Author Archives: james

Little more than 30 hours until the polling stations open

And for the first time ever, I shall be voting tactically this election. We’re in a new constituency because of boundary changes, but our previous MP is running in our constituency again. In years he’s done nothing for (most of) … Continue reading

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What is it with weeds this year?

Last weekend I finished weeding the veggie plot beds (though the strawberry, raspberry and flower beds still need doing) for the fourth time this year. And there were so many! My compost bins are about 5′ (1.5m) square and I … Continue reading

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Memory Lane, 28th August 2023: Damsons and plums

Freshly picked…

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A brace of Transits

We have two Ford Transits in the workshop this week, similar yet different. It’s going to be interesting working on them side-by-side.

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Second van to leave the workshop

This time, a long wheelbase VW Crafter that may possibly have been some sort of emergency vehicle in a past life. I believe this was for a customer who wanted to use it to take a bicycle with him. Out … Continue reading

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Memory Lane, August 2023: Cabbage for everyone

Later in the year I picked an even heavier one, but at the time this was a record for me…

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Getting close with the compost toilet

Now it’s in situ, I grabbed some scrap timber and 15mm hexa ply from the waste bin at work and today made the “throne” for the compost toilet. Hopefully I have sufficient left over to make some doors and perhaps … Continue reading

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Testing the solar wax melter

I’m afraid the photos here really aren’t that great, mostly because the melter needs to face the Sun as much as possible, but what we have is the tray full of “crumbled” comb, mostly from old brood frames. I’m told … Continue reading

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Fun moving the compost toilet

When I designed and started building the compost toilet, my intention was that it should sit comfortably on the pallet forks I have for my compact tractor so I could move it around. I’ve now reached the stage of wanting … Continue reading

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Memory Lane, 28th August 2023: Huge tomatoes!

These are all Amish Paste. Not the largest I’ve ever grown, but certainly right up there.

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