Hops

A while ago we bought some hop rhizomes (bits of root that new plants will grow from), we planted them in pots because we couldn't decide where to put them (and we were a bit worried about frost when they are so small). They have decided it is spring and started growing. We better decide where they are going and provide them with something to grow up pdq. We have a wee while before they outgrow the pots I guess.

We have Cascade, Fuggles, Challenger and East Kent Goldings. Obviously we plan on using them in our beer. It could be next year until we get a harvest I think.

Started spring planting

Today it felt really like spring, although it is not even the end of February yet. We should have gone skiing, but had to do something about fixing the drive before it collapses trapping us in the house for EVER. A couple of days ago we set off to go skiing, but the road was closed as they were clearing avalanches so we came back and did useful things including getting some plants started ready to go in the potager in a couple of months when it is warmer and we have built the raised beds. We planted onion, garlic and a couple of peas. We will do many more of each of these eventually, but we only had that many pots. Plus it is possibly a bit early as we don't have a green house or cold frame yet.

We haven't been skiing as often as we would like recently what with the road being blocked, going to funerals and having to do useful things like mend the drive but it is good to get things done too.

Tagged a sheep

A while ago we applied for and recieved the ear tags for the sheep. At the end of the summer we helped some friends to tag their goats. We have - at last - got started doing our sheep. Last update we still had 2 of the freezer bound lambs to catch and inject. We managed to catch one of them today (takes a LOT of patience) and gave it the injection and also ear tagged it as for once we remembered to take that equipment with us too. So in 28 days the one on the left will be all ready to go to the abattoir. You can just make out the ear tag - they wouldn't come close to us afterwards.

Easy tomato and bacon pasta sauce

This sauce is super easy to make. We have it when I can't really be bothered to cook (ie after a day of ruining the drive)

1 Onion
100g of lardons (bacon bits or chopped bacon)
2 largish tomatos (or a tin of tomato - but real are nicer)
1 tbl sp olive oil

Cut up the onion and tomato
Fry the onion in the oil for a few minutes
Add the bacon bits and fry for a few minutes more
Add the chopped tomatoes and simmer for about 30 mins.

When it is ready it should be a nice thick saucy consistancy with all the tomato pretty much turned to mush.
Serve over spagetti or any other pasta (once you have drained the pasta return to the pan and add a bit of olive oil and salt before serving)

Mending the driveway

Or perhaps making it worse, we are not sure yet.
There is a section that has been sagging down a little since we moved in. It is where the bank is steepest off the side of the drive and the bank has been eroded away under it. We have been slightly worried about it but not seriously until just recently when it has got dramatically worse and some of the bank has fallen away, and there are cracks in the drive itself.

A bit has fallen off

The cracks don't show here, but you can see the drive sagging to the left

We think this is because of the unusual amount of rain there has been recently. Due to the sagging, lots of water that has fallen on and run down several hundred metres of drive goes over the edge there and we think the ground has been getting waterlogged and therefore heavier. It is collapsing under it's own weight. This is our only way in and out. Aaaargh!

We bought some 'caniveau' (guttering in English) to embed in the drive. We have been procrastinating somewhat about doing it as we are concerned that hacking through the surface on the drive will make things worse rather than better (and partially because of the tremendous effort). We finally got round to it today.

Guttering and the string we used to mark where they should go

Part way through digging the channel (my! that was hard work)

Yes it got dark before we finished

We were pretty much finished when it got dark, but we need to finish filling in the earth and tidying up tomorrow.
I think we are going to ache tomorrow, it was very hard work digging the trench.

Figures of eight

Doug has trained Poppy to weave through his legs in a figure of 8. He is working on getting her to do it as he walks along now. What a clever dog!

Panic! Phew!

Panic! The bread maker produced two really rubbish loaves of bread in a row and I thought it had died and we needed a new one. We have had it something like 10 years and it has served us faithfully so I was most put out.
However I decided to try one more time as some things had got packed up against some of the ventilation holes. Also the water is very cold at the moment so I thought perhaps a helping hand with warm water would be a good idea too.
Phew! It came out really well.

Spot the difference