Martin B Posted March 31, 2007 Share Posted March 31, 2007 Wots a WBC Lesley? Ditto! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahJo Posted March 31, 2007 Share Posted March 31, 2007 WBC ... reckon it could be a Wooden Bee Commune ... or whatever . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieP Posted March 31, 2007 Share Posted March 31, 2007 Sorry to spoil the fun, but William Braughton Carr was the 'inventor' of a hive which these days is characterised by the often white painted taper-sided lifts which most UK people will recognise as a beehive..... Google... its a wonderful thing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted March 31, 2007 Share Posted March 31, 2007 I was going to ask how you knew that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted April 1, 2007 Author Share Posted April 1, 2007 Thanks Annie - you saved me having to describe it. WBC's are not as easy to move around as a National hive (or Langstroth, Commercial or Smith) but we won't be moving ours. You would move them if you didn't have much land or not many pollen/nectar producing plants around. You can take hives up to the Peak District to collect Heather Honey - but I don't like Heather Honey so we won't be doing that. The WBC looks like this..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted April 1, 2007 Share Posted April 1, 2007 Looks dangerous! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted April 1, 2007 Author Share Posted April 1, 2007 Looks like fun to me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 1, 2007 Share Posted April 1, 2007 Thanks Annie - you saved me having to describe it. WBC's are not as easy to move around as a National hive (or Langstroth, Commercial or Smith) but we won't be moving ours. You would move them if you didn't have much land or not many pollen/nectar producing plants around. You can take hives up to the Peak District to collect Heather Honey - but I don't like Heather Honey so we won't be doing that. The WBC looks like this..... That's a pity....you could have dropped in for a cuppa!....I'm only up the road from the Peak District. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted April 1, 2007 Share Posted April 1, 2007 Just caught up with your adventures Lesley - WOW you do get things moving dont you! So glad you found someone on the bee keeping course that is nice - its good when things work out well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted April 2, 2007 Author Share Posted April 2, 2007 That's a pity....you could have dropped in for a cuppa!....I'm only up the road from the Peak District. It's only the honey I don't like though - and we may get back to visiting the area - we love Derbyshire I'll give you a shout next time we come hiking - I'm determined to get back to hiking this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 2, 2007 Share Posted April 2, 2007 Please do Lesley....I know a few lovely walks that I could show you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted April 9, 2007 Share Posted April 9, 2007 Just wondering what is going on down on the farm? Are the sheep getting fat and looking pregnant? Have any cows escaped? BTW how is the giraffe doing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted April 9, 2007 Share Posted April 9, 2007 Good for you Emma to bump this up. I love this thread, it's always the first one I look out for when I log on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted April 10, 2007 Author Share Posted April 10, 2007 Hello! Well, the sheep always look pregnant to me We always planned to divide the big paddock into three so that we didn't need a worming programme. They would spend three weeks in each area and that breaks the life cycle of any worms. The paddock was so wet over winter that we let them have the whole field so they could use the higher, drier spots as and when they needed to.. We need to divide it now so that we can keep them in the top half and then bring them down nearer the house for lambing (hopefully) and the grass will be given a rest as well. We've been concentrating on the veggie garden. My son has been working a couple of days a week for us and is working his way through the 30 ton heap of topsoil. The main problem is that it expands He made raised beds and shovelled soil into them and then the idea is to make another bed where he has just cleared soil. But there is just so much soil So, we had to bring the remainder of the railway sleepers over and we've made an extra 8 plots so that the soil can be moved into them. We also have a pile of soil which will be used at a later date in a greenhouse or polytunnel. I started planting in them as soon as they were made, so have lots of broad beans and onions in. The fruit is all planted and growing well. We still need to re-erect the fruit cage. The whole area is fenced - well, nearly. The posts have been put in by Matthew with the tractor and post rammer but the railings have not been put on yet. My main job has been to keep on top of the weeds. Last year, they got the better of us and it wasn't much fun having so many 7' tall hemlock forests everywhere. I've had to resort to spraying in areas where we're not growing - either plants or animals. That task has taken me days - and I ache all over from using a relatively small sprayer - which still weighs a ton The next pig paddock is ready for the new pigs. Little piggies will be arriving shortly. We will be collecting them from Lincolnshire - so will call and see Kate as well I'm tempted to put off collecting the pigs until as late as possible so that I can see the Mark 3 Eglu No escaped giraffes as yet Little helper - More little helpers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted April 10, 2007 Share Posted April 10, 2007 WOW Lesley you have done so much!!! I love the veggie beds they look brilliant and do doubt you could grow enough veg to feed your small army of helpers including Jazz! If you need to pick up the piggies before the Mark 3 eglu appears at Kates you are always welcome to come and see ours. Piggies, oh piggies! I love piggies! So glad the giraffe is still secure - they create havoc when loose! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted April 10, 2007 Author Share Posted April 10, 2007 It actually looks quite different now - those were taken a few days ago! I'll take you up on your offer of an Eglu visit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted April 10, 2007 Share Posted April 10, 2007 I'll take you up on your offer of an Eglu visit Great stuff, Claret, Rosie & Martin can come too if they like Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen & co. Posted April 10, 2007 Share Posted April 10, 2007 Gosh Lesley, I feel quite ashamed now as my veg patch still looks very sorry for it's self I did manage to put troughs of manure etc. under where the runners are to be planted, but otherwise not alot has been done Mind you we did spend 5 days over Easter on the Pembrokeshire coast so not alot of gardening done at home The farm looks amazing karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted April 10, 2007 Author Share Posted April 10, 2007 OK - we'll be there! I forgot to say that little BB has gone broody - so we are expecting again! 26th April Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted April 10, 2007 Share Posted April 10, 2007 Wow, the veggie beds look fab! Well done Brad . I'll let you know when my Cube's being delivered Lesley and hopefully your visit and the appearance of the Cube can coincide . If not, you're welcome anytime anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted April 10, 2007 Author Share Posted April 10, 2007 Three of the piggies were born on 10 February, the other two were due in Feb/March. The three will be ready 21 April, but I'll need to check on the others. I'll phone today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted April 10, 2007 Share Posted April 10, 2007 Now, that's the way to do it! I knew you'd all been busy, Lesley, but that's amazing. A real inspiration on the veg plots, well done! xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted April 10, 2007 Share Posted April 10, 2007 OK - we'll be there! I forgot to say that little BB has gone broody - so we are expecting again! 26th April Typical of a BB, always expecting chicks here Looks amazing Lesley, what alot of hard graft BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted April 10, 2007 Author Share Posted April 10, 2007 I've completely redecorated our bedroom as well! Didn't think you'd want photos of that in a Good Life topic though I've decided to paint all the skirtings, door frames and doors, white as the orangey brown stain is just not me! I started with the bedroom just in case I didn't like white either, but I did and will (eventually) paint the rest. Skirtings are a pain as I can't kneel down so I cart my plastic garden stool around with me ( ) I'll take more photos this morning - the little chickies are happily playing in their little run, out with the big girls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One Man Banned Posted April 10, 2007 Share Posted April 10, 2007 Gosh! Lesley you have been working them all hard! Two weekends ago we dug over the veg plot at home and then we also had two helpers, Margot and Geri, although the worms would do more work in the soil and not in their tummies! Your veg plots look great Lesley - and that reminds me - day off on Thursday to be spent digging more beds at the allotment!! A xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
