October 2024

Massive clear up of the barn with reorganization of wood, material and tools so that every part of the barn is now accessible and everywhere cleaned so now it is an open tidy and fresh space.  The pole barn was also cleared with wood separated into various piles and a bonfire helped to get rid of anything unusable.  Large stacks of wire fencing also removed and stored in the builder’s yard.

Weeding continues in the vegetable garden and mandala with bees enjoying the flowers from our vegetables which were going to seed and from the wild flower bed that is still in full flower.  Redefining the edges of the bed continues as well.  Our comfrey fertilizer is looking good and ready to be used soon.  A bed of parsley and a bed of red onions were planted in the polytunnel.

Unfortunately everyone in the family went down with a stomach virus this month so some things had to be delayed.  Stuart had two steroid injections in his wrists for carpel tunnel syndrome so unable to work as much.

A flower bed was revamped in the garden and looking much better thanks to Heather.   A wooden trellis edge was dug into the border extending the size of the bed and winter and spring flowering bulbs put in.  The drive in front of the house was pressure washed to remove the build up of slime on the concrete as well as the front steps to the house as it was becoming dangerous to walk down.

A channel was dug down by the track leading to the stream by twin oaks so that the water could run more freely which will also dry the track out.  An area behind the cow shed was tidied up and several rocks were collected from there and moved to clear the area.

Two birthdays were celebrated this month in the family.  Stuart started work making his wooden games ready for the Christmas festival at Aberglasney Gardens next month.  A visit was made to the Fire Celebration at the National Botanical Gardens. We were able to buy a photograph of Plas Y Maes in 1967 and we were amazed at the difference between then and now.  The Pole Barn roof was reinforced to make it safer and our digger can now be stored there.

James and family arrived to stay for half term and Halloween celebrations and friends and family visited.