INSERT INTO `wp_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES
(6359, 283, '2020-06-28 17:17:17', '2020-06-28 16:17:17', 'A lot can happen in a week unless it\'s a lockdown week because not a lot happens. This week in the UK has been the hottest of the summer and as the lockdown is eased more and more people are being crazy and becoming complacent about social distancing. I\'m trying to assess risk and adjust to the situation but it\'s impossible to allow for the idiots. When doing my daily shop two brain dead zombies came strolling down the aisle the wrong way and when I pointed this out to them they were less than gracious in their comments to me.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/honey-framejun20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-6355 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/honey-framejun20-200x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"150\" /></a>Despite the heat I haven\'t been totally idle. I\'ve been building a frame holder so that when I extract honey next time I can put the frame into this cradle and melt the wax off the surface before spinning the frame. This has been recommended as a better way of removing the honey than scraping it off as I did with the first extraction.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/painted-frame-holderjun20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-6354\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/painted-frame-holderjun20-200x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"150\" /></a>I used wood that had been left over from the house build and had been stored in the garage for the last 6 years. After more than 50 years my \'O\' Level woodwork skills are still coming in handy.\r\n\r\nThe job wasn\'t properly finished until I had given it several coats of paint, again left over from the house build and amazingly still usable.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/peruvian-lily-displayjun20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-6353\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/peruvian-lily-displayjun20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>I try to keep the house looking homely so I cut some of the Peruvian Lilies and made a display. Even after ten days they are still going strong although I did have to cut some stems and rearrange them.\r\n\r\nAre there no ends to this man\'s skills? Yes, there are but I\'m not about to declare them here.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe tree lined walk has slowly been disappearing under a mass of weeds so with some determination I decided to clear the path. I think the before and after should be obvious...\r\n\r\n[gallery type=\"rectangular\" size=\"medium\" columns=\"2\" ids=\"6357,6356\"]\r\n\r\nI now need to sort out the weeds on either side of the path before it becomes too wild.', 'A Week in Lockdown...', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6352-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-06-28 17:17:17', '2020-06-28 16:17:17', '', 6352, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6359', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6360, 283, '2020-06-28 17:18:43', '2020-06-28 16:18:43', 'A lot can happen in a week unless it\'s a lockdown week because not a lot happens. This week in the UK has been the hottest of the summer and as the lockdown is eased more and more people are being crazy and becoming complacent about social distancing. I\'m trying to assess risk and adjust to the situation but it\'s impossible to allow for the idiots. When doing my daily shop two brain dead zombies came strolling down the aisle the wrong way and when I pointed this out to them they were less than gracious in their comments to me.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/honey-framejun20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-6355 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/honey-framejun20-200x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"150\" /></a>Despite the heat I haven\'t been totally idle. I\'ve been building a frame holder so that when I extract honey next time I can put the frame into this cradle and melt the wax off the surface before spinning the frame. This has been recommended as a better way of removing the honey than scraping it off as I did with the first extraction.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/painted-frame-holderjun20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-6354\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/painted-frame-holderjun20-200x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"150\" /></a>I used wood that had been left over from the house build and had been stored in the garage for the last 6 years. After more than 50 years my \'O\' Level woodwork skills are still coming in handy.\r\n\r\nThe job wasn\'t properly finished until I had given it several coats of paint, again left over from the house build and amazingly still usable.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/peruvian-lily-displayjun20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-6353\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/peruvian-lily-displayjun20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>I try to keep the house looking homely so I cut some of the Peruvian Lilies and made a display. Even after ten days they are still going strong although I did have to shorten the stems and rearrange them. And no I didn\'t do \'O\' Level flower arranging.\r\n\r\nAre there no ends to this man\'s skills? Yes, there are but I\'m not about to declare them here.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe tree lined walk has slowly been disappearing under a mass of weeds so with some determination I decided to clear the path. I think the before and after should be obvious...\r\n\r\n[gallery type=\"rectangular\" size=\"medium\" columns=\"2\" ids=\"6357,6356\"]\r\n\r\nI now need to sort out the weeds on either side of the path before it becomes too wild.', 'A Week in Lockdown...', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6352-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-06-28 17:18:43', '2020-06-28 16:18:43', '', 6352, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6360', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6361, 283, '2020-06-28 17:19:27', '2020-06-28 16:19:27', 'A lot can happen in a week unless it\'s a lockdown week because not a lot happens. This week in the UK has been the hottest of the summer and as the lockdown is eased more and more people are being crazy and becoming complacent about social distancing. I\'m trying to assess risk and adjust to the situation but it\'s impossible to allow for the idiots. When doing my daily shop two brain dead zombies came strolling down the aisle the wrong way and when I pointed this out to them they were less than gracious in their comments to me.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/honey-framejun20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-6355 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/honey-framejun20-200x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"150\" /></a>Despite the heat I haven\'t been totally idle. I\'ve been building a frame holder so that when I extract honey next time I can put the frame into this cradle and melt the wax off the surface before spinning the frame. This has been recommended as a better way of removing the honey than scraping it off as I did with the first extraction.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/painted-frame-holderjun20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-6354\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/painted-frame-holderjun20-200x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"150\" /></a>I used wood that had been left over from the house build and had been stored in the garage for the last 6 years. After more than 50 years my \'O\' Level woodwork skills are still coming in handy.\r\n\r\nThe job wasn\'t properly finished until I had given it several coats of paint, again left over from the house build and amazingly still usable.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/peruvian-lily-displayjun20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-6353\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/peruvian-lily-displayjun20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>I try to keep the house looking homely so I cut some of the Peruvian Lilies and made a display. Even after ten days they are still going strong although I did have to shorten the stems and rearrange them. And no I didn\'t do \'O\' Level flower arranging.\r\n\r\nAre there no ends to this man\'s skills? Yes, there are but I\'m not about to declare them here.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe tree lined walk has slowly been disappearing under a mass of weeds so with some determination I decided to clear the path. I think the before and after should be obvious...\r\n\r\n[gallery type=\"rectangular\" size=\"medium\" columns=\"2\" ids=\"6357,6356\"]\r\n\r\nI now need to sort out the weeds on either side of the path before it becomes too overgrown.', 'A Week in Lockdown...', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6352-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-06-28 17:19:27', '2020-06-28 16:19:27', '', 6352, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6361', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6362, 283, '2020-06-28 17:20:14', '2020-06-28 16:20:14', 'A lot can happen in a week unless it\'s a lockdown week because not a lot happens. This week in the UK has been the hottest of the summer and as the lockdown is eased more and more people are being crazy and becoming complacent about social distancing. I\'m trying to assess risk and adjust to the situation but it\'s impossible to allow for the idiots. When doing my daily shop two brain dead zombies came strolling down the aisle the wrong way and when I pointed this out to them they were less than gracious in their comments to me.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/honey-framejun20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-6355 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/honey-framejun20-200x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"150\" /></a>Despite the heat I haven\'t been totally idle. I\'ve been building a frame holder so that when I extract honey next time I can put the frame into this cradle and melt the wax off the surface before spinning the frame. This has been recommended as a better way of removing the wax than scraping it off as I did with the first extraction.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/painted-frame-holderjun20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-6354\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/painted-frame-holderjun20-200x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"150\" /></a>I used wood that had been left over from the house build and had been stored in the garage for the last 6 years. After more than 50 years my \'O\' Level woodwork skills are still coming in handy.\r\n\r\nThe job wasn\'t properly finished until I had given it several coats of paint, again left over from the house build and amazingly still usable.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/peruvian-lily-displayjun20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-6353\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/peruvian-lily-displayjun20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>I try to keep the house looking homely so I cut some of the Peruvian Lilies and made a display. Even after ten days they are still going strong although I did have to shorten the stems and rearrange them. And no I didn\'t do \'O\' Level flower arranging.\r\n\r\nAre there no ends to this man\'s skills? Yes, there are but I\'m not about to declare them here.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe tree lined walk has slowly been disappearing under a mass of weeds so with some determination I decided to clear the path. I think the before and after should be obvious...\r\n\r\n[gallery type=\"rectangular\" size=\"medium\" columns=\"2\" ids=\"6357,6356\"]\r\n\r\nI now need to sort out the weeds on either side of the path before it becomes too overgrown.', 'A Week in Lockdown...', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6352-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-06-28 17:20:14', '2020-06-28 16:20:14', '', 6352, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6362', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6366, 283, '2020-07-06 15:12:05', '2020-07-06 14:12:05', 'The months creep by as the world struggles to come to terms with the pandemic. Politicians the world over are attempting to walk a fine line between financial ruin and personal tragedies. What are we prepared to do for the greater good? Would we be prepared to die to save our Country? Every year 17,000 die in the UK from flu and this appears to be acceptable so is there a figure we would accept for Covid-19? If so where would we draw the line? Would we accept 50,000 additional deaths so that we could carry on doing what we\'ve always done? Or maybe 100,000?\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/poached-egg-breakfastjul20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-6371\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/poached-egg-breakfastjul20-200x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" /></a>Away from having to make such difficult decisions I try to mark the weeks in small ways. Every day of the week I have muesli for breakfast but on Sunday I had poached eggs on toast washed down with a large mug of Earl Grey tea. A superb start to the day. I should have made a face of the eggs but I was more interested in eating it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/cordylinejul20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6370\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/cordylinejul20-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>I do a lot of pottering around the garden and try to observe things, looking afresh. This led me to notice the Cordyline Australis by the front door has taken on quite a lean as it is becoming top heavy. It will be even heavier when it flowers. Apparently the solution isn\'t too complicated. First I should try turning the tub around so it starts to lean back towards the sun, If that fails and it continues to be unstable then I can prune it in May next year. Pruning couldn\'t be more straightforward - I just cut it part way down the stem and it will sprout again - famous last words.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI don\'t cycle when it\'s wet or windy so I went for a walk. I haven\'t walked for weeks because of a pulled calf muscle. I left home and headed down into town, across the railway lines on the outskirts, up through a beech wood and passed the Sunnyside Up cafe, sadly closed. It\'s only a 4.5 mile walk but I felt quite tired at the end of it. You use different muscles when cycling and walking for sure.\r\n\r\n[gallery type=\"rectangular\" size=\"medium\" columns=\"2\" ids=\"6369,6368\"]\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/bees-orientating-6july.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6367\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/bees-orientating-6july-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>And a Pig Yard post wouldn\'t be complete these days without an update on the bees. In the past week I\'ve been stung three times by the ungrateful creatures. On both occasions I was weeding in the vegetable plot and they simply came at me with the intent of stinging me. I hoped this level of aggression had declined with the new queen and it is still possible these are the last of the old queens bees.\r\n\r\nI did an inspection over the weekend to see if the honey was ready to be removed. The bees were not happy. After removing the honey boxes (Supers) and getting into the brood box there was a cloud of angry bees trying to sting me. They kept flying into my bee veil and buzzing around. I confess it\'s quite disconcerting. Rather than trying to go through the colony frame by frame I decided to close them up and walk away. The angry bees followed me for ten metres before getting bored and returning to the hive. This photo shows the bees coming out to orientate themselves. A thousand bees per day are emerging from their cells and they then spend up to 3 weeks, half their lives, housekeeping in the hive For the last 3 weeks of their lives they leave the hive to forage. The first thing they have to do is find out where they are - hence the orientation to make sure they can find their way back.', 'Into July...', '', 'publish', 'open', 'closed', '', 'into-july', '', '', '2020-07-06 17:49:57', '2020-07-06 16:49:57', '', 0, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/?p=6366', 0, 'post', '', 2),
(6412, 283, '2020-08-07 14:47:51', '2020-08-07 13:47:51', '', 'alongside garage before(Aug20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'alongside-garage-beforeaug20', '', '', '2020-08-07 14:47:51', '2020-08-07 13:47:51', '', 6411, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/alongside-garage-beforeAug20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6413, 283, '2020-08-07 14:47:56', '2020-08-07 13:47:56', '', 'beans(Aug20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'beansaug20', '', '', '2020-08-07 14:47:56', '2020-08-07 13:47:56', '', 6411, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/beansAug20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6414, 283, '2020-08-07 14:48:00', '2020-08-07 13:48:00', '', 'corner border(Aug20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'corner-borderaug20', '', '', '2020-08-07 14:48:00', '2020-08-07 13:48:00', '', 6411, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/corner-borderAug20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6415, 283, '2020-08-07 14:48:03', '2020-08-07 13:48:03', '', 'weeding by numbers(Aug20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'weeding-by-numbersaug20', '', '', '2020-08-07 14:48:03', '2020-08-07 13:48:03', '', 6411, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/weeding-by-numbersAug20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6367, 283, '2020-07-06 14:37:51', '2020-07-06 13:37:51', '', 'bees orientating 6july', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'bees-orientating-6july', '', '', '2020-07-06 14:37:51', '2020-07-06 13:37:51', '', 6366, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/bees-orientating-6july.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6365, 283, '2020-07-03 13:41:21', '2020-07-03 12:41:21', '', 'pansies header', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'pansies-header', '', '', '2020-07-03 13:41:21', '2020-07-03 12:41:21', '', 0, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/pansies-header.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6368, 283, '2020-07-06 14:37:55', '2020-07-06 13:37:55', '', 'beech wood(jul20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'beech-woodjul20', '', '', '2020-07-06 14:37:55', '2020-07-06 13:37:55', '', 6366, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/beech-woodjul20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6369, 283, '2020-07-06 14:38:02', '2020-07-06 13:38:02', '', 'railway line(jul20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'railway-linejul20', '', '', '2020-07-06 14:38:02', '2020-07-06 13:38:02', '', 6366, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/railway-linejul20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6370, 283, '2020-07-06 14:38:05', '2020-07-06 13:38:05', '', 'cordyline(jul20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'cordylinejul20', '', '', '2020-07-06 14:38:05', '2020-07-06 13:38:05', '', 6366, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/cordylinejul20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6371, 283, '2020-07-06 14:38:08', '2020-07-06 13:38:08', '', 'poached egg breakfast(jul20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'poached-egg-breakfastjul20', '', '', '2020-07-06 14:38:08', '2020-07-06 13:38:08', '', 6366, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/poached-egg-breakfastjul20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6372, 283, '2020-07-06 15:05:05', '2020-07-06 14:05:05', 'The months creep by as the world struggles to come to terms with the pandemic. Politicians the world over are attempting to walk a fine line between financial ruin and personal tragedies. What are we prepared to do for the greater good? Would we be prepared to die to save our Country? Every year 17,000 die in the UK from flu and this appears to be acceptable so is there a figure we would accept for Covid-19? If so where would we draw the line? Would we accept 50,000 additional deaths so that we could carry on doing what we\'ve always done? Or maybe 100,000?\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/poached-egg-breakfastjul20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-6371\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/poached-egg-breakfastjul20-200x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" /></a>Away from having to make such difficult decisions I try to mark the weeks in small ways. Every day of the week I have muesli for breakfast but on Sunday I had poached eggs on toast washed down with a large mug of Earl Grey tea. A superb start to the day.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/cordylinejul20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6370\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/cordylinejul20-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>I do a lot of pottering around the garden and try to observe things, looking afresh. This lead me to notice the Cordyline Australis by the front door has taken on quite a lean as it is becoming top heavy. It will be even heavier when it flowers. Apparently the solution isn\'t too complicated. First I should try turning the tub around so it starts to lean back towards the sun, If that fails and it continues to be unstable then I can prune it in May next year. Pruning couldn\'t be more straightforward - I just cut it part way down the stem and it will sprout again.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI don\'t cycle when it\'s wet or windy so I went for a walk. I haven\'t walked for weeks because of a pulled calf muscle. I walked from home across the railway lines on the outskirts of town, up through a beech wood and passed Sunnyside Up cafe, sadly closed. It\'s only a 4.5 mile walk but I felt quite tired at the end of it. You use different muscles when cycling and walking for sure.\r\n\r\n[gallery type=\"rectangular\" size=\"medium\" columns=\"2\" ids=\"6369,6368\"]\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/bees-orientating-6july.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6367\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/bees-orientating-6july-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>And a Pig Yard post wouldn\'t be complete without an update on the bees. In the past week I\'ve been stung twice by the ungrateful creatures. On both occasions I was weeding in the vegetable plot and they simply came at me with the intent of stinging me. I hoped this level of aggression had declined with the new queen and it is still possible these are the last of the old queens bees.\r\n\r\nI did an inspection over the weekend to see if the honey was ready to be removed. The bees were not happy. After removing the honey boxes (Supers) and getting into the brood box there was a cloud of angry bees trying to sting me. They kept flying into my bee veil and buzzing around. I confess it\'s quite disconcerting. Rather than try to go through the colony frame by frame I decided to close them up and walk away. The angry bees followed me for ten metres before getting bored and returning to the hive. This photo shows the bees coming out to orientate themselves. A thousand bees per day are emerging and they then spend up to 3 weeks, half their lives, housekeeping in the hive and for the last 3 weeks of their lives they leave the hive to forage. The first thing they have to do is find out where they are - hence the orientation to make sure they can find their way back.', 'Into July...', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6366-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-07-06 15:05:05', '2020-07-06 14:05:05', '', 6366, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6372', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6373, 283, '2020-07-06 15:12:05', '2020-07-06 14:12:05', 'The months creep by as the world struggles to come to terms with the pandemic. Politicians the world over are attempting to walk a fine line between financial ruin and personal tragedies. What are we prepared to do for the greater good? Would we be prepared to die to save our Country? Every year 17,000 die in the UK from flu and this appears to be acceptable so is there a figure we would accept for Covid-19? If so where would we draw the line? Would we accept 50,000 additional deaths so that we could carry on doing what we\'ve always done? Or maybe 100,000?\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/poached-egg-breakfastjul20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-6371\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/poached-egg-breakfastjul20-200x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" /></a>Away from having to make such difficult decisions I try to mark the weeks in small ways. Every day of the week I have muesli for breakfast but on Sunday I had poached eggs on toast washed down with a large mug of Earl Grey tea. A superb start to the day. I should have made a face of the eggs but I was more interested in eating it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/cordylinejul20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6370\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/cordylinejul20-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>I do a lot of pottering around the garden and try to observe things, looking afresh. This led me to notice the Cordyline Australis by the front door has taken on quite a lean as it is becoming top heavy. It will be even heavier when it flowers. Apparently the solution isn\'t too complicated. First I should try turning the tub around so it starts to lean back towards the sun, If that fails and it continues to be unstable then I can prune it in May next year. Pruning couldn\'t be more straightforward - I just cut it part way down the stem and it will sprout again - famous last words.