Awful weather - typical Brits talk

greenbee

@LessImpecunious - tank was emptied in October (it had been done just before I moved in, so lasted 15 months, which is probably OK given how small it is), as there were smells and the drains weren't flowing properly. The smell has been problematic since then, so they've been rodded (lots of limescale removed, and we'd already taken fatbergs and limescale out of the inspection chambers as well as cleared out all the plugholes and traps internally), jet washed, and had a camera down them. There is no hole at the top to look down - one metal cover for the first chamber, one plastic cover for the second chamber, no vent pipe. I thought the bacterial treatment might be worth a go, as if the first chamber was completely emptied, then there may not be enough bacteria to get it going properly again. (And no YBE, dead wildlife is not an ideal way to get the right bacteria!).  The remedial work was only done just over a week ago, so it probably needs some time to settle down. TBH it smells less than some of the treatment plants round here - no one seems to know how theirs works or how to look after them, and everyone thinks that all septics/treatment plants smell. Which is not true!

YoungBlueEyes

Raining. Windy. Cold.

Reading your link Less I'm not sure now if it was a bittern. Merlin Bird ID said it was, but I've never seen one so I don't know. I mean, my garden is a boggy mess but it's not a reed bed! Teeside is north from me so it's possible if not likely. Or maybe Merlin was on the brew and needs to be side-lined into the drunkard's category.... Not sure I’ve ever seen a yellowhammer, and that’s the first time Merlin showed it. 

Edit to add pic - 



Have you tried asking on/reading the In My Home and House Buying boards gb? I'm sure I used to read plenty on there about septic tanks and treatment plants etc... although iirr one of the best posters on the subject has been banned since (canal du midi) but his advice will still stand  

pink_poppy

I’m glad I’m not of a delicate disposition with all this talk of septic tanks 💩😂

Good idea re the head torches and camping lanterns. I find since my eyesight has gone downhill (never worn glasses but now need them for reading and small print etc) I hate gloominess.

We’re travelling today and it’s been a lovely day. So many trees down though, especially where we are now in Ayrshire, which I think was in the centre of the red weather warning for Storm Éowyn.

We passed through Inveraray again - quick pic of the castle taken through the car window as we passed over the bridge…

And this is the infamous, but magnificent Rest and be Thankful…

twopenny

So much to read! Can't possibily respond.

I do remember using small mirrors behind candles. 

And I did have a parafin lamp, the Victorian sort, in the 70s power cuts. That worked a treat - then garages stopped selling parafin.

Dark, strong winds and persistant rain last night until, well right now. So longer than predicted. Guess it's on the way to you other folks now.

The birds seemed to like it - they were in the trees washing themselves. And my Crow (got to have a name for him) had a partner with him. Defo a female judging by the way she was fussy about her washing and preening So he's bought her to meet me.

I spent the morning cooking. Now have a weeks worth of meals preped and almost cooked. And a weeks worth of date and demerara cakes in the cupboard   And I'm shattered already. Think it's the gloom.

So I sat and watched Love Your Garden over lunch. Wish I could have a load of plants that well grown delivered for me to plant.

Who had the rhubarb? That was a joyous photo, things starting to grow. Seems early and even here plants started early.

Bluey that is one gorgeous home. I know I'm getting old because I just look and think 'I can't cope with all that cleaning and hedge trimming. I'd go for a long weekend though

If you think you're picking up Bittern and other marshy birds maybe the app focuses quite a long way. It's a rare bird but who knows. It's been wet enough

Yup, if there's free connection to the mains sewers and your tank is old I'd go for it. But worth asking for the pros and cons on one of the boards.

My Great Aunt didn't have mains water and worked with rain and well then somehow suddenly she got connected. It just took a bundle of 'stuff' off her mind and shoulders.

How beautiful Poppy! You have compensations for the weather up there.

greenbee

No mains sewer for miles around here 2P The 'free' offer is for as sewage treatment plant as part of the nutrient neutrality initiative in Norfolk. But they priortise where lots of people in the same village are requesting one. TBH when a STP or septic is working well it's no more hassle than mains drainage... and at least you don't have to worry about neighbours putting babywipes/sanitary products/fat/nappies down the drains and blocking them. 

YBE - most of the advice on septics is around the conveyancing, not the maintenance. But I may ask.. Or if it's still a problem I may get the drain guy back, as he's a neighbour (next village) who bought a house that I looked at when I was buying. 

My rhubarb is coming up too - like Farway I hope to get it in the ground this year  

Well done on all the cooking 2p. I've got stuff out of the freezer. I'm doing some food prep, but for the dog (kongs and lick mats which I'm freezing for the week ahead). He's got a mix of yogurt/butternut squash/carrot/homemade pet food/peanut butter in various combinations. Not that he really cares what it tastes like! 

twopenny

Farway - have you ever grown Pomodorino del Piennolo del Vesuvo cherry tomatoes?

They keep in bunches like onions for a while which seems a good thing for a single person.

I looked for seeds but there are some odd bods I've not heard of.

