Heatwave / Shallots / Garden - The Accidental Smallholder

Posted: Monday 14 July, 2025

by Rosemary at 3:29pm in Smallholding No comments Add your own

Monday 7th July

Sunny and warm, rain overnight but not sure how much.

Moved the sheep into Far Top after Alistair came and took three away for the fat sales.
New field for the nine.

Tuesday 8^th July

Another hot day; we were in Stirling for our annual lunch with Jim & Jean. Always good to catch up and the Green Gate was excellent as always.

Poorly sheep; one of the late lambers has mastitis. She’s had a/b and a painkiller.

Did some weeding and gave the rosebay willowherb to the ponies.

Rosebay Willowherb - a treat for ponies

First of three Gaelic classes, although I can only make two. Excellent.

 

Wednesday 9^th July

It’s Astrid’s 6^th birthday today. We (I) have bought her a riding lesson.

Both Flossies are now laying, so they can join the big girls soon.

Called in to see Lorna but it was too hot to go walking at 11am. Had lunch with Rebecca at Scryne.

Ewe still poorly; not coming for feed.

 

Thursday 10^th July

Dan and I killed and processed the last seven meat birds. In total, the 13 birds generated just short of 40kg of carcase. We used 130kg feed, so 3.28:1. The cost, excluding electricity, was £142.50; £3.56/kg and £10.96 per bird.

Our shooter, Robbie, left us five rabbits so the dogs are dining high on rabbit heads and legs and chicken heads and necks.and rabbits

Branch meeting tonight to discuss Conference resolutions. Bit of a panic getting the Kandao to work – all fine when we used to right remote control.

Friday 11^th July

It’s so hot. Smokey and Mickey had their willies cleaned. I used to do it myself but I’d rather pay Harris Intimate Equine Services to do it. Both were as good as gold. The clegs are awful; I wore shorts today and have some awful bites.

Bertie was feeling the heat.

Bertie, feeling the heat.

Our first pickling cucumber are ready. And regular cucumber, courgettes and tomatoes.

Pickling cucumbers.

Gaelic conversation group tonight. Progress is being made, albeit slow.

 

Saturday 12^th July

Dot didn’t come in last night, so she stayed in bed today.

Dot, chillin'.

Litter picking with Yes Carnoustie this morning; eight of us cleaned from the Muirdrum crossroads to the town boundary. About ten bags filled; Dan went round with the trailer, picked them up and took them to the skip.

The haar rolled in about lunchtime.

Haar rolling in.

And then Dan and I were off to Collinson’s in the Ferry for my birthday dinner. Lovely food; will definitely be back.

Sunday 13^th July

It’s very hot again. All the animals except the sheep are wabbit; the sheep are total sun worshippers.

Ewe came for feed this morning. Yay! Glad she’s better; my cleg bites have blistered. No photos, no bonny.

Lifted the shallots; we’ve never had a crop like this. Amazing.

Shallots.

Mair shallots.

Dan was in the garden for most of the day, weeding and picking blackcurrants. We’re also clearing the Byre, ready for the big Lego relocation this week. We’re having folk round on Saturday, so we want to be able to use the man cave (which Dan would like back).

Watched PSG v Chelsea. Great game but the presentation does not bode well for the World Cup; typical American shite. Then the Orange ManBaby appears. Dear gods.

And some random photos of the garden.

Near Ditch.

Perennial sweet peas over arches.

Polytunnel.

Polytunnel.