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI don\'t cycle when it\'s wet or windy so I went for a walk. I haven\'t walked for weeks because of a pulled calf muscle. I left home down into town, across the railway lines on the outskirts, up through a beech wood and passed the Sunnyside Up cafe, sadly closed. It\'s only a 4.5 mile walk but I felt quite tired at the end of it. You use different muscles when cycling and walking for sure.\r\n\r\n[gallery type=\"rectangular\" size=\"medium\" columns=\"2\" ids=\"6369,6368\"]\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/bees-orientating-6july.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6367\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/bees-orientating-6july-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>And a Pig Yard post wouldn\'t be complete these days without an update on the bees. In the past week I\'ve been stung three times by the ungrateful creatures. On both occasions I was weeding in the vegetable plot and they simply came at me with the intent of stinging me. I hoped this level of aggression had declined with the new queen and it is still possible these are the last of the old queens bees.\r\n\r\nI did an inspection over the weekend to see if the honey was ready to be removed. The bees were not happy. After removing the honey boxes (Supers) and getting into the brood box there was a cloud of angry bees trying to sting me. They kept flying into my bee veil and buzzing around. I confess it\'s quite disconcerting. Rather than trying to go through the colony frame by frame I decided to close them up and walk away. The angry bees followed me for ten metres before getting bored and returning to the hive. This photo shows the bees coming out to orientate themselves. A thousand bees per day are emerging from their cells and they then spend up to 3 weeks, half their lives, housekeeping in the hive For the last 3 weeks of their lives they leave the hive to forage. The first thing they have to do is find out where they are - hence the orientation to make sure they can find their way back.', 'Into July...', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6366-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-07-06 15:12:05', '2020-07-06 14:12:05', '', 6366, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6373', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6392, 283, '2020-07-25 14:00:37', '2020-07-25 13:00:37', 'In the absence of my killer bees I\'ve been enjoying my time in the vegetable plot although the odd passing buzz still alerts me to \"danger\". My fear is gradually abating and as I said in my last post I won\'t make a decision about getting new bees in the spring until after Christmas.\r\n\r\nIt seems I have made a new friend. I was weeding the paths in the vegetable plot when this young robin came to check on any grubs I may have been unearthing. It seemed to be completely fearless and was within arms reach at times.\r\n\r\n[gallery type=\"rectangular\" size=\"medium\" columns=\"2\" ids=\"6397,6396\"]\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/sausage-rollsjul20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright wp-image-6395 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/sausage-rollsjul20-200x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"150\" /></a>Mid week the \"family\" met at Rutland Water for a socially distanced picnic. It was a bit breezy by the water but a good time was had by all and we spent a pleasant 3 hours together for the first time since lockdown was introduced in March. As a treat for everyone I made some sausage rolls, Sue produced Portuguese Tarts and Lucie handed out sugar rush French Fancies.\r\n\r\nI\'m reliably informed that a sausage roll has fewer calories than a cake.\r\n\r\nThis time last year I was pulling up the <a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/5738\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">onions and garlic</a> and without referring back it seems I\'m doing exactly the same this year. I see this as a good sign because I\'m in touch with the seasons and what the weather is doing. The onions and garlic haven\'t done too badly although I think my courgettes are late to crop. On the positive side my parsnips are looking very good, or at least they have a lot of top growth. My french beans (first time I\'ve grown them) look as though they will crop well too. This will compensate for the total disaster I\'m experiencing with my beetroot. Checking last year\'s blog I didn\'t pickle beetroot until mid September so there\'s still time for them to produce something worth harvesting.\r\n\r\n[gallery type=\"rectangular\" columns=\"2\" size=\"medium\" ids=\"6394,6393\"]\r\n\r\nWith the month rapidly drawing to a close I need to put a lot more effort into my weeding programme. I was dead heading the foxgloves in the tree lined walk and noticed the nettles that are springing up in an area I cleared of weeds a month ago. It doesn\'t take too long to clear but I do need the motivation to get out there and \"just do it\" or find a partner who can help out. No sign of that happening in the short term.', 'Garden Friends...', '', 'publish', 'open', 'closed', '', 'garden-friends', '', '', '2020-07-25 14:00:37', '2020-07-25 13:00:37', '', 0, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/?p=6392', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(6375, 283, '2020-07-06 17:49:57', '2020-07-06 16:49:57', 'The months creep by as the world struggles to come to terms with the pandemic. Politicians the world over are attempting to walk a fine line between financial ruin and personal tragedies. What are we prepared to do for the greater good? Would we be prepared to die to save our Country? Every year 17,000 die in the UK from flu and this appears to be acceptable so is there a figure we would accept for Covid-19? If so where would we draw the line? Would we accept 50,000 additional deaths so that we could carry on doing what we\'ve always done? Or maybe 100,000?\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/poached-egg-breakfastjul20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-6371\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/poached-egg-breakfastjul20-200x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" /></a>Away from having to make such difficult decisions I try to mark the weeks in small ways. Every day of the week I have muesli for breakfast but on Sunday I had poached eggs on toast washed down with a large mug of Earl Grey tea. A superb start to the day. I should have made a face of the eggs but I was more interested in eating it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/cordylinejul20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6370\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/cordylinejul20-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>I do a lot of pottering around the garden and try to observe things, looking afresh. This led me to notice the Cordyline Australis by the front door has taken on quite a lean as it is becoming top heavy. It will be even heavier when it flowers. Apparently the solution isn\'t too complicated. First I should try turning the tub around so it starts to lean back towards the sun, If that fails and it continues to be unstable then I can prune it in May next year. Pruning couldn\'t be more straightforward - I just cut it part way down the stem and it will sprout again - famous last words.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI don\'t cycle when it\'s wet or windy so I went for a walk. I haven\'t walked for weeks because of a pulled calf muscle. I left home and headed down into town, across the railway lines on the outskirts, up through a beech wood and passed the Sunnyside Up cafe, sadly closed. It\'s only a 4.5 mile walk but I felt quite tired at the end of it. You use different muscles when cycling and walking for sure.\r\n\r\n[gallery type=\"rectangular\" size=\"medium\" columns=\"2\" ids=\"6369,6368\"]\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/bees-orientating-6july.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6367\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/bees-orientating-6july-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>And a Pig Yard post wouldn\'t be complete these days without an update on the bees. In the past week I\'ve been stung three times by the ungrateful creatures. On both occasions I was weeding in the vegetable plot and they simply came at me with the intent of stinging me. I hoped this level of aggression had declined with the new queen and it is still possible these are the last of the old queens bees.\r\n\r\nI did an inspection over the weekend to see if the honey was ready to be removed. The bees were not happy. After removing the honey boxes (Supers) and getting into the brood box there was a cloud of angry bees trying to sting me. They kept flying into my bee veil and buzzing around. I confess it\'s quite disconcerting. Rather than trying to go through the colony frame by frame I decided to close them up and walk away. The angry bees followed me for ten metres before getting bored and returning to the hive. This photo shows the bees coming out to orientate themselves. A thousand bees per day are emerging from their cells and they then spend up to 3 weeks, half their lives, housekeeping in the hive For the last 3 weeks of their lives they leave the hive to forage. The first thing they have to do is find out where they are - hence the orientation to make sure they can find their way back.', 'Into July...', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6366-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-07-06 17:49:57', '2020-07-06 16:49:57', '', 6366, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6375', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6376, 283, '2020-07-12 18:28:01', '2020-07-12 17:28:01', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Holly-Tree-Felling1Jul20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6379\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Holly-Tree-Felling1Jul20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Most of the trees on our site have tree protection orders and they are a designated conservation area so we have to obtain planning consent to do anything with them. Earlier in the week Nick and Val were given permission to remove some of their dead holly trees. No sooner had the email arrived giving consent than Nick and Val were out with chainsaw, ropes and ladder.\r\n\r\nI confess I arrived a little late to the tree felling party because I was doing my Joe Wicks workout so I joined Nick, Val, Dave and Lucie when several trees were already down. Nick has an eye for assessing what needs to be done and making sure any branches are not going to fall on the neighbours fence or anyone. It was great fun.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Holly-Tree-Felling2Jul20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6378\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Holly-Tree-Felling2Jul20-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>The problem with the Holly trees is that they have grown up under the canopy of the larger trees and as a consequence they are quite spindly and tall. Leaning a ladder against them is a precarious activity particularly when using a chain saw.\r\n\r\nNick tied off the trunks to a branch above so that as he cut through they wouldn\'t fall because they were held from above with several of us on the end of a rope.\r\n\r\nIt wasn\'t long before Nick had done his stuff and Val was coming out with coffees for everyone. The community spirit lives on when there\'s a job to be done.\r\n\r\nI put in a planning application in February for work to be done on some of my trees but the lockdown stopped that so I\'ve had to resubmit my application. There are a couple of dead Hollies as well as the topping out of an Ash tree and some management of two Lime trees which are brushing the roof of my neighbours bungalow.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/swollen-face-bee-stingjul20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6377\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/swollen-face-bee-stingjul20-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>It\'s been too wet and windy to do much with my bees but it seems they don\'t miss an opportunity to sting me and over the last two weeks I\'ve been stung four times. I\'m not involved in an inspection but weeding in the veg plot or hanging out the washing. As you can see from this photo my reaction is getting worse. This sting was on my left temple and apart from the initial sting I wasn\'t too bothered but as the evening wore on the left side of my face blew up like a balloon. I managed to get some sleep and in the morning got some antihistamine cream from Dave and Lucie and a tablet.\r\n\r\nThe tablet made me drowsy so after lunch I slept for a couple of hours. The swelling is slowly going down and hope to be back to \"normal\" by the morning.\r\n\r\nI\'ve thought long and hard about what to do with these aggressive bees. If I replace the queen it will take 9 weeks for the current brood to go through their lifecycle and I don\'t think I can live with that. I need to exterminate this colony and start again next spring. To destroy the bees the most humane way seems to be pouring rubbing alcohol between the brood frames.\r\n\r\nI also need to enquire with my GP about how to stop the extreme reaction if possible and if necessary make sure I\'ve got an <a href=\"http://www.epipen.co.uk/patients/epipenr-user-guide\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">epipen</a> close to hand.', 'Trees, Bees and Stings...', '', 'publish', 'open', 'closed', '', 'trees-bees-and-stings', '', '', '2020-07-12 18:28:01', '2020-07-12 17:28:01', '', 0, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/?p=6376', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(6377, 283, '2020-07-12 18:00:53', '2020-07-12 17:00:53', '', 'swollen face bee sting(jul20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'swollen-face-bee-stingjul20', '', '', '2020-07-12 18:00:53', '2020-07-12 17:00:53', '', 6376, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/swollen-face-bee-stingjul20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6378, 283, '2020-07-12 18:00:59', '2020-07-12 17:00:59', '', 'Holly Tree Felling2(Jul20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'holly-tree-felling2jul20', '', '', '2020-07-12 18:00:59', '2020-07-12 17:00:59', '', 6376, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Holly-Tree-Felling2Jul20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6379, 283, '2020-07-12 18:01:03', '2020-07-12 17:01:03', '', 'Holly Tree Felling1(Jul20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'holly-tree-felling1jul20', '', '', '2020-07-12 18:01:03', '2020-07-12 17:01:03', '', 6376, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Holly-Tree-Felling1Jul20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6380, 283, '2020-07-12 18:28:01', '2020-07-12 17:28:01', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Holly-Tree-Felling1Jul20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6379\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Holly-Tree-Felling1Jul20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Most of the trees on our site have tree protection orders and they are a designated conservation area so we have to obtain planning consent to do anything with them. Earlier in the week Nick and Val were given permission to remove some of their dead holly trees. No sooner had the email arrived giving consent than Nick and Val were out with chainsaw, ropes and ladder.\r\n\r\nI confess I arrived a little late to the tree felling party because I was doing my Joe Wicks workout so I joined Nick, Val, Dave and Lucie when several trees were already down. Nick has an eye for assessing what needs to be done and making sure any branches are not going to fall on the neighbours fence or anyone. It was great fun.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Holly-Tree-Felling2Jul20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6378\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Holly-Tree-Felling2Jul20-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>The problem with the Holly trees is that they have grown up under the canopy of the larger trees and as a consequence they are quite spindly and tall. Leaning a ladder against them is a precarious activity particularly when using a chain saw.\r\n\r\nNick tied off the trunks to a branch above so that as he cut through they wouldn\'t fall because they were held from above with several of us on the end of a rope.\r\n\r\nIt wasn\'t long before Nick had done his stuff and Val was coming out with coffees for everyone. The community spirit lives on when there\'s a job to be done.\r\n\r\nI put in a planning application in February for work to be done on some of my trees but the lockdown stopped that so I\'ve had to resubmit my application. There are a couple of dead Hollies as well as the topping out of an Ash tree and some management of two Lime trees which are brushing the roof of my neighbours bungalow.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/swollen-face-bee-stingjul20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6377\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/swollen-face-bee-stingjul20-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>It\'s been too wet and windy to do much with my bees but it seems they don\'t miss an opportunity to sting me and over the last two weeks I\'ve been stung four times. I\'m not involved in an inspection but weeding in the veg plot or hanging out the washing. As you can see from this photo my reaction is getting worse. This sting was on my left temple and apart from the initial sting I wasn\'t too bothered but as the evening wore on the left side of my face blew up like a balloon. I managed to get some sleep and in the morning got some antihistamine cream from Dave and Lucie and a tablet.\r\n\r\nThe tablet made me drowsy so after lunch I slept for a couple of hours. The swelling is slowly going down and hope to be back to \"normal\" by the morning.\r\n\r\nI\'ve thought long and hard about what to do with these aggressive bees. If I replace the queen it will take 9 weeks for the current brood to go through their lifecycle and I don\'t think I can live with that. I need to exterminate this colony and start again next spring. To destroy the bees the most humane way seems to be pouring rubbing alcohol between the brood frames.\r\n\r\nI also need to enquire with my GP about how to stop the extreme reaction if possible and if necessary make sure I\'ve got an <a href=\"http://www.epipen.co.uk/patients/epipenr-user-guide\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">epipen</a> close to hand.', 'Trees, Bees and Stings...', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6376-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-07-12 18:28:01', '2020-07-12 17:28:01', '', 6376, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6380', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6382, 283, '2020-07-14 16:10:22', '2020-07-14 15:10:22', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/electric-meter.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-6385 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/electric-meter-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>In pursuit of making it easy to switch energy supplier the UK Government introduced regulations to make the whole process straightforward. In a similar time frame they targeted all households to have a smart meter. Unfortunately these two initiatives were not working hand in hand so we now have a system whereby every time you change supplier you need a new smart meter.\r\n\r\nIn the past 5 years I\'ve switched 3 times - British Gas to Ovo to First Utility which morphed into Shell and I\'m in the process of moving to Pure Planet.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/gas-meter.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-6384\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/gas-meter-200x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"150\" /></a>I\'ve been asked for a meter reading by Pure Planet. Shock horror I haven\'t read my meters for over 2 years because that\'s what the smart meter does. If Pure Planet wants to know my readings ask Shell!!! I try to comply however the gas meter is so close to the edge of the box I can barely fit my phone in to photograph the display.\r\n\r\nAnd no I cannot decipher the reading... What a waste of time and effort because Pure Planet are going to have to install another smart meter and I hope this time it will be a universal meter so that whoever is my supplier in the future they can read my meter without my intervention. I\'m starting to wish I had never bothered switching because the financial gain is going to be minimal. So why switch? Firstly there is a small financial saving, secondly Pure Planet only supply electricity generated by green sources and thirdly I didn\'t want to become one of those people who are too frightened to change as one gets older. I may live to regret my well reasoned thinking.', 'Changing Energy Supplier', '', 'publish', 'open', 'closed', '', 'changing-energy-supplier', '', '', '2020-07-17 09:49:38', '2020-07-17 08:49:38', '', 0, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/?p=6382', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(6383, 283, '2020-07-14 15:58:03', '2020-07-14 14:58:03', '', 'honey frames 1 (jul20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'honey-frames-1-jul20', '', '', '2020-07-14 15:58:03', '2020-07-14 14:58:03', '', 6382, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/honey-frames-1-jul20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6384, 283, '2020-07-14 15:58:06', '2020-07-14 14:58:06', '', 'gas meter', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'gas-meter', '', '', '2020-07-14 15:58:06', '2020-07-14 14:58:06', '', 6382, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/gas-meter.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6385, 283, '2020-07-14 15:58:09', '2020-07-14 14:58:09', '', 'electric meter', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'electric-meter', '', '', '2020-07-14 15:58:09', '2020-07-14 14:58:09', '', 6382, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/electric-meter.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0);
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES
(6386, 283, '2020-07-14 16:10:22', '2020-07-14 15:10:22', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/electric-meter.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-6385 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/electric-meter-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>In pursuit of making it easy to switch energy supplier the UK Government introduced regulations to make the whole process straightforward. In a similar time frame they targeted all households to have a smart meter. Unfortunately these two initiatives were not working hand in hand so we now have a system whereby every time you change supplier you need a new smart meter.\r\n\r\nIn the past 5 years I\'ve switched 3 times - British Gas to Ovo to First Utility which morphed into Shell and I\'m in the process of moving to Pure Planet.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/gas-meter.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-6384\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/gas-meter-200x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"150\" /></a>I\'ve been asked for a meter reading by Pure Planet. Shock horror I haven\'t read my meters for over 2 years because that\'s what the smart meter does. If Pure Planet wants to know my readings ask Shell!!! I try to comply however the gas meter is so close to the edge of the box I can barely fit my phone in to photograph the display.\r\n\r\nAnd no I cannot decipher the reading... What a waste of time and effort because Pure Planet are going to have to install another smart meter and I hope this time it will be a universal meter so that whoever is my supplier in the future they can read my meter without my intervention. I\'m starting to wish I had never bothered switching because the financial gain is going to be minimal. So why switch? Firstly there is a small financial saving, secondly Pure Planet only supply electricity generated by green sources and thirdly I didn\'t want to become one of those people who are too frightened to change as one gets older. I may live to regret my well reasoned thinking.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;', 'Changing Energy Supplier', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6382-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-07-14 16:10:22', '2020-07-14 15:10:22', '', 6382, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6386', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6387, 283, '2020-07-17 09:49:38', '2020-07-17 08:49:38', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/electric-meter.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-6385 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/electric-meter-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>In pursuit of making it easy to switch energy supplier the UK Government introduced regulations to make the whole process straightforward. In a similar time frame they targeted all households to have a smart meter. Unfortunately these two initiatives were not working hand in hand so we now have a system whereby every time you change supplier you need a new smart meter.\r\n\r\nIn the past 5 years I\'ve switched 3 times - British Gas to Ovo to First Utility which morphed into Shell and I\'m in the process of moving to Pure Planet.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/gas-meter.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-6384\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/gas-meter-200x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"150\" /></a>I\'ve been asked for a meter reading by Pure Planet. Shock horror I haven\'t read my meters for over 2 years because that\'s what the smart meter does. If Pure Planet wants to know my readings ask Shell!!! I try to comply however the gas meter is so close to the edge of the box I can barely fit my phone in to photograph the display.\r\n\r\nAnd no I cannot decipher the reading... What a waste of time and effort because Pure Planet are going to have to install another smart meter and I hope this time it will be a universal meter so that whoever is my supplier in the future they can read my meter without my intervention. I\'m starting to wish I had never bothered switching because the financial gain is going to be minimal. So why switch? Firstly there is a small financial saving, secondly Pure Planet only supply electricity generated by green sources and thirdly I didn\'t want to become one of those people who are too frightened to change as one gets older. I may live to regret my well reasoned thinking.', 'Changing Energy Supplier', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6382-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-07-17 09:49:38', '2020-07-17 08:49:38', '', 6382, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6387', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6388, 283, '2020-07-19 08:44:42', '2020-07-19 07:44:42', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Dead-beesjul20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6390\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Dead-beesjul20-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>As my allergic reaction to bee stings appears to be getting worse I\'ve taken the difficult decision that they have to go. I\'ve weighed up all the options and investigated a number of possibilities but sadly I came to the conclusion that I had to kill the colony. After some research I discovered that Rubbing Alcohol or Isopropyl to give its correct name, was the fastest way to kill them. I did all my preparation the night before to close them into the hive and early the following morning I opened them up and squirted and sprayed them before closing them up again. Inevitably some (several hundred out of 40,000) escaped and were all over me. Thankfully my bee suit protected me but I had to use the utility room as an airlock and make sure they were all dispatched before removing the bee suit. All that day the survivors were buzzing around the garden in a very lost and angry manner. I daren\'t go into the garden unless I was wearing my bee suit.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/last-bee-standingjul20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6389\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/last-bee-standingjul20-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>As the last vestiges of daylight left the sky I went outside to see where they were resting for the night. I found them in a honey box which I had cleared down and thought I\'d sealed it up but they had found a way in. A few more sprays with the alcohol and very quickly all went quiet.\r\n\r\nThere are still a few bees looking for their home but they are too lost to bother stinging me so I spent a little while in the vegetable plot. The first time in two weeks when I felt safe.\r\n\r\nWhile the hundred or so escapees were buzzing around they would frequently land on the patio doors if they saw me in the house. I know it sounds ridiculous but I swear they recognised me and there is <a href=\"https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/face-recognition-honeybees/#:~:text=The%20ability%20to%20tell%20individual,can%20learn%20human%20faces%2C%20too.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">scientific evidence to support my observation</a>.\r\n\r\nI will now spend the next few months considering whether I should try again in the spring and will consult my GP to get a medical opinion on my allergic reaction.', 'Goodbye Bees...', '', 'publish', 'open', 'closed', '', 'goodbye-bees', '', '', '2020-07-19 08:44:42', '2020-07-19 07:44:42', '', 0, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/?p=6388', 0, 'post', '', 2),
