tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74153900945581090362024-03-13T13:55:14.007+00:00Crafty Welsh Grandma - The Great OutdoorsWelcome to my Great Outdoors blog. All my garden and general outdoorsy type entriesUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415390094558109036.post-62276794333239471932018-07-12T11:08:00.001+01:002018-07-12T13:18:13.734+01:00DIY Patio Ash Tray / Butt Bucket<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1823/42631666484_e531caa69c_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1823/42631666484_e531caa69c_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This idea is certainly not my own, but, with a little tongue in cheek, I want to share it with you after I made my own and saved myself quite a few quid / pounds / dollars. </div>
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If you find yourself in need of an ashtray or butt bucket for your garden or patio table, you can look online and pay somewhat more than you would usually for the items if you'd only make your own. After all, no one wants to spend a lot of money to hide something as unsightly as cigarette butts.</div>
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<a href="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1809/28489768087_80045bb901_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="714" height="200" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1809/28489768087_80045bb901_c.jpg" width="177" /></a><a href="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/925/43310225072_5d7134f2cf_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="714" height="200" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/925/43310225072_5d7134f2cf_c.jpg" width="178" /></a></div>
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This project is so simple, it's ridiculous and will save you loads of money. You only have to check out eBay or Etsy to see how much money people are making off of these!</div>
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<b>You will need:</b></div>
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<a href="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1829/41539815360_4b94e4cee4_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1829/41539815360_4b94e4cee4_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;">A terracotta plant pot size and colour of your own choice - Mine is a 15cm pot</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">A terracotta saucer (see below for sizes)</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">A tin can:</li>
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<li style="text-align: justify;">Food can</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Beer can</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">As long as it's non-flammable</li>
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<b>Here's how:</b></div>
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The first thing you need to ensure is that your plant pot and saucer are terracotta! </div>
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The next thing is to ensure that the upended pot fits inside the saucer (see above). Are you with me so far? Cool. Here comes the 'technical bit' ...</div>
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<a href="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1805/41539810160_a9e7bee624_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1805/41539810160_a9e7bee624_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Turn your pot the correct way up to check that the bean can fits inside. If it does not, for example, it's just way to big for your pot, consider a beer can or fizzy drinks can. Trim the top off and, very carefully, crimp the top of the can over, so there are no sharp edges.</div>
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This next bit might be confusing ...</div>
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<a href="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/923/41539812360_feb5c75efe_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/923/41539812360_feb5c75efe_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Take both the can and the pot off the saucer.</div>
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Place can back on the saucer.</div>
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Then, top side down, place the pot over the can onto the saucer.</div>
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This can will now collect your butt ends and you can either dispose of the whole can when full and replace it or you can just empty the can and reuse it.</div>
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<a href="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/916/41539812570_e5f3c80bb4_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/916/41539812570_e5f3c80bb4_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Almost done!</div>
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Ideally, you can purchase another terracotta saucer that fits over the top (used to be the bottom) of the pot, not balancing on top but with the edges of the saucer hanging down the sides. </div>
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If this was the right way up, it would be with the bottom of the pot fitting snuggly into the saucer.</div>
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Now, I couldn't get one for this project, so I used a painted stone which fits over the hole on the top of the ashtray.</div>
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<a href="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/923/29478706688_52a364f7fa_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/923/29478706688_52a364f7fa_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This lid serves has a number of practical purposes.</div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;">When you drop the lit cigarette butt in through the hole (and down into the can), placing a lid on your ashtray will help starve the lit butt of oxygen and help it go out. Never leave a lit cigarette unattended.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Any smoke that can come up through the hole will be kept in the pot. Of course, this lid will never stop 100% of the smoke but will stop quite a lot of it.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">It will help stop any rain getting in when you leave the ashtray outside.</li>
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<a href="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1806/43348745901_e12389e758_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1806/43348745901_e12389e758_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And there we have it, a simple patio / outdoor ashtray / butt bucket - at a fraction of the cost that they are online. You can make one as little or as big as you wish, you're only restriction is what size pots and saucers you can lay your hands on. </div>
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Why not consider getting a little arty and painting it?</div>
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<b>How much money have I saved by DIY-ing it?</b></div>
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The lowest price on the pre-made ones I found was £8.99 + free P&P</div>
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I spent:</div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;">£1.00 on the pot</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">£1.00 on the saucer</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">£1.00 more could have been spent on the smaller saucer for the lid, but I've used a painted rock.</li>
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If I had purchased all three pieces, it would have cost me £3.00 max! Saving me £5.99. You can even pay even less! If you have a pre-loved / used plant pot and saucer already, clean them up and use those if you wish</div>
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It's a bit of a no-brainer actually. </div>
