Well, I did mean to say happy Christmas last week but forgot to publish the post! So hope you all have a fab party tonight. Myself and himself will be at home avoiding the parties and having a quiet one.
I do intend to get back into regular postings so keep checking in - to make it easier, just sign up!
Heres to a fantastic 2014 :)
Tuesday, 31 December 2013
Friday, 13 December 2013
2000 Hit Challenge
Well, at the moment I have had 1931 hits, can I get to 2000 for Christmas?? Wouldn't that be a nice pressie!
Hmmm, presents, that annual problem. Have to say am not very good at choosing gifts and am not one for enjoyng shopping trips, so its a difficult time!
Luckily I am able to make gifts, theres at least one crochet pressie being created at the mo (its ok, the recipient already knows!). Have a few other ideas up my sleeve, but I guess I better not share as family and friends may read this.
So, get on viewing, only 69 hits to go.....
Hmmm, presents, that annual problem. Have to say am not very good at choosing gifts and am not one for enjoyng shopping trips, so its a difficult time!
Luckily I am able to make gifts, theres at least one crochet pressie being created at the mo (its ok, the recipient already knows!). Have a few other ideas up my sleeve, but I guess I better not share as family and friends may read this.
So, get on viewing, only 69 hits to go.....
Wednesday, 11 December 2013
Apologies for my lack of posts
Its been very busy here at the Dartmoor Gardeners HQ and I just haven't had the time to post. Have you missed me?? I have an alternative occupation that has filled a lot of my time heading up to Christmas - crochet!
I have been selling my crochet work (or trying to!) at a few flea markets recently. Not gone as well as I had hoped, but I will keep trying. It has taken over everything these last few weeks, including my blog. One more Xmas fair on Saturday then thats it til next year. Phew!
Here's some of my work
And some felt owls that I'm really pleased with.
Its a start! I will be creating more crafts, having loads of ideas, just need the time! I am hoping to get a facebook page done over the weekend - will give you a link as soon as!
I have been selling my crochet work (or trying to!) at a few flea markets recently. Not gone as well as I had hoped, but I will keep trying. It has taken over everything these last few weeks, including my blog. One more Xmas fair on Saturday then thats it til next year. Phew!
Here's some of my work
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| Wrist warmers, stars and a scarf |
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| Mug cosies, great for gardeners, keeping tea warm! |
And some felt owls that I'm really pleased with.
Tuesday, 19 November 2013
Eek! Where does the time go???
I haven't blogged for a month! My main excuse is that I have been in Scotland for a couple of weeks, the longest holiday in around 4 years. I've got plenty of photos which I plan to show you in next few days. What a beautiful place! We stayed in the highlands for most of the holiday, house sitting with two gorgeous cats and 4 hens who supplied us with fresh eggs every day.
Apart from the breath taking scenery and the incredibly winding roads, there were 2 real highlights that stand out. The first was watching an otter eating fish in a loch at Kylerhea on the Isle of Skye. We had to take a long, mainly single track road to the purpose built hide to view this beautiful animal, it was sooo worth it! We do have otters here in Devon and I have seen two very briefly, but this time we enjoyed a good 10 minutes viewing. I highly recommend you go if you get the chance, heres a link http://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/wildwoods.nsf/LUWebDocsByKey/ScotlandHighlandNoForestKylerheaKylerheaOtterHide
Unfortunately, my camera doesn't zoom enough to get a good pic, but there were binoculars in the hide, so we got great views.
The other highlight was on our last day in Scotland, much further south near Callander.
http://argatyredkites.co.uk/index.php
We were wanting to go to Doune Castle, but it was closed for filming. We had seen signs for this place nearby, saying Red Kite viewing hide, so decided to have a look. By this time it was raining heavily (again!). We got to the car park, having no idea what to expect and thinking of leaving as it was so wet. We saw one kite, felt pleased with ourselves, decided to go, then were approached by a chap who asked if we wanted to come up to the hide to see the kites. 'OK', so we walked up, with dog (on lead) to the large hide where a few other people were waiting. Tom, the guy who met us, turned out to be an incredibly knowledgeable guide and a really lovely bloke! The hide was built on his parents farm, and is a feeding station for the kites. Tom told us all about these amazing birds and then went outside to put out food. We saw nearly 40!! We ended up staying for an hour 1/2, so worth the accidental visit! Read more about them on their website.
Again, no pics but then you will have to go and see for yourself! Please go if you are in the area, you wont be disappointed :)
Well, thats a bit about our Scottish trip, I will write more in next few days....
