UdacAGOltFnMhAPlFbgdxQrhEzD_8Gzoe/s1600/linden+tree+flowers" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="381" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYkVvOUNaPwY_9lb1adKmdP74os27saMpnQbLkjq7nqihK8TRxqQBY5wYMxWlYTMdWOrnhGMoMR_zvuqdkgh4UvAU_lOxs2BhrQsJJgcutEX_UdacAGOltFnMhAPlFbgdxQrhEzD_8Gzoe/s400/linden+tree+flowers" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
And for those times when a herbal tea is just not enough, we seem to have a huge blackthorn hedge surrounding one of the fields...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMqw1LwAzR50pgGzYB8a9HonWdgN2JH84-rXbBnsT0LXFUIkDUSmfUquRqnJUWgABK3BJQcraR24oz22OUZi10M5WU_IIBsBxzegKYLjt9rMNLvxrkp_EhgmbkTMLdHor-DXF00T_av4Dc/s1600/sloe+bushes" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMqw1LwAzR50pgGzYB8a9HonWdgN2JH84-rXbBnsT0LXFUIkDUSmfUquRqnJUWgABK3BJQcraR24oz22OUZi10M5WU_IIBsBxzegKYLjt9rMNLvxrkp_EhgmbkTMLdHor-DXF00T_av4Dc/s400/sloe+bushes" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Which is absolutely full of sloes, although at this point they have been sucked dry by thirsty wasps and butterflies. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9rUg0Uf1Ro0_zbLrcwU5H80iy7yKBN-9YwzsuymeC7r78fqtpHdJewNgwZNHR5hcAHWuAjD5R1CUUZicyp84GlEnU-rZl3grtteue2sxZJ478R9iipqrxKmeceGh7ECFsKJS6Wp9by6Z7/s1600/sloes" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9rUg0Uf1Ro0_zbLrcwU5H80iy7yKBN-9YwzsuymeC7r78fqtpHdJewNgwZNHR5hcAHWuAjD5R1CUUZicyp84GlEnU-rZl3grtteue2sxZJ478R9iipqrxKmeceGh7ECFsKJS6Wp9by6Z7/s400/sloes" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Next year, we will gather early, and steep with gin and vodka for a deep syrupy Christmas tipple!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7627080484268459494.post-58196338898058733542011-10-20T12:32:00.004+02:002011-10-20T13:05:44.584+02:00The Goodies we InheritedWhen you move into a new property, one of the real treats is to properly explore, when you have been given the key and it is finally yours. I love the joy of finding all the hidden gems, that you didn't have time to see when you were simply looking at the logistics of the space, and the potential of a place.<br />
With a farm as old as ours, we were sure the buildings would reveal some old agricultural oddities, but we were not expecting the gardens to provide so much bounty.<br />
Apart from the plum orchards, we seem to have an avenue of mature fruit trees close to the buildings...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUNllQkS7Ejdi_T47w4r_OfxryNZ-iyE4LTp3NOmyhHzkP6QZ0qkuXuUmQrNkEz0Qy_PLxxr7HAOnkC8s3JI9GIA8nzL4EZmxFnu60342GpnWZU92DgQ7OCzj30N_JByTmleypxU3L6xCN/s1600/avenue+fruit+trees" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUNllQkS7Ejdi_T47w4r_OfxryNZ-iyE4LTp3NOmyhHzkP6QZ0qkuXuUmQrNkEz0Qy_PLxxr7HAOnkC8s3JI9GIA8nzL4EZmxFnu60342GpnWZU92DgQ7OCzj30N_JByTmleypxU3L6xCN/s400/avenue+fruit+trees" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
There are four cherry trees, two of which have the very bright red cherries that are quite sharp when eaten..<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFLvxf2pspHkUMTj-Ha2L15uoXNM8BUZH_BltWRq2qaUxUlixtA2xABnHHJwptMCd0Fm3Q-oXHare64othtskh4d_nokd-p8zP8MXtxUUTf8n-qmjjYur_THbHY5SU55Ja4D9Ko2S83O-/s1600/cherry+tree+red" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFLvxf2pspHkUMTj-Ha2L15uoXNM8BUZH_BltWRq2qaUxUlixtA2xABnHHJwptMCd0Fm3Q-oXHare64othtskh4d_nokd-p8zP8MXtxUUTf8n-qmjjYur_THbHY5SU55Ja4D9Ko2S83O-/s400/cherry+tree+red" width="331" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Whilst the other two trees are laden with large, luscious black cherries, full of juice and very sweet..<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6uQgM6e5E5QifWvWgtQVNeec5d0UrAQqvAo8ZBEysUkH6d4_EDCzlHBpBffIQ05pxUdowr4eqdKk9tQqoeItcm3X8NcnH35vB0JyvheGlFChaeaxjsxtxkPVSq4iZ6KoEncxLReUmq52F/s1600/cherry+tree+black" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6uQgM6e5E5QifWvWgtQVNeec5d0UrAQqvAo8ZBEysUkH6d4_EDCzlHBpBffIQ05pxUdowr4eqdKk9tQqoeItcm3X8NcnH35vB0JyvheGlFChaeaxjsxtxkPVSq4iZ6KoEncxLReUmq52F/s400/cherry+tree+black" width="293" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