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Don't forget, never leave a lit cigarette unattended. I will not be held responsible for any fires!</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415390094558109036.post-29537991734365114092018-07-01T20:44:00.003+01:002018-07-01T20:44:22.081+01:00Rock and Pebble Painting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/927/41323426010_c72b19dbd7_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="770" height="249" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/927/41323426010_c72b19dbd7_b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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You'd usually find this Crafty Welsh Grandma in the kitchen, <b><a href="http://www.craftywelshgrandma.co.uk/" target="_blank">creating cakes and cupcakes</a></b>! I promised myself a 'retirement' after the recent <b><a href="http://www.craftywelshgrandma.co.uk/p/wedding-engagement-index.html" target="_blank">wedding cake</a></b> so, as I have no plans for bakes, unless there are any 'impromptu' ones needed, I can now concentrate on my other hobbies - until the festive season arrives.</div>
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Hobbies, such as:</div>
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<li>Camping</li>
<li>Gardening</li>
<li>Painting</li>
<li>Needlecraft </li>
<li>and lots more</li>
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This blog entry is just to show you what you can do with a little imagination. "Rock hunting" is becoming a bit of a big thing with the young and the young at heart. I am a member of a number of rock groups on Facebook after rekindling my love for this craft after my Grandson found his first painted rock in the town's big park.</div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/502861843383892/" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="150" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1821/42230785565_cc7838ac26_c.jpg" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/502861843383892/" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="150" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/842/42230785335_d9b4874ee3_c.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<i>These two were painted by members of <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/502861843383892/" target="_blank">RCT Rocks</a> </b>and found by my Grandson</i></div>
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The Facebook groups are a good community of people, hiders, painters, seekers, and finders. Why not check to see if there is one in your area?</div>
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I even 'commissioned' some rocks for my son's wedding, I couldn't do any as I was making at the wedding cake and had run out of time!</div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/502861843383892/" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="200" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1804/43085003162_39026c6373_c.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<i>Two of these three <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/502861843383892/" target="_blank">RCT Rocks</a></b> were taken to the wedding</i></div>
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These are easy to do and you don't have to be no Van Gogh to paint one either! All you need is:</div>
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<li>A little time</li>
<li>Paint brushes (if not using paint pens)</li>
<li>Acrylic paints or pens</li>
<li>Some Sharpies (permanent marker pens)</li>
<li>Some clear lacquer </li>
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Here are a few that my family have created over the last few months, my favourite ones, called 'Smile' and 'Flower ballerina' I didn't take pictures of, but I wished I had now!</div>
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<a href="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1825/42416419004_6a279b05f6_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="200" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1825/42416419004_6a279b05f6_c.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/921/41318184490_d6bae01dda_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="200" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/921/41318184490_d6bae01dda_c.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/916/41318182770_e5cce0ff7c_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="200" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/916/41318182770_e5cce0ff7c_c.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/840/29257391038_d40e7431a8_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="200" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/840/29257391038_d40e7431a8_c.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<i>Created for International Drop A Rock Day</i></div>
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<i>July 3rd 2018</i></div>
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<b>Why not start creating your own?</b></div>
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<b>All you have to do is ...</b></div>
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<a href="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1827/28259817277_278831aef2_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="798" height="320" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1827/28259817277_278831aef2_c.jpg" width="319" /></a></div>
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Copied from my '<span id="goog_780400705"></span><span id="goog_780400706"></span><b><a href="http://craftywelshgrandma3.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Other Crafts</a></b>' Blog</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415390094558109036.post-43201028699663376122017-07-28T20:56:00.003+01:002017-07-29T03:29:17.718+01:00The Ebbw Vale Works Museum<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4317/36091971971_6a54c53889.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="281" data-original-width="500" height="179" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4317/36091971971_6a54c53889.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Have you ever visited anywhere with one question, one burning question no less, that you don't get answered (yet) leads you into hours of amazing historical discovery?</div>
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Yes? No? Or maybe? Well, today, this was exactly where I found myself. Usually, you'd find me blogging about my <a href="http://craftywelshgrandma.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Cakey Bakey Exploits</a>, some <a href="http://craftywelshgrandma3.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">other bits of crafty-ness</a>, or maybe some general outdoors and garden 'stuff' ... Today was something so different, I must share it with you all.</div>
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I visited <a href="http://evwat.co.uk/" target="_blank"><b>The Ebbw Vale Works Museum</b></a>, well, the General Offices as it happens, on the off chance, as you do. In the foyer of the general building lay a plaque (above) and two photographs relating to <b>Company Sergeant Major John (Jack) Henry Williams.</b></div>
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<a href="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4293/35420699643_573b8fba27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4293/35420699643_573b8fba27.jpg" width="256" /></a><a href="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4317/35833304110_1becc9850f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="373" height="320" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4317/35833304110_1becc9850f.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>These three images are of the information that can be found to the left of the door in the foyer of the building.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>I would like to thank the staff for allowing me to take pictures and for their hospitality.</i></span></div>
