Simon and Karen Spavin

Saturday, August 19, 2023

RSPB Blacktoft Sands

A lovely hour after tea sat in Marshland Hide. So peaceful, just us two. The hide was in direct sunlight and was like a greenhouse ! But was just nice to sit and see a few birds. Home for a cold beer !

Spotted Redshanks

Snipe

Wood Sandpiper

Lapwing

Wednesday, August 16, 2023

Our new woodburner

Our old fireplace that has served us well over the years and just about 100 years old. An open fire may look lovely and cosy but 80% of the heat goes striaght up the chimney. We have spent a small fortune over the years on coal and the amount of time and effort collecting logs, sawing and stacking them every year has been on another level. Afraid we are no longer young and the effort of collecting , carrying and chainsawing was just too much. So the time came when we finally had to say goodbye and we now wonder what took us so long !

So the day came when we said goodbye fireplace. The dust and soot were phenomenal and even with a dust extractor, the house soon had a dust layer on everything. Our house is touching 100 years old so behind the fireplace was a back boiler and a chimney full of lead pipes. A massive job !

The flue is in place !

It's taking shape and all the dirty work is done

Job done and it looks fantastic !! Tom has added a fan and a thermometer to finish it off. Can't wait for those freezing winter evenings when we can sit all toasty !

Sunday, August 13, 2023

A few from my phone

Our local woods, looking good but there's sod all birds in them. Less and less each year......

This morning's spud harvest

Large Skipper

A massive Puffball

Pixi in hiding behind a buddleia, keeping out of the sun

She has now made a bed in the chives !

A cracker of a dahlia 'Jamaica'

Bought from Wilko......what are we going to do when it closes?!

Sweet Peas. Afraid we were away when they flowered so missed them this year. We were away for 3 weeks when they needed to be germinated and then a further 3 weeks away when everything flowers. Must time our holidays better next year !

The bottom of our garden.....looking fantastic thanks to Simon !

Some lovely colours xx

The sweetcorn this year, like triffids. Looking forward to the harvest which won't be too long now. The corns are filling up but it's grown to well over 6 feet this year !

Our runner beans. I am never happy wherever they are planted in the garden as I can never reach them or get behind them to harvest. This year is even more of a challenge with the base of a a new greenhouse under construction on one side and a bed of dwarf beans and flowers infront with potatoes to the right. It's a right teetering challenge for me !

The joys of growing flowers.....I get fresh cut ones in the house most days and I love them !

Not too sure what these are or even where they are as they have been on my phone quite a while, but they are lovely and I will now get a book out and find out.