"Isn't it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it."

greenbee

I've inspected the fence with my neighbour. He's going to get some materials and make a start - it'll be a case of working along a section at a time (we've identified the two priority ones) and seeing how much needs to be done. Hopefully he can start soon - like most people in this part of the world he's a bit vague on dates. 

Second garden waste bin has been filled ready to go out on Monday evening. Loppers have been located, so I'm going to take them and some secateurs out and do some tidying of the piles of stuff waiting for their turn in the bin, which may release stuff for the compost bins. And then clear the veg plot. I've got a list I want to get through this weekend, but am trying to be realistic about how much of it I can manage. If I can get the veg plot ready for planting I'll have to come up with a planting plan. And then get the greenhouse cleared and cleaned. 

Ham was cooked in the SC last night, so will need to be roasted at some point. Plenty of solar generating, but no laundry due to lack of white vinegar.

Septic tank still has a slight smell, so I'm considering trying some enzyme treatment. 

As the sun is shining, I think it's probably time to head back into the garden. ALthough it's pretty chilly out there still!

greenbee

One barrow load of stems and roots chopped of tree stumps and stacked (kind of) by the vast pile of wood salvaged from the garden. Small bits to go in the bin are going into a builders' bag, and the stumps piled up slightly more neatly. It'll take a while to work through, but is definitely worth doing as I want to clear that space to start planting in it. 

greenbee

I did manage to get more of the veg plot cleared on Saturday, but exhausted myself and ended up with wine and peanuts for supper. That meant a disturbed night and a fairly unproductive Sunday. Some cheap electricity last night means that at least a bit of laundry has been done, and the DW run. Too many carbs yesterday (because I was tired) also meant a bad night last night and a slow start this morning. 

However, I've now been for a walk and Stinky met a friend (which meant they both ran around like lunatics and are hopefully a bit more tired than normal), so I need to shower, empty the DW, deal with the ham stock, get more laundry ready to go in when there's some sunshine/battery is full (stuff to dry on the airer) and try to get into work mode. 

Also chase the plumber (and ask about putting a water hammer arrestor on the WM inlet, and adding plumbing for a second WM (for pet bedding)/DW under the sink.

And chase electricians about the last couple of data points (and the labelling, and removing the random cable from my office, and putting a blanking plate on the old BT socket) and the fact that the airing cupboard light seems to now turn on randomly.

We've got a couple more hours of wind here today, but after that it should ease off. Hopefully my fence will be at least partially repaired before the next storm hits. 

greenbee

Fence repairs started yesterday and are continuing today - he's then off to another job for a bit but the worst will be done and he can fit the rest in between other jobs. 

Sun is shining, so windows are open, last night's washing is in the dryer, and another load is in the WM. Battery is full so I will keep going and get through as much as I can! As sun is forecast tomorrow, I may well manage to get all the cat and dog bedding washed too. 

One batch of trees is arriving today, and I've just ordered my fruit trees (and added some more blackcurrants and gooseberries on offer). Lots of planting in my immediate future  

I still need to buy aubergine, pepper, chilli and tomato seeds. And asparagus crowns. And start thinking about what to plant where in the veg plot as much of it is now cleared. 

Friday's weather doesn't look great, so i'll work out some indoor jobs for the gardener in case outdoor ones are off the agenda. 

Think it's probably time to close the windows and take the dog for a walk. Then I'll have time for a shower before work. 

greenbee

As it's raining, and my gardener is here, he's in handyman mode! So shelves are going up in the poorly-designed utility room to clear some worktop space, and two tension rods that door curtains hang on are being replaced with wardrobe rails. He's already broken up more loft boards to go in the bin, cleared the leaves out of the carport and put them in with the others that are composting, and tidied the rest of the loft boards (and pallet and half door that we'll eventually turn into a cold frame).