We also have four varieties of apple trees, which all seem to be heavy with fruit at the moment...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjro-ZRH26VAHYFOxrhBPCkjg32BhfPWSDeEY3pDMVs9lHTzF1L37JKGiwp5sJj0Ph3f5HBZCs9RmIV1HewdSf0DHDmcGXJZi-LCgZ4Ssjt-7p5b297CyXjkXLkXNDQmKXNgL-uBO9MqCpb/s1600/green+apples" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjro-ZRH26VAHYFOxrhBPCkjg32BhfPWSDeEY3pDMVs9lHTzF1L37JKGiwp5sJj0Ph3f5HBZCs9RmIV1HewdSf0DHDmcGXJZi-LCgZ4Ssjt-7p5b297CyXjkXLkXNDQmKXNgL-uBO9MqCpb/s400/green+apples" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9nCEhHq1VYRVHoQLIYe5xBV7M-2JrCR4AadoVYB7TmlUHNGxbkmiZ9M5rPDQM783Qx0cdrvV1WNCwYHLOAGOBGufqjCjhxWjJkcrl_7QfQkhKqd5Gek38ebTQ0n_KMddsFoZnqrIwoos2/s1600/small+apples" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9nCEhHq1VYRVHoQLIYe5xBV7M-2JrCR4AadoVYB7TmlUHNGxbkmiZ9M5rPDQM783Qx0cdrvV1WNCwYHLOAGOBGufqjCjhxWjJkcrl_7QfQkhKqd5Gek38ebTQ0n_KMddsFoZnqrIwoos2/s400/small+apples" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5-ODJ9ioxo5t5LjxWoiEqj728-hfGTW7O7TMaYaPQQKqDIK3WPhMAnEzuETsc7gOrxsOnb3eTsWp0x4fLk-n5Supb8jouM3gxcaqea9axUgfNelzLMGvlHrHZqLV3fxLUKy6fiRyACPD/s1600/red+apples" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5-ODJ9ioxo5t5LjxWoiEqj728-hfGTW7O7TMaYaPQQKqDIK3WPhMAnEzuETsc7gOrxsOnb3eTsWp0x4fLk-n5Supb8jouM3gxcaqea9axUgfNelzLMGvlHrHZqLV3fxLUKy6fiRyACPD/s400/red+apples" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJ8hlDyr2daScRcRFFSloqNmU2k6YuKVAYFk08DfQe21RR4-IOpSuB9gvy6EwVsEv6IkY1Hsmk0B3-_q3NfrEzTfqlfBGro7mHxRdu3nazveHyueFH4NKxPcoZd6bSzUJpo4Ncn9Bi7lS/s1600/big+apples" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJ8hlDyr2daScRcRFFSloqNmU2k6YuKVAYFk08DfQe21RR4-IOpSuB9gvy6EwVsEv6IkY1Hsmk0B3-_q3NfrEzTfqlfBGro7mHxRdu3nazveHyueFH4NKxPcoZd6bSzUJpo4Ncn9Bi7lS/s400/big+apples" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Much of the fruit has now fallen - and the smell of sweet, cidery, fermented apples lends a special autumnal note to the air.<br />
<br />
The old walnut tree takes centre stage in the collection, with its twisted trunk and massive crown...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_w-3rBqC9plG640etCXCCAqq-PcRatkpXuvil_d0rM_rIY06uqtuT1Wct_LICrAXZkaWGhJarXQfB1UpPfPEZK0azYpPN6him1EDMMudWblcovW55G72Iw8gUM3UD5ETA-foGaiL9ASUY/s1600/walnut+tree" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_w-3rBqC9plG640etCXCCAqq-PcRatkpXuvil_d0rM_rIY06uqtuT1Wct_LICrAXZkaWGhJarXQfB1UpPfPEZK0azYpPN6him1EDMMudWblcovW55G72Iw8gUM3UD5ETA-foGaiL9ASUY/s400/walnut+tree" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
We spent the summer patiently watching the walnuts develop on the tree....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn5n2ZFqHq8Bpb0bargKH9D2LSbl5LytrLmnAlP01dHmipzysYKAYcJhmj_CCWonp8p1kjReysW_vdaudwpldmEVmcp5shKy9K0DtGpVpIKPO_ntavos7INmt0NgQYaf44V1utq3iaAurh/s1600/walnuts+on+tree" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn5n2ZFqHq8Bpb0bargKH9D2LSbl5LytrLmnAlP01dHmipzysYKAYcJhmj_CCWonp8p1kjReysW_vdaudwpldmEVmcp5shKy9K0DtGpVpIKPO_ntavos7INmt0NgQYaf44V1utq3iaAurh/s400/walnuts+on+tree" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
.... waiting for the little brown veins to appear on the husks to show the walnuts were ripening and ready for picking. <br />
Unfortunately a gang of local marauders were also watching for the signs....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTYEa1rnVURGny2_o0lrHSL-lH7hyphenhyphen6JiHF-pM9fYjSbNkBRkXTVuwS_2xa-JPEmlVOFUDbRkvata-uSK4mxJrZ7mxWdVntJILK2LdUrdwbjW7ywPmLROe9LzlzPiL-Qc4D7lsFGYQ29WA6/s1600/squirrel+in+walnut+tree" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTYEa1rnVURGny2_o0lrHSL-lH7hyphenhyphen6JiHF-pM9fYjSbNkBRkXTVuwS_2xa-JPEmlVOFUDbRkvata-uSK4mxJrZ7mxWdVntJILK2LdUrdwbjW7ywPmLROe9LzlzPiL-Qc4D7lsFGYQ29WA6/s400/squirrel+in+walnut+tree" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
And having spotted them before us, duly set up tag teams to pilfer all the low-hanging booty before we had chance to spot the disappearing harvest. By the time we realised our folly, they had all but cleared the lower branches, knowing full well we would be hard-pressed to follow them to the upper reaches of the tree. Our eventual prize was sadly depleted..<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZbXIRlFV1e_8XRBG-sXAT3NptGIpEKQhgwy5a1hZephpURJPXvCeTpuNKV5munK_QFjWc3cjzediFG3XVJgmBt11aMonvM2s-5Mn7LHT6SoG_QgLkbZhcpWSb-je1-_M-QiVBOGrDyng_/s1600/picking+walnuts" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZbXIRlFV1e_8XRBG-sXAT3NptGIpEKQhgwy5a1hZephpURJPXvCeTpuNKV5munK_QFjWc3cjzediFG3XVJgmBt11aMonvM2s-5Mn7LHT6SoG_QgLkbZhcpWSb-je1-_M-QiVBOGrDyng_/s400/picking+walnuts" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTD-mbNVV8PDSyyftAG3HjdA4dDVkju7pki5JBEribknjaHVP3hNt9uiyYSHMZn_-UhMsfrsbITjIE7cfMaNJaOhK1YecprEIYYCMSZw8xq-xK497bPxX2RQ3PXrMemN3mFlgdqAPzDDNn/s1600/shelling+walnuts" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTD-mbNVV8PDSyyftAG3HjdA4dDVkju7pki5JBEribknjaHVP3hNt9uiyYSHMZn_-UhMsfrsbITjIE7cfMaNJaOhK1YecprEIYYCMSZw8xq-xK497bPxX2RQ3PXrMemN3mFlgdqAPzDDNn/s400/shelling+walnuts" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
