So now it is official. Spring this year has been the coldest for 50 years and things are about 3 weeks late.
These last couple of days along the East Coast the weather has been dreadful, my central heating coming on each day.
One of the reporters showed a large polytunnel with strawberries. This was down I think Hereford way. Remember what I said about strawberries being grown in a polytunnel. They are not as sweet as the ones grown naturally in the open. Of course they are about 3 weeks later though.
My New Potatoes though still have the same flavour as the ones grown outside and are about 3 weeks earlier.
Having my heating on bought back to mind when we were young. We, like the majority of people had open coal fires and it was always the way. My Mother would have the chimney swept in early May and we were not allowed a coal fire until early September. Generally when one is young the cold doesn't seem to affect you the same as it does when you get to my age. Extremes in temperatures seems to affect me a lot more than it did 20 years ago.
By the way, the very dull cold weather has stopped my strawberries from ripening. When it gets warmer I will, once again have a taste of strawberries.
I thought my Asparagus had finally given in to age. They say that you can harvest spears for about 20 years from planting. Mine have been in about 19 years. With the warm couple of days though, there were signs of some spears appearing, this has now come once again to a halt.
Last year we had a very warm March but the weather went downhill after that. It did mean that I had Asparagus in early April. This year I have had 2 meals and it is the end of May. Let us hope it will get warmer soon as it will affect everyone who eats fresh vegetables.
It was an old beachcomber who told me many years ago that where the wind is in the quarter days is where the wind will predominately be for the next 3 months. Unfortunately the wind has been off the North Sea for a year. I keep my fingers crossed that towards the 21st June the wind will swing round to a westerly. More soon.
Thursday 30 May 2013
Tuesday 28 May 2013
Holiday over
To be honest, everything is late this year. I have Hawthorn trees at the bottom of my garden and the blossom which is commonly known as May blossom is hardly out at all. The odd branches are slowly coming out.
You may think I am wrong because I have a few strawberries. These are of course out of my polytunnel and the photos of my peas and New Potatoes look fine. They are but area couple of weeks late this year.
When I was in catering I always had New Potatoes on my menu for my lunches from Spring Bank Holiday. Yes, they were a little dearer but always had them.
When I first started to do this they came from Pembroke, a couple of years later they were always from Cornwall. Of course they were always supplied in the old 56lb bag or 1/2 cwt. I think that this year it would not be possible to have them on the menu for this Holiday.
The strawberries sure look good, but I must say this. They are never as sweet as the ones grown outdoors but are still nice all the same. They are also bug free.
I have tried some New Potatoes and with a bit of luck will be self sufficient within a week or so. This is not the case though with vegetables. All seem to be very slow this year. We seem to get a couple of decent days followed by a week of bitter cold weather.
I have managed to plant out some Petunias and a few Geraniums(Pelagonums) I am hoping that we get some rain so that they get watered in.
Hopefully we will not get any more frosts until the Autumn as I have planted out my Runner beans and Marrow plants so I am keeping my fingers crossed.
I think this year I will, once more have plenty of cherries, not so many plums but sufficient apples, that is if the blossom is anything to go by. More soon
Thursday 23 May 2013
More like March
Today has been cold but not as cold as it will be tomorrow if the weather men are correct.
We had a few showers and in one there was some sleet. In a couple of others hail but we didn't get much rain at all. The most we got was around 6.45pm.
I was hoping that some warmer weather was here because I have a few strawberries in my polytunnel beginning to ripen. I don't think they will be ready for the Bank Holiday week end. The weather is supposed to improve a little, let us hope it does.
I was thinking about the Railway days when I recalled an extraordinary happening. This I guess would be around 1960. At Peterborough they were short of Firemen so some of us had to travel by train of course to Peterborough which only took about 30 minutes from Grantham to Peterborough.
I was given a Driver who was pleasant enough and all I did was a sort of shunting job, very easy but not what I would prefer to be doing.
At the end of the shift I asked the Driver his name and he told me it was Driver Reynolds.
Now here I must show my ignorance because I asked him if he spelt his name Renn. He stopped me and immediately started to spell out his name. I then told him what a fool I was because it was stupid of me not to know how to spell his name.
I had to know his name because when I arrived back to base I had to fill a time sheet in so I had to say I was a fireman to Driver Reynolds.
