Well it happened....

After much deliberation, navel grazing and discussion, I said a fond farewell to my old life in Oil and said hello to the new, hopefully less mind numbingly stressful one. Taken a small part time job in a local delicatessen - which is incidentally heaven for a foodie like me - and have interview at Uni on 15th Feb to assess my application for degree course in Forest Management. I am going back to my trees (for those who didn't know, I was a forester until the end of 2004). I suspect I may need to do a year of some kind of refresher course but thats fine.

I keep typing 'old life' activities that will be replaced by new life ones and am coming to the conclusion that words alone are not going to be able to convey the difference. I don't expect it to be easy - working, running this ever expanding place and studying. It maybe even harder work but I am looking forward to it.

Anyway, now there is some positive structure and progress - and to continue... the greenhouse.

This coming week will see the construction of raised beds. We're going to be using brick and wood as thats what we have handy basically. I've sourced some lovely local well rotted manure too which will be added. Also to do this week, prune back raspberry canes and I'll be checking out the rhubarb.

Chickens are doing well - 3 out of 7 hens laying daily and no re-ocurrence of the mystery diahorrea. I've replaced the lid on the nest box(es) as they were fiddly and encouraged them to roost (and crap) on it. White formica at an angle. Quite entertaining to watch...

Other news: Rangerover (old G reg one before anyone thinks we're high falutin' folks)is causing N some major headaches. Keeps cutting out and he suspected the ECU. However now suspects its something to do with something else. As he started explaining I felt my brain crumble so unfortunately thats all I registered. I do know it makeshim swear a lot. Modern electronic stuff y'see. Didn't get these problems with Series landies! Engines built to last [coughs]

The Clio is worse than ever. Rangie probs have meant that operation replacement fanbelt has slipped to 'whenever I can manage' so I am still screeching about the place and causing old ladies to stop and stare as I drive though the village. AND the roof quite literally pours with water. The drivers seat is like sitting on a sponge. Just what you need at 8am and freezing. I am considering limpet mines.

I'm not moaning though. Really.