tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17309490565586532202024-03-13T04:43:30.083-07:00Stars in the GardenChris and Ellie's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03438273041956471834noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1730949056558653220.post-39361643935926303052011-06-16T13:00:00.000-07:002011-06-16T13:02:57.391-07:00Jammin'<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">"We're jammin</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I wanna jam it with you,</span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> </i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">We're jammin, jammin</span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> </i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">And I hope you like jammin too"</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> </span><br />
<div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> </i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">OK, enough of Bob Marley.. Some would think we (or rather myself..) would have to have a sweet tooth to make all this Jam seeing as we're a family of 3 (soon to be 4). Well, in my case you'd be right in saying that. You think you have a sweet tooth? You 'aint got a PATCH on me. Seriously, put me down with a Kilo, two if you're feeling flush of chocolate and provide me with a constant supply of tea - I'll demolish the lot. I'd be on the look out for afters too. I'm a pig, no question. I'd eat chocolate for breakfast (I do on Christmas day!), Biccies for lunch (any type - sweet mind..), then polish off a 3 litre tub of ice cream for dinner (or tea if you're that way inclined). Sad thing is, I know I'll "suffer" the next few days, but man I just can't help myself... errrr anyway--</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Back on track!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Soo, I've had my eye on that maslin pan jobby in Lakeland for a while (over a year infact - Ellie would never let me buy it). Now that I'm the bread earner and she's the lump just getting fat with her feet up all day I decided to buy it [incoming slap no doubt -- infact, that remark coupled with the state of the kitchen, there's no question - I may even have a boot up the back side (if I'm lucky - wayhey!!)]---- erm yes anyway so I went ahead and bought this big maslin pan thing as whenever we've made Jam in the past it's just boiled over everywhere (no saucepans large enough). On the subject of Lakeland, I wish they'd get rid of the shop in Cardiff, if I go in there I'll blow £60 easily in a quick visit. Any longer than 15mins and the bank are phoning up checking the transaction is legitimate). </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Argh -ok back on track again.. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Right so anyway, we've had a pretty big glut of strawberries recently (there's still loads on the plot too - but I've decided now to give it up-but that's another story)- a reasonable harvest of gooseberries and a bit of rhubarb. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Over the past couple of weeks we've been busy bodies making a lot of jam. So far, we've done 21 jars of jam (a mix of 1lbs and 8oz jars), with a load more fruit on the plot to use too (mainly currants.. though we've blackberries coming through - and later on will have Autumn fruiting raspberries too!):</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8JmDlzb23SQ/Tfpb3STSRBI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/onAI_GaRn2A/s512/P25223801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8JmDlzb23SQ/Tfpb3STSRBI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/onAI_GaRn2A/s320/P25223801.jpg" width="238" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Strawberry & Rhubarb, Strawberry & Gooseberry, </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Strawberry & Vanilla, and finally Gooseberry & Elderflower</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Seem to have a few small air bubbles near the top of the jars - I think this is either down to the jars being too hot (I noticed it re-boiling when ladled into the jars) or I left it too long to jar them up (was trying to get an even distribution of fruit, rather than it all going to the top). Not sure really (any ideas on how to stop it will be welcome! - I'm sure this didn't happen before). Anyway, it tastes good, it's mainly for us - if you have some and you moan don't expect anymore in the future (Dad!).</span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Just tried the Gooseberry & Elderflower on a bit of bread (freshly baked - thanks El!).. mixed thoughts. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NX86KgfNCpk/Tfpb07uSV8I/AAAAAAAAA3U/nMFPPd2e738/s512/P25223300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NX86KgfNCpk/Tfpb07uSV8I/AAAAAAAAA3U/nMFPPd2e738/s320/P25223300.jpg" width="238" /></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The gooseberries were sweet enough to eat raw, bit taste different in a Jam. I'm not sure if this is the elderflower? It's kind of like marmalade (though it did start to burn a little!). Tart, yet sweet - different I guess. I think I like it... I'm not keen on marmalade mind. Sod it, yes it's nice - I made it ;-) Quite surprised at the colour, it's almost pinky-orange.. I expected it to be green, mind you that could have something to do with it almost burning. Mind you.. I did enjoy eating the burn sugar/fruit from the bottom of the pan!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">In other news - we've decided it'd be a good idea to drop the plot that we have near Ellie's mothers old house.. It's a little bit too far just to pop over - and with nipper #2 on the way shortly I think it'll be easier just to maintain the 1/2 plot we've got that's a 2 minute drive away. I'm looking forward to taking Seren up with me and having her </span><s><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">trample all over my bloody hard work, ripping crops up left right and centre, screaming, crying, trampling over other peoples plots, stamping in muddy puddles</span></s><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> help me out harvesting (hopefully) and weeding. Should be fun, either way :) That'll leave El with some time off from Seren running riot - and able to see to the new arrival in a bit of peace and relax (aka deal with newborn poo-ey nappies (yuck!)). Naturally, I'll make sure Seren will have done her business and is changed by El before I take her out.