It's getting hot in here...

Two days of work on the polytunnel and the cover is almost fixed tight. We are really grateful for the help given to us by Bill, Meg and Heather & Gwyn (Meg's parents) to get trenches dug, door frames fixed and heat tape applied. They all worked really hard so we're eternally indebted to them, we'll have to pay them off with lots of polytunnel grown veg next time they come to visit.

The weekend just gone Amy, Wayne and Charlie came down for the day while Beth & Andrew were visiting for the weekend. We got really lucky in that there was only a moderate breeze, some sunshine and everyone was willing to spend the day getting a massive plastic sheet tucked in around a 2.5m high metal frame. It was all a bit tricky, the breeze didn't help as the trick is to get the plastic fitted as tightly as possible. Time will tell if we managed to do a good enough job but again we're really grateful for all the help.

There she is

Overgrown veg plot... oh the shame of it all.

It frames the view very nicely don't you think?

 We finished folding and burying the ends of the polytunnel on Sunday, the only bits left to do are filling in one of the trenches and building and hanging the doors. We're working on the basis that a tunnel wont take off in the wind as the wind can blow straight through it and out the other end. Hopefully that's not an incorrect assumption. Feel free to comment if you know better...?

In all her glory, don't worry it will be shielded by hedges eventually.

H₂O NO!!

Is it déjà vu? We really didn't fully think through the consequences of putting the little plants in little holes... so now our newly born plants rely on us to keep them alive with a regular feed of water. 

Our first response to the problem was to fill a bin with water and take it to the field in the tractor then use a hose and a 12v pump to water the new plantings. It just so happens that our friend Sprogsy a local sheep farmer is putting stock fencing up today and at the same time he's going to put in a temporary water supply to the growing area and a water trough down in the field for the sheep. It's more a stroke of luck than foresight and planning that everything is coming together at the right time. The prospect of getting sheep back in on the land (think lawnmowers) is extremely exciting and then having water on hand next to the growing beds is obviously a much required bonus.

So linking in with the déjà vu... we're having a baby at the end of August. Now some might find it funny, but Sal is cross, so please don't laugh (after all it is nothing to be ashamed of). We have long term hay fever sufferer who is six months pregnant. We also have a field of long grass, and a steady wind blowing the length of it. Think sneezing fits, think of a cross Sally with crossed legs. Who knows perhaps its natures way of getting us ready for wet nappies and extra laundry? If you come to visit and you see her sneezing with crossed legs whatever you do do not dare to snigger, titter, smirk or laugh. "IT IS JUST NOT FUNNY" "OK?"

The new growing area with rabbit fencing.