the daydream fund challenge thread

Rummer

Well I made the decision about the T&M vouchers and as always ended up spending more than I should have done. I bought strawberries, blueberries and a half price soft fruit collection. These are the things that we eat that cost the most. I am very excited about them coming!

Davesnave

lostinrates wrote: »

I got the best view I've ever had of a kestral last week.

Many buzzards here, but occasionally kestrels and sparrowhawks put in an appearance, usually brief.

I think I have convinced DW not to use the blow-away shelter, though it does involve me in building something more substantial in wood. Shouldn't take more than a week, on & off, if I plan it right to involve minimal cutting/waste of materials.

rhiwfield

Davesnave wrote: »

Many buzzards here, but occasionally kestrels and sparrowhawks put in an appearance, usually brief.

I think I have convinced DW not to use the blow-away shelter, though it does involve me in building something more substantial in wood. Shouldn't take more than a week, on & off, if I plan it right to involve minimal cutting/waste of materials.

We get lots of buzzards, and sparrowhawks more often than you'd expect, but the bird of the moment is the greater spotted woodpecker, drumming on the neighbours mature ash.

Up to my eyes in delta T calculations to size room rads if we go down the air source heat pump route. Currently running oil boiler at minimum setting, (flow temp of 55C) giving a delta T of 30C and a need for rads approx double standard size. So we're getting a feel of which rooms are under-radded (?!), just need some nice freezing temps for a real test

Installers contacted to date have been mostly rubbish. Its like dealing with double glazing salesmen, trotting out high cop figures, not bothering to do any definitive heat loss calculations. And seeing some of trial report data makes it clear that many installers get the installations plain wrong. Its a real case of buyer beware atm.

Orange_King

Davesnave wrote: »

The RHS says:
Winter protection

Blueberries are not always fully hardy, and as with many plants, it is the combination of low temperatures and wet conditions that are most damaging. Put containerised plants indoors in a shed or garage during prolonged cold spells, or wrap the pot in hessian or straw to protect the roots. Protect flowers from late frosts with a double layer of horticultural fleece.

Full article on growing conditions here:
http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/Profile.aspx?pid=85

There are blueberry varieties being bred for the American market that will take in excess of -20C. I guess you can't choose one of those though!

Thanks Davesnave for the link to that. I have a couple of Top Hat bushes ordered but wasn't sure if these would need some company to pollinate successfully?

I was hoping to put them in containers on the patio and don't really have scope for any more.

Rummer

Well I am totally puggled! I filled some of the pots and then got a wee bee in my bonnet :mad: about the hedge bits poking through my fence and so I spent a couple of hours happily hacking away at very spiky and mean vegetation!

I also dug over the raised beds again and organised the wood pile. I moved all the usable bits for the people to collect and put all the wood based cuttings onto the pile to keep it as a home for beasties. I was slightly worried when I was moving bits that I would meet a rat :eek:.

Why is it that even after hours of work only a small bit of the garden is looking cleared? I am determined this year to make it the best it can be . Although it would be lovely to pay someone to come and get it all prepared for me so I could float about cutting flowers and picking veggies :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

lostinrates

Rummer wrote: »

Why is it that even after hours of work only a small bit of the garden is looking cleared? I am determined this year to make it the best it can be . Although it would be lovely to pay someone to come and get it all prepared for me so I could float about cutting flowers and picking veggies :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Me too. I was out side toiling earlier when my client turned up. She said ''You're working so hard ATM and I can't see any difference'':( Pfft. what a downer!


Bucketing down with rain here. BUCKETING.

Rummer

lostinrates wrote: »

Me too. I was out side toiling earlier when my client turned up. She said ''You're working so hard ATM and I can't see any difference'':( Pfft. what a downer!

How harsh!

alfie_1

I never saw the amazing bird I saw before the hard weather hit. I think it must have been an aviary escapee.

what did it look like ??

lostinrates

Rummer wrote: »

How harsh!

Quite true though! e.g. the sweeping....its done, bits of it, everyday, and then mud happens! the first time its looked really good all over was the day before the diggers came in, rolling all over it with mud:rotfl::rotfl:

lostinrates

alfie_1 wrote: »

I never saw the amazing bird I saw before the hard weather hit. I think it must have been an aviary escapee.

what did it look like ??

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2862534

''
It was a very small bird, from a distance looked black on top with white below (or possibly as a side marking) and it had a stunningly yellow beak. I can't remember leg colour. It was alone, on the roof of farm buildings surrounded by predominantly grassland, and then taking a bath in a puddle.''


The quote is from the thread asking for help IDing. The little blighter never came back. Haven't seen Hoppy the pied wagtail with one good leg for a long while either.