Strawberries and steam

My strawberries are ready , so they shall be eaten . Even if we leave them until tomorrow they are safe from slugs up in the air.

How many of you can actually remember the AA and RAC on this sort of vehicle . I can remember him where he did salute if he saw a badge on the front of your car , I think so anyway I was only a child then . (honest)

These are the wooden clocks I paint they are hand turned and hand painted . They have vehicles and animals on , the slates are for door numbers.

We went to a steam gathering last week where my DW had booked a stall , I went for a walk ,for a break and the vehicles on there were great . I like the old vehicles especially for drawing and painting. This old tractor and others like it are favourites for painting on wooden clocks . They seem to be the sort well remembered .

Knitting to pass time

I first started knitting when about 10. As soon as I was able to do a knit and a purl I was wanting to knit something but a pullover for myself seemed a big thing then , luckily the lady next door was expecting a little one so the easiest item for me would be baby clothes . Anyway that was a long time ago . Now after such a long time I have got round to making myself an Aran cardigan. I also have tried tri colour , OK it took me a while to do and it turned out to be fairly thick and is very warm.One thing I can say about both Aran and Fair Isle it seems to pass time a lot better than plain knitting as I don't get bored doing the same thing over and over again.

Once I had completed the two items for myself and realised leaving knitting alone for the 27 years I was able to work, I could still do it I wanted to try all sorts . I could see my wife knitting socks so I had a go at that . The ones below were my second attempt and for myself of course,they and they are on some sock blockers . Laal Bear my DW has a business and they are for her stall , they are sold with a little painting on of sheep usually.

Next ,once I knew how to knit socks I had to have a go at something else . I can't do the same thing over and over again as I said before , so at Preston Stitch and Bitch I saw someone knitting a Tam and thought I would try and find a book on the subject , well that was easier than I thought it would . The book was simply called Tams .

The one below was a pattern printed for me but I had to put the colour in myself .

I've got a few more projects lined up to keep me busy.

My Mate

This post is about Meg our Border Collie ,she means so much to me . There are times like when I'm not very well she even lays down beside me and my DW Laal Bear says stay there until I'm O.K.
I think that is why this is my favourite picture of Meg , she is laying down either talking to or feeling sorry for a tup which was not very well on a farm we stay on up Cumbria .

Playing ball back home ,I think she would carry on for ever no matter where we are, in the field or at home in the garden . We can go down what we call the 55 it is a cycle path to Preston 4.5 mile round trip and she still wants to play when we get home .

Here she is trying to get back in after being let out . I think she has worked out where the handle is but can't quite pull it down . If I don't get to the door in a few seconds all she usually does is go to the gate and watch the world go by , until I call her .

They say a dog is a man's best friend and she's certainly mine .

Nearly Done

The stones in the garden had a lot of soil in and needed clearing of it with a riddle, I can remember my Granddad using a riddle to get the stones out of the soil , but I was to get the soil out the stones.The pile of soil I have got out needs spreading out or whats below will never get through , it also seems to invite cats. I have spread some on the seed bed as it will be easier for seeds to get through.
I got to the last couple of feet and it started raining.

I stupidly was trying to get finished before dinner time ,as it was suppose to rain according to the forecast . Rushing things and getting tired is what I am told not to do , as tiredness greatly affects my epilepsy . I ended up not feeling so good and went to bed .
Today I must take it easy and have a lay down at dinner time as I intend going out tonight to Prestons Stitch and Bitch knitting.

Very First Post

This is going to be a blog about my gardening, knitting , other things I get up to .T his post is about my fruit and vegetable garden .

Above are Blackcurrant and Gooseberry bushes with a row of Strawberries around. The tower has Strawberries in to come over the sides and not lay on the floor.
Tomatoes and lettuce in the greenhouse.

My onion patch half red and half white.

Potatoes and at the other end Cabbage and Cauliflower.

A close up of the Strawberry tower a week later than the first pic.
This is my first attempt at having a decent size vegetable garden and I am looking forward to eating the results. As there is nothing like home grown tomatoes.