My mate, who started on the Railway about a week later than I did so we were often paired together as cleaners. His name was Roy, well the next night it was him that had to go to Peterborough. When I next saw him I told him that I was an idiot because I asked this Driver how to spell his name. He then asked me what the Driver's name was. When I told him he said to me that he also had asked the man how to spell his name.
I just laughed heartily and when I had my breath back I said that he would think that all at Grantham were dunces.
It's funny how things like that come to mind. Unfortunately when I left Grantham and went to the seaside I lost contact with Roy. I would go to Grantham in the winter months and say to myself that I would go to see Roy. I never did and I found out that he died very early in life. I do believe in his 50s. This was told to me by an old retired Driver who I used to see with his wife when I took my Mother shopping to the supermarket. I regret not making an effort to go to see him as we were good workmates on the Railway. More soon.
We had a few showers and in one there was some sleet. In a couple of others hail but we didn't get much rain at all. The most we got was around 6.45pm.
I was hoping that some warmer weather was here because I have a few strawberries in my polytunnel beginning to ripen. I don't think they will be ready for the Bank Holiday week end. The weather is supposed to improve a little, let us hope it does.
I was thinking about the Railway days when I recalled an extraordinary happening. This I guess would be around 1960. At Peterborough they were short of Firemen so some of us had to travel by train of course to Peterborough which only took about 30 minutes from Grantham to Peterborough.
I was given a Driver who was pleasant enough and all I did was a sort of shunting job, very easy but not what I would prefer to be doing.
At the end of the shift I asked the Driver his name and he told me it was Driver Reynolds.
Now here I must show my ignorance because I asked him if he spelt his name Renn. He stopped me and immediately started to spell out his name. I then told him what a fool I was because it was stupid of me not to know how to spell his name.
I had to know his name because when I arrived back to base I had to fill a time sheet in so I had to say I was a fireman to Driver Reynolds.
My mate, who started on the Railway about a week later than I did so we were often paired together as cleaners. His name was Roy, well the next night it was him that had to go to Peterborough. When I next saw him I told him that I was an idiot because I asked this Driver how to spell his name. He then asked me what the Driver's name was. When I told him he said to me that he also had asked the man how to spell his name.
I just laughed heartily and when I had my breath back I said that he would think that all at Grantham were dunces.
It's funny how things like that come to mind. Unfortunately when I left Grantham and went to the seaside I lost contact with Roy. I would go to Grantham in the winter months and say to myself that I would go to see Roy. I never did and I found out that he died very early in life. I do believe in his 50s. This was told to me by an old retired Driver who I used to see with his wife when I took my Mother shopping to the supermarket. I regret not making an effort to go to see him as we were good workmates on the Railway. More soon.
Tuesday 21 May 2013
Continuing
As I mentioned my Driver Billy T. had been rostered with Jack G. so it must have been some sort of relief that he had someone who he could rely on.
On the footplate it was just 2 men and if both worked together then it was a pleasure. Yes, sometimes the work was hard and long days were often but to be honest, I have always been a little sad to leave the Driver with who I was partnered with. It normally occurred twice a year and generally it was a sad occasion for both of us.
Now Billy T had no sense of humour, didn't swear but was a good driver and a good mate.
Now to 63923. The tango O2. It was a heavy duty goods steam engine, would never go over fast but a strong steam engine.
We had several jobs hauling iron stone from High Dyke which was a little over 4 miles south of Grantham. We used to sign on and get the steam engine which had been prepared for us, we would then pick up the Goods Guard and go tender first up to High Dyke. Tender first means we went in reverse.
We picked up the Iron Ore train. 27 27ton wagons. No more than this because they were loose coupled, only the break on the steam engine so it would be very hard to stop had any more wagons been pulled.
We then proceeded to go through Grantham and turn off to go to the Boston, Grimsby road. It was a nice run and at Boston we generally filled up with water. We then continued and kept going. Most Drivers knew the road to Louth but Burgh Le Marsh was about the half way mark.
We got to Louth and waited for the empties to arrive. What usually happened, or really what should happen is that the trains meet and we just swap steam engines. We would pick up the train carrying about 54 empty wagons and the Immingham crew would then take the Iron Ore to eventually Scunthorpe, or Immingham.
Well the empties finally arrived. We changed over and the Driver just said that he had trouble with shortage of steam. They hurriedly got aboard our loaded train and were away.
I looked immediately at the steam pressure gauge and noticed that it was less than 100lbs. per square inch. It should have been over 150 lbs. psi. The water in the boiler was also dangerously low. I looked into the firebox and let out an expletive. Billy looked in and just said to me that we would get to the Signalbox and he would go and contact Control. These were the men who organised all.
