Well I have some photos of the upstairs extension so without further ado here are some shots.   We are far from finished but even as I speak the stud work for the plaster boarding has moved forward as has the pipework from the upstairs bathroom into the old house in what will become the… Read More Building updates, sunshine, a surfeit of grapes and poor Royston

It’s been raining on and off all day and all my fears of mud have come to fruition.  The living room rug is getting a steam clean and then packed away.  Its wonderfully bright stripes are bespattered with muddy canine and human prints despite all my best efforts.  Thank goodness for the utilitarian leather sofas,… Read More Rain, tiles, human kindness and woodyards

Recently three of the kids have ended relationships, one has started a relationship, another is in a longterm relationship and the youngest – who knows!  I think they have all handled these various relationship statuses with aplomb.  Young people have so may pressures that it is good to see that they try not to “should” on themselves nor on… Read More Endings and beginnings, surprise visitors and plumbing

Everyone is talking about winter and canning (which actually refers to storing produce in any manner).  I of course as a green newbie asked how people were canning their produce and if they used a special tool for the process.  I had a few sideways glances till I “got it”.  So this week I hunted… Read More Hilda hausfrauing, fruit trees and joists