Image captionThe memorial made of steel and stone stands next to Pan Tod beacon on Ruardean Hill A new memorial has been unveiled to remember freeminers who died in mining accidents in the Forest of Dean. The 7ft (2.13m) monument made of steel and stone stands next to Pan Tod beacon on Ruardean Hill, Gloucestershire and records the names of …
The end of the summer garden
Summer garden nearly over Not quite of course, but you can see the changes. We are still eating beans. The runner beans are producing bumper harvests. We also tried some french climbing beans. The purple ones are delicious and grow well, but the white and yellow are just not as nice, so I’ll give them a miss next year. Other …
Feeling smug about recycling
recycling in the Forest of Dean When we first moved to the forest of dean, I must admit my heart quailed at the number of bins the council provided. We have 1 for glass and tins, 1 for plastic, 1 for food waste, the main bin for household waste and a green bin for garden waste. However lately we have …
Renewing our Wedding Vows
Renewing our Wedding Vows Today ( 31st July ) is our 30th wedding anniversary. Yesterday we renewed our Wedding Vows at St Stephens Church in Cinderford. The first thing I want to do here is to give a great big thank you to Mary, who is @Bristolmary on Twitter. This lovely Lady who has never met either of us before took …
Celebrating 30 wonderful years
30 years of marriage On Monday it will be the 30th anniversary of my marriage to the lovely Vanda. Today ( Sunday 30th ) we will be renewing our wedding vows at St Stephen’s Church . I’m not the worlds most religious person but I wanted to stand up in public and in front of my god to say how marvelous …
Growing your own vegetables
Growing your own vegetables Last year we moved into our little cottage here in the forest of dean. About half the garden was down to a scruffy lawn. We rotovated the lawn, felled a large horrid pine tree and created 4 deep beds. As we only started planting in the 3rd week of July we didn’t expect much at all, …
A Sparrow on my Window Sill
A Sparrow on my Window Sill is what I wake to every morning Since we moved to Cinderford life has been absolutely wonderful. The first thing we hear when we wake up is a couple of sparrows chattering away. He is getting cheekier by the day. At one time as soon as he spotted us he flew away, but now …
Enjoying the summer harvest
The summer harvest We have had a very good year so far. We are eating strawberries new potatoes peas carrots and beetroot. The rewards for growing your own are many and various. It is a great hobby, saves you money and promotes feelings of peace and tranquility. Yesterday I sowed winter vegetable seeds like parsnips swedes turnips and kale. Last …
Lunch at the Glasshouse
Lunch at the Glasshouse Inn at May Hill Today was so glorious we just had to get out, so the top came down on the car and we set off through Littledean, Longhope etc through gorgeous country lanes for lunch at the Glasshouse Inn. It is a most wonderful drive, but not one to be taken at speed. Most of …