Archive for the ‘house’ Category

Baa Baa Black Sheep

Saturday, June 21st, 2008

I’ve heard rumours that the nursery ryhme Baa Baa Black Sheep has had it’s words changed in nursery and pre-schools, and the children sing Rainbow or Multi-coloured sheep instead of the words “Black Sheep”.

So in my quest, I have found a true Black Sheep. Click the photograph for more Black Sheep photographs. This sheep is the Hebridean.

Black Sheep
The Hebridean Sheep. The animals are entirely black, though the fleece usually goes grey with age. Lambs may have a dark brown appearance because the tips of the fleece have been bleached by the sun.

This is nothing to do with Black Sheep Ale which is also very good just up the road at Masham. Did you know there is also a breed of sheep called the Masham?

Mega Upload!

Saturday, June 21st, 2008

The problem with memory prices falling for digital cameras, is you end up with pictures all over the place, I’ve now successfully collated all the pictures of the cats from the two digital cameras we have, as they are no longer kittens anymore and uploaded them all to the web. I’ve uploaded approximately 300 new pictures, at approx 500MegaBytes!

They are located here:-

Angus and Tilda at play in the garden

Esther hiding under a branch

The Cats

Life Begins at 40!

Sunday, June 15th, 2008

I was actually 40 last November, Lindsey booked me a surprise Balloon Flight for my 40th Birthday, but unfortunately, it was cancelled due to bad weather. But we successfully had our Balloon Flight today. More on that later. But it remind me to upload these photographs taken when we visited The Yorkshire Sculpture Park on my 40th Birthday to view the artists Andy Goldsworthy Exibition. I really like his sculptures. Have a look at some of the secret photographs I took of his work! Note not all the photographs are of his work, I’m sure you be able to work out which ones!

Andy Goldsworthy

Yorkshire Sculpture Park November 2007

No Clothes!

Friday, June 13th, 2008

Our washing machine has broken, it’s the end of an era, our Ariston AF883 has lasted us 12 years, without breaking down. We originally paid £200 for it. As the Ariston advert said, they go on and on and on!

It’s taken me over two weeks to find somewhere to deliver a new washing machine on the day I want, and remove the old unit.

Our local Euronics store Eric Lee (Electrical) Ltd had stock, guaranteed a delivery date and time, and would remove the old unit for free.

When I arrived home from work today, early at 4.10pm, the new washing machine had been delivered, the old unit, was already in the back of the van, and the delivery men were waiting for me to check over the washing machine, they did offer to install for free, but have a look at the picture and you’ll see the complication!

Washing Machine 1
A new Zanussi-Electrolux ZWF12070 washing machine in box! It has a 6kg drum, Delay start, cold fill, and is rated AAB. I hope it lasts 12 years with no breakdowns!

Washing Machine 2
Umm, it’s bigger than the old one! Spot the bread knife to cut a larger hole!

Front Garden Border in early June 2008

Thursday, June 12th, 2008

A little warmth, and lots of rain, and the border comes to life.

Front Garden Border in Early June No.1
We’ve planted a few more plants to fill the border.

Front Garden Border in Early June No.2

Front Garden Border in Early June No.3

Front Garden Border in Early June No.4
There are three different Heuchera Plants, that have grown very well in our alkaline soil.

Kune Kune Pigs

Friday, May 9th, 2008

These belong to a colleague at work, who lives a mile from my house! Don’t worry, we are not creating a Pet-ing Zoo!

Kune Kune Pigs

Click Here for more Kune Kune photographs

It’s Snowing Again!!!

Sunday, April 6th, 2008

Proof!!! It does snow where we live!!! Weather is crazy at present!!! The Magnolia tree and the daffs in the garden have had a shock with this recently cold weather!

Front Garden at the beginning of April 2008

Saturday, April 5th, 2008

Front Garden in Early Spring No.1
The daffs have come up earlier this year.

Front Garden in Early Spring No.2
this is the daffs second year in bloom. They were freshly planted when we moved in in 2006.

Front Garden in Early Spring No.3
Magnolia just in flower.

Front Garden in Early Spring No.4

Front Garden Border in Early Spring
this was the new border created last year in 2007. It looks empty!

Garlic Bread?

Sunday, February 17th, 2008

Garlic Bread? Garlic… bread? Garlic? And bread? Am I hearing you right? Garlic bread? – Peter Kay

A friend visited the Isle of Wight last year, and brought me back some Garlic for planting from the The Garlic Farm. Many Thanks – Paul.

I love garlic, and it should do well, in our heavy clay soil, dug from the garden, I didn’t think it was growing, but since these frosty snaps, it’s come on very well.

I think I’ve planted Solent Wight and Purple Heritage. I’m sure I’ll be corrected, if this is wrong!

Keeps the vampires at bay!

Garlic
Solent Wight and Purple Heritage Garlic in 18″ pots = heavy!

Fresh Vegetables, Fresh Vegetables!

Sunday, February 17th, 2008

Time for a quick blog. Tomatos from 2007 were a disaster, all of them made Green Tomato chutney, very few ripened, because we didn’t have the hot weather, it was very late, when the sun arrived, in September/October 2007. In preparation for this Summer, I’ve been planting my seeds earlier, Chilli Plants are in courtesy of Kew Gardens and today I planted the first of the Tomato seeds, I’ve stuck with some successful seeds and plants, I’ve had good results in the past Gardener’s Delight and Money Maker Tomato. Moneymaker is a very heavy cropper, and Gardener’s delight is a cherry variety (not many of these make it to the table, I eat them off the vine in the greenhouse!). All the others selected are an experiment. I planted the first 120 seeds, but my compost was frozen solid, so I’ll have to wait until it defrosts in the greenhouse, for use next weekend.

Here are the variety’s I’m planting this year….if you want to trade just let me know….send me your trades…!

costoluto fiorentino tomatoe
Costoluto Fiorentino Tomato

gardener's delight
Gardener’s Delight Tomato

golden sunrise
Golden Sunrise Tomato

red pear
Red Pear Tomato

san marzano 2
San Marzano 2 Tomato

tigerella
Tigerella Tomato

Chilli Seeds
Chilli Fruits, I don’t know what these chilli plants they came off, other than there were at Kew Gardens! At the Chilli Festival 2007!