In a moment of madness, I forgot entirely to mention making marmalade yesterday. I attribute it to the enormous number of other activities, if that's credible.
Anyway: I should immediately confess that we cheated. We used a tin of Mar-Made, but made additions. Firstly, we added the peel from two extra oranges, and two extra lemons. Then, instead of just adding water, we used the juice from the extra fruit, and made it up to the required quantity of water, before adding the sugar.
It seems to have worked really well: it got to the setting point a little quicker than the instructions suggested (just by a couple of minutes), probably due to the extra pectin in the peel we added. Very tasty (based on small samples), and now in jars waiting for an excuse to try some... Oh, and much faster than starting from a bag of citrus fruit, though purists might object.
Friday 31 December 2010
Busy Year-End
A busy, but productive couple of days!
We went out to the garden centre, to take advantage of the post-Christmas sale. No plants (no beds), but some Christmas sundries that were reduced.
Once home, we've been Making. As with many other things, sloe gin/blackberry brandy were delayed from the autumn: we collected the fruit in mid-September, but had to freeze it. We changed the recipes for them, using 340 g of fruit (instead of 225 g), and 110 g of sugar, to 750 ml of spirits. The sloes were noticeably easier to prick, having been frozen, which may be a tip to remember. Last year, we made the gin straight after picking the fruit. As normal, the gin and brandy have both begun taking on the colour of the fruit, and (with regular shaking for the next month or so) they should be ready to bottle in about March.
In The Times' cooking section a week (or so) ago, there was a recipe for lebkuchen. I really like these German gingerbread biscuits, but—despite trying about five recipes—I've never found one that quite replicates the taste of biscuits bought from Germany. Accordingly, I was honour-bound to try this one. Result: a credible biscuit. Still not perfect, sadly, but very good. I shall, when time permits, note the recipe.
Lastly, we made about six pounds of mincemeat, in a display of extravagant organization. It will now have twelve months to mature! It started yesterday, with mixing the ingredients: they then mellow over-night, and we cooked it this afternoon in the slow cooker for about six hours. The alternative was in the oven for three, but the slow cooker seemed more appropriate (and is very abstemious with electricity use: about 0.1 kW, compared to the oven's 3.5 kW). It looks, smells, and tastes delightful, and I'm already looking forward to the mincepies. I finished it off (once cooled) with last year's blackberry brandy. As I said above, when I can, I'll note the recipe: we actually have several, courtesy of our National Trust preserves book, but this was actually from another book. Experimentation, perhaps, next year. The apples were from the hill side, so there'll be plenty more next autumn.
We went out to the garden centre, to take advantage of the post-Christmas sale. No plants (no beds), but some Christmas sundries that were reduced.
Once home, we've been Making. As with many other things, sloe gin/blackberry brandy were delayed from the autumn: we collected the fruit in mid-September, but had to freeze it. We changed the recipes for them, using 340 g of fruit (instead of 225 g), and 110 g of sugar, to 750 ml of spirits. The sloes were noticeably easier to prick, having been frozen, which may be a tip to remember. Last year, we made the gin straight after picking the fruit. As normal, the gin and brandy have both begun taking on the colour of the fruit, and (with regular shaking for the next month or so) they should be ready to bottle in about March.
In The Times' cooking section a week (or so) ago, there was a recipe for lebkuchen. I really like these German gingerbread biscuits, but—despite trying about five recipes—I've never found one that quite replicates the taste of biscuits bought from Germany. Accordingly, I was honour-bound to try this one. Result: a credible biscuit. Still not perfect, sadly, but very good. I shall, when time permits, note the recipe.
Lastly, we made about six pounds of mincemeat, in a display of extravagant organization. It will now have twelve months to mature! It started yesterday, with mixing the ingredients: they then mellow over-night, and we cooked it this afternoon in the slow cooker for about six hours. The alternative was in the oven for three, but the slow cooker seemed more appropriate (and is very abstemious with electricity use: about 0.1 kW, compared to the oven's 3.5 kW). It looks, smells, and tastes delightful, and I'm already looking forward to the mincepies. I finished it off (once cooled) with last year's blackberry brandy. As I said above, when I can, I'll note the recipe: we actually have several, courtesy of our National Trust preserves book, but this was actually from another book. Experimentation, perhaps, next year. The apples were from the hill side, so there'll be plenty more next autumn.
Wednesday 29 December 2010
Wine Bottling
Although it was ready for this step a month or two ago, I hadn't had time to get round to it. However, today I have: the blackberry, and blackberry & elderberry wines I made last autumn are now bottled. Straightforward process of syphoning the wine from the demi-johns into 75 cl bottles, and corking: minimal spillage, and I now have six bottles of the former, and four of the latter.
While I had all the kit out, I also racked the elderflower wine I made in July. It has an excellent bouquet (very elderflowery), a good vinous taste, and is also very dry. Possibly too dry, but we'll see. That, at least, is relatively easy to correct, and I was aware when making it that it was a dry recipe.
While I had all the kit out, I also racked the elderflower wine I made in July. It has an excellent bouquet (very elderflowery), a good vinous taste, and is also very dry. Possibly too dry, but we'll see. That, at least, is relatively easy to correct, and I was aware when making it that it was a dry recipe.
Monday 27 December 2010
Cider
After a very pleasant couple of days off, we had a more 'productive' day, tidying the study. Which I shall elaborate upon no further, as it wasn't that enthralling.
Instead: an excellent Christmas day, with very successful cooking. Amusingly, the day started with Liz asking what would happen if the gas ran out while cooking (propane cylinders outside feed the cooker, as we're not on the national gas network). Low-and-behold, the gas ran out while cooking lunch. A quick trip to fetch a spare, and hook it up solved the problem. The one that ran out was hooked up on 22nd December 2009, so the cylinder has lasted a tiny bit over a year. I reckon this one won't make it quite as far—we had a two-week cooking hiatus while the kitchen was being 'done', and with a stove-top kettle now in use, we'll burn it faster. Still, that should mean no repeat of this morning's hilarity. I shall now promptly order a replacement, so we maintain a back-up.
In addition to some cat-featuring coasters and table mats (Cats In Waiting from Ulster Weavers, and 'Ottoline' mats from the British Museum), a Paper Potter that I've had my eye on for a while, we received the excellent River Cottage Every Day. We've been watching the series, and the book seems to have all of the recipes, which until now I've had to write out as we went, which is never satisfactory.
Before tackling the study, we also started a cider kit I bought some time ago, but not got round to. It's a simple one: you mix the contents with sugar and water, and leave it to stand until primary fermentation's complete. You then put it into a pressure barrel with some extra sugar (secondary fermentation on this makes it fizz!), and decant as desired.
Instead: an excellent Christmas day, with very successful cooking. Amusingly, the day started with Liz asking what would happen if the gas ran out while cooking (propane cylinders outside feed the cooker, as we're not on the national gas network). Low-and-behold, the gas ran out while cooking lunch. A quick trip to fetch a spare, and hook it up solved the problem. The one that ran out was hooked up on 22nd December 2009, so the cylinder has lasted a tiny bit over a year. I reckon this one won't make it quite as far—we had a two-week cooking hiatus while the kitchen was being 'done', and with a stove-top kettle now in use, we'll burn it faster. Still, that should mean no repeat of this morning's hilarity. I shall now promptly order a replacement, so we maintain a back-up.
In addition to some cat-featuring coasters and table mats (Cats In Waiting from Ulster Weavers, and 'Ottoline' mats from the British Museum), a Paper Potter that I've had my eye on for a while, we received the excellent River Cottage Every Day. We've been watching the series, and the book seems to have all of the recipes, which until now I've had to write out as we went, which is never satisfactory.
Before tackling the study, we also started a cider kit I bought some time ago, but not got round to. It's a simple one: you mix the contents with sugar and water, and leave it to stand until primary fermentation's complete. You then put it into a pressure barrel with some extra sugar (secondary fermentation on this makes it fizz!), and decant as desired.
Friday 24 December 2010
Night-Before Preparation
Few more preparations for the Christmas lunch...we've made a batch of mince pies (and bread, but that's not unusual), iced the cake (actually yesterday, but never mind), and I've prepared the turkey (removed the breasts, and re-bundled as a bone-less joint; I also removed the wings and legs (going to the in-laws, who provided the bird, for use), and stripped the carcase of scraps for soup/casserole) and stuffing (a concoction, as normal, of bacon, turkey bits, onion, spices, and breadcrumbs—seems to have worked). Almost ready!
Thursday 23 December 2010
Pipes, Presents, Preparations and Pins
Mum and dad's visit yesterday went well (just quick, not least because it's snowy and travel's unpleasant); today's social worker visit has been rearranged to the New Year—she's fallen in the snow and aggravated an injury, preventing driving.
The house is now fully decorated, and there's an inordinate amount of greenery through the rooms. Upstairs, as normal, has escaped significant adornment, but there's a lot of holly, ivy, pine, and decorations downstairs. We finished making runners for the windows, too, which all look good, and enliven the sills.
This evening, we've done some of the preparing for the Christmas lunch, making a mango sorbet and chicken liver pâté. The latter, we've made before, very successfully and easily. It's good made in advance, and sealed under butter: once it's started, though, it needs to be eaten quite quickly. Which is fine, admittedly, and never a problem. The sorbet is new to us, and was splendidly simple to create...and will, I hope, taste good.
Unfortunately, the recent cold weather froze the pipes in the roof space above the utility room, and they chose this afternoon to thaw...revealing that both pipes had split. After staunching the flow, I had to reach into the loft, remove the split sections of pipe, and spliced in repairs. The only things I had available were, in fact, stopcocks, which aren't quite normal, but function well as over-specified straight connectors. This being a one-man job (the hatch to the space is a foot square, and one can't climb in), I left Liz wrapping the Christmas presents, and at least the tree now looks complete. Extra lagging is on order for the pipes: while I was up there, I've also installed loft insulation, as there was a minimum already in place.
The house is now fully decorated, and there's an inordinate amount of greenery through the rooms. Upstairs, as normal, has escaped significant adornment, but there's a lot of holly, ivy, pine, and decorations downstairs. We finished making runners for the windows, too, which all look good, and enliven the sills.
This evening, we've done some of the preparing for the Christmas lunch, making a mango sorbet and chicken liver pâté. The latter, we've made before, very successfully and easily. It's good made in advance, and sealed under butter: once it's started, though, it needs to be eaten quite quickly. Which is fine, admittedly, and never a problem. The sorbet is new to us, and was splendidly simple to create...and will, I hope, taste good.
Unfortunately, the recent cold weather froze the pipes in the roof space above the utility room, and they chose this afternoon to thaw...revealing that both pipes had split. After staunching the flow, I had to reach into the loft, remove the split sections of pipe, and spliced in repairs. The only things I had available were, in fact, stopcocks, which aren't quite normal, but function well as over-specified straight connectors. This being a one-man job (the hatch to the space is a foot square, and one can't climb in), I left Liz wrapping the Christmas presents, and at least the tree now looks complete. Extra lagging is on order for the pipes: while I was up there, I've also installed loft insulation, as there was a minimum already in place.
Sunday 19 December 2010
Curtains
Finally, we got on with making curtains for the kitchen. Liz had started on of them, to check how it was going to work, a while ago, but we've spent the weekend working on the set. There are five windows in the dining room, which are all now finished (bearing some tweaking of the gathers). Unfortunately, we didn't quite get to the matching pair for the utility room, but never mind. The kitchen looks much better with curtains that are the right length, and all the same...
It's snowed again, too, and the track is not pleasant. We're not due more snow until Thursday, probably, but it's cold enough that what we have will almost certainly remain.
Of course, the curtains pretty much entirely occupied the weekend, so we've not got anything else to speak of done. It's a bit of a busy week ahead, predictably: we're at work Monday and Tuesday, then have visitors on Wednesday, a social worker coming on Thursday, and then preparations for Christmas Day (we're cooking the dinner...) will probably take up Friday!
