After walking through the fields and other parts of the property, we realize that some
things will just have to wait further down the worklist than others.
After finding that the work required in the stable block was more than first thought, we have got stuck in and are now making headway.
We now have three of the five blocks cleaned, boarded, and painted ready for putting up the shelving and sorting out the space allocations.
Loraine has been busy painting the outside of the Stables with a new lick of ‘Forest Green’ wood treatment in readiness for the winter months.
Soon, both the Workshops and the growing–seeding room will be ready to use.
Before that, however, we will be putting on the new roof for those sections.
South facing there will be a polycarbonate roof to allow light into the rooms and a new sloping flat roof to the Northside of the roof to keep it waterproof. At present, there are a few leaks when it rains heavily so a new roof is called for, especially as there are a lot of electrical tools in the workshop to protect.
The materials have been delivered and we are just waiting for a spell of clement weather to get started. I aim to do the job within a week of starting once we feel it will not rain too much.
I will update you more on this later.
The cats have settled in their new home and feel comfortable roaming around at will. I have installed the automatic cat flap that only allows them to enter but they are still unsure of the outside and tend to wait until evening before going out much.
Within the first week of being here one of the stone-built gate posts was knocked over by the shop delivery truck and there was much excitement by such a huge event I nearly sold tickets. The upshot is that the owner of the store, Gary, is going to get the wall rebuilt on the insurance.
The field that is going to be our main growing area has to wait until the end of September/October before we can start getting it ready for growing. The roof of the stable block is much more important. In September we shall order a load of quality growing medium and then start marking out the beds ready for use in October onwards. We usually have 12 vegetables ready to pick or use over the winter months but will have to rebuild stacks as we go and look at 2020 for our first real growing reason.
Over the next month or so we shall order the fruit trees to plant in the Autumn months and plant the trees and shrubs that we brought with us.
So far we have found four Elderberry trees on our land along with lots of Blackberries. There are a few Holly trees, handy for making our Christmas wreaths, many Hawthorn trees, and many others yet to be identified.
We have lovely neighbours who are locals born and bred so will help us to find our feet in the area. That is all for now but as we get settled updates will come faster along with video and photos.
You all take care and we miss you all.