Sunday, 1 March 2015

Life At The End Of A Shovel

I'm giving you a rest from the grand tour to bring you up to date with life at home. A lot of time has been devoted to installing a thousand gallon tank for run off water.



New eavestrough had to be installed, with the complicated diversion system you can see on the edge of the barn. As is often the case we found we had the wrong part; which is a big deal when you have to get everything sent over by ferry. Fortunately we had a trip planned and added the exchange to the long list of errands. It has to be a long list to make it financially acceptable.

The tank needed a solid base so off we went with our new trailer to get gravel. We overestimated how much weight it could handle and oh so slowly drove home, hoping the tires would hold up. Never again. 

Then I shovelled and the other guy ran back and forth and tamped.


Fortunately I could rest up at another homesteading weekend.



I brushed up on my crochet and tried my hand at rug hooking but mostly I was busy as photo journalist for our local paper. My first attempt and probably my last.

Better to stick to something I'm good at like digging. One of my goals this year is to do "something" with the orchard. The soil is horrible. With advice from two gardening elders I'm adding lime, sand, fertiliser and horse poop.


I've only managed to do the drip line so far. It still amounts to about 50 sq ft.



Some of the neighbour's chickens came over to inspect the work. Only three worms seen which says something about the state of the soil. The rooster wisely chose to stay home, he has been waking me at 3am and is destined for the pot if he ever shows his beak on this side of the fence.

I've also amused myself by making a cold frame by upturning an old goose shelter. The tin roof is now the back wall and overhangs a bit on the top. An old window and some insulation board finish it off in what I like to call rural chic style.


A cold windy day was an excuse to take time off for beach meditation.


Since then the weather has been most Spring like.



Warm wishes to all of you still in the grip of Winter.

28 comments:

  1. Today has been a little of everything, with frost on the lawn in the morning, followed by brilliant sunshine and now cloud. That's life on an island!
    Digging. Well, you might not want to advertise too loudly - there are people who would do anything to have a friend who is handy with the shovel!

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    1. They would have to pay big bucks! Although I enjoy being outside and appreciate the exercise it is not something I would want to do on a regular basis.

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  2. I'm so afraid my daffodils will have bloomed and faded before I get home. They were all budding when I left over a week ago. - Margy

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    1. I fear you may miss them. I hope you have something planted to follow them.

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  3. I can not believe you are seeing blooms already! Such a lucky lady as it is bitter cold here still. You cracked me up with the rooster bit! And how clever you were with that cold frame!! Look at all of that digging you have achieved friend! Amazing as is that water tank! Brilliant through and through! Have a lovely new week Susan! Nicole xo

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    1. I needed those kind words, Nicole. The digging is becoming a little overwhelming. I wonder if there is a machine I can rent.

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  4. I'm not sure my back would stand that much digging any more. That water tank is huge you could almost live in it. How clever of you to think of using the goose house for a compost heap - upcycling at its best. Our daffs still aren't out but the weather is still quite cold - all we need is a few days warmth now but things seem to be taking their time - come on spring, where are you.

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    1. I'm not sure my back can take it either. This area seems to have some lovely days in February and then March goes back to winter weather. It makes me want to plant outside but history tells me it is better to show restraint.

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  5. Wow ... you have me so jealous Susan .. seeing Spring blooms ... I have many feet of snow covering my garden and ? it is snowing today .. go figure, Mom Nature is trying to send me over the edge.
    I full understand your urge to "cook" that chicken after waking you up so early .. it better be a fast runner if he sees you again? haha .. Good luck with the soil amendment ... I first thought you were making a dry stream bed for landscaping when I saw the area dug out ! haha
    Joy

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    1. I do have plans for a dry stream on the other side of the driveway but I'm thinking I'll get someone else to dig it or rent a small front loader.

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  6. I really need to get out in the yard and get it whipped into shape. I have just been enjoying the sunshine frankly. Today nother beautiful sunny day to enjoy so this week that is my goal, do some raking and clean up. Maybe even a mow lol.

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    1. Enjoying the sunshine is an excellent idea. I might take my tea outside today and relax.

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  7. love your rural chic style - we use that same philosophy of re-use and recycle on our allotment. I hope you enjoyed your beach meditation - it looks like a peaceful spot ...

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    1. I was born close to the sea in Oulton Broad. Life took me to the Canadian prairies for thirty years. The pull of the sea never died and I'm very happy to be living close to it again.

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    2. I am wondering if you live anywhere near Saltspring Island - we had such a great holiday there too many years ago ....
      P.S. Oulton Broad is very close to where I live - it is such a small world!

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    3. We are north of Salt Spring and on the mainland. Although not an island we are surrounded on three sides by water made up of two majestic fjords and the Salish Sea. A mountain range sits behind us. The geography means we are only accessible by sea or air. Powell River is the name of the town. I hope you get to come out this way again.

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  8. Lovely blooms, so much green and the sea - I am most envious of you! Also of your rain water tank - so nice. We live in the high desert of Oregon - much too far from the ocean for this Pisces! But I work hard to create my own green oasis amidst the sage and junipers.

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    1. I lived in Texas for a few years where it was very dry. Moving to all this green was a real treat.

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  9. Gosh, so much hard work ! It will all be worth it in the end. Lovely beach to relax and enjoy when the work is done!

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    1. I will be sad if no fruit this year after all my effort.

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    2. I will be sad if no fruit this year after all my effort.

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  10. Lucky you out there in British Columbia. Green grass and daffodils no less! It is freezing here in Ontario and there is more than a foot of snow. Your water tank reminds me that I want to get my rain barrels operational this spring. Fingers crossed the weather improves soon.
    P.S. Your header is gorgeous!

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    1. We have had much smaller rain barrels up to this point but on the wet coast we needed something bigger.

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    2. We have had much smaller rain barrels up to this point but on the wet coast we needed something bigger.

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  11. Now that is a rain barrel! WOW! It sounds like you've been very busy so it's good you took a break at the beach. Your cold frame is creative ingenuity. I love it!

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    1. I think my scavenging gene recently switched on. I'd like another barrel, maybe I can swing it before the next rainy season.

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  12. You certainly are becoming a frontier woman.....lots of hard work. I am itching to get to work but we are definitely still in winter's grip.

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    1. I expected to enjoy gardening in the milder climate but I'm surprised how much I've embraced other back to the land skills.

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