Last post for 2006

31 12 2006

I thought I should post something to mark the end of the year, but as I’m not into years in review, New Year’s resolutions and the like I decided to keep it brief.

This virus also has me feeling like death only slightly warmed up.

So, this is Stonehead’s New Year’s message:

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Sick, but still getting some work done

30 12 2006

I woke this morning thinking that our ancient bed with no mattress, apart from an old futon, had done something to my back as it felt very stiff and sore.

But as the morning went on, I realised I’d caught a virus of some sort as all my muscles and joints started to ache, my sinuses went and I found myself seriously short of puff.

But when you’re working a croft or smallholding full-time, you can’t afford to put your feet up, hide beneath a pile of blankets and enjoy a hot lemon and honey.
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Planting trees

29 12 2006

When I awoke early this morning, it was to the sound of dripping. At first I thought it was a tap or possibly a leaking tap, but a look out the window revealed all the ice and frost that has been our lot for the past couple of weeks was disappearing fast.

That had me up, dressed and out the door in a flash, because a thaw meant the ground could be worked and if the ground could be worked, then I could be planting some of our new trees.

Of course, all the chores and breakfast had to come first but they were pushed through in good time, leaving the rest of the morning free for planting.

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And now chicken rustlers!

28 12 2006

On top of having to cull many of our Scots Grey cockerels, we’ve now had one of the remaining roosters stolen overnight.

We had two cockerels living temporarily in the generator room at the end of the steading, while we decided what to do with them.

The room is stone walled, has a closed window, two small air vents and a door with both a latch and drawbolt. We were keeping the cockerels in there because it’s both secure from foxes and dark for much longer than the chicken houses. Read the rest of this entry »