Gardening in the Forest of Dean This time of year is fantastic for gardening and gardeners. Last weeks cold snap has been replaced with warm sunny weather and we have been busy planting out in the garden. Our sweet peas and climbing fuchsias are big enough and as you can see we now have them out in various places in …
A year in the Forest of Dean
The forest of Dean Time certainly flies. Today we will have lived here in Cinderford in the forest of dean for a year. It has gone incredibly quickly and I have to say it was a good decision. Both Vanda and I love it here. The area is gorgeous and Cinderford is a smashing little town. We have lots of …
Zen and the art of Gardening
The Benefits of Gardening Many people have written and spoken of the benefits of gardening on health from newspapers to the national health service, but most of them only mention the physical side. I’m not decrying that, naturally good physical health is vital to us all and even just pottering is beneficial, but there is more to be gained than …
A birthday meal at the Ragged Cot
We had a rare family get together on Saturday to celebrate the birthday of Vanda’s sister Mandy at the Ragged Cot in Minchinhampton. We all had a good time and I have to say the food was good, although the service was slow. Here is a slide show of some of the photos [Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”2″ gal_title=”Ragged Cot”]
I’m a contented man
Well, it has been an up and down year but I have to say I’m a happy and contented man. Last year we sold our house in Gloucester and bought a smashing little cottage in Cinderford in the Royal Forest of Dean. I sold my business – Softdata Internet and retired This has given me 2 things I have wanted …
Testing compost activator
Trying out compost activator in my bins As this is a brand new garden, compost is particularly important. I am using 2 slatted wooden bins to create and store the compost. Today I have turned the heap from 1 bin to another and every layer was sprinkled with the compost activator from Soilfixer. It will be interesting to see how …
First year in retirement in the Forest of Dean
Well, today marks a full 12 months since I retired. It has been very eventful. We have sold our house in Churchdown, bought this little cottage in the Royal Forest of Dean, installed a wood burning stove and created a brand new garden. Cinderford has turned out to be a delightful little town full of small local business with lots …
The joys of a wood burner
Now the weather is getting colder, both Vanda and I are thoroughly enjoying our wood burning stove. It did cost a fair bit, but I think it was well worth it. The heat is wonderful and controllable. The stove we bought is designed to be used with the doors open or shut, so when they are open you have in …
Planning for the spring garden
We have done pretty well this year all things considered but I’m determined that next year will be even better. This weekend I’ll be turning the compost heap and getting ready to fork over the beds and enrich them with the compost and some local rotted horse manure. Our deep beds will all have sweet peas growing on the sides …