Monday 15th February 2016

A little breezy but generally a good day with long spells of sun.
After a morning visit to Henry Street for gravel and a couple more plants for the outdoor alpine border it was back to the alpine house project. Can now officially confirm this part of the project is finished. Well pleased.
              Going to restrict the number of apples I leave out as tufty is nicking them as fast as I put them out. Six over the weekend.
Mrs. Spawk turned up again, not for long but long enough for a couple of reasonable photographs.
Also today Mr & Mrs. Woody were about today so looking good as we move into the breeding season.

Sunday 14th February 2016

A much better day. Still windy and mostly overcast but the sun did manage to show its face for a while this afternoon.
Another day spent on the alpine house. The succulent plants now planted up in concrete pots Dad produced years ago for his bonsai collection. Sadly the bonsai trees died over the years but good to have the pots back in use again.
Require another bag of gravel so a trip to Henry Street tomorrow.
             Enjoyed a Valentine evening out with Brian and Carol at the New Inn. Tried and enjoyed a fairly new beer from Badger called 1st Call. At just 4% it is an ideal drink for such an evening.

Saturday 13th February 2016

A wild, wet and windy day. Not good.
Despite the weather I worked outside all day on the alpine house project. Really taking shape now, hopefully will finish this part of the project tomorrow.
The bottled walls will take an age to complete sadly as require 100s more bottles.
             Had Mr & Mrs. Spawk in the garden today, did a sweep of the bushes before flying off again empty handed.
Tufty full time in the lawn area of the garden now, has taken a liking to fruit eating apples put out for the blackbirds.

Friday 12th February 2016

Dry, cold with a fair amount of sun today.
Day spent at RHS Wisley researching and subsequently purchasing alpine and succulent plants. Twenty four plants in total so a lot to plant up tomorrow.

Thursday 11th February 2016

Superb day, very hard overnight frost cleared to leave a mild, sunny day.
Over to Henry Street early this morning to collect the compost and grit I am using to produce my own alpine compost.
Rest of the day then mixing and spreading in one of the two alpine trays. Lot of mixing still to do but hopefully will finish over the weekend.
Tomorrow over to RHS Wisley to purchase alpine and cacti plants.
          Spawk arrived late this afternoon, ducked and dived until nearly dark but sadly for him left empty handed.

Wednesday 10th February 2016

A pretty good day, on the chilly side but mostly sunny and no rain.
Most of the day was spent out and about so nothing to report from the garden.
Enjoyed a morning at the Whitley Community Museum comparing maps I have from the 1800-1940s. Maps I obtained while researching 479. Whitley Museum is looking at a permanent exhibition in the Community Centre, a fair amount of interesting items already collected. Next meeting arranged for the end of the month.
Called on my Sister this afternoon, still dealing with red tape over a few pounds worth of shares that mother held.
Then a trip to B & Q and Morrison's.

Tuesday 9th February 2016

Could be mistaken into thinking you were living in a different country today. What a contrast in weather. Mild, sunny, blue sky and not even a breeze.
            Day spent working in the alpine house, well pleased at the way it is progressing. Both trays constructed and fixed, next step is looking for suitable plant pots and of course the appropriate soil for alpine plants.
Not forgetting the bottled walls planted with trailing alpine plants. Require a few hundred bottles yet before this part of the project is anywhere finished.
              Tufty spent another day carrying mouthfuls of fleece into the drey. Can't believe the amount being taken in. Sadly the camera in the box is now completely covered so unable to watch from within.
Good to see so many long tailed tits today, six at one point on the feeders.
Photographs tomorrow.