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Now, John Henry Williams (whom I shall, with utmost respect and admiration, informally refer to as 'Jack') was such an amazing WW1 war hero, that he had bestowed upon him, on the 27th October 2016, the honorary freedom of the County Borough of Bleanau Gwent. The thing was, and the thing I failed to understand, was why the County Borough waited to bestow this honour, in perpetuity, on this young man decades after he had died!</div>
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I was directed from the foyer area down past the archives room and into the Works Museum. As I walked the corridor, I could see small glimpses of that amazing stuff called 'history and enlightenment' peaking at me from there and abouts.</div>
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Now, this blog post will not enlighten you to much historical interest, but what I hope it does is give you a gentle taste of the delights that await you that could quench your thirst for knowledge. For, through the double doors, stood two gentlemen quite willing to answer as much as I had to ask. But, alas, not the exact question - the answer to that will be my next visit.</div>
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I asked my question and was directed to a display dedicated to 'Jack' and his fellow war heroes and comrades. Images of pre-war soldiers awaiting deployment, with faces that showed no fear of what they were about to experience, then images of wounded men with eyes so full of sadness, it was hard to comprehend! We can never comprehend.</div>
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I don't wish to dwell too much on 'Jack' because this post will simply run on forever, but I must tell you about this place!</div>
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The whole history, in pictures, adorn the walls of the steel works, both old and 'new', the 'stuff' salvaged and saved from the junk yards for us all to see. Like the iron works bell, cast in 1807 that rests in the fire place of the old General Managers Office. It intrigued me some, as Ebbw was spelled 'E-B-B-Y', I thought 'Maybe that's the old way of spelling it." - In that split second of a thought, my guide enquired as to whether or not I had noted the spelling mistake. 'A trick question' I thought, but alas, I was correct, E-B-B-Y should have been E-B-B-W.</div>
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The hours whisked by, case upon case of artefacts, old measuring instruments, beautiful decorated tins made with Ebbw Vale steel, ingots, badge pins ... Frame upon frame of the processes of steel making, from beginning right to end, the maps, the people, the homes, and the tales, all took up so little time I thought, but hours had passed me! It was exciting! I especially enjoyed the personal thoughts or maybe 'urban legend' as to why the Germans never bombed or hit the steel works - I urge you to find this out for yourself!</div>
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My accidental guide was Mr Daniels, and how did I know this? Well, I failed to participate in any introductions at my first meeting as I was focused on 'Jack' and his freedom of the County Borough, but he had enlightened me to so much, including his own bit of personal family history of a 'leaving' or retirement certificate, alas, one year off half a century.</div>
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His colleague, whose name I failed to acquire, was also a font on knowledge. I can't thank these gentlemen enough. What a credit the are.</div>
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Anyway ... I have so much information I want to share with you, but I know the volunteers at the Works Museum will do a far better job. Even if you're not interested in the industrial heritage of the valleys, you can't help but be intrigued by the social history of the folk from the valley. How they lived, how they worked, how they were paid even. I was like a sponge, the more I found out, the more I needed to know.</div>
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<b>Alas, I could waffle on forever about this wonderful place and the knowledgeable people that work there, but I want you to see it for yourself. You need to feel the history you're looking at and soak up the knowledge as well as the atmosphere for yourself! Learning is a wonderful experience. Not coming from the Ebbw Vale valley and knowing nothing, I feel I have to return to learn more - I encourage and urge you to do the same. </b></div>
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<b>To find out more, click <a href="http://evwat.co.uk/" target="_blank">here</a> and if you use Facebook, click <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Ebbw-Vale-Steelworks-Museum-488692024480897/" target="_blank">here</a>.</b></div>
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You see, I simply cannot do this place of learning any justice. Have I mentioned that you have to see it for yourself?</div>
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I actually feel like I'd honestly love to work there.</div>
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<i>Now, should Mr Daniels ever read this, and if he remembers me, he left me with a question in return for my own. I hope that I saw and have found part, if not all, the correct answer ... <b>"Time Fleeth Away Without Delay."</b></i></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415390094558109036.post-81321545843173682272017-07-26T22:20:00.001+01:002017-07-27T17:20:32.487+01:00Handsome Antique Clock<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4321/36014631962_48cd9b388d_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="359" height="400" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4321/36014631962_48cd9b388d_z.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
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To say I have a passion for clocks might just be a little bit of an understatement, as my children will no doubt agree and enlighten you on. </div>
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I have been gifted this most amazing and beautiful old timer! But all I know about it so far, is that the guy it was bought from told me.</div>
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It was found in the corner of an antique store in <a href="http://www.machynlleth.net/" target="_blank">Machynlleth</a> when on a day out following in the footsteps of <a href="http://www.owain-glyndwr.wales/who_was_owain_glyn_dwr.html" target="_blank">Owain Glyndwr</a> and checking out the site of the old <a href="http://www.canolfanglyndwr.org/" target="_blank">parliament building</a> - A very outdoorsy day!</div>
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<a href="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4305/36049258731_a6805ab185_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="639" height="320" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4305/36049258731_a6805ab185_z.jpg" width="318" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4307/35365647444_d5dce39522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4307/35365647444_d5dce39522.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>I'm doing my best to get a clearer image of the crossed arrows on the clock face</i></span></div>
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I have been told that ... "<b>It's a Vienna Wall Clock made between 1890 and 1910</b>." </div>
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<a href="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4295/36181904905_8b0963f7b3_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4295/36181904905_8b0963f7b3_z.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Not sure it the finial is original. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>It doesn't seem to have ever had anything on the left and right flat 'platforms' to have broken off</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>The pendulum may not be original either, this clock could have had an R=A pendulum </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4309/35345379014_26d5c9235b_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4309/35345379014_26d5c9235b_b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It has a few bits if slight damage, but it doesn't take an antiques expert to see that the damage is old and the repairs (where made) are also aged and old.</div>
