Saturday 16 May 2009



Pretty things...............:) I got these at the tip yesterday. The plate is Colclough and so pretty, but on its own - wonder what happened to the others? The little candlestick is pressed glass, and will be used in the winter. I got both of them, plus a hand woven willow pheasant for the garden (he will make an appearance later once installed in the veg garden LOL) for only £1. OK, so not necessary purchases, they aren't particularly useful, may be considered fripperies by some, but sometimes it's nice to break out of the practical/useful mould and give yourself a little smile when you catch sight of them in your home. They make me happy, and that's useful enough for me.

Friday 15 May 2009

On a more positive note.............

Two good things to happen this week.

We have a Green Party candidate to vote for in our South West constituency in the European elections on June 4th.








In a great step forward, I hope, Sherborne is hoping to get transition town status, the first meeting being next wekk in the town. I shall be there. I shall get involved and do my bit.




Small glimmers of hope and joy. :)

This has to stop.



I was hugely incensed last night watching the BBC news. This happens quite often, especially at the moment with all the Government expense fraud scandal, the overpaid banking executives, the finacncial messes and crises that continue unabated; but this took the biscuit.
On the 10 o'clock news, there was an article about how global warming is affecting the North Pole - melting of ice, lack of snow, serious concern about the depth of ice left, and the mind numbingly depressing news that the ice will most likely be gone in 20 years. Truly frightening stuff.
The report was about the current three man expedition to carry out srveys, take measurements, etc.
So - what do we get? A BBC reporter, complete with crew (camerman, producer probably, who knows who else) flying 700 miles each way for a few minutes reporting and some pictures. Not only the 700 niles, but they would have had to get somewhere before they headed off to the Pole, flying again. So, pray tell, will that help global warming and the melting of the ice caps by adding to the flying burden this planet is seen as having to bear? IT WILL NOT, and not only will it not help, it will intensify it.
A studio article would have sufficed, and waiting for the expedition to return and their reports and findings analysed and conveyed then. I'm sure they had cameras, recording equipment, etc, and pictures and reports from the actual project would have been more useful and relevant. We got some shots of a man drilling some ice and snippets of comments from the expedition on how cold it was and their (albeit valid) frost bite concerns. Well yes, it's the North Pole.............

When will the BBC wake up and realise how it is adding to the problems by flying their reporters all over the world for minutes of footage that can be amply described by studio interviews, reports from those at the scene already, phone links with locals, etc? It's not just this report, but many others that are increasing the huge burden on what's left of our planet. Their short sightedness and apparent disregard for the fragility of what we have left beggars belief.

Yes, there is a letter on the way to the BBC this morning.

After the grinding halt (hopefully) of the MP's expenses gravy train, I would like to see these BBC jollies stopped, and the organisation become more accountabloe not only to us who fund it, but to the planet , our children, and their future.

Wednesday 13 May 2009

Ironing without electricity

In my constant efforts to reduce electricity consumption in meaningful ways, I used my flat iron this morning, whilst the stove was up and hot for cooking, to do the teatowels - picture a couple of posts down.

Looking further into it, I found this on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFnHoniVAi0

Fascinating and inspiring. Not sure I could lift that heavy iron full of coals for long. I have my grandmother's box iron, I might give that a go.

Now, this would suit me just fine......













Roof would be handy though! LOL County Clare in Ireland - one of my favourite places, and handy for the Aran Islands............maybe one day.

Wednesday so far

















I've been in the kitchen all morning so far today; supper is made - shepherd's pie and Eve's pudding with whiped cream tonight; fresh flowers; tea twoels ironed with my little flat iron as I had the stove up for cooking; nice piece of brisket into salt for curing into corned beef. Now drinking tea, with two fruit cakes baking away in the oven to make the most of the heat.
Thsi afternoon is cleaning the sitting room, finishing a jumper and maybe a few things outside, if it doesn't rain, then Parish meetings tonight.

Monday 11 May 2009

Doing the rounds

One of the great gardening joys of spring onwards ( less so in the winter!) is doing the garden rounds in the morning. Close and regular observation in the garden pays ample reward - the first buds on trees, tiny leaves unfurling, soil teeming with life, birds on the wing and singing their hearts out, what's germinated in the greenhouses, in the veg beds, all the promise of good food to come. It takes over half an hour now, checking and watering the greenhouses and beds, but I do enjoy it. Everything is coming on well so far, and I noted the first tiny deep rose pink sweet pea bud this morning, broad beans flowering well, spring onions and carrots germinating, beans starting on their upward journey..............


Yesterday, I got my very own custom-shorn fleece; I chose a sheep ( a Romney X) and she was sheared right in front of me, and the fleece came home in a bag. How pleased am I with it?:)
Here's the shearer in action, almost done:



Progress will be reported on Figheade, my knitting blog - link on the right.

Sunday 10 May 2009

Day out






We spent today out at a nearby estate village just over the vale from us. This was out fourth visit there, and it's a lovely, gentle, country -oriented day out. Although we are lucky enough to live int he country, surrounded by these things all of the time, it's lovely to be able to go to an event such as this and talk to real craftsmen and women keeping traditional crafts alive, showing animals (lots of babies at this time of year), local food, etc. One of the hihglihts of our visit is always the hour long tractor and trailer ride around the estate, where from the ridge you can see way over the Blackmore Vale, then journey down and back to the show site through a bluebell wood. Magical today, with warm sunshine, dappled shade, bluebells and stitchwort, trees unfurling their leaves, pheasants and buzzards. There are kites up there, but they weren't to be seen today.

Day out part II

The alpacas belong to a local farm, and were on show; the Highland cattle live on the estate.