(6389, 283, '2020-07-19 08:32:01', '2020-07-19 07:32:01', '', 'last bee standing(jul20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'last-bee-standingjul20', '', '', '2020-07-19 08:32:01', '2020-07-19 07:32:01', '', 6388, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/last-bee-standingjul20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6390, 283, '2020-07-19 08:32:05', '2020-07-19 07:32:05', '', 'Dead bees(jul20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'dead-beesjul20', '', '', '2020-07-19 08:32:05', '2020-07-19 07:32:05', '', 6388, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Dead-beesjul20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6391, 283, '2020-07-19 08:44:42', '2020-07-19 07:44:42', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Dead-beesjul20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6390\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Dead-beesjul20-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>As my allergic reaction to bee stings appears to be getting worse I\'ve taken the difficult decision that they have to go. I\'ve weighed up all the options and investigated a number of possibilities but sadly I came to the conclusion that I had to kill the colony. After some research I discovered that Rubbing Alcohol or Isopropyl to give its correct name, was the fastest way to kill them. I did all my preparation the night before to close them into the hive and early the following morning I opened them up and squirted and sprayed them before closing them up again. Inevitably some (several hundred out of 40,000) escaped and were all over me. Thankfully my bee suit protected me but I had to use the utility room as an airlock and make sure they were all dispatched before removing the bee suit. All that day the survivors were buzzing around the garden in a very lost and angry manner. I daren\'t go into the garden unless I was wearing my bee suit.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/last-bee-standingjul20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6389\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/last-bee-standingjul20-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>As the last vestiges of daylight left the sky I went outside to see where they were resting for the night. I found them in a honey box which I had cleared down and thought I\'d sealed it up but they had found a way in. A few more sprays with the alcohol and very quickly all went quiet.\r\n\r\nThere are still a few bees looking for their home but they are too lost to bother stinging me so I spent a little while in the vegetable plot. The first time in two weeks when I felt safe.\r\n\r\nWhile the hundred or so escapees were buzzing around they would frequently land on the patio doors if they saw me in the house. I know it sounds ridiculous but I swear they recognised me and there is <a href=\"https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/face-recognition-honeybees/#:~:text=The%20ability%20to%20tell%20individual,can%20learn%20human%20faces%2C%20too.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">scientific evidence to support my observation</a>.\r\n\r\nI will now spend the next few months considering whether I should try again in the spring and will consult my GP to get a medical opinion on my allergic reaction.', 'Goodbye Bees...', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6388-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-07-19 08:44:42', '2020-07-19 07:44:42', '', 6388, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6391', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6393, 283, '2020-07-25 13:32:54', '2020-07-25 12:32:54', '', 'garlic crop(jul20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'garlic-cropjul20', '', '', '2020-07-25 13:32:54', '2020-07-25 12:32:54', '', 6392, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/garlic-cropjul20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6394, 283, '2020-07-25 13:33:01', '2020-07-25 12:33:01', '', 'onions(jul20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'onionsjul20', '', '', '2020-07-25 13:33:01', '2020-07-25 12:33:01', '', 6392, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/onionsjul20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6395, 283, '2020-07-25 13:33:04', '2020-07-25 12:33:04', '', 'sausage rolls(jul20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'sausage-rollsjul20', '', '', '2020-07-25 13:33:04', '2020-07-25 12:33:04', '', 6392, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/sausage-rollsjul20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6396, 283, '2020-07-25 13:33:08', '2020-07-25 12:33:08', '', 'young robin2(jul20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'young-robin2jul20', '', '', '2020-07-25 13:33:08', '2020-07-25 12:33:08', '', 6392, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/young-robin2jul20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6397, 283, '2020-07-25 13:33:11', '2020-07-25 12:33:11', '', 'young robin(july20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'young-robinjuly20', '', '', '2020-07-25 13:33:11', '2020-07-25 12:33:11', '', 6392, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/young-robinjuly20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6398, 283, '2020-07-25 13:34:10', '2020-07-25 12:34:10', 'In the absence of my killer bees I\'ve been enjoying my time in the vegetable plot although the odd passing buzz still alerts me to \"danger\" however my fear is gradually abating and as I said in my last post I won\'t make a decision about getting new bees in the spring until after Christmas.\r\n\r\nIt seems I have made a new friend. I was weeding the paths in the vegetable plot when this young robin came to check on any grubs I may have been unearthing. It seemed to be completely fearless and was within arms reach at times.\r\n\r\n[gallery type=\"rectangular\" size=\"medium\" columns=\"2\" ids=\"6397,6396\"]', 'Garden Friends...', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6392-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-07-25 13:34:10', '2020-07-25 12:34:10', '', 6392, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6398', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6399, 283, '2020-07-25 13:45:54', '2020-07-25 12:45:54', 'In the absence of my killer bees I\'ve been enjoying my time in the vegetable plot although the odd passing buzz still alerts me to \"danger\" however my fear is gradually abating and as I said in my last post I won\'t make a decision about getting new bees in the spring until after Christmas.\r\n\r\nIt seems I have made a new friend. I was weeding the paths in the vegetable plot when this young robin came to check on any grubs I may have been unearthing. It seemed to be completely fearless and was within arms reach at times.\r\n\r\n[gallery type=\"rectangular\" size=\"medium\" columns=\"2\" ids=\"6397,6396\"]\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/sausage-rollsjul20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright wp-image-6395 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/sausage-rollsjul20-200x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"150\" /></a>Mid week the \"family\" met at Rutland Water for a socially distanced picnic. It was a bit breezy by the water but a good time was had by all and we spent a pleasant 3 hours together for the first time since lockdown was introduced in March. As a treat for everyone I made some sausage rolls. It\'s the only baking I do.\r\n\r\nI\'m reliably informed that a sausage roll has fewer calories than a cake.\r\n\r\nThis time last year I was pulling up the <a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/5738\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">onions and garlic</a> and without referring back it seems I\'m doing exactly the same this year. I see this as a good sign because I\'m in touch with the seasons and what the weather is doing. The onions and garlic haven\'t done too badly although I think my courgettes are late to crop. On the positive side my parsnips are looking very good, or at least they have a lot of top growth. My french beans look as though they will crop well too. This will compensate for the total disaster I\'m experiencing with my beetroot.\r\n\r\n[gallery type=\"rectangular\" columns=\"2\" size=\"medium\" ids=\"6394,6393\"]', 'Garden Friends...', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6392-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-07-25 13:45:54', '2020-07-25 12:45:54', '', 6392, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6399', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6400, 283, '2020-07-25 14:00:37', '2020-07-25 13:00:37', 'In the absence of my killer bees I\'ve been enjoying my time in the vegetable plot although the odd passing buzz still alerts me to \"danger\". My fear is gradually abating and as I said in my last post I won\'t make a decision about getting new bees in the spring until after Christmas.\r\n\r\nIt seems I have made a new friend. I was weeding the paths in the vegetable plot when this young robin came to check on any grubs I may have been unearthing. It seemed to be completely fearless and was within arms reach at times.\r\n\r\n[gallery type=\"rectangular\" size=\"medium\" columns=\"2\" ids=\"6397,6396\"]\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/sausage-rollsjul20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright wp-image-6395 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/sausage-rollsjul20-200x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"150\" /></a>Mid week the \"family\" met at Rutland Water for a socially distanced picnic. It was a bit breezy by the water but a good time was had by all and we spent a pleasant 3 hours together for the first time since lockdown was introduced in March. As a treat for everyone I made some sausage rolls, Sue produced Portuguese Tarts and Lucie handed out sugar rush French Fancies.\r\n\r\nI\'m reliably informed that a sausage roll has fewer calories than a cake.\r\n\r\nThis time last year I was pulling up the <a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/5738\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">onions and garlic</a> and without referring back it seems I\'m doing exactly the same this year. I see this as a good sign because I\'m in touch with the seasons and what the weather is doing. The onions and garlic haven\'t done too badly although I think my courgettes are late to crop. On the positive side my parsnips are looking very good, or at least they have a lot of top growth. My french beans (first time I\'ve grown them) look as though they will crop well too. This will compensate for the total disaster I\'m experiencing with my beetroot. Checking last year\'s blog I didn\'t pickle beetroot until mid September so there\'s still time for them to produce something worth harvesting.\r\n\r\n[gallery type=\"rectangular\" columns=\"2\" size=\"medium\" ids=\"6394,6393\"]\r\n\r\nWith the month rapidly drawing to a close I need to put a lot more effort into my weeding programme. I was dead heading the foxgloves in the tree lined walk and noticed the nettles that are springing up in an area I cleared of weeds a month ago. It doesn\'t take too long to clear but I do need the motivation to get out there and \"just do it\" or find a partner who can help out. No sign of that happening in the short term.', 'Garden Friends...', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6392-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-07-25 14:00:37', '2020-07-25 13:00:37', '', 6392, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6400', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6401, 283, '2020-07-25 14:01:03', '2020-07-25 13:01:03', 'In the absence of my killer bees I\'ve been enjoying my time in the vegetable plot although the odd passing buzz still alerts me to \"danger\". My fear is gradually abating and as I said in my last post I won\'t make a decision about getting new bees in the spring until after Christmas.\r\n\r\nIt seems I have made a new friend. I was weeding the paths in the vegetable plot when this young robin came to check on any grubs I may have been unearthing. It seemed to be completely fearless and was within arms reach at times.\r\n\r\n[gallery type=\"rectangular\" size=\"medium\" columns=\"2\" ids=\"6397,6396\"]\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/sausage-rollsjul20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright wp-image-6395 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/sausage-rollsjul20-200x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"150\" /></a>Mid week the \"family\" met at Rutland Water for a socially distanced picnic. It was a bit breezy by the water but a good time was had by all and we spent a pleasant 3 hours together for the first time since lockdown was introduced in March. As a treat for everyone I made some sausage rolls, Sue produced Portuguese Tarts and Lucie handed out sugar rush French Fancies.\r\n\r\nI\'m reliably informed that a sausage roll has fewer calories than a cake.\r\n\r\nThis time last year I was pulling up the <a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/5738\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">onions and garlic</a> and without referring back it seems I\'m doing exactly the same this year. I see this as a good sign because I\'m in touch with the seasons and what the weather is doing. The onions and garlic haven\'t done too badly although I think my courgettes are late to crop. On the positive side my parsnips are looking very good, or at least they have a lot of top growth. My french beans (first time I\'ve grown them) look as though they will crop well too. This will compensate for the total disaster I\'m experiencing with my beetroot. Checking last year\'s blog I didn\'t pickle beetroot until mid September so there\'s still time for them to produce something worth harvesting.\r\n\r\n[gallery type=\"rectangular\" columns=\"2\" size=\"medium\" ids=\"6394,6393\"]\r\n\r\nWith the month rapidly drawing to a close I need to put a lot more effort into my weeding programme. I was dead heading the foxgloves in the tree lined walk and noticed the nettles that are springing up in an area I cleared of weeds a month ago. It doesn\'t take too long to clear but I do need the motivation to get out there and \"just do it\" or find a partner who can help out. No sign of that happening in the short term.', 'Garden Friends...', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6392-autosave-v1', '', '', '2020-07-25 14:01:03', '2020-07-25 13:01:03', '', 6392, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6401', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6411, 283, '2020-08-07 15:10:19', '2020-08-07 14:10:19', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/weeding-by-numbersAug20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright wp-image-6415 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/weeding-by-numbersAug20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>There are times when I think gardening shouldn\'t be called gardening but more specifically weeding. It\'s my own fault because I clear an area of weeds then step back all smug and satisfied but when I look again in a couple of weeks the border is back to square one. I should give the ground a quick hoe once a week and it will save me a lot of time.\r\n\r\nI spent a whole day on my hands and knees clearing the corner border to lick it into shape. Thanks to my exercise regime my knees can take it.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/corner-borderAug20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6414\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/corner-borderAug20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\nFive hours later there wasn\'t a weed to be seen and the lawn had been edged to look as manicured as I can make it.\r\n\r\nI do need to get some more plants into the borders generally to give less room for the weeds to grow.\r\n\r\nIt felt very satisfying. Now where\'s the hoe?\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/beansAug20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright wp-image-6413 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/beansAug20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>\r\n\r\nThe Runner beans and French beans are doing well; certainly more than I can eat so I need to be a little creative in my cooking. I\'ve started using the beans as a cold element in a salad and I\'m thinking of cooking them up with chopped tomatoes and courgettes to make my own version of ratatouille. I\'m also part cooking French beans and then frying them as a stir fry with courgettes and Cavolo Nero.\r\n\r\nAt least I can work in the vegetable plot without fear of getting stung by my bees.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/alongside-garage-beforeAug20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6412\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/alongside-garage-beforeAug20-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>Next week I\'ve got a chap coming to do some hard landscaping. This area alongside the garage has always been a bit messy. It didn\'t matter when the trailer was parked there but since it was sold (4 years ago) it has never been tidy.\r\n\r\nIt will be block paved all the way to the back of the garage and join up with the block paving on the drive. There may be a step down onto the tree lined walk but that will add character.\r\n\r\nThere\'s a piece of lawn at the back that will be removed but the grass always struggled to grow under the trees. In two weeks this area will be transformed.', 'Weeds, Weeds and More Weeds...', '', 'publish', 'open', 'closed', '', 'weeds-weeds-and-more-weeds', '', '', '2020-08-07 15:10:19', '2020-08-07 14:10:19', '', 0, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/?p=6411', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(6403, 283, '2020-08-01 16:37:21', '2020-08-01 15:37:21', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/cucumberjul20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6406\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/cucumberjul20-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>I should be focussing on the journey and not concerning myself with the destination. It\'s a principle that I struggle with. I\'m pleased to say that it works for growing vegetables because there are some successes and a number of failures.\r\n\r\nThis is my first cucumber of the season and one plant will produce a number in the coming weeks but the other looks a very weak.\r\n\r\nNone of my tomatoes have ripened yet, my sweet peppers are coming but nothing to shout about however I do have numerous green chilli peppers on their way.\r\n\r\nIn the veg patch I dug up my first row of potatoes (Pentland) and they were pathetic. Very few spuds per plant and they don\'t cook well. One minute they are not cooked and the next they\'ve turned to mash. My beetroot are the worst I\'ve ever grown to the point where they may be considered a failed crop. The runner beans are looking very productive and taste delicious; the French beans are looking good too.\r\n\r\nAlthough my bees are sadly gone I have been busy removing the last of their honey from the frames.\r\n\r\n[gallery type=\"rectangular\" size=\"medium\" columns=\"2\" ids=\"6407,6408,6404\"]\r\n\r\nUnlike last time when I scraped the wax caps off the comb, this time I used a heat gun to melt the wax. It was a lot quicker and a lot less messy. This batch of honey was a lot runnier and clearer than the earlier extraction which was probably produced from oil seed rape. In total I filled 22 jars. It was a sad day because it might be the last time I do it, I hope not. All I have to do now is clean up all the equipment.', 'Vegetables and Honey...', '', 'publish', 'open', 'closed', '', 'vegetables-and-honey', '', '', '2020-08-01 16:37:21', '2020-08-01 15:37:21', '', 0, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/?p=6403', 0, 'post', '', 2),