But they will be all the sweeter at Christmas knowing - not just that they were picked fresh from our own tree - but that next year we will be ready for our small gang of ginger thieves - and will beat them to the lower branches!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUNllQkS7Ejdi_T47w4r_OfxryNZ-iyE4LTp3NOmyhHzkP6QZ0qkuXuUmQrNkEz0Qy_PLxxr7HAOnkC8s3JI9GIA8nzL4EZmxFnu60342GpnWZU92DgQ7OCzj30N_JByTmleypxU3L6xCN/s1600/avenue+fruit+trees" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"><br />
</span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUNllQkS7Ejdi_T47w4r_OfxryNZ-iyE4LTp3NOmyhHzkP6QZ0qkuXuUmQrNkEz0Qy_PLxxr7HAOnkC8s3JI9GIA8nzL4EZmxFnu60342GpnWZU92DgQ7OCzj30N_JByTmleypxU3L6xCN/s1600/avenue+fruit+trees" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"><br />
</span></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7627080484268459494.post-17679644130537142582011-10-17T21:04:00.000+02:002011-10-17T21:04:05.617+02:00The Seasons are ChangingA beautiful sunrise heralds another day down on the farm in Dordogne...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_YVkdVJyynPvwpU7hNdx1tOl1TR57Ph_R2GMSah6gA1NpMYOi2TQPaIROdz-puPr9kf1acODPuIjRv4x8OKkKUSc4puZn4m71W27fjinb5ka-RJ40T-_WeI_cUH1ZcKdYjmKNkvCZaCQn/s1600/sunrise" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_YVkdVJyynPvwpU7hNdx1tOl1TR57Ph_R2GMSah6gA1NpMYOi2TQPaIROdz-puPr9kf1acODPuIjRv4x8OKkKUSc4puZn4m71W27fjinb5ka-RJ40T-_WeI_cUH1ZcKdYjmKNkvCZaCQn/s320/sunrise" width="320" /></a></div><br />
It still amazes me that it is now mid October, and yet the temperature remains hovering around 24 degrees in the afternoon, and the sun continues to shine.<br />
<br />
We had a white hot August, with little rain and temperatures up into the late 30s for much of the month. The sunflowers bloomed and then crisped on the stalks; the fields cracked and the rivers evaporated into streams. The shutters of the stone houses remained shut, leaving the villages looking deserted to the bemused visitors....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihtDmwZKM0HnR80D57phyFELO_UQGlA9e9cGh4WaFmKKElu84PcOONEDnDGhSUMOs5uRQvSB6451omJ10zSqChKgdxsUE71sdWh7OqvphK6kxYW_Y99QOKi4ZmDjr3e5Yk1c-UmcX5HO0j/s1600/village.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihtDmwZKM0HnR80D57phyFELO_UQGlA9e9cGh4WaFmKKElu84PcOONEDnDGhSUMOs5uRQvSB6451omJ10zSqChKgdxsUE71sdWh7OqvphK6kxYW_Y99QOKi4ZmDjr3e5Yk1c-UmcX5HO0j/s400/village.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
... whilst the locals stayed cool inside the metre thick walls of their old houses, only stepping out in the relative cool of the evening to chat over dinner on the terracotta tiled terraces.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
September cooled slightly, taking the temperatures down to a more comfortable 30 - 35 degrees, and still the sun shone and the rain remained absent. The farmers returned to the fields, and the harvest activity gathered pace. The sunflowers were gathered in, having been allowed to dry, the beautiful golden faces now drooping and brown.. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNsv3HAaDQ1o2VuFyDihY4LcvSmufK4ZdJvsxHtDyjGByG7dxLUUTnLesAFVDIgcV3AXniq_5_izIYDtTX84ZiNkzGjiT1gRT3Aj4nL46lJc2wM81x7qcglw33LaFBVvCGWKQUOyTozqF4/s1600/dried+sunflowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNsv3HAaDQ1o2VuFyDihY4LcvSmufK4ZdJvsxHtDyjGByG7dxLUUTnLesAFVDIgcV3AXniq_5_izIYDtTX84ZiNkzGjiT1gRT3Aj4nL46lJc2wM81x7qcglw33LaFBVvCGWKQUOyTozqF4/s400/dried+sunflowers.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The mechanical harvesters rumbled through the plum orchards; side by side the machines rolled slowly through the avenues of trees; one shaking and one collecting the tumbling fruit. As they progressed into the distance, the gentle shake of the topmost branches marked their gentle progress.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPRgLcPe6iJBjbjjpaE6jdnyUzauJ659SCTIY8WrqZO78GuuFoYDfeAL-5joLrlVGC_Lx1oFVZKthc_8dmM-PdNiuO7OiOlklELsoELUsziCqXLh5Z6Ub2Q1f9O8OVY3kuvpRfeNhLVHd4/s1600/harvestprunes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPRgLcPe6iJBjbjjpaE6jdnyUzauJ659SCTIY8WrqZO78GuuFoYDfeAL-5joLrlVGC_Lx1oFVZKthc_8dmM-PdNiuO7OiOlklELsoELUsziCqXLh5Z6Ub2Q1f9O8OVY3kuvpRfeNhLVHd4/s400/harvestprunes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