I told Billy that I would attempt to clean the firebox a little while he was gone.
He called to me about 10 minutes later just to let me know he was coming aboard. I, in the meantime had emptied some of the clinkers from the firebox. Unfortunately with these steam engines the only way to remove clinkers was to empty them by the fire hole door. I had removed about 1cwt of clinkers and it did allow some air to circulate the firebox and gradually the steam pressure gauge began to move.
I asked my mate when he got aboard what had happened. He never had a sense of humour but his retort made me laugh.
He told me that when he went to the Signalbox he asked the Signalman to get in touch with Control. This he did and the voice at the other end listened to what Billy had to say. He informed Control that we would limp along to Boston where we would go into Boston Loco and give the firebox a good clean as it had not been done so for a while. Each time a journey is done, cleaning of a firebox is part of the work entailed to prepare the steam engine for the next outing.
Eventually Control had chance to say something and he asked Billy if the steam engine was 63923 where upon Billy replied"Guess again and you're wrong". I just burst out laughing as it tickled me.
Well we limped to Boston and true to their word, all was organised for us to go to the loco and while Billy filled the water tank up while I continued to clean the firebox. After about 30 minutes or so I told Billy that I thought all would be well now, so out we went again and picked up the empties, incidentally someone had informed the Guard what was happening. We the set off for Grantham and managed to get there without too much bother.
I said to Billy that I bet he was pleased that he had not got Jack G. as his fireman, he just looked and said that he would not have tried to get to Boston as Jack would not have been capable of doing anything.
To be honest it was an experience that I would not have missed at all, it was just experience for me.
We were relieved at Grantham, being on duty over 12 hours.
Finally nothing at all was said to us about the long delay we had. There were a few steam engines that had a bad name for being difficult engines to steam. 63923 was one of them and if too much coal was administered then trouble would occur. More soon.
On the footplate it was just 2 men and if both worked together then it was a pleasure. Yes, sometimes the work was hard and long days were often but to be honest, I have always been a little sad to leave the Driver with who I was partnered with. It normally occurred twice a year and generally it was a sad occasion for both of us.
Now Billy T had no sense of humour, didn't swear but was a good driver and a good mate.
Now to 63923. The tango O2. It was a heavy duty goods steam engine, would never go over fast but a strong steam engine.
We had several jobs hauling iron stone from High Dyke which was a little over 4 miles south of Grantham. We used to sign on and get the steam engine which had been prepared for us, we would then pick up the Goods Guard and go tender first up to High Dyke. Tender first means we went in reverse.
We picked up the Iron Ore train. 27 27ton wagons. No more than this because they were loose coupled, only the break on the steam engine so it would be very hard to stop had any more wagons been pulled.
We then proceeded to go through Grantham and turn off to go to the Boston, Grimsby road. It was a nice run and at Boston we generally filled up with water. We then continued and kept going. Most Drivers knew the road to Louth but Burgh Le Marsh was about the half way mark.
We got to Louth and waited for the empties to arrive. What usually happened, or really what should happen is that the trains meet and we just swap steam engines. We would pick up the train carrying about 54 empty wagons and the Immingham crew would then take the Iron Ore to eventually Scunthorpe, or Immingham.
Well the empties finally arrived. We changed over and the Driver just said that he had trouble with shortage of steam. They hurriedly got aboard our loaded train and were away.
I looked immediately at the steam pressure gauge and noticed that it was less than 100lbs. per square inch. It should have been over 150 lbs. psi. The water in the boiler was also dangerously low. I looked into the firebox and let out an expletive. Billy looked in and just said to me that we would get to the Signalbox and he would go and contact Control. These were the men who organised all.
I told Billy that I would attempt to clean the firebox a little while he was gone.
He called to me about 10 minutes later just to let me know he was coming aboard. I, in the meantime had emptied some of the clinkers from the firebox. Unfortunately with these steam engines the only way to remove clinkers was to empty them by the fire hole door. I had removed about 1cwt of clinkers and it did allow some air to circulate the firebox and gradually the steam pressure gauge began to move.
I asked my mate when he got aboard what had happened. He never had a sense of humour but his retort made me laugh.