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Righty-ho, off to get lamped around the head & clean the bomb site (kitchen) up.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Until next time! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">(</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">I did look for a funny quote by Bob Marley.. but couldn't find anything. I'll try and come up with something witty perhaps later!)</span></span></i><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></span></div></div>Chris and Ellie's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03438273041956471834noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1730949056558653220.post-66002705765357124092011-05-29T00:28:00.000-07:002011-05-29T00:28:01.246-07:00Better late than never?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">Have managed to clear a bit of the new 1/2 plot I've taken on - that's a lot closer to us than the other allotment. Took it on last Sunday (22/05/11):</div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-seIrL3OLzx8/Tdk1BESibBI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/xYX7YdIgorY/s640/IMG_20110522170815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-seIrL3OLzx8/Tdk1BESibBI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/xYX7YdIgorY/s320/IMG_20110522170815.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the front of it (South end)<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9U3te1hgKGY/Tdk0ovFUqUI/AAAAAAAAAx8/kq6KP6dzP10/s640/IMG_20110522170636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9U3te1hgKGY/Tdk0ovFUqUI/AAAAAAAAAx8/kq6KP6dzP10/s320/IMG_20110522170636.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">View looking back down it, from under the tree above (looking South)<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pZ59bM8m-D4/Tdk04HQ01II/AAAAAAAAAyE/iGexsX84d0o/s640/IMG_20110522170741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pZ59bM8m-D4/Tdk04HQ01II/AAAAAAAAAyE/iGexsX84d0o/s320/IMG_20110522170741.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turning around, there's a shed and the plot tapers to a point on the left. <br />
Huge Japanese Knotweed problem though.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>By Thursday I'd cleared enough ground to plant the potatoes given to me by the allotment site (thanks!) as they had surplus stock. I'd also erected a (wonky) bean frame, a bit more stable than the others on the other plot made out of canes using some wood that was used as battens after stripping a room that we're converting into a playroom for Seren + the one on the way!<div><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xPL5eEAg4ZI/TeDpn4hSm4I/AAAAAAAAAz8/6AUiwbUU25M/s640/P58540600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xPL5eEAg4ZI/TeDpn4hSm4I/AAAAAAAAAz8/6AUiwbUU25M/s320/P58540600.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spuds in!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ex7dVJg1n7U/TeDpsJJ7cXI/AAAAAAAAA0A/2xNNpcZIn6A/s512/P58541101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ex7dVJg1n7U/TeDpsJJ7cXI/AAAAAAAAA0A/2xNNpcZIn6A/s320/P58541101.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bean frame ("Munty Frame" - from a users' idea on some allotment forums). <br />
The idea is the beans grow up the string, then up across the top of the frame with the beans all hanging down for you to pick. There's 4 courgettes planted underneath currently - a couple more may go in.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div>The beans planted are Borlotto beans - growing them for the dried beans. I've also got a load of others ready to go out, Blue Lake, Roquefort, Tendergreen, Yellow Tepee, Ying Yang, Ruth Bible.. I think that's it. All in all about 200 plants.. A few will be grown for the beans inside, to be used in cooking (and saved to regrow next year), other as green beans.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Must say, being the only person on the allotment trying "new" ideas causes much discussion and whispering! I've found that out on both allotments now! </div><div><br />
</div><div>That's all for now as I'm off down the allotment for a good clearing session!</div>Chris and Ellie's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03438273041956471834noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1730949056558653220.post-13498311143945545182011-05-18T13:58:00.000-07:002011-05-18T13:58:47.863-07:00Thanks, April!...and the start of May... Thank you for some amazing weather. Not only was the weather great when we went away to Cornwall over my Birthday, but it continued to be warm and sunny throughout the first two weeks of May. In turn this has meant plants have put on good growth, such as the strawberries we inherited on our allotment. Each visit since we've been back - I've come home with a handful, and just tonight, I ran out of hands whilst picking them.. The next best thing was holding up my tshirt. Thankfully no one was around to question my sexuality. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TdQhBWwEuTI/AAAAAAAAAwc/sDlEa1_dqdU/s400/IMG_20110518204139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="299" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TdQhBWwEuTI/AAAAAAAAAwc/sDlEa1_dqdU/s400/IMG_20110518204139.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Picking your own is great fun, the strawberry bed is infested with weeds (the slugs are loving that!), so it's almost like an Easter egg hunt!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TdQgXH6ZE5I/AAAAAAAAAv8/TcPy3xdWB8c/s640/IMG_20110518203844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="299" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TdQgXH6ZE5I/AAAAAAAAAv8/TcPy3xdWB8c/s640/IMG_20110518203844.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Comparing this free harvest to organic strawberries, we'd have had to pay £4.56 (going by Tesco selling them at £8.30/kg - and the harvest roughly 550g)! Owt fer nowt is good in my books ;-)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TdQgr_1CcbI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/YN8z713O4Io/s400/IMG_20110518204013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="299" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TdQgr_1CcbI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/YN8z713O4Io/s400/IMG_20110518204013.jpg" /></a></div><br />