And as we have gradually moved into October, the activity has slowed. The last cut has been made to the fields, and the hay bales have been slowly gathered in. The huge water pipes and reels have been loaded back on to trailers, and trundled back to the farms, and the last loads of tobacco leaves and maize have been taken back for drying.<br />
<br />
In this part of france, there is a special cadence to the seasons - a rhythm that I had been barely aware of, whilst back in England. Maybe it is because I spent so much of my time in concrete and steel offices under harsh artifical lights, or queuing in thick knots of traffic, but I don't remember the clarity of each season.<br />
<br />
Maybe it is the passage of the farmers in this rural landscape that provide the tempo, the landscape that provides the harmony, or maybe I just have the time now to smell, see and hear the clarity of the music.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCo3cLnoGZQzSwRjrB9XyKt6ezUkxby-QB24G-gcyfgsEInhX2XqjgiXRSfcMpKshkovdcBQnkioO0_n4fdKrNetSMOxhwi62f_Sc1lcSwlGn3xGemptBEw4sBz0HAIkvlt8T5V4AMyJeo/s1600/dordogne+river" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCo3cLnoGZQzSwRjrB9XyKt6ezUkxby-QB24G-gcyfgsEInhX2XqjgiXRSfcMpKshkovdcBQnkioO0_n4fdKrNetSMOxhwi62f_Sc1lcSwlGn3xGemptBEw4sBz0HAIkvlt8T5V4AMyJeo/s400/dordogne+river" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7627080484268459494.post-48245886200350647352011-10-15T19:27:00.000+02:002011-10-15T19:27:31.064+02:00The PlanWe were always very clear from the outset, that there were three main branches to the plan:<br />
<br />
1. That our new life would incorporate all the things that inspired us. For Nick, that meant building our own fully equipped gym, and not needing to rely on membership of french gyms that are way too small, always full, and rarely open when you want to use them!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk3fqdosTWw7gFv_ZnnPnMLIjUmI5CxqMe6IQWddiVS4k2Td7RwxpVJpg41Nworc8FrluNhX5kGZr0pXzxu3J6xtjiDBqnALw_1i4Q4GF1M5EmBL3vLZSCtoB80wZpMt5LR1ww1cxsjpR1/s1600/DSC00958" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk3fqdosTWw7gFv_ZnnPnMLIjUmI5CxqMe6IQWddiVS4k2Td7RwxpVJpg41Nworc8FrluNhX5kGZr0pXzxu3J6xtjiDBqnALw_1i4Q4GF1M5EmBL3vLZSCtoB80wZpMt5LR1ww1cxsjpR1/s400/DSC00958" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
In fact this was so important, that one of the first things we did when we moved in, was to set up the prune barn as a temporary gym. Open all hours, Satellite TV for your personal choice of music channels, and Sky+ recorded aerobics and yoga classes. The ultimate in personalisation! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1YapgwEes7i6oxRfg_TjwGzjrMkVEpdliIi-pW6nlEl_NmRGmKKIcb4fbnk1YYrlFCQW0foQBHC1W62L1ImPiYH5UCfxsHIxZFJ1FjItWkH6QkuWbXsW3LQUDlNzoUOOPisn-COyvw6mv/s1600/DSC00963" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1YapgwEes7i6oxRfg_TjwGzjrMkVEpdliIi-pW6nlEl_NmRGmKKIcb4fbnk1YYrlFCQW0foQBHC1W62L1ImPiYH5UCfxsHIxZFJ1FjItWkH6QkuWbXsW3LQUDlNzoUOOPisn-COyvw6mv/s400/DSC00963" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
It will also be important to make the most of the rural environment we are in. The plan is to create wildflower meadows, and gardens bursting with plants to attract insects and wildlife for Nicks photography..<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAnJqAZnVr87SQILLCPMrGceM03Bb8U3Hf6NMyI0WwglM2dJb5zkkCQJ9fMhuAlYUbCaAW2Iw_1x_Be_1nYEsX8cpBoJqOnJwpXKEPTMZMpJYupXom1UTts5Yl0zTMi1r2D9pU7U4aXsiL/s1600/wildflower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAnJqAZnVr87SQILLCPMrGceM03Bb8U3Hf6NMyI0WwglM2dJb5zkkCQJ9fMhuAlYUbCaAW2Iw_1x_Be_1nYEsX8cpBoJqOnJwpXKEPTMZMpJYupXom1UTts5Yl0zTMi1r2D9pU7U4aXsiL/s400/wildflower.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
