Weather was not surprisingly a bit wintery this month. Multiple storms and a lot of wind. We had no power for about 8 hours during storm Ciara, so fired up the kitchen woodburner for cooking and heat, moved into the kitchen for better light and got on with a jigsaw. Chester snuggled down until the bad weather had gone away. Other indoor activities – I made a teddy bear and tidied the potting shed.
Between storms when the weather was kinder we did get a few things done outside. Helen brought James down, who competently wielded a chainsaw and we removed some large overhanging boughs, and chopped 4 of the largest hazel trees by the orchard right down. As they are grown for coppicing they should soon return and fill the gaps, and we’ll repeat next year. The area of the orchard that they were next to was getting quite shady, so this should let more sun and air into that corner. It took a couple of weeks waiting for dry weather to ‘process’ all of the remains. Some cut for logs, or support sticks, and the remaining brush fed to the shredder. The shreddings are very useful on paths, and a great way to reduce the bulk without waste.
There are more signs that spring is on the way around the garden, and still a few crops to harvest. We’ll be living off leeks, broccoli and parsnips if the coronavirus takes hold 🙂 . The mushroom doesn’t seem to mind the weather, he smiles more when he’s wet!
And finally… Chester’s two favourite places, in front of the fire when it’s cold, and in any available sunbeam when it’s not
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