Author Archives: james

Cleaning a Celestron Ultima Barlow

Posted on January 22, 2012 by james

I had a close look at my Celestron Ultima 2x barlow the other day having spent a few nights out imaging Jupiter and Mars and discovered that it was disgustingly filthy. No idea how it should have got so dirty … Continue reading →

Posted in Astro Equipment, Astronomy | Leave a comment

My First Full Double Rainbow

Posted on January 22, 2012 by james

From our position here, pretty much on the top of a hill we have a good view in all directions and that means we often see lovely rainbows. Even so it’s not particularly common to see one complete from ground … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment | Leave a comment

This Year’s Veg Plot Plans

Posted on January 22, 2012 by james

This week I finally got around to ordering most of the seeds for our vegetable plot. Somewhat later than I usually do it (I plan to get everything sorted in November if I can, but events have overtaken me somewhat … Continue reading →

Posted in Polytunnel, Smallholding, Veg plot | Leave a comment

Dads’ & Childrens’ Fishing Trip

Posted on January 22, 2012 by james

I’ve been talking about the idea of going fishing for some time now. I’ve never done it before and I like the idea of catching fish to eat. My son has been watching “Hugh’s Fish Fight” and was also very … Continue reading →

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MythTV Freeview Channel Scan

Posted on January 13, 2012 by james

Despite a few rearrangements of the channels on our local transmitter I’ve been putting off rescanning the channels for some time as last time I tried it broke things horribly. Nothing was due to record for a few hours yesterday … Continue reading →

Posted in Computing, MythTV | Tagged | Leave a comment

Paynes Polystyrene Brood Boxes

Posted on January 12, 2012 by james

Along with my poly nuc boxes I ordered some of Payne’s poly brood boxes, intending to use them this year with my own floors and supers. As with the nuc boxes, first impressions are good. Other reports on these had … Continue reading →

Posted in Bee-keeping, Smallholding | Leave a comment

Polystyrene Nucleus Boxes

Posted on January 12, 2012 by james

I was going to make up some nucleus boxes this year. Quite a few people have been giving positive reports of the Paynes poly nuc boxes though, and the prices in their sale finally convinced me to buy some. They … Continue reading →

Posted in Bee-keeping, Smallholding | Leave a comment

My First Polystyrene Hive

Posted on January 12, 2012 by james

Abelo Beekeeping Equipment sell both National and Langstroth polystyrene hives. I believe they source them from Lyson in Poland. Unfortunately their current batch of National hive bodies have incorrect spacing between the frame sides and the walls, and between the … Continue reading →

Posted in Bee-keeping, Smallholding | 2 Comments

Communing with Nature

Posted on January 11, 2012 by james

The weather has been wet or overcast (or both) here for what seems like months (actually, it probably is months) and those crisp, cold winter mornings have been noticeable by their absence. This morning however we probably came as close … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Random | Leave a comment

The New Home Apiary

Posted on January 10, 2012 by james

Plans the for current apiary space mean that this year my hives must move. Next to the hives I took over this year (on a bit of land belonging to a neighbouring farmer) we have a scabby patch of ground … Continue reading →

Posted in Bee-keeping, Projects, Smallholding | Leave a comment