Cupboard Love

So, take one awkward unsightly corner space  . . .  and one large, low cuboid cupboard just not the right shape for anywhere.

Cut the back off said cupboard, reducing its depth by about a third.

Et voila! 

A neat little storage feature, that fits that awkward space and covers the plugs and stuff on the wall.  

Love my 'new' cupboard.

[Topped it off with a shelf, and it all looks quite nice now. The bowl on top of the cupboard is also a good place to put hats and sunglasses that otherwise get put down and 'lost' around the place.]

Pond Planting

 So 'project no. 1' aka 'the pond' has moved on . . .

The 'hole' was duly dug - with thanks to Martin - the oil tank section dropped in, liner weighted in place with aquatic-safe gravel and stones around the edge, before filling with water.

A couple of changes of water were required to rinse off the residue from the gravel, and then all was left for a week or so to allow any chemicals in the tap-water to disperse.  

Meanwhile, a selection of plants were ordered from a pond plant company, together with pots and 'aquatic compost'.

Finally, today, everything was potted up and put in situ.

At the moment it is all still a bit minimal, but hopefully the plants should 'establish' with time . . .

Greenhouse Drama!

We were just heading out for a walk today when we noticed that there had been a major potting table collapse in the main greenhouse.

Had to stop to rescue the plants - tomatoes / chilli peppers (various varieties) / courgettes - and reconstruct the table.

Luckily there don't seem to have been any major casualties!

Storing the Sunshine

And the final step in the 'solar' project - a battery to store the sunshine in (yes, I know that isn't technically correct!).

That should take care of the electric bills - over the summer at least.

Next up - an electric vehicle . . .

Summer Returns

After the cold snap earlier this month, it's been good to see the sun and enjoy some warm weather.

Took a trip out to the RSPB Ynys-hir reserve this weekend for a wander round in the sunshine - didn't see many birds, but it's worth it just for the views!

Then a lazy Sunday afternoon sitting in the sun with my book . . .  only to spot a wasp apparently setting up home inside our roof as it busily went back and forth through a hole in the eaves.

Martin duly spent the next hour or so checking round the eaves, and repairing all the holes.  

I almost felt sorry for the wasp then as it desperately searched for a hole it couldn't find - but it did eventually move on and hopefully found somewhere else to live, a little further from where we do!

Jab No. 1

While most of the family (including Martin) have now been fully vaccinated (due to their age group, or because of their work), I headed off today for my first jab.

Our local Covid vaccination centre is housed in the old Thomas Parry Library on Llanbadarn campus, which made it a bit of a trip down memory lane too - although strange to see it so empty.

Anyway, job done - one dose of Moderna vaccine down, and one to go.

My arm hurts . . .

Back to Winter

After a spell of warm and sunny Spring weather (welcoming the start of British Summer Time), it seems like winter has returned with a vengeance - with snow and overnight frosts. 

Time to dig out some old decorating sheets - trying to provide the budding azaleas with some form of protection - and switch the rayburn back on.

Hopefully the sun will be back with us before too much longer!