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<a href="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4328/36014616102_3b4fde2cfe_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="359" height="320" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4328/36014616102_3b4fde2cfe_z.jpg" width="179" /></a><a href="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4327/36141007226_82333ec147_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="359" height="320" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4327/36141007226_82333ec147_z.jpg" width="179" /></a></div>
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I will be spending many weeks, yes, weeks, cleaning the case. The 'dirt' needs to come off, but some can stay on for the effect, but it's lived in a very smokey house and needs a little refreshing.</div>
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<a href="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4319/36049243191_c68e741706_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="359" data-original-width="640" height="179" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4319/36049243191_c68e741706_z.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'm not actually bothered if visitors or readers don't like it, it's beautiful, it works perfectly, it's one I have always longed for and it's mine.</div>
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<b>Time for some research to find out all I can about this handsome time piece.</b></div>
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<b>If you have any information and research on this clock that you'd like to share, leave me a message below</b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f97WGXlP90I/WXoJOKanDmI/AAAAAAAACNk/bUpdCxg_prISIFf87vtQkcSmMylvpj3ywCKgBGAs/s1600/decorative-elements-1300x238.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="238" data-original-width="1300" height="58" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f97WGXlP90I/WXoJOKanDmI/AAAAAAAACNk/bUpdCxg_prISIFf87vtQkcSmMylvpj3ywCKgBGAs/s320/decorative-elements-1300x238.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>My research so far:</b></div>
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<li><i>I searched for the crossed arrows on the clock face and found that it could be from the <a href="http://mb.nawcc.org/showwiki.php?title=HAC_history" target="_blank">Hamburg American Clock Company</a> / Hamburg Amerikanische Uhrenfabrik.</i></li>
<li><i>The crossed arrows or Pfeilkreuz seemed to have been the trademark for HAU and registered in about 1891</i></li>
<li><i>Possibly from Gustav Becker</i></li>
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<b>Interesting Links:</b></div>
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<li><b><i>Watch-Wiki - <a href="https://watch-wiki.org/index.php?title=Hamburg-Amerikanische_Uhrenfabrik" target="_blank">https://watch-wiki.org/index.php?title=Hamburg-Amerikanische_Uhrenfabrik </a></i></b></li>
<li><b><i>Watch Brands - <a href="http://antiqwatch.com/old-watch-brands/determine-watches-brand-some-clock-hallmarks.html">http://antiqwatch.com/old-watch-brands/determine-watches-brand-some-clock-hallmarks.html</a></i></b></li>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415390094558109036.post-28952790659725333952017-07-14T11:03:00.002+01:002017-07-16T08:33:52.499+01:00Outdoor Revolution Ozone 6.0XTR Air Tent - Experience-based review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4317/35873084816_7290813f64_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4317/35873084816_7290813f64_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Following the disastrous experience with another brand of air tent, <a href="http://craftywelshgrandma2.blogspot.co.uk/2017/07/zempire-aero-txl-air-tent-experience.html">read the review here</a>, you would have thought that it would have put me off them for life! But, following a visit to the camping centre, some excellent customer service, a significant amount of time having tours and reviews of other air tents, we chose the Outdoor Revolution Ozone 6.0XTR. </div>
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The guy in the camping centre (his name was Paul) listened to the needs that any new tent had to meet:</div>
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<li>Accessible needs for someone with mobility disabilities / issues</li>
<li>Space, to prevent this person falling into things and causing themselves harm</li>
<li>Two bedrooms, one for the carer and one for the disabled person</li>
<li>One person had to be able to put the thing up by themselves</li>
<li>And a little future-proofing extra, namely additional ease of access, without a large 'step' to gain entry, just in case it's needed in the future</li>
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<b>About the tent</b></div>
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A family tent that can sleep six, with a large living area. Five oxygen air tubes and a 'Vario' front door (which means you can move its position in the tent itself. Both wheelchair and pushchair friendly. Intelligent Frame (IF) Release Valve, which prevents the user from over inflating the poles. The list goes on, go check it out <a href="http://www.outdoor-revolution.com/tents/ozone/ozone-6-0xtr.html" target="_blank">here</a> on the <a href="http://www.outdoor-revolution.com/tents/ozone/ozone-6-0xtr.html" target="_blank">Outdoor Revolution</a> website</div>
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Having said all that, this tent meets all those needs. So here are my pros and cons list:</div>
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<b>The plus points</b></div>
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<ol>
<li>It is possible for one person to put this tent up, with little or no assistance</li>
<li>It has two bedrooms, one sleeps four persons, the other two persons</li>
<li>The IF system gives you a sense of security that you're not going to burst the poles by over inflating them.</li>
<li>Windows, and oh wow does it have amazing windows! Lots of</li>
<li>Zip down curtains instead of zip up, so they fall to the floor ready for rolling up, much easier than having to roll the bloomin things up from the bottom, which meant that my person with specific needs could open them without help. OK so I had to roll them up for safety, but that was no great hardship</li>
<li>Wasted space it at a minimum. Meaning, walk to the edge of your tent, when your head touches the sides, check that dead space from your feet to the wall of the tent. This includes the bedroom space.</li>
<li>Palatial beyond nothing I have encountered before.</li>
<li>Two additional side doors, one with an eye-brow for that added protection from the weather</li>
<li>The front section has a number of ways to leave open, two panes or just the one.</li>
<li>Mesh on the two side doors</li>
<li>Tinted windows</li>
<li>'Snug Rug' aka carpet (optional extra) has joins that come with safety mats to eliminate / reduce trip hazards.</li>
<li>Zip in mesh door (optional extra), which can be used at the front instead of the window, the window can them be moved inside to divide the living space, or vice versa, its your own choice.</li>
<li>Storm straps come with it, well, because you never know</li>
<li>Sewn in ground sheet from the back of the bedrooms, right to the front door!</li>
<li>Lounge liner (optional extra), offers an air gap on the roof of the 'living' area to keep the cool in and the warm out, an extra bit of shade</li>
<li>You have an extra option of a third bedroom if needed (need to purchase this if you want it)</li>
<li>Air poles are exceptionally sturdy compared to <a href="http://craftywelshgrandma2.blogspot.co.uk/2017/07/zempire-aero-txl-air-tent-experience.html" target="_blank">another brand</a></li>
