They're at it again!

And yet another swarm came out of the hive yesterday, which makes three swarms in three weeks. We did think about capturing the swarm which happened yesterday, but decided that we had so many other things going on at the moment, that we would let them go, and sort out being 'proper' bee keepers next year. But at least we are contributing to the local bee population, and we know the farmer who has loads of bee hives in the woods along the escarpment near to us, so hopefully our last two swarms will have found themselves a new home. But the first one which we captured, they are doing alright. (see previous two blogs)

Meanwhile, Lester continues to patch up the kitchen in between doing outside jobs, one of which was to slaughter the male goat. It was a relief. He was a gentle soul but the girls are going to come into season soon and we do not want any more goatlings from them. Our plan is to home kill most of the goats we have at the moment and to buy in two new anglo nubian females. We have learnt that we can support and manage two milking goats, plus a male, plus their offspring when they have them which would go into the freezer after they have had several months out in the fields. It looks like we shall continue with goats. It has been an up and down journey. They are not the most easiest of animals to have on a smallholding.

Apparently it takes upwards of five years to become adjusted to the lifestyle of being a smallholder. Might take us longer because we also have a home to renovate, plus we are still building the infrastructure of the smallholding. Therefore to forgive ourselves when we slip backwards and our enthusiasm for doing all what we are doing goes on the wane. Not to worry, after a day or two of slothfulness we always get back in the saddle again. We love this life, but sometimes forget that we do.

...and so here is the nettle bin. It has the remains of last year's nettle fertiliser in it. It therefore stinks. I mean, really, it stinks! I might forgo making nettle fertiliser this year. I could kick the bin over I suppose, and then head in the opposite direction tout suite. But Lester is head honcho gardener this year, and I do not think he will cope with making the soup mix of nettles from which one gets nettle fertiliser. I think that we shall leave the making of nettle fertiliser until next year. Something to look forward to.......?!

Off up to the mayor's office up in Castelnau to tell him we have two rottweiller girls. Have just been helping Lester in the kitchen. Got showered by bits of concrete when responding to his demands requests to hold a bit of wood up against the side of the window which needed patching so he could get a straight straightish edge. I think he is doing well.

Hours later: never got to the mayor's office as got involved with more concrete showers. Then lunch. Then off to a supermarket which reminded us of why we do not like shopping. Then back home for a nap to do some more work.

Right then, the day is done, and I am off to bed. Bye for now. Vx