Greenhouse construction commences.
Frost. Fog. Lunch al fresco.
A bit of a mixed week.
Managed my first longer walk along the lanes for what feels like an age on Tuesday morning. Kerrys Gate – Bacton – Tremorithic Road – Cwm Road – Abbey Dore. Beautiful autumn colours and lovely views of Hatterall Ridge, The Cat’s Back and Hay Bluff.
At the junction of “Bacton Road” and Tremorithic Road, just as the Black Mountains come into view, I spotted this sign:
So, a visit to Fair Oak Horse-Powered Cider is definitely on the cards for when Catherine, and other cider lovers, visit. And then on to The Bridge Inn at Michaelchurch Escley for food.
First frost on Wednesday morning:
And a pre lockdown fish & chip take out from The Old Stables and dinner with dad and Jean in the evening. A chance to chat. Back via Asda and Tescos. The shelves not bare, but back to no bread flour….
The second lockdown started at 00.01 on Thursday. Roll on December.
One small “personal plus” that’s come about due to COVID is that working from home has ended up working really well, partly because although I was an anomaly in January (had to get the OK from the Chief HR Officer over in NY to be WFH on a permanent basis), come the end of March it was the norm, and has been since then. So that has really helped. Plus – touch wood – the wifi is holding up. Who knows when broadband will actually make it to our stretch of country lanes. We can see cables (they’re strung alongside the phone lines up on BT poles) within 10 mins walk in either direction – so close!! Who knows why our bit of road in between the two didn’t get done. There are plenty of houses all the way along. Anyway – so far so good.
A misty morning on Friday so I was able to tackle various bits of admin as I waited for the mist to clear and the grass to dry off so that I could mow and clear the paths of leaves.
I finished sorting out my work paperwork and office. We still need to put stuff in the roof but I am feeling like I’ve got through a few of the more annoying jobs on my to do list. And there’s more chance to do things other than unpacking and sorting.
I also emailed various friends to let them know we are staying and with our “new” address. If you’ve not got it and want it, let me know. It’s been really nice getting updates back by return. Lots of 17 year olds and talk of driving lessons! SEVENTEEN!!!
Strong sun cleared the mist over the course of the morning and it was warm enough to have lunch outside on the patio – in November.
Almost like being on trek…. This time last year I was in Nepal, and we trekked from Panggom (2850m) – Najingdingma (2730m) via the Pangkongma La (3174m) and the Inkhu Khola / Hinku Khola river crossing (2028m). I know I would be really missing doing a big trek this year if it weren’t for all the novelty of our first year at Forty Acres. (We don’t have 40 acres by the way, in case you were wondering.)
After a slight delay (I discovered the mower battery needed a bit of a recharge) I spent the late afternoon mowing, continuing on into the twilight. I’d spent the delay bonfining in the old quarry. As my dad would say “A very satisfying afternoon”.
Phone calls and Zooms with Rachel and Jane making plans for the coming couple of months, and a sociable Friday FaceTime with Simon & Susa. More catch ups lining up for the coming weeks.
We started the greenhouse construction on Saturday morning, making good progress: site selected, post holes dug, base made plus side and end frames. It is like putting together a giant Lego / Ikea kit.
Finished off the mowing / leaf clearing / compost raking in the afternoon.
And AT LAST the US election result. Relief all round.
Very, very foggy on Sunday.
Walked to Camp Crossroads and back on Monday morning – more beautiful colours after a foggy start – and then concreted in the greenhouse posts. Weedkillered the drive and around the house foundations, and lopped some of the brash down in the quarry ready for another bonfire. Still masses to do.
Ended up succumbing to an early afternoon nap. Probably a good thing.
Photos: Herefordshire week 45 on Flickr.
Phil: Weeknotes for w/e 2020-11-08.