Now: where did I put the wrapping paper?
It's snowed again, too, and the track is not pleasant. We're not due more snow until Thursday, probably, but it's cold enough that what we have will almost certainly remain.
Of course, the curtains pretty much entirely occupied the weekend, so we've not got anything else to speak of done. It's a bit of a busy week ahead, predictably: we're at work Monday and Tuesday, then have visitors on Wednesday, a social worker coming on Thursday, and then preparations for Christmas Day (we're cooking the dinner...) will probably take up Friday!
Now: where did I put the wrapping paper?
Sunday 12 December 2010
Christmas Decorations
A busy weekend, partly spent outside, and partly in. We lifted the gladioli, which have been flowering since October. They hadn't really stopped, and we cut some of the flowers quite recently—but the snowfall has stopped them in their tracks, and I wanted to get them lifted as soon as possible, as they're not meant to be left out over the winter. As such, the thaw (the soil's no longer frozen, which helps!) was an opportunity. They're not looking in bad shape, considering they've been lifted before having a chance to die back naturally (one is meant to leave them for six weeks after flowering, to all the foliage to yellow and wither—but that would put us in mid-January).
Last year, we lifted them in mid November. Hopefully, they'll go into dormancy safely, and I can tidy them up (trim off the rest of the leaves, and extraneous roots), before putting them somewhere cold and dry until the spring.
After a general tidy-up (more leaves into the leaf-bin, some trimming, and the like), we came in, and have been making some Christmas decorations. We picked up some festive fabric while visiting friends. Some has been cut into two tablecloths (for the dining room), which will need hemming. Another piece has been edged with some red & gold holly print fabric, for a kitchen tablecloth, and several pieces of green & gold holly print have turned into runners to go along the windowsills. We had a few of these from previous years, to brighten the windows and complement the other decorations, and now have a complete set. Few bits still need doing (hems on tablecloths, mainly!), and I have a plan for some table-mats, but they'll all have to wait.
Last year, we lifted them in mid November. Hopefully, they'll go into dormancy safely, and I can tidy them up (trim off the rest of the leaves, and extraneous roots), before putting them somewhere cold and dry until the spring.
After a general tidy-up (more leaves into the leaf-bin, some trimming, and the like), we came in, and have been making some Christmas decorations. We picked up some festive fabric while visiting friends. Some has been cut into two tablecloths (for the dining room), which will need hemming. Another piece has been edged with some red & gold holly print fabric, for a kitchen tablecloth, and several pieces of green & gold holly print have turned into runners to go along the windowsills. We had a few of these from previous years, to brighten the windows and complement the other decorations, and now have a complete set. Few bits still need doing (hems on tablecloths, mainly!), and I have a plan for some table-mats, but they'll all have to wait.
Thursday 9 December 2010
Christmas Cake
As alluded to, we made our Christmas cake on Monday. The recipe is on the recipe page, which I've also updated with some of the chutneys we made last month. There are two apple chutneys (the third, 'Grandma's Hot', will go up at some point, promise); and also a mango chutney which worked nicely.
The Christmas cake is the one we usually make (although I'm tempted to try a different one next year): it's very good, though it takes forever to cook. The original recipe suggests 3/3.5 hours, but it's never done in that. This year took about 4.5 hours, in what is turning out to be a pretty good oven. Never mind: it tastes good when done.
The Christmas cake is the one we usually make (although I'm tempted to try a different one next year): it's very good, though it takes forever to cook. The original recipe suggests 3/3.5 hours, but it's never done in that. This year took about 4.5 hours, in what is turning out to be a pretty good oven. Never mind: it tastes good when done.
Monday 6 December 2010
Decorating
It's been a successful weekend, all in all. I've trimmed the new kitchen plinths to length, and then cut them to the right height (complicated by the non-parallel gap): I've put some 'loft' insulation behind the plinth on the sink units, as these (against the outside wall) get very cold, and essentially cause a draught. I've sorted out a join in the skirting board that was bothering me. I cut and installed a replacement end-panel (on the end of the units near the door to the sitting room: the original was veneered MDF, which I didn't like) out of pine-board, and trimmed & installed the filler panel on right-hand end of the other run. The 'spare' cupboard is now in the utility room (very useful); and, lastly, I've put up a high shelf where we took one down (above the units that include the fridge).
Having managed that, we put up a few hooks and nails, so some pictures, etc, are now hung, and the kitchen looks altogether more finished.
We've constructed a (frankly) huge swag from conifer and holly foliage, to go above the sitting room fire, and threaded some lights through it. It might be a little too large, really, but it looks good. The Christmas tree is in place (but unlit or decorated), and we've strung up holly boughs and branches around the sitting room and dining room. Starting to look the part! The rest of the decorations will have to wait.
As it was Liz's birthday, we had today off work, and popped over to Leeds' Christmas Market (good fun; some nice stalls, and we'll probably go again next year), before spending the evening with her parents. She's got some really nice gifts, including a tasteful pair of hand-knitted gloves, a very pretty embroidered table runner, and the Le Creuset stove-top kettle she's been coveting.
We also made our Christmas cake (yes, a bit late): more on that next time.
A pleasant weekend, although the snow's getting a bit much: here's a vote for a bit of a thaw...
Having managed that, we put up a few hooks and nails, so some pictures, etc, are now hung, and the kitchen looks altogether more finished.
We've constructed a (frankly) huge swag from conifer and holly foliage, to go above the sitting room fire, and threaded some lights through it. It might be a little too large, really, but it looks good. The Christmas tree is in place (but unlit or decorated), and we've strung up holly boughs and branches around the sitting room and dining room. Starting to look the part! The rest of the decorations will have to wait.
We also made our Christmas cake (yes, a bit late): more on that next time.
A pleasant weekend, although the snow's getting a bit much: here's a vote for a bit of a thaw...
Tuesday 30 November 2010
White Valley
I didn't think, on Sunday, that we'd be long spared the snow, and so today is no surprise. Heavy snow overnight, and the valley has turned white.
We were working from home, so I went out mid-morning to knock the snow from the fruit cages, and take some photos of the house and garden. It's quite an amusing opportunity to do a series on the construction of the raised vegetable beds, in fact.
The first, obviously, is actually from before constructing the fruit cages. I was struck by their appearance in the snow, which rather obscures the fact that they're not quite full enough of soil—but also stops you seeing the rapidly establishing green manure. Hopefully it's grown enough to cope with the cold; I suspect the geraniums in the front garden, which were still alive at the weekend, may now have had it.
We were working from home, so I went out mid-morning to knock the snow from the fruit cages, and take some photos of the house and garden. It's quite an amusing opportunity to do a series on the construction of the raised vegetable beds, in fact.
The first, obviously, is actually from before constructing the fruit cages. I was struck by their appearance in the snow, which rather obscures the fact that they're not quite full enough of soil—but also stops you seeing the rapidly establishing green manure. Hopefully it's grown enough to cope with the cold; I suspect the geraniums in the front garden, which were still alive at the weekend, may now have had it.
Sunday 28 November 2010
Christmas Markets
We've had a few days dominated by Christmas markets—and very festive it's felt, too.
On Thursday evening, we went into Manchester after work, and strolled around the market(s) in the city centre. They're well laid-out, and we went round them all from Albert Square (with the Town Hall) to the Triangle (under the Wheel). Very busy, and very cold, but some lovely stalls.
We then went down to Ludlow on Friday night, to stay with Liz's grandma. It was the weekend of Ludlow's Medieval Christmas Market, which takes over Ludlow castle. The castle itself is well worth a visit, but with the baileys taken over with stalls, it's a lot of fun. We went after lunch, and spent a few hours wandering: the market then closes 1600-1800, and so we went back after dinner for the evening. We bought more than intended, perhaps, including a pair of welly holders made from recycled horse-shoes, and a candle-stand fashioned from a sika deer's antler. I also picked up three ceramic Green Man faces, which I'm going to hang on the trees in the copse.
While we were staying, I also spent a happy hour chopping firewood. One of the eucalyptus trees in the garden was felled last autumn, and the logs have been seasoning since. They've dried really nicely, and it was a pleasure splitting them into properly sized pieces and stacking them away under a tarp.
We drove home through snow, but there's none, yet, at home. I don't think we'll escape long, however!
On Thursday evening, we went into Manchester after work, and strolled around the market(s) in the city centre. They're well laid-out, and we went round them all from Albert Square (with the Town Hall) to the Triangle (under the Wheel). Very busy, and very cold, but some lovely stalls.
We then went down to Ludlow on Friday night, to stay with Liz's grandma. It was the weekend of Ludlow's Medieval Christmas Market, which takes over Ludlow castle. The castle itself is well worth a visit, but with the baileys taken over with stalls, it's a lot of fun. We went after lunch, and spent a few hours wandering: the market then closes 1600-1800, and so we went back after dinner for the evening. We bought more than intended, perhaps, including a pair of welly holders made from recycled horse-shoes, and a candle-stand fashioned from a sika deer's antler. I also picked up three ceramic Green Man faces, which I'm going to hang on the trees in the copse.
While we were staying, I also spent a happy hour chopping firewood. One of the eucalyptus trees in the garden was felled last autumn, and the logs have been seasoning since. They've dried really nicely, and it was a pleasure splitting them into properly sized pieces and stacking them away under a tarp.
We drove home through snow, but there's none, yet, at home. I don't think we'll escape long, however!
Tuesday 23 November 2010
Raspberries
After very few (about eight) of the raspberries showed any sign of life this year, we've assumed that most didn't survive, and ordered thirty more. These arrived today, so—as we were working at home—we nipped out at lunch to plant them. They're not in any order, as we've just put them in to fill gaps, but there's ten of each of Glen Cova (June-July), Tulameen (July-August), and Malling Jewel (June-July). I'm hoping that, although they've gone in the ground two days later than last year, they'll establish better: they won't need to be moved around as we construct the raised beds around them, and with a little luck there'll be a milder winter—there was a continuous covering of snow for a month from mid-December last year.
Such a shame that it'll now be summer 2012 before we see any fruit from them!
This evening, I installed the light in the pantry, and also replaced the RCD in the consumer unit for the cooker/lights. It was nuisance tripping when the grill or standard oven was switched on, which was a little problematic. The new RCD has a trip current of 100mA, instead of the standard 30mA: less good for preventing electrocution, but provides fire safety. As it only covers the cooker (next door to the unit) and lighting, this seems reasonable.
Looking back, we had a good weekend, visiting my parents; I also painted the remaining window frames. I also note that, as planned, I did install the new cat flap on the 16th. The boys are getting used to it...slowly.
Such a shame that it'll now be summer 2012 before we see any fruit from them!
This evening, I installed the light in the pantry, and also replaced the RCD in the consumer unit for the cooker/lights. It was nuisance tripping when the grill or standard oven was switched on, which was a little problematic. The new RCD has a trip current of 100mA, instead of the standard 30mA: less good for preventing electrocution, but provides fire safety. As it only covers the cooker (next door to the unit) and lighting, this seems reasonable.
Looking back, we had a good weekend, visiting my parents; I also painted the remaining window frames. I also note that, as planned, I did install the new cat flap on the 16th. The boys are getting used to it...slowly.
Monday 15 November 2010
Curtain Poles
Well, I might not have managed them at the weekend, but they're done now. I've put up the remaining curtain pole in the kitchen, and Liz has hung a motley collection of 'spare' curtains. Surprisingly, they really help finish the room, even though no two windows are the same, and the lengths are—shall we say—incorrect.
Tomorrow night, with a little luck, I'm going to fit a cat flap in the door between kitchen and utility, so it can be kept shut, and also plane the door slightly (it no longer closes...). If I have time, I'll finish by fitting a small strip light in the pantry, which is too dark now. The light at that end of the room used to illuminate it (though imperfectly): having moved, the pantry is rather too dark to identify contents.