<li>Poles are pre-shaped, so the didn't distort in the wind</li>
<li>It was still keeping out water after 18 hours solid of driving rain</li>
<li>Footprint! Always get a footprint!</li>
<li>Storage bag has wheels - cool!</li>
<li>I'm sure my list will grow, but I think that just about covers it for a moment.</li>
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<b>The negatives</b></div>
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I'm going to have to find some, so here goes:</div>
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<li>It weighs a lot! Had to be rolled in and out of the car by this here weakling </li>
<li>As with any big tent, you do need a little help packing it away</li>
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<a href="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4211/35781903871_bbe5ab8d3c_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="180" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4211/35781903871_bbe5ab8d3c_b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Did I mention it was palatial?</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4205/35781869441_6bf6a597cf_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="180" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4205/35781869441_6bf6a597cf_b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>In conclusion:</b><br />
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If I put you off air tents with my<a href="http://craftywelshgrandma2.blogspot.co.uk/2017/07/zempire-aero-txl-air-tent-experience.html" target="_blank"> previous review of another brand </a>that uses the air pole system, then fear not, all is not lost, there are exceptional ones out there, and I think this is it for me!<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415390094558109036.post-21532933570839948122017-07-13T18:00:00.000+01:002017-07-13T23:14:48.542+01:00Blog name changeHi all<br />
<br />
I felt that, just calling this my "gardening" blog, was somewhat too restrictive. So, from today, it shall be known as my Great Outdoors Blog.<br />
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It will still involve a lot of my garden but will also include outdoorsy posts not specific to my garden.<br />
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I hope you enjoy the more varied entriesUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415390094558109036.post-89762391395386984822017-07-04T23:45:00.001+01:002017-08-30T15:09:55.577+01:00Zempire Aero TXL Air Tent - Experience-based review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4205/35585275871_77c43d5801_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="800" height="166" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4205/35585275871_77c43d5801_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I want to take time out of my usual garden and baking blogs to bestow upon you a little review of this product, based on personal experience.</div>
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<b>About the tent</b></div>
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This is the largest of the inflatable tents that hail from Zempire, a company based in New Zealand and breaking into the UK market. The following is a quote (direct copy) about Zempire from their <a href="http://zempire.co.uk/" target="_blank">website</a>:</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #58585a; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: #58585a;">"We [</span></i></span><i style="font-family: Arial, tahoma, verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #58585a;">Zempire Camping Equipment]</span></i><i style="font-family: Arial, tahoma, verdana, sans-serif; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #58585a;"> have now done extensive research on the specific requirements for international markets, such as the UK and Europe and have ensured our tents are </span><span style="color: red;">designed specifically to withstand the rigours of the Northern Hemisphere weather extremes.</span><span style="color: #58585a;">"</span></i></div>
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<b>About us - the users</b></div>
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I am a carer for someone with mobility issues and other specific needs and I needed to be able to erect the tent - by myself. With this in mind, this tent had to be able to accommodate both carer and the person being cared for, two separate bedrooms for a start, which is why this tent was the tent of choice. Space, two bedrooms and easy to put up.</div>
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What is to follow is my own, personal review of the tent, based on first hand experience.</div>
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<b>The plus points:</b></div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;">It is possible for one person to put this up with little or no assistance from a second person.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">It has two, generous sized bedrooms</li>
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<b>The negative points:</b></div>
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<ol>
<li style="text-align: justify;">I'm guessing I should have realised there were going to be issues when the pump, supplied, didn't have its pressure gauge and the porch poles were missing! I had to borrow a pump with gauge to ensure the 7psi was reached.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The two poles at the rear of the tent, even though pumped to the correct PSI, could not maintain their upright status and kept flopping all over the place.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">These two poles were deflated and re-inflated in order to reshape them - without success</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">This left the two bedrooms unusable and a makeshift sleeping area had to be made in what was to have been the 'living room' at the centre of the tent.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">During the night, it leaked! Which I expected with it being a new tent. This instigated a 20 mile drive to purchase extra towels to place at the bottom of the poles where the water was pooling.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">When we arrived back we were welcomed by the inside of the centre air pole (see images below) that had burst out of its casing and also the zipped compartment that attached it to the tent. I undid the outer case and made an attempt to make a 'fix'.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The pole front of centre (see below) had distorted in shape. Little did I know that it had already burst out the its internal casing and was only being held in place by the casing of the tent material.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Strange little tearing noises could be heard and before I knew it, this second pole burst out of its tent casing material and ripped at the side of the zipper whilst the zipper stayed zipped up.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">This now meant that it could not even have received a temporary fix</li>
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<b>Centre air pole</b></div>
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<a href="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4056/35329006990_8a5b5fc41e_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="320" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4056/35329006990_8a5b5fc41e_b.jpg" width="180" /></a><a href="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4266/34874910644_4971d309a1_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="320" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4266/34874910644_4971d309a1_b.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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<b>Front of centre air pole distorted before bursting out of tent casing</b></div>