(6404, 283, '2020-08-01 16:14:57', '2020-08-01 15:14:57', '', 'second honey labelled(jul20)', 'Labelled jars', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'second-honey-labelledjul20', '', '', '2020-08-01 16:31:57', '2020-08-01 15:31:57', '', 6403, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/second-honey-labelledjul20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6406, 283, '2020-08-01 16:15:11', '2020-08-01 15:15:11', '', 'cucumber(jul20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'cucumberjul20', '', '', '2020-08-01 16:15:11', '2020-08-01 15:15:11', '', 6403, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/cucumberjul20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6407, 283, '2020-08-01 16:15:18', '2020-08-01 15:15:18', '', 'capped honey2', 'Capped honey and heat gun', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'capped-honey2', '', '', '2020-08-01 16:31:43', '2020-08-01 15:31:43', '', 6403, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/capped-honey2.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6408, 283, '2020-08-01 16:15:26', '2020-08-01 15:15:26', '', '2nd honey extraction', 'Runny honey', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', '2nd-honey-extraction', '', '', '2020-08-01 16:31:49', '2020-08-01 15:31:49', '', 6403, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/2nd-honey-extraction.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6409, 283, '2020-08-01 16:31:10', '2020-08-01 15:31:10', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/cucumberjul20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6406\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/cucumberjul20-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>I should be focussing on the journey and not concerning myself with the destination. It\'s a principle that I struggle with. I\'m pleased to say that it works for growing vegetables because there are some successes and a number of failures.\r\n\r\nThis is my first cucumber of the season and one plant will produce a number in the coming weeks but the other looks a very weak.\r\n\r\nNone of my tomatoes have ripened off, my sweet peppers are coming but nothing to shout about and I have numerous chilli peppers.\r\n\r\nOutside in the veg patch I dug up my first row of potatoes (Pentland) and they were pathetic. Very few spuds per plant and they don\'t cook well. One minute they are not cooked and the next they\'ve turned to mash. My beetroot are the worst I\'ve ever grown however the runner beans are looking very productive and taste delicious.\r\n\r\nAlthough my bees are sadly gone I have been busy removing the honey from the frames.\r\n\r\n[gallery type=\"rectangular\" size=\"medium\" columns=\"2\" ids=\"6407,6408,6404\"]\r\n\r\nUnlike last time when I scrapped the wax caps off the comb I used a heat gun to melt the wax. It was a lot quicker and a damn site less messy. This batch of honey was a lot runnier and clearer than the first lot which was probably produced from oil seed rape. In total I filled 22 jars. It was a sad day because it might be the last time I do it, I hope not.', 'Vegetables and Honey...', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6403-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-08-01 16:31:10', '2020-08-01 15:31:10', '', 6403, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6409', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6410, 283, '2020-08-01 16:37:21', '2020-08-01 15:37:21', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/cucumberjul20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6406\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/cucumberjul20-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>I should be focussing on the journey and not concerning myself with the destination. It\'s a principle that I struggle with. I\'m pleased to say that it works for growing vegetables because there are some successes and a number of failures.\r\n\r\nThis is my first cucumber of the season and one plant will produce a number in the coming weeks but the other looks a very weak.\r\n\r\nNone of my tomatoes have ripened yet, my sweet peppers are coming but nothing to shout about however I do have numerous green chilli peppers on their way.\r\n\r\nIn the veg patch I dug up my first row of potatoes (Pentland) and they were pathetic. Very few spuds per plant and they don\'t cook well. One minute they are not cooked and the next they\'ve turned to mash. My beetroot are the worst I\'ve ever grown to the point where they may be considered a failed crop. The runner beans are looking very productive and taste delicious; the French beans are looking good too.\r\n\r\nAlthough my bees are sadly gone I have been busy removing the last of their honey from the frames.\r\n\r\n[gallery type=\"rectangular\" size=\"medium\" columns=\"2\" ids=\"6407,6408,6404\"]\r\n\r\nUnlike last time when I scraped the wax caps off the comb, this time I used a heat gun to melt the wax. It was a lot quicker and a lot less messy. This batch of honey was a lot runnier and clearer than the earlier extraction which was probably produced from oil seed rape. In total I filled 22 jars. It was a sad day because it might be the last time I do it, I hope not. All I have to do now is clean up all the equipment.', 'Vegetables and Honey...', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6403-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-08-01 16:37:21', '2020-08-01 15:37:21', '', 6403, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6410', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6416, 283, '2020-08-07 15:03:39', '2020-08-07 14:03:39', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/weeding-by-numbersAug20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright wp-image-6415 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/weeding-by-numbersAug20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>There are times when I think gardening shouldn\'t be called gardening but more specifically weeding. It\'s my own fault because I clear an area of weeds then step back all smug and satisfied but when I look again in a couple of weeks the border is back to square one. I should give the ground a quick hoe once a week and it will save me a lot of time.\r\n\r\nI spent a whole day on my hand and knees clearing the corner border to lick it into shape. Thanks to my exercise regime my knees can take it.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/corner-borderAug20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6414\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/corner-borderAug20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\nFive hours later there wasn\'t a weed to be seen and the lawn had been edged to look as manicured as I can make it..\r\n\r\nI do need to get some more plants into the borders generally to give less room for the weeds to grow.\r\n\r\nIt felt very satisfying. Now where\'s the hoe?\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/beansAug20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright wp-image-6413 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/beansAug20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>The runner beans and French beans are doing well certainly more than I can eat so I need to be a little creative in my cooking. I\'ve started using the beans are a cold element in a salad and I\'m thinking of cooking them up with chopped tomatoes and courgettes to make my own version of ratatouille.\r\n\r\nAt least I can work in the vegetable plot with fear of getting stung.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/alongside-garage-beforeAug20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6412\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/alongside-garage-beforeAug20-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>Next week I\'ve got a chap coming to do some hard landscaping. This area alongside the garage has always been a bit messy. It didn\'t matter when the trailer was parked there but since it was sold it has never been tidy.\r\n\r\nIt will be block paved all the way to the back of the garage and join up with the block paving on the drive. There may be a step down onto the tree lined walk but that will add character.\r\n\r\nThere\'s a piece of lawn at the back that will be removed but the grass always struggled to grow under the trees. In two weeks this area will be transformed.', 'Weeds, weeds and More Weeds...', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6411-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-08-07 15:03:39', '2020-08-07 14:03:39', '', 6411, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6416', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6417, 283, '2020-08-07 15:07:41', '2020-08-07 14:07:41', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/weeding-by-numbersAug20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright wp-image-6415 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/weeding-by-numbersAug20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>There are times when I think gardening shouldn\'t be called gardening but more specifically weeding. It\'s my own fault because I clear an area of weeds then step back all smug and satisfied but when I look again in a couple of weeks the border is back to square one. I should give the ground a quick hoe once a week and it will save me a lot of time.\r\n\r\nI spent a whole day on my hands and knees clearing the corner border to lick it into shape. Thanks to my exercise regime my knees can take it.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/corner-borderAug20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6414\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/corner-borderAug20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\nFive hours later there wasn\'t a weed to be seen and the lawn had been edged to look as manicured as I can make it.\r\n\r\nI do need to get some more plants into the borders generally to give less room for the weeds to grow.\r\n\r\nIt felt very satisfying. Now where\'s the hoe?\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/beansAug20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright wp-image-6413 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/beansAug20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>The Runner beans and French beans are doing well; certainly more than I can eat so I need to be a little creative in my cooking. I\'ve started using the beans as a cold element in a salad and I\'m thinking of cooking them up with chopped tomatoes and courgettes to make my own version of ratatouille. I\'m also part cooking French beans and then frying them as a stir fry with courgettes and Cavolo Nero.\r\n\r\nAt least I can work in the vegetable plot with fear of getting stung.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/alongside-garage-beforeAug20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6412\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/alongside-garage-beforeAug20-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>Next week I\'ve got a chap coming to do some hard landscaping. This area alongside the garage has always been a bit messy. It didn\'t matter when the trailer was parked there but since it was sold (4 years ago) it has never been tidy.\r\n\r\nIt will be block paved all the way to the back of the garage and join up with the block paving on the drive. There may be a step down onto the tree lined walk but that will add character.\r\n\r\nThere\'s a piece of lawn at the back that will be removed but the grass always struggled to grow under the trees. In two weeks this area will be transformed.', 'Weeds, Weeds and More Weeds...', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6411-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-08-07 15:07:41', '2020-08-07 14:07:41', '', 6411, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6417', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6418, 283, '2020-08-07 15:09:22', '2020-08-07 14:09:22', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/weeding-by-numbersAug20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright wp-image-6415 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/weeding-by-numbersAug20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>There are times when I think gardening shouldn\'t be called gardening but more specifically weeding. It\'s my own fault because I clear an area of weeds then step back all smug and satisfied but when I look again in a couple of weeks the border is back to square one. I should give the ground a quick hoe once a week and it will save me a lot of time.\r\n\r\nI spent a whole day on my hands and knees clearing the corner border to lick it into shape. Thanks to my exercise regime my knees can take it.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/corner-borderAug20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6414\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/corner-borderAug20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\nFive hours later there wasn\'t a weed to be seen and the lawn had been edged to look as manicured as I can make it.\r\n\r\nI do need to get some more plants into the borders generally to give less room for the weeds to grow.\r\n\r\nIt felt very satisfying. Now where\'s the hoe?\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/beansAug20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright wp-image-6413 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/beansAug20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>\r\n\r\nThe Runner beans and French beans are doing well; certainly more than I can eat so I need to be a little creative in my cooking. I\'ve started using the beans as a cold element in a salad and I\'m thinking of cooking them up with chopped tomatoes and courgettes to make my own version of ratatouille. I\'m also part cooking French beans and then frying them as a stir fry with courgettes and Cavolo Nero.\r\n\r\nAt least I can work in the vegetable plot without fear of getting stung by my bees.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/alongside-garage-beforeAug20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6412\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/alongside-garage-beforeAug20-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>Next week I\'ve got a chap coming to do some hard landscaping. This area alongside the garage has always been a bit messy. It didn\'t matter when the trailer was parked there but since it was sold (4 years ago) it has never been tidy.\r\n\r\nIt will be block paved all the way to the back of the garage and join up with the block paving on the drive. There may be a step down onto the tree lined walk but that will add character.\r\n\r\nThere\'s a piece of lawn at the back that will be removed but the grass always struggled to grow under the trees. In two weeks this area will be transformed.', 'Weeds, Weeds and More Weeds...', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6411-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-08-07 15:09:22', '2020-08-07 14:09:22', '', 6411, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6418', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6428, 283, '2020-08-16 12:17:12', '2020-08-16 11:17:12', '', 'cropped-saltaire-header-1.jpg', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'cropped-saltaire-header-1-jpg', '', '', '2020-08-16 12:17:12', '2020-08-16 11:17:12', '', 0, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/cropped-saltaire-header-1.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6420, 283, '2020-08-14 17:59:15', '2020-08-14 16:59:15', '', 'rhubarb cull(Aug20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'rhubarb-cullaug20', '', '', '2020-08-14 18:05:27', '2020-08-14 17:05:27', '', 6424, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/rhubarb-cullAug20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6421, 283, '2020-08-14 17:59:19', '2020-08-14 16:59:19', '', 'genocide bees(Aug20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'genocide-beesaug20', '', '', '2020-08-14 18:08:47', '2020-08-14 17:08:47', '', 6424, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/genocide-beesAug20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6422, 283, '2020-08-14 17:59:23', '2020-08-14 16:59:23', '', 'alongside garage before(Aug20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'alongside-garage-beforeaug20-2', '', '', '2020-08-14 18:16:08', '2020-08-14 17:16:08', '', 6424, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/alongside-garage-beforeAug20-1.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6425, 283, '2020-08-14 18:11:15', '2020-08-14 17:11:15', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/rhubarb-cullAug20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6420\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/rhubarb-cullAug20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Where do the days go? At times I cannot remember what I\'ve accomplished and then I look back on this blog and think it\'s okay, I\'m moving forward.\r\n\r\nAs always I\'ve been busy in the vegetable plot. As I think I mentioned in my last blog the runner beans are doing exceptionally well and the surplus is going to a good home. I decided this week that my rhubarb is growing into a Triffid and therefore it needed to be culled. It\'s amazing how quickly the wheel barrow became full with the leaves that I cut off. There\'s still plenty left on the plant and it will survive until next season.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/genocide-beesAug20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6421\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/genocide-beesAug20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>After three weeks of leaving the decimated beehive alone I was certain that there should be no living bees inside and therefore took it apart. This is what bee genocide looks like. Thousands of dead bees decomposing. There\'s still a lot of cleaning up to be done. I\'m not sure whether the smell is due to the dead bees or the honey that was left in the brood box', '', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6424-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-08-14 18:11:15', '2020-08-14 17:11:15', '', 6424, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6425', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6424, 283, '2020-08-15 08:46:29', '2020-08-15 07:46:29', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/rhubarb-cullAug20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6420\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/rhubarb-cullAug20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Where do the days go? At times I cannot remember what I\'ve accomplished and then I look back on this blog and think it\'s okay, I\'m moving forward.\r\n\r\nAs always I\'ve been busy in the vegetable plot. As I think I mentioned in my last blog the runner beans are doing exceptionally well and the surplus is going to a good home. I decided this week that my rhubarb is growing into a Triffid and therefore it needed to be culled. It\'s amazing how quickly the wheel barrow became full with the leaves that I cut off. There\'s still plenty left on the plant and it will survive until next season.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/genocide-beesAug20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6421\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/genocide-beesAug20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>After three weeks of leaving the decimated beehive alone I was certain that there should be no living bees inside and therefore it was safe to take it apart. This is what bee genocide looks like. Thousands of dead bees decomposing. There\'s still a lot of cleaning up to be done. I\'m not sure whether the smell is due to the dead bees or the honey that was left in the brood box fermenting but there is a definite aroma.\r\n\r\nThe clean up will happen over the coming weekend.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/alongside-garage-beforeAug20-1.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6422\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/alongside-garage-beforeAug20-1-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>After four years of thinking about getting the area alongside the garage tidied up I\'ve finally got a landscaper to come in and get started. This is before the work commenced and it is an area under the trees which looks very scruffy. We used left over materials from the build and initially we parked our trailer here but I got rid of it 4 years ago.\r\n\r\nI haven\'t experienced workman since the end of the build and it\'s amazing how they work. Initially he was going to come in every day for ten days. He arrived after 9.30 am on the first day and told me he was only going to work 3 days a week. He doesn\'t usually start until after 10 am and has left site before 4 pm. This is a fixed price job so it doesn\'t worry me too much if it takes two or three weeks as long as it gets finished before the end of the month. One thing for sure is he won\'t get paid until it is finished.', 'Garden, Dead Bees and Improvements...', '', 'publish', 'open', 'closed', '', '6424', '', '', '2020-08-15 08:47:09', '2020-08-15 07:47:09', '', 0, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/?p=6424', 0, 'post', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES
(6426, 283, '2020-08-15 08:46:29', '2020-08-15 07:46:29', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/rhubarb-cullAug20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6420\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/rhubarb-cullAug20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Where do the days go? At times I cannot remember what I\'ve accomplished and then I look back on this blog and think it\'s okay, I\'m moving forward.\r\n\r\nAs always I\'ve been busy in the vegetable plot. As I think I mentioned in my last blog the runner beans are doing exceptionally well and the surplus is going to a good home. I decided this week that my rhubarb is growing into a Triffid and therefore it needed to be culled. It\'s amazing how quickly the wheel barrow became full with the leaves that I cut off. There\'s still plenty left on the plant and it will survive until next season.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/genocide-beesAug20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6421\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/genocide-beesAug20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>After three weeks of leaving the decimated beehive alone I was certain that there should be no living bees inside and therefore it was safe to take it apart. This is what bee genocide looks like. Thousands of dead bees decomposing. There\'s still a lot of cleaning up to be done. I\'m not sure whether the smell is due to the dead bees or the honey that was left in the brood box fermenting but there is a definite aroma.\r\n\r\nThe clean up will happen over the coming weekend.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/alongside-garage-beforeAug20-1.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6422\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/alongside-garage-beforeAug20-1-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>After four years of thinking about getting the area alongside the garage tidied up I\'ve finally got a landscaper to come in and get started. This is before the work commenced and it is an area under the trees which looks very scruffy. We used left over materials from the build and initially we parked our trailer here but I got rid of it 4 years ago.\r\n\r\nI haven\'t experienced workman since the end of the build and it\'s amazing how they work. Initially he was going to come in every day for ten days. He arrived after 9.30 am on the first day and told me he was only going to work 3 days a week. He doesn\'t usually start until after 10 am and has left site before 4 pm. This is a fixed price job so it doesn\'t worry me too much if it takes two or three weeks as long as it gets finished before the end of the month. One thing for sure is he won\'t get paid until it is finished.', '', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6424-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-08-15 08:46:29', '2020-08-15 07:46:29', '', 6424, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6426', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6427, 283, '2020-08-15 08:47:09', '2020-08-15 07:47:09', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/rhubarb-cullAug20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6420\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/rhubarb-cullAug20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Where do the days go? At times I cannot remember what I\'ve accomplished and then I look back on this blog and think it\'s okay, I\'m moving forward.\r\n\r\nAs always I\'ve been busy in the vegetable plot. As I think I mentioned in my last blog the runner beans are doing exceptionally well and the surplus is going to a good home. I decided this week that my rhubarb is growing into a Triffid and therefore it needed to be culled. It\'s amazing how quickly the wheel barrow became full with the leaves that I cut off. There\'s still plenty left on the plant and it will survive until next season.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/genocide-beesAug20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6421\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/genocide-beesAug20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>After three weeks of leaving the decimated beehive alone I was certain that there should be no living bees inside and therefore it was safe to take it apart. This is what bee genocide looks like. Thousands of dead bees decomposing. There\'s still a lot of cleaning up to be done. I\'m not sure whether the smell is due to the dead bees or the honey that was left in the brood box fermenting but there is a definite aroma.\r\n\r\nThe clean up will happen over the coming weekend.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/alongside-garage-beforeAug20-1.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6422\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/alongside-garage-beforeAug20-1-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>After four years of thinking about getting the area alongside the garage tidied up I\'ve finally got a landscaper to come in and get started. This is before the work commenced and it is an area under the trees which looks very scruffy. We used left over materials from the build and initially we parked our trailer here but I got rid of it 4 years ago.\r\n\r\nI haven\'t experienced workman since the end of the build and it\'s amazing how they work. Initially he was going to come in every day for ten days. He arrived after 9.30 am on the first day and told me he was only going to work 3 days a week. He doesn\'t usually start until after 10 am and has left site before 4 pm. This is a fixed price job so it doesn\'t worry me too much if it takes two or three weeks as long as it gets finished before the end of the month. One thing for sure is he won\'t get paid until it is finished.', 'Garden, Dead Bees and Improvements...', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6424-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-08-15 08:47:09', '2020-08-15 07:47:09', '', 6424, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6427', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6472, 283, '2020-09-24 21:04:24', '2020-09-24 20:04:24', '', 'Brodie Castle(Sep20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'brodie-castlesep20', '', '', '2020-09-25 15:27:48', '2020-09-25 14:27:48', '', 6478, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Brodie-CastleSep20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6473, 283, '2020-09-24 21:04:28', '2020-09-24 20:04:28', '', 'blairs loch tree(sep20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'blairs-loch-treesep20', '', '', '2020-09-24 21:04:28', '2020-09-24 20:04:28', '', 0, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/blairs-loch-treesep20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6474, 283, '2020-09-24 21:04:34', '2020-09-24 20:04:34', '', 'Blairs Loch 2(Sep20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'blairs-loch-2sep20', '', '', '2020-09-24 21:04:34', '2020-09-24 20:04:34', '', 0, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Blairs-Loch-2Sep20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6475, 283, '2020-09-24 21:04:41', '2020-09-24 20:04:41', '', 'Blairs Loch 1(Sep20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'blairs-loch-1sep20', '', '', '2020-09-24 21:04:41', '2020-09-24 20:04:41', '', 0, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Blairs-Loch-1Sep20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6431, 283, '2020-08-16 12:20:05', '2020-08-16 11:20:05', '', 'cropped-railway-linejul20.jpg', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'cropped-railway-linejul20-jpg', '', '', '2020-08-16 12:20:05', '2020-08-16 11:20:05', '', 0, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/cropped-railway-linejul20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6432, 283, '2020-08-16 12:20:38', '2020-08-16 11:20:38', '', 'cropped-beech-woodjul20.jpg', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'cropped-beech-woodjul20-jpg', '', '', '2020-08-16 12:20:38', '2020-08-16 11:20:38', '', 0, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/cropped-beech-woodjul20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6467, 283, '2020-09-24 21:04:01', '2020-09-24 20:04:01', '', 'Courtesy Car(Sep20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'courtesy-carsep20', '', '', '2020-09-25 15:41:58', '2020-09-25 14:41:58', '', 6478, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Courtesy-CarSep20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6468, 283, '2020-09-24 21:04:09', '2020-09-24 20:04:09', '', 'Gorse Removed(Sep20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'gorse-removedsep20', '', '', '2020-09-24 21:04:09', '2020-09-24 20:04:09', '', 0, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Gorse-RemovedSep20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6469, 283, '2020-09-24 21:04:14', '2020-09-24 20:04:14', '', 'Tony cutting gorse(Sep20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'tony-cutting-gorsesep20', '', '', '2020-09-24 21:04:14', '2020-09-24 20:04:14', '', 0, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Tony-cutting-gorseSep20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6470, 283, '2020-09-24 21:04:18', '2020-09-24 20:04:18', '', 'Steve Gorse Root(Sep20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'steve-gorse-rootsep20', '', '', '2020-09-25 15:31:52', '2020-09-25 14:31:52', '', 6478, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Steve-Gorse-RootSep20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6471, 283, '2020-09-24 21:04:21', '2020-09-24 20:04:21', '', 'gorse removal 1(Sep20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'gorse-removal-1sep20', '', '', '2020-09-24 21:04:21', '2020-09-24 20:04:21', '', 0, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/gorse-removal-1Sep20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6435, 283, '2020-08-25 10:32:38', '2020-08-25 09:32:38', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/banburyaug20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6438\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/banburyaug20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>I\'ve been out and about over the last few days. I went down to Banbury to meet my friends Gary and Caroline (socially distancing). I had to take my bee suit because I was taking down a conifer which was very close to his beehives. The tree came down very easily and was soon dispatched to the green bin and a few plastic sacks.