If you are planning on a camping trip to this beautiful part of England, check this lovely site out, run by a really fab family I know :)
Hideaway Camping
Would suit all types of happy campers!
Friday 28 August 2015
Monday 24 August 2015
Some sunshine would be nice...
Well, its been a very mixed summer weather wise, many grey days with a fair bit of rain and only a passing glance of the sun. Thats the UK for you though. I have found that September tends to be more sunny for longer periods, heres hoping my theory is right!
I have noticed a lot more wasps than in previous years, unfortunately I got too close to a nest a couple of weeks back and was stung twice :( oh well, at least I know its there and will avoid at all costs! Am pretty scared of the little nasties and will run away at the sight of one. I didn't always react this way, I seem to get worse as I get older. Wasps do help the gardener as they eat aphids, but it just isn't enough for me to like them! I know its best to ignore them and let them get on with buzzing around looking for something sweet to eat but something in my brain shouts RUN!! My husband ran like never before after strimming a nest a few years back, he got stung a lot, poor man. Luckily the clients forgave his strong language!
After a very busy summer I am hoping for a quiet spell as I have a list of jobs in the garden as long as my arm. Ive been promised a new lawn for a very long time - I hate to think how long - theres hedges to cut, so much weeding to do , more fencing to fix....and so it goes on. I think with any trade - builders, decorators etc - you just never get jobs finished at home. My garden is an embarrassment but luckily nobody can see it!!
I will try and get some more informative blogging written here in the v near future, always an issue with time. I have considered moving my blog to wordpress as its easier to follow and I know how many are following at a glance. I have a wordpress blog and the numbers keep rising which gives me more incentive to keep blogging. Though I guess if followers slow and I don't blog as much then the blog becomes uninteresting! Sometimes I do feel Im talking to myself, actually, I do often talk to myself so nothing new there!
Autumn is approaching and its a busy time in the garden so will try and get some posts up on jobs to do :)
I have noticed a lot more wasps than in previous years, unfortunately I got too close to a nest a couple of weeks back and was stung twice :( oh well, at least I know its there and will avoid at all costs! Am pretty scared of the little nasties and will run away at the sight of one. I didn't always react this way, I seem to get worse as I get older. Wasps do help the gardener as they eat aphids, but it just isn't enough for me to like them! I know its best to ignore them and let them get on with buzzing around looking for something sweet to eat but something in my brain shouts RUN!! My husband ran like never before after strimming a nest a few years back, he got stung a lot, poor man. Luckily the clients forgave his strong language!
After a very busy summer I am hoping for a quiet spell as I have a list of jobs in the garden as long as my arm. Ive been promised a new lawn for a very long time - I hate to think how long - theres hedges to cut, so much weeding to do , more fencing to fix....and so it goes on. I think with any trade - builders, decorators etc - you just never get jobs finished at home. My garden is an embarrassment but luckily nobody can see it!!
I will try and get some more informative blogging written here in the v near future, always an issue with time. I have considered moving my blog to wordpress as its easier to follow and I know how many are following at a glance. I have a wordpress blog and the numbers keep rising which gives me more incentive to keep blogging. Though I guess if followers slow and I don't blog as much then the blog becomes uninteresting! Sometimes I do feel Im talking to myself, actually, I do often talk to myself so nothing new there!
Autumn is approaching and its a busy time in the garden so will try and get some posts up on jobs to do :)
Saturday 4 July 2015
New Shop
Totally unrelated to gardening, though is about Dartmoor, there will be a new craft shop opening in Belstone on north Dartmoor and I will be selling my crochet work.
I have been crocheting for a few years now and have sold at a number of craft fairs. I have some work in a couple of shops locally and now I will also be selling at Dartmoor Chapel Crafts :)
The Chapel, also known as the telegraph office is owned by a friend who makes wonderful silver jewellery. She decided to open the chapel as a craft shop for local makers and it all starts at 11 am Saturday 11th July. I will be there to help so if you are in the area please pop in and say hello (and bring cash as no card machine yet ;))
The will also be artisan soaps made locally using natural ingredients, children's clothing, paintings, photography, pottery and more.
Follow the shop on twitter @belstonecrafts
The Chapel is easy to find in Belstone, just a few miles from the A30, get to the village from Whiddon Down or Okehampton.
Here's a pic
I have been crocheting for a few years now and have sold at a number of craft fairs. I have some work in a couple of shops locally and now I will also be selling at Dartmoor Chapel Crafts :)
The Chapel, also known as the telegraph office is owned by a friend who makes wonderful silver jewellery. She decided to open the chapel as a craft shop for local makers and it all starts at 11 am Saturday 11th July. I will be there to help so if you are in the area please pop in and say hello (and bring cash as no card machine yet ;))
The will also be artisan soaps made locally using natural ingredients, children's clothing, paintings, photography, pottery and more.