The gooseberries on the plot (again inherited) are also coming along nicely:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TdQgPLXiCvI/AAAAAAAAAv4/oSp7i9U1J8Y/s400/IMG_20110518203815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="299" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TdQgPLXiCvI/AAAAAAAAAv4/oSp7i9U1J8Y/s400/IMG_20110518203815.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Also the transplanted peas that I started off in modules seem to be doing ok, with another row direct down to the left of them:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TdQgFKqmMeI/AAAAAAAAAv0/rVD952wC4Dg/s400/IMG_20110518203731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="299" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TdQgFKqmMeI/AAAAAAAAAv0/rVD952wC4Dg/s400/IMG_20110518203731.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Meanwhile... Back at home in the garden we've some apples fattening up nicely, currants fruiting (can't remember if they're red or white- the blackcurrants don't seem to be doing much again), blackberries just showing some flower buds and something I'm looking forward to personally this year is what looks to be a pretty good blueberry harvest (compared to the single berry last year):<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TdQf80-NVEI/AAAAAAAAAvs/bAr6H11Vifk/s400/IMG_20110518203700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="299" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TdQf80-NVEI/AAAAAAAAAvs/bAr6H11Vifk/s400/IMG_20110518203700.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TdQgdmFUB8I/AAAAAAAAAwA/pVYqR7Y-fWY/s400/IMG_20110518203914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="299" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TdQgdmFUB8I/AAAAAAAAAwA/pVYqR7Y-fWY/s400/IMG_20110518203914.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TdQgj-qE9UI/AAAAAAAAAwI/xPMx-V53YUg/s400/IMG_20110518203941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="299" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TdQgj-qE9UI/AAAAAAAAAwI/xPMx-V53YUg/s400/IMG_20110518203941.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TdQgj-qE9UI/AAAAAAAAAwI/xPMx-V53YUg/s400/IMG_20110518203941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="299" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TdQhGtgwXwI/AAAAAAAAAwg/gyI7FFLby5o/s400/IMG_20110518204201.jpg" /></a></div><br />
The tomatoes are just about showing some flower buds too:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TdQg5-x8P-I/AAAAAAAAAwY/A8Ww0FmbkoA/s400/IMG_20110518204113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="267" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TdQg5-x8P-I/AAAAAAAAAwY/A8Ww0FmbkoA/s400/IMG_20110518204113.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Which is great because they seem to have slowed down recently, probably due to the cold weather we've had, but at least they're still growing (I was a bit concerned the compost I'd put them in was no good). <br />
<br />
I've also pinched out some armpits, which are sitting in water (a few in compost in the greenhouse too) - hoping to get a couple more plants for free (just as well really, as the sungold tomatoes that I'm growing this year are quite expensive):<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TdQgyMvKNMI/AAAAAAAAAwU/leg-r4XcWBw/s400/IMG_20110518204042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="299" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TdQgyMvKNMI/AAAAAAAAAwU/leg-r4XcWBw/s400/IMG_20110518204042.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Back to the boring real life stuff... We've recent decorated our bedroom, just about done and already Ellie is eyeing up the next room to do. We've an integral garage in our house, that's been converted into a room prior to us buying it, it's currently just really a dumping ground, but now it's set to become a <strike>games/xbox/big telly room</strike>playroom. Best get off now, I've just heard the whip crack!Chris and Ellie's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03438273041956471834noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1730949056558653220.post-36400921694055415052011-04-17T12:07:00.000-07:002011-04-17T12:33:37.239-07:00Potting on, sowing & tantrums.Managed to pot on our Tomatoes and Aubergines this weekend, which was just in the nick of time I think, as they'd massively outgrown their small pots that they were sown in. Thankfully you can repot Tomatoes deeper [they'll root from the stem as a bonus, providing more stability in the final pots], so they all got planted up to their seed leaves (and some, erm right up to the necks!). The Aubergines weren't too bad, so they were sown roughly the same level as they'd been in their previous 3" pots. Only 1 of the type that I really wanted to germinate has done, and as they need a long growing season I think I've missed the boat. There's still 4 others (Black Beauty), plus the Listada de Gandia means we've 5 plants - hopefully this year we'll get a crop off them as they'll be in the greenhouse rather than outside (the greenhouse wasn't really ready last year).<br />
<br />
These are now making the daily trek in and out of the greenhouse as it's still dropping below 10°C at night in there. Shouldn't be too long (hopefully!) until they can stay out over night though..<br />
<br />
After taking part in a squash "seed parcel" from some gardening forums I'm part of (which is seeds are donated to a parcel, and then sent around a list of members, who take out what they fancy, and add something back into the parcel and send it on to the next member - a great way to try things so you can see how they work out/taste/etc) we've around 10 types of different squash.. So as the last frost date is supposedly late April where we are they were sown this evening:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/Tasy1XAOoII/AAAAAAAAAt8/q5_bye-8Y_8/s512/s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/Tasy1XAOoII/AAAAAAAAAt8/q5_bye-8Y_8/s320/s.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Two of each of the following were sown:<br />
