Grey day dog walk

Plenty of time for washing the car and then Juno on a dull day. Very nice to have a day to get plenty done but in my own time.

Ragwormer weekend in Plymouth

Juno and I drove down to Plymouth on Friday and popped out to where Lewis and Katie live before heading to the Jolly for the first Ragowormers' gig of the weekend. Juno enjoyed plenty of walks and then lots of attention and crisps at the pub. The gig was interesting with plenty going on! It was after one by the time I was home but, not feeling too great, I didn't go overboard with the drinking. As a result, Saturday was enjoyable taking in a walk at Buckland Abbey before some food at the Rock pub in Yelverton.

After an afternoon of sport, we headed down to the Queens for the next gig and this was a lot of fun with two people getting to do a bit of singing with the band, one to Zombie, the other to Sex is on Fire, and they were two very contrasting performances!

Again it was good to get to bed feeling fine in terms of drink, even if I was full of cold.

Dog walk at Knowlton Church

We had a few visitors yesterday and took some time out for a walk round Knowlton Church with Juno. She loves it there.

Juno

Juno and I have been out and about a lot recently, enjoying some of the sunshine and mud. On the way to collect Maria we stopped near the allotment and she met the pigs in the next field, piglets included. Yesterday she took a comfortable seat on the motorhome to watch me clean the car. As soon as you pick up any keys, she's ready to jump in the boot or on board the van.

Scenery

It was very sunny first thing on the dog walk to Remedy Oak which accounts for the rather dazzling photos. Not long after, Juno and I headed east to the New Forest near Moyles Court for a four mile round walk which takes in fantastic views across the Avon Valley and the surrounding area. 

Lovely being able to enjoy the countryside in the sunshine and then a spot of lunch, homemade pasty pie and cheese with a flask of coffee, for me anyway. Poor Juno had to make do with a few crisps when we stopped off at the pub on the way home. She made up for it later.

We are still eating plenty of home produce, today that included courgette, spinach, chard and garlic, all of which went in with other ingredients to make a vegetable biryani. Though I say so myself, it was very tasty.

WM allotment

 

I have been driving all over today with Alison, Bridie, Joseph and Maria all needing lifts, as well as the usual responsibilities. I stopped off at the allotment for the first time in over a week to plant out both the garlic bulbs and broad bean seeds. They will all over winter having put on a bit of growth in the next weeks, and be ready for harvest from early summer onwards, a little earlier than would otherwise be the case. 

The brilliant thing was being able to pick basil, coriander, lettuce and spinach from under the cloche. Very welcome at this time of year, as well as the first leeks and parsnips. Really pleased with both and they will keep going for several weeks now, great results which demonstrate how the veg can keep coming into the winter months. I also took up the last couple of carrots, so it could be allotment stew for us tomorrow, using these, our potatoes, garlic and some dried chickpeas and lentils. Good, hearty stuff.

Storm Ashley

It's been a wet few days again and the river in the woods is almost up to the brim. Juno would normally jump down and splash about in the shallow water but she didn't fancy it this time. Alison and I walked around Potterne Lake from Potterne Park yesterday, making the most of the dry afternoon and mild weather. A bit of down time in a week which is crazy busy.