He told me that when he went to the Signalbox he asked the Signalman to get in touch with Control. This he did and the voice at the other end listened to what Billy had to say. He informed Control that we would limp along to Boston where we would go into Boston Loco and give the firebox a good clean as it had not been done so for a while. Each time a journey is done, cleaning of a firebox is part of the work entailed to prepare the steam engine for the next outing.
Eventually Control had chance to say something and he asked Billy if the steam engine was 63923 where upon Billy replied"Guess again and you're wrong". I just burst out laughing as it tickled me.
Well we limped to Boston and true to their word, all was organised for us to go to the loco and while Billy filled the water tank up while I continued to clean the firebox. After about 30 minutes or so I told Billy that I thought all would be well now, so out we went again and picked up the empties, incidentally someone had informed the Guard what was happening. We the set off for Grantham and managed to get there without too much bother.
I said to Billy that I bet he was pleased that he had not got Jack G. as his fireman, he just looked and said that he would not have tried to get to Boston as Jack would not have been capable of doing anything.
To be honest it was an experience that I would not have missed at all, it was just experience for me.
We were relieved at Grantham, being on duty over 12 hours.
Finally nothing at all was said to us about the long delay we had. There were a few steam engines that had a bad name for being difficult engines to steam. 63923 was one of them and if too much coal was administered then trouble would occur. More soon.
Monday 20 May 2013
Colour Portfolio
I go to a sort of warehouse cum discount store. I have mentioned before that I met a guy who asked if I was a footplate man and I told him I was.
One day he gave me a leaflet with some Father's Day offers but this was after Father's Day. The offers were not available and as I am just on my basic State Pension I thought £23.99 plus postage was just too much to pay.
Well this year I have managed to save a little so I went online to see if the book was still available but of course I could not find it at all
Not to be daunted I decided to e-mail the Company and ask if the book was still in print. An immediate response was given and a link was also given for me to click on.
Sure enough the book was still there but surprise surprise the cost was not £23.99 as advertised but £12.99 plus postage. I immediately requested the book and paid I think a total of £15.45.
I didn't have to wait long, I think 4 days in total and considering it was over a week end I was pleased.
When the book arrived I immediately noticed that the advertised price on the book was indeed £23.99. So was very pleased indeed.
I opened the book and I couldn't believe it but on the first true page of pictures was an A4. that is a streak to anyone who knows about steam engines, the same as Mallard which holds the world record for speed. It was called Sir Nigel Gresley. Most were called after birds but a few were named after the Chief Engineers. The most unusual thing was that just behind the A4. was an old scruffy O2. These were known to all fooplatemen as Tangos This was I am reliably informed was because the Tango dance was introduced about the same time as the O2.s were introduced. These O2s. were hard working heavy goods locomotives and were a workhorse for moving Ironstone from the Grantham area to Immingham.
Now back to the photo, it was of 63923 and old well known steam engine that was known as a bad steamer.
I had been rostered with the Driver for about 4 months and we got on well. The first time he saw me he told me he would never complain about me. I told him that I hoped he would never have reason to complain. He then went on to explain. He unfortunately for him had been rostered with a guy called Jack G. He was not mentally stable and was eventually dismissed from British Railways, a most unusual event as hardly anyone was dismissed. The only time anyone would be dismissed was if they had a criminal record, this would be even if one was prosecuted for riding a cycle without lights.
Further to Jack G. He was issued with a green card which meant that you were no capable of holding a responsible job. He was given a job of road working for the Local Council road sweeping. Occasionally I would see him and I would ask how he was. His reply was always the same "Alright Matey". Not long after I left the Railway he was knocked down and was killed. Sad but true.
Will continue the story tomorrow.
One day he gave me a leaflet with some Father's Day offers but this was after Father's Day. The offers were not available and as I am just on my basic State Pension I thought £23.99 plus postage was just too much to pay.
Well this year I have managed to save a little so I went online to see if the book was still available but of course I could not find it at all
Not to be daunted I decided to e-mail the Company and ask if the book was still in print. An immediate response was given and a link was also given for me to click on.
Sure enough the book was still there but surprise surprise the cost was not £23.99 as advertised but £12.99 plus postage. I immediately requested the book and paid I think a total of £15.45.
I didn't have to wait long, I think 4 days in total and considering it was over a week end I was pleased.
When the book arrived I immediately noticed that the advertised price on the book was indeed £23.99. So was very pleased indeed.