\r\n\r\nAfter lunch we went to <a href=\"http://www.broughtoncastle.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Broughton Castle</a>. This was an opportunity for Gary to demonstrate his new electric Hyundai Kona. Apart from all the electronic gadgets which are mind boggling, the acceleration is truly scary. It was a pleasant walk through the estate alongside the house under blue skies.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/doddington-hallaug20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6439\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/doddington-hallaug20-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>Over the weekend I visited Doddington Hall Sculpture exhibition. This is held every two years and I\'ve visited it every time since moving to Lincolnshire.\r\n\r\nThe exhibits are very varied both in style and price. I really liked this exhibit and would\'ve happily bought it until I discovered the price was £53k. A little out of my bracket.\r\n\r\nHad a coffee and piece of carrot cake in the cycle cafe which was very good. The menus were paper and there was a piece on the side where I had to fill in my name and contact details just in case there was a threat of Covid-19. We live in strange times.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/side-pathaug20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6437\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/side-pathaug20-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>At home the landscape gardener has been <em>slowly</em> getting on with the work around the house. He was supposed to be finished by the time I went off to Banbury but he hadn\'t even finished the path alongside the garage.\r\n\r\nIt is finished now and looks very good. It will make a great difference to this side of the house and will give me an incentive to tidy up some of the detritus that has collected under the trees.\r\n\r\nNow he has finished this part of the work he has started on the paths around the vegetable plot.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/veg-plot-pathaug20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6436\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/veg-plot-pathaug20-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>He spent a day preparing and laying one path so it\'s going to take quite a while for him to finish the job. Thankfully I\'m paying for the whole job and not by the hour.\r\n\r\nIt\'s an interesting experience having work done. He tends to turn up late, any time from 10am onwards, and leaves around 4pm so is it any wonder that progress is slow.\r\n\r\nI\'m very pleased with the workmanship so far and when I think I\'ve been waiting to get this work done for about 4 years I won\'t complain about the time it is taking. I look forward to getting the vegetable plot all tidied up.\r\n\r\nI also had a visit from the local tree officer because I\'ve asked to trim some of the trees which have tree preservation orders. My biggest concern was the Ash which the tree surgeons wanted to remove some of the top whereas there is a growth at the base. Thankfully the tree officer agreed for me to remove the tree completely. I do have to resubmit the planning application to remove the tree rather than just reducing the crown. This is a job for the autumn.', 'Busy Few Days', '', 'publish', 'open', 'closed', '', 'busy-few-days', '', '', '2020-08-25 17:27:03', '2020-08-25 16:27:03', '', 0, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/?p=6435', 0, 'post', '', 2),
(6436, 283, '2020-08-25 10:06:24', '2020-08-25 09:06:24', '', 'veg plot path(aug20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'veg-plot-pathaug20', '', '', '2020-08-25 10:06:24', '2020-08-25 09:06:24', '', 6435, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/veg-plot-pathaug20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6437, 283, '2020-08-25 10:06:28', '2020-08-25 09:06:28', '', 'side path(aug20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'side-pathaug20', '', '', '2020-08-25 10:06:28', '2020-08-25 09:06:28', '', 6435, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/side-pathaug20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6438, 283, '2020-08-25 10:06:31', '2020-08-25 09:06:31', '', 'banbury(aug20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'banburyaug20', '', '', '2020-08-25 10:06:31', '2020-08-25 09:06:31', '', 6435, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/banburyaug20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6439, 283, '2020-08-25 10:06:34', '2020-08-25 09:06:34', '', 'doddington hall(aug20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'doddington-hallaug20', '', '', '2020-08-25 10:06:34', '2020-08-25 09:06:34', '', 6435, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/doddington-hallaug20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6440, 283, '2020-08-25 10:25:32', '2020-08-25 09:25:32', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/banburyaug20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6438\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/banburyaug20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>I\'ve been out and about over the last few days. I went down to Banbury to meet my friends Gary and Gary (socially distancing). I had to take my bee suit because I was taking down a conifer which was very close to his beehives. The tree came down very easily and was soon dispatched to the green bin and a few plastic sacks.\r\n\r\nAfter lunch we went to <a href=\"http://www.broughtoncastle.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Broughton Castle</a>. This was an opportunity for Gary to demonstrate his new electric Hyundai Kona. Apart from all the electronic gadgets which are mind boggling the acceleration is truly scary. It was a pleasant walk through the estate alongside the house under blue skies.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/doddington-hallaug20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6439\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/doddington-hallaug20-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>Over the weekend I visited Doddington Hall Sculpture exhibition. This is held every two years and I\'ve visited it every time since moving to Lincolnshire.\r\n\r\nThe exhibits are very varied both in style and price. I really liked this exhibit and would\'ve happily bought it until I discovered the price was £53k. A little out of my bracket.\r\n\r\nHad a coffee and piece of carrot cake in the cycle cafe which was really good. The menus were paper and there was a piece on the side where I had to fill in my name and contact details just in case there was a threat of Covid-19. We live in strange times.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/side-pathaug20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6437\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/side-pathaug20-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>At home the landscape gardener has been slowly getting on with the work around the house. He was supposed to be finished by the time I went off to Banbury but he hadn\'t even finished the path alongside the garage.\r\n\r\nIt is finished now and looks very good. It will make a great difference to this side of the house.\r\n\r\nNow he has finished this part of the work he has started on the paths around the vegetable plot.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/veg-plot-pathaug20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6436\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/veg-plot-pathaug20-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>He spent a day preparing and laying one path so it\'s going to take quite a while for him to finish the job. Thankfully I\'m paying for the whole job and not by the hour.\r\n\r\nIt\'s an interesting experience having work done. He tends to turn up late, any time from 10am onwards, and leaves around 4pm so is it any wonder that progress is slow.\r\n\r\nI\'m very pleased with the workmanship so far and when I think I\'ve been waiting to get this work done for about 4 years I won\'t complain about the time it is taking. I look forward to getting the vegetable plot all tidied up.', 'Busy Few Days', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6435-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-08-25 10:25:32', '2020-08-25 09:25:32', '', 6435, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6440', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6441, 283, '2020-08-25 10:32:38', '2020-08-25 09:32:38', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/banburyaug20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6438\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/banburyaug20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>I\'ve been out and about over the last few days. I went down to Banbury to meet my friends Gary and Gary (socially distancing). I had to take my bee suit because I was taking down a conifer which was very close to his beehives. The tree came down very easily and was soon dispatched to the green bin and a few plastic sacks.\r\n\r\nAfter lunch we went to <a href=\"http://www.broughtoncastle.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Broughton Castle</a>. This was an opportunity for Gary to demonstrate his new electric Hyundai Kona. Apart from all the electronic gadgets which are mind boggling the acceleration is truly scary. It was a pleasant walk through the estate alongside the house under blue skies.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/doddington-hallaug20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6439\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/doddington-hallaug20-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>Over the weekend I visited Doddington Hall Sculpture exhibition. This is held every two years and I\'ve visited it every time since moving to Lincolnshire.\r\n\r\nThe exhibits are very varied both in style and price. I really liked this exhibit and would\'ve happily bought it until I discovered the price was £53k. A little out of my bracket.\r\n\r\nHad a coffee and piece of carrot cake in the cycle cafe which was very good. The menus were paper and there was a piece on the side where I had to fill in my name and contact details just in case there was a threat of Covid-19. We live in strange times.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/side-pathaug20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6437\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/side-pathaug20-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>At home the landscape gardener has been <em>slowly</em> getting on with the work around the house. He was supposed to be finished by the time I went off to Banbury but he hadn\'t even finished the path alongside the garage.\r\n\r\nIt is finished now and looks very good. It will make a great difference to this side of the house and will give me an incentive to tidy up some of the detritus that has collected under the trees.\r\n\r\nNow he has finished this part of the work he has started on the paths around the vegetable plot.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/veg-plot-pathaug20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6436\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/veg-plot-pathaug20-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>He spent a day preparing and laying one path so it\'s going to take quite a while for him to finish the job. Thankfully I\'m paying for the whole job and not by the hour.\r\n\r\nIt\'s an interesting experience having work done. He tends to turn up late, any time from 10am onwards, and leaves around 4pm so is it any wonder that progress is slow.\r\n\r\nI\'m very pleased with the workmanship so far and when I think I\'ve been waiting to get this work done for about 4 years I won\'t complain about the time it is taking. I look forward to getting the vegetable plot all tidied up.\r\n\r\nI also had a visit from the local tree officer because I\'ve asked to trim some of the trees which have tree preservation orders. My biggest concern was the Ash which the tree surgeons wanted to remove some of the top whereas there is a growth at the base. Thankfully the tree officer agreed for me to remove the tree completely. I do have to resubmit the planning application to remove the tree rather than just reducing the crown. This is a job for the autumn.', 'Busy Few Days', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6435-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-08-25 10:32:38', '2020-08-25 09:32:38', '', 6435, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6441', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6442, 283, '2020-08-25 17:27:03', '2020-08-25 16:27:03', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/banburyaug20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6438\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/banburyaug20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>I\'ve been out and about over the last few days. I went down to Banbury to meet my friends Gary and Caroline (socially distancing). I had to take my bee suit because I was taking down a conifer which was very close to his beehives. The tree came down very easily and was soon dispatched to the green bin and a few plastic sacks.\r\n\r\nAfter lunch we went to <a href=\"http://www.broughtoncastle.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Broughton Castle</a>. This was an opportunity for Gary to demonstrate his new electric Hyundai Kona. Apart from all the electronic gadgets which are mind boggling, the acceleration is truly scary. It was a pleasant walk through the estate alongside the house under blue skies.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/doddington-hallaug20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6439\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/doddington-hallaug20-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>Over the weekend I visited Doddington Hall Sculpture exhibition. This is held every two years and I\'ve visited it every time since moving to Lincolnshire.\r\n\r\nThe exhibits are very varied both in style and price. I really liked this exhibit and would\'ve happily bought it until I discovered the price was £53k. A little out of my bracket.\r\n\r\nHad a coffee and piece of carrot cake in the cycle cafe which was very good. The menus were paper and there was a piece on the side where I had to fill in my name and contact details just in case there was a threat of Covid-19. We live in strange times.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/side-pathaug20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6437\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/side-pathaug20-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>At home the landscape gardener has been <em>slowly</em> getting on with the work around the house. He was supposed to be finished by the time I went off to Banbury but he hadn\'t even finished the path alongside the garage.\r\n\r\nIt is finished now and looks very good. It will make a great difference to this side of the house and will give me an incentive to tidy up some of the detritus that has collected under the trees.\r\n\r\nNow he has finished this part of the work he has started on the paths around the vegetable plot.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/veg-plot-pathaug20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6436\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/veg-plot-pathaug20-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>He spent a day preparing and laying one path so it\'s going to take quite a while for him to finish the job. Thankfully I\'m paying for the whole job and not by the hour.\r\n\r\nIt\'s an interesting experience having work done. He tends to turn up late, any time from 10am onwards, and leaves around 4pm so is it any wonder that progress is slow.\r\n\r\nI\'m very pleased with the workmanship so far and when I think I\'ve been waiting to get this work done for about 4 years I won\'t complain about the time it is taking. I look forward to getting the vegetable plot all tidied up.\r\n\r\nI also had a visit from the local tree officer because I\'ve asked to trim some of the trees which have tree preservation orders. My biggest concern was the Ash which the tree surgeons wanted to remove some of the top whereas there is a growth at the base. Thankfully the tree officer agreed for me to remove the tree completely. I do have to resubmit the planning application to remove the tree rather than just reducing the crown. This is a job for the autumn.', 'Busy Few Days', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6435-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-08-25 17:27:03', '2020-08-25 16:27:03', '', 6435, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6442', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6453, 283, '2020-09-06 17:52:19', '2020-09-06 16:52:19', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/veg-plot-pathsSept20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6456\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/veg-plot-pathsSept20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>I\'ve been thinking about tidying up the paths around the vegetable plot for several years. They spawned weeds and it took me as long to weed the paths as it did all the plots. I\'m really pleased that the work has now been finished and this whole area is transformed.\r\n\r\nThis is the end of the season but my carrots, beetroot and parsnips are still in the ground; the runner beans and french beans are producing crops; the last of the potatoes are yet to be lifted and the Cavolo Nero (Kale) will stay in the ground until Christmas.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/veg-sept20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-6454 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/veg-sept20-200x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"150\" /></a>I\'m embarrassingly proud of my vegetables although I can always do better and there are some people I know who do a lot better... onions the size of footballs (slight exaggeration) and carrots a foot long.\r\n\r\nI\'m pleased to say that I produce enough to feed myself through the summer and often give some away when there\'s a surplus.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/actea-flowersept20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6455\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/actea-flowersept20-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>I\'ve also made progress on paper with the garden design. Thrift Landscapes did a garden design for my 70th birthday present and I\'ve struggled to get to grips with how to implement it. With a little help from a friend I\'ve split the design into phases and found a local nursery that will supply the plants on the list. They won\'t be delivered until March which is when the real work begins.\r\n\r\nIn the meantime parts of the garden continue to flower. I planted four of these Actaea racemosa a year ago and I thought that they were just going to be attractive leaves however they are now producing interesting flowers and are attracting the bees.\r\n\r\nThey enjoy partial shade so I may move a couple of them along the tree lined walk in the spring. At the moment that area is overrun with Borage so I\'m removing that as best I can. Borage has a long tap root and I cannot always get all of the roots out. It\'s trying to take over the whole area under the trees.', 'Neat Vegetable Plot', '', 'publish', 'open', 'closed', '', 'neat-vegetable-plot', '', '', '2020-09-06 17:52:19', '2020-09-06 16:52:19', '', 0, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/?p=6453', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(6444, 283, '2020-09-01 09:27:19', '2020-09-01 08:27:19', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/first-fireaug20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright  wp-image-6448\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/first-fireaug20-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"190\" height=\"266\" /></a>The first day of September and it seems Autumn has come early. As August crept by with some very warm days it suddenly changed and in the last few days it has been decidedly chilly. When it was raining all day and temperatures were in the mid teens I decided to light a fire in the evening.\r\n\r\nI\'ve plenty of logs and with the prospect of another Ash tree having to be removed it seems I will have even more wood by the time winter shows its face. The problem is where to store all the wood.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/lawn-mowedaug20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6446\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/lawn-mowedaug20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>While the landscaper has been working on the paths around the vegetable plots I gave Piglet a holiday. The grass kept growing and as a result I had to mow the lawn around the house at the weekend. I haven\'t done this for possibly two years or more and I\'d forgotten where to start. For those of you who are lawn operatives you know there\'s a place to start that gets the grass cut efficiently without going back over grass already cut. It gave me a great deal of satisfaction and after all the rain of the last week it has greened up rather well.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/bee-equipmentaug20.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6445 alignright\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/bee-equipmentaug20-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>While it was raining I had time to get into the studio and clean up all the bee equipment. When all of this was outside it didn\'t seem like a lot of kit but when I put it all together, stacked neatly, I realised how much stuff I had acquired over the past 12 months.\r\n\r\nThe process took some time to make sure it was clean and ready for use. During this time I contemplated how much pleasure I got from keeping bees. I\'m now 95% certain I will get another colony next spring. I\'ll make sure they\'re not aggressive and also put some netting around them to persuade them to fly up and away when foraging. If absolutely necessary I\'ll find a site away from home where I can place the hives. There are plenty of farmers around who like to have bees on their land so it shouldn\'t be too much of a problem as long as I have easy access. It won\'t be the same as being able to watch the bees from my sofa.\r\n\r\nI\'ve continued with my fitness regime and I have a weekly training session with Tracey via Zoom. I also exercise using Joe Wicks sessions on YouTube three times a week. It makes a significant difference to my ability in the garden to keep on weeding when previously I would have tired quickly or come in with an aching back. The images below were taken by Tracey during a Zoom session so the quality isn\'t good. I\'m using 4Kg dumbbells which always seem heavy when I first pick them up but are okay after a warm up.\r\n\r\n[gallery type=\"rectangular\" size=\"medium\" columns=\"2\" ids=\"6450,6449\"]\r\n\r\nYou might notice a knee brace on my left leg and hopefully that\'s a temporary feature. I pulled something around me knee when I was crouching down in the studio cleaning, not when I was exercising.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/privet-hawk-mothaug20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6447\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/privet-hawk-mothaug20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Out in the garden there are still wonders to behold like this Privet Hawk Moth caterpillar that I found in the grass. It is alive and I put it back amongst some foliage.', 'Wow, September', '', 'publish', 'open', 'closed', '', 'wow-september', '', '', '2020-09-01 09:27:19', '2020-09-01 08:27:19', '', 0, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/?p=6444', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(6445, 283, '2020-09-01 08:57:23', '2020-09-01 07:57:23', '', 'bee equipment(aug20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'bee-equipmentaug20', '', '', '2020-09-01 08:57:23', '2020-09-01 07:57:23', '', 6444, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/bee-equipmentaug20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6446, 283, '2020-09-01 08:57:28', '2020-09-01 07:57:28', '', 'lawn mowed(aug20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'lawn-mowedaug20', '', '', '2020-09-01 08:57:28', '2020-09-01 07:57:28', '', 6444, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/lawn-mowedaug20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6447, 283, '2020-09-01 08:57:36', '2020-09-01 07:57:36', '', 'privet hawk moth(aug20', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'privet-hawk-mothaug20', '', '', '2020-09-01 08:57:36', '2020-09-01 07:57:36', '', 6444, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/privet-hawk-mothaug20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6448, 283, '2020-09-01 08:57:39', '2020-09-01 07:57:39', '', 'first fire(aug20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'first-fireaug20', '', '', '2020-09-01 08:57:39', '2020-09-01 07:57:39', '', 6444, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/first-fireaug20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6449, 283, '2020-09-01 08:57:42', '2020-09-01 07:57:42', '', 'dumbells workout2', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'dumbells-workout2', '', '', '2020-09-01 08:57:42', '2020-09-01 07:57:42', '', 6444, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/dumbells-workout2.