<div><ul><li>Butternut Squash (Hunter)</li>
<li>Crown Prince (tastes amazing!)</li>
<li>Golden Nugget</li>
<li>Green Acorn</li>
<li>Jack Be Little</li>
<li>Jarrahdale</li>
<li>Little Gem</li>
<li>Red Kuri</li>
<li>Squashkin (a mix between a butternut squash and a pumpkin)</li>
<li>Turks Turban</li>
</ul><div>Fingers crossed they all germinate - as this lot will see us right through winter, and probably even spring next year.</div><div><br />
</div><div>I'm planning on training a few of the small fruiting squash up over an arch/fence/whatever (if I get around to building one! - and knowing how fast these grow, they'll probably just trail along the floor)</div><div><br />
</div><div>Seren is really enjoying being outside now, and when I was washing the above pots, she was bringing over the labels, and throwing them in the bucket, then her play cutlery set, and then finally a doll... bathing the lot in the mucky water. Come dinner time having to go inside to eat she was kicking, screaming, arching her back, banging her head, biting (the usual tantrum thing) in protest. I pretty much was carrying her back in, upside down by her little toe, at arms length to keep from injury! Toad in the hole + green beans / peas soon sorted it out though, after we just ignored her and got on with our food. Terrible twos? More like terrible twenty months!</div><div><br />
</div><div>Found a nice surprise today at the allotment. Moving some tarpaulin/plastic sheet/rubbish I came across a nest of slow worms. There were probably about 20 in there (didn't realise, until I tried picking up the "stick" to lob across into the rubbish pile... said stick decided to wrap itself around my hand. I don't think I've ever sworn so fast, and in rapid succession as then). Great to know though, at least they'll help control the slug population!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TasNcp-WC4I/AAAAAAAAAtw/J0Ugab0_hqs/s512/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TasNcp-WC4I/AAAAAAAAAtw/J0Ugab0_hqs/s320/photo.JPG" width="238" /></a></div><div>That's all for now!</div><br />
</div>Chris and Ellie's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03438273041956471834noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1730949056558653220.post-88324376401368672062011-04-12T05:24:00.000-07:002011-04-12T05:24:32.911-07:00...and we're done!We've finally got the new run sorted - with the chickens moved in. The broody one wasn't too impressed, but seems to have calmed down a bit now. I've decided to leave them in there for a couple of days, whilst I get rid of their old coop, and to give them time to get used to the new coop/nest box (one has already got the idea, just waiting for the other one to pop an egg out now as she didn't lay yesterday).<br />
<br />
I think I've put deep alayer of shavings on the floor as they've kicked it all in their water and feeder, but here's some photos anyway:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TaH3LN_sJ2I/AAAAAAAAAs0/onQsHMbKdvs/s512/photo%201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TaH3LN_sJ2I/AAAAAAAAAs0/onQsHMbKdvs/s320/photo%201.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still need to get rid of the mountain of soil...</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TaH3Lx98rGI/AAAAAAAAAs4/ezhEiWdeZcU/s512/photo%204-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TaH3Lx98rGI/AAAAAAAAAs4/ezhEiWdeZcU/s320/photo%204-1.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chickens exploring their new run</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TaH3nW2XJmI/AAAAAAAAAtE/-9LYfW6p_eI/s576/photo%201-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TaH3nW2XJmI/AAAAAAAAAtE/-9LYfW6p_eI/s320/photo%201-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New coop - opens out fully for ease of cleaning</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Next project.. too many to list. Looks so far to be the bedroom, but I've not been back down to the allotment in a couple of weeks now. I plan to this coming weekend.Chris and Ellie's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03438273041956471834noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1730949056558653220.post-62728074531474444302011-04-03T13:00:00.000-07:002011-04-03T13:00:07.437-07:00Chicken run update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Just in from working on the run again today, here's a few pictures so you can see the progress:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TZjQKPejyQI/AAAAAAAAAqs/7wsUfQTmlfc/s512/photo%201-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TZjQKPejyQI/AAAAAAAAAqs/7wsUfQTmlfc/s320/photo%201-2.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Panels created</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TZjQK1UaODI/AAAAAAAAAq4/oBjAC91wNvQ/s512/photo%204-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TZjQK1UaODI/AAAAAAAAAq4/oBjAC91wNvQ/s320/photo%204-1.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roof frame put on</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TZjQddHZngI/AAAAAAAAArE/tNwCdx7EN-U/s512/photo1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TZjQddHZngI/AAAAAAAAArE/tNwCdx7EN-U/s320/photo1.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some cross-supports put on, photo from back bedroom</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TZjQdfD8UrI/AAAAAAAAArA/lqOYlWfBUyM/s512/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TZjQdfD8UrI/AAAAAAAAArA/lqOYlWfBUyM/s320/photo.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roof trimmed and fixed on</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><br />
</div><div>There's still the mesh to staple to the panels, and the back panel to build (ran out of wood). Hopefully should be finished by next weekend, so the chickens can move into their new home!<br />
<div><br />
<div><br />
<br />
