It's the best beer out here, drink as much as you like and you won't get a head ache I buy that by the crate 20 x 0.5l bottles for Ł13 party on.

 

Living the dream, mate! I'm off to the village farm shop in a bit to buy a couple of their homemade pasties. They knock out what appear to be decent homemade sausages, too, so I might buy half a dozen and stick them in the slow cooker for tonight. You've inspired me, Ditch, I'm feeling all 'Good Life' now. I'm going to pick some of our early Welsh daffodils and start planning the vegatable troughs (and how to make them rabbit proof). Also need to fix the tractor mower (just battery, oil and some petrol I think). Must avoid the shop's craft ales if I'm to seize the day.

 

I'm seriously jealous about pasties and ale. When I've finished logging this


I've got to get this up and running for a trip into the wood's at the weekend.



For some more tree felling, all work and no play :-)

 

 

good pics guys, Croatia look fantastic btw

I am partial to a bit of logging (pathetic by Austrian and Swiss standards - their log stacking is a work of art)

But I really enjoy mucking about in the garden, roll on those spring evenings

The tyre is a good tip - stops the split logs from going everywhere

 

Lots of man points there, Hodgy.

We've just had broadband installed, BT infinity, seems properly quick! Just need to get a telly now and we'll be right back on grid. Feels a little sad to be honest; we've enjoyed the quiet reading and playing the guitar and board games and early nights () with a glass of something. I think we ought to be quite disciplined about our telly watching, maybe limit it to films and the occasional quality show. Not that we watch an awful lot, but probably more than is necessary.

 

I was born in Hammersmith, my wife Paddington - We lived in London for 40 odd years

and loved every minute of it (I still go back for work most weeks, I still think it is a great city)

but I just love living in the country

when the train pulls out of Kings Cross I just smile, and can't wait to get in the car at the station

during the spring / summer, with the long evenings I genuinely feel like I am on holiday

although the garden does need a lot of work - mowing takes an hour (I tell the wife it takes two) :-)

ps don't waste money on a TV

 

Nice pile hodgy, currently working on mine.

Did you get your mower up and running JT? I pulled my ATV out pumped the tyres up, wiped the dust off then decided it needs some fresh fuel, smells a bit off, so sharpened some chains instead and I'll get it going tomorrow, usually starts quite easily as long as everything is clean, not bad for a 34yr old.

 

Hear she is.



Can you tell ive just figured out how to load pics from my phone?

 

I've got this lot to tidy up in the next couple of weeks.



Its about 30m wide by about 80m long, think ill be busy for a little while.

 

No, I read about the Pelagian Controversy instead . To be fair I need to order the battery online and the weather wasn't particularly agreeable; of course that was all the excuse I needed to procrastinate. You boys put me to shame!

 

Flippin' 'eck! I've just paid someone a few quid to do some clearing work. It's hard looking after a bit of a plot and holding down a job. I feel quite motivated to get our mortgage paid off and go and get a part time job somewhere. A bookshop would do.

 

A bit of hard graft is good for the soul, takes your mind off lifes little troubles too.

Hodgy I know what you mean about smiling, I get the feeling of a weight being lifted off my back when I cross the border into Croatia, and a feeling of dread every time I leave to go back to the UK, so stressful there and you don't realise just how crap it is until you spend most of your time away from the place.

P.S, don't really like London or any big city for that matter, country boy at heart.

 

I avoided it last year because I had plenty of wood, but I can't do that again and this is the only time of year to do it, no leaves or snakes so I have to get in there while the weather holds.

Off into a propper forest tomorrow about 5/6 of us I think, nice day out with the chain saw.

You should get yourself some part time work cleaning up the local oldies gardens of a weekend as if you worked in a book shop you'd probably end up being paid in books.

 

the problem I have is getting access to wood/trees

it is a constant battle to keep it topped up tbh

 

Have to agree with you on this, I love jobs like this... also job satisfaction at the end is well worth it alone....

 

Depends where you hangout I guess.

 

Caught the sun poping out over the mountain as I opened the shutters this morning so thought I'd take a quick snap on the phone .

 

The pointing's getting there. We went for Old English lime mortar after much deliberation and my mate, who owns Cardiff Building Services, has leant me a couple of his staff at cost for a month or so. Some before and midway photos. Sorry for the quality.

 

I did get there eventually, Ditch:





Gave it a proper detail, too. Runs lovely.

 

I'd paint them black. I live in a 150 year old stone cottage with beams like that. Look the business when black.


Looks a nice gaffe btw. dl

 

We've decided to leave them for the time being, David, but yes, black can look good as you say.

 

Paying a firm Ł500 to do this to my lawn:

 

Scaffolding up to finish the pointing and replace the fascia:

 

500 quid to cut the grass ? !


ill do it for 400

 

Yes, but will you put little aeration holes all over as well as scarify it?

 

Overseed:

 

Top dressing:

 

The finished job:

 

You paid someone 500quid to kill your lawn?