Tomorrow night, with a little luck, I'm going to fit a cat flap in the door between kitchen and utility, so it can be kept shut, and also plane the door slightly (it no longer closes...). If I have time, I'll finish by fitting a small strip light in the pantry, which is too dark now. The light at that end of the room used to illuminate it (though imperfectly): having moved, the pantry is rather too dark to identify contents.
Sunday 14 November 2010
Jars and Jars of Chutney
I had such grand plans for getting things done in the kitchen this weekend. Grand plans, which would have left the kitchen looking almost done. Grand plans of glosswork, shelves, and curtains. Grand plans that didn't survive first contact with reality.
I've put up four of the curtain rails, and glossed the outside & frame of the door (inside still to come), and that's it. We got distracted in the middle of yesterday by going to see reindeer (from the wild herd that lives on the Cairngorms, which we visited in 2004), and then today turned into a chutney-making day.
We had meant to make chutney during our week off work at the end of October, but it didn't happen. The apples, though, are starting to look a little unhappy, so we thought we should get round to it. Thus, we appear to have spent the entire day cooking. That said, we've now got some two dozen jars of chutney, in four flavours, so it seems quite well spent.
We started with 'Grandma's Hot' apple chutney (from the National Trust preserves book), and then made some apple, peach and apricot chutney, mango chutney, and simple spiced apple chutney from a birthday present recipe book.
I'm quite fond of mango chutney, but mangoes are pricey, as fruit goes, and so we've only made chutney from them once before. However, I found a kilo tin of 'mango pulp' in the supermarket around Eid, which is 90% pulped mango flesh, with some added water and sugar. Ideal, I thought, for forming the basis of chutney. The recipe bulks out the mango with apple (also in ample supply), making it even more economical. It's turned out really nicely, though a little spicier than I'd like, and I don't think it needed as much vinegar. Notes duly made, and next year's batch will be even tastier.
The apple, peach and apricot version is also good—if a bit spicer than I'd like. It nominally contains dried fruits, but dried apricots and tinned peaches worked nicely.
'Grandma's Hot' is, predictably, properly spicey. The basic apple chutney is bit milder, and I think will mellow really nicely. Modified, as-concocted recipes will eventually make their way to the recipes page. Note, eventually.
Given the state of the apples, we also prepared enough apple mush to make a batch of sloe chutney, and a couple of jars of mincemeat. We probably won't get round to cooking either for a while, but purée-d apple freezes well. For the sloe chutney, one nominally uses the sloes from making sloe gin, but I'd like to make more chutney than one batch of gin will allow, so I plan to soften the sloes by soaking in the chutney vinegar, instead of gin. We'll see if that works!
All the chutney making relied on our lovely preserving pan, and the enormous wok-burner (a triple hob) on the new cooker. An excellent inauguration: it worked really well at heating the big 5l batches.
I've put up four of the curtain rails, and glossed the outside & frame of the door (inside still to come), and that's it. We got distracted in the middle of yesterday by going to see reindeer (from the wild herd that lives on the Cairngorms, which we visited in 2004), and then today turned into a chutney-making day.
We had meant to make chutney during our week off work at the end of October, but it didn't happen. The apples, though, are starting to look a little unhappy, so we thought we should get round to it. Thus, we appear to have spent the entire day cooking. That said, we've now got some two dozen jars of chutney, in four flavours, so it seems quite well spent.
We started with 'Grandma's Hot' apple chutney (from the National Trust preserves book), and then made some apple, peach and apricot chutney, mango chutney, and simple spiced apple chutney from a birthday present recipe book.
I'm quite fond of mango chutney, but mangoes are pricey, as fruit goes, and so we've only made chutney from them once before. However, I found a kilo tin of 'mango pulp' in the supermarket around Eid, which is 90% pulped mango flesh, with some added water and sugar. Ideal, I thought, for forming the basis of chutney. The recipe bulks out the mango with apple (also in ample supply), making it even more economical. It's turned out really nicely, though a little spicier than I'd like, and I don't think it needed as much vinegar. Notes duly made, and next year's batch will be even tastier.
The apple, peach and apricot version is also good—if a bit spicer than I'd like. It nominally contains dried fruits, but dried apricots and tinned peaches worked nicely.
'Grandma's Hot' is, predictably, properly spicey. The basic apple chutney is bit milder, and I think will mellow really nicely. Modified, as-concocted recipes will eventually make their way to the recipes page. Note, eventually.
Given the state of the apples, we also prepared enough apple mush to make a batch of sloe chutney, and a couple of jars of mincemeat. We probably won't get round to cooking either for a while, but purée-d apple freezes well. For the sloe chutney, one nominally uses the sloes from making sloe gin, but I'd like to make more chutney than one batch of gin will allow, so I plan to soften the sloes by soaking in the chutney vinegar, instead of gin. We'll see if that works!
All the chutney making relied on our lovely preserving pan, and the enormous wok-burner (a triple hob) on the new cooker. An excellent inauguration: it worked really well at heating the big 5l batches.
Sunday 7 November 2010
Colour Time-Bombs
I really like planting bulbs. They go in the ground unprepossessing, and a little boring; then, several months later, they come up and finally make a colourful impact. Spring bulbs, particularly, I like, as they come when it's cold and a bit miserable, and they're often the first thing of the year. I'm pleased, therefore, to have finished planting all the bulbs we'd ordered, having put the last of the Paperwhite narcissi in pots (hoping for Christmas blooms), and the hundred anemones in the wall (I think they failed last year from rotting off in damp ground; hence hoping that the well-drained wall will suit them better).
We also planted up the hanging baskets for their winter display. Two have curry plants, two have a lavender ('Walberton's Silver Edge'); the latter have Cat's Whiskers pansies, the former Amber Kiss. Then, all four have a couple of ivies, and some of the bronze sedge we keep growing.
The rest of the pansies have gone along the wall. I'd forgotten to say that the 'loose' cyclamen bulbs (ten thereof) have gone around the virginia creeper in the front, and a few in a pot with a conifer. Hopefully they'll take: I've never before grown cyclamen from naked corms. We also put another dozen (in four groups of three), but potted plants, outside the kitchen windows, in the wall, to add some colour. They're looking good there, and add some interest to the view: hopefully they'll thrive!
We picked up ten metres of 90cm-wide chicken wire from B&Q yesterday, to make some bins. It's been cut into three equal lengths, and I've twisted the edges together to make three collars (each with a diameter of about a metre: think 2πr). These have been placed near the prospective greenhouse site. We emptied a few bags of chippings from earlier this year into one (not very full); the bags of leaves from last year's clear-up into another (about half-full). Then we started collecting this year's leaves... These filled the hitherto empty bin, and we've had to put the rest on top of last year's, separated by a layer of cardboard. Once they start to rot down, we'll put all of this year's leaves into one bin: but there'll be more to collect, which we'll probably do in about three weeks. Leaf mould (broken down by fungal action, rather than the bacterial action in a compost bin) doesn't need the high temperatures of compost, so wire cages suit it well. On which note: I need to turn, aerate, and water the compost heap. Hopefully when I construct the new bin(s)...
Lastly: Gary's finished the floor, which is looking excellent, while we've been outside. Next weekend we'll hope to start the curtains and do the gloss work, which will both really add the finishing touches (I hope).
We also planted up the hanging baskets for their winter display. Two have curry plants, two have a lavender ('Walberton's Silver Edge'); the latter have Cat's Whiskers pansies, the former Amber Kiss. Then, all four have a couple of ivies, and some of the bronze sedge we keep growing.
The rest of the pansies have gone along the wall. I'd forgotten to say that the 'loose' cyclamen bulbs (ten thereof) have gone around the virginia creeper in the front, and a few in a pot with a conifer. Hopefully they'll take: I've never before grown cyclamen from naked corms. We also put another dozen (in four groups of three), but potted plants, outside the kitchen windows, in the wall, to add some colour. They're looking good there, and add some interest to the view: hopefully they'll thrive!
We picked up ten metres of 90cm-wide chicken wire from B&Q yesterday, to make some bins. It's been cut into three equal lengths, and I've twisted the edges together to make three collars (each with a diameter of about a metre: think 2πr). These have been placed near the prospective greenhouse site. We emptied a few bags of chippings from earlier this year into one (not very full); the bags of leaves from last year's clear-up into another (about half-full). Then we started collecting this year's leaves... These filled the hitherto empty bin, and we've had to put the rest on top of last year's, separated by a layer of cardboard. Once they start to rot down, we'll put all of this year's leaves into one bin: but there'll be more to collect, which we'll probably do in about three weeks. Leaf mould (broken down by fungal action, rather than the bacterial action in a compost bin) doesn't need the high temperatures of compost, so wire cages suit it well. On which note: I need to turn, aerate, and water the compost heap. Hopefully when I construct the new bin(s)...
Lastly: Gary's finished the floor, which is looking excellent, while we've been outside. Next weekend we'll hope to start the curtains and do the gloss work, which will both really add the finishing touches (I hope).
Saturday 6 November 2010
Flooring
Our joiner, Gary, started work on the floor yesterday, and continued this morning. He's working on it 'out of hours', as he's in charge of childcare during office hours. Works fine for us, although it has meant that the kitchen is a bit unusable during the day. Never mind: he's got on well, and should be finished tomorrow afternoon.
We were planning to do some of the finishing things in the kitchen today/tomorrow (gloss painting, shelf, things like that), but it's a bit tricky with the floor going down. Terrible shame; we've had to get out into the garden instead.
I finished planting the daffs, in clumps in the copse, and then around the lilac and clematises on the opposite side of the garden. The latter was just the last 40-odd bulbs, mainly 'Mando' and a mix of jonquilla (good scent, and multiple flowers per stem). Meanwhile, Liz finished the puschkinia swathe in the copse, and then pitched in with daffs. Lastly, we put 45 tulips (Shirley, and Attila') in the nursery bed (the long rectangular bed in the veg garden) for cut flowers. Yes, because there wasn't anywhere else to put them. We've still got a hundred Anemone blanda and some more narcissi 'Paperwhite' to go, which hopefully will be done tomorrow.
We were planning to do some of the finishing things in the kitchen today/tomorrow (gloss painting, shelf, things like that), but it's a bit tricky with the floor going down. Terrible shame; we've had to get out into the garden instead.
I finished planting the daffs, in clumps in the copse, and then around the lilac and clematises on the opposite side of the garden. The latter was just the last 40-odd bulbs, mainly 'Mando' and a mix of jonquilla (good scent, and multiple flowers per stem). Meanwhile, Liz finished the puschkinia swathe in the copse, and then pitched in with daffs. Lastly, we put 45 tulips (Shirley, and Attila') in the nursery bed (the long rectangular bed in the veg garden) for cut flowers. Yes, because there wasn't anywhere else to put them. We've still got a hundred Anemone blanda and some more narcissi 'Paperwhite' to go, which hopefully will be done tomorrow.
Tuesday 2 November 2010
Meriadoc
Sadly, Merry died last night, probably in the early hours of the morning. It wasn't entirely surprising: she was quiet (unusual for her!) last night, and although she purred through a hug, and a special bowl of cat milk, she looked very tired.
Although she's been a real pain in the last few months, failing to find her litter tray, and getting in the way, I know we'll miss her madness (she 'visited' our neighbour a couple of weeks ago, walking up to her, shouting for several minutes, and then wandering off), and her laser-intent stare as she minced deliberately up to you. I think, though, that she faded away with relative grace, and she didn't seem to stop purring from when she moved in with us, 14 months ago, until we said 'good night' to her for the last time.
It's been awful weather this afternoon—torrential rain, high winds, and fog over the Pennines coming home—but I didn't want to leave her, so we went out this evening to bury her. She's now in the copse, a few feet from her old companion, Christmas (who died last autumn, and who's marked with Christmas Roses). I think we'll plant a catnip there, in the spring, probably a Nepeta racemosa 'Walker's Low', which she seemed fond of—for now, her grave's marked with an old roof-stone.
