May 2011 Update
A lot has happened over the past 6 weeks -. they fly by so quickly – where to start.
Animals
A total of 9 chicks hatched and despite the best efforts of Sheeba, they have all survived thus far. We now have daughter of ‘No Neck’ after aforementioned dog gave her a ‘welcome to the family’ and ‘my what a big mouth I have’. Somewhat damper and fewer feathers, she is still alive and thriving.
Another hen has taken it upon herself to sit on some more eggs, so the egg production is a bit of a lottery for another two weeks at least.
Sheeba is shedding her winter coat, and Rocky has had a haircut – and looks as tho he has lost about 20kg. He has become almost puppy-like again
Kids launching into end of year exams – with differing levels of application – hmmm… Jack has applied to Amposta college to do Micro-Computing and Caitlin is looking good to go up to 3rd ESO when they break up in June (Arrrgghhh! 3 months of summer holidays)
Jen is flying all over the place with her English (and Spanish) lessons – and guarding the chicks from any other canine onslaughts. We went to a race night last week end and she won 1st prize – a good night out.
Have just finished cutting a friends olive trees (300+) and whilst there will less olives to harvest compared to last year – it appears there will be enough to go around. He also has 300 almond trees to harvest in September – so look out for almond-themed Xmas presents this year!
Weather hotting up now – late twenties – which is just a taste of what is to come. Fantastic as we have not had to put the genny on so much - in fact it has only run for 2 hours this month so far.
All veg now growing like crazy – especially the amaranthus and quinoa, so will be interesting to see how they perform.
Planted 80 tomato plants yesterday – had to cut the canes down by the river and stake ‘em all up – not a small job, but hopefully we will have enough ‘frito’ to go around this coming winter.
Planting like crazy
Unbelievable last two weeks – do not want to re-hash it all, but suffice to say, some Catalan Scousers popped over the fence and helped themselves to my chainsaws and olive picking tools, and the bastard hunters (un-proven of course) put down poison last weekend, and sadly little Scampi is no more.
All other animals safe, thank goodness.
Planting like crazy… well.
Just put in 30 lettuce plants – the girl at the co-op must take pity on me as every-time I ask for twenty, she gives me thirty. I have a little spot for 10 cabbages – I get 15, and have to cram them in.
20 lettuce almost ready now – chard has finished, spinach is running away from us and has been, all winter.
Must have about 200 onions in varying stages of readiness – note to self – plant more.
Cabbage been very good all winter as well – have 10 ticking over, and have planted 10 more last week.
Artichokes – hmmm…. I can spot one ‘choke’ on my 12 plants – maybe next year eh.
Comfrey transplanted successfully, and unbelievably - I have some grape cuttings, and a quince cutting that have actually taken – a first for me!
Have constructed a potato ‘pen’ – the ground here is too hard to dig to any worthwhile depth, so am ‘growing upwards’ – should be interesting to see how it fares.
Soya beans are germinating – but I think they must have heat-treated the sorghum, as it is not doing anything just yet. Just a trial to see if we can grow some food for the hens, as the shop bought food is horrendous in price.
Just about to go mad with all the ‘Hertitage seeds’ we have bought – looking forward to this. The concept being that we should save the seed from one year to the next. Great idea – I shall probably cock up!
Have to dash – someone wants me to build them a ‘Dating’ web-site – not too sure about that.