http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/diary/ en-us 2010-03-14T19:45:19+00:00 http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/diary/archives/000661.html We cleaned the greenhouse on Saturday; we didn't do it last year and it was pretty mucky. It took about 3 hours to do; Dan took out the panes and I washed them, while he cleaned the frame and floor.... Rosemary 2010-03-14T19:45:19+00:00 http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/diary/archives/000659.html Well, it's eight weeks and five days until we get the keys of our new place. It's exciting AND frustrating. Dan's folks are now living in their caravan in Dunning, which is lovely. We called yesterday and were so surprised... Smallholding Rosemary 2010-03-14T19:26:33+00:00 http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/diary/archives/000658.html Well, the missives on our new smallholding have finally been concluded, with an entry date of 14th May. We're relieved and excited but we now have a lot to do. We hope to get in to inspect the property with... Smallholding Rosemary 2010-03-04T17:44:28+00:00 http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/diary/archives/000657.html We bought a bottle of green ginger wine on Saturday. It was reduced in Marks and Spencer and I, in particular, love ginger. Especially covered in dark chocolate, but no matter. We've both had colds but Dan has been taking... Food and recipes Rosemary 2010-02-22T11:25:59+00:00 http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/diary/archives/000656.html The ewes and ewe lambs have been confined to quite a small paddock, albeit with adlib hay and a lick. It was a lovely day today, cold but sunny, so I let them through into the river paddock. What excitement!... Sheep Rosemary 2010-02-21T21:43:18+00:00 http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/diary/archives/000655.html Well, it's week four of our beekeeping course tomorrow. Week one was an introduction and bee biology; week two was equipment (and we were given catalogues away with us!!); week three was handling bees (without actual bees) and week four... Bees and beekeeping Rosemary 2010-02-21T21:31:05+00:00 http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/diary/archives/000654.html they take their worm tablets wrapped in a little bit of cheese, like dogs.... Rosemary 2010-02-01T20:55:29+00:00 http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/diary/archives/000653.html Our seed potatoes, onion and shallot sets and garlic arrived last week. I ordered them before we even thought about moving. As usual, I was surprised by the quantity I had ordered! I've bought Vivaldi and Mimi as earlies to... Rosemary 2010-02-01T20:43:17+00:00 http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/diary/archives/000652.html Dan's dad and I started our beekeeping course on Tuesday. Run by Dunblane and Stirling Beekeepers' Association over about eight weeks, it was very enjoyable and very interesting. Thirty three people had signed up for the course and we all... Bees and beekeeping Rosemary 2010-01-31T21:43:00+00:00 http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/diary/archives/000651.html Well, it's been a sheep day today. Our ewes were scanned and came home, and Carol's ewe lambs left by return. Our ewes and ewe lambs are now in the top of the orchard and will be there until lambing;... Sheep Rosemary 2010-01-24T20:38:55+00:00 http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/diary/archives/000650.html Actually, it wasn't that dramatic. I was walking the dogs this afternoon and saw them nosing around something on the ground. When I got closer, I found that it was a bird, some kind of waterfowl, that couldn't fly. Hmm,... Wildlife Rosemary 2010-01-19T18:56:38+00:00 http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/diary/archives/000649.html When we move to our new place in the summer, I plan to establish a "paddock paradise" for Smokey and his as-yet-to-be-identified companion. Paddock Paradise is a system of natural horse boarding developed by American hoofcare expert, Jaime Jackson. Basically,... Horse Rosemary 2010-01-15T21:06:57+00:00 http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/diary/archives/000648.html We've had snow and ice for about 4 weeks now and I've been so careful not to fall. Tonight, with it almost back to normal, I took a clattering fall in the field. I went full length on an icy... Anything goes Rosemary 2010-01-15T21:00:15+00:00 http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/diary/archives/000646.html It's +3 today, sunny and windy - things are definitely thawing. Hopefully the wind will keep it dry as it thaws and we won't be left with too much mud. The five day forecast is for more of the same... Anything goes Rosemary 2010-01-10T15:37:00+00:00 http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/diary/archives/000647.html I start my beekeeping course on 26th January. I'm quite excited about it and a wee bit apprehensive. The best thing would be for me to be stung early on, so that I know how bad (or otherwise) it is... Bees and beekeeping Rosemary 2010-01-10T12:56:16+00:00