Although she's been a real pain in the last few months, failing to find her litter tray, and getting in the way, I know we'll miss her madness (she 'visited' our neighbour a couple of weeks ago, walking up to her, shouting for several minutes, and then wandering off), and her laser-intent stare as she minced deliberately up to you. I think, though, that she faded away with relative grace, and she didn't seem to stop purring from when she moved in with us, 14 months ago, until we said 'good night' to her for the last time.
It's been awful weather this afternoon—torrential rain, high winds, and fog over the Pennines coming home—but I didn't want to leave her, so we went out this evening to bury her. She's now in the copse, a few feet from her old companion, Christmas (who died last autumn, and who's marked with Christmas Roses). I think we'll plant a catnip there, in the spring, probably a Nepeta racemosa 'Walker's Low', which she seemed fond of—for now, her grave's marked with an old roof-stone.
Sunday 31 October 2010
Timeless Paint
Another early start (for a Sunday), and the topcoat of Timeless Dulux Kitchen+ paint has gone on the kitchen walls. It's looking good: so too is the white silk on the ceiling. After the kerfuffle with the undercoats, the final coats went on really well. We still need to do the gloss work and make the curtains (next weekend?), and obviously the floor needs to go down (starting next Friday), but it's looking almost complete.
I forgot to say yesterday; once we'd finished the bulbs in the bank and verge, we were left with about 100 daffodils, and about the same of each of the puschkinia and scilla. We're putting the daffs in groups in the copse, and adding the others in two (discrete) swathes.
Finally, we've potted up the perennials from Van Meuwen:
I think we're just about sorted for the return to work tomorrow, though everything's finished a bit late. That's because we discovered that the central heating plumbing had a slow leak (radiator at the top of the stairs), which has affected the sitting room ceiling. After getting the floor up, it looks like the connection from the 15mm leg of the radiator to the 8mm supply hasn't sealed. Plumber out tomorrow, and in the mean time a bodge repair (silicon sealant and PVC tape: crude but reasonably effective).
Merry's still not doing well; we've been making her hot water bottles to make sure she's warm (she considers this a fine, and long-overdue, plan), and she's been getting plenty of attention. Poor girl probably doesn't have long, though; but at 17½, she's done alright.
I forgot to say yesterday; once we'd finished the bulbs in the bank and verge, we were left with about 100 daffodils, and about the same of each of the puschkinia and scilla. We're putting the daffs in groups in the copse, and adding the others in two (discrete) swathes.
Finally, we've potted up the perennials from Van Meuwen:
- Echinacea
- Aquilegia
- Gypsophila
- Hollyhock (Alcea rosea)
- Chinese Lantern (Physalis alkekengi)
- Lupin
- Kniphophia (Red Hot Pokers)
- Sea holly (Eryngium maritimum)
- Delphinium
- Liatris
I think we're just about sorted for the return to work tomorrow, though everything's finished a bit late. That's because we discovered that the central heating plumbing had a slow leak (radiator at the top of the stairs), which has affected the sitting room ceiling. After getting the floor up, it looks like the connection from the 15mm leg of the radiator to the 8mm supply hasn't sealed. Plumber out tomorrow, and in the mean time a bodge repair (silicon sealant and PVC tape: crude but reasonably effective).
Merry's still not doing well; we've been making her hot water bottles to make sure she's warm (she considers this a fine, and long-overdue, plan), and she's been getting plenty of attention. Poor girl probably doesn't have long, though; but at 17½, she's done alright.
Saturday 30 October 2010
Bulbs, Once More
Well, the kitchen looks like it might finally be ready for a top coat. We started (early) with a second white coat, and had hopes of doing the Timeless (and white silk on the ceiling) late afternoon. However, the white hasn't dried properly (no idea why: it was meant to be over-coatable in four hours), so it must wait until tomorrow.
As there was no option of painting, we spent the afternoon planting yet more bulbs! Having established that a daffodil bulb weighs about 50 g (or that there's about 20 per kilogram), we've got about a thousand to plant; we've done about half today. Liz continued putting the puschkinia, muscari and scilla in the corner bank; I've put the daffodil groups in between these, and also put clumps along the verge outside the house, and on the verge opposite (there's no house opposite, only a field, so I'm not encroaching on someone's plot!). I've done the groups in various sizes, of 3–12 bulbs, and hopefully they'll really brighten the lane when they're up. I don't know why, but I find odd numbers of bulbs (or other plants) seem to work best in groups; hence, most of the groups are 3, 5, 9 or 11.
The other nice thing is that they'll give me an excuse not to trim the verge for a while...as it'd disturb the bulbs!
As there was no option of painting, we spent the afternoon planting yet more bulbs! Having established that a daffodil bulb weighs about 50 g (or that there's about 20 per kilogram), we've got about a thousand to plant; we've done about half today. Liz continued putting the puschkinia, muscari and scilla in the corner bank; I've put the daffodil groups in between these, and also put clumps along the verge outside the house, and on the verge opposite (there's no house opposite, only a field, so I'm not encroaching on someone's plot!). I've done the groups in various sizes, of 3–12 bulbs, and hopefully they'll really brighten the lane when they're up. I don't know why, but I find odd numbers of bulbs (or other plants) seem to work best in groups; hence, most of the groups are 3, 5, 9 or 11.
The other nice thing is that they'll give me an excuse not to trim the verge for a while...as it'd disturb the bulbs!
Friday 29 October 2010
Paint Resistant Paint
This morning we've been painting the undercoats in the kitchen. Because the new paint is very nearly white (it's called 'Timeless', which leads to questions about marketing teams choosing paint colours), then we're undercoating with pure white (watered down, first, on the new plaster).
The new plaster is straightforward; less so, the old (slightly yellow?) paint. I think it must be something oil based, or 'kitchen' paint, but it's from the '70s, so I have no idea. However, it is stubbornly resisting attempts to cover it, so at least one more coat is going to be called for.
Thus, progress has been a little slow, but everything is now white(-ish), and we also managed to plant some more bulbs.
Unfortunately, Merry is still declining, and is falling over and sleeping (in quite odd places) rather frequently. She's still eating and purring, though, and seems comfortable enough. [The odd places: she appears to believe that she is a door stop or draught excluder, at present.]
The new plaster is straightforward; less so, the old (slightly yellow?) paint. I think it must be something oil based, or 'kitchen' paint, but it's from the '70s, so I have no idea. However, it is stubbornly resisting attempts to cover it, so at least one more coat is going to be called for.
Thus, progress has been a little slow, but everything is now white(-ish), and we also managed to plant some more bulbs.
Unfortunately, Merry is still declining, and is falling over and sleeping (in quite odd places) rather frequently. She's still eating and purring, though, and seems comfortable enough. [The odd places: she appears to believe that she is a door stop or draught excluder, at present.]
Thursday 28 October 2010
Painting Preparations
This morning we finished getting the kitchen in order, ready to start painting tomorrow, and we've spent this afternoon planting bulbs.
We've extended the daffodil collection up towards the lane, still along the edge of the garden, and into the raised bank. To start with, it was a contiguous drift, but as we went along, we've changed it into clumps and groups. These then continue all the way round that corner of the garden, past the arbour, and along the bank that lies beneath the wall at the edge of the garden (next to the lane). The daffs, as mentioned, are from Fentongollen: 50kg (about a thousand) of mixed bulbs for naturalizing.
Once we were into the bank, between the clumps of daffodils, we've planted the Muscari armeniacum (blue grape hyacinths), the Puschkinia scilloides var. libanotica (Striped Squill), and the Scilla siberica (Siberian squills, rather like bluebells). These will—hopefully—complement the English bluebells in the ground already, although be a little earlier.
We're not done yet; we've probably put about half the bulbs in the ground, but it's a good start.
We've extended the daffodil collection up towards the lane, still along the edge of the garden, and into the raised bank. To start with, it was a contiguous drift, but as we went along, we've changed it into clumps and groups. These then continue all the way round that corner of the garden, past the arbour, and along the bank that lies beneath the wall at the edge of the garden (next to the lane). The daffs, as mentioned, are from Fentongollen: 50kg (about a thousand) of mixed bulbs for naturalizing.
Once we were into the bank, between the clumps of daffodils, we've planted the Muscari armeniacum (blue grape hyacinths), the Puschkinia scilloides var. libanotica (Striped Squill), and the Scilla siberica (Siberian squills, rather like bluebells). These will—hopefully—complement the English bluebells in the ground already, although be a little earlier.
We're not done yet; we've probably put about half the bulbs in the ground, but it's a good start.
Wednesday 27 October 2010
Gloss and Garage
I've painted half the window frames' inside today, while Liz and parents have sorted the garage. The windows are much improved, and the garage—which has been in a state since the kitchen units were delivered, and the car's been on the drive since. That's now improved, and although there's a pile of cardboard where the car should go, it will fit in once the cardboard's moved to the compost heap (or nearby). Ticking on with the things we needed to get done, at least!
Tuesday 26 October 2010
More Shopping
This afternoon turned into a bit of a mammoth shopping trip. We went out to get some of the things needed to finish the kitchen, and succeeded, at least, in that. We now have curtain poles, for example, a shelf, and bits and pieces. Once that was all done, we've only got a little bit of work in the kitchen done, by way of polyfilla, and the like, but that's life.
Monday 25 October 2010
Back Home
We've been in Cambridge since Thursday, staying with two sets of friends, and catching up with others. It's been really good to see everyone, including both couples who got married in August, and Hazel and Alex. While we were in a city centre with time to spare, we also did rather a lot of shopping. Too much, perhaps? We are now the proud owners of a ceramic hen (called Henrietta...), several metres of different Christmas-patterned fabrics, a small counter-top bin for the kitchen, and fabric for the kitchen curtains.
On the way home, we stopped off at our 'old' garden centre (that is, the one near the old house), and had a mooch, picking up some Christmas bits and a few plants. Good fun to wander round: I think I still prefer it to our local centre, but there you go. Further on, we called in to the manufacturer of our kitchen units, to pick up some final bits, which will hopefully be installed this week.
We got home to discover our Van Meuwan order of perennials had arrived, so they will need planting out this week, or at least potting up. I'm not sure we're going to get everything we want done, but there you go. Hopefully the bigger tasks can be accomplished.
Unfortunately, it looks as though our eldest cat, Meriadoc, has gone a bit downhill while we were away. She's been doddery for a few months, but she's looking rather thin and tired. We'll try to keep her comfortable as long as possible, but I fear she's on an inevitable decline.
On the way home, we stopped off at our 'old' garden centre (that is, the one near the old house), and had a mooch, picking up some Christmas bits and a few plants. Good fun to wander round: I think I still prefer it to our local centre, but there you go. Further on, we called in to the manufacturer of our kitchen units, to pick up some final bits, which will hopefully be installed this week.
We got home to discover our Van Meuwan order of perennials had arrived, so they will need planting out this week, or at least potting up. I'm not sure we're going to get everything we want done, but there you go. Hopefully the bigger tasks can be accomplished.
Unfortunately, it looks as though our eldest cat, Meriadoc, has gone a bit downhill while we were away. She's been doddery for a few months, but she's looking rather thin and tired. We'll try to keep her comfortable as long as possible, but I fear she's on an inevitable decline.
Sunday 17 October 2010
Cold Frame
We had a visit over the weekend from university friends, Ann and Alan. It's been a little while since we saw them properly, though we were at their wedding in August. They set off home earlier today, which left us time to get out in the garden for a bit.
We've planted some pansies (Amber Kiss) in the troughs near the porch, and will try to plant more in the hanging baskets over the next week or so. This necessitated removing the Busy Lizzies from the troughs: they were rather past their best, and I've cut them up and suspended them in jars of water, where they'll hopefully send out adventitious roots. They can then be potted up somewhere, and over-wintered. I think I ought to take some more geranium and fuchsia cuttings, too.
Alongside this, we rescued a few dozen bricks from where they've been loitering near the compost bins, and brought them to outside the dining room window. We've used them to build the walls of a cold frame, which we've topped with some secondary glazing panes rendered redundant by the new windows. Into these we've put the perennials that arrived a little while ago and were potted up. I'm hoping they'll get a bit more light, and grow a bit faster!