I reckoned that if I can grow San Mazano I stand a chance  

Dusty, seen them growing anywhere? The seeds from Kent, Victorian Nurseries

Greenbee I get it now. Reading too many posts about pipes causes confusion

Bluey, my blackies are out there too competing with each other for terratory/food.............

Dustyevsky

Wow! Loadsa posts, which tells me everyone's weather's been pants!   It cleared-up here this afternoon, though, so I washed the worst of the muck from the car and did a few outdoor jobs.

I've heard a bittern booming on the Somerset Levels, and it's not a sound easily confused with anything else, Bluey. I'd love to have seen one, but no luck there.

Who knows, Farway, that sunset might be bang on the money next year. Oh, and I remember that scene at Inveraray, pp. I'd love to return.....Actually, l'd return and stay, given the chance, but the family wouldn't let me. Sigh....we had our haggis ready for Burns' Night, but then ate such huge portions of fish & chips by the sea on Saturday, it's still languishing. I did have a dram, mind! 

Ha, I remember appraisal, and I wish I'd given your answer, Farway!

On septic tanks, gb, I admit, ours smells a little, but it's one of two, side by side, so we can  blame the neighbours! We both have vent pipes about 35cm high, and if the smell bothered us, we'd put carbon filters on them. Could a filter go on the air feed to the fire instead? 

I've not seen your Pomodorino del Piennolo del Vesuvo toms 2p, but I'm interested for 2026! I've more than enough seeds for the coming season, but the name's been put on the list.

twopenny

Well it's hammering down here again, lashing against the windows all night.

Usually that makes you feel cosy but this year it's more - not AGAIN!

This shows them toms strung and growing

https://www.eatalianexperience.com/discovering-pomodorino-del-piennolo-del-vesuvio-pdo-with-pasquale-imperato/

The slightly sour aftertaste is supposed to be good when lightly cooked with fish. Though in our sweet soil that may not be the taste.

Somerset Levels, wonder what they are like in this weather. Used to be all birds on the flooded fields, now they have a sanctuary and people complaining about their new builds flooding.

I'd like to go there bird watching, especially the starling displays but this global warming is going to have to warm up first

Farway

It's just finished hammering down, blue sky now showing in the West, cheers Dusty .

The forecast is blustery rain, though, so I'm not likely to get out to check any progress in the garden.

twopenny said:

Farway - have you ever grown Pomodorino del Piennolo del Vesuvo cherry tomatoes?

They keep in bunches like onions for a while which seems a good thing for a single person.

I looked for seeds but there are some odd bods I've not heard of.

I reckoned that if I can grow San Mazano I stand a chance  

Dusty, seen them growing anywhere? The seeds from Kent, Victorian Nurseries

Had to look them up, not grown them. 

From what I've read, it's the volcanic soil that gives them the taste, a bit like real Jersey spuds, it's the centuries of seaweed that imparts the flavour.

It also says they have restricted growing areas, by law, like Champagne or Cornish pasty, will the vegetable police come round and throw you in clink?

Will you claim Jeff Bezos sold you seeds, and it's all his fault you are a wrong 'un?

I've heard, on TV, bittern booming on Salisbury plain area, I think some were released there years ago. 

Absolutely no connection, but I've had a pint in the Bittern pub in Southampton, if that counts as Bittern spotting?

twopenny said:

I'd like to go there bird watching, especially the starling displays but this global warming is going to have to warm up first

Starling display murmuration is on my bucket list, I fancy the one at Brighton West pier for photos.

https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/24677734.starling-murmurations-starting-return-brightons-piers/

No gardening planned, but if it dries up a bit I will get out to check on what has survived in pots. 

I did spot some carrot tops from last year's late carroty carrot sowing !! That would be a turn up, we shall see.

-taff

Proper stumps Dusty, not like my  loggery where logs too big for the woodburner go to die [Can't wing an axe effectively to chop those beasties up] and actualy logs I've colected or had from the tree that got chopped down. One is currently propped against a bed as my kindling cutting log. Nice to have an escapologist tree too, that did make laugh.

That was a nice read on stumperies too 2p. I don't worry about it being nice for visitors either. If I have to live in it, they can put up with it for a couple of hours or so Hope the ilness has gone a bit.

Nice  mossy ring PP..Not so much for the tiles though, ends up weighing lots more. Nice pic too of the the Rest, I've never seen it but Gers [ daily thread] travels it regularly.

wort, well done for taking davantage of hurricanes, ybe too in pursuit of the fluffiest towels I like Cissies understements too, made me laugh again.

Farway, min'es a bog standard one, can't remember variety now, keep thinking Brown Turkey but that's the fig tree. I am hoping I might get fruit this year since I put the thing in a garden rubbish bin [ biggest thing I had] because it did flower profusely last year but gave no fruit at all [ this is the quince btw]. I love quince jelly and used to take them from a garden next to a pub but they've not been viable for a few years. 'retired' ::snort:: lovely pic but i vote for Jannanary...it's got extra letters like what January has days.

Arb, can you split sage? I didn't know that, but i do know poking odd bits in the ground is more successful than not in making new ones.

Windy, very rainy, eased off a bit since I got up but the forecast is more of the same and yellow wind. So fire, and paintingunder the stairs it is today.