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6450, 283, '2020-09-01 08:57:47', '2020-09-01 07:57:47', '', 'dumbells workout', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'dumbells-workout', '', '', '2020-09-01 08:57:47', '2020-09-01 07:57:47', '', 6444, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/dumbells-workout.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6451, 283, '2020-09-01 09:20:09', '2020-09-01 08:20:09', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/first-fireaug20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright  wp-image-6448\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/first-fireaug20-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"190\" height=\"266\" /></a>The first day of September and it seems Autumn has come early. As August crept by with some very warm days it suddenly changed and in the last few days it has been decidedly chilly. When it was raining all day and temperatures were in the mid teens I decided to light a fire in the evening.\r\n\r\nI\'ve plenty of logs and with the prospect of another Ash tree having to be removed it seems I will have even more wood by the time winter shows its face. The problem is where to store all the wood.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/lawn-mowedaug20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6446\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/lawn-mowedaug20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>While the landscaper has been working on the paths around the vegetable plots I gave Piglet a holiday. The grass kept growing and as a result I had to mow the lawn around the house at the weekend. I haven\'t done this for possibly two years and I\'d forgotten where to start. For those of you who are lawn operatives you know there\'s a place to start that gets the grass cut efficiently without going back over grass already cut.\r\n\r\nIt gave me a great deal of satisfaction and after all the rain of the last week it has greened up rather well.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/bee-equipmentaug20.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6445 alignright\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/bee-equipmentaug20-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>While it was raining I had time to get into the studio and clean up all the bee equipment. When all of this was outside it didn\'t seem like a lot of kit but when I put it all together, stacked neatly, I realised how much stuff I had acquired over the past 12 months.\r\n\r\nThe process took some time to make sure it was clean and ready for use. During the time it took I contemplated how much pleasure I got from keeping bees. I\'m now 95% certain I will get another colony next spring. I\'ll make sure they\'re not aggressive and also put some netting around them to persuade them to fly up and away when foraging. If necessary I\'ll find a site away from home where I can keep bees. There are plenty of farmers around who like to have bees on their land so it shouldn\'t be too much of a problem as long as I have easy access. It won\'t be the same as being able to watch the bees from my sofa.\r\n\r\nI\'ve continued with my fitness regime and I have a weekly training session with Tracey via Zoom. I also exercise using Joe Wicks sessions on YouTube three times a week. It makes a significant difference to my ability in the garden to keep on weeding when previously I would have tired quickly or come in with an aching back. The images below were taken by Tracey during a Zoom session so the quality is a bit suspect.\r\n\r\n[gallery type=\"rectangular\" size=\"medium\" columns=\"2\" ids=\"6450,6449\"]\r\n\r\nYou might notice a knee brace on my left leg and hopefully that\'s a temporary feature. I pulled something around me knee when I was crouching down in the studio cleaning, not when I was exercising.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/privet-hawk-mothaug20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6447\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/privet-hawk-mothaug20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Out in the garden there are still wonders to behold like this Privet Hawk Moth caterpillar that I found in the grass.', 'Wow, September', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6444-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-09-01 09:20:09', '2020-09-01 08:20:09', '', 6444, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6451', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6452, 283, '2020-09-01 09:27:19', '2020-09-01 08:27:19', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/first-fireaug20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright  wp-image-6448\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/first-fireaug20-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"190\" height=\"266\" /></a>The first day of September and it seems Autumn has come early. As August crept by with some very warm days it suddenly changed and in the last few days it has been decidedly chilly. When it was raining all day and temperatures were in the mid teens I decided to light a fire in the evening.\r\n\r\nI\'ve plenty of logs and with the prospect of another Ash tree having to be removed it seems I will have even more wood by the time winter shows its face. The problem is where to store all the wood.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/lawn-mowedaug20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6446\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/lawn-mowedaug20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>While the landscaper has been working on the paths around the vegetable plots I gave Piglet a holiday. The grass kept growing and as a result I had to mow the lawn around the house at the weekend. I haven\'t done this for possibly two years or more and I\'d forgotten where to start. For those of you who are lawn operatives you know there\'s a place to start that gets the grass cut efficiently without going back over grass already cut. It gave me a great deal of satisfaction and after all the rain of the last week it has greened up rather well.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/bee-equipmentaug20.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6445 alignright\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/bee-equipmentaug20-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>While it was raining I had time to get into the studio and clean up all the bee equipment. When all of this was outside it didn\'t seem like a lot of kit but when I put it all together, stacked neatly, I realised how much stuff I had acquired over the past 12 months.\r\n\r\nThe process took some time to make sure it was clean and ready for use. During this time I contemplated how much pleasure I got from keeping bees. I\'m now 95% certain I will get another colony next spring. I\'ll make sure they\'re not aggressive and also put some netting around them to persuade them to fly up and away when foraging. If absolutely necessary I\'ll find a site away from home where I can place the hives. There are plenty of farmers around who like to have bees on their land so it shouldn\'t be too much of a problem as long as I have easy access. It won\'t be the same as being able to watch the bees from my sofa.\r\n\r\nI\'ve continued with my fitness regime and I have a weekly training session with Tracey via Zoom. I also exercise using Joe Wicks sessions on YouTube three times a week. It makes a significant difference to my ability in the garden to keep on weeding when previously I would have tired quickly or come in with an aching back. The images below were taken by Tracey during a Zoom session so the quality isn\'t good. I\'m using 4Kg dumbbells which always seem heavy when I first pick them up but are okay after a warm up.\r\n\r\n[gallery type=\"rectangular\" size=\"medium\" columns=\"2\" ids=\"6450,6449\"]\r\n\r\nYou might notice a knee brace on my left leg and hopefully that\'s a temporary feature. I pulled something around me knee when I was crouching down in the studio cleaning, not when I was exercising.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/privet-hawk-mothaug20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6447\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/privet-hawk-mothaug20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Out in the garden there are still wonders to behold like this Privet Hawk Moth caterpillar that I found in the grass. It is alive and I put it back amongst some foliage.', 'Wow, September', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6444-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-09-01 09:27:19', '2020-09-01 08:27:19', '', 6444, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6452', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6454, 283, '2020-09-06 17:33:19', '2020-09-06 16:33:19', '', 'veg (sept20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'veg-sept20', '', '', '2020-09-06 17:33:19', '2020-09-06 16:33:19', '', 6453, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/veg-sept20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6455, 283, '2020-09-06 17:33:23', '2020-09-06 16:33:23', '', 'actea flower(sept20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'actea-flowersept20', '', '', '2020-09-06 17:33:23', '2020-09-06 16:33:23', '', 6453, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/actea-flowersept20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6456, 283, '2020-09-06 17:33:26', '2020-09-06 16:33:26', '', 'veg plot paths(Sept20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'veg-plot-pathssept20', '', '', '2020-09-06 17:33:26', '2020-09-06 16:33:26', '', 6453, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/veg-plot-pathsSept20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6457, 283, '2020-09-06 17:52:19', '2020-09-06 16:52:19', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/veg-plot-pathsSept20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6456\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/veg-plot-pathsSept20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>I\'ve been thinking about tidying up the paths around the vegetable plot for several years. They spawned weeds and it took me as long to weed the paths as it did all the plots. I\'m really pleased that the work has now been finished and this whole area is transformed.\r\n\r\nThis is the end of the season but my carrots, beetroot and parsnips are still in the ground; the runner beans and french beans are producing crops; the last of the potatoes are yet to be lifted and the Cavolo Nero (Kale) will stay in the ground until Christmas.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/veg-sept20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-6454 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/veg-sept20-200x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"150\" /></a>I\'m embarrassingly proud of my vegetables although I can always do better and there are some people I know who do a lot better... onions the size of footballs (slight exaggeration) and carrots a foot long.\r\n\r\nI\'m pleased to say that I produce enough to feed myself through the summer and often give some away when there\'s a surplus.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/actea-flowersept20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6455\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/actea-flowersept20-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>I\'ve also made progress on paper with the garden design. Thrift Landscapes did a garden design for my 70th birthday present and I\'ve struggled to get to grips with how to implement it. With a little help from a friend I\'ve split the design into phases and found a local nursery that will supply the plants on the list. They won\'t be delivered until March which is when the real work begins.\r\n\r\nIn the meantime parts of the garden continue to flower. I planted four of these Actaea racemosa a year ago and I thought that they were just going to be attractive leaves however they are now producing interesting flowers and are attracting the bees.\r\n\r\nThey enjoy partial shade so I may move a couple of them along the tree lined walk in the spring. At the moment that area is overrun with Borage so I\'m removing that as best I can. Borage has a long tap root and I cannot always get all of the roots out. It\'s trying to take over the whole area under the trees.', 'Neat Vegetable Plot', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6453-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-09-06 17:52:19', '2020-09-06 16:52:19', '', 6453, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6457', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES
(6486, 283, '2020-10-03 12:08:47', '2020-10-03 11:08:47', 'What does one do on wet autumn weekends? There are lots of things to be done like repairing the puncture on my bike. I did attempt to fit a new inner tube but that seems to have failed so I could have another go at that; I could clean the windows inside; I could tidy up the garage now that there is one less car in there; I could replace the air filter in the house heat recovery system; or I could light the log burner and settle down with a book. The world is my oyster but what a narrow world it is under Covid-19.\r\nThe garden is still managing a few splashes of colour:\r\n\r\n[gallery type=\"rectangular\" size=\"medium\" ids=\"6488,6491,6490,6487,6489\"]', 'Wet Weekends', '', 'publish', 'open', 'closed', '', 'wet-weekends', '', '', '2020-10-03 12:08:47', '2020-10-03 11:08:47', '', 0, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/?p=6486', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(6459, 283, '2020-09-14 12:38:48', '2020-09-14 11:38:48', '', 'onions in tights(sept20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'onions-in-tightssept20', '', '', '2020-09-14 13:21:35', '2020-09-14 12:21:35', '', 6463, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/onions-in-tightssept20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6460, 283, '2020-09-14 12:38:53', '2020-09-14 11:38:53', '', 'grass seed(sept20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'grass-seedsept20', '', '', '2020-09-14 13:27:16', '2020-09-14 12:27:16', '', 6463, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/grass-seedsept20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6461, 283, '2020-09-14 12:38:57', '2020-09-14 11:38:57', '', 'robin(sept20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'robinsept20', '', '', '2020-09-14 13:19:19', '2020-09-14 12:19:19', '', 6463, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/robinsept20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6462, 283, '2020-09-14 12:39:03', '2020-09-14 11:39:03', '', 'new hoe(sept20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'new-hoesept20', '', '', '2020-09-14 13:14:36', '2020-09-14 12:14:36', '', 6463, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/new-hoesept20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6463, 283, '2020-09-14 13:32:50', '2020-09-14 12:32:50', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/new-hoesept20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-6462\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/new-hoesept20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>As I spend a great deal of time weeding in the garden I decided to upgrade my hoe. Over the years I\'ve owned a number of Wolf garden tools. They are well made and last forever (40 years in my case). This one can take a number of different stainless steel ends and has a 35 year guarantee which means it will out last me.\r\n\r\nI have given it several trials and found it very good because it cuts through the weeds on the way forward and on the way back. I decided not to show a picture of a pile of weeds.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/robinsept20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-6461\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/robinsept20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>Every now and then when in the garden I\'m joined by this cheeky little robin. I feel certain it\'s the one that came down when I was weeding the paths in the vegetable plot.\r\n\r\nAs I unearthed grubs and worms he would hop down from his dominant position and pick up whatever was available. It makes being in the garden all the more worthwhile.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/onions-in-tightssept20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-6459\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/onions-in-tightssept20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>The onions have dried off and so as usual I put them into a pair of tights.\r\n\r\nI don\'t know where the idea came from originally but I\'ve been doing it for the last 4 years and it has been very successful. Air circulates around them and I hang them in the workshop so it\'s cool and dark most of the time.\r\n\r\nI didn\'t think my onions had not done too well this year but I think I shall have enough to last me through until next year although a few will dry out or rot.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/grass-seedsept20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-6460\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/grass-seedsept20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>With the grass growing really well at this time I decided I should try to seed the areas that were looking bare. Rather than sprinkle seed over these areas I decided to try to sow the seed into plugs and then transplant the plugs into the areas where needed. This was apparently suggested by Monty Don however it was suggested by Lucie next door.\r\n\r\nIt is taking longer than anticipated for the seed to germinate. I might try  mixing some with potting compost and spread that onto the bare patches. At least the birds will have something to eat. Watch this space for an update in October.', 'Garden Focus', '', 'publish', 'open', 'closed', '', 'garden-focus', '', '', '2020-09-14 13:32:50', '2020-09-14 12:32:50', '', 0, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/?p=6463', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(6464, 283, '2020-09-14 13:31:10', '2020-09-14 12:31:10', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/new-hoesept20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-6462\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/new-hoesept20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>As I spend a great deal of time weeding in the garden I decided to upgrade my hoe. Over the years I\'ve owned a number of Wolf garden tools and they are well made and last forever (40 years). This one can take a number of different stainless steel ends and has a 35 year guarantee which means it will out last me.\r\n\r\nI have given it several trials and found it very good because it cuts through the weeds on the way forward and on the way back. I decided not to show a picture of a pile of weeds.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/robinsept20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-6461\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/robinsept20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>Every now and then when in the garden I\'m joined by this cheeky little robin. I feel certain it\'s the one that came down when I was weeding the paths in the vegetable plot.\r\n\r\nAs I unearthed grubs and worms he would hop down from his dominant position and pick up whatever was available. It makes being in the garden all the more worthwhile.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/onions-in-tightssept20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-6459\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/onions-in-tightssept20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>The onions have dried off and so as usual I put them into a pair of tights.\r\n\r\nI don\'t know where the idea came from originally but I\'ve been doing it for the last 4 years and it has been very successful. Air circulates around them and I hang them in the workshop so it\'s cool and dark most of the time.\r\n\r\nI didn\'t think my onions had not done too well this year but I think I shall have enough to last me through until next year although a few will dry out or rot.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/grass-seedsept20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-6460\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/grass-seedsept20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>With the grass growing really well at this time I decided I should try to seed the areas that were looking bare. Rather than sprinkle seed over these areas I decided to try to sow the seed into plugs and then transplant the plugs into the areas where needed. This was apparently suggested by Monty Don however it was suggested by Lucie next door.\r\n\r\nIt is taking longer than anticipated for the seed to germinate. I might try  mixing some with potting compost and spread that onto the bare patches. At least the birds will have something to eat. Watch this space for an update in October.', 'Garden Focus', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6463-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-09-14 13:31:10', '2020-09-14 12:31:10', '', 6463, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6464', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6465, 283, '2020-09-14 13:32:50', '2020-09-14 12:32:50', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/new-hoesept20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-6462\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/new-hoesept20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>As I spend a great deal of time weeding in the garden I decided to upgrade my hoe. Over the years I\'ve owned a number of Wolf garden tools. They are well made and last forever (40 years in my case). This one can take a number of different stainless steel ends and has a 35 year guarantee which means it will out last me.\r\n\r\nI have given it several trials and found it very good because it cuts through the weeds on the way forward and on the way back. I decided not to show a picture of a pile of weeds.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/robinsept20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-6461\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/robinsept20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>Every now and then when in the garden I\'m joined by this cheeky little robin. I feel certain it\'s the one that came down when I was weeding the paths in the vegetable plot.\r\n\r\nAs I unearthed grubs and worms he would hop down from his dominant position and pick up whatever was available. It makes being in the garden all the more worthwhile.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/onions-in-tightssept20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-6459\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/onions-in-tightssept20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>The onions have dried off and so as usual I put them into a pair of tights.\r\n\r\nI don\'t know where the idea came from originally but I\'ve been doing it for the last 4 years and it has been very successful. Air circulates around them and I hang them in the workshop so it\'s cool and dark most of the time.\r\n\r\nI didn\'t think my onions had not done too well this year but I think I shall have enough to last me through until next year although a few will dry out or rot.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/grass-seedsept20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-6460\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/grass-seedsept20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>With the grass growing really well at this time I decided I should try to seed the areas that were looking bare. Rather than sprinkle seed over these areas I decided to try to sow the seed into plugs and then transplant the plugs into the areas where needed. This was apparently suggested by Monty Don however it was suggested by Lucie next door.\r\n\r\nIt is taking longer than anticipated for the seed to germinate. I might try  mixing some with potting compost and spread that onto the bare patches. At least the birds will have something to eat. Watch this space for an update in October.', 'Garden Focus', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6463-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-09-14 13:32:50', '2020-09-14 12:32:50', '', 6463, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6465', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6476, 283, '2020-09-24 21:04:50', '2020-09-24 20:04:50', '', 'T&J Garden(Sep20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'tj-gardensep20', '', '', '2020-09-25 15:12:08', '2020-09-25 14:12:08', '', 6478, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/TJ-GardenSep20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6477, 283, '2020-09-24 21:04:58', '2020-09-24 20:04:58', '', 'Tony & Jude (Sep20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'tony-jude-sep20', '', '', '2020-09-25 15:14:11', '2020-09-25 14:14:11', '', 6478, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Tony-Jude-Sep20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6478, 283, '2020-09-25 15:53:14', '2020-09-25 14:53:14', 'Amazing how time flies. It\'s nearly two weeks since my last blog. Part of the reason is because I\'ve been away to stay with T&amp;J in the Highlands. What a beautiful place it is and well worth the nine hours of sitting in the car. To make sure I was Covid safe I took lunch and a flask with me so I only had to stop once at Carlisle to refuel and again just north of Perth for lunch. I rolled onto their drive just after 3pm.