Apart from the breath taking scenery and the incredibly winding roads, there were 2 real highlights that stand out. The first was watching an otter eating fish in a loch at Kylerhea on the Isle of Skye. We had to take a long, mainly single track road to the purpose built hide to view this beautiful animal, it was sooo worth it! We do have otters here in Devon and I have seen two very briefly, but this time we enjoyed a good 10 minutes viewing. I highly recommend you go if you get the chance, heres a link http://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/wildwoods.nsf/LUWebDocsByKey/ScotlandHighlandNoForestKylerheaKylerheaOtterHide
Unfortunately, my camera doesn't zoom enough to get a good pic, but there were binoculars in the hide, so we got great views.
The other highlight was on our last day in Scotland, much further south near Callander.
http://argatyredkites.co.uk/index.php
We were wanting to go to Doune Castle, but it was closed for filming. We had seen signs for this place nearby, saying Red Kite viewing hide, so decided to have a look. By this time it was raining heavily (again!). We got to the car park, having no idea what to expect and thinking of leaving as it was so wet. We saw one kite, felt pleased with ourselves, decided to go, then were approached by a chap who asked if we wanted to come up to the hide to see the kites. 'OK', so we walked up, with dog (on lead) to the large hide where a few other people were waiting. Tom, the guy who met us, turned out to be an incredibly knowledgeable guide and a really lovely bloke! The hide was built on his parents farm, and is a feeding station for the kites. Tom told us all about these amazing birds and then went outside to put out food. We saw nearly 40!! We ended up staying for an hour 1/2, so worth the accidental visit! Read more about them on their website.
Again, no pics but then you will have to go and see for yourself! Please go if you are in the area, you wont be disappointed :)
Well, thats a bit about our Scottish trip, I will write more in next few days....
Saturday, 26 October 2013
Very addictive!
GeoGuessr - Let's explore the world!
Just been introduced to this on Facebook. Its all guesswork but seems most are in the US so you can't go too wrong!
Have a go.
I will be off to Scotland tomorrow for a couple of weeks so will report back with some pics on my return. I hope the storm predicted isn't too bad, we have a lot of driving ahead....
See you all in a couple of weeks :)
Just been introduced to this on Facebook. Its all guesswork but seems most are in the US so you can't go too wrong!
Have a go.
I will be off to Scotland tomorrow for a couple of weeks so will report back with some pics on my return. I hope the storm predicted isn't too bad, we have a lot of driving ahead....
See you all in a couple of weeks :)
Friday, 25 October 2013
What is a Fieldfare??
After comments regarding Fieldfares on my post re Rowan Trees, thought you might be interested in reading more. The RSPB website is so informative on all British birds, take a look (or 'have a gander at this', sorry couldn't resist ;))
http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/f/fieldfare/index.aspx
Thanks to Nick and Bald Eagle
http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/f/fieldfare/index.aspx
Thanks to Nick and Bald Eagle
Thursday, 24 October 2013
The Rowan Tree
One of my favourite trees is the Rowan, Sorbus aucuparia. Also known as Mountain Ash, Quickbeam, Witchwood, Cairtheand (old Irish) and Dogberry in Canada. They can be found in abundance here, on the north edge of Dartmoor, though also found across much of the UK as well as many countries in the Northern Hemisphere.
They really stand out at this time, with their bright orangey red berries and colourful foliage. A great tree for the small garden, they tolerate most soil, sun or some shade. You can even use the berries to make jelly, which I have done in the past, mixed with some wild crab apples. The berries are also a great food source for many birds.
There are many species of Sorbus, some of which you can find at garden centres, other more unusual varieties can be sourced from specialist nurseries.
Sorbus vilmorinii or Vilmorins Rowan, is a very pretty, rounded small tree with gorgeous pink blushed berries that slowly turn white and hang on well into Winter. A word of caution though, the flowers smell horrible, so dont plant too close to your patio!
Sorbus cashmiriana has pretty white berries that last well through the Winter , another great choice for a smaller garden.Also known as the Kashmir Rowan.
Well, that is a few to choose from and if you do fancy one get deciding, it will be planting time soon.
They really stand out at this time, with their bright orangey red berries and colourful foliage. A great tree for the small garden, they tolerate most soil, sun or some shade. You can even use the berries to make jelly, which I have done in the past, mixed with some wild crab apples. The berries are also a great food source for many birds.
There are many species of Sorbus, some of which you can find at garden centres, other more unusual varieties can be sourced from specialist nurseries.
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| Sorbus vilmorinii |
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| Sorbus Joseph Rock |
A very popular variety is Joseph Rock, upright in habit with soft yellow berries, and lovely red colour to the leaves in the Autumn.
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| Sorbus cashmiriana |
Sorbus cashmiriana has pretty white berries that last well through the Winter , another great choice for a smaller garden.Also known as the Kashmir Rowan.
Well, that is a few to choose from and if you do fancy one get deciding, it will be planting time soon.
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