Polytunnel success

This weekend we were very busy with family joining us on Saturday evening and friends on Sunday.  We had to fit in all of the usual jobs plus put the polytunnel up too.  So Saturday we set to work.  I did the usual horses and house jobs then joined Ste with the polytunnel.  He started putting the frame together in the barn.  The weather wasn't very kind on Saturday but he soldiered on.  I was asked to hold this, lift that and straighten the other.  In no time at all we had the frame up.

 

 

Buddy helped out where he could making sure he checked the bucket's didn't have anything worth eating in them and having the odd drink or 2.

Ryan supervised the whole situation.

Day 2 saw the cover go on.  This is where it started to get tricky.  It was very tight and I can see the zips ripping in no time.  We managed it though and as it has a 12 month guarantee I'll be sure to keep that in case I need to get a new one.

Then being amazing, Ste knocked up a couple of raised beds and attached them to the frame that's there (this is how we put the PT up, this is not what's in the manual).  The weight of that wood will not let that frame go anywhere.  We also dug a trench around the polytunnel and buried the cover in it. 

He then laid the slabs we had stored and they dictated the width of the path.  Lots of rotted muck went in and it was finished. 

All in all I am really pleased.  I think it looks great and it's ready to provide us some food in the coming year.


In between holding and lifting, I sowed some seeds, clipped off some of the strawberries that I'd taken from runners and forgotten about and gave some of the veg plot a tidy up, giving the chickens their treats too.

I also finally got my potatoes chitting. 

Dusting off the January blues and looking forward to Frugal February

Happy Monday :)

Well pay day finally arrived.  I've been sitting, waiting for it to arrive and although it took its time, it did.  A welcome one indeed. 

So we have made it through Christmas and most of January and are now ready to bring on Frugal February.  The idea is to spend as little as possible on groceries and get back on an even keel after the Christmas spends.

Life is good at the moment.  Yesterday saw the family gather together for a Sunday lunch cooked by yours truly and I must say, it was thoroughly enjoyed.  We followed it with a lovely walk with the dog and by the time we came back, the children were worn out.  An early night was had by all, most welcome too!

We went to view a little property on Saturday.  We're not looking to buy yet but whilst we were over that neck of the woods we called in.  It was lovely and plenty of inspiration to keep plodding along and get into a position to be truly looking.

In the coming weeks I will be planting some potatoes after they have chitted and I'm on the look out for something else to plant.  I don't have a lot of room, it's a  small veg patch, not bags/borders etc so watch this space!

Speaking of potatoes, we have a lovely butternut squash and sweet potato soup for lunch today.  I made it last night.  It has a bit of chilli in it to keep us warm on these colder days.  Although, having said that, it's becoming increasingly spring like today.

So, now we're starting Frugal February, I'm reinforcing we are still determined and looking more than ever to the end goal.  2 years to go!

I might even start planning a little......let's start with pigs......