For me, it means having the time and space to be more creative - to design the buildings and their furnishings, and the gardens that will surround them. <br />
<br />
And it is also having sufficient room for animals - those that will provide us with food, and also those that we can provide a refuge for. In the future that could be a small sanctuary, but for now it will mean working with Phoenix,<br />
<a href="http://www.phoenixasso.com/">http://www.phoenixasso.com/</a><br />
fostering dogs from the overcrowded rescue shelters .... giving them a better life away from the cages, and a better chance at getting adopted, rather than euthanised.<br />
<br />
2. The second branch of the plan is to become more self-sufficient. Not the full-on self-sufficiency of recycled tyre houses......<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.recyclart.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/tire-house21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://www.recyclart.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/tire-house21.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
but just a desire to be less reliant on making money, and more focused on providing for ourselves. The main part of this plan is to dedicate some land to a raised bed vegetable garden, and also planting a new fruit orchard. We will keep chooks for eggs, and we will decide how much further to take the 'animals for food' element of the plan as we become more at home in this new life. <br />
Having been a vegetarian for 16 years, and only recently starting to eat free range meat, I definitely need to take it one step at a time! We will try and recycle most of the original materials in the farm buildings - like the hand-made bricks and tiles, and we will be looking into solar and geothermal energy to reduce our reliance on EDF (and the size of the bills they send us), and if we can find a way to sell them back our excess energy, even better.<br />
<br />
3. The final branch is to gain a sustainable income from renovating the farm buildings and creating a small hamlet of beautiful private french holiday homes. We want each of the homes to have their own charm and character, typical of the period and the region....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVlYlpM3LtSfBRoRWEQ3ihtPbi1a1CaKOfbYcunRVq_8iVOU3acTvNJ-tibhv2pvVtCUPpJWM6eVQdAkJghyJ9Ea2_4sK6xzYN-BEZt__Dsj2dhJEj5J2nxu0K5xhg2c2kAlLGsZmAkAfB/s1600/DSC01207" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVlYlpM3LtSfBRoRWEQ3ihtPbi1a1CaKOfbYcunRVq_8iVOU3acTvNJ-tibhv2pvVtCUPpJWM6eVQdAkJghyJ9Ea2_4sK6xzYN-BEZt__Dsj2dhJEj5J2nxu0K5xhg2c2kAlLGsZmAkAfB/s400/DSC01207" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
And have employed a sympathetic architect, to ensure that we maximise all the original features. Each of the properties should exude charm, but also offer all the luxury of a really nice hotel. The things that make us want to stay somewhere.... luxury bedding and furnishings, modern conveniences of Sky TV and internet, the facilities - a great gym, an indoor pool, spa treatments, and then the special small details which just make everything feel top quality.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7627080484268459494.post-77713008526732409522011-10-14T21:48:00.000+02:002011-10-14T21:48:49.799+02:00The Old Farm BuildingsThe plot has five main buildings, set at the end of a chemin (country lane). We are the only property on the chemin, and the only other person using the lane is the neighbouring farmer. In fact from our land, I can turn a full 360 degrees, and can only see the rooftop of the farmers house in the distance - an amazing level of solitude. <br />
The plan shows the layout of the buildings..<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0RC5kKdMweXmAAVB7EJ1Xh0H26ISUO-Af9TWD1FGpcltksxCvaEZjFPmfw65VVGKMr5RecjgxjR8_2x5lBgk5EGEiiXMIv03lcGGsFc0H25G5B8yrJWAQaYGv5z8zXG0bZaovM9zeuPdC/s1600/_MG_5717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0RC5kKdMweXmAAVB7EJ1Xh0H26ISUO-Af9TWD1FGpcltksxCvaEZjFPmfw65VVGKMr5RecjgxjR8_2x5lBgk5EGEiiXMIv03lcGGsFc0H25G5B8yrJWAQaYGv5z8zXG0bZaovM9zeuPdC/s400/_MG_5717.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
There are 2 Perigourdine houses and 3 main barns, plus a piggery and a garage.<br />