I opened the book and I couldn't believe it but on the first true page of pictures was an A4. that is a streak to anyone who knows about steam engines, the same as Mallard which holds the world record for speed. It was called Sir Nigel Gresley. Most were called after birds but a few were named after the Chief Engineers. The most unusual thing was that just behind the A4. was an old scruffy O2. These were known to all fooplatemen as Tangos This was I am reliably informed was because the Tango dance was introduced about the same time as the O2.s were introduced. These O2s. were hard working heavy goods locomotives and were a workhorse for moving Ironstone from the Grantham area to Immingham.
Now back to the photo, it was of 63923 and old well known steam engine that was known as a bad steamer.
I had been rostered with the Driver for about 4 months and we got on well. The first time he saw me he told me he would never complain about me. I told him that I hoped he would never have reason to complain. He then went on to explain. He unfortunately for him had been rostered with a guy called Jack G. He was not mentally stable and was eventually dismissed from British Railways, a most unusual event as hardly anyone was dismissed. The only time anyone would be dismissed was if they had a criminal record, this would be even if one was prosecuted for riding a cycle without lights.
Further to Jack G. He was issued with a green card which meant that you were no capable of holding a responsible job. He was given a job of road working for the Local Council road sweeping. Occasionally I would see him and I would ask how he was. His reply was always the same "Alright Matey". Not long after I left the Railway he was knocked down and was killed. Sad but true.
Will continue the story tomorrow.
Thursday 16 May 2013
Still cold
Yesterday was a dull very cold day with the temperature not rising above 10c 50f all day.
There were pictures on Television of snow in several places. This is in the middle of May. I can recall my Mother telling me many years ago that she got up to a covering of snow in May but the sun shone and it was soon gone and she told me that it turned out to be a lovely day.
By the way, we did get some welcome rain the night before, not too much, in fact my water butts on my greenhouse did not get filled up completely but I do now have plenty of water once again.
Today I decided to dig a new potato up but I must admit that I was surprised and a little disappointed at the outcome. Almost no potatoes at all. In fact I had to feel round several tubers to get enough for a meal. I must admit though they tasted beautiful but I think it will be at least another week before I try once more to see if my new potatoes are ready.
My Best Pal called to see me on Tuesday and he did tell me that where he lived there had been lots of rain. I told him that I knew this because Derby was due to play cricket and only had an over of cricket when light rain came down, soon after the match was abandoned because the umpires had said that the ground could not take any more rain. I told my pal we have had next to no rain. He told me that he had noticed because he could get the car next to his caravan without any mud at all.
Today has been a much better day, not hard to beat yesterday though.
With the ground being wetter I decided to plant my runner beans out so let us hope we get no more frosts this season. More soon.
There were pictures on Television of snow in several places. This is in the middle of May. I can recall my Mother telling me many years ago that she got up to a covering of snow in May but the sun shone and it was soon gone and she told me that it turned out to be a lovely day.
By the way, we did get some welcome rain the night before, not too much, in fact my water butts on my greenhouse did not get filled up completely but I do now have plenty of water once again.
Today I decided to dig a new potato up but I must admit that I was surprised and a little disappointed at the outcome. Almost no potatoes at all. In fact I had to feel round several tubers to get enough for a meal. I must admit though they tasted beautiful but I think it will be at least another week before I try once more to see if my new potatoes are ready.
My Best Pal called to see me on Tuesday and he did tell me that where he lived there had been lots of rain. I told him that I knew this because Derby was due to play cricket and only had an over of cricket when light rain came down, soon after the match was abandoned because the umpires had said that the ground could not take any more rain. I told my pal we have had next to no rain. He told me that he had noticed because he could get the car next to his caravan without any mud at all.
Today has been a much better day, not hard to beat yesterday though.
With the ground being wetter I decided to plant my runner beans out so let us hope we get no more frosts this season. More soon.
Tuesday 14 May 2013
How times changed
When I first moved to the seaside to start my business. Mablethorpe was like most small sea side towns a sleepy small place.
The season was basically just 6 weeks with the usual Easter and Spring Bank Holiday being a bonus.
Golden Sands opened I think 2 weeks before Easter and closed the 15th of September or thereabouts. Owners were allowed to go on site for a further 2 weeks but by the end of September it was closed down completely.
The two caravan sites that stayed open longest were Sutton Springs, not really a caravan site but static caravans and the site at Maltby-le-Marsh called The Willows. Both these sites used to open on March 15th or thereabouts and close on October 15th. each year.
