Recent Posts

Very kind of you all - thank you. I've only got back out recently [on Wednesday to Dumgoyne, near Killearn] - and that's my first walks I've done since last year. Too many problems with knees etc. Not so easy when you aren't 27 any more Hope you get some decent weather for your trip...

Common house bricks don't stand up to frost and being wet. Either go for paving blocks or if you really want normal looking bricks, engineering bricks.

We have a 'phone with 2 extensions plus 3 mobiles which are called "portable" in France, "GSM" in Belgium and "cell" in the USA. My mobile is mostly switched off as I use it only if I need to contact or be contactable when out doing something so is definitely a tool, not a master.

You have inspired me to dig out my old Canon 1000D. But looking at the prices of the lens you use has left me putting it back in the cupboard again!! I'll have to start saving the pennies!

You can treat blanket weed with a mesh bag full of barley straw. I looked it up on the RHS site and it says:Float a mesh bag of barley straw on the pond – about 50g of straw per sq m (1½oz per sq yd) of water surface area is ideal, and should discourage all types of pond algae. Add the straw...

I originally thought this was a Rat Tail Cactus but now wondering if it is actually a Mouse Tail Cactus. Anyone able to give a confident id? To me they seem similar from doing internet searches. It would be nice if anyone could educate me on how to distinguish when they're not actually...

@shiney We also have ferns growing in our greenhouse that has grape vines and a pomegranate growing. We didn't plant the ferns but the spores of ferns are so very tiny and light the slightest breeze will move them a fair distance. We have the top half of the door always open so the spores were...

I once tried growing on top of submerged slabs, nothing thrived there, so when digging a bit deeper to investigate, I found the slabs, probably an old shed base from a previous owner of the house. Once removed, things thrived.

Hi @Kitty52 - mine are in the gr'house now, but with an extra layer of protection - clear plastic box etc. One has already shown signs of life, so it's just a question of keeping them ticking over until the temps are ok for them to beoutside full time. A couple of new ones were in the kitchen,...

Next time I see her I will have to remember to check out what her thoughts and plans are for the chooks. I really miss my 4.00am alarm calls. There is a sense of satisfaction when cooking, if I use next doors eggs. Even if I have had nothing to do with their care. Ah well, onwards and upwards.