</div></div></div>Chris and Ellie's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03438273041956471834noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1730949056558653220.post-4202331619390382772011-03-31T05:54:00.000-07:002011-03-31T05:54:24.527-07:00Busy bees.We've been quite busy for a while, hence the lack of updates. Ellie has another bun in the oven (now the name of the blog can hopefully make sense - it'll be my two littles stars in the garden!), and is half way through now (or will be tomorrow), the bedroom & en suite are being re-decorated/replaced, everything is a tip in the house, and we've started to plan the 'playroom'. On top of this, we've been busy doing a new chicken run and have taken on an allotment! There's plenty of fruit on the allotment - raspberry canes, two crowns (so far) of rhubarb - seems an early variety as it's miles ahead of the 'Victoria' we're growing at home, currants, gooseberries, and erm the brambles too!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WwdZULJ_3uA/TZR1lrfI5RI/AAAAAAAAAC8/LgmySITa5A0/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WwdZULJ_3uA/TZR1lrfI5RI/AAAAAAAAAC8/LgmySITa5A0/s320/photo+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>It's not in too bad shape, behind the shed is a mass of brambles that I'll have to chop down eventually - but the plan is to work this half in the foreground and then sort the half behind the shed out as/when we can fit it in (I say we, I mean me ;)).<br />
<br />
Chickens wise... we've gone from this:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TU_RnjVpGII/AAAAAAAAAjM/RjX6QvFGYAs/s512/IMG_0312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TU_RnjVpGII/AAAAAAAAAjM/RjX6QvFGYAs/s320/IMG_0312.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>To this:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TU_P8mcIkwI/AAAAAAAAAi0/-PDlA0a8Lxk/s512/IMG_0859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TU_P8mcIkwI/AAAAAAAAAi0/-PDlA0a8Lxk/s320/IMG_0859.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To this so far (concrete laid, via a few fence boards removed and a skillful driver poking the chute through and dumping a cubic metre of concrete in the area:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wh07MYzVNgs/TZR2kwFwZ8I/AAAAAAAAADM/_NtOndGAnnQ/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wh07MYzVNgs/TZR2kwFwZ8I/AAAAAAAAADM/_NtOndGAnnQ/s320/photo+4.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-55r876_WGgE/TZR2eExnt_I/AAAAAAAAADA/Q6g6VRT3ZE4/s1600/photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-55r876_WGgE/TZR2eExnt_I/AAAAAAAAADA/Q6g6VRT3ZE4/s320/photo+5.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>Eventually, it'll be home to their new coop (that needs painting - probably done later on during summer):<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oYmAVbtV3PA/TZR2j3NYg6I/AAAAAAAAADI/vKqINKO6xlY/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oYmAVbtV3PA/TZR2j3NYg6I/AAAAAAAAADI/vKqINKO6xlY/s320/photo+3.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Oh, and the light sussex has gone broody again (second time since feb). She wasn't impressed trying out the above ladder I can tell you!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xctECa5k8fA/TZR2iXp6MZI/AAAAAAAAADE/-nSZU0CY8jU/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xctECa5k8fA/TZR2iXp6MZI/AAAAAAAAADE/-nSZU0CY8jU/s320/photo+2.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All this whilst El has been very ill with her pregnancy has ensured we've been through a tough few months! So much so, that all the stuff I sowed in the previous post has died due to neglect. So I've re-started.. have sown a few more sungolds, and golden sunrise with a couple of aubergines inside, along with some beetroot, marigolds (first time growing flowers!), mixed salad leaves and little gem lettuce (outside). This weekend I'm planning on sowing some more chillies.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Chris and Ellie's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03438273041956471834noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1730949056558653220.post-82484814979341305522011-01-17T13:41:00.000-08:002011-01-17T13:42:54.134-08:00It's started!Having been really busy doing nothing, I've just made a start to the gardening season again by making an early sowing of some tomatoes and chillies. <br />
<br />
I've just sown:<br />
<br />
<ul><li>Anaheim Chilli</li>
<li>Medusa Chilli</li>
<li>Pasilla Bajio Chilli</li>
<li>Gelbe Kirschen Chilli</li>
<li>Sweet Ramano Pepper</li>
<li>Corno di Torro Rosso Pepper</li>
<li>Sungold Tomato</li>
<li>Golden Sunrise Tomato</li>
</ul><div>The chillies bar the Gelbe Kirschen one are all quite mild, but the person who saved the seed for the Gelbe Kirschen posted on a forum (that's where I got them from - a chilli parcel (think pass the parcel!) that it blew her head off. Should make a great chutney - it looks like a small yellow cherry. Looking forward to taking some into work for the lads to try!</div><div><br />
</div><div>On a slightly different note all our chickens are laying an egg a day now, which is great. I've worked out that each egg costs us 5 pence, which is also great as free range eggs are around 20 pence each from the supermarket. They also taste amazing! Here are the stars of the show enjoying the recent snow we had:</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TSH9Lgb-DxI/AAAAAAAAAfg/7sz4I-HYKdI/s720/IMG_6602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TSH9Lgb-DxI/AAAAAAAAAfg/7sz4I-HYKdI/s400/IMG_6602.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>Not really sure of their names, but I think from left to right it's Bennie (Benedict), Shelly, and Florrie (Florentine). I'd like a few more, but still weighing up the pros and cons. </div><div><br />
</div><div>I've started building them a new coop, as their current one lets rain in by their pop hole door and it's a bit draughty which isn't good for a chicken. I'll also be building them an enclosed run, but this time large enough for me to walk in -which will also contain the coop as below.</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TSiiF5OZUrI/AAAAAAAAAhY/jTx7Amf3gZQ/s512/photo%201-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TSiiF5OZUrI/AAAAAAAAAhY/jTx7Amf3gZQ/s400/photo%201-1.JPG" width="296" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>Not bad, so far for £30.</div>Chris and Ellie's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03438273041956471834noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1730949056558653220.post-12292667477392952642010-10-10T04:32:00.000-07:002010-10-10T04:32:30.429-07:00MorningsMy (ellies) turn to post today!<br />
<br />
