Bringing in the tree fern

Just before the first serious frosts, the Two Chris's very kindly called around and lifted in the tree fern for the winter.  Not only lifted in, but lifted it up and on to its platform.  Because of its spread, it need to be elevated it otherwise it fills the conservatory.  The trouble was, it's put on so much height it was a bit of a struggle getting it under the cross beams.  Needless to say; it's pretty damned heavy!  Might need to consider a couple of alternatives next year!

Kiosk Update

 

Tony has sent these piccies of his progress on our kiosk restoration and I think you'll agree -  it's looking amazing!

The Glory of Acers

Acer palmatum Var. dissectum Seiryu

Acer Palmatum Var. Bloodgood.

I KNOW I keep wittering on and on about colour but just check out these colours and bear in mind that these untouched photos were taken on a dark, dank and dismal day!  It's so cheery having such fiery colours outside the windows when the weather is so miserable.  Imagine how they look when the sun is shining!

The Arrival of Pear Tree Cottage Apple Juice!

Some of the apple juice....

Well, the secret's out!  We had answers which ranged from 47 upwards.  My own guess was 82 - however from these 4 containers of apples, we now have 88 - yes 88 bottles of apple juice and it's deliciously tangy.  As the majority of the apples were Bramleys with some Katy's; it means that luckily, the sugar content is not too high and therefore the juice is not sickly sweet which can be a problem in a good year.  We have managed to find space for the excess numbers of bottles in the garage and the Gardener's Loo where it is dark (most of the time!) and cool.

It's amazing what Tim Nicholls at Hayward Park Farm, Shugborough (http://www.haywoodparkfarm.co.uk/) produced from these few apples and, unlike local 'pressers' he will recycle our bottles next time around.  The juice has been pasteurised and will keep for 2 years. It feels like 'getting one over' on the supermarkets and I bet this apple juice has greater purity!  Now, I need to make some (hopefully) suitably attractive labels for the bottles.

& even more!

Oh....and in case you're left wondering what happened to the residue apple pulp - it was fed to the pigs!!  An all round perfect use for an excessive apple crop!! (Maybe, we should try pear juice next year????)

Watering the bulbs?

Yes!  I know it looks shocking! (sorry) Our favourite electrical expert watering a lamp post!  BUT, the electricity was off and we were trying to rule out a possible leak!  Perhaps I should say that on previous occasions, water had been discovered in the light fitting.  This results in the rest of the electrics in the house tripping out every time the sensor activates the light in the lamp post.  Conclusion..........erm - well we did establish the fact that no water is leaking into the light fitting from outside.  As for the actual cause.......all very inconclusive so, another bulb was fitted in hopes that it heats up more than the rather fancy soft light globe bulb that was fitted before and therefore rules out any possibility of condensation.  This was poor Dave's 3rd visit in an effort to discover the root cause so it's fingers crossed and - 3rd time lucky?

Who needs fireworks??

Colour in the Woodland Border

Despite all the rain and despite having the world's soggiest garden (the top lawn being the very worst) things are looking a tad better following a good weekend tidy-up and a couple of dry and windy days.  We sheltered from Saturday's showers and trimmed the Yew hedge outside the utility window, plant out some wallflowers, finish off shrub planting by the Lion Steps and even rake up leaves.  On Sunday, we even managed to mow the lawns and orchard grass on a high cut.  More leaves were hoovered up in the process.  2 planters outside the back door were planted up with bright purple Violas and some Tete-a-tete miniature daffs.  It will mean a little splash of colour in the spring.

Acer Corner

Talking of colour: despite the fact it's Bonfire Night, we have plenty of brilliant colours. The Woodland Border is pretty green and shady for much of the year but the gold of this Acer is a real focal point right now.  Some of the leaves haven't yet turned.  None of the Birch leaves have turned but then, we haven't had our first frost..... yet!  With this much colour on a dull day in November - who needs fireworks?

Guess how many bottles................!

Having been unable to find anyone local to press our apples, we took them up to Shugborough.  Amazing to think we live in the middle of a cider apple orchard but can't juice our own fruit!  Anyway, Tim Nicholls will juice, pasteurise and bottle the juice from these very apples.  The $64000 question is............how many bottles of apple juice will we have????  Check out Tim's website while you're coming up with a guess!

http://www.haywoodparkfarm.co.uk/