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.
Thursday, 16 May 2013
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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