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/TJ-GardenSep20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6476\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/TJ-GardenSep20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>The weather was wonderful and it was great to sit outside that evening in their beautiful garden.\r\n\r\nVery peaceful and relaxing. I find their home a safe haven and they look after me so well.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Tony-Jude-Sep20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-6477\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Tony-Jude-Sep20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>A visit to the Moray coast is a must and on the first full day we went for a walk along the beach stopping at the Captain\'s Table for morning coffee.\r\n\r\nTony and I went for a walk to <a href=\"https://blairsloch.com/welcome-to-blairs-loch/history/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Blair\'s Loch</a> which is a man made fishing lake on the Blair\'s Estate. It\'s only  a couple of miles from their house but I had never been before and was surprised to see an Italianate building which had at one time housed horses and farm machinery. After years of dereliction it has since been restored and is now part of <a href=\"https://www.altyre-estate.co.uk/gsa-creative-campus\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Glasgow School of Art</a>.\r\n\r\n[gallery type=\"rectangular\" size=\"medium\" columns=\"2\" ids=\"6475,6474,6473\"]\r\n\r\nOn the walk around the Loch I was taken aback by this tree with its branches coming up at odd angles like a person waving their arms around. Quite spooky.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Brodie-CastleSep20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6472\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Brodie-CastleSep20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>We did another walk around the grounds of <a href=\"https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/brodie-castle\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Brodie Castle</a>. This is a favourite of mine because I really like the turrets and height of the building. It seems well proportioned.\r\n\r\nThe grounds are also delightful with some wildflower areas which look delightful however I can imagine they are difficult to sustain because there\'s always one brutish wildflower that takes over the bed.\r\n\r\nOn the last couple of days I was pleased to help Tony clear the gorse and broom that was starting to encroach onto his garden from the fields around. I took a before and after shot but it doesn\'t really show the extent of the clearance achieved.\r\n\r\n[gallery type=\"rectangular\" size=\"medium\" columns=\"2\" ids=\"6471,6469,6468\"]\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Steve-Gorse-RootSep20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6470\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Steve-Gorse-RootSep20-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>As we got towards the end of the clearance we started to get a little ambitious and rather than simply cutting the gorse down we started digging up the roots, especially the ones that had self seeded on T&amp;J\'s side of the fence.\r\n\r\nAs you can see I was rather pleased with this stump.\r\n\r\nMy visit flew by and before I knew it I was setting off, back through the Highlands on a beautiful autumnal morning towards home. The journey back was fairly uneventful and the rain stayed off until I stopped again at Carlisle Tesco, just off junction 43 of the M6.\r\n\r\nThe last three hours was a bit of a struggle as there was heavy rain and I was feeling quite tired.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Courtesy-CarSep20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-6467\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Courtesy-CarSep20-200x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"150\" /></a>The following morning I was up early to take the MX5 in for its final service. I\'ve decided to sell it as it has reached the 3 year mark. More on that next time.\r\n\r\nThe courtesy car was this little Mitsubishi Mirage. I\'m used to a bit more power in my cars and far better road holding. The CX30 might be a SUV but its all wheel drive gives it excellent road holding and it is 175bhp. I was throwing the Mirage into corners and finding it didn\'t like it. I eventually learned my lesson and slowed down. I won\'t be buying one anytime soon.', 'Scotland Plus', '', 'publish', 'open', 'closed', '', 'scotland-plus', '', '', '2020-09-25 15:53:14', '2020-09-25 14:53:14', '', 0, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/?p=6478', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(6479, 283, '2020-09-25 15:18:24', '2020-09-25 14:18:24', 'Amazing how time flies and it\'s nearly two weeks since my last blog. Part of the reason is because I\'ve been away to stay with T&amp;J in the Highlands. What a beautiful place it is and well worth the nine hours of sitting in the car. To make sure I was Covid safe I took lunch and a flask with me so I only had to stop once in Carlisle to refuel and again just north of Perth for lunch. I rolled onto their drive just after 3pm.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/TJ-GardenSep20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6476\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/TJ-GardenSep20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>The weather was wonderful and it was great to sit outside that evening in their beautiful garden.\r\n\r\nVery peaceful and relaxing. I find their home a safe haven and they look after me so well.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Tony-Jude-Sep20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-6477\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Tony-Jude-Sep20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>A visit to the Moray coast is a must and on the first full day we went for a walk along the beach stopping at the Captain\'s Table for morning coffee.\r\n\r\nTony and I went for a walk to Blair\'s Loch which is a man made fishing lake on the Blair\'s Estate. It\'s only  a couple of miles from their house but I had never been before and was surprised to see an Italianate building which had at one time housed horses and farm machinery. After years of dereliction it has since been restored and is now part of Glasgow School of Art.\r\n\r\n[gallery type=\"rectangular\" size=\"medium\" columns=\"2\" ids=\"6475,6474,6473\"]', 'Scotland Plus', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6478-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-09-25 15:18:24', '2020-09-25 14:18:24', '', 6478, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6479', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6480, 283, '2020-09-25 15:32:30', '2020-09-25 14:32:30', 'Amazing how time flies and it\'s nearly two weeks since my last blog. Part of the reason is because I\'ve been away to stay with T&amp;J in the Highlands. What a beautiful place it is and well worth the nine hours of sitting in the car. To make sure I was Covid safe I took lunch and a flask with me so I only had to stop once in Carlisle to refuel and again just north of Perth for lunch. I rolled onto their drive just after 3pm.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/TJ-GardenSep20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6476\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/TJ-GardenSep20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>The weather was wonderful and it was great to sit outside that evening in their beautiful garden.\r\n\r\nVery peaceful and relaxing. I find their home a safe haven and they look after me so well.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Tony-Jude-Sep20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-6477\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Tony-Jude-Sep20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>A visit to the Moray coast is a must and on the first full day we went for a walk along the beach stopping at the Captain\'s Table for morning coffee.\r\n\r\nTony and I went for a walk to Blair\'s Loch which is a man made fishing lake on the Blair\'s Estate. It\'s only  a couple of miles from their house but I had never been before and was surprised to see an Italianate building which had at one time housed horses and farm machinery. After years of dereliction it has since been restored and is now part of Glasgow School of Art.\r\n\r\n[gallery type=\"rectangular\" size=\"medium\" columns=\"2\" ids=\"6475,6474,6473\"]\r\n\r\nOn the walk around the Loch I was taken aback by this tree with its branches coming up at odd angles like a person waving their arms around. Quite spooky.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Brodie-CastleSep20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6472\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Brodie-CastleSep20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>We did another walk around the grounds of Brodie Castle. This is a favourite of mine because I really like the turrets and height of the building. It seems well proportioned.\r\n\r\nThe grounds are also delightful with some wildflower areas which look delightful however I can imagine they are difficult to sustain because there\'s always one brutish wildflower that takes over the bed.\r\n\r\nOn the last couple of days I was pleased to help Tony clear the gorse and broom that was starting to encroach onto his garden from the fields around. I took a before and after shot but it doesn\'t really show the extent of the clearance achieved.\r\n\r\n[gallery type=\"rectangular\" size=\"medium\" columns=\"2\" ids=\"6471,6469,6468\"]\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Steve-Gorse-RootSep20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6470\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Steve-Gorse-RootSep20-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>As we got towards the end of the clearance we started to get a little ambitious and rather than simply cutting the gorse down we started digging up the roots, especially the ones that had self seeded on T&amp;J\'s side of the fence.\r\n\r\nAs you can see I was rather pleased with this stump.', 'Scotland Plus', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6478-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-09-25 15:32:30', '2020-09-25 14:32:30', '', 6478, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6480', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6481, 283, '2020-09-25 15:53:14', '2020-09-25 14:53:14', 'Amazing how time flies. It\'s nearly two weeks since my last blog. Part of the reason is because I\'ve been away to stay with T&amp;J in the Highlands. What a beautiful place it is and well worth the nine hours of sitting in the car. To make sure I was Covid safe I took lunch and a flask with me so I only had to stop once at Carlisle to refuel and again just north of Perth for lunch. I rolled onto their drive just after 3pm.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/TJ-GardenSep20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6476\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/TJ-GardenSep20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>The weather was wonderful and it was great to sit outside that evening in their beautiful garden.\r\n\r\nVery peaceful and relaxing. I find their home a safe haven and they look after me so well.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Tony-Jude-Sep20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-6477\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Tony-Jude-Sep20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>A visit to the Moray coast is a must and on the first full day we went for a walk along the beach stopping at the Captain\'s Table for morning coffee.\r\n\r\nTony and I went for a walk to <a href=\"https://blairsloch.com/welcome-to-blairs-loch/history/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Blair\'s Loch</a> which is a man made fishing lake on the Blair\'s Estate. It\'s only  a couple of miles from their house but I had never been before and was surprised to see an Italianate building which had at one time housed horses and farm machinery. After years of dereliction it has since been restored and is now part of <a href=\"https://www.altyre-estate.co.uk/gsa-creative-campus\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Glasgow School of Art</a>.\r\n\r\n[gallery type=\"rectangular\" size=\"medium\" columns=\"2\" ids=\"6475,6474,6473\"]\r\n\r\nOn the walk around the Loch I was taken aback by this tree with its branches coming up at odd angles like a person waving their arms around. Quite spooky.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Brodie-CastleSep20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6472\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Brodie-CastleSep20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>We did another walk around the grounds of <a href=\"https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/brodie-castle\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Brodie Castle</a>. This is a favourite of mine because I really like the turrets and height of the building. It seems well proportioned.\r\n\r\nThe grounds are also delightful with some wildflower areas which look delightful however I can imagine they are difficult to sustain because there\'s always one brutish wildflower that takes over the bed.\r\n\r\nOn the last couple of days I was pleased to help Tony clear the gorse and broom that was starting to encroach onto his garden from the fields around. I took a before and after shot but it doesn\'t really show the extent of the clearance achieved.\r\n\r\n[gallery type=\"rectangular\" size=\"medium\" columns=\"2\" ids=\"6471,6469,6468\"]\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Steve-Gorse-RootSep20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6470\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Steve-Gorse-RootSep20-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>As we got towards the end of the clearance we started to get a little ambitious and rather than simply cutting the gorse down we started digging up the roots, especially the ones that had self seeded on T&amp;J\'s side of the fence.\r\n\r\nAs you can see I was rather pleased with this stump.\r\n\r\nMy visit flew by and before I knew it I was setting off, back through the Highlands on a beautiful autumnal morning towards home. The journey back was fairly uneventful and the rain stayed off until I stopped again at Carlisle Tesco, just off junction 43 of the M6.\r\n\r\nThe last three hours was a bit of a struggle as there was heavy rain and I was feeling quite tired.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Courtesy-CarSep20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-6467\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Courtesy-CarSep20-200x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"150\" /></a>The following morning I was up early to take the MX5 in for its final service. I\'ve decided to sell it as it has reached the 3 year mark. More on that next time.\r\n\r\nThe courtesy car was this little Mitsubishi Mirage. I\'m used to a bit more power in my cars and far better road holding. The CX30 might be a SUV but its all wheel drive gives it excellent road holding and it is 175bhp. I was throwing the Mirage into corners and finding it didn\'t like it. I eventually learned my lesson and slowed down. I won\'t be buying one anytime soon.', 'Scotland Plus', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6478-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-09-25 15:53:14', '2020-09-25 14:53:14', '', 6478, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6481', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6496, 283, '2020-10-11 18:56:28', '2020-10-11 17:56:28', '', 'wisteria before 2(Oct20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'wisteria-before-2oct20', '', '', '2020-10-12 09:12:12', '2020-10-12 08:12:12', '', 6504, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/wisteria-before-2Oct20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6483, 283, '2020-09-30 14:14:21', '2020-09-30 13:14:21', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/mx5houseoct17.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-4586\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/mx5houseoct17-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>After 3 years of ownership I\'ve now sold the Mazda MX5. It has been a fun car and has given me a great deal of pleasure but it was time for a change. As someone pointed out to me, I get bored of owning a particular car and like to try new vehicles. The car had just been serviced and MoT. It needed rear tyres and disk pads all round so I would have had to spend several hundred pounds in the coming months so it was a good time to sell.\r\n\r\nMy last experience of selling privately was when I sold the Honda CRV ten years ago. After advertising it on Autotrader 4 out of 5 enquiries were scams of one sort or another so I decided to sell through WeBuyAnyCar.com. Their reputation was not good when they first started up but I had recently heard good things from others about how straightforward it was. I got an online estimate of its value; booked an appointment and drove the car into Lincoln for them to inspect the car. I had a scrape on the front alloy wheel and there were several stone chips each of which detracted from the original estimate. After a bit of negotiating we did a deal and I was satisfied with the price.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/porsche-boxsterOct20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6484\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/porsche-boxsterOct20-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>I\'m now debating as to whether to get a replacement car or continue as a one car household. In the past  four years my second car has only covered a maximum of 5,000 miles.\r\n\r\nI\'m leaning towards buying another Porsche Boxster. I had one when I was working and it was a great car to own. Do I buy a fairly expensive low mileage car less than 5 years old or go for something much cheaper and older. I\'m erring on the side of cheaper, older higher mileage and hope the significant savings in price are sufficient to cover any repair costs over the life of the older vehicle. The one in the photo is 12 years old, 40,000 miles on the clock and reasonably priced. I can buy this with the sale money from the MX5. No decision yet and no rush to make a decision.', 'Car Change', '', 'publish', 'open', 'closed', '', 'car-change', '', '', '2020-09-30 14:14:21', '2020-09-30 13:14:21', '', 0, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/?p=6483', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(6484, 283, '2020-09-30 14:05:50', '2020-09-30 13:05:50', '', 'porsche boxster(Oct20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'porsche-boxsteroct20', '', '', '2020-09-30 14:05:50', '2020-09-30 13:05:50', '', 6483, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/porsche-boxsterOct20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6485, 283, '2020-09-30 14:14:21', '2020-09-30 13:14:21', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/mx5houseoct17.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-4586\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/mx5houseoct17-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>After 3 years of ownership I\'ve now sold the Mazda MX5. It has been a fun car and has given me a great deal of pleasure but it was time for a change. As someone pointed out to me, I get bored of owning a particular car and like to try new vehicles. The car had just been serviced and MoT. It needed rear tyres and disk pads all round so I would have had to spend several hundred pounds in the coming months so it was a good time to sell.\r\n\r\nMy last experience of selling privately was when I sold the Honda CRV ten years ago. After advertising it on Autotrader 4 out of 5 enquiries were scams of one sort or another so I decided to sell through WeBuyAnyCar.com. Their reputation was not good when they first started up but I had recently heard good things from others about how straightforward it was. I got an online estimate of its value; booked an appointment and drove the car into Lincoln for them to inspect the car. I had a scrape on the front alloy wheel and there were several stone chips each of which detracted from the original estimate. After a bit of negotiating we did a deal and I was satisfied with the price.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/porsche-boxsterOct20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6484\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/porsche-boxsterOct20-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" /></a>I\'m now debating as to whether to get a replacement car or continue as a one car household. In the past  four years my second car has only covered a maximum of 5,000 miles.\r\n\r\nI\'m leaning towards buying another Porsche Boxster. I had one when I was working and it was a great car to own. Do I buy a fairly expensive low mileage car less than 5 years old or go for something much cheaper and older. I\'m erring on the side of cheaper, older higher mileage and hope the significant savings in price are sufficient to cover any repair costs over the life of the older vehicle. The one in the photo is 12 years old, 40,000 miles on the clock and reasonably priced. I can buy this with the sale money from the MX5. No decision yet and no rush to make a decision.', 'Car Change', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6483-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-09-30 14:14:21', '2020-09-30 13:14:21', '', 6483, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6485', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6487, 283, '2020-10-03 11:59:39', '2020-10-03 10:59:39', '', 'phlox(Oct20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'phloxoct20', '', '', '2020-10-03 11:59:39', '2020-10-03 10:59:39', '', 6486, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/phloxOct20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6488, 283, '2020-10-03 11:59:49', '2020-10-03 10:59:49', '', 'red leaves(Oct20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'red-leavesoct20', '', '', '2020-10-03 11:59:49', '2020-10-03 10:59:49', '', 6486, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/red-leavesOct20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6489, 283, '2020-10-03 11:59:58', '2020-10-03 10:59:58', '', 'rose(oct20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'roseoct20', '', '', '2020-10-03 11:59:58', '2020-10-03 10:59:58', '', 6486, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/roseoct20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6490, 283, '2020-10-03 12:00:04', '2020-10-03 11:00:04', '', 'peruvian lillies(Oct20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'peruvian-lilliesoct20', '', '', '2020-10-03 12:00:04', '2020-10-03 11:00:04', '', 6486, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/peruvian-lilliesOct20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6491, 283, '2020-10-03 12:00:54', '2020-10-03 11:00:54', '', 'Actaea(Oct20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'actaeaoct20', '', '', '2020-10-03 12:00:54', '2020-10-03 11:00:54', '', 6486, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/ActaeaOct20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6492, 283, '2020-10-03 12:06:34', '2020-10-03 11:06:34', 'What does one do on wet autumn weekends? There are lots of things to be done luike repairing the puncture on my bike. I did attempt to fit a new inner tube but that seems to have failed so I could have another go at that; I could clean the inside windows; I could tidy up the garage now that there is one less car in there; I could replace the air filter in the house heat recovery system; or I could light the log burner and settle down with a book. The world is my oyster but what a narrow world it is under Covid-19.\r\n\r\nThe garden is still managing a few splashes of colour:\r\n\r\n[gallery type=\"rectangular\" size=\"medium\" ids=\"6488,6491,6490,6487,6489\"]', 'Wet Weekends', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6486-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-10-03 12:06:34', '2020-10-03 11:06:34', '', 6486, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6492', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6493, 283, '2020-10-03 12:08:25', '2020-10-03 11:08:25', 'What does one do on wet autumn weekends? There are lots of things to be done like repairing the puncture on my bike. I did attempt to fit a new inner tube but that seems to have failed so I could have another go at that; I could clean the windows inside; I could tidy up the garage now that there is one less car in there; I could replace the air filter in the house heat recovery system; or I could light the log burner and settle down with a book. The world is my oyster but what a narrow world it is under Covid-19.\r\nThe garden is still managing a few splashes of colour:\r\n\r\n[gallery type=\"rectangular\" size=\"medium\" ids=\"6488,6491,6490,6487,6489\"]', 'Wet Weekends', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6486-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-10-03 12:08:25', '2020-10-03 11:08:25', '', 6486, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6493', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6544, 283, '2020-11-04 19:46:43', '2020-11-04 19:46:43', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Porsche-Boxster-2008.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6535\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Porsche-Boxster-2008-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Back in the day when I was working (eleven years ago) I felt I warranted owning the car of my dreams - a Porsche Boxster. When I retired I decided I didn\'t deserve to have a sports car and replaced it with a Skoda Yeti.\r\n\r\nDespite owning a couple of sports cars over the last four years (Lotus Elise and MX5) I\'ve always had a hankering of getting another Porsche and I still cannot explain why I didn\'t. All that has changed...