Homemade

 


I have tried this before with similar results, a scrumptious vinegar!
Whilst I can claim to making some mistakes in the production of this supposed-to-be cider it can be pointed out that whilst we don't have a proper heating system yet in the home, it has been very difficult to get the 15-20C required for fermenting our pears with the ice on both sides of the window.
But from experience of my last batch, it does begin to taste better after a while or if my taste buds are failing again, it works really well on the compost!

Taking the piste

Whilst we don't necessarily have a 'black run' here in Havran we do have a lot of fun and it takes a great bit of skill to go with the wooden sledge. 
Having previously been non-winter-sports enthusiasts the sledge has always been the limit of our ability. So it was of great anticipation when we first moved here and saw the dusty relic in the corner of the barn that we couldn't wait for the first snow to fall.  
The skill is obviously to avoid trees on the more challenging runs. Steering is an art with your feet but without taking out the speed out. 
For added comfort for the lady an ikea bench cushion has proved a valuable optional extra whilst leisurely accelerating.
Now I have seen some ski's left behind here as well..
   

Weather update..Snow!

Maybe I shouldn't write blog posts so frequently. After all my criticism about the lack of snow we are hit with perfect fluffy flakes.
More fun than work today as we took the old wooden racing sledge onto the hillside for the first time!

The great debate

Where's the snow? I was promised snow before I arrived here, it was sold to me with snow. Okay we had a white snowy christmas...just. But now it has melted away and looks more like a bleak mushy late Winter scene in Britain. Cold, damp and generally miserable. 

I feel cheated that there is very little of the white stuff left. Even the moles are confused and creating new holes in our orchard. 

Snow has been switched off at least temporarily. 

But maybe I should stop complaining and stop being so British about the weather!   

End of the year

Just a quick note as the year finishes and the polytunnel hasn't to say a Happy Christmas to all and we'll speak in the new year

Obsessive

I am close to finishing my latest phase here in Havran, the polytunnel site.

It has stretched to nearly three months of on/off activity and closely follows my previous phases of scythe grass cutting and trench digging. 

In each case it has become my obsession to finish. This led to braking three scythes (a tool that usually lasts a generation..), a stingy need to dig all the trenches myself for new pipes (without paying for an excavator to rest my painful backache..) and now the polytunnel which I am still progressing with into the frozen months.

And so when this is done, what next? Rest would be a good idea!      

Warmth

The last couple of months has been all about mouse attacks and wood, mainly chopping.

As the temperatures have dropped from the ridiculous highs in September into the minuses, keeping warm has become more of a priority and that accounts for all our animal friends round here too. It's just not always cosy to be all roasting our toes in the same place though..

I am still awaiting assistance on the chainsaw activity, but my jagged-tooth saw has become particularly effective with the 'older' wood I have to cut. It's a regular daily routine to saw away in the evening ready for the next day in my 'boys only' garden shed.