Dog update.

Its very hard to take good photos of Troubs when we're walking so this is an older pic. I was out with both dogs at 7:30 this morning so that we could avoid the heat. We were still overheated when we got home.

Trouble is now three years old and much more grown up. She is very well behaved in the house and on walks (apart from the dog aggression-that's still there) her coat is very thick and soft and she loves to snuggle with you on the sofa. She is a dog of contradictions as she hates the heat and won't do anything while its hot... But she loves to sunbathe. 

She still takes good care of the chickens (all eight of them) the cat, Niche and her humans. She's the most loving dog I've ever had.

Niche is going to be fourteen in July. She's become unsteady on her legs and grumpy but she still loves her walks and she loves Trouble and her humans. For some reason she has stopped liking the cat, which is sad because the cat adores her. Her hearing is shot and her mind isn't as sharp as it once was but she's still Niche.

Today was glorious

I went to the allotment again this evening. I’m slowly chipping away at it. I strimmed my main paths and some of the more nettle filled paths of my neighbours plot so she isn’t stung.


















 I started to build one of the two low tunnels I intend to make but had to stop when my electric screwdriver ran out of power.












 I did some more weeding and planted half a bed with onions both planted separately and in clumps. I look forward to seeing which do the best.

I also added some onion clumps to gaps in the garlic bed.

I also found time to just sit and listen to the birds and to finalise this years planting plan. I’m doing things slightly different from previous years as I am attempting to plant more things together and more closely spaced. I also hope to fit in more flowers and have more fun with it all.

I hope you all enjoy the sunshine while it lasts.

I've not posted in a while.

I got up early today. I walked the dogs at 5:45 am until 7 am. Then I went to the allotment and I built a cold frame which I've used to cover part of the old strawberry bed that I started to dig up this morning. So far I've removed about half of the strawberries. 

Once I've dried out the soil I will be adding two different kinds of broad beans and maybe some amaranth to the edges of the bed. 

  

I also trimmed the lavender. You can see that I've planted garlic around the small lavenders. I'm trying to grow things together. 

I dug out the few weeds left in the onion and leek bed but sadly the photo I took didn't save to my phone so I can't show you.

At least things are slowly getting sorted now. I just hope that we get some decent weather soon.

New job.

Hello! It's been six weeks now since I lost my job and I start my new job on Monday. I am so happy with the job I found. It's part time again which I NEED. I didn't cope with working full time well at all. The job is actually gardening related. I am so happy to have found this job. :)

I really, really needed the six weeks off work to recover. I feel like my old self again, and my eyes are no longer red raw and painful. The dogs have enjoyed having me back and I've been able to give really close attention to the chickens.

Yellows poorly again, so she's living in the kitchen for the time being. The three bantams aren't cold hardy so during this cold snap they spend the night with Yellow. She seems happy to see them.

I'm looking for a new job again.

Yep, looking for something else. While I have the time though I'm enjoying spending some time with my dogs.

I walked them separately so that they could go at their own pace. I think they had a great time.

An hour and a half with Troubs at full speed.

And 40 minutes with Niche at a much slower pace. 

I even got to spend some time with this monster... Before she bit me.

 

I'm getting quite excited about the idea of camping next spring.

I'm sitting watching youtube videos of people gardening in the spring and summer. I'm just waiting for winter to be over. I'm counting down for the shortest day. Just 2 days to go.

I've got lots of camping stuff on my Christmas list, I'm determined I will sleep better the next time we go camping. I've also bought myself a lovely purple allotment/camping chair with a pocket in the arm rest for a drink.

I really, really want to spend more time at the allotment this year. I also want to get the home garden sorted out as well. I have no idea how I'm going to manage it all but I'll do my best.

"Day off" today.

I set off at 8am with Troubs and I walked her for about 95 minutes. I got home dropped Troubs off and walked Niche for 50 minutes. I also picked up an undelivered parcel from the post office. 

 I had my breakfast at around 11am and then I fed the chickens, washed the pots, did laundry and at 1pm I set off for the allotment. I walked to the allotment, weeded my lavender bed, planted my garlic (I know its late)

 and I dug over my potato bed. weeded it... Mostly, and broke up the soil. That beds going to have leeks and maybe onions in it 2018.
 After everything I'd done today I was knackered, so I walked back home and now I'm on the sofa with one dog and the cat. I have a cup of tea and very sore feet.

So its 3 o clock, I'm now going to "rest" on my day off. :P