Carried away

These are the first runner beans I have had from my polytunnel. I guess I will have about a dozen meals off them in total, so well worth sowing.
 I am a little late posting this as I was carried away, I make the heat an excuse.

I dug up a couple of roots of potatoes in my polytunnel so that I could sow a few more broad beans for later in the year. The 6 or so red potatoes are self setters and I don't know what variety they are. They are white after boiling.
 The shallots are mainly from the greenhouse, normally they are ready after the longest day of the year but as this year has been cold I think it will be another week before the outdoor ones are ready to be lifted.
 Incidentally the potatoes were Foremost, my Postman uses them, I can understand why because they are more prolific than Arran Pilot but what you gain in volume you certainly lose in taste. They are rather tasteless to me. 
 My mate rung me up last night informing me that he is in the process of changing his ISP so will not be online for a few days. It is certainly a lot better deal than his old provider. He asked if the gates were working well. I told him they would definitely last me my lifetime. I did tell him that the cucumber plant was still in it's infancy, maybe it is a late developer.
  It was my Birthday yesterday another yeas. closer to the 80 mark. Over the next 4 weeks I am either at the local Surgery, having my eyes tested, going to the Outpatients Department in Louth or having my annual Diabetes eye screening. Such is life. More soon.

Old times

Yesterday I had the first taste of runner beans this year. They were out of the polytunnel. The photos show that I will have a few more meals. It is the first time I have set them in the Spring, I tried it for the first time last year in the Autumn. I hope to take a photo of some pick beans to show how they are.
 I was talking about the health Service in my last blog. It bought to mind what happened to me many years ago. It was in the early 70s.
 I had cause to go to see my G.P. who has now died. In fact he died many years ago. His name was Dr. Ken Firth. He was the old fashioned type, mind you most were in the 70s. I went to his Surgery about 9.20am. He never arrived there until 9.30am. In those days after the morning Surgery the G.Ps. went out on their rounds to visit patients who could not get to the Surgery. Soon after 9.30am. he appeared. I was standing outside the Surgery because it was full. When he walked up he looked at me and uttered theses words. "Christ all bloody mighty". He then entered his consulting room. It was not all that long a wait before it was my turn. I gave him the good news that I was the last patient for him to see. He then told me he didn't mind seeing me at all as I was a rare patient and only came to see him when something was wrong. I let him know that I could hardly move with my back. He just felt round the rear and informed me that I had Fibrositis and he would give me a prescription to take to Benny Knowles. He was the chemist although he was well known I didn't know him personally.
 Before I left the Dr. told me that the Surgery was full because of the Women using it as a meeting place while the Bingo Hall opened at 10.00am. He informed me all they wanted was aspirin's on the NHS and if they were charged £1 for a consultation, the Surgery would be near empty.
 Off I went to the Chemist, it was Benny himself who took my prescription off me, had a quick look then told me he would do that for me while I waited. Less than a minute later he came back with a largish tin. The size from what I could remember was about the Tate and Lyle Golden Syrup tin. He handed it to me and told me that he had given me the tin that the tablets came in and that there were a few extra. He told me that there was enough extra for when I had another attack of Fibrositis. Incidentally I never had another attack. I kept the tin until I left in 1993. I wish I had kept the tin. I am sure the tablets were made by Giegy or Geigy. What I did know is that each tablet was large. This was how it was in a sleepy seaside Town out of the main Season. Remember it was in the early 70s well over 40 years ago.
 The young man from next door called for a short time today, he told me he had been to the Doctors and they told him he has a weak heart. He has to go for blood tests, something the petrifies him. He will know more after these tests. HE then told me his Parents had weak hearts. Anyway I will eventually get to know all eventually. More soon.