Follow the shop on twitter @belstonecrafts
The Chapel is easy to find in Belstone, just a few miles from the A30, get to the village from Whiddon Down or Okehampton.
Here's a pic
Thursday 25 June 2015
Where Have I Been??
It has been quite a while since my last post. When I started, there was plenty of enthusiasm and was posting about once a week. As the novelty wore off a bit I thought once a month was adequate though have not even manged thst recently!! So I apologise if you have missed me.
To recap on whats been happening.....
We have been incredibly busy this spring, in fact busier than ever before. Its mainly been with existing clients wanting more rather than new gardens needing help. The pace hasn't yet calmed down either, yesterday I finally got around to getting to the nurseries to buy more lovely plants, my favourite part of the job :)
One of the plants I bought was one I haven't seen for a long time, just had to have it (I think it will end up in my garden!) Its a Lespedeza thunbergii (Bush Clover), a beautiful arching shrub with racemes of pea like rose/purple flowers in Autumn.
Available here at Burncoose Nurseries
Our garden is still a long way off showing you guys, might never happen!! The only veg we have are potatoes and a few broad beans. I still haven't planted the courgettes. Oh, nearly forgot, we have tomatoes in our greenhouse.The fruit seem to be doing well this year, plenty of apples growing, a few plums and some strawberries ripening too. My roses have been really good so far, lots of flowers on my Pat Austin. Still havent got a lawn, the old one being removed as it was so poor. Crikey, sounds like my garden is quite big, but alas no, still I can pack a lot of plants in a small space :)
We had a holiday in the Lake District, which was lovely, though our dog was very ill on the last night, after possibly eating something bad. Thankfully she's back to her happy self.
During our holiday we took a lovely walk from Ambleside around Loughrigg Fell which had a bit of everything - moor, woodland, river, lake and even two caves. I love it there!
Here's a few pics
To recap on whats been happening.....
We have been incredibly busy this spring, in fact busier than ever before. Its mainly been with existing clients wanting more rather than new gardens needing help. The pace hasn't yet calmed down either, yesterday I finally got around to getting to the nurseries to buy more lovely plants, my favourite part of the job :)
One of the plants I bought was one I haven't seen for a long time, just had to have it (I think it will end up in my garden!) Its a Lespedeza thunbergii (Bush Clover), a beautiful arching shrub with racemes of pea like rose/purple flowers in Autumn.
Our garden is still a long way off showing you guys, might never happen!! The only veg we have are potatoes and a few broad beans. I still haven't planted the courgettes. Oh, nearly forgot, we have tomatoes in our greenhouse.The fruit seem to be doing well this year, plenty of apples growing, a few plums and some strawberries ripening too. My roses have been really good so far, lots of flowers on my Pat Austin. Still havent got a lawn, the old one being removed as it was so poor. Crikey, sounds like my garden is quite big, but alas no, still I can pack a lot of plants in a small space :)
We had a holiday in the Lake District, which was lovely, though our dog was very ill on the last night, after possibly eating something bad. Thankfully she's back to her happy self.
During our holiday we took a lovely walk from Ambleside around Loughrigg Fell which had a bit of everything - moor, woodland, river, lake and even two caves. I love it there!
Here's a few pics
Just a few, the weather wasn't on our side so was a bit too dull to take any decent shots.
While there, we took the opportunity to drive to the north of the national park to see the rather magnificent Blencathra, or Saddleback Mountain. It really is an amazing sight. It rises up from level ground and stands alone away from other mountains.
I know of a film maker, Terry Abraham, who is in the process of filming a documentary on Blencathra and the people who live and work around it. It won't be completed until May 2016, though you can buy his previous film about Scafell Pike, another famous mountain in the Lakes. It's a fascinating film, you can buy it here Scafell Pike - Life of a Mountain
Time for a break now, am feeling under the weather as have been up most of the night with a sore throat! Be back soon :)
Tuesday 24 March 2015
Missed Me?
Hello followers!
Apologies for my absence, its been a hectic start to the year, work has never been this busy!
I have been gardening for a long time now and as a result have gained a few aches and pains that stop me working as much as I used to. Luckily I have help to keep the customers happy.
I have managed to get the winter pruning of Wisteria done on time. It makes such a difference to the flower production. It is a bit late to do it now so if you've missed the timing then don't panic too much, just make sure you get the summer pruning done and don't miss this winter!