The kitchen is almost back together, now: we've restocked almost all the cupboards (that is, we've removed most of the kitchen stuff from the dining room, guest room, and study...), and tidied up almost completely. The floor still needs to go down (probably starting in two weeks), and the walls need painting. We've got some holiday coming up, and hope to do the latter then.
That said, we also have a lot of other bits to get done, such as planting the two thousand-odd bulbs we've got waiting, building a new compost bin (and repairing the current one), finishing the vegetable beds, and brewing some wine and cider. Thus, it will probably be a busy, if fun, holiday.
We've planted some pansies (Amber Kiss) in the troughs near the porch, and will try to plant more in the hanging baskets over the next week or so. This necessitated removing the Busy Lizzies from the troughs: they were rather past their best, and I've cut them up and suspended them in jars of water, where they'll hopefully send out adventitious roots. They can then be potted up somewhere, and over-wintered. I think I ought to take some more geranium and fuchsia cuttings, too.
Alongside this, we rescued a few dozen bricks from where they've been loitering near the compost bins, and brought them to outside the dining room window. We've used them to build the walls of a cold frame, which we've topped with some secondary glazing panes rendered redundant by the new windows. Into these we've put the perennials that arrived a little while ago and were potted up. I'm hoping they'll get a bit more light, and grow a bit faster!
The kitchen is almost back together, now: we've restocked almost all the cupboards (that is, we've removed most of the kitchen stuff from the dining room, guest room, and study...), and tidied up almost completely. The floor still needs to go down (probably starting in two weeks), and the walls need painting. We've got some holiday coming up, and hope to do the latter then.
That said, we also have a lot of other bits to get done, such as planting the two thousand-odd bulbs we've got waiting, building a new compost bin (and repairing the current one), finishing the vegetable beds, and brewing some wine and cider. Thus, it will probably be a busy, if fun, holiday.
Sunday 10 October 2010
Green Manure
We've made good progress with the kitchen over the weekend: the cupboard doors are all primed, and we've painted the fronts of all the doors, and the drawer fronts and backs. I've cut, fitted and primed the windowsills, and cut and fitted a replacement filler board (to the left of the cooker). I've had fun trying out the new cooker, too: my initial thoughts are very positive. The lowest flame on the hobs is lower than that on the old hob, which is a great improvement, and allows better simmering. Conversely, I think the highest flame is as powerful, which is just as well. There's also a much better range of hob size: one small, two medium, one large, and then the super-burner for the wok. Which I've not tried yet, admittedly: I think it might first be used on a big stock pan, or for chutney. With the wok cradle, it's designed to go with a Typhoon 35cm wok—I may succumb to the pressure to purchase one. I also did a batch (36 rolls) of bread yesterday, to try the convection oven. Brilliant: cooked in 21 minutes from turning it on. Well; I say 'brilliant', but I've not actually tried the bread yet. Looks good, mind.
The worktops now all have three coats of oil, which I think is enough to get them started. They're looking good, and are hopefully protected. I'm being a little paranoid about them at the moment, but it can't last.
Lastly, we got out into the garden (a real shame to have spent almost the entire weekend inside, when it's been so glorious), and sowed the vegetable plot with the green manure we ordered a few weeks ago. I'd have liked to sow it a week or two ago, but there's just not been time. It's a winter mix of crimson clover, mustard, red clover, and Italian rye-grass. They each have a part to play: the crimson clover provides quick ground cover (to suppress weeds) and fixes nitrogen. The mustard (a brassica) produces lots of leaf, which adds bulk to the soil, and its roots add some soil structure. The red clover, also, produces plenty of organic matter, and has deep nitrogen fixing roots (both clovers are legumes). Lastly, the rye-grass helps the nitrogen fixed by the other three to be released more slowly after they're dug in, and its deep roots help bring nutrients up from the depths. All helpfully supplied by Sow Seeds. Hopefully they'll germinate over the coming week or so, and will protect the bare earth of the vegetable plots over the winter.
While we were down there, we also cut a half-dozen gladiolus stems, to bring the flowers inside. They seem later than I'd expect: I would have thought flowering would end in September, rather than peaking in mid October, which seems likely now. We'll see, next year, if this is normal for the location.
The cyclamen we picked up are now planted out in the front, under the acer, where I'm hoping they'll recover (they don't seem to have enjoyed their spell in the workshop, sadly), and add some winter interest to that bed.
The worktops now all have three coats of oil, which I think is enough to get them started. They're looking good, and are hopefully protected. I'm being a little paranoid about them at the moment, but it can't last.
Lastly, we got out into the garden (a real shame to have spent almost the entire weekend inside, when it's been so glorious), and sowed the vegetable plot with the green manure we ordered a few weeks ago. I'd have liked to sow it a week or two ago, but there's just not been time. It's a winter mix of crimson clover, mustard, red clover, and Italian rye-grass. They each have a part to play: the crimson clover provides quick ground cover (to suppress weeds) and fixes nitrogen. The mustard (a brassica) produces lots of leaf, which adds bulk to the soil, and its roots add some soil structure. The red clover, also, produces plenty of organic matter, and has deep nitrogen fixing roots (both clovers are legumes). Lastly, the rye-grass helps the nitrogen fixed by the other three to be released more slowly after they're dug in, and its deep roots help bring nutrients up from the depths. All helpfully supplied by Sow Seeds. Hopefully they'll germinate over the coming week or so, and will protect the bare earth of the vegetable plots over the winter.
While we were down there, we also cut a half-dozen gladiolus stems, to bring the flowers inside. They seem later than I'd expect: I would have thought flowering would end in September, rather than peaking in mid October, which seems likely now. We'll see, next year, if this is normal for the location.
The cyclamen we picked up are now planted out in the front, under the acer, where I'm hoping they'll recover (they don't seem to have enjoyed their spell in the workshop, sadly), and add some winter interest to that bed.
Thursday 7 October 2010
Plumbing and Wiring
I took today off 'work', and got on with some bits of the kitchen. The sinks now drain into the drain (rather than into the cupboard), and the taps are connected to the water supply. Plumbing and wiring the water heater in was a little more involved. The heater's a 9.5kW beauty, and—therefore—requires a fairly beefy cable. This was a little tricky to manipulate into position, but is now sorted. There was also fun and games with plumbing; it's further than I thought from the taps to the water inlet, but I got there in the end. (The 'idiot proof' push-fit fittings also leaked, which was irritating: I have replaced them with compression fittings.)
Having shuffled the cooker out of the way, I also installed the extractor above it: this is a bit louder than I expected, unfortunately, although it's also rather effective. We'll see how much use it gets, given the former characteristic. The fridge is now back in place, as the electrician finished his work yesterday, and chilling.
Lastly, I started filling the gaps in the beams: two of these (they're solely decorative) had extra lengths added because the ceiling has got longer in their direction. I'll need to do a little more filling, and then they can get stained to the same dark finish as the existing lengths.
Tell a lie—lastly was actually oiling the worktop again.
Having squandered a lovely day inside, I then nipped out and cut a bucket of elderberries, which I've frozen. With a little luck, I can make some wine/chutney/jam over the weekend.
After a long day, it was a pleasure to cook on the new cooker, and even more fun to wash up: the new sinks are just the right size (as well as looking good), and it was something I've missed for the last 14 months; being able to turn the hot tap on, and get the sink filled with hot water. The heater seems to work just fine!
Having shuffled the cooker out of the way, I also installed the extractor above it: this is a bit louder than I expected, unfortunately, although it's also rather effective. We'll see how much use it gets, given the former characteristic. The fridge is now back in place, as the electrician finished his work yesterday, and chilling.
Lastly, I started filling the gaps in the beams: two of these (they're solely decorative) had extra lengths added because the ceiling has got longer in their direction. I'll need to do a little more filling, and then they can get stained to the same dark finish as the existing lengths.
Tell a lie—lastly was actually oiling the worktop again.
Having squandered a lovely day inside, I then nipped out and cut a bucket of elderberries, which I've frozen. With a little luck, I can make some wine/chutney/jam over the weekend.
After a long day, it was a pleasure to cook on the new cooker, and even more fun to wash up: the new sinks are just the right size (as well as looking good), and it was something I've missed for the last 14 months; being able to turn the hot tap on, and get the sink filled with hot water. The heater seems to work just fine!
Sunday 3 October 2010
Kitchen Nearly Completed
After a busy week (with some ups and downs), the kitchen is nearly complete.
All the units are in, and all but a 250mm length of worktop; the electrics are having their face panels fitted tomorrow, and the plastering is all but done. Still to go: the cooker needs connecting; the last bits of plaster around the beams; fridge needs connecting; extractor hood needs fixing; the taps need water supply, and sinks need drainage. We spent quite a lot of yesterday in B&Q, getting bits and pieces to achieve all of this, and today doing some of the work.
Liz has started priming the cupboards, while I replaced a section of upstand that wasn't quite right. I've also applied the first coat of oil to the worktop, which vastly improves it. It starts looking a bit light and bland, but the first oiling adds some depth of colour, and really pulls out the grain. Obviously, it still needs several more coats, but it's looking really good.
The cut-outs from the sinks are sitting to one side: I'm going to clean them up (they have rough edges and are slightly misshapen at the moment), and then oil them, too, as chopping boards. The floor isn't going to be installed for a couple of weeks, to give the room a chance to dry out, but I'm hoping it will—otherwise—be up and running next weekend.
All the units are in, and all but a 250mm length of worktop; the electrics are having their face panels fitted tomorrow, and the plastering is all but done. Still to go: the cooker needs connecting; the last bits of plaster around the beams; fridge needs connecting; extractor hood needs fixing; the taps need water supply, and sinks need drainage. We spent quite a lot of yesterday in B&Q, getting bits and pieces to achieve all of this, and today doing some of the work.
Liz has started priming the cupboards, while I replaced a section of upstand that wasn't quite right. I've also applied the first coat of oil to the worktop, which vastly improves it. It starts looking a bit light and bland, but the first oiling adds some depth of colour, and really pulls out the grain. Obviously, it still needs several more coats, but it's looking really good.
The cut-outs from the sinks are sitting to one side: I'm going to clean them up (they have rough edges and are slightly misshapen at the moment), and then oil them, too, as chopping boards. The floor isn't going to be installed for a couple of weeks, to give the room a chance to dry out, but I'm hoping it will—otherwise—be up and running next weekend.
Sunday 26 September 2010
Potatoes Lifted!
It's been a hard weekend's work, but ultimately quite successful. We finished painting all the windows: cleaning the 'old' ones (sitting and dining room front windows) was really time-consuming, and took as long as painting, but they're done, as are the second coats on all the new windows. While we were about it, we also cleaned and repainted the door to the old coal cellar and the gate to the front garden. It's got a little too gloomy to be sure, but hopefully they'll both look nice and bright white again.
More excitingly, we also lifted all the potatoes. These were planted in May, a bit later than normal, but they've done well. We've had some Belle de Fontenay, which are very tasty. We should have lifted the rest earlier, but they were almost all ok. Similarly, the pink fir apple should have come up sooner, and we lost some of these.
The Axona (red skinned) cropped quite well, and quite shallow-ly: the purple Blue Danube were much deeper, but perhaps lower yielding. The latter seems to have sent tubers off great distances, as we were finding distinctive purple tubers quite a long way from the haulms! There were only a few more King Edwards, and I think the remainder were Marfona (but no guarantee...we were a bit lax in labelling, in haste). Taste-test still to come, but—at the moment—I think we might plant Belle de la Fontaine, pink fir apple, and King Edward next year. And a few Blue Danube for fun.
For now, I've bagged the crop up in hessian sacks, and they're in the workshop.