Nothing like Summer

On Saturday the young man from next door came round for a meal. I had promised him a taste of garden peas. He came round a little before 11.00am. so I took him into the polytunnel to dig up a few new potatoes. What surprised me was the amount I got from one potato. certainly enough for at least a week for me and that includes the meal we had.
 I had something of a surprise yesterday as I had my monthly invoice from PlusNet my ISP. I saw that I had been charged for a call I certainly didn't make so after trying to resolve it online, rung my ISP. I had to wait about 10 minutes or so, it didn't bother me as it is a Freephone number. Eventually I got through to a young  Lady. I told her that I had been charged for a telephone number that I didn't recognise and it was something like 118800. I asked her what the number was and she told me it was directory enquiries. I then informed her that I didn't use the phone much and if she had my account she would notice this. She admitted that this was the case and she would go to see her Manager. After a  minute or less she was back and informed me that I would be refunded as the Manager believed me, also I was a good customer. I then told her that I liked the Company as they were always helpful whenever I rung them. Anyway it was worth the call as it was £3 charge to call Directory Enquiries.
 On Friday I received a letter from my Surgery asking me to ring them. I didn't bother but went this morning to see the receptionist. I took the letter with me and the receptionist was thankful I had done so. I naturally thought it was what the Nurses call an annual MOT. This is for a blood test and other related things regarding my Diabetes. This actually was not so, what it was according to the receptionist was an Annual review as to my medication. I was somewhat shocked as I told her I had been registered at the Surgery since 1998 and this was the first time I have ever been requested to discuss my medication. I thought it was a pity that it hadn't happened 15 years ago as I would almost certainly not have contracted Diabetes. I than suggested to her that we would do my annual Diabetes check at the same time, she agreed. I then asked her what was going on as A Doctor who told me he had never heard such utter rubbish was  now only an associate  G.P.  and the Practice Manager was someone new. Also the Dr  Irene Carter was not on the list so I presumes she had retired. She was certainly the best G.P there.  She  told me she had and that the Doctor mentioned was an associate as he only now worked 2 days a week. What a life for G.Ps. He has been there about 12 years and can afford to work part time.
 Anyway I have an appointment for next Tuesday. I took an old appointment card with me to save money. When I handed it to her she laughed and told me that I had just saved a tree. I joking said probably a twig. Actually she was vey nice and helpful.
 These last few days have been more like early April than late June. Today again my Central heating has been on, needless to say we haven't seen the sun at all and it is cold. Earlier it was just 12c.. Mind you I have a few runner beans almost ready in the polytunnel. I hope to post a photo tomorrow to show how they ate progressing.
 I saw the next door neighbour and he told me his runner beans were not growing. I said to him it was not just him, I rung my Brother-in Law up on Saturday, hoping to have a word with my Sister and he mentioned his runner beans were poor. Mine are also looking poor, those I have set outside. I had rung him up hoping to speak to my Sister because she informed me that ASDA was now doing eye tests and their glasses were cheaper than Spec-savers. Anyway she has made an appointment for me on Thursday July 9th. Let's hope all is well. More soon.

Tired

These photos show how the gates were fitted. I certainly would not have had any idea had it not been for my mate. It was his idea to have the plates welded so that they could take the weight of the gates. He also suggested that we measure every step to make sure that all was in the correct position. Certainly with his brain and my small input of brawn these gates are the best they have been. When they were originally fitted the design was not the best and the weight gradually made them sag, now to me they are perfect and will certainly last me my lifetime.
 I had was going to post this blog yesterday but to be frank, I was just too tired to do it. I got up around 6.30am. prepared the main meal after having a shower etc. Had breakfast then set off to pick him up at Skegness. We did a little shopping then we went and fetched the plates from his home, I decided to have a quick look at his garden, in particular his cucumber plants. They were fantastic and put mine to shame. Well to be honest, my plant, incidentally he gave me is a very very poor plant and no comparison can be made. When he gave me the plant it was the best he had got. I then looked at his broad beans, his are poor in relation to mine but at least he will have a taste of broad beans. I gave him those broad beans in pots so they were the same as mine that I set at home. Whether I get any cucumbers off mine is much of a guess. His broad beans are smothered by many strawberry plants many of which have fruits on. I hope his Partner likes strawberries because there will be far too many for one to eat.
 We set off for my home and when we arrived we had a quick cuppa, while it was brewing I showed him my cucumber plant, he admitted it was such a poor plant but I live in hopes. I did show him my peas in the polytunnel and informed him that I had over 7lb of peas off the row which was only 7' maximum. I can now reveal that this afternoon I pulled the peas up and have finished with just over 8lb of peas, well pleased with that.
 After the tea break we started and it took a little more than an hour to get the job done. I then cooked the meal which we ate around 1.00pm. Soon after 2.00pm. I took him back to his home and left getting back around 4.00pm.
 I am definitely beginning to feel my age as I find it more tiring to potter for a complete day. My recovery time is taking longer. Still I am highly delighted with what we managed to do yesterday. More soon.

