the daydream fund challenge thread

Davesnave

Rummer, home made compost is not good for seed sowing, as it will probably have weed seeds in it. You want to know that what's coming up is the plant you've sown!;)

I've patched-up the old polytunnel, damaged by the snow. It should stand for another 6 months if we don't have a hurricane. I'm relieved that the damage wasn't as severe as it looked, because it's such a useful space in the later part of spring, especially if we do a lot of toms and peppers again.

The Farm Shop in the little town is open under new management. When I was buying some Christmas fare, I asked the (apparently sensible)new owner about supplying a few veg plants, and she seemed keen. As you know, we've been here before, so we'll not hold our breath, but having an outlet where we could also advertise would be useful.

Meanwhile, the future of our village PO and shop doesn't look too promising. (Yes, the one that only opened last month!:() The owners are trying to sell the business already. I'm not sure what I should /shouldn't know at this point, so I'll not say more!

Spent half the afternoon fighting my way into BT Openreach, so I could find out why they'd laid a cable along the ground to reach a pole on our land. I had to fib a teensy bit, saying I'd cut the cable, before they'd give out a direct line number(:o:o) but once I was in, the people I dealt with were very pleasant and helpful. Apparently, it's a 'non-compliant' temporary installation, and I even know who's answerable for it's existence, which is fantastic accountability, but I just want it sorted-out before I brushcut, or Mr Dog might lose his connection. Couldn't have that, could we?

choille

CTC - Good for you with the antiques centre. Wish there was something like that here, but there isn't the population.

Do you think it's best to have no reserve on stuff on ebay & just put it on for a week? Sorry, I think I'll have a real sort out of my clutter this year for sure. Really must raise as much as possible for materials.

Dave - I think that the PO is not a good a career/buy as people assume & we have relatively recent folks from London & I don't know what they've made of the Winter & how quiet the place is custom-wise.

alfie_1

the weather here is dismal! thick fog and drizzle!!
LIR......im thinking of turning RUBY out with barney but need some of your valid advise ?? she is going stir crazy in her stable,even tho i walk her every day . she will let me handle her but is getting more stroppy, especially when im putting her back in ! im not sure if i will catch her easily when /if shes turned out tho? its which is the lesser of the 2 evils !!?? i can corral her to catch her if shes out. she has a reasonably thick natural winter coat. she is very strong and im worrie she may injure herself throwing a strop in the stable... im really not sure re this one. my pre horses have not been stabled ones.... please can you help??

Rummer

Poosmate, I have been watching, which one are you?

alfie_1

If anyone is interested, a few of us went down to a place called Littlehampton back in June to help the DIY SOS team rebuild a fellow MSEer's cottage after it was wrecked by a rogue builder. The programme is to be aired tomorrow night on BBC1 at 8.00pm. If anyone watches it and sees some mad folk wearing t-shirts with Mike's Mob on, that's us! lol

POOSMATE.... ive sat here with my box of tissues ! what a lovely bloke and well done to you all for "digging in "..

lostinrates

alfie_1 wrote: »

which is the lesser of the 2 evils !!?? i can corral her to catch her if shes out.

Out, out out, definitely. Don't try and catch her for a while, but go and see her several times of day with something nice to eat and then, as soon as she's happy with that a head collar and something nice to eat, catch, titbit, release. Then catch, titbit/scratch release. If you titbit it is prudent to give the titbit on the gound not out of your hand and train her to take reward from there...

Horses are designed to move all the time and eat all the time: its by default the best solution for them to have them out*

*obviously not if the horse has e.g. broken a leg/needs box rest

rhiwfield

Poo, heartwarming! :A

Davesnave

rhiwfield wrote: »

Poo, heartwarming! :A

My connection is so slow.

iPlayer will catch up in about 2 hours!

alfie_1

LIR....as soon as she's happy with that a head collar and something nice to eat, catch, titbit, release.

many thanks. she has a headcollar on now. when i take her out i put a rope headcollar on so shes not just being clipped on ! so i can just hold her by the permenant one and she lets me brush, scratch etc just stood in stable. she knows the minute i touch her HC and just stands now. shes got to have her rear hoofs done soon then im going to turn her out....hope barney gets on with her ok ?? they will be in the BIG field not with the shetties [just incase of kicking!] can mix after meeting over the fence ?? cant wait to see her out and running....

lostinrates

alfie_1 wrote: »

LIR....as soon as she's happy with that a head collar and something nice to eat, catch, titbit, release.

many thanks. she has a headcollar on now. when i take her out i put a rope headcollar on so shes not just being clipped on ! so i can just hold her by the permenant one and she lets me brush, scratch etc just stood in stable. she knows the minute i touch her HC and just stands now. shes got to have her rear hoofs done soon then im going to turn her out....hope barney gets on with her ok ?? they will be in the BIG field not with the shetties [just incase of kicking!] can mix after meeting over the fence ?? cant wait to see her out and running....

Make sure the headcollar is leather....after my horse getting caught in her rug I'm especially scared this week!

Yes, shetlands out at first is a good idea, but personally I'd bung her straight in with Barney. Generally I find that meeting over fences builds excitement and means they risk an accident with fence/hedge....I'd rather they had space to meet in a big field...and let them get on with it.

edit:I'd get shetlands out too asap, again personally. I think horses are better at teaching each other manners than e are, and being i a herd, even one of shorties, is healthiest for a baby.