Seren likes to wake up early ... REALLY early! And while I very much look forward to the day we all sleep past 6 am, I secretly very much enjoy our early mornings together! I lay in bed for as long as possible listening to the lovely happy baby chatter, and once that turns into not so happy grumbles, I drag myself out of bed and into Seren's room.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5euztzARC8Q/TLGjb29D2ZI/AAAAAAAAACM/u_3RWjmXmQY/s1600/IMG_0138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5euztzARC8Q/TLGjb29D2ZI/AAAAAAAAACM/u_3RWjmXmQY/s320/IMG_0138.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<br />
I lift her out of the cot, and we open the blinds, she usually points at the streetlights and tells me "lights!" ... she loves her lights! After a nappy change and perhaps a story or 2 (depending on how ungodly the hour is, I like to kill a bit more time before heading downstairs!), we head downstairs. Now that its autumn and the mornings are dark and cold, our first task of the morning is usually porridge! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5euztzARC8Q/TLGdJOvvY3I/AAAAAAAAAB4/sPFNrOZ3ruE/s1600/IMG_0594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5euztzARC8Q/TLGdJOvvY3I/AAAAAAAAAB4/sPFNrOZ3ruE/s320/IMG_0594.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5euztzARC8Q/TLGdcGXAUeI/AAAAAAAAAB8/G1SHS9noSBM/s1600/IMG_0598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5euztzARC8Q/TLGdcGXAUeI/AAAAAAAAAB8/G1SHS9noSBM/s320/IMG_0598.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Seren sits in her high chair expectantly as I stir oats, maple syrup and milk with our homegrown berries over the stove! She chirps in with the occasional impatiently yelled "YUMMUM!!" When its cooked we usually enjoy it sitting on the living room floor, with the curtains open, so we can watch the day slowly wake up! The rest of the morning usually entails Seren running around, pyjama clad and porridge faced, babbling, chatting on the "phone" and giggling, while I sip on my tea and we wait for Daddy to wake up.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5euztzARC8Q/TLGgHplHHbI/AAAAAAAAACE/fTXnar4vs8U/s1600/IMG_0494.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5euztzARC8Q/TLGgHplHHbI/AAAAAAAAACE/fTXnar4vs8U/s320/IMG_0494.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5euztzARC8Q/TLGgbpPWKAI/AAAAAAAAACI/PzWtwfIweI4/s1600/IMG_0008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5euztzARC8Q/TLGgbpPWKAI/AAAAAAAAACI/PzWtwfIweI4/s320/IMG_0008.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
We love mornings really!Chris and Ellie's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03438273041956471834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1730949056558653220.post-50063535011247496002010-10-09T12:41:00.000-07:002010-10-09T12:41:01.231-07:00Cluck cluck!We've always fancied having chickens for fresh eggs - so recently we set about converting an old bike shed in our garden into a chicken coop...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TJ62NNaPL8I/AAAAAAAAAbg/1rrG3JVYkWg/s512/IMG_0504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TJ62NNaPL8I/AAAAAAAAAbg/1rrG3JVYkWg/s320/IMG_0504.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From this old shed...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TJ62OILqLVI/AAAAAAAAAbo/BooBS4Pqg6U/s512/IMG_0177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TJ62OILqLVI/AAAAAAAAAbo/BooBS4Pqg6U/s320/IMG_0177.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...to being cut down, fixed up and strengthened...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TJ-EzoeoSOI/AAAAAAAAAcI/B5MtJCOcCps/s512/IMG_0183.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TJ-EzoeoSOI/AAAAAAAAAcI/B5MtJCOcCps/s320/IMG_0183.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To treated, and moved to the back of the side garden.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TKsBQ7RUFzI/AAAAAAAAAdo/qHeRV5U14r4/s512/IMG_0215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TKsBQ7RUFzI/AAAAAAAAAdo/qHeRV5U14r4/s320/IMG_0215.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Run in progress in the garage.<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Once this work was done, we popped over to a local farm that stock a lot of poultry and came home with a French Black Rock (Benedict - "Bennie"), a Light Sussex (Florentine - "Florrie"), and a Magpie (Shelly). Here's some picture of them arriving at their new home!<div><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5euztzARC8Q/TLDA8JzWqyI/AAAAAAAAABI/I-VJt3FVves/s1600/IMG_0230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5euztzARC8Q/TLDA8JzWqyI/AAAAAAAAABI/I-VJt3FVves/s320/IMG_0230.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the way home</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5euztzARC8Q/TLDBAyGb3eI/AAAAAAAAABM/QT1cjVQPXdY/s1600/IMG_0231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5euztzARC8Q/TLDBAyGb3eI/AAAAAAAAABM/QT1cjVQPXdY/s320/IMG_0231.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seren greats the new 'dog' with "woof woof"</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5euztzARC8Q/TLDBgdD3oJI/AAAAAAAAABw/weGWWz-WCE8/s1600/IMG_0606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5euztzARC8Q/TLDBgdD3oJI/AAAAAAAAABw/weGWWz-WCE8/s320/IMG_0606.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Seren greeting them, whilst showing them it's ok to eat clumps of soil.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5euztzARC8Q/TLDBEw6gzMI/AAAAAAAAABQ/GTc-NT60k2g/s1600/IMG_0233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5euztzARC8Q/TLDBEw6gzMI/AAAAAAAAABQ/GTc-NT60k2g/s320/IMG_0233.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exploring the run</td></tr>
