I'm not being alarmist but I do want to be ready, just in case.

Yes - its that bladdy virus that's been going around for a while now. When they introduced lockdown, there was panic buying and toilet rolls were like hen's teeth  (and I know all about hen's teeth.
I've been trying to remember the things I ran out of and, if there's another lockdown, I want to be prepared. I'm not going to stockpile but I do want to have a reserve - just in case. 

I'm curious what you ran out of - if you did.
For me, it was toilet rolls and paper tissues, tinned beans, tinned fish, dog food, peanut butter, nuts, granola, coffee - all of which have a long shelf life. Makes sense to me to buy some extras while I can.
I'm hoping to get a few chooks to keep me in eggs and I'll stock up on chicken food when I do.
Also some bread flour and yeast - and find my bread maker. 
Should have enough fruit in the freezer and  some fresh veg in the garden/GH - but not spuds so may buy in a sack, just in case.

Anyone else, thinking along these lines?

Folks I’m sorry I’ve been missing for so long but the last few weeks have been interesting to say the least. 
OH ended up in hospital with pneumonia and sepsis again. Very poorly but now home. 
To get to the hospital 14 miles away is 2 bus rides that used to take about an hour and a half each way. Now due to COVID and the incessant urge from the water board to dig up the main road and create 7 mile diversions it takes 2 and a half hours each way. 
OH has Early Onset Dementia so spending as much time at the hospital is essential. 

Fast forward to Sunday night. 

Anyone with a delicate disposition please don’t read this next bit. 

6 visits to the loo and I was stressing about not checking the use by date on my teatime yoghurt whilst being amazed at the human intestines ability’s to sound like a semi in bunged drainpipes. 
So, musing these important issues I heard a squeak. 
Now, our elderly dog has several toys that all squeak and she treats like her babies. 
Old dog going nuts looking for her baby who is apparently squeaking in distress. 

I’m in the loo pondering my ability to be the planets first human jet washer so ask still poorly OH to let Mags out to fetch the lime green duck baby she has left in the garden. Out she goes duckless. OH  goes outside naked to show where daft dogs duck is. 

Then ensued a stand off between dog and massive hedgehog who was the squeaking culprit. Hog choose to ball up and let green duck mum to get her baby. 

Welcome to the world of chaotic eleflumps.

Hardneck - softneck... argh.. Not sure what i should be looking for, I like getting things in sales, but really enjoyed having garlic fresh from garden this year.

Thinking I will invest i some bulb, so we get a garlic corner going. All advice welcome please x

A bit surprised that anyone would need to buy these seeds. We have an abundance here, and would be easy to find along verges 

https://www.premierseedsdirect.com/produ...elion-new/

Just for PP, and any other that is not particularly keen on a sharp pickled beetroot, here is a recipe handed down from my grandmother.

6lb of Beetroot, boiled until you can stick a knife in and it comes out easily.
1 3/4 Pints Malt Vinegar
1 1/4 Lbs Sugar
2 Tbsp English Mustard Powder
2 Tbsp Salt
2 Tsp Ground Black Pepper

Cook beetroot and chop as per preference, if they are little keep them whole. fill appropriate lidded vessel just below rim. Bring other ingredients to a boil, with the extractor going full blast boiling vinegar really clears the sinuses!! Fill jars to the top and store. Leave at least 3 months before opening so to allow the beetroot to absorb the flavours, these are a great addition to a salad, or my favourite beetroot and cheese sandwiches.

Don’t worry the liquor looks cloudy that’s perfectly normal, it’s the mustard.

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Just wondering how you use your undercover areas (that's the GH & PT, you norty minds) through the winter months.
What do you grow or do you empty it out, clean it up and close it down for spring?

So as my daughter is already discussing it and her and her mother are at least 75% ready I realised I’m already behind schedule!!!

I should have planted my ********* potatoes a few weeks ago. Ahhh.

Have you got yours in yet and if so which are your favourite varieties. I like a mix but for different purposes a few International Kidneys as I love their firm texture as new potatoes for Boxing Day and some Maris peer for roasties and mash.

You probably have just about enough time if like me you were a little behind the curve just pop them in the greenhouse to bring them on.

I have muddled along using cheap knife sharpeners most of my life.  Now I'm finding they just don't do the job.  I don't want to spend a fortune,  I see some listed at £150+.

What's your favourite sharpening system.  I'm not sure i could get the hang of using a steel effectively.

Who could resist this plea?

Henmergency rehome
12th September
These are just some of the 2500 hens we are due to rehome on 12th September, a date we have stepped in at the last minute to help with to ensure the slaughter lorry is cancelled.
These hens live in colony cages and will never have experienced the conditions your back garden hens take for granted - the sun on their backs; scratching in the ground for bugs; running down the garden when they see you emerge from the back door; nibbling on fresh, sweet grass.
If you want to be part in helping them experience ALL their 'firsts', please complete the waiting list form on our website for one of the following collection points. We will need to see and approve photos of your hen accommodation and receive your donation (£2.50 per hen). Both these conditions must be met in advance of collection and we will be operating on a first come first served basis. https://freshstartforhens.co.uk/



I've offered a home to 3 hens - to keep Mrs Brown company. Just have to wait to see whether I'm a suitable "parent". 

I’m not great at identifying moths, but apparently this one was sat on my face when the missus came to bed last night. She was disgusted with me as I hadn’t woken up.

Nothing is waking me in the dead of the night.

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