To try to extend the season a little, well this is what I was told and honestly believed it was to have a Carnival. This was always from the first week in September and lasted for a week culminating with a Grand Parade on a Saturday.
the floats were numerous and youngsters had bands of sorts. There were also individuals, Sid on his horse and a man who dressed up as Old Mother Riley. He was very good indeed.
the first time I saw him was when he came in for a meal before the Parade. He came in for several years. One year I went and had a few words with him and he told me he did this for Charity.
I was pleased that I went out a few years later for as I asked him how he was, he told me that he reluctantly had decided that this was the last year he would be here. He was hanging up his boots.
Little did he, or I know that the Carnival was very soon move from the first week in September to the middle of August. This the Committee said was to allow the school children to partake in the fun and competitions for the week.
However like most other Carnivals, they are a dying event.
By the way, RAIN is forecast tonight bringing some welcome rain to the Farmers and Gardeners. This was told by the local Weather man. I think he may well be right as it looks like rain. More soon.
The season was basically just 6 weeks with the usual Easter and Spring Bank Holiday being a bonus.
Golden Sands opened I think 2 weeks before Easter and closed the 15th of September or thereabouts. Owners were allowed to go on site for a further 2 weeks but by the end of September it was closed down completely.
The two caravan sites that stayed open longest were Sutton Springs, not really a caravan site but static caravans and the site at Maltby-le-Marsh called The Willows. Both these sites used to open on March 15th or thereabouts and close on October 15th. each year.
To try to extend the season a little, well this is what I was told and honestly believed it was to have a Carnival. This was always from the first week in September and lasted for a week culminating with a Grand Parade on a Saturday.
the floats were numerous and youngsters had bands of sorts. There were also individuals, Sid on his horse and a man who dressed up as Old Mother Riley. He was very good indeed.
the first time I saw him was when he came in for a meal before the Parade. He came in for several years. One year I went and had a few words with him and he told me he did this for Charity.
I was pleased that I went out a few years later for as I asked him how he was, he told me that he reluctantly had decided that this was the last year he would be here. He was hanging up his boots.
Little did he, or I know that the Carnival was very soon move from the first week in September to the middle of August. This the Committee said was to allow the school children to partake in the fun and competitions for the week.
However like most other Carnivals, they are a dying event.
By the way, RAIN is forecast tonight bringing some welcome rain to the Farmers and Gardeners. This was told by the local Weather man. I think he may well be right as it looks like rain. More soon.
Friday 10 May 2013
A little rain
I must admit that yesterday early evening we did get some rain. Just how much is debatable. I think it put about 1" in my water butts and just about dampened the ground. By mid morning you could not tell that we had any rain at all but we must be grateful for very small mercies.
With the severe gales the rain made a mess of my window ledges and weather boards but with a damp cloth soon cleaned them so they look good again.
I just started to pick the odd asparagus with the recent warm weather but they have now steadied up so that means I will have to wait a little longer for my first vegetables of the season. This also will mean a short delay to my New Potatoes. I asked my mate in early January to get some Arran Pilot and Pentland Javelin seed potatoes. This he did, the Arran Pilot are doing great, certainly I have noticed the difference from last year I am pleased I bought a new lot of seed potatoes the Pentland Javelin are at least a couple of weeks behind Arran Pilot and they too are first earlies. They look healthy enough though. To be honest I have found and indeed told all who are interested that Arran Pilot are the best new potatoes to sow for this sort of soil.
The weather forecast is also none too good, mainly dull with showers and a strong wind with it feeling cool. My C.H. was once again on this morning and almost certain will be on this week end. Roll on Summer. More soon.
With the severe gales the rain made a mess of my window ledges and weather boards but with a damp cloth soon cleaned them so they look good again.
I just started to pick the odd asparagus with the recent warm weather but they have now steadied up so that means I will have to wait a little longer for my first vegetables of the season. This also will mean a short delay to my New Potatoes. I asked my mate in early January to get some Arran Pilot and Pentland Javelin seed potatoes. This he did, the Arran Pilot are doing great, certainly I have noticed the difference from last year I am pleased I bought a new lot of seed potatoes the Pentland Javelin are at least a couple of weeks behind Arran Pilot and they too are first earlies. They look healthy enough though. To be honest I have found and indeed told all who are interested that Arran Pilot are the best new potatoes to sow for this sort of soil.
The weather forecast is also none too good, mainly dull with showers and a strong wind with it feeling cool. My C.H. was once again on this morning and almost certain will be on this week end. Roll on Summer. More soon.