So, what else needs doing now? Well, you can get the grass cut for a start! You may have already started, but if its the first cut, make sure you use a high setting. The grass should only need cutting once a fortnight at this time. Rather than me spending ages typing heres a link to lawn care here in the UK - lawn advice
You should have pruned your roses (if needed) but you can still get away with it now, give them a feed too, there are numerous feeds specific to roses on the market. If you have a very dry garden, give them a mulch of organic matter too, this will help to retain moisture. You could do this with your shrubs and hedges too.
There is still time to transplant evergreen shrubs. Again, a feed and a mulch will help the plant get established in its new home. If we do have a dry summer, keep an eye out for any signs of suffering and water if necessary.
Split any spreading perennials and place out supports for plants such as delphiniums.
There are also plenty of veg seeds to get sowing now.
Phew, thats a lot to do, well lets get on with it!!
Apologies for my absence, its been a hectic start to the year, work has never been this busy!
I have been gardening for a long time now and as a result have gained a few aches and pains that stop me working as much as I used to. Luckily I have help to keep the customers happy.
I have managed to get the winter pruning of Wisteria done on time. It makes such a difference to the flower production. It is a bit late to do it now so if you've missed the timing then don't panic too much, just make sure you get the summer pruning done and don't miss this winter!
So, what else needs doing now? Well, you can get the grass cut for a start! You may have already started, but if its the first cut, make sure you use a high setting. The grass should only need cutting once a fortnight at this time. Rather than me spending ages typing heres a link to lawn care here in the UK - lawn advice
You should have pruned your roses (if needed) but you can still get away with it now, give them a feed too, there are numerous feeds specific to roses on the market. If you have a very dry garden, give them a mulch of organic matter too, this will help to retain moisture. You could do this with your shrubs and hedges too.
There is still time to transplant evergreen shrubs. Again, a feed and a mulch will help the plant get established in its new home. If we do have a dry summer, keep an eye out for any signs of suffering and water if necessary.
Split any spreading perennials and place out supports for plants such as delphiniums.
There are also plenty of veg seeds to get sowing now.
Phew, thats a lot to do, well lets get on with it!!
Friday 30 January 2015
Facebook fun
I was nominated by a friend to post 3 of my landscape pics, one each day and nominate 3 friends each day to do the same and its become very popular!
It gives me a reason to go through my (many) old pics to find my favourites. What a fab idea. I found loads that I was very pleased with and was actually quite hard, yet fun to do. So why not show you guys some of my faves, see what you think.. heres what I posted...
Thought I should try and post one every month, though I have so many it may become more regular!Its also great to see what other people are posting, have seen some gorgeous photos :)
It gives me a reason to go through my (many) old pics to find my favourites. What a fab idea. I found loads that I was very pleased with and was actually quite hard, yet fun to do. So why not show you guys some of my faves, see what you think.. heres what I posted...
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| Misty morn on Lake Windermere, Cumbria |
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| North Dartmoor |
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| On the moor at Sourton |
Monday 19 January 2015
A change of scene
I love living next to Dartmoor, it really is a beautiful part of the UK and I don't expect to move .....but if I did, I would move to the Lake District. Did you see the stunning film that was on BBC4 about Scarfell Pike? Wow!! I nearly packed my bags there and then! If you can't watch it online, theres a dvd. Go on, treat yourself!
Heres a link toTerry Abrahams blog, who filmed this stunning documentary
http://www.terrybnd.blogspot.co.uk/
Meanwhile, back in Devon, a couple of chaps created a timelapse film of Dartmoor
http://www.activedartmoor.com/timelapse.html
Maybe I should find some footage of our other fabulous National Parks? When I have more time.
There is snow on the high ground, hasn't arrived here though we had a hard frost overnight so everything is all sparkley in the morning sunshine. Hopefully it will defrost enough for me to have a go at my own garden, which is looking rather negected at the moment. I have been promised a team of men to put up the fencing and lay down turf before the busy Spring arrives. Am already doubtful this will happen as we are busy now!
Heres a link toTerry Abrahams blog, who filmed this stunning documentary
http://www.terrybnd.blogspot.co.uk/
Meanwhile, back in Devon, a couple of chaps created a timelapse film of Dartmoor
http://www.activedartmoor.com/timelapse.html
Maybe I should find some footage of our other fabulous National Parks? When I have more time.
There is snow on the high ground, hasn't arrived here though we had a hard frost overnight so everything is all sparkley in the morning sunshine. Hopefully it will defrost enough for me to have a go at my own garden, which is looking rather negected at the moment. I have been promised a team of men to put up the fencing and lay down turf before the busy Spring arrives. Am already doubtful this will happen as we are busy now!
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