We loved the layout of the farm because it felt more like a small hamlet, with individual buildings set off the lane that wound through the middle. This would make it easier to separate each of the houses and barns into individual holiday homes with their own gardens, and plenty of privacy.<br />
Most of the farms that we had viewed had been set around a central courtyard, which was very quaint - but made it difficult to produce luxury private cottages. We liked the idea of creating a village of detached stone character properties, with lots of facilities available if desired, nestling in the tranquility of a rural haven.<br />
<br />
The oldest of the 5 properties is the tiny Perigourdine 16th century cottage, captured here on a snowy day last winter...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh46m4cYy1D_HQIaNT_2TbD_5PW4YX5G4r7UOd_4YkSceGHUsJakpF5XqXELnkdGvBdvWSRQVsCLESRvIzSNm9zcdzclqFSTzJgLKV4WfY5GWFst0F5dP-XDpOyTVAvljDKr9nG4BpTZvSi/s1600/little+house" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh46m4cYy1D_HQIaNT_2TbD_5PW4YX5G4r7UOd_4YkSceGHUsJakpF5XqXELnkdGvBdvWSRQVsCLESRvIzSNm9zcdzclqFSTzJgLKV4WfY5GWFst0F5dP-XDpOyTVAvljDKr9nG4BpTZvSi/s400/little+house" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Perigourdine houses are local to this area (the Perigord). They are built from local stone, with high pitched roofs made of small clay tiles. Nick fell in love with the romance of this little house. It is beautifully built - the oak beams in the roof are still honey coloured, intricately veined and held together with oak pegs. The stone around the windows and doors is dressed limestone...huge chunks of hewn stone carved to fit perfectly, and in complete contrast to the stone used in the walls - all different sizes, types, and colours, intermingled with different coloured wedges of marble held together with lime and mud pointing. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It is a solid house and sturdy, bedded down into the clay soil not with foundations, but with the patina of generations past - the front step worn concave by the farmers wives sitting on the stoop, peeling vegetables in the warm evening sun!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We even found the house on the oldest accurate maps of France - the Cassini maps. It apparently took four generations of the Cassini family to finish the 180 maps in the 1700s, travelling on foot from village to village noting the buildings and the topography of the land. Here you can see the area around the Southern Dordogne below Bergerac....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhSFVO9sX6Cjp-xfzIyb2bWqZSzozzpSdjlxN63uakcXYLclAcOW04YNj_4BrF_aVAc6zvP1GtqfOoBTpntNV2PN4V0C8uALOOc_WNWLilcY_pbyPNqD3-h_hlO_4mWQHtmgUBR2vV8X5V/s1600/Picture+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhSFVO9sX6Cjp-xfzIyb2bWqZSzozzpSdjlxN63uakcXYLclAcOW04YNj_4BrF_aVAc6zvP1GtqfOoBTpntNV2PN4V0C8uALOOc_WNWLilcY_pbyPNqD3-h_hlO_4mWQHtmgUBR2vV8X5V/s400/Picture+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Farmhouse is also an original Perigourdine stone house, and between 2-300 years old...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitJCxxrpupTJ5AqoR4A_Vy0ERIsvoZmvbk9gxheGzA-hC7tYehrT97JGmQCCPcgljaaVgWo1-uhAMpG4midpq8VE-eoh483SCpBXLQfESumXKgOmnClQkEE28SePKZBf3lK8jJjs8uruoA/s1600/DSC01173" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitJCxxrpupTJ5AqoR4A_Vy0ERIsvoZmvbk9gxheGzA-hC7tYehrT97JGmQCCPcgljaaVgWo1-uhAMpG4midpq8VE-eoh483SCpBXLQfESumXKgOmnClQkEE28SePKZBf3lK8jJjs8uruoA/s400/DSC01173" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It would have been a sign of wealth at that time to have had the house rendered, and to have been able to protect the stone underneath, but we will want to uncover all the original limestone and remove the render as part of the renovation. All the beams in the house are oak, as are all the floorboards, and no signs of damp or rot in the building. This property belonged to the farmer's parents, and he grew up living in this house. It definitely feels like a home, and although the interior is more reminiscent of a 70s nightmare...