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<a href="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4108/34906645473_14f3cb0c0b_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="320" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4108/34906645473_14f3cb0c0b_b.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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<b>Front of centre air pole whilst bursting out of tent casing</b></div>
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<a href="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4115/35547392712_754a512c98_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="320" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4115/35547392712_754a512c98_b.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;"><b>What happened next</b></span></div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;">It was to late to pack it up and come home, but the person I was caring for needed somewhere to sleep so ...</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">A B&B was needed for the night. But, alas, there was no room at the inn so to speak, therefore ...</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Another 20 mile trip ensued on a hunt for a replacement tent of any description. Found one and pitched beside the one we couldn't sleep in. This had turned out to be a most expensive weekend.</li>
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Two other air tents, that use the same system but by a different manufacturer withstood exactly the same weather conditions as this but maintained their structural integrity without any issues</div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;"><b>In conclusion</b></span></div>
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I cannot give you a reason for this happening but this tent needs further work and research because, in my personal opinion, this tent at least was incapable of withstand the 'rigours of the Northern Hemisphere weather extremes', I'd go as far as to say it cannot withstand a gnat's fart!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415390094558109036.post-30897676725179168862017-06-25T11:39:00.002+01:002017-06-25T11:39:39.731+01:00Bees and Butterflies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4239/35390708581_8094c5f48f_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="622" data-original-width="800" height="310" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4239/35390708581_8094c5f48f_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here's a bit of a pictorial update on the flower bed in my garden. I'm making every effort to turn ot over to bees and butterflies.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415390094558109036.post-3949081133329469792017-06-25T11:27:00.000+01:002017-06-25T11:27:10.037+01:00DIY Fly Screen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4259/35390329911_e675c10f77_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4259/35390329911_e675c10f77_b.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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Here is the UK, our window and doors are not made to easily accept a fly screen. It's seems our planning people and architects don't readily accept that, in some urban / countryside areas, we have more than one or two flies.</div>
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Where I live, right outside my back yard / garden, grows many trees. It's warm and damp in amongst those trees, animals live there, leave their daily activities behind, and some die there. Leaving the almost perfect breeding ground for flies!</div>
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My kitchen door leads right out to that.</div>
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Our houses are also not built with air conditioning already installed and it's rather expensive to have installed.</div>
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With this in mind, and because it's been unusually warm here of late, it's was not possible to open windows and doors to get air in the house, without these little beasties paying unwanted visits - I needed screens.</div>
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The image above shows the fly screen on the back door, prior to the clean up and the addition of a door closer.</div>
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<a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4206/34711347773_cd6884bc9c_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4206/34711347773_cd6884bc9c_b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>The windows</b> had a frame made from 2" x 1" batten to fit inside the window. This was covered in a fine mesh to keep out the flies, it also, unfortunately, had to be covered in 1cm squared metal fine wire, this was to keep out the neighbours cats.</div>
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These are not fixed. They are wedged in so they can be removed, from inside, to open and close the windows. A little annoying, but it works.</div>
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<b>The door</b> was made by a carpenter. We had 2" x 2" wood for the frame, the poor carpenter had to work with what I could think of, this frame was fixed outside of my back door frame.</div>
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The door was made with the remaining 2" x 1" batten left from the windows. It was made with stabilising bars across the middle and reinforced with metal work on the corners.</div>
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Again, covered in fine mesh and the very bottom of the door also has a panel of wire mesh for the cats. I've noted that there is stronger fine fly net out there, but the budget does not allow today, this will be added at a later date. </div>
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A suitably coloured wood preservative was used to blend it in with the brickwork of the house.</div>
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An automatic door closer was added as a reminder the ensure that the door needs to be closed at all times to be effective.</div>
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So far so good</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415390094558109036.post-9873913592777156242017-04-23T10:20:00.004+01:002017-05-29T01:50:48.420+01:00Reclaimed, revamped water feature<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2863/33829974370_980f31d928_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2863/33829974370_980f31d928_z.jpg" width="209" /></a></div>
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When browsing around old junk yards, we came upon a beaten up old cast iron garden 'sink' thing. <br />
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It had rusted in places and the paint was peeling off, but looking behind its tatters, we saw something that would be perfect and fit in with the ethos of my garden.<br />
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It was rubbed down to remove all the rust and flakey paint ...<br />
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<a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4163/33394370173_5fcd8c5ec6_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4163/33394370173_5fcd8c5ec6_z.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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It was then primed ...</div>
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<a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2834/34164230806_5cb1e3a542_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2834/34164230806_5cb1e3a542_z.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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... And given a few coats of black metal spray paint ...</div>
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<a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2843/34074427831_718906f10f_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2843/34074427831_718906f10f_z.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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It's absolutely solid and weighs a lot, as you'd expect. The back was not sprayed and left in the green. It still has the old copper pipe in imperial measurements, which caused one or two problems because we've gone all metric lol. But we managed.</div>
