Never too late to start?

[Petermonkey]

Hi everybody, I'm coming into it all at age 47 years - what took me so long? You may ask. Well - moved to a great new place 2 years ago and as well as a more conventional established garden with lawns, shrubs, flower beds, trees etc beyond that we have about 800 Sqm of what was essentially field.
For Valentines day 2008 I bought wor lass 3 Betula utilis Jacquemontii. They were followed with some apple trees for her birthday in April and then a plum this year.
Meantime we have built a rabbit proof area containing 4 raised veg beds and a few weeks ago we had a JCB in to dig a great big round hole and found that underneath all the top soil is a good heavy clay which has held all the water - wahey..! So next it's going to be pond plants, a South West facing lean to greenhouse and some chickens...! It feels fantastic to have such a large and varied hobby/set of interests as well as all my other ones.
Just over a year ago I started working only 5 days a week instead of 6 which I had done for nearly 20 years. Now I have to find a way of working even less (whilst still running my business) and staying home more. Bar's open, what'll you all have?

[Pumpkin Becki]

Wow! That all sounds amazing, congratulations. I wish we had a bigger back garden at our new house, but I'll pack it all in, chooks and all somehow.

Welcome to the Vine, and mine's a pint of Old Speckled Hen please barkeep!

[Petermonkey]

Thanks Becki, think I'm gonna build a chicken house next. Feel like going for an ark styleee big enough for 4 birds. Any advice?

[Pumpkin Becki]

Ah, well I used to work for Forsham Cottage Arks, their Boughton 902a would be ideal for four hybrids or pure breeds upto the size of a Light Sussex (not cockrels though because of the reduced head height). Its really strong but practical to use, and the timber is the highest quality (no cheap imports). They don't ship to Ireland direct but I know they have got a couple of agents over there who stock the product.

And just so the Mods don't slap my wrist, no, I'm not on commission, I've just had practical experience of putting them together, moving them round, cleaning them out and catching birds housed in them. From personal experience, I think they are worth every penny.

[NOG]

That sounds great...welcome to the vine.

[Two_Sheds]

Betula utilis Jacquemontii.

Himalayan birch, lovely. What variety did you get?

[Petermonkey]

Himalayan birch, lovely. What variety did you get?

Can not remember and chucked the lables, although I do remember buying two different varieties. OH says one of them is a South African one.

[rustylady]

Ah, well I used to work for Forsham Cottage Arks, They don't ship to Ireland direct but I know they have got a couple of agents over there who stock the product.

Don't wish to be picky, but since when has County Durham been in Ireland?

[Petermonkey]

Don't wish to be picky, but since when has County Durham been in Ireland?

I know.........................., but I didn't like to say anything.

[Pumpkin Becki]

I know.........................., but I didn't like to say anything.

...sorry, my grasp of geography is thoroughly rubbish (and they have things like County Wicklow and County Clare in Ireland don't they). Don't worry though, I've made myself a dunce's cap and will sit quietly in the corner for the rest of the day .

[Petermonkey]

...sorry, my grasp of geography is thoroughly rubbish (and they have things like County Wicklow and County Clare in Ireland don't they). Don't worry though, I've made myself a dunce's cap and will sit quietly in the corner for the rest of the day .

Don't worry Becki, plenty of others have made that mistake, there is a company I deal with whose computer refuses to believe that I am not in Ireland....!

[Pumpkin Becki]

Don't worry Becki, plenty of others have made that mistake, there is a company I deal with whose computer refuses to believe that I am not in Ireland....!

'nk you' Peter...**sniff sniff** - anyway, yes Forsham have distributors up your way that they can put you in touch with .

[nickybeancat]

Welcome along!
Could I please have a Cinzano and lemonade and ice and a slice?
Cheers!
Nicky