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNwTv29gPt_sF1ycD_bDGE9JicdRr7w7B4eaFJpBups1O2IQRFMe9vT-pKJ7HAuMSqOms4YZ77ATiGkaR7ALXBpU6WPIE68l_ZuUM65BWvYbbX_Omrb-WdZvFJyXofEx65DfdSrA0kJBlo/s1600/_MG_7482" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNwTv29gPt_sF1ycD_bDGE9JicdRr7w7B4eaFJpBups1O2IQRFMe9vT-pKJ7HAuMSqOms4YZ77ATiGkaR7ALXBpU6WPIE68l_ZuUM65BWvYbbX_Omrb-WdZvFJyXofEx65DfdSrA0kJBlo/s400/_MG_7482" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">... it feels comfortable and relaxed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our Barn, so called because it is the building we have chosen to be our home, is set between the two houses and is the oldest of the barns (in part). The original heart of the barn is stone and has some amazing details, low stone lintels and tiny windows picked out with dressed stone. The building was enlarged at some point in the 20th century with more modern materials, so we will try to focus on reviving just the heart of the building. The cows were overwintered in this barn, so there is plenty of manure and straw rotting down ready for the vegetable garden!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGOD2krU6aNHuLN9-WQFrAjYpX3diIxXxGxXsiblJ4FstkUDw116pTkraM48gt2idt38LFsX0Eksc7BBQGd92Xysu5ecynGg5xVjcV_5K8qQe3WuJRLCwhw8vELiWphvdXEOjpDjgKmwL0/s1600/DSC01194" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGOD2krU6aNHuLN9-WQFrAjYpX3diIxXxGxXsiblJ4FstkUDw116pTkraM48gt2idt38LFsX0Eksc7BBQGd92Xysu5ecynGg5xVjcV_5K8qQe3WuJRLCwhw8vELiWphvdXEOjpDjgKmwL0/s400/DSC01194" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The second barn is the Prune Barn - complete with three working prune ovens and a pervasive smell of warm, sticky, sweet plum jam!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnoVAdoeJFJog8AB3IxX7M8yY4Ek6HAxX_qOmgUdLL7CYaaEukUBabIHdzc4Xa8cK-AubWQPiJezbA1Sl-0gY62QIj26H9PDI-5oyCsFb_IIPIV-mPGq5yV-ECIHq5C8vIpiVbGNftxqxx/s1600/DSC01174" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnoVAdoeJFJog8AB3IxX7M8yY4Ek6HAxX_qOmgUdLL7CYaaEukUBabIHdzc4Xa8cK-AubWQPiJezbA1Sl-0gY62QIj26H9PDI-5oyCsFb_IIPIV-mPGq5yV-ECIHq5C8vIpiVbGNftxqxx/s400/DSC01174" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And the final barn is the most modern, and also the largest building on the plot - a massive 7,500 sq ft.. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-iNXdqu2yaWdXKLmf3C4KTn6w406fQNWPkYfgF7-QRdh4psemDpvfOM7oNi_lz9uEor8Aqh_QBN0hd9NmIENCq0LJpoj2omQd5CU-kEzQTScVqbZvF3nuLWvKuC9U6Zm_1aP0VsJG1-9T/s1600/DSC01172" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-iNXdqu2yaWdXKLmf3C4KTn6w406fQNWPkYfgF7-QRdh4psemDpvfOM7oNi_lz9uEor8Aqh_QBN0hd9NmIENCq0LJpoj2omQd5CU-kEzQTScVqbZvF3nuLWvKuC9U6Zm_1aP0VsJG1-9T/s400/DSC01172" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It served as a hay store and milking barn, and has all the cow byres still in place. It is a breathtaking space inside... the massive oak posts and beams soar upwards, to the underside of the old canal tiles, which are patterned by glimpses of sunlight. The ground is ankle deep in hay, and dust motes dance around in the shards of sunlight.... and it feels warm, and soft, and silent.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitbKXS6GHC6ql68qisouaEWmy5EOJ3zkYpTjfsc3r_gb6oLfBAtgXCsFfE9v-mKTaTqhSkafRhadmwjsBK0TL3wJUxq_Z6PvV4Kgo-Tc0nnpAy_unFHpan4U-sm_Nre2laujvbQveIjs2_/s1600/DSC00643" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitbKXS6GHC6ql68qisouaEWmy5EOJ3zkYpTjfsc3r_gb6oLfBAtgXCsFfE9v-mKTaTqhSkafRhadmwjsBK0TL3wJUxq_Z6PvV4Kgo-Tc0nnpAy_unFHpan4U-sm_Nre2laujvbQveIjs2_/s400/DSC00643" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A beautiful group of buildings to form the basis of our new life....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7627080484268459494.post-86907916067240086072011-10-13T09:23:00.000+02:002011-10-15T19:28:15.891+02:00A New Life<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Well, I'm starting on the biggest adventure of my adult life, at the grand old age of 46. I have packed in a well-paid job as a director for a blue-chip company, packed up my bags and my husband Nick, and bought a 16 acre farm in deepest Dordogne, in south west France.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">No more regular pay cheques; annual bonuses; company pension; life assurance and private health plan.... not even a company car. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">This new life is lived outdoors, and its hard manual work - but its set in the the most spectacular countryside of the beautiful South Dordogne, where the sunflower fields tumble into fruit orchards, and tractors bumble through the country lanes, and the sun shines... and shines...and the M25 is a distant memory.