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Once the last coat of black had dried, I dry brushed it, using a sponge and some white paint ... Also suitable for metalwork.</div>
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<a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2838/33362622524_72561d0e6b_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2838/33362622524_72561d0e6b_z.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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All the while, it had to lay on its back because it was simply far to heavy. Once it had a few coats of gloss lacquer, it was ready for fitting.</div>
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A heavy wooden frame was made to bolt it onto. We also purchased a small, electic pond pump as the sun jet water pump I have simply would not do. </div>
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<a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2833/33820918270_dd98bda56b_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2833/33820918270_dd98bda56b_z.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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I cleaned out my water barrel, to use as its reservoir and refilled it. I ended up with pipes and gunk all over the place ... Don't you just love that green slime that grows when you neglect something? </div>
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The sink hole was already blocked up, so we left it as it was. When the sink part is full, it runs off into the barrel making a wonderful sound! No doubt, it would have had a brass tap on it at some stage in its life, I've put a simple little "L" fitting where that would have been. This also helps with the direction of the runnjng water.</div>
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It's so heavy, a length of wood was used to hold it on top of the barrel, as well as it being bolted to its frame and then to the fence. I also put my little ugly guy in there! It looks like he's having a bath. </div>
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A new outdoor electric socket was fitted to plug it into. I'm thinking of using the spare plug for some night time lights, but I'm not sure yet.</div>
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I'd like to say I did this all myself, but this is not true, my daughter took most of the photos whilst my better half did the spraying and, well, we all had to lift it.</div>
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I think it's a rather handsome addition to my garden. I just need to sort out the flower bed that it's nestled in. Better late than never!</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/PAHnA5YOyBg/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PAHnA5YOyBg?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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A <b>massive thank you </b>goes out to all those that helped me achieve this spectacular, reclaimed water feature.<br />
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<a href="https://www.instructables.com/id/Revamped-Cast-Iron-Sink/" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="1536" height="106" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SX258Ge2wDk/WStwUCQBDqI/AAAAAAAACKE/P0qa_RLlk8wPJg2x_PhSiVtHRIMO68G2wCKgB/s320/IMG_20161211_174306.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XmtNEdMXczs/V7mhVwsXSzI/AAAAAAAABeg/3BRK2oQmME4jMAN4EN1Kq8x-souiRnk0wCPcB/s1600/decorative-elements-1300x238.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="58" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XmtNEdMXczs/V7mhVwsXSzI/AAAAAAAABeg/3BRK2oQmME4jMAN4EN1Kq8x-souiRnk0wCPcB/s320/decorative-elements-1300x238.png" width="320" /></a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415390094558109036.post-48395896651749133772016-12-26T19:56:00.003+00:002016-12-26T19:56:29.181+00:00Rustic Pergola<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://cdn.instructables.com/F5P/NS4C/IX0PYKIB/F5PNS4CIX0PYKIB.MEDIUM.jpg?width=614" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://cdn.instructables.com/F5P/NS4C/IX0PYKIB/F5PNS4CIX0PYKIB.MEDIUM.jpg?width=614" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is how my son and I made my outdoor living room pergola. I hope it inspires you as I found the process much easier than anticipated.</div>
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I am not a woodworker and, quite honestly, sometimes haven't got a clue. But I had the plans in my head so my son had to do his best to give me my vision. I'm also terrible CGI creator too so I will apologise in advance for my little drawings in here :)</div>
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I was mostly the labourer and tea maker for this project.</div>
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The whole ethos of my garden is ... Everything reclaimed, reused, recycled or upcycled. Where possible, only essential base materials are purchase from the DIY store.</div>
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Please click on the robot link for the full details on my Insructables</div>
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<a href="https://cdn.instructables.com/FK4/37JJ/IX0PYMX4/FK437JJIX0PYMX4.MEDIUM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://cdn.instructables.com/FK4/37JJ/IX0PYMX4/FK437JJIX0PYMX4.MEDIUM.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/Rustic-Pergola/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WLknqDAObRI/WE2c0a-XEUI/AAAAAAAABrc/dJq_eLA1M4kWec3TxQGqkmmCNbyNmNVOgCPcB/s320/IMG_20161211_174306.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Featured Post</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415390094558109036.post-43264259571037971682016-08-23T18:08:00.000+01:002016-08-23T22:11:42.782+01:00Hedgehog Haven<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_DXroYulnRY/V7yD3NecTzI/AAAAAAAABfU/19K_Fw26U6U7sYjqW332HN1ucOHvVzFZQCLcB/s1600/hedgehog-close-up.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_DXroYulnRY/V7yD3NecTzI/AAAAAAAABfU/19K_Fw26U6U7sYjqW332HN1ucOHvVzFZQCLcB/s1600/hedgehog-close-up.png" /></a></div>
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The desirable residence that is my garden, currently supports a number of hedgehogs. How many exactly, I have no idea.</div>
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Here is "mum" we filmed back in July</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/GX7IJuG6raQ/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GX7IJuG6raQ?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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And here is a baby one we filmed today</div>
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I'm so pleased we have them here. </div>
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We have called <a href="http://hedgehoghelplinecymru.org.uk/" target="_blank">Hedgehog Helpline Wales </a>twice to ask for further advice and, well, we seem to be doing OK so far.</div>
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I just have to coerce the little one into my hand, for a reward, and ensure he or she weighs at least 400 grams - the "ideal" weight for a small Hedgehog in August</div>
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Bit of an update since I posted the info above ...</div>
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<a href="https://c6.staticflickr.com/9/8436/29108878021_89d698764f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://c6.staticflickr.com/9/8436/29108878021_89d698764f.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415390094558109036.post-23861745184031171122016-08-21T09:46:00.003+01:002016-08-21T11:00:24.316+01:00The Sunken Deck<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://c5.staticflickr.com/9/8293/29019721732_8401375b64.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://c5.staticflickr.com/9/8293/29019721732_8401375b64.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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My kids (all grown up and fledged now), mostly laugh at me because, as they say, I'm the only person they know with a sunken deck and a raised patio!</div>
