Daydream thread... without the rose-tinted specs

COOLTRIKERCHICK

rhiwie... the Sealyham is classed as a rare breed, and not many people know about this beautiful welsh breed. it was named after Sealyham mansion where it was originally bred. I would still keep scottie in the title, to get the potential 'pet' market, and you might find an interest from the usa, as when I sold off a lot of my old Sealyham collection etc it mainly went to the usa. so might be worth finding out the postage cost to the states, and saying you post there..

Rummer

Gorgeous dogs CTC, what are they like as pets?

COOLTRIKERCHICK

Rummer wrote: »

Gorgeous dogs CTC, what are they like as pets?

honestly.... I wouldn't recommend them with young children... they are a typical terrier.. and have the most powerful jaw, as they were breed for going into badger sets...and driving out the badgers..

Rummer

Ah, thank you! Another breed scored off the list

rozeepozee

Hope you're in bed, Alf. It was good to see the pic of Mable on FB in all her glory.

I feel a bit rubbish today. I need to do my accounts (yawn) so I'm procrastinating...

We haven't seen the main contractor on site for weeks as he's got a couple of new jobs.... The pace isn't fast, but I think we are at that stage where there are lots of little bitty things left to do and it's tricky to coordinate them. The platerers are here today to plaster the extension, and the screed was put down yesterday. We are almost there... It's still bloody cold in the caravan though.

I've joined the gym. What will get me there regularly is the prospect of having a lovely warm shower in the morning and getting dressed in a heated environment

I went to a Community Forum Meeting last night and ended up being appointed the Chair of the group! How does that happen? Last year this group organised new park equipment for the village and this year, the school kids have voted for a covered bike park to encourage the children and their parents to cycle to school. I'm angling for some funding for the school gardening group that I hope to set up and run next year.

Does anyone have any ideas about this? The school have had the odd gardening days, but I'd like to do something weekly once the builders have gone. If I aim to start in January, I suppose it will be Planning at that time of year. The school already has a Fruit Shop that the kids run and sell fruit to the other pupils, keeping what profit there is for school funds. I'm wondering if we can grow our own to be sold in the shop. Any idea of some good veggies and fruit to grow that is easy and will be productive? I have a little pipe dream of a School Farm, really.... One has to start somewhere.

Ah well, back to the accounts....

Rummer

Morrisons do a school growing programme where parents hand in vouchers to the school and the school can get tools and seeds in return. Also worth asking local companies to sponsor or provide bits and pieces. Good chance to build links with a local nursery/greengrocer etc so the school benefits from their experiences too

As for what to grow it might be nice for each class/year group to have their own growing space as well as a general area for a gardening club to oversee. Food wise beans, courgettes and salads are quick to grow and sunflowers provide great colour and the seeds are useful. Herbs can be used in the school dinners too. Berry bushes are good producers and rhubarb is a great fruit to have without a lot of hassle.

Also worth planting flowers to encourage insects and through technology the children can build insect hotels etc A few barrels/tubs with water would allow then to build a water garden too. Bird/bat boxes add an extra bit of interest too.

What an exciting and rewarding project to be involved with

lostinrates

Straw bale building.....

I have a few books on this I need to dig out. But I'm thinking about replacing the back garden fence with a straw bale wall. I might apply for planning to go higher than six feet......neighbours their are LA so while the tenant farmer would be happy for us to go head with a nod and a wink if his ll find out we could all be in trouble.

It would be an interesting way to experiment with the technique.

Not sure though. We need to do something now though, panel dance plopped down this morning agAin, and I cannot let the dogs out as a result!

Itismehonest

Could be an interesting experiment, LIR.

The other possibility might be hurdles. Given the part of the world (not too far from you) they'd probably be historically correct &, having slight gaps in the weave should be more forgiving of the winds than a solid panel, I'd guess.

Davesnave

Lir, wouldn't a free-standing straw bale wall cost more than a panel fence by the time you've protected it and added the strengthening it would need to withstand winds?

Jacksons do fences higher than 2m. They're almost local to you.

The main thing to remember about school gardening is that the summer holidays come at an inconvenient time. I would agree with Rummer's ideas on planting / wildlife interest, but be clever: let the children suggest and then take ownership of the ideas you want them to have!:rotfl:

A bit parky here today, but the generally warm weather and the wet has left us with grass that's too long and thick to mow. I strimmed about 1/4 acre of the worst grass today, so I now feel as if I've taken part in a hula hoop marathon.

Also re-fixed the rear downpipe on the barn, which had been there for 9 years, held by a single screw and a badly fitting rawlplug. :eek: The bends are also fitted the right way up now, so water no longer cascades down the outside of the pipe! :rotfl:

Rummer

Hubby is painting the nursery and it is looking great so far :j still a long way to go but :j