 Once that's done, he'll plant the two trees and two shrubs that need to go in the ground. I need to rethink where the trees will go due to the fence-mending as I don't want them damaged. And I hadn't really worked out where the shrubs (both winter-flowering honeysuckle) will go yet. Probably somewhere that doesn't exist! If they're OK in their pots I might leave them for a bit as there is so much else to do and I really need to put some effort into the garden design. 

Lots of work to get done today, and the dog will need another walk... he doesn't care that it's raining!

greenbee

The shelves are up, and are already making a difference - should have done them ages ago! Curtain poles are also up and mean I don't have to worry I'll pull the curtain down. 

Tree is going into a larger pot for a couple of weeks, witch hazel has had a home identified, as have the winter honeysuckles (they're starting off a new area of planting, so I need to sort out some posts and wire to build it with..

Everyone has been fed, and some basic clearing up done, just in time for work!

greenbee

Trying a new app for energy management and 4 days in the free version is proving to be very accurate, so I think the paid version (which uses a HR monitor band to provide continuous monitoring) may be a worthwhile investment. I'll give it a few more days.

In the meantime, someone needs to let the dog and cats know that i need a rest! I'm planning a quiet day today, but do need to fish some food out of the freezer so I eat properly, and would like to do a few bits and pieces to rehome some of the clutter than has accumulated during the latest round of work on the house as it doesn't help with energy levels. 

LadyWithAPlan

All this gardening and growing plans sound great 

upside of no pets is no walks needed in cold weather 

EssexHebridean

Definitely a good plan to get food out to encourage actual balanced eating rather than “I’m too tired now, I’ll just have toast/cereal/whatever your particular easy go-to is” - I was just thinking a few moments ago that I need to get meals planned for this week - today will be a bit seat-of-the-pants but that’s ok, I’d prefer to have an actual plan sketched out before I shop tomorrow, though! 

The garden sounds like it’s coming along really well, even if it doesn’t feel like it to you. You have some solid plans of nice stuff to grow - and really useful stuff too as some of those things you mentioned are expensive to buy so if you would have them anyway a small investment at this end of things has got to be a way forwards. I’d love to be able to do asparagus but have to accept that there simply is anywhere suitable - all the spaces that get sufficient Sun are already spoken for with other Sun-lovers that are higher up my priority list. 

greenbee

Food is out of the freezer and defrosting in the fridge. Luckily there is no bread/cereal in the house, so when I'm tired it tends to be nuts/seeds/fruit/yogurt. Anything else means getting in the car. 

Utility room is making me very happy - I do need to order some baskets to deal with the pet bowls/kongs/lick mats, but I have managed to clear the worktops either side of the sink, can easily wash up after each meal (cats are unimpressed that as they'd finished their breakfast I've washed their feeders and they are air-drying), and have scrubbed the sink (ceramic butler sink, very grubby as a result of limescale/paint/cleaning stuff). It turns out laundry baskets fit on the other shelf, and I found something to put all the pet grooming stuff in too. The floor/rugs are filthy, and will have to wait for a sunny/cheap energy day for me to do anything about. Likewise pet bedding isn't going to be washed at the moment.

It has really made me think about how importantly the way you organise space is - the utility room is HUGE, but the space wasn't well organised (still could be better, but there are some old kitchen units fitted in there that need to come out to make the best of it). The kitchen is in serious need of a redesign as it is also badly thought out in terms of the use of space - there is nowhere logical to store food for example, despite the fact that it has been knocked through into what was originally a boot room AND the old dining room. 

Nothing happening in the garden today I don't think. I know I have the gardener here next Friday, then he's off the one after. If the fruit trees have arrived, those will need planting. If they haven't, then clearing along the east-facing fence will need to be a priority so we can start planting there. 

I'm hoping I'll be able to get the rest of the veg plot cleared tomorrow, and then I can prep the asparagus beds and order the asparagus. If I can get a few things in, I'll feel better about it. And I really do need to empty and clean the greenhouse so I that's ready for use too.