</tbody></table>They're 17 weeks old, all hybrids - with Florrie being a dual purpose (layer, and also a good eater!). In the few days that we've had them it's been fun noticing their different personalities. The black rock is so nosey, always coming to you first to see what's going on. Whilst I was digging, she was out and about eating worms and what not from right under my spade (on the 2nd day we had her!)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5euztzARC8Q/TLDBIvY0k5I/AAAAAAAAABU/0SQNjwjJpL0/s1600/IMG_0239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5euztzARC8Q/TLDBIvY0k5I/AAAAAAAAABU/0SQNjwjJpL0/s320/IMG_0239.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Worm hunting!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5euztzARC8Q/TLDBMq1w4TI/AAAAAAAAABY/WRYu3oCrluo/s1600/IMG_0271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5euztzARC8Q/TLDBMq1w4TI/AAAAAAAAABY/WRYu3oCrluo/s320/IMG_0271.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A close up of Bennie</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5euztzARC8Q/TLDBQ_3TNKI/AAAAAAAAABc/gVKZozleVSc/s1600/IMG_0275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5euztzARC8Q/TLDBQ_3TNKI/AAAAAAAAABc/gVKZozleVSc/s320/IMG_0275.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Florrie - a bit shy, but a real gannet.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5euztzARC8Q/TLDBUDjhAmI/AAAAAAAAABg/VrEZnR_KRr8/s1600/IMG_0280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5euztzARC8Q/TLDBUDjhAmI/AAAAAAAAABg/VrEZnR_KRr8/s320/IMG_0280.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shelly - hopped on my legs whilst I was snipping some wire ends off the run.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div>Today we all went out to give them a bowl of rice with raisins, and oats - Seren took to them like a duck to water! They didn't seem to mind being poked and screamed at in joy either!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5euztzARC8Q/TLDBX8CbaZI/AAAAAAAAABk/bmD2MgmeDq4/s1600/IMG_0299.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5euztzARC8Q/TLDBX8CbaZI/AAAAAAAAABk/bmD2MgmeDq4/s320/IMG_0299.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5euztzARC8Q/TLDBbhCuHMI/AAAAAAAAABo/mR2QXiFMPFE/s1600/IMG_0301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5euztzARC8Q/TLDBbhCuHMI/AAAAAAAAABo/mR2QXiFMPFE/s320/IMG_0301.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5euztzARC8Q/TLDBeqaf3MI/AAAAAAAAABs/-PgERzgUMAA/s1600/IMG_0302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5euztzARC8Q/TLDBeqaf3MI/AAAAAAAAABs/-PgERzgUMAA/s320/IMG_0302.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Pictures are a bit grainy as they were all taken on my phone! Whilst we were out there, we picked a load of yellow raspberries (All Gold) - they're quite mild tasting, but so fragile and break up into a juicey pulp in your hands if you're not careful with them. I'll be ripping them out and replacing them with another autumn fruiting raspberry.. perhaps Autumn Bliss - I'm not sure yet! Our Summer fruiting ones were amazing in taste, I'd fully recommend trying Glem Ample - thornless too, unlike these All Gold, which are a right pain picking.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once we have enough we're going to make Jam out of them.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5euztzARC8Q/TLDE6wbeosI/AAAAAAAAAB0/cANVzqVQJiI/s1600/IMG_0291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5euztzARC8Q/TLDE6wbeosI/AAAAAAAAAB0/cANVzqVQJiI/s320/IMG_0291.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Washed and ready for the freezer</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
</div></div>Chris and Ellie's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03438273041956471834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1730949056558653220.post-19218639459759378622010-10-09T12:12:00.000-07:002010-10-09T12:12:02.168-07:00Fast forward 1 year......and here we are today. We'd have a great harvest from the garden, plenty of fruit and veg - really pleased for being so new to it all. We've also had our fair share of set backs too - relentless battles with snails and slugs, various diseases and some just all out failures (mainly as I always seem to bite off more than I can chew and couldn't keep up with the demands of the plants and Seren, plus the other jobs in the house we were doing - pretty much buying new furniture, furnishings, and having our bathroom redone). A few good harvests have been parnsips, carrots and pumpkins! <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5euztzARC8Q/TLC9jc1FFNI/AAAAAAAAABA/no_X9nFiuFw/s1600/Carrot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5euztzARC8Q/TLC9jc1FFNI/AAAAAAAAABA/no_X9nFiuFw/s320/Carrot.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">50p piece next to 'Autumn King' - shall definitely grow these again!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5euztzARC8Q/TLC-BZlKTII/AAAAAAAAABE/XVXw4E_Uejw/s1600/Parsnip+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5euztzARC8Q/TLC-BZlKTII/AAAAAAAAABE/XVXw4E_Uejw/s320/Parsnip+2.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">50p next to this parnsip - doesn't look much but weighed in at just over 2lbs - plenty for a big batch of soup!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div>Ellie made some really nice (if I do say so myself) Jam with the Blackberries, Summer Rasberries and Strawberries (plus some shop-bought blueberries as we only got 1 berry from our three blueberry bushes!). A couple weeks ago I had a go at making Green Tomato Chutney, which despite burning the pan turned out quite nice! Although I did cheat and use up some peppers, chillies and courgettes (some bought too) as I didn't have enough tomatoes!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5euztzARC8Q/TLC9N9Zf8MI/AAAAAAAAAA8/G20noOQCVfQ/s1600/green.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5euztzARC8Q/TLC9N9Zf8MI/AAAAAAAAAA8/G20noOQCVfQ/s320/green.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From these... to...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5euztzARC8Q/TLC8hNJtHfI/AAAAAAAAAA4/iozEQRZafSc/s1600/IMG_0175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5euztzARC8Q/TLC8hNJtHfI/AAAAAAAAAA4/iozEQRZafSc/s320/IMG_0175.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this - not very green tomato chutney</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><br />
<br />
</div></div>Chris and Ellie's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03438273041956471834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1730949056558653220.post-18375277249955259262010-10-09T11:54:00.000-07:002010-10-09T12:42:42.164-07:00Hello !We thought it was about time that we sorted a blog out, so family & friends a far could keep track of our doings!<br />
<br />
