Heathers and bimbling - The Accidental Smallholder

Posted: Sunday 2 February, 2025

by Rosemary at 12:41pm in Smallholding 19 comments Add your own

Monday 27^th January

Overcast and raw today, but Dan spent some time lifting an replanting rhubarb and digging out some wayward strawberries. I finally made a start on planting the heathers, probably got 1/3 done.

We had a couple of hours at the Hub; Dan was working with Joanne on the design for the sign (it’s looking really good) and I was tidying up. Then Kate dropped in more YC stuff and I collected some flags donated by a woman in Monifieth. So I’ll start again on Wednesday.

At teatime, I popped into Dundee and did my holiday shopping, such as it is. Busy, busy roads coming home; no idea why.

Tuesday 28^th January

Lovely sunny morning, but clouded up and got a bit dreich after lunchtime. Farrier was here this morning to trim Mix; he’ll be back in six weeks to do both ponies.

I had a bit of a meltdown this morning; too many plates spinning and I have to change the signatories on the YC bank account. Dealing with any bank just does my head in; it’s always so hard and they’re so unhelpful. Anyway, big girl pants on, then I gave the barn a good clean. Very therapeutic.

Dan planted more trees in the Spinney, then gave me a hand to plant the rest of the heathers. We have a few, maybe six or seven, spare. I can’t decide whether to do a second, smaller heather bed on the other side of the stumpery.

Heather bed planted.

Wednesday 29^th January

Dan and I spent the morning at The Hub, moving furniture in and out. All progress

Thursday 30^th January

Good, sunny day; Lorna and I had a walk round Hospitalfield.

“The Box” has been removed from The Hub wall. Dan’s going up Saturday to take all the stuff to the skip.

Dinner at The Milton Inn with A&J; lovely food, lovely company.

Friday 31^st January

Vet Alistair was out to check the ponies' teeth. No major problems - they are pretty much as you'd expect for their ages. Bit of a rasp and we'll do it all again in six months or so. He thought Mix was a wee bit thin and Smokey a wee bit fat (no surprise) so feeds have been adjusted.

Out for dinner at Gidi Grill with C&S. Lovely to see them – doesn’t happen enough.

Saturday 1^st February / Sunday 2^nd February

Just bimbling about, really; Dan had a trip to the skip with the rubbish from the Hub on Saturday, other than that, it was just housework, cleaning out hens, ponies, cats and so on.

It does feel quite spring-like, but old Mother Nature likes to fool us. My shallot sets arrived  - Red Sun and Golden Gourmet – another week or so, and I’ll feel able to sow the first seeds of 2025. Nice.