Author Archives: Neil

Willows for fuel 

Posted on March 12, 2017 by Neil

We are reducing the size of our rigs for growing vegetables as they are going to be made into raised beds, so we have a bit of space fenced off from animals with reasonably good soil. In order to utilise … Continue reading →

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Blackcurrants and willows

Posted on March 4, 2017 by Neil

3 years ago we took cuttings of blackcurrants (well prunings really)  and shoved them in the ground. Most of them rooted successfully and having survived pigs and turkeys it is time to move them. We planted some of them outside … Continue reading →

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Mirrie Dancers

Posted on February 27, 2017 by Neil

Mirrie dancers (aka northern lights, aurora borealis) were out in force tonight. Perfect night for it – moonless and virtually cloudless

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More seeds sown 

Posted on February 26, 2017 by Neil

The beds in the polycrub are starting to get filled. Planted the following rows of seeds today along with a couple of rows of red onion sets: Carrots – Early Nantes Beetroot –  Moneta Spring onion – White Lisbon  Swiss … Continue reading →

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Working with wool

Posted on February 22, 2017 by Neil

February weather keeping us indoors for the most part today,  strong northerly wind with blustery showers, not great for working outdoors. So we have been working with wool today. I have been have been carding whilst Iwona was spinning. 

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Strawberry bed and rhubarb 

Posted on February 19, 2017 by Neil

Finished making and planting the new strawberry bed next to the shed. We don’t seem to be able to grow strawberries in the polycrub, they grow well but the fruit tastes a bit mouldy which tends to spoil the enjoyment. … Continue reading →

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Another season starts 

Posted on February 13, 2017 by Neil

Another season gets underway in the polycrub. Not much left from last year, just some rocket, radicchio plus autumn planted shallots, broccoli and spring greens. All looks a bit bare – although all ready for planting a new season of … Continue reading →

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Carrot pickle

Posted on September 3, 2016 by Neil

Picked some of our carrots, rather large thinnings really, and have embarked on making some carrot pickle using a recipe from Oded Schwartz. All ingredients shredded and mixed, now needs to be left overnight to marinate before boiling and putting … Continue reading →

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Busy December Day

Posted on December 4, 2014 by Neil

Nice day for crofting – not raining, not blowing a gale and relatively warm for December. Took advantage of this and led the ewes up to the hill for tupping when the rams are ‘slipped’, which should be in the … Continue reading →

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Xmas Ham

Posted on December 1, 2014 by Neil

Started a cure for a leg of our own pork to make a ham for Christmas based on the recipe in the following link- http://forum.sausagemaking.org/viewtopic.php?t=7118&start=15 . Started off by boning out the leg, which left a 3kg joint, then mixed up … Continue reading →

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