We moved into our current house back in September 2009, after selling our house when Seren was just 2 weeks old. A month later, after living with Ellie's mother we (i.e. Ellie) decided that this was the house she wanted to live in. With a 6 week old baby, we started out our journey as a new family in our new home.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Come December I (me.. Chris) wanted to get to grips with some gardening. We'd had a taste of growing a few things in our previous house - mainly by buying plants from the garden centre, but this time around I wanted to do it properly.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Down the bottom of our garden, we had an area about 15' x 20' (in an arc-shape, not square unfortunately) covered with stone chippings. I set to work creating some beds:</div><div><br />
</div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5euztzARC8Q/TLCoaXQ_GVI/AAAAAAAAAAc/OhtZgzcTOWA/s1600/veg-beds-in-progress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5euztzARC8Q/TLCoaXQ_GVI/AAAAAAAAAAc/OhtZgzcTOWA/s320/veg-beds-in-progress.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Building the raised beds!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>After becoming a regular on some gardening forums I got a lot of the advice and help needed (by bugging the members there!) to start our growing our own fruit and veg!<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>To cut a long story short, after I had dug around 4' down through the stone chippings & finally filled the beds (went with the three larger ones in the above picture - still haven't used the small square ones) I became hooked on growing things. Every south-facing windowsill in the house was over-run with pots of seedlings and one of the bedrooms had the floor full of pots too. I soon ran out of (planned) growing space and put my name down on all the allotment sites around us. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Come March/April we decided to fence in the garden that was around the side of our house:</div><div><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5euztzARC8Q/TLCylJxJwWI/AAAAAAAAAAg/0QgacF4Ay5c/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-10-09+at+19.16.58.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="190" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5euztzARC8Q/TLCylJxJwWI/AAAAAAAAAAg/0QgacF4Ay5c/s400/Screen+shot+2010-10-09+at+19.16.58.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Side garden as seen from Google streeview!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><div>This would give me a lot more room to grow in, and also a site for a greenhouse (bad planning really - perhaps it'd have been better down the bottom of the garden, although I didn't want to have to fill in the holes I'd dug and shift almost 3 tonnes of topsoil/compost!)</div><div><br />
</div><div>Once the fence was completed I started to dig out the site for the greenhouse, as can be seen from the next set of photos. It was a bit of a pain as this side garden is on a slope, and I wanted to try and drop the level of the greenhouse down so it was a bit more hidden from view.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5euztzARC8Q/TLC2UCpXFwI/AAAAAAAAAAw/zXVqcpeYXb0/s1600/IMG_0605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5euztzARC8Q/TLC2UCpXFwI/AAAAAAAAAAw/zXVqcpeYXb0/s320/IMG_0605.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Choosing the best orientation</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5euztzARC8Q/TLC2Y1nTDSI/AAAAAAAAAA0/Jk5JveklcSk/s1600/IMG_0034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5euztzARC8Q/TLC2Y1nTDSI/AAAAAAAAAA0/Jk5JveklcSk/s320/IMG_0034.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Started to dig the site out<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;">I'll finish this post off with some more photos to show you the progress made...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TAd72BfIHMI/AAAAAAAAAEg/RLmcTCttBhE/s512/Ueef36xPvrdB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TAd72BfIHMI/AAAAAAAAAEg/RLmcTCttBhE/s320/Ueef36xPvrdB.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Site cleared, trench dug, base assembled</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TAd9GHPhqbI/AAAAAAAAAFY/FmeJalkzggY/s512/dk27oQCArShE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TAd9GHPhqbI/AAAAAAAAAFY/FmeJalkzggY/s320/dk27oQCArShE.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Base concreted in, leveled out and stabilising fabric down </td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TApYjqduOYI/AAAAAAAAAI4/su7lfdrj9Bk/s512/vjUuKR1ezdQW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TApYjqduOYI/AAAAAAAAAI4/su7lfdrj9Bk/s320/vjUuKR1ezdQW.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pea gravel laid inside, and slabs laid to stop earth falling onto the greenhouse</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TAylHN3dYnI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/yYvGW1rpqlI/s512/7ga2mFPCjvus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TAylHN3dYnI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/yYvGW1rpqlI/s320/7ga2mFPCjvus.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Frame up, only the glass to go</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><div></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TAd5ebs9BzI/AAAAAAAAACw/WPOWX5MIgOM/s512/pc4pGXoZRHd0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F4KEgid8NMs/TAd5ebs9BzI/AAAAAAAAACw/WPOWX5MIgOM/s320/pc4pGXoZRHd0.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Beds in the back garden</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><div></div></div>I'd also created another raised bed in the side garden, 10' x 3' - and then divided this into 1' squares, to try out the Square Foot Gardening method, it's worked quite well although I'll be moving this bed later on. I created two further beds for fruit, and had put various pots and tubs of more fruit and veg.</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I started a Picasa album with more photos in - <a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/chris.marks/Garden#">http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/chris.marks/Garden#</a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
</div></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div>Chris and Ellie's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03438273041956471834noreply@blogger.com0