I didn’t find the time to write a normal update this week, but here is a short form version:
- Land clearing continues, the summer ban on using a metal blade with the strimmer is nearing, so I’m steadily destroying the out of control bramble patches near the house. It won’t all get cleared this year but we’ve made significant progress and even cleared a section of the neighbouring property which has been abandoned and poses a hazard to our house during fire season.
- The fight against the Bracken continues. I go into the forest with a sickle instead of the strimmer, this way I can save all of the little saplings that are sprouting in the forest. We have a nice crop of cherry saplings as well as many oaks, I’d like to transplant them during the fall/winter season in an effort to push the boundaries of the mixed woodland even further. The toddler is sometimes amenable to this and other times not, today I had him strapped to my back and he was happy enough to allow me a good half hour of bracken cutting before insisting that we do something else.
- With Jackie in full time work, we bought a bike trailer which allows me to cross the ridge lines (with the assistance of an electric motor) and get into town with the toddler, I will take him to play groups and doctors appointments like this from now on.
- Work on the outhouse has begun. The four corner posts have been set into foundations, we just need to get some pine boards to clad it with and then put a roof on top.
- I placed an order of quality wood to begin further renovations and improvements to the house. First thing on that to-do list is to build a nice new door that replaces the old metal one for the stone house bedroom. I also need to build a little loft platform in that room that can be used as storage space or for sleeping.
- When those things are done then I can finally move forwards with closing the bedroom wall and installing the window there.
- I’ve been making new plans for the neighbouring field that we have access to. Since the untimely death of our pigs, I’ve continued to visit the field and cut back regrowth of bramble and bracken, if all goes well then the delay in planting that field will only last until the fall. More updates regarding that in the future.
Here are some pictures from the week:
I apologise for the short form version of the newsletter this week. Unless you prefer this model… Juggling all of these things sometimes makes it hard to sit down and write. I’ll try to write a more in-depth piece for next week but we’ll see.
Meanwhile we have a new video out, this one shows some of our progress during the tail end of winter and first days of spring. Hopefully you can enjoy that.
Til next week.
Love the updates in all its appearances.
Short model is great. Maybe alternate if you prefer, but don't feel pressured to write long form.