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On the birth of my first grandson, Brandon, I needed to completely redesign my garden to make it user friendly and safer. </div>
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I was granted permission to erect the fence you see between my house and the house next door as the garden sloped down in that corner to a wall with at least a six foot drop the other side. I was not granted permission to build the wall up, so, to be able to use that part of the garden, I had to dig down to make a level.</div>
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Ok, so I didn't do all the digging by myself, my sons helped.</div>
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Stones unearthed would be repurposed elsewhere in the garden. Base materials eg the 4" X 1" for the fence, concrete, posts, frame for the decking etc, all had to be purchased because I couldn't repurposed from elsewhere.</div>
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In the true spirit of my <a href="http://craftywelshgrandma2.blogspot.co.uk/2016/08/my-garden-ethos_20.html">garden's ethos</a>, the decking was reclaimed. The table was gifted to me, the umbrella was reclaimed and, I'm happy with the whole look. It doesn't get used much, but it's safer than it was before.</div>
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It's a few years old in this picture, but looking better every day</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415390094558109036.post-15315261386533577572016-08-20T18:45:00.002+01:002016-08-20T18:45:48.753+01:00The quiet garden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/IS8NWagLkpc/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IS8NWagLkpc?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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Or not, as the case may be. But this was one of the quiet days</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415390094558109036.post-24437514145454775732016-08-20T18:43:00.000+01:002016-08-20T18:44:00.627+01:00Hedgehog Visitors<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/GX7IJuG6raQ/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GX7IJuG6raQ?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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Here is a quick video I took of the resident Hedgehog ... Since taking this, we believe she has become a mum as there are baby ones in the garden too</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415390094558109036.post-48802569727039440982016-08-20T17:22:00.003+01:002016-08-20T21:55:30.860+01:00My Garden Ethos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://c5.staticflickr.com/9/8487/28488045564_3bc9103f8e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://c5.staticflickr.com/9/8487/28488045564_3bc9103f8e.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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My garden has a purpose and an underlying ethos. I believe in nature and its preservation. With this in mind, I do my very best to reflect this in my planting and maintenance. Here are a few examples:</div>
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<b>Reduce:</b> I make every effort to reduce waste and my carbon footprint. I refuse to use electrical items for garden maintenance. It's a little harder, but worth the effort.</div>
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<li>I use a hand mower / push along mower instead of any electrical one.</li>
<li>I use clippers, shears, lawn shears etc, all people powered and non-electrical</li>
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<b>Reuse: </b>When I was digging out to lower a corner of my garden for a patio, I reused the stones unearthed to build up a flower bed in the opposite corner of the garden.</div>
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<b>Reclaim: </b>Now this is something I do lots of!</div>
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<li>The local builders merchant were going to throw away a huge chunk of metreage of decking. The reason? They had been left outdoors too long, had become unevenly discoloured and they couldn't sell them to Jo Public. I claimed them - for free!</li>
<li>My circular patio was an ex display model from "last seasons" stock at the builders merchant's. As it was slightly damaged, they were going to throw it in a skip! I claimed it and all I paid was for one of their delivery drivers to delivery it to my house.</li>
<li>Paving slabs, again from the builders merchant's, they had weathered and were no longer the "desirable" size. There were about 10 slabs, two of which were chipped. I wasn't so lucky with the zero price tag this time, so I offered 25% of their original cost, this was accepted and we were both happy with the arrangement.</li>
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<b>Recycling and Upcycling: </b>This, again, is something I do an awful lot of:</div>
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<li>My patio table is an old industrial "cotton reel"</li>
<li>One of my garden benches is made from some old planks of wood, destined for the skip, along with two massive forraged tree stump cuttings.</li>
<li>Another of my garden benches is has been made out of left over decking planks.</li>
<li>My raised vegetable bed is made from reclaimed pallet collars</li>
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<b>Animal and Insect Friendly: </b>I want to encourage as much wildlife in as possible.<br />
The RHS has a page, titled <a href="https://www.rhs.org.uk/science/conservation-biodiversity/wildlife/encourage-wildlife-to-your-garden/plants-for-pollinators" target="_blank">"Perfect For Pollinators" </a>which you might find interesting if you'd like to make your garden perfect for the bees and butterflies.<br />
If you want to plant for wildlife, the RSPB has a whole section dedicated to <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/makeahomeforwildlife/advice/gardening/wildlife-friendly_garden.aspx" target="_blank">"Planting For Wildlife"</a>, I think you'll enjoy the information </div>
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<li>I refuse to use any harmful chemicals or pesticides in my garden. </li>
<li>I've built "nooks" and planted in such a way that the resulting shelters harbor insects, worms etc and therefore encourages in the hedgehogs and toads etc</li>
<li>My planting always consists of bee and butterfly friendly plants.</li>
<li>I have insect "hotels"</li>
<li>There's a large bird feeding "station" ... It's nowhere near a bird "table"</li>
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I have so much to list, check back regularly because I will have to update this post</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7415390094558109036.post-10489122150522788572016-08-20T13:49:00.001+01:002016-08-20T13:51:50.629+01:00Greenman & Garden Ornaments<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://c6.staticflickr.com/9/8386/29106328925_0e8cc4327c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://c6.staticflickr.com/9/8386/29106328925_0e8cc4327c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Another of my favourite past times is my garden. </div>
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I make greenman and garden ornaments. It started as a hobby for my own garden, but I've ended up making quite a few for friends and family.</div>
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I plan on posting here all the ones I have made to date and then all the new ones I make</div>
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I also want to share with you images of my favourite bits of my garden </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0