Monthly Archives: May 2018

Prestatyn beach

Posted on May 31, 2018 by Helen

After sinking up to my ankles in mud on Conwy beach on Monday evening – much to the amusement of a few locals watching – I thought better of having a morning by the sea in this location come Tuesday. … Continue reading →

Posted in Days out, Good for the environment | Tagged , | 5 Comments

Centre for Alternative Technology

Posted on May 29, 2018 by Helen

On Sunday, we drove down to the Centre for Alternative Technology in Wales. It wasn’t the most straightforward for journeys due to accidents and queues of traffic but I was pleased to have some energy to look round before retiring … Continue reading →

Posted in Days out, Permaculture | Tagged , , , , , | 23 Comments

Caraway and other flowers

Posted on May 25, 2018 by Helen

I’ve been watching the caraway I sowed last summer as it’s grown from the soil after disappearing over the winter. Now it’s bloomed, so I’m assured in as far as a gardener can be of a crop of seeds this … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Permaculture, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , | 20 Comments

Peat-free compost

Posted on May 21, 2018 by Helen

This morning, I did my first Pilates class in an attempt to strengthen my back muscles. So far, so good. I didn’t attempt to lift the bag of compost I bought later on too much, though. It took me long … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Permaculture | Tagged , , , | 15 Comments

Rhubarb in curry and a new pot

Posted on May 20, 2018 by Helen

My take-home this time after a weekend with my parents was an exceedingly large pot for the garden. There isn’t currently a proper resting place for it, so it’s had to go next to the newest apple tree but I … Continue reading →

Posted in In the kitchen, Permaculture, presents | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Ipomoea

Posted on May 19, 2018 by Helen

Yesterday, the lady who I’d given cowslips to a couple of weeks ago came to our Knit and Natter group with gifts of her own. Now, it turns out that there are many types of Ipomoea, more about which can … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, presents | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

Beans and more beans

Posted on May 17, 2018 by Helen

Yesterday, the beans I had sown directly in the ground started coming through. Yay! Honestly, it’s been quite cold at night, so this comes as something of a surprise. But if they are coming through, then the beans I sowed … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Permaculture, Wildlife | Tagged , , | 10 Comments

An alternative to soapwort?

Posted on May 16, 2018 by Helen

A year or two back, I read Mark Boyle’s The Moneyless Manifesto, which I found quite inspirational. Now, I am aware that if we didn’t have money, people would find plenty of other ways of being, say, corrupt or envious. … Continue reading →

Posted in herbs, Permaculture | Tagged , , , | 14 Comments

Phlox and Artemisia

Posted on May 15, 2018 by Helen

On Sunday, in addition to all the sights indulged in, I went on a bit of a spending spree in Helmsley. Hunters of Helmsley is a fantastic place to stock up on organic unbleached flour and the like. But I … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

A day of beautiful flowers

Posted on May 13, 2018 by Helen

The more I visit Helmsley Walled Garden, the more I love it. Today was the first time I had been in the spring and I wasn’t to be disappointed. Look at the spectacular tulips in a meadow (with Helmsley Castle … Continue reading →

Posted in Days out, Gardening | Tagged , , , | 18 Comments