Work on the kitchen has gone quite well this week: final plastering should be happening tomorrow, and then the fitting starts Tuesday. It should be finished by Friday, and there'll then be a couple of weeks' hiatus (in which we'll decorate!) before the floor goes down. The wait is to give the room to dry out a bit, to minimise swelling/shrinkage of the oak floor. I'm really looking forward to seeing the floor: I laid a few packs out on the sitting room floor, and they looked really attractive.
More excitingly, we also lifted all the potatoes. These were planted in May, a bit later than normal, but they've done well. We've had some Belle de Fontenay, which are very tasty. We should have lifted the rest earlier, but they were almost all ok. Similarly, the pink fir apple should have come up sooner, and we lost some of these.
The Axona (red skinned) cropped quite well, and quite shallow-ly: the purple Blue Danube were much deeper, but perhaps lower yielding. The latter seems to have sent tubers off great distances, as we were finding distinctive purple tubers quite a long way from the haulms! There were only a few more King Edwards, and I think the remainder were Marfona (but no guarantee...we were a bit lax in labelling, in haste). Taste-test still to come, but—at the moment—I think we might plant Belle de la Fontaine, pink fir apple, and King Edward next year. And a few Blue Danube for fun.
For now, I've bagged the crop up in hessian sacks, and they're in the workshop.
Work on the kitchen has gone quite well this week: final plastering should be happening tomorrow, and then the fitting starts Tuesday. It should be finished by Friday, and there'll then be a couple of weeks' hiatus (in which we'll decorate!) before the floor goes down. The wait is to give the room to dry out a bit, to minimise swelling/shrinkage of the oak floor. I'm really looking forward to seeing the floor: I laid a few packs out on the sitting room floor, and they looked really attractive.
Sunday 19 September 2010
Potting On
It was a bit wet yesterday, and I've got no further with the window painting, which will have to pause. However, work in the kitchen moved on yesterday. The two joists are now supporting the wall, which has gone down further, although there are still eight or so acros in evidence.
The kitchen units and worktop have moved into the workshop, where they fit beautifully along the walls—somehow, they're the perfect sizes. I've put melamine sheets (perfect examples of 'it'll come in useful someday') over the worktop cut-outs for sink and hobs, and I now have eight cupboards with shelves, and a lot of bench space.
I should say: I did have a lot of bench space. We then immediately started potting up the pansies (132 Cat's Whiskers, 168 Amber Kiss) and primulas (132 Candelabra), which arrived in 2–3 ml modules, and are now in a variety of small pots.
Also recently arrived were six honeyberries (edible honeysuckles, Lonicera kamschatika), and a collection of cottage perennials (four of each):
These all, also, needed potting up, as did sixteen mixed cyclamen we picked up. On the same trip, we also bought our own pair of loppers, to help with the cotoneaster
Between this lot, I have no bench space left! I'm going to try to rig up a temporary coldframe on the back patio, with some bricks and old secondary glazing. That would give me some space for—for example—the pulsatilla seedlings that are coming on.
Oh: the 50kg of daffodils I ordered from Fentongollen arrived, as did the Puschkinia scilloides var. libanotica. The former, I realise, is more like 1100 bulbs, which means for a long session of planting...
Lastly, we popped out between showers yesterday, and collected the apples from the hillside, along with as many sloes as we could find, and the ripe blackberries. The weather hasn't been good for blackberries, and there aren't as many as I'd like—but hopefully enough for some wine! The sloes were better than last year, and I'll start some sloe gin when I have time. The apples are also more plentiful than last autumn, and we'll put them onto racks tomorrow evening. The chutney-making will, of course, need to wait until the kitchen is once more useable!
The kitchen units and worktop have moved into the workshop, where they fit beautifully along the walls—somehow, they're the perfect sizes. I've put melamine sheets (perfect examples of 'it'll come in useful someday') over the worktop cut-outs for sink and hobs, and I now have eight cupboards with shelves, and a lot of bench space.
I should say: I did have a lot of bench space. We then immediately started potting up the pansies (132 Cat's Whiskers, 168 Amber Kiss) and primulas (132 Candelabra), which arrived in 2–3 ml modules, and are now in a variety of small pots.
Also recently arrived were six honeyberries (edible honeysuckles, Lonicera kamschatika), and a collection of cottage perennials (four of each):
- Scabiosa 'Perfecta White'
- Hollyhock 'Chaters Mix'
- Kniphofia 'Flamenco'
- Lupin 'Dwarf Mix'
- Achillea 'Summer Pastel'
- Geum 'Lady Strathden'
- Delphinium 'Black Night'
- Lobelia 'Queen Victoria'
- Galliardia 'Arizona Sun'
- Papaver 'Garden Gnome'
- Aquilegia 'Winky'
- Aubretia 'Royal Blue'
These all, also, needed potting up, as did sixteen mixed cyclamen we picked up. On the same trip, we also bought our own pair of loppers, to help with the cotoneaster
Between this lot, I have no bench space left! I'm going to try to rig up a temporary coldframe on the back patio, with some bricks and old secondary glazing. That would give me some space for—for example—the pulsatilla seedlings that are coming on.
Oh: the 50kg of daffodils I ordered from Fentongollen arrived, as did the Puschkinia scilloides var. libanotica. The former, I realise, is more like 1100 bulbs, which means for a long session of planting...
Lastly, we popped out between showers yesterday, and collected the apples from the hillside, along with as many sloes as we could find, and the ripe blackberries. The weather hasn't been good for blackberries, and there aren't as many as I'd like—but hopefully enough for some wine! The sloes were better than last year, and I'll start some sloe gin when I have time. The apples are also more plentiful than last autumn, and we'll put them onto racks tomorrow evening. The chutney-making will, of course, need to wait until the kitchen is once more useable!
Friday 17 September 2010
Glossing
I've made the most of a couple of dry days, and started gloss painting the new window frames. Yesterday, I put the first coat on the hall, kitchen, utility, and en suite windows; today I re-coated the hall windows, and first-coated one of the master bedroom's, the dressing-room, and the three study windows. The last study window was unpleasant: the path in front of the house steps down before that window, so the feet of the ladder are half a metre lower—and then the door to the old coal-cellar is below the window, so when you're painting the window it's effectively on the second floor (third storey). I don't like ladders.
Anyway, they're done, at least: I need to put a second coat on most of them, but they'll be a bit protected, and certainly look better.
Meanwhile, work on the kitchen is progressing nicely. The table is all but gone, and there's a number of acro supports propping up the old external wall (which divided kitchen from hall), as this is gradually removed. The wall with the built-in cooker has gone, as has the fridge housing. All the kitchen units are out (currently sitting on the drive), and there's a growing pile of building stones under the kitchen window.
And a lot of dust.
Anyway, they're done, at least: I need to put a second coat on most of them, but they'll be a bit protected, and certainly look better.
Meanwhile, work on the kitchen is progressing nicely. The table is all but gone, and there's a number of acro supports propping up the old external wall (which divided kitchen from hall), as this is gradually removed. The wall with the built-in cooker has gone, as has the fridge housing. All the kitchen units are out (currently sitting on the drive), and there's a growing pile of building stones under the kitchen window.
And a lot of dust.
Sunday 12 September 2010
Preparing the Kitchen
Building work on the kitchen starts next week, so we've spent quite a lot of the weekend getting it ready. This involved taking out eeeeverything (cupboard contents, shelf, bits'n'pieces, fridge, washing machine, microwave, curtains, extractor hood...), and removing the wall tiles. Yes, technically, this could have been done by the builder. But it goes against the grain to entirely hand over work like this, so we took the tiles down. We'll do the decorating, too, including priming and painting the cupboard doors, and oiling the worktops.
The kitchen now looks a mess (especially the walls), but hopefully will begin its transmogrification into something much more attractive. I've created Google SketchUp models of before and after (below), and—of course—taken photos too.
The kitchen now looks a mess (especially the walls), but hopefully will begin its transmogrification into something much more attractive. I've created Google SketchUp models of before and after (below), and—of course—taken photos too.
Sunday 5 September 2010
Century
Very nearly finished the vegetable beds, but some complexities (read: mis-located posts) delayed completion of the mini-bed. However, this, and the rectangular bed, are now complete. The latter looks a little odd, as the nursery bed is still within it (un-raised). I now only have the back of the C-bed to go, using up odd lengths as I go.
I forgot: yesterday we lifted the rest of the onion crop, and laid them out to dry—they're now inside to finish drying, then I'll string them up. Quite a nice crop, though the best yield came from the unidentified sets from Thirsk market, which may make obtaining more trickier.
On another note: this is my century post! First post was 28th October last year, so there's another couple of months until the anniversary, but I thought I'd mention the milestone.
I forgot: yesterday we lifted the rest of the onion crop, and laid them out to dry—they're now inside to finish drying, then I'll string them up. Quite a nice crop, though the best yield came from the unidentified sets from Thirsk market, which may make obtaining more trickier.
On another note: this is my century post! First post was 28th October last year, so there's another couple of months until the anniversary, but I thought I'd mention the milestone.
Saturday 4 September 2010
Long Weekend
We took yesterday off, and have got a bit further with the vegetable beds. The C-shaped bed is now joined up, but the back length (the outer edge) is waiting. It'll be the last one I do, as it's a good place to use up shorter bits of plank where they won't be too visible. Getting the post into the top-right corner (which is where the bed meets the terrace) was tricky, but I've managed. The planks, there, aren't screwed into the post from the outside, but from the inside, rather than excavate working space 'outside' the bed.
The rectangular bed, the mini-bed in the centre of the Q, and the back of the C are all that's left...well, I say 'all'. All of the topsoil has now come down from where it was delivered on the drive. The beds won't be full, but we'll probably only need about 2m3. That said, I think we'll order a full (6m3) load, as the extra will come in useful over time.
We also went over to Norland, as planned, to see the scarecrows. They were, as predicted, rather good. There was an impressive Dr Who (complete with Tardis and Dalek), and a superb Scooby Gang. Along with a full size Ice Road Trucker.
Tomorrow: bit more vegetable beds? And lunch with Liz's grandparents (visiting t'in-laws).
The rectangular bed, the mini-bed in the centre of the Q, and the back of the C are all that's left...well, I say 'all'. All of the topsoil has now come down from where it was delivered on the drive. The beds won't be full, but we'll probably only need about 2m3. That said, I think we'll order a full (6m3) load, as the extra will come in useful over time.
We also went over to Norland, as planned, to see the scarecrows. They were, as predicted, rather good. There was an impressive Dr Who (complete with Tardis and Dalek), and a superb Scooby Gang. Along with a full size Ice Road Trucker.
Tomorrow: bit more vegetable beds? And lunch with Liz's grandparents (visiting t'in-laws).
Wednesday 1 September 2010
Blackberries & Scarecrows
After mowing half the lawn (doing all of it at once seems too much like hard work, frankly), I popped out to collect some blackberries. Although those on my route to work have been ripe for a week or two, those near home are a bit further behind. I managed to collect about a pound, I reckon, and have frozen them: hopefully more will come ripe over the next week or two—although the threat of frost worries me.
Once fruited, the canes of blackberries (and hybrids: loganberries, tayberries, boysenberries...) are exhausted, and won't produce fruit again; they flower on the previous year's growth. This is all very well on domesticated plants, grown against wires, but who cares for brambles and wild fruit? Well, in an effort to increase yield, I'm thinking of cutting back some of the 'done' canes this year. It might seem mad, pruning the brambles, but there you go.
On an entirely unrelated tack: I'm hoping we might visit the Norland Scarecrow Festival this weekend. We went last year, and enjoyed it: it runs from Friday 3rd September to Tuesday 7th, in (predictably), the village of Norland. Each year has a theme (last year was Myths and Legends; this year is TV Programmes), and there are scarecrows in the gardens of houses, in fields, verges, and commons. Some are highly inventive, many are quite amusing. Worth a visit, if the weather holds, and you're in the area!
