I wanted to drill holes into my new planter trough. My hand drill has jammed since I last used it. I took it into work and the Head of Facilities and the handyman/cleaner both had a go but were unable to unstick it. In B&Q today I was looking for a replacement, but couldn't find one. One of the assistants said. "I haven't seen one of those for years".
It seems such a waste to use an electric drill for such a small job. And when you want a hole in wood of only a certain depth, a hand drill, though slower, is easier to control.
I've googled hand drill and it seems they are still being made. Hope to find a shop where I can buy one rather than having to use the internet
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Craft Group
The email has gone out! I am having an exploratory meeting with the idea of setting up a Transition Leystonstone (recyled) craft group. I'd got the house reasonable for Christmas/New Year but now will have to get it sorted again in time for this meeting. It's at the end of March, but already thinking about bits of housework, "I won't do that now, I'll only have to do it again before the craft meeting."
I hope I get enough people to make it interesting and not too many to fit into the room!
I hope I get enough people to make it interesting and not too many to fit into the room!
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Plum trees
Pleased to see my plum trees have buds on. They came as small, bare, rooted sticks and I stuck them into small pots and kept them by the house. It seems the bad weather over Christmas hasn't harmed them. Hope we don't get another dose of snow/ice. I will plant them into bigger pots in the spring. Martyn Cox in "Big Gardens in Small Spaces" says that plums are one of the plants that sulk into pots, but these are supposed to grow only a foot high and weren't hugely expensive, so I thought worth a try.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
RSPB Garden Birdwatch
The RSPB Garden Birdwatch was last weekend when I didn't have time to do it. So I did this morning and counted two wood pigeon and two bluetits.
Better than last year when it was one wood pigeon, and that was a bit of a cheat as it was pearched on my neighbour's side of the ash tree!
Better than last year when it was one wood pigeon, and that was a bit of a cheat as it was pearched on my neighbour's side of the ash tree!
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Storms provide kindling
Heavy wind or rain brings down twiggy bits from the birch trees down my street. The trees have just had their branches thinned and their crowns raised, so not very much came down in the recent wind, but still rescued some bits as I came home from shopping this afternoon. Also some other twiggy bits from the trees from the road at the top. Gathering enough to fill 2 cat lit bags, which should last a few weeks.
I can't find a way of linking this to the theme of green and country in the city, but it amused me and relates to storms, so I'll mention it!! My boss was delayed coming into work on Friday morning due to a "gazebo on the line"
I can't find a way of linking this to the theme of green and country in the city, but it amused me and relates to storms, so I'll mention it!! My boss was delayed coming into work on Friday morning due to a "gazebo on the line"
Kingfishers and robins
Saw a kingfisher today! Flash of blue for about 5 seconds as it flew up the river ahead of us.
As a child I lived in Cornwall on the Tresillian River where there were kingfishers. My father, who often cycled to work along the river, would see them, but I never did. It is not until I am in London when I see them on the Lea (the river bit, not the Navigation) between Tottenham and Waltham Forest (like today) or the tidal bit of the Lea below Leabridge Road. One of the delights of kayaking.
Though the Navigation above Tottenham Lock had thick ice for a while this winter, the river bit was not completely iced over, so the kingfishers should have been able to feed (they are one of the birds expected to be hard hit by the bad weather).
Leytonstone overground station is high up above the road, level with the tops of the neighbouring trees. A friend was climbing the stairs to the station to find a robin at the top of the tree, but level with her, singing away. She took a photo which came out well which she will email me.
As a child I lived in Cornwall on the Tresillian River where there were kingfishers. My father, who often cycled to work along the river, would see them, but I never did. It is not until I am in London when I see them on the Lea (the river bit, not the Navigation) between Tottenham and Waltham Forest (like today) or the tidal bit of the Lea below Leabridge Road. One of the delights of kayaking.
Though the Navigation above Tottenham Lock had thick ice for a while this winter, the river bit was not completely iced over, so the kingfishers should have been able to feed (they are one of the birds expected to be hard hit by the bad weather).
Leytonstone overground station is high up above the road, level with the tops of the neighbouring trees. A friend was climbing the stairs to the station to find a robin at the top of the tree, but level with her, singing away. She took a photo which came out well which she will email me.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Utility room
Country Homes & Interiors (March issue) have an article on Utility Rooms with lots of lovely photographs. All looking much posher than my Utility Room would look - if I had one.
I wish I had! It would save room in my conservatory, kitchen and hall. And it would be wonderful to have somewhere to hang wet and damp kayaking gear to dry.
I wish I had! It would save room in my conservatory, kitchen and hall. And it would be wonderful to have somewhere to hang wet and damp kayaking gear to dry.
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