Saturday 19th March 2016

Can't believe I am writing this, yesterday the warmest day of the year and today one of the coldest days of the year. Sitting in front of an open fire tonight.
            Good day with John and Hillary. Was at least fifteen years ago when they last visited in daylight so were pretty amazed at the changes made. Plenty of news to catch up on, good to have days like this. To conclude the day we enjoyed a pint (Black Sheep) and a hog roast burger at the Old Bell. On a personal issue why are we now expected to eat from wooden planks in restaurants these days.
         Not much wildlife to report today as out most of the day but did note a pair of starlings messing about in the nest box.
The jay had another spat with spawk. Spawk won today, think this could be a regular occurrence now?

Friday 18th March 2016

Oh wow, what a stunning day. Very warm and sunny all day. Temp' reached 16c this afternoon.
Day spent in the garden working on the alpine house. Really looking good now. Two ends and a side + cills now fixed. Sliding door still an issue, am putting my metalwork skills to the test to produce a sliding mechanism. Found some metal chanel which I hope to improvise.
Hopefully will have this project pretty well finished over the weekend. The bottled wall will take some time to finish of course as can only work as fast as my neighbours empty wine or beer bottles.
          I clearly have another mouse family in the garden. The greenhouse mouse has settled in and has started making a nest from fleece I store in the greenhouse. With a vast supply of bird food at his disposal I think it will be here for the long haul?
The mice in the two wood stacks covered by cameras are still very active. One of the mice was actually building a nest this afternoon out of what looks like straw. The only straw I have used is in the hedgehog home and that is 30mtrs away from the mouse habitat.

Thursday 17th March 2016

Wednesday 16th March 2016

Dull start to the day but by lunchtime had cheered up somewhat giving us a welcome sunny and warm afternoon.
Bit of a messy day, Morrisons weekly shop his morning and British Gas this afternoon. Had a smart meter installed for both the gas and electric. Will be ok but fitter unable to activate the monitor so has to return sometime.
         What time I had spare was spent on the alpine house. Sliding door removed and the R/H & L/H side of the door were clad in feather edge. Tomorrow must find a way of making the sliding door work. I like a challenge .

Tuesday 15th March 2016

After such a glorious start to the day it was more than a little disappointing for the weather to change . Breezy, dull and rather chilly.
This morning gave the front garden the first tidy up of the season. Pruned the magnolia tree, cut the lawn, swept up leaves and replaced a potted fir tree that died last autumn.
In the clearing up I came across a caterpillar that is so rare it is not even registered in any reference book! Only joking of course, I have been set a tack of identifying but after going through two books I am now resting for tonight. Will have another attempt tomorrow. My good Pal Doug identified it as a lesser yellow underwing moth . Thanks Boyo.
This afternoon I clad a side of the alpine house. Next job will be how I clad the sliding glazed aluminium door. Not sure how to do this yet.
             The Jays, Woody and Tufty are now fighting over the monkey nuts. Jay winning at the moment with Tufty a close second. Have the trail camera set now to capture hopefully the skirmishes.

             

Monday 14th March 2016

Sunday 13th March 2016

What a day, plenty of sun but just a little chilly at times in the breeze. Temp' still reached a high of 15c this afternoon.
Day spent in the garden working on the alpine house project. Today started cladding the outside with feather edge boarding. This will be fixed at the bottom half of the greenhouse to hide all the framework for the alpine plant benches. Looking good.
            Plenty of activity today with bees, spiders and ladybirds all coming out of hibernation. Just hope the cold weather forecast for Easter does not materialise.

Picture 1 - Ladybird on shed door.
      "     2 - Spider in greenhouse.
      "     3 - Starting to clad the alpine house.
      "     4 - One end finished of the alpine house.