Peas

I was going to write yesterday but the young man from next door came round to see me late yesterday afternoon. He had been painting some of the pigeon lofts they have there.
 He wanted to see how the garden was looking, also eventually he wished me to look at the ditch at the end of my plot. We decided to climb over and we walked along a little and then I noticed that he had cleared the ditch so that when the wind is in the right direction they will have a large bonfire.
 He also told me he was looking forward to Saturday when I am giving him a meal consisting of sausages, new potatoes, peas out of the polytunnel and asparagus. Incidentally the peas which were no longer than 7' or more likely 2 metres in length have produced more than 7lb of peas. There are just a few more on but all in all I am delighted with the volume of produce.
 While he was round mine the people who look after him shouted to say they were going to the shops. This meant that he would be staying at mine. I didn't realise that it would take so long as it was almost 6.00pm. when he left and then I had to get my teatime meal which I try to have at 4.30pm
 I don't know if I mentioned it but I set a few runner beans in my polytunnel. They are coming on nicely and hopefully within a week I will be able to have a few meals off them. My broad beans are also filling up nicely and should be ready about the same time as the runner beans.
 Tomorrow, I once more have to go and collect my mate from Skegness. It is an eternity since he broke his elbow. I think it was November last year.  Anyway he will, with my limited assistance fix the gates so hopefully I will take a few photos just to show what solution he has come up with. It certainly looks a great idea. Let us hope it is a nice day tomorrow. More soon.

One less Magpie

These photos were taken the same time as the last ones I posted. The lettuce has been good but the strawberries apart from the one I have shown have been rather small but I must admit that they are at least a couple of weeks ahead of outdoor fruit.
 This morning I looked out soon after 7.30am to think od feeding the birds. I couldn't believe my eyes for in the fruit cage, which I thought I had made bird proof there were 2 magpies flying around. Incidentally the length is around 18 paces but the width is only about 4 paces, so quite a large area. As soon as I went in they went mad trying to escape. I eventually managed to corner both of them and hit one which let out a squeal and laid motionless the other one managed to escape. I was not surprised to see that a couple of magpies because it is widely known that if you gat a magpie catcher and manage to capture a bird, without fail another will join it.
 When I checked to see the magpie it was dead, that makes it magpie1 a garden bird 1. It is most unusual for anyone to catch a magpie as they are so
timid.
As for my fruit garden I have a lot of greenfly and have to spray daily, so much so that I have had to prune many branches on my plum trees. The Czar plum is badly affected that I will not be getting any fruit off the tree this year. The other plum should produce a few fruits though.
My apple tree s are also suffering, mainly from Woolly Aphids. I have made up a mixture that I took from the Internet so hopefully I will have some control of this attack. More soon.

Thieving Magpie?

I took this photo because the late evening sun was shining on the offshore wind farm about 3 miles from my home. The sea being some 2 miles plus. If you can zoom in you can just make out the propellers.

  These are my garden peas grown in the polytunnel. They grow to a height of around 5ft. Everything grows larger in the polytunnel. Unfortunately with no wind they do not get the strength in the stems and soon after this photo was taken, they started to collapse a little so had to shore them up. Mind yo it was well worth it, so far I have had 3lb. of peas and I guess another 2lb will be gathered. Incidentally they taste great.
Now to the title of my latest blog. Magpies have I think one of the keenest eyes of all the birds except the prey birds. Magpies are like blackbirds really. Blackbirds are destructive, they pull up all small plants gardeners set, they eat worms which are good for gardens, they also eat all fruit that is not protected and finally peck the apples on my fruit trees.
 Magpies on the other hand are devious. I had the tale that  they eat the eggs if they find a birds nest and will eat the chicks if given the chance.
Yesterday around 5.30pm. I saw this magpie and went to investigate. I was in the T.V. room and it has patio doors and leads to my sitting room so the Magpie didn't see me. As soon as I moved into the sitting room it took off, not before I had noticed that it had trapped a small bird and was about to eat it. Incidentally the bird was a Tree Sparrow, similar to a House Sparrow but a fraction smaller. I went to pick the bird up but unfortunately it was dead. The Magpie had definitely killed the small bird as it was still warm.
 These Magpies have been around lately because I think the large house next door the Owners sling bread out for the birds and I have seen the odd Crow around also. Needless to say if I see any Magpies I show myself and off they fly. More soon.