Once fruited, the canes of blackberries (and hybrids: loganberries, tayberries, boysenberries...) are exhausted, and won't produce fruit again; they flower on the previous year's growth. This is all very well on domesticated plants, grown against wires, but who cares for brambles and wild fruit? Well, in an effort to increase yield, I'm thinking of cutting back some of the 'done' canes this year. It might seem mad, pruning the brambles, but there you go.
On an entirely unrelated tack: I'm hoping we might visit the Norland Scarecrow Festival this weekend. We went last year, and enjoyed it: it runs from Friday 3rd September to Tuesday 7th, in (predictably), the village of Norland. Each year has a theme (last year was Myths and Legends; this year is TV Programmes), and there are scarecrows in the gardens of houses, in fields, verges, and commons. Some are highly inventive, many are quite amusing. Worth a visit, if the weather holds, and you're in the area!
Tuesday 31 August 2010
Cuttings
The weather forecasts have been reporting ground frosts 'in rural areas', which sounds suspiciously like a description of home, and—although this seems early—I don't want to lose some of my tender perennials, nor miss the opportunity for some cuttings. Hence, we've popped out and taken a few trays. Quite a lot of lavender (30-odd) soft-tip cuttings (evenly split between the three clumps we have); several from each of four fuchsias (several fuchsia's didn't survive last winter, sadly, but I've taken cuttings from most of those that did, including the rather pretty 'Annabelle' in the hanging baskets); pink/white/red pelargoniums from the front beds; and a couple from the wallflower by the front gate. We also put about 40 stems from the petunias into jars of water: if they send out adventitious roots, then they'll be potted up.
As I say, it seems too early to be worrying about frosts, but there you go. The morning temperature (according to the car at around 0630: sunrise is nominally about 0615 now) has been about 9°C, so frosts can't be far off. I'll have to think about fleecing up some plants, and this means it'll be nearly time to bring the olive tree in, and collect apples and sloes.
As I say, it seems too early to be worrying about frosts, but there you go. The morning temperature (according to the car at around 0630: sunrise is nominally about 0615 now) has been about 9°C, so frosts can't be far off. I'll have to think about fleecing up some plants, and this means it'll be nearly time to bring the olive tree in, and collect apples and sloes.
Plant Orders
An exciting set of plant orders has been made, ready for the autumn.
Firstly, I've ordered 50kg of mixed daffodils. We planted, at a guess, about 200 last autumn, and now want to extend the planting up the garden, and possibly add some to the verge in front of the house. These are from Fentongollan in Cornwall.
Next, I've got 400 Puschkinia scilloides var. libanotica coming from Peter Nyssen. These are little hyacinth-like flowers, only 10cm tall, with a blue stripe on the petals. We put in 100 of these last year, and I rather liked them, so more are on their way.
An offer in a newspaper has led to 48 mixed cottage garden plants (scabiosa, hollyhocks, kniphofia, lupins, achillea, geum, delphinium, lobelia, galliardia, poppies, aquilegia, and aubretia); a further 40 from Van Meuwen will join them (aquilegia, hollyhocks, gypsophilia, Chinese lanterns, lupins, kniphofia, sea holly, delphinium, liatris and echinacea).
From Thompson & Morgan, we've got 10 hellebores, 168 viola 'Amber Kiss', and six honeyberries (a honeysuckle/Lonicera that is, unusually, edible), and a gardenia.
Lastly, a big order from J Parker: 10 cyclamen, 400 Siberian squills (to add to the 100 from last year), some heathers, 200 muscari, 172 candelabra primulas, 100 anemone blanda, 145 miscellaneous narcissi, 60 tulips, 3 blackcurrants and 30 raspberries (to fill the gaps left by those that didn't take last year), 12 monarda, 172 'Cat's Whiskers' pansies, and some centaurea.
Most of the bulbs are headed for the copse; the bedding will go in the front, in hanging baskets, and elsewhere; the fruit, obviously, is going into the fruit beds; the honeyberry will go up trellis at the edge of the fruit beds (demarcating the start of the kitchen garden); the 'cottage garden' plants will go where the cotoneaster currently is. That probably won't be the final spot, but it'll do as a holding ground while they grow, and we clear space.
This will almost certainly mean an epic planting session, in all weather. That will be familiar, as the bulbs last autumn were planted in wet and cold conditions, with latex lab-gloves over the garden gloves, and waterproof trousers...it was surprisingly good fun.
Firstly, I've ordered 50kg of mixed daffodils. We planted, at a guess, about 200 last autumn, and now want to extend the planting up the garden, and possibly add some to the verge in front of the house. These are from Fentongollan in Cornwall.
Next, I've got 400 Puschkinia scilloides var. libanotica coming from Peter Nyssen. These are little hyacinth-like flowers, only 10cm tall, with a blue stripe on the petals. We put in 100 of these last year, and I rather liked them, so more are on their way.
An offer in a newspaper has led to 48 mixed cottage garden plants (scabiosa, hollyhocks, kniphofia, lupins, achillea, geum, delphinium, lobelia, galliardia, poppies, aquilegia, and aubretia); a further 40 from Van Meuwen will join them (aquilegia, hollyhocks, gypsophilia, Chinese lanterns, lupins, kniphofia, sea holly, delphinium, liatris and echinacea).
From Thompson & Morgan, we've got 10 hellebores, 168 viola 'Amber Kiss', and six honeyberries (a honeysuckle/Lonicera that is, unusually, edible), and a gardenia.
Lastly, a big order from J Parker: 10 cyclamen, 400 Siberian squills (to add to the 100 from last year), some heathers, 200 muscari, 172 candelabra primulas, 100 anemone blanda, 145 miscellaneous narcissi, 60 tulips, 3 blackcurrants and 30 raspberries (to fill the gaps left by those that didn't take last year), 12 monarda, 172 'Cat's Whiskers' pansies, and some centaurea.
Most of the bulbs are headed for the copse; the bedding will go in the front, in hanging baskets, and elsewhere; the fruit, obviously, is going into the fruit beds; the honeyberry will go up trellis at the edge of the fruit beds (demarcating the start of the kitchen garden); the 'cottage garden' plants will go where the cotoneaster currently is. That probably won't be the final spot, but it'll do as a holding ground while they grow, and we clear space.
This will almost certainly mean an epic planting session, in all weather. That will be familiar, as the bulbs last autumn were planted in wet and cold conditions, with latex lab-gloves over the garden gloves, and waterproof trousers...it was surprisingly good fun.
Monday 30 August 2010
Raising the Veg Beds
After yesterday's rapid progress, I started building the raised beds this morning. This was the same sort of construction as for the fruit beds, but modified, as they're not designed with tall posts for netting. Instead, the posts are only as tall as the boards, and crops that need netting will have these supported on canes. We decided to do it this way, as the netting requirements will vary with the crop, which will themselves move, and to have each bed able to cope, integrally, with any crop would mean having tall posts throughout.
The vegetable beds, then, have 5cm square posts, 60cm long, at each corner, and breaking up the long runs. These are short enough to hammer into the ground (impossible for the 8-foot posts making the raspberry beds!), which considerably speeds up emplacing them. Once they're in, the 15x2cm board can be cut and screwed on (I prefer screwing them into place, rather than nailing: more secure, and easier to remove and re-jig). As before, I've gone two boards high. This makes quite a nice height for kneeling next to, and, when filled to about 60% of their depth, gives a good root run in 'improved' soil, while allowing space for mulching. The wood's all pressure-treated pine, so it should last well.
I've got about a third of the C-shaped bed done, and about half of the Q-shaped bed. That's allowed almost all of the remaining heap of top-soil to be brought down, and means I've probably got another weekend of construction to go. In all, the progress has been enormous: all of the ground cut, about a third of the beds raised, and a quarter of them filled—much more than we expected to get done!
I also broke in my new spade, a lovely ash-handled stainless steel affair. It's got a longer shaft than our other spade, which makes it better for me, and a tread edge. I have hopes of more tools from the same supplier, as the spade was excellent (and has a lifetime guarantee).
The vegetable beds, then, have 5cm square posts, 60cm long, at each corner, and breaking up the long runs. These are short enough to hammer into the ground (impossible for the 8-foot posts making the raspberry beds!), which considerably speeds up emplacing them. Once they're in, the 15x2cm board can be cut and screwed on (I prefer screwing them into place, rather than nailing: more secure, and easier to remove and re-jig). As before, I've gone two boards high. This makes quite a nice height for kneeling next to, and, when filled to about 60% of their depth, gives a good root run in 'improved' soil, while allowing space for mulching. The wood's all pressure-treated pine, so it should last well.
I've got about a third of the C-shaped bed done, and about half of the Q-shaped bed. That's allowed almost all of the remaining heap of top-soil to be brought down, and means I've probably got another weekend of construction to go. In all, the progress has been enormous: all of the ground cut, about a third of the beds raised, and a quarter of them filled—much more than we expected to get done!
I also broke in my new spade, a lovely ash-handled stainless steel affair. It's got a longer shaft than our other spade, which makes it better for me, and a tread edge. I have hopes of more tools from the same supplier, as the spade was excellent (and has a lifetime guarantee).
Sunday 29 August 2010
Veg Beds Cut!
A shockingly effective day spent preparing the veg beds. We had help, in the form of parents-in-law turning out. The weather started a little unprepossessing (light rain), but cleared by 11ish, and we got started. I hadn't expected to get as far, but the addition of a strong father-in-law meant that digging speed was more than doubled. The Q-shaped bed is all but cut and turned, and almost the entire C-shaped bed, too. The top-right corner of this was rather difficult: there was a cotoneaster growing well into the proposed bed, and a berberis rooted outside the bed, but hanging into it. The latter was easily resolved, but the cotoneaster was a struggle to cut back, and then up-root. Eventually I managed to dig its roots out (discovering, along the way, that it was an appropriately named Cotoneaster congesta, purchased for a miserly £2.25—probably some thirty years past), and then did a bit of excavation, as the ground sloped up quite steeply under it. The bed will be butted up against one of the large rocks that support the terracing, but I think (hope) will miss it.
The long rectangular bed was already partly dug—we'd cut a nursery bed, quickly, last autumn, knowing that it would roughly fall where the veg bed would eventually be. It's not far off, about a foot north of plan, so the plants that fell in the new path were quickly lifted and replanted, and the uncut section can be prepared tomorrow.
In laying out the beds, we also worked out that there should be a 12x16 foot space available for greenhouse/shed. I'm quite taken by this shed/greenhouse combination. It would allow the two to exist side-by-side, and catch the sun best with the greenhouse part.
Tomorrow, I'll start building the beds, while everyone else finishes cutting the turf, digging it over, and barrowing down top-soil.
The long rectangular bed was already partly dug—we'd cut a nursery bed, quickly, last autumn, knowing that it would roughly fall where the veg bed would eventually be. It's not far off, about a foot north of plan, so the plants that fell in the new path were quickly lifted and replanted, and the uncut section can be prepared tomorrow.
In laying out the beds, we also worked out that there should be a 12x16 foot space available for greenhouse/shed. I'm quite taken by this shed/greenhouse combination. It would allow the two to exist side-by-side, and catch the sun best with the greenhouse part.
Tomorrow, I'll start building the beds, while everyone else finishes cutting the turf, digging it over, and barrowing down top-soil.
Saturday 28 August 2010
Marking the Veg Beds
Despite some intermittent rain, we've strimmed the 'lawn' that is currently the vegetable beds (lawn is generous, as it's not been cut in around 16 months, and was rather rough), and marked out where the beds will lie. We had previously marked the beds, but—unsurprisingly—over seven months then some of the pegs have vanished, and a lot of the strings had been chewed through or broken.
Anyway, the beds (a large rectangular one on the south edge, continuing a raspberry bed; a C-shaped one abutting it; and a Q-shaped one inside them) are now marked with pegs and string. Tomorrow we'll start cutting them, ready to raise and fill them.
In other news, my Sweet William seeds have started to germinate.
Anyway, the beds (a large rectangular one on the south edge, continuing a raspberry bed; a C-shaped one abutting it; and a Q-shaped one inside them) are now marked with pegs and string. Tomorrow we'll start cutting them, ready to raise and fill them.
