Last year we knocked down an old woodshed and built a new small toilet block.
This year we knocked down an old workshop and built a new classroom.
On Saturday night when the family was winding down in the sitting room, grandson Chris slowly looked round and said "I wonder what we can knock down next?".
Monday, 8 April 2013
Wednesday, 3 April 2013
A not so long and winding road
Today marks the start of our latest project ("do you never stop?" I hear you cry). The lane at Strickley is not so very long and not so very winding, but it is very bumpy. Heavy rain tends to wash it away and low slung cars have to negotiate a bit of a slalom course to avoid grounding. Since we put in a cow track last year it doesn't get as "muddy", but it's not ideal. So, we have decided to concrete it. Contractors are coming today with a big digger to scrape and level and next week the concrete begins. It will be seriously deep and will have to be not driven on for 2 to 3 weeks. So, if the gate is shut at the bottom of the lane, drive up the cow track - probably a better surface than the lane at present. James will have to do some extra manoeuvring and reversing with the feeder for a while, but it will be worth it.
I'm hoping to get loads of photos, but here's some to start with.
I'm hoping to get loads of photos, but here's some to start with.
First one from the 1940's
And then some from the 1970's when the lane was widened for the milk tanker.
(apologies for the quality - take from old slides)
and finally, one taken this morning
Wildlife at Strickley
Fox on the run.
Taken 23rd March at 17:59 in the wood.
I don't know if it was the same one, but a not-so-wily fox was found in the slurry pit this morning.
Tuesday, 2 April 2013
A Chilly Easter
When I was a young girl, way back in the Fifties, I always has new clothes for Easter. I wore them on Easter Sunday whatever the weather. It can't always have been warm, but looking back I can't remember ever it being freezing cold. With the temperature struggling to stay above freezing this was not an Easter to be showing off new clothes, unless they were fleeces and thick jumpers. But with two woodburners doing there bit and lots of bodies to give off heat we kept warm and entertained.
On Saturday we celebrated the completion (almost) of the classroom. We had a bit of a party with games and prizes left over from Henry's birthday Do. I had planned for two games outside, and on Sunday we were not discouraged and wrapped up well. If you've ever been to a Strickley Party you will probably have played Fruit Bowls. This Easter we played a variant of the game - Egg Bowls. We all decorated hard boiled eggs and tried to get them nearest the "jack". Bumpy concrete and ovoid bowls made it a game of luck rather than skill. The other game, involving money and a bucket of cold water was a success despite the weather but we were glad to get back inside.
And finally, last night I was most chilled of all - relaxing in a huge bath of bubbles, drinking gin and eating an Easter Egg, with the setting sun pouring through the window. A fitting end to the holiday.
On Saturday we celebrated the completion (almost) of the classroom. We had a bit of a party with games and prizes left over from Henry's birthday Do. I had planned for two games outside, and on Sunday we were not discouraged and wrapped up well. If you've ever been to a Strickley Party you will probably have played Fruit Bowls. This Easter we played a variant of the game - Egg Bowls. We all decorated hard boiled eggs and tried to get them nearest the "jack". Bumpy concrete and ovoid bowls made it a game of luck rather than skill. The other game, involving money and a bucket of cold water was a success despite the weather but we were glad to get back inside.
And finally, last night I was most chilled of all - relaxing in a huge bath of bubbles, drinking gin and eating an Easter Egg, with the setting sun pouring through the window. A fitting end to the holiday.
Monday, 1 April 2013
Latest weather statistics from Strickley
Latest weather statistics from Strickley. Only 10 days of rain in March, and not many inches (some was melted snow)
Saturday, 23 March 2013
Do you remember last year?
Last March was so warm that we had a barbecue. Optimistically we thought it would be one of many. But as we know the rest of the year didn't quite match our expectations and hopes.
This March is a bit different. The chart below shows the difference compared to last year - see the temperature figures on the right!
This March is a bit different. The chart below shows the difference compared to last year - see the temperature figures on the right!
Friday, 22 March 2013
Best laid plans . . . .
Today should have seen the first school visit of the season. A party from a local primary school should have come this morning to learn more about dairy farming and where their milk comes from. There would be some activities outdoors and round the farm buildings, and some indoors in our new classroom. Michelle has set it all up and there's a celebratory look as it's the first time it will have been used.
But, the wind is howling, the temperature is dropping and snow blowing around. I was nearly blown over going across the yard to take this photo, so regretfully the visit has been postponed. We never expected this in March. Here's hoping next week's visits can go ahead.
But, the wind is howling, the temperature is dropping and snow blowing around. I was nearly blown over going across the yard to take this photo, so regretfully the visit has been postponed. We never expected this in March. Here's hoping next week's visits can go ahead.
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