A days work

The other day the young man who lives next door and has learning difficulties came to see me with a request. He asked me if I would water the tomato plants on Wednesday as he was going to Respite till the week end. He came round a couple of days later informing me that it was Thursday he wished me to water the plants.
 I was filling my watering can up when I heard my name called from next door. It was the Lady of the house asking me if I would do the honours for Thursday night, shutting the chickens up, then on Friday(today) feed the cats and let the chickens out.
 I normally get up early in the Summer months and this morning was no different. I looked out early on and could see that the weather was not promising so I went out early, well before 7.30am. to let the chickens out and feed the cats. I went into the garage where she had told me there were cat pouches and all I had to do was empty them. I know I am getting old but I looked all over for some dish to put the cat food in but could see none. What I did was make a little area with some bricks and put one pouch there. There was a cat home there for one which they generally see that one cat sleeps there at night. Anyway I just emptied the cat food there. Off I went to let the chickens out also topping up with chicken feed. I went and let the chickens out and put some more feed in the trough. I then went back to the garage to lock up. To my surprise one of the cats was eating the food where I had made the area so I was pleased. I walked round to the front door, there I saw the dishes which I should have placed the feed. I did no more than pick one of the dishes up, walk to where I had put the pouch in the cat home, picked it up as best I could then took it round the front and went home.
 Just in time really for about 10 minutes later we had a sharp torrential downpour with several claps of thunder a some lightening. This only lasted for about 10 minutes but for a while we had some steady rain. Around 9.30am. it cleared up.
 Soon after 10.00am. I went to give the chickens a treat with some of my bird food. I checked the place that I had made for the cat food, all was eaten and the dish had been mostly eaten so I was well satisfied. I went to give the chickens their treat then noticed the fella who has a loft on next doors property. We had a few words and he told me that they would be back early in the afternoon as he had to register for the race which was tomorrow(Saturday). He told me that he was sending his birds to Eastbourne, I remarked that this was as far as they could go in this Country. He agreed but the following week he was sending some birds to France. As for the Owners they are in a different federation and they were going to send their birds the other way, to Whitby. We talked for a further 5 or so minutes then I went back home. Incidentally I watered the plants in their greenhouse on Thursday evening. I went to see if the chickens were ready to be shut in and to my surprise they were roosting, this was about 9.30pm. way before it got dark, mind you it suited me.
 Around 1.00pm. I noticed the pigeons were out flying so I knew they were back so I went round and took them the key. Incidentally they had been to Newark and had no rain there at all.
  It is nice to know that somebody reads my blog and will do my best to keep writing as long as I can.
 Lastly for now, I have Windows 8 and yesterday I was offered the chance to upgrade to Windows 10. I answered the offer and they sent me an e-mail informing me that around the end of July they would be contacting me with the details of how to upgrade. Will be interesting. More soon.

Very short

I don't know just how long I will be able to continue with my blog because I get several notes informing me that there is a problem. I close this warning and eventually get to the site. To be honest I think the site wishes me to use google chrome which is very small print and I have difficulty  reading the contents.
 These last few days have been nothing like late May and early June. The winds have been gale force and the rain persistent. The good thing is that all of my water butts are full.
 The young Man from next door has been calling round, he his pleased with the progress his tomato plants have made. So much so, that he called today with a couple of things. The first was to ask if I would water his plants from Thursday for a couple of days, also he wished to show mw what he had done. He was happy to tell me that he had tied the tomato plants to the canes and secondly he wished me to see if he had taken off all the side shoots. He had a big smile when I informed him they were perfect and no side shoots were there.
 On Wednesday he is going to respite until the week end. His carers are going to a wedding so I will be working once again but only for a couple of days. That is, letting the chickens out, feeding them and closing them up in the evening. It will certainly be a lot warmer than it was in late November, early December which was very cold and windy.
 Went to have my quarterly blood test this morning. I saw one of the regulars she was pleased to see me and I asked her for another blood form which she readily gave me. She did tell me that the time between each appointment was 7 minutes soon reducing to 5 minutes. I just told her that her hands would be going like bees wings which she heartily laughed. Anyway I left her with a smile on her face. More soon.