In other news, my Sweet William seeds have started to germinate.
Sunday 22 August 2010
Fruit Beds Finished
At last, the fruit beds are finished. We put the wire and net up on the strawberry beds, which completed the netting. It was by far the easiest, as it only needed one net, and it's only a couple of feet off the ground (by contrast, the rasperry beds' net is 7–8 feet up, and the blueberry/currant bed required three nets).
The strawberries have been extremely busy, sending out runners. We cut off a lot from the edges, to get the netting in place, but there are many more running within the bed. The prunings have been potted up, and we now have about 40 extra plants of each variety (Honeoye, Cambridge, Florence). Where they're going to go, I know not. Liz keeps suggesting a second strawberry bed...
We also sowed some more seeds: lupins, astrantia, and species tulips, all collected last Wednesday. I don't know how reliable they'll be (especially the tulips), but I thought it would be worth a go.
The strawberries have been extremely busy, sending out runners. We cut off a lot from the edges, to get the netting in place, but there are many more running within the bed. The prunings have been potted up, and we now have about 40 extra plants of each variety (Honeoye, Cambridge, Florence). Where they're going to go, I know not. Liz keeps suggesting a second strawberry bed...
We also sowed some more seeds: lupins, astrantia, and species tulips, all collected last Wednesday. I don't know how reliable they'll be (especially the tulips), but I thought it would be worth a go.
Saturday 21 August 2010
Stitching
Today we finished stitching together the netting for the first raspberry bed, and put together the netting for the second bed. The raspberry beds are now completed, some months after they should have been...
They look enormously better, with complete nets, and this should end the problem of raspberry canes poking through the top of the nets...for now.
We were in Derbyshire yesterday, in the picturesque village of Endon (no Ewoks in sight, sadly), for Ann and Alan's wedding. Lovely event: lots of decorations made over the last couple of years for the day, and good to meet some of their family we've not encountered before. The weather was, sadly, a bit lousy: they just about got the group photos done before it started raining, and we managed—after dinner—to snatch a game of croquet.
They look enormously better, with complete nets, and this should end the problem of raspberry canes poking through the top of the nets...for now.
We were in Derbyshire yesterday, in the picturesque village of Endon (no Ewoks in sight, sadly), for Ann and Alan's wedding. Lovely event: lots of decorations made over the last couple of years for the day, and good to meet some of their family we've not encountered before. The weather was, sadly, a bit lousy: they just about got the group photos done before it started raining, and we managed—after dinner—to snatch a game of croquet.
Wednesday 18 August 2010
Deliveries
A day working at home, and receiving deliveries. Most of them were related to the kitchen: the units were all delivered, and then the worktops; the in-line water heater, and the fridge (a Baumatic integrated) also arrived. (There were also some bike bits for Philip's new bike, which I'm ordering as apparently I know what I'm doing.)
I'm really hoping the water heater will make life better: because hot water is only available after oil-heating a whole tank, I boil a kettle to wash up. Not ideal, as I can never be bothered to wait for two kettles, which is what you need. The on-demand water heater (basically, like a self-heating shower, attached to the tap) should improve this situation.
The kitchen units look really gorgeous. They're made by PWS, and bought from DIY Kitchens. They're really good quality, and an extremely reasonable price. Hopefully they'll go in smoothly, and look as good in place...
Over my lunch, I also straightened up the workshop, which looks miraculously improved, and collected some lupin, tulip, and astrantia seed, which I hope to sow this weekend.
I'm really hoping the water heater will make life better: because hot water is only available after oil-heating a whole tank, I boil a kettle to wash up. Not ideal, as I can never be bothered to wait for two kettles, which is what you need. The on-demand water heater (basically, like a self-heating shower, attached to the tap) should improve this situation.
The kitchen units look really gorgeous. They're made by PWS, and bought from DIY Kitchens. They're really good quality, and an extremely reasonable price. Hopefully they'll go in smoothly, and look as good in place...
Over my lunch, I also straightened up the workshop, which looks miraculously improved, and collected some lupin, tulip, and astrantia seed, which I hope to sow this weekend.
Sunday 15 August 2010
Clearing the Cotoneaster
When the garden was claimed from the hillside (when the cottages were converted, about thirty years ago), a mainstay of the planting was a number of cotoneaster. I have no idea which variety, but the leaves are a mid-gloss green, fairly small, and the berries are red and about 5mm diameter. It is entirely undistinguished. I have nothing, in principle, against cotoneaster: the berries are very good for birds, and the flowers produce nectar that's invaluable for bees during the June Gap.
However, it's really not that interesting, and there is far, far too much of it. As in, around 50m2. Removing most/all of it has long been the intention, and we've finally got started. We cleared a big gorse last September, with my mum's help, and—once again—she helped with the cotoneaster. The target was the patch at the end of the upper long bed, on the eastern end. We've certainly not eliminated it, but we've cleared probably 4–5m2, which is a nice start, and it's uncovered a rhododendron and conifer that were buried. The area will need clearing of roots, and we'll probably replant it with herbaceous perennials. They won't necessarily remain there, but it'll be something to fill the ground with, and they can get growing (a tactic of frugality: buy 'em small and cheap, and grow them on, as we have plenty of space).
It's nearly time for the autumn orders to go off. I'm hoping to get in a load of spring bulbs (daffodils, of course, and more puschkinia and squills), some perennials, and replacement raspberries and blackcurrants. If the weather's acceptable, we also hope to get started on the raised vegetable beds. They've been on hold for some time, but I want to get them finished before winter. Of course, we still need to finish the raspberry beds' netting!
The local blackberries are nearly coming into ripeness, which means jam & winemaking can't be far off.
However, it's really not that interesting, and there is far, far too much of it. As in, around 50m2. Removing most/all of it has long been the intention, and we've finally got started. We cleared a big gorse last September, with my mum's help, and—once again—she helped with the cotoneaster. The target was the patch at the end of the upper long bed, on the eastern end. We've certainly not eliminated it, but we've cleared probably 4–5m2, which is a nice start, and it's uncovered a rhododendron and conifer that were buried. The area will need clearing of roots, and we'll probably replant it with herbaceous perennials. They won't necessarily remain there, but it'll be something to fill the ground with, and they can get growing (a tactic of frugality: buy 'em small and cheap, and grow them on, as we have plenty of space).
It's nearly time for the autumn orders to go off. I'm hoping to get in a load of spring bulbs (daffodils, of course, and more puschkinia and squills), some perennials, and replacement raspberries and blackcurrants. If the weather's acceptable, we also hope to get started on the raised vegetable beds. They've been on hold for some time, but I want to get them finished before winter. Of course, we still need to finish the raspberry beds' netting!
The local blackberries are nearly coming into ripeness, which means jam & winemaking can't be far off.
Monday 9 August 2010
Tidying
We travelled down to Ludlow on Friday afternoon, and then on to a wedding in Dorset (near Shaftesbury) on Saturday. We came back to Ludlow late Saturday night, and stayed with Liz's grandmother until lunchtime today.
The wedding—of two of our college friends—was a wonderful event. We met up with lots of friends (some of whom we've not seen for a year), and everything went really well. There was a monumental buffet which deeply satisfied my inner gourmand (including a really excellent Stilton), and an entertaining ceilidh in the evening. The bride looked lovely, the groom looked delighted, and the guests looked happy: what more could you want?
Having dragged ourselves back to Ludlow, we spent the Sunday and Monday pottering, and did a bit of tidying in the garden. Grandma built a small pond/water-feature with my sister-in-law at her last visit, which is a pleasing addition to the garden. We helped straighten the lining edges, and I re-positioned the pump (along with cleaning and fiddling with it), and it's now looking much neater, and the fountain is more vertical.
She also had a half-metre diameter clump of irises that were getting rather congested, which we dug up and split. We now have about two-fifths, Liz's mum has the same, and we replanted the last fifth in a better spot. I find it quite satisfying, splitting things like irises. They come apart quite well, with a sharp spade cutting them, and it doesn't seem too brutal.
We also took out a rose (brought back for us) which was badly located, and cut back a lot of ivy (growing rampant over a fence) and a bit of eucalyptus. Young eucalyptus is really striking, but the adult leaves are no great thing.
Otherwise, we also put up a mirror, and put new batteries in her smoke alarms. Bizarrely, doing so seemed to set the carbon monoxide detector off, which started claiming that it needed attention. As it's a mains-wired unit, supplied by Fire & Rescue, all I could do was disconnect it. Oddly, it's on the lighting circuit, not the smoke detectors' circuit, but there you go.
Back home, now, and back at work tomorrow!
The wedding—of two of our college friends—was a wonderful event. We met up with lots of friends (some of whom we've not seen for a year), and everything went really well. There was a monumental buffet which deeply satisfied my inner gourmand (including a really excellent Stilton), and an entertaining ceilidh in the evening. The bride looked lovely, the groom looked delighted, and the guests looked happy: what more could you want?
Having dragged ourselves back to Ludlow, we spent the Sunday and Monday pottering, and did a bit of tidying in the garden. Grandma built a small pond/water-feature with my sister-in-law at her last visit, which is a pleasing addition to the garden. We helped straighten the lining edges, and I re-positioned the pump (along with cleaning and fiddling with it), and it's now looking much neater, and the fountain is more vertical.
She also had a half-metre diameter clump of irises that were getting rather congested, which we dug up and split. We now have about two-fifths, Liz's mum has the same, and we replanted the last fifth in a better spot. I find it quite satisfying, splitting things like irises. They come apart quite well, with a sharp spade cutting them, and it doesn't seem too brutal.
We also took out a rose (brought back for us) which was badly located, and cut back a lot of ivy (growing rampant over a fence) and a bit of eucalyptus. Young eucalyptus is really striking, but the adult leaves are no great thing.
Otherwise, we also put up a mirror, and put new batteries in her smoke alarms. Bizarrely, doing so seemed to set the carbon monoxide detector off, which started claiming that it needed attention. As it's a mains-wired unit, supplied by Fire & Rescue, all I could do was disconnect it. Oddly, it's on the lighting circuit, not the smoke detectors' circuit, but there you go.
Back home, now, and back at work tomorrow!
Tuesday 3 August 2010
Anniversary
Today's the first anniversary of moving into the cottage. It's been a fun year; stressful to start with (I hate moving house, and being unemployed!), but it's picked up considerably. We're both (all, if you count the cats) really pleased with the house, and garden, and location. Progress on the house and garden has been a bit slow, necessitated by jobs, and weather: but I'm hoping to get on a bit over the next year.
Building the fruit beds, and really improving the front garden have been the highlights in the garden: inside, we've changed the utility room (and made it much more useful), and installed a lot of insulation, and the new windows. The next big change will be the kitchen, and—hopefully—the vegetable plot.
As a result of reaching this milestone, I don't think I can keep the profile entry to the right the same. I'll be updating it in a minute, but here, for posterity, is the current entry:
New resident of Yorkshire (just on the 'right' side of the Pennines), having moved up here in August.
I started this blog mainly as a gardening log, as it seemed a more interesting way to do it than in a notebook, as I can add links to things, photos, and tag posts. It's already branched out into cooking exploits, too, but it's unclear yet whether anyone else will ever read it.
Building the fruit beds, and really improving the front garden have been the highlights in the garden: inside, we've changed the utility room (and made it much more useful), and installed a lot of insulation, and the new windows. The next big change will be the kitchen, and—hopefully—the vegetable plot.
As a result of reaching this milestone, I don't think I can keep the profile entry to the right the same. I'll be updating it in a minute, but here, for posterity, is the current entry:
New resident of Yorkshire (just on the 'right' side of the Pennines), having moved up here in August.
I started this blog mainly as a gardening log, as it seemed a more interesting way to do it than in a notebook, as I can add links to things, photos, and tag posts. It's already branched out into cooking exploits, too, but it's unclear yet whether anyone else will ever read it.
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