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">The plan is to convert five old farm buildings into holiday homes, and turn the land into productive vegetable gardens, orchards and grazing for animals. We want to become as self-sufficient as possible, and to use the land we have to best effect - recycling as much as possible, whilst making sure that aesthetically the plot is beautiful enough to attract visitors to the holiday homes. No mean feat!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">First of all then, some images of the starting point.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">This shows the farm in its location, the five old farm buildings surrounded by grassland and plum orchards.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg6a1gO3-gdiwVUEBM26lQY7douEcHtR4M8SGUMY2BDMnhAQfXjqVqjFMkJip7XSuEKL3Y1zFOW9BhWR5BwJvQaIr3tE6dQn3AocvRKODB_5MghyM2itzjUGad6X83WB_-bfnQ0XCwoF54/s1600/aerial+view+sainte+sabine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg6a1gO3-gdiwVUEBM26lQY7douEcHtR4M8SGUMY2BDMnhAQfXjqVqjFMkJip7XSuEKL3Y1zFOW9BhWR5BwJvQaIr3tE6dQn3AocvRKODB_5MghyM2itzjUGad6X83WB_-bfnQ0XCwoF54/s400/aerial+view+sainte+sabine.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">We own 4.5 acres of plum orchards, which we rent out to the neighbouring farmer. He harvests them for prunes, which is one of the main harvests down here, particularly in Lot et Garonne (the bordering region to the Dordogne).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Our plum orchards....</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiln9zz573gBrMKO756Yxi1v7fEU1-lSjAx_U6wJwthFKDG1QyI6hM02cZTihglPVcTBEq6xM-PUVIQThwZb92zjfMEWMjF1zoM1wZwkfrw1qwJIiqVgS8Mm5UOlwYoueUZU32Hp_ZHAZyi/s1600/DSC01137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiln9zz573gBrMKO756Yxi1v7fEU1-lSjAx_U6wJwthFKDG1QyI6hM02cZTihglPVcTBEq6xM-PUVIQThwZb92zjfMEWMjF1zoM1wZwkfrw1qwJIiqVgS8Mm5UOlwYoueUZU32Hp_ZHAZyi/s400/DSC01137.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">On the other side of the plot, we have 11.5 acres of grassland with fields of just grass....</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0a2T2e2upZ1SCudaIqEuT_qFEFR-rVzvGKaXm6BA9oOaMz6daufREIyHApyfhuFEHBn60jwOqsPuD_o4h9RLcEs8yw00_q9MRegbnc2FhebWHkCY9NCjKUMmJpPR1TG39Xil0xJwn_tWi/s1600/DSC01150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0a2T2e2upZ1SCudaIqEuT_qFEFR-rVzvGKaXm6BA9oOaMz6daufREIyHApyfhuFEHBn60jwOqsPuD_o4h9RLcEs8yw00_q9MRegbnc2FhebWHkCY9NCjKUMmJpPR1TG39Xil0xJwn_tWi/s400/DSC01150.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">.. and some fields with plenty of mature trees to provide shade in the hottest of the summer months...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl09QOORG6mlr-0IlPyjs8oG7WE48ft21dL6a8RvYMaLJwDwKc1q9_xcYZ_L5uefhqhj3sRXmpNyPw6NybPS-asV0Q7rEs-7-JUw79i9MRa279vJUUKczFmuj1bPyDWk0h6qWJP0XSb_93/s1600/DSC01152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl09QOORG6mlr-0IlPyjs8oG7WE48ft21dL6a8RvYMaLJwDwKc1q9_xcYZ_L5uefhqhj3sRXmpNyPw6NybPS-asV0Q7rEs-7-JUw79i9MRa279vJUUKczFmuj1bPyDWk0h6qWJP0XSb_93/s400/DSC01152.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">We also have a natural pond in the nearest field. Although we are actually on top of a hill, the pond forms a low water point, where all the rainwater and agricultural water pools. When we first saw the property, the pond was full and there were masses of dragonflies and insects. However after the drought of this summer, the pond has dried up - a project for the future!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqfTYaXkPyU-4Dfx6RvBQDzf-4PFlFW41ov5MU-ljf8dfq6fquVlFyItgVOXcO92OxxNLUPzg4mC6cwkaXiPSoQ0HadJxZKvEdTSWe1MxA6F5FGxgvt0LiW9o2OKfuRdbMvl4y1HctkNJD/s1600/DSC01155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqfTYaXkPyU-4Dfx6RvBQDzf-4PFlFW41ov5MU-ljf8dfq6fquVlFyItgVOXcO92OxxNLUPzg4mC6cwkaXiPSoQ0HadJxZKvEdTSWe1MxA6F5FGxgvt0LiW9o2OKfuRdbMvl4y1HctkNJD/s400/DSC01155.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Well, thats the overall plot, and the scale of the project will be obvious in the next post showing the buildings to be converted!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0