Thursday 9 May 2013
Cooler
This morning for the first time in a few days my Central Heating cut in. I have it on all the year round so if it is cool the C.H automatically comes on.
With the cool weather came the wind, very strong and rain is forecast. I will believe that when I see rain because rain has been forecast for several days but here we have had nothing at all.
Yesterday I went to open my gates and noticed that the gate had dropped. I had to lift it to open the gates. I then took a closer look and saw that one of the screws holding the gate had broken. My mate had fixed the gate properly but unfortunately I supplied the screws and I guess neither of us would have given it a thought about the strength or in this case the weakness. The screw bit was left in the wall. The screw had just snapped near the wall.
Anyway I asked my neighbour if he could have a look. Immediately he told me that it was not practicable to drill out the screw bit but thought a strap would be O.K. He then told me he would look to find one as he was sure he had one somewhere.
I was in the garden about an hour later when he called me over. He showed me a strap and it looked good and strong. He then told me that he would come round in about an hour but he would have to use my electric as the power needed was not sufficient for his rechargeable.
I went out the front about an hour later to fine him just coming round. He had everything ready, I plugged his extension cable in while he marked the places to drill. Drilled the holes put the plugs in then fitted the strap and screwed the strap up tight. It took no more than 5 minutes and didn't charge me for a thing which was nice. So now once again I have my gates back to normal. They look as good as they did when my mate fixed them so I am keeping my fingers crossed. More soon.
With the cool weather came the wind, very strong and rain is forecast. I will believe that when I see rain because rain has been forecast for several days but here we have had nothing at all.
Yesterday I went to open my gates and noticed that the gate had dropped. I had to lift it to open the gates. I then took a closer look and saw that one of the screws holding the gate had broken. My mate had fixed the gate properly but unfortunately I supplied the screws and I guess neither of us would have given it a thought about the strength or in this case the weakness. The screw bit was left in the wall. The screw had just snapped near the wall.
Anyway I asked my neighbour if he could have a look. Immediately he told me that it was not practicable to drill out the screw bit but thought a strap would be O.K. He then told me he would look to find one as he was sure he had one somewhere.
I was in the garden about an hour later when he called me over. He showed me a strap and it looked good and strong. He then told me that he would come round in about an hour but he would have to use my electric as the power needed was not sufficient for his rechargeable.
I went out the front about an hour later to fine him just coming round. He had everything ready, I plugged his extension cable in while he marked the places to drill. Drilled the holes put the plugs in then fitted the strap and screwed the strap up tight. It took no more than 5 minutes and didn't charge me for a thing which was nice. So now once again I have my gates back to normal. They look as good as they did when my mate fixed them so I am keeping my fingers crossed. More soon.
Tuesday 7 May 2013
Hi Speed
The Canary has not been around for several days so I expect that unfortunately it has been killed or perhaps recaptured. Let us hope it is the latter.
Most unusual is that the weather behaved it's self this week end. I hope all the Seasonal Businesses did well. The weather certainly has helped my vegetables in the greenhouse. My New Potatoes are in bud, well some of them anyway, also there is an odd flower on my tomatoes. Just as well really as my old potatoes have just about gone. I had lots go bad but I do have enough for a week or so.
With the weather being warmer, although we still have the easterly wind, I decided to give my plastic guttering and facias a general Spring clean. I did the front of the property on Saturday and did the rear yesterday. The rear was much worse than the front but to be honest they look good once more. Much easier and quicker than painting.
There is supposed to be a change in the weather over the coming days, rain has been promised and here near the East Coast we certainly need a good nights rain. Not just me but the farmers too. I need it to replenish my water butts as they are getting a little low. We will wait and see. More soon.
Thursday 2 May 2013
Slow connection
For quite some time I have had a slow connection, approximately 2mgs. per second. Well yesterday afternoon I contacted my ISP again and confirmed that as far as I knew nothing untoward was at fault my end. They asked me once more to do a line check. Sure enough it was a fraction of 2mgs. The guy then asked me to hold on while he did a check. After a minute or so he came back and told me that from their end it was showing 8mgs and to my router 7mgs so I should be getting that. I told him I have never had more than 4.5mgs. Anyway he told me that someone would be contacting me within 72 hours.
Today I had mail from them stating that everything had been sorted and that all should be back to normal within 24 hours. I will believe this if, or when it happens.
