Pavilion / Pears / Leeks - The Accidental Smallholder

Posted: Monday 7 April, 2025

by Rosemary at 8:58am in Smallholding No comments Add your own

Monday 31^st March

Glorious day – proper spring. Temperature got up to (according to the car) 16C. We arrived home about 10.30am – no hanging about for us in the morning. I had to take L to Ninewells for a noon appointment, but I managed to get out to do some weeding in the afternoon.

Dan carried on with filling, sanding and painting the pavilion. Finally, the contrast between the cream paint and the green paint can be seen.

Painted pavilion.

Tuesday 1^st April

Another lovely day.

Dan finished painting the pavilion. Lights up tomorrow. I need to get some bedding plants for the pots round there. Friday might be a possibility.

I was out this evening, so Dan did the ponies. He says Smokey’s lame. Aaargh!

Wednesday 2^nd April

More of the same, weatherwise.  Lovely sunrise.

Sunrise.

Smokey is lame. Offside fore. Gave his feet a good clean out but didn’t see anything obvious, like a big chukkie. I turned them out and he was better this evening; I gave him a sachet of bute, just in case.

Gwenna has hurt her offside back paw; I saw her worrying at it, licking and licking. I’ve had a look and can’t see anything. We’ll see how she is in the morning.

Dan did a bit of weeding then put up the lights on the pavilion; it needs a timer, so he’s looking for the best way to do that. Then he was off harrowing the two top paddocks. We put the sprinkler on in the vegetable garden.

Pavilion lights up.

Lorna and I walked along the front at Arbroath; she was in good form. The tide was well out. 

Arbroath.

Bryn had a vet appointment to have his back dew claws clipped – literally a five minute job. I’ll make a note in my diary to check them every quarter – they weren’t into the pad, but they were long and curly. Otherwise, his claws were fine. I stuck him on the scales and he was 17.15kg, so down about a kilo since last time, which is good news.

The pear blossom is just about to bloom.

Pear blossom.

Thursday 3^rd April

Still sunny, bit of a breeze, but mild enough for T-shirts. Dan weeded in the front garden; we’re almost ready to plant up the third bed.

I planted out some wallflower (Vulcan) grown from seed. Some are almost flowering, some are a bit away. Tidied up the brassica bed; and pulled the last of the leeks.

Last of the leeks.

Dan put the sprinkler on in the front garden. It’s pretty dry and no rain forecast.

Friday 4^th April

Another lovely day, but with a cool breeze. Murdo was here, so he and Dan completed a long list of “wee jobs”.

Finished the fence at the Spinney and tidied up.

Took down the horrible bit of fence (and put up a new picket fence not n the photo) and cleared this bed.

Saturday 5^th April

Out litter picking with Yes Carnoustie. Surprisingly tiring and surprisingly satisfying. Sunny but very cold and breezy at 10am when we set out; by noon, we were roasting – a combination of work, the breeze dropping and the sun coming out.

Eighteen bags of litter.

Gwenna is now sound; Smokey is not. Vet on Monday, I think.

Sunday 6^th April

Sunny, warmer than yesterday. Dan went off early doors to harrow Sheepfold again. Alistair’s lambing is now over, so we need to get ready for our guests.

I kept the ponies in today as I thought Mickey looked a bit footy. Don’t want to take chances at this time of year.

Andy came over this morning and he and Dan did some comfrey preparation, ready for the first orders of 2025 to be dispatched.

And this,  just because it's pretty.