1 post tagged “fruit”

 

It's not been the warmest, but it's been very nice here to day. Sun was shining and blue skies up until about 3o'clock.

Been around at Grandma and Grandad's most of the day making sure that Grandad is getting all his sugar!

 

Whilst I was there I had the opportunity to check on my seeds. I've had loads of Germinations since yesterday.

6 x Iceberg ;Lettuce

7 x Brocolli

1 x Garden Pea

4 x Cauliflower

 

 

You can see some greenery in the pots above, they are all Iceberg Lettuces. With Courgettes and Brocolli to the right and French Beans, Garden Pea and Dwarf Beans to the left! There are obviously far too many seeds in that one Lettuce pot so tomorrow I shall probably try to seperate them out a bit and also give all the pots a sprinkle of water.

Also today I noticed that the plum tree in the orchard (1 tree in my back garden! LOL!) has come into full blossom and it looks beautiful. It wasn't until last year that I noticed we could eat from this tree! Every time I clean the chooks out I put some of the waste around the bottom of the tree and then put the woodchips on top. Gives it that extra boost. I hope to be making some plum jam this summer when the fruits are bearing.

 

You can see the tree there up against the wall and just behind the eglu. It's not too far for the manure to travel.

The next photo is of the blossom of that very plum tree. I am so proud of it, to be honest I don't think it would be out of place in Gardeners World Magazine!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Can you see all of those lovely plums I am going to have! Yum Yum!

Whilst giving the dry area of garden, in which the Plum Tree is located, I also noticed how well my Strawberry Plants were coming on. So it looks like I shall have a bumper crop of strawberries! I have 4 large pots, in which about 15-20 Strawberry plants are embedded! I left them with no water or protection over the winter, and to my amazement they have survived the frost and snow to come on! I only had 3 plants last year so they've multiplied by at least 5! I think that all 3 plants cost me £2.50 when I bought them as plug plants last year at a garden centre. I never knew Strawberry Plants were so hardy! I've also been told that every plant will give a better harvest than the year before. So I'm expecting a high yield! Let's just say I'm very excited.

I'd thought I'd include a picture of one of my flourishing plants for you to see!

 

I am having a good day on the veg front!

 

I had one egg today, for the first time in about 10 days, all the other days prior to today I have had 2 egg days. Of course, I shall be looking forward to 5 egg days when Scramble, Poach and Hardboiled arrive! Lol, I am very excited about that!

I've been trying to prove to my brother, Sean, that we do infact live in the country side. He does not believe me!

 If you lived 100 yards from a beef farmer, and a huge field. Woulf you say you lived in the countryside? 

If there was a free-range egg farm just down the lane, only a 2 minute walk away, would you say you lived in the countryside?

If there was nothing but farmland inbetween your town and the next, would you say you lived in the countryside?

If you lived a few moments away from a natural spring and only 150 yards away from one of the biggest rivers in the county, would you say you lived in the country?

None of these points have entered Sean's mind. So today I took him on a walk.

This country lane is not far from my house (2 minutes) it's not big enough really for a single car to get through. Does this look like the countryside?

 

Do these views look like the countryside?

The top one is the views through the bushes. Although it was foggy, you can still just about see the Town Church, St.Nicholas in the background.

 

The bottom one was taken when we were near to a field full of sheep. I stood on the metal fence, so that I was high up and was able to get a good view.

 

 

 

 

My Grandparents live a 2 minute walk away from me and I took this picture just after we popped into see them. The little lambs were struggling back up the bank after grazing next to the river as Mummy sheep had a well deserved drink of water!

 

These sheep were owned by a completly different farmer, not too far away either. Just down another country lane. LOL! These two were tucking into a sort of cereal based feed and water. I think there shack is ever so attractive and is a real feature, so I made sure that was in the picture too! I really liked these sheep, they had bald necks and huge fleeces, that were really frizzy. I wish I could have took them home, but hey, they're only down the road! Does this still not look like the countryside?

 

Now this is the most beautiful place in Alcester. It's georgeous. It looks especially good during the spring. Look at the daffodils, rapids current, willow tree, sheep in the field, you can't see it in the photo but there is also an original roman bridge in the background. Is this not the countryside?

 

Well what can I say. Sean has had to admit defeat, If I did not go no more than 1 mile from my house at any time and show him all these sites, what else could he want? I'm so greatful to be living in such a lovely place and not in a city where the nearest field, just doesn't exist.

 

The only downside to the current state of the countryside is of course pollution. There is so much fowl litter around, and it really does have an effect of the local wildlife. The first of the next 2 pictures is of a stream next to the allotments site. There were 2 ducks in this stream, 20 coke bottles, 40 carrier bags, a metal pole, empty crips and cigarette packets, a crate etc. The poor ducks have had their home spoilt by the inconsiderate people who can't be bothered to put anything in the bin. The second picture is of the bin.

 

 

Ok, I do admit that is the dog poo bin! I wouldn't put general rubbish in a dog bin. But dog poo is also a problem in the countryside, aswell as the sort of vandalism that the picture tells of also. Somebody has obviosuly lit a fire in the dog bin and it's melted down to the ground and is just a solid piece of metal!

 People allow their dogs to fowl, in the belief "It's ok, it's the country. Nobody is going to step in it." or "It'll just decompose." It won't pick it up, put it in the bin!

We can always be sure that the countryside will be a lovely place.

I hope you have enjoyed this post! It's taken me 90 minutes to compose, but it's worth it. It shall be a great reference for me.

I'm going to finish with 2 pictures. My Grandad's greenhouse, which is full of all my pots and seeds, and the last one is the gate to the Allotment site in my town, where hopefully all these lovely plants will eventually end up!

 

 

Thanks for coming here for a read! I really appreciate it!

 

Thanks again,

Martin