Rain / Rose / Cushings - The Accidental Smallholder

Posted: Monday 17 June, 2024

by Rosemary at 6:41am in Smallholding 1 comment Add your own

Monday 10^th June

More of the same weatherwise; mixed sun, cloud and showers, breezy and about 13C.

Picked up my new glasses this morning; love ‘em. Thanks to my style consultant, Tara for that.

Dan went jogging at Crombie Country Park with some chums from football. I got my exercise putting the cushion covers for our Poang IKEA chairs back on. We’ve had them forever, but it’s the first time we’ve had the covers cleaned. My goodness, they’re wearing well.

We also called in to see Murray at Ravensby Sheds to discuss our new sitooterie; we now have a plan and he’ll give us a price in the next few days. Awfy nice bloke and good to support a local business.

Finally, send some photos to the wall man, showing what we want. Hoping he’ll either give us an estimate based on that or that he’ll come for an in-person look.

Started to read the consultation document on the new Crofting Bill. Hope it’s better than the Land Reform Bill.

Tuesday 11^th June

Sunny and a bit warmer; Dan has been EPIC today. He worked outside from 8am to 6pm. Mostly tidying the front garden, clearing soil and roots, ready for more paths  to go in. I planted out some plants I bought last week then potted on 72 perennial plug plants that arrived today. Only one was beyond saving, so fingers crossed for the rest. The pack was on special so cheap as chips, and it will help us get the remaining two beds planted up in the autumn.

The wall would cost many thousands, so we'll just replace the fence.

The sitooterie is GO; bit more expensive than we expected but it’s only money lol. I’m already planning the “furnishings”. We have a rocking chair, so that’s going in – I’ll rub it down and paint it cream. A wee table, for our coffee / wine. Some pots.

Wednesday 12^th June

This rose on the old patio is doing remarkably well this year. I think it has benefitted from me feeding the bulbs below it. Weeding the patio is near the top of my list.

Beautiful rose.

Thursday 13^th June

All day in Aviemore at the Scottish Land Commission conference. Caught up with some folk I haven’t seen for a while. Discussion about land reform. Pretty depressing that there’s so little interest / urgency at ScotGov level.

Friday 14^th June

Rest day; a full day of traveling and people, much as I like them, wears me out. Thankfully, my BootLego order arrived, so there was mindless stuff to do.

Football this evening. And that is all. I’m saying about that. And heavy showers.

Saturday 15^th June

Changeable weather, with some nice, sunny spells.

Mickey has Cushings. Not a surprise given his age. Will pick up medication from the vet on Monday.

Sunday 16^th June

Flaming June? Steady rain. Alistair and Imogen were here this morning, dressing sheep for the Royal Highland Show.

Dottie is a weird sleeper, like Diesel. Pity they don’t get on. Or maybe it’s for the best. I saw her taking a Lego door frame into the bag. I need to have a look and see what else might be in there. Gold sovereigns?

Dottie's bab.

Dottie's Lego pumpkin pillow.