Daydream fund challenge part 4

Davesnave

The first swallow appeared here on 7th April, but despite the warm weather, only a few of its mates have shown-up so far....:(

We'll have to dissuade the swallows from nesting in the big barn, because they make such a mess and we're storing stuff there. Ironically, they didn't want to go in there at all until last year, so at least it's not a real traditional spot for them. The thatcher's barn or our larger wood shed provide ample safe alternatives.

The house martins have a permanent spot, so I expect to see them soon too.

Its National Gardening Week with lots of gardens open for free today. We might visit this one:

http://www.castlehilldevon.co.uk/house-and-gardens-gallery

ferretkeeper

I can't tell if we have swallows or swifts...? I could google them! We have whatever they are returning to nest in the open timbers of our stables etc, year on year, dive bombing past our heads to go in, but it is lovely to see the chicks.

I'm thinking of going to the RHS show in cardiff this weekend, well it starts today, so I'm thinking it'll be a bit quieter than sat-sun. It looks like a bit of a mission to get to, in the middle of the city, and I really need to leave soon if I'm going to make it a worthwhile journey.

I can call in at Ikea too, need to check some things out for the kitchen...extractor, and extra shelving or units to maximise our high ceilings.

the builders price came in high, and it was only an estimate, with a few key things missing, like a total for the electrics and creating the new doorway!

So it looks like I'll be doing a lot myself as I suspected, but I don't mind, I like to feel I've contributed. I've already started removing units and had a little go at the walls with a hammer....three layers of tiles to get off again!

I did save a big chunk by picking up a second hand door, local firm quoted £365, I got this one for £85. It has never been fitted or used, still got the film wrapping on it, it's just a bit grubby. And at the same place I found a small conservatory, only about a year old, minus it's roof but a steal at £170! It'll go outside our new back door, fits spot on between the house and the new raised bed luckily, but we might have to shimmie our external boiler over, that is in the way!

COOLTRIKERCHICK

are you having him then Alfie???


we sold our cross black boar, he started getting too disruptive, so we only have our 'paul' now, who is as gentle as they come... and is throwing lovely long backed piggles, still on the look out for a pure welsh sow, so will see if there are any for sale up in the royal welsh spring show next month..


sad news pre the cob and mini, but this is the down side when ou have animals on loan.. how long have you had them???


sometimes I think this time of arrangement is wrong, as the owner can take them away and you got no say in the matter, unless you offer to buy then??


looks like another nice day here...

COOLTRIKERCHICK

FK.. if its anything like the spring show, and the craft shows the first day is mayhem, as you have the die hards going to spend, and they know what they are going for, shopping lists etc, as they want to make sure nothing sells out.
then on the weekends you get the 'day trippers' who go for a mooch and buy a few 'token' things... on the last day you get the 'bargain hunters' who go especially as they know a lot of stalls/display stands sell off their stock cheaply..

lostinrates

Its a cool morning here. Last week I put some old dried fruit in a bird feeder. Its not that popular with most of our birds ( our feeders normally empty within a couple of hours) but the tits are slowly enjoying it.

We finally have the first camellia in bloom, lol. One flower!

alfie_1

morning all... ive just had another email from hoss's owner saying although she is " now disabled and not able to contribute financially" , her DAUGHTER will be doing all for them... weve had them 2-3 years. her daughter was about 12/13 then ??? now unless im going daft, a 15/16 yr old is going to finance, rent and feed and care for 2 horses ? poor storm/pips will be going from 20 acres to a one acre split field... so gonna need supplement feeding.. just doesn't ring right. she also said she would give her daughter 6-12 months to "prove herself" .... so what then if its not able .... im getting my knickers in a twist here thinking where the hell will they end up !! im also on par with ctc's thoughts is this a ploy to get us to buy them instead ??!!....... not the start I wanted for today....

COOLTRIKERCHICK

Alfie was there a written agreement put into place when you first had them????

ferretkeeper

COOLTRIKERCHICK wrote: »

FK.. if its anything like the spring show, and the craft shows the first day is mayhem, as you have the die hards going to spend, and they know what they are going for, shopping lists etc, as they want to make sure nothing sells out.
then on the weekends you get the 'day trippers' who go for a mooch and buy a few 'token' things... on the last day you get the 'bargain hunters' who go especially as they know a lot of stalls/display stands sell off their stock cheaply..

Thanks CTC, just what I was thinking! I had too much to do this morning so decided IF I go it'll be over the weekend, and depending what hubby is up to and when we can speak, I'll go the Opposite Day.

I was also thinking about the bargains I might pick up if I went on Sunday

I'm really going for a recce, see what the stands are like, footfall, and types of stands vs cost, as it may be a good venue for me to have a stand next year. So technically I'd be working :rotfl:

lostinrates

alfie_1 wrote: »

morning all... ive just had another email from hoss's owner saying although she is " now disabled and not able to contribute financially" , her DAUGHTER will be doing all for them... weve had them 2-3 years. her daughter was about 12/13 then ??? now unless im going daft, a 15/16 yr old is going to finance, rent and feed and care for 2 horses ? poor storm/pips will be going from 20 acres to a one acre split field... so gonna need supplement feeding.. just doesn't ring right. she also said she would give her daughter 6-12 months to "prove herself" .... so what then if its not able .... im getting my knickers in a twist here thinking where the hell will they end up !! im also on par with ctc's thoughts is this a ploy to get us to buy them instead ??!!....... not the start I wanted for today....

The thing about loans is they are never 'ours'. The owner might have a place to keep them for free or who knows, its kinda her business. All you can do is say you loved having them and would love to have them back if circumstances change, ( perhaps if daughter struggles) or indeed offer to buy. I loaned several out permanently because I did not want them sold on but that's usually because they were particular characters who I did not want being penalised for their nature's or past lives.

Its sad Alfie, but its the owner's right.

phoebe1989seb

Fab pics LIR - another fan of both curtains and pooch here

Have been sorting my photobucket albums and will try to (finally ) get some pics of the garden up over the next few days, although it might be after the w/end as I'll probably need to use the Mac which DH will be busy on tomorrow, it being Record Store Day which is a big day for his business. Then Sunday we're heading down to Brighton to see DS, his GF and their new Bedlington Whippet puppy.....am really excited Don't know what our two mad dogs (especially our crazy, feisty Spanish Water Dog) will make of him though.....

It's a dull-ish day here today so I've been wielding the paintbrush inside.....getting fed up with painting kitchen cabinets now, lol!

Outside more and more plants are springing into life - bluebells are opening, the buds on my (potted) yellow azalea are huge - and the monster wisteria has flowers opening in the warmest areas :j