Back to the Woodshed

We've not done much with the woodpile for a couple of year's or so now - except for a bit of a tidying up exercise back in 2017 - and it was all returning to a state of chaos once again.

So, with a couple of sunny days ahead of us, decided it was time to turf it all out, have a bit of a sort, move the dry and already split wood inside the woodshed, and get the chainsaw out . . .

Can't say we got through all of it - but Martin had a good work-out with the axe, while I moved and stacked.  We now have room outside to store and dry out the off-cuts from the yew tree -  and an almost full woodshed again. 


Hopefully enough to see us through the winter!

Cutting Back

Earlier this year we took a look at the yew tree and decided  the time had probably come to scale it down a bit:

High Winds + Large Tree + Close Proximity to House 

It wasn't an equation we were entirely comfortable with . . .

So today (on a damp but at least still morning) the tree surgeons arrived to do the business (having scheduled things for once nesting season was over).

Two men (one up the tree, one dealing with the cuttings), a chainsaw or two, and a chipping machine.

Taking us from 'Before':

To 'After':

They did a very neat job, leaving us (as requested) with a heap of chippings to distribute around the garden, and a pile of stripped logs, which we'll dry out to feed the log burner next winter.

So, it's done - still not entirely comfortable with the choice, but we'll probably sleep better on windy nights from now on!

Mae hi'n heulog . . .

Last day of the holidays (bar the weekend), sun shining, and a lunchtime trip to Aberaeron, for chips (and ice cream) . . .




Took a few photos - mostly following this heron around seeing who could get the best shot (I'll give that one to Martin).




Finished the day with a sunset walk along our own prom (my shot!)  . . .

September Meanderings

September is holiday time too, and in between chopping, grating, stewing and boiling things from the garden, we managed a few days away visiting family.

First stop Stratford (this time with the full wheel) - a wander round town, a few pints, a curry, and some shopping.








On the way there we revisited Coughton Court - a beautiful tudor house and gardens - and what would have been a lovely cream tea, but for the hordes of hovering wasps!

Moved on to Cambridge on the next day - stopping in Coventry Ikea along the way for a free cup of tea, cake, some excellent views from the cafe - and (from Martin's perspective) too much shopping!







Nice evening in Cambridge - including a drink in the pub opposite my old place of work at Shire Hall. 

In those days we'd go out for a lunchtime pint (although I was usually on the 'snowballs') - how times have changed!

Next morning it was wedding business with my sister (trying on her dress - no pictures allowed!) before heading on to March for the main family visit (and to meet up again with Martin - for some reason he wasn't interested in wedding dresses).


Visit to Peckover House with the folks - lovely house as ever, beautiful gardens / greenhouses . . .









. . . and some fantastic book / paper sculptures on exhibit . . .

The hotel we were staying in was another blast from the past as well - overlooking my old infant / junior school.

All in all a nice few days - time to go home again . . .

Stocking the Larder

It's that time of the year when the garden produce is coming in thick and fast, and has to be processed and either cooked or preserved for later consumption - and this in addition to the annual marrow mountain!

On Monday, we stripped both the apple trees - sorting, peeling and chopping, starting with the apples that the insects had already munched down on.

Stewed a couple of large pans of chopped apples, ready for the freezer, keeping aside those in sufficiently good condition to survive for a few weeks more.

Tuesday, and time to start on the first tranche of beef tomatoes from the main greenhouse.  

More chopping, and cooking down - yielding nine pots of tomato sauce for the freezer - and there'll be  more to follow as the tomatoes continue to ripen.

Finally today made up some redcurrant jelly from our first major(ish) redcurrant harvest frozen earlier in the summer - only two small pots, but it is a lovely colour!

Marrow Mission

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to do something with them there marrows . . .

 A small mountain of courgette lasagne has already been produced and portioned for the freezer - along with courgette fritters, and soup . . .



. . . now what to do with this lot:

• Bhajis?

• More Soup?

• Cake?

All of the above?

Costa del Aberystwyth

Bucking the traditional bank holiday weekend weather expectations - today was truly gorgeous.  An evening walk along the prom felt positively Mediterranean. 

Musicians playing, boats in the bay, and a beautiful sunset . . .

. . . and naturally parties and fires on the beaches.

We finished the day ourselves with a glass of wine, sitting outside on a still very warm night, listening to the distant sound of the Big Tribute festival.








We also had company . . . (actual size - think it's a Speckled Bush Cricket).