March 2012

Well, we're now in May and although this grim weather is letting me catch up here i find myself wishing it was March again. I'm still wondering if that was our summer this year and am remembering thinking it wasn't the best sign to end up narrowly avoiding sunburn so early in the year.

Back in March....



The hens where coming back in to full lay and Marans / Silkie cross (5th from the left) had started giving us green eggs. Given the Maran lays dark brown and the Silkie white eggs this is definitely not the colour expected. Most of the girls give us an egg a day so i shan't be grumbling about the colour.



Omelettes where back on the menu.  As was cauliflower cheese bake.



In the nearby woods the first Comma of the year was seen out and about.



Over at the "Lost Plot" the bees where out and about gathering pollen from Gorse, Hazel, and here seem to have found some dandelions. See more on the Bees page.



Back on 17 > 19 the tulips on the corner where out almost two months earlier than last year






Looking back it was as if the spring bulbs this year knew what was to come as they all seemed to come out over a short time. At least the sun allowed some pleasant days clearing down the dead stems and digging in the compost.

Update for April 2011

Well Hello, now that i have ported all the archive pics over to Flickr I eventually can get on with the backlog of updates for this years happenings.

At 17>19 the Honesty that now self sustains either side of the steps in is out and providing some early food for the beneficial insects




As are the Dandelions, these I leave for the flowers to be enjoyed but then dig out to provide greens for the hens and limit the proliferation.




This month one of the girls, a while Silkie, hatched us a brood of six chicks. Hard to tell at the moment but it looks like most are Silkie X Marans and only one cockerel.



Meanwhile, and taking advantage of 17>19 being up to speed the clearance and fencing work over at the "Lost Plot" is progressing.




Probably the most exciting development this month is that i have started a 10 week beekeeping course.  We have been hands on from the off and i am really enjoying it. No stings so far.