WHY CAN'T SPANISH DOGS LEARN ENGLISH?

WHY CAN'T SPANISH DOGS LEARN ENGLISH?

Monday, October 29, 2012

VEGGIE PLOT IS PREPARED

So, at long last the vegetable plot has been de-weeded, the beans - what there was of them - have been discarded, the leaks - that had some horrible insect burrowing into them have been ditched, and the last courgette (calabacin) plant has been ripped up.

The plot has been manured, rotovated, watered (by the rain) and now raked.  A new path is going through it over the next couple of days, so that we have easier access to the chicken coop with the wheel barrow.  For the summer I have had to do some crazy manoeuvres to get the barrow into the coop so I can clean out the house, completely bonkers, but now I hope it will be less awkward.  

We have already been to the farm down the road (our neighbour) to pick up some new plants, lettuces (about 4 different types), cabbages, cauliflowers and brussels sprouts also some parsley and swiss chard (not sure what to do with that yet! need to analyse a cookery book).  I am hoping we can get a good rotation going on the plot so we always have something ready to eat.

C will plant them all in during this week and then next month we'll pick up another lot and so on.  Eventually I hope we'll have enough to keep us going through the winter months.


The rotten leaks! such a shame, I was looking forward to leak & potato soup and ham and leak pie etc..  Never mind, there's always next year.



Below is C in the veggie plot, with only half of it done so far, it's not a good picture as my camera has broken and my phone is awful for taking pictures, but it kind of gives you an idea.  The mound in the foreground is what they call 'abono' here in Mallorca.  To us it's poop! or manure if you want to be correct about it.  We didn't give the earth any nutrients last time and this is probably why our crops did so badly, that and the fact that it was darn hot this summer.








The poop pile and looking towards the compost box and the house.
 The plot all wonderfully manured and awaiting a good rain and rake in.





 Ruffa looking at the chickens that had a lovely peck about the plot for an afternoon.  That certainly won't happen once the new seedlings are in position!

Below, the orange trees are in full swing getting themselves ready for November/December.  I'm hoping C will be making many jars of marmalade, yummy.



Sunday, October 28, 2012

THE TURKEYS ARE RECOVERED

So the lovely 'turkey boys' are now fully recovered from their bout of chicken pox (or rather fowl pox!) and are looking much finer.   They are growing very quickly and eating an enormous amount! I have no idea where they put it, they are like starving teenagers.



This is Spock and Humphrey is looking headless in the background!  I would imagine he is preening himself.  

Since taking these pictures their tiny house has been enlarged slightly but they tend to roost on the top of it under the pine trees and only take shelter if the weather really is awful!

They are now quite strong but I managed to re-clip their wings the other day as they were looking rather flappy.  It was a bit of a battle getting a grip on them without them hurting themselves, but once I had them with their heads under my left arm, they stood quite still and calm.  At one point one of our kittens happened to wander into the pen whilst I was in mid-clip, and then Humphrey made a big hissing sound! I'd never heard that before.  The kitten was quickly removed before Spock decided to peck at it.  

I am hoping to gather some more materials for the turkey house so we can build it bigger but I think it will be fine for now.  I have put straw inside and their food is undercover also, they seem quite happy with the arrangement for now.  I have no idea how two male turkeys compete or behave together when they are fully grown, but there are no females around to impress, so I am hoping they will behave themselves.

The weather today is very windy and the temperature has dropped considerably, it is quite chilly inside the house today, probably marginally warmer outside.  We have de-flea'd Ruffa (our boxer) so that he can start to come inside in the colder weather.



Boxers tend to be sensitive to temperature and I noticed the other night he was curled up tightly in a little ball to try to keep warm on the sofa outside.  So his indoor bedding is washed and ready for him to curl up on for the chillier nights to come.

Saturday, October 27, 2012

THE CORSICAN DOTH CROW

It has been a while since writing due to many unforeseen circumstances and a few struggles with work etc..However, I hope to keep this as up to date as possible.

The chickens are now really growing, the hens seem happy and I now give them a mix of layers mash, chipped corn and a lovely mixture of cereals n seeds.  We get their feed from the local cooperativa in Campanet, a village nearby, although I have now discovered I can buy it locally here in Sa Pobla.



About a week ago the cockerel began to crow.  Whilst lying in bed we heard a very strange crow that began quite well and then ended up sounding like an animal being strangled! We leapt out of bed and went to investigate.  There was The Corsican (named by C because - 'course he can') head held high giving it all he had.  He needs a little practice but it's great to seem him growing up at last.  He keeps his 3 ladies in perfect order for now and nobody is pecked too much so all is calm in the coop - for now.