When my mate called the bird stayed away, I must admit that it hasn't been around so often these last few days but this afternoon I was pulling up some dead stuff in my garden when I looked up and saw the canary feeding happily. This was about 8 feet away from me. I decided not to move and it just kept feeding ignoring me completely, sometimes turning it's back on me. I was beginning to wonder if it would ever move when after about 5 minutes it just flew away. I guess it had it's fill. Even with my poor eyesight I could see that my American friend was 100% correct with his description and I had a good view of it.
It was obvious to me that it was a caged bird that had escaped because it was far more used to be among humans than the wild birds here. They are certainly very wild. The only time they get a little more brave is when they are feeding their young. In the winter the Robin may come down when I am filling the bird feeders, if I stay still it will grab a bit of food and flee. More soon.
Today I had mail from them stating that everything had been sorted and that all should be back to normal within 24 hours. I will believe this if, or when it happens.
When my mate called the bird stayed away, I must admit that it hasn't been around so often these last few days but this afternoon I was pulling up some dead stuff in my garden when I looked up and saw the canary feeding happily. This was about 8 feet away from me. I decided not to move and it just kept feeding ignoring me completely, sometimes turning it's back on me. I was beginning to wonder if it would ever move when after about 5 minutes it just flew away. I guess it had it's fill. Even with my poor eyesight I could see that my American friend was 100% correct with his description and I had a good view of it.
It was obvious to me that it was a caged bird that had escaped because it was far more used to be among humans than the wild birds here. They are certainly very wild. The only time they get a little more brave is when they are feeding their young. In the winter the Robin may come down when I am filling the bird feeders, if I stay still it will grab a bit of food and flee. More soon.
Wednesday 1 May 2013
Confirmation
My mate called today and it is sods law he didn't see the bird which is now confirmed as a Canary.
To be honest the bird has not been here as much as it has in recent days but after my mate left I potted up some plug plants which arrived while he was here, after that I got onto my ISP because of my speed is rather slow. After asking me to check my download speed again he told me that it was not what they would expect me to get. He suggested 7megs. I think that is optimistic as I have never had that speed.
When he told me to go and check my speed he told me which site he wished me to go on. I asked him whatever had happened to speedtester as it had been withdrawn. He told me that this was because of the heavy load and the website collapsed. Anyway he confirmed that they would do some investigations and would contact me within 3 days. We will wait and see.
After that I went online and ordered a book and turned off the computer. I was about to go outside when I saw the Canary. I immediately turned on the computer again and e-mailed my mate with the news. At least it is still about and that is the main thing.
I must thank my American friend for the information that the bird was probably a Canary, as always he is correct and I am grateful for the help he has given me. These last few days has been good for solar power but today has been a little less than previous days, it seems that constant sunshine is not quite as good as mainly sunny weather but it is still good.
My Best Pal gave me a local paper with an advert in offering to fit solar panels at a reasonable price. It also gave the latest FIT tariff. over 14p per Kw. hour much more than I would have expected. I have told my neighbour and the Postman, my mate is going to mention it to his Partner. To me it is a very good investment. It is up to those to make their mind up though. More soon.
To be honest the bird has not been here as much as it has in recent days but after my mate left I potted up some plug plants which arrived while he was here, after that I got onto my ISP because of my speed is rather slow. After asking me to check my download speed again he told me that it was not what they would expect me to get. He suggested 7megs. I think that is optimistic as I have never had that speed.
When he told me to go and check my speed he told me which site he wished me to go on. I asked him whatever had happened to speedtester as it had been withdrawn. He told me that this was because of the heavy load and the website collapsed. Anyway he confirmed that they would do some investigations and would contact me within 3 days. We will wait and see.
After that I went online and ordered a book and turned off the computer. I was about to go outside when I saw the Canary. I immediately turned on the computer again and e-mailed my mate with the news. At least it is still about and that is the main thing.
I must thank my American friend for the information that the bird was probably a Canary, as always he is correct and I am grateful for the help he has given me. These last few days has been good for solar power but today has been a little less than previous days, it seems that constant sunshine is not quite as good as mainly sunny weather but it is still good.
My Best Pal gave me a local paper with an advert in offering to fit solar panels at a reasonable price. It also gave the latest FIT tariff. over 14p per Kw. hour much more than I would have expected. I have told my neighbour and the Postman, my mate is going to mention it to his Partner. To me it is a very good investment. It is up to those to make their mind up though. More soon.
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