\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Boxster1Nov20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6545\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Boxster1Nov20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>As of today I\'m the proud owner of another Boxster. 2.7 litres, 240 bhp, 0 - 60 in 6.2 seconds. I won\'t mention the top speed because that is beyond the legal limits. The  colour is perfect. It doesn\'t have the gizmos to be found on my Mazda 30 however it is refreshing to be in control - no automatic wipers or lights or lane control. I have to concentrate and drive it.\r\n\r\nI managed to do a deal so that it comes with 12 months warranty. There\'s 32k on the clock, twelve years old and it looks as good as new.\r\n\r\nMy friend and neighbour, Dave, drove me over to the garage south of Sheffield so that I could collect it. I drove back along the motorways with the roof up but once I was off the main roads I donned my thick coat and put the roof down. It was only ten degrees but with the heater on I cruised back in style. There are many great features about a Boxster: its style, panache, road holding and the throaty growl from the engine cannot be beaten. I look forward to a few more sunny days this autumn so that I can get out for a drive along the twisting lanes of Lincolnshire with the roof down. I will use it as my lockdown therapy.', 'A New/Old Arrival...', '', 'publish', 'open', 'closed', '', 'a-new-old-arrival', '', '', '2020-11-04 19:46:43', '2020-11-04 19:46:43', '', 0, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/?p=6544', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(6545, 283, '2020-11-04 19:31:24', '2020-11-04 19:31:24', '', 'Boxster1(Nov20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'boxster1nov20', '', '', '2020-11-04 19:31:24', '2020-11-04 19:31:24', '', 6544, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Boxster1Nov20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6521, 283, '2020-10-22 13:42:57', '2020-10-22 12:42:57', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/bday-cakeOct20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-6518\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/bday-cakeOct20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>Another year has passed and I had a lovely birthday. A friend made me a cake but there wasn\'t room for all the candles.\r\n\r\nWe visited Sutton on Sea for the day and after walking the beach we sat on the promenade with a picnic lunch. Despite it being October the weather was a lot better than first forecast. At least it was dry.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/leafless-lawnOct20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-6517\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/leafless-lawnOct20-200x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"150\" /></a>At this time of year the trees around the house are shedding their leaves by the bag load. No sooner have I blown them into piles with the leaf blower and collected them up ready for the compost bin then the wind picks up and another load comes fluttering down. I took a picture of the back lawn after running over it with the petrol mower just to pick up the leaves. The following morning it was covered again. My approach is to collect the leaves two or three times a week depending on how busy I am and the weather.\r\n\r\nMidweek I met up with my college friends. We\'ve known each other for over 50 years and still find plenty to talk about and laugh at. We met at Yorkshire Sculpture Park where we had to book in advance. The cafe was open and we did have coffee on arrival sitting at different tables and shouting across the room. Thankfully there were not many people present so we didn\'t embarrass ourselves.\r\n\r\nWe wandered around the lower gallery before taking a leisurely walk around the grounds and then settling down on two picnic tables where we ate our sandwiches. Throughout the time we were socially distanced.\r\n\r\n[gallery type=\"rectangular\" size=\"medium\" ids=\"6512,6513,6515,6514,6511,6510,6516\"]', 'Birthday and Sculpture', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6519-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-10-22 13:42:57', '2020-10-22 12:42:57', '', 6519, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6521', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6497, 283, '2020-10-11 18:56:35', '2020-10-11 17:56:35', '', 'wisteria before 1(Oct20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'wisteria-before-1oct20', '', '', '2020-10-12 09:09:46', '2020-10-12 08:09:46', '', 6504, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/wisteria-before-1Oct20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6498, 283, '2020-10-11 18:56:40', '2020-10-11 17:56:40', '', 'wisteria in place1(Oct20).jpg', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'wisteria-in-place1oct20-jpg', '', '', '2020-10-12 09:15:51', '2020-10-12 08:15:51', '', 6504, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/wisteria-in-place1Oct20.jpg.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6499, 283, '2020-10-11 18:56:46', '2020-10-11 17:56:46', '', 'wisteria in place2(Oct20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'wisteria-in-place2oct20', '', '', '2020-10-12 09:19:34', '2020-10-12 08:19:34', '', 6504, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/wisteria-in-place2Oct20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6500, 283, '2020-10-11 18:56:51', '2020-10-11 17:56:51', '', 'cordyline(Oct20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'cordylineoct20', '', '', '2020-10-12 09:27:32', '2020-10-12 08:27:32', '', 6504, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/cordylineOct20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6501, 283, '2020-10-11 18:56:56', '2020-10-11 17:56:56', '', 'veg crop(Oct20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'veg-cropoct20', '', '', '2020-10-12 09:36:00', '2020-10-12 08:36:00', '', 6504, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/veg-cropOct20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6502, 283, '2020-10-11 18:57:01', '2020-10-11 17:57:01', '', 'honey cake slice(Oct20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'honey-cake-sliceoct20', '', '', '2020-10-12 09:06:44', '2020-10-12 08:06:44', '', 6504, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/honey-cake-sliceOct20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6503, 283, '2020-10-11 18:57:05', '2020-10-11 17:57:05', '', 'honey cake(Oct20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'honey-cakeoct20', '', '', '2020-10-12 08:59:17', '2020-10-12 07:59:17', '', 6504, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/honey-cakeOct20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0);
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES
(6504, 283, '2020-10-12 09:41:57', '2020-10-12 08:41:57', 'Someone once flattered me by referring to me as a \"<a href=\"https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renaissance_man\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Renaissance Man</a>\". I am not a polymath however willing to try new things with varying degrees of success. I\'m happy to try anything from cooking, gardening through to weight lifting.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/honey-cakeOct20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright wp-image-6503\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/honey-cakeOct20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"244\" height=\"183\" /></a>In the past week I baked my first cake. I\'ve never seen the need because I try to avoid eating high calorie foods however I was persuaded to try this honey and ginger cake. It seemed straightforward to make and indeed it was although there was a fine balance between the mixture setting and not burning the top. I think if I do it again I will put some foil on the top in the last 10 minutes.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/honey-cake-sliceOct20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-6502\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/honey-cake-sliceOct20-200x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"150\" /></a>It tastes fine however next time I will put a little more ginger because it wasn\'t strong enough.\r\n\r\nIt does mean that I have to eat the whole cake which isn\'t going to do a lot for my waistline. Perhaps I should cut it into portions and freeze it.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/wisteria-before-1Oct20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-6497\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/wisteria-before-1Oct20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>Out in the garden I\'ve been making more changes. When we moved in we placed a Wisteria in a large tub climbing a support post. It hasn\'t developed very well, never flowered and so I decided it was time to move it.\r\n\r\nI had to cut it away from around the  drain pipe first and then lever it out of the pot. It was quite reluctant to come out.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/wisteria-before-2Oct20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-6496\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/wisteria-before-2Oct20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>Eventually I coerced it to leave the comfort of the pot and lifted it into the wheelbarrow ready for its new home.\r\nMy philosophy was that it wouldn\'t be any worse off in its new home than leaving it where it was to limp along for the next few years before eventually giving up the ghost.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/wisteria-in-place1Oct20.jpg.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-6498\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/wisteria-in-place1Oct20.jpg-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>The new location is along the front at the other corner of the house. It should get more sun and being in the ground more space to grow.\r\nI was aware that where I was planting it there was a rainwater downpipe and a tap from the rainwater harvesting system which would mean underground pipework. I thought these pipes would be running to the right of the picture however I was wrong. The downpipe in fact runs to the left and so I had to work around it to get the Wisteria into the large whole I carefully excavated.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/wisteria-in-place2Oct20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-6499\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/wisteria-in-place2Oct20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>I also had to cut the boundary wire for Piglet, the robot mower, and rejoin it after the Wisteria was in place.\r\n\r\nI\'m pleased to say that the mower is still working, the wisteria is tied to the downpipe and the disturbed area was soon returned to it\'s original state.\r\n\r\nI\'m hoping that it will start to climb the pipe in the spring.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/cordylineOct20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-6500\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/cordylineOct20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>As a consequence of moving the Wisteria it left a space so I moved the Cordyline from against the wall where it was starting to lean over. By placing it against the post I could tie it in place using a large leather strap.\r\n\r\nMy only concern is that it is now more exposed to the elements and the frost may have an impact on it. We had a Cordyline in the Rothersthorpe garden which was damaged by severe cold however I cut it back close to the ground and it regrew so I\'m hoping this one will survive equally well.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/veg-cropOct20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6501\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/veg-cropOct20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>In the vegetable garden things are quietening down. I\'ve had the last of the runner beans and removed the bean poles. I\'m still pulling carrots and there will be parsnips after the first frosts. The Cavolo Nero is still available however I don\'t find it the best of green vegetables, I\'m not eating a lot of the everlasting Spinach and there are still Beetroot in the ground that needs to be pulled up. In the potting shed the chilli peppers have done well; there are a few sweet peppers; and the tomatoes and cucumbers are finished. I need to clear out the potting shed sometime soon.', 'Baking and Gardening...', '', 'publish', 'open', 'closed', '', 'baking-and-gardening', '', '', '2020-10-12 09:41:57', '2020-10-12 08:41:57', '', 0, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/?p=6504', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(6505, 283, '2020-10-12 09:36:16', '2020-10-12 08:36:16', 'Someone once flattered me by referring to me as a \"<a href=\"https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renaissance_man\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Renaissance Man</a>\". I am not a polymath however willing to try new things with varying degrees of success. I\'m happy to try anything from cooking, gardening through to weight lifting.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/honey-cakeOct20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright wp-image-6503\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/honey-cakeOct20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"244\" height=\"183\" /></a>In the past week I baked my first cake. I\'ve never seen the need because I try to avoid eating high calorie foods however I was persuaded to try this honey and ginger cake. It seemed straightforward to make and indeed it was although there was a fine balance between the mixture setting and not burning the top. I think if I do it again I will put some foil on the top in the last 10 minutes.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/honey-cake-sliceOct20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-6502\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/honey-cake-sliceOct20-200x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"150\" /></a>It tastes fine however next time I will put a little more ginger because it wasn\'t strong enough.\r\n\r\nIt does mean that I have to eat the whole cake which isn\'t going to do a lot for my waistline. Perhaps I should cut it into portions and freeze it.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/wisteria-before-1Oct20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-6497\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/wisteria-before-1Oct20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>Out in the garden I\'ve been making more changes. When we moved in we placed a Wisteria in a large tub climbing a support post. It hasn\'t developed very well, never flowered and so I decided it was time to move it.\r\n\r\nI had to cut it away from around the  drain pipe first and then lever it out of the pot. It was quite reluctant to come out.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/wisteria-before-2Oct20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-6496\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/wisteria-before-2Oct20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>Eventually I coerced it to leave the comfort of the pot and lifted it into the wheelbarrow ready for its new home.\r\nMy philosophy was that it wouldn\'t be any worse off in its new home than leaving it where it was to limp along for the next few years before eventually giving up the ghost.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/wisteria-in-place1Oct20.jpg.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-6498\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/wisteria-in-place1Oct20.jpg-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>The new location is along the front at the other corner of the house. It should get more sun and being in the ground more space to grow.\r\nI was aware that where I was planting it there was a rainwater downpipe and a tap from the rainwater harvesting system which would mean underground pipework. I thought these pipes would be running to the right of the picture however I was wrong. The downpipe in fact runs to the left and so I had to work around it to get the wisteria into the large whole I carefully excavated.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/wisteria-in-place2Oct20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-6499\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/wisteria-in-place2Oct20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>I also had to cut the boundary wire for Piglet, the robot mower, and rejoin it after the Wisteria was in place.\r\n\r\nI\'m pleased to say that the mower is still working, the wisteria is tied to the downpipe and the disturbed area was soon returned to it\'s original state.\r\n\r\nI\'m hoping that it will start to climb the pipe in the spring.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/cordylineOct20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-6500\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/cordylineOct20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>As a consequence of moving the Wisteria it left a space so I moved the Cordyline from against the wall where it was starting to lean over. By placing it against the post I could tie it in place using a large leather strap.\r\n\r\nMy only concern is that it is now more exposed to the elements and the frost may have an impact on it. We had a Cordyline in the Rothersthorpe garden which was damaged by severe cold however I cut it back close to the ground and it regrew so I\'m hoping it will survive.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/veg-cropOct20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6501\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/veg-cropOct20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>In the vegetable garden things are quietening down. I\'ve had the last of the runner beans and removed the bean poles. I\'m still pulling carrots and there will be parsnips after the first frosts. The Cavolo Nero is still available however I don\'t find it the best of green vegetables, I\'m not eating a lot of the everlasting Spinach and there are still Beetroot in the ground that needs to be pulled up. In the potting shed the chilli peppers have done well; there are a few sweet peppers; and the tomatoes and cucumbers are finished. I need to clear out the potting shed sometime soon.', 'Baking and Gardening...', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6504-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-10-12 09:36:16', '2020-10-12 08:36:16', '', 6504, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6505', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6506, 283, '2020-10-12 09:41:57', '2020-10-12 08:41:57', 'Someone once flattered me by referring to me as a \"<a href=\"https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renaissance_man\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Renaissance Man</a>\". I am not a polymath however willing to try new things with varying degrees of success. I\'m happy to try anything from cooking, gardening through to weight lifting.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/honey-cakeOct20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright wp-image-6503\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/honey-cakeOct20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"244\" height=\"183\" /></a>In the past week I baked my first cake. I\'ve never seen the need because I try to avoid eating high calorie foods however I was persuaded to try this honey and ginger cake. It seemed straightforward to make and indeed it was although there was a fine balance between the mixture setting and not burning the top. I think if I do it again I will put some foil on the top in the last 10 minutes.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/honey-cake-sliceOct20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-6502\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/honey-cake-sliceOct20-200x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"150\" /></a>It tastes fine however next time I will put a little more ginger because it wasn\'t strong enough.\r\n\r\nIt does mean that I have to eat the whole cake which isn\'t going to do a lot for my waistline. Perhaps I should cut it into portions and freeze it.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/wisteria-before-1Oct20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-6497\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/wisteria-before-1Oct20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>Out in the garden I\'ve been making more changes. When we moved in we placed a Wisteria in a large tub climbing a support post. It hasn\'t developed very well, never flowered and so I decided it was time to move it.\r\n\r\nI had to cut it away from around the  drain pipe first and then lever it out of the pot. It was quite reluctant to come out.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/wisteria-before-2Oct20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-6496\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/wisteria-before-2Oct20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>Eventually I coerced it to leave the comfort of the pot and lifted it into the wheelbarrow ready for its new home.\r\nMy philosophy was that it wouldn\'t be any worse off in its new home than leaving it where it was to limp along for the next few years before eventually giving up the ghost.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/wisteria-in-place1Oct20.jpg.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-6498\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/wisteria-in-place1Oct20.jpg-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>The new location is along the front at the other corner of the house. It should get more sun and being in the ground more space to grow.\r\nI was aware that where I was planting it there was a rainwater downpipe and a tap from the rainwater harvesting system which would mean underground pipework. I thought these pipes would be running to the right of the picture however I was wrong. The downpipe in fact runs to the left and so I had to work around it to get the Wisteria into the large whole I carefully excavated.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/wisteria-in-place2Oct20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-6499\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/wisteria-in-place2Oct20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>I also had to cut the boundary wire for Piglet, the robot mower, and rejoin it after the Wisteria was in place.\r\n\r\nI\'m pleased to say that the mower is still working, the wisteria is tied to the downpipe and the disturbed area was soon returned to it\'s original state.\r\n\r\nI\'m hoping that it will start to climb the pipe in the spring.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/cordylineOct20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-6500\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/cordylineOct20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>As a consequence of moving the Wisteria it left a space so I moved the Cordyline from against the wall where it was starting to lean over. By placing it against the post I could tie it in place using a large leather strap.\r\n\r\nMy only concern is that it is now more exposed to the elements and the frost may have an impact on it. We had a Cordyline in the Rothersthorpe garden which was damaged by severe cold however I cut it back close to the ground and it regrew so I\'m hoping this one will survive equally well.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/veg-cropOct20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6501\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/veg-cropOct20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>In the vegetable garden things are quietening down. I\'ve had the last of the runner beans and removed the bean poles. I\'m still pulling carrots and there will be parsnips after the first frosts. The Cavolo Nero is still available however I don\'t find it the best of green vegetables, I\'m not eating a lot of the everlasting Spinach and there are still Beetroot in the ground that needs to be pulled up. In the potting shed the chilli peppers have done well; there are a few sweet peppers; and the tomatoes and cucumbers are finished. I need to clear out the potting shed sometime soon.', 'Baking and Gardening...', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6504-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-10-12 09:41:57', '2020-10-12 08:41:57', '', 6504, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6506', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6524, 283, '2020-10-24 20:17:00', '2020-10-24 19:17:00', '', 'Tuna dish(Oct20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'tuna-dishoct20', '', '', '2020-10-24 20:17:00', '2020-10-24 19:17:00', '', 6523, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Tuna-dishOct20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6523, 283, '2020-10-27 13:15:17', '2020-10-27 13:15:17', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/bread-makingOct20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6525\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/bread-makingOct20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Having realised I had a breadmaker a friend suggested I should get it out of the cupboard. The first attempt using old yeast didn\'t work out so I had another go with recently purchased dried yeast. Who would have thought that dried yeast has a shelf life but it does. Even more surprising is that flour has a shelf life and if it\'s old, it loses its gluten content which means it won\'t make good bread. After two attempts there has been an improvement but it still isn\'t right. I need to buy new flour and try again - third time lucky.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/leaf-collection2Oct20.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6528 alignleft\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/leaf-collection2Oct20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>Out in the garden the trees continue to lose their leaves at an alarming rate. I cope with this using a number of methods depending on how many, how lazy I feel and the weather. Sometimes I simply run the petrol mower over the grass (Piglet gets a bit disgruntled but she\'s learning to live with it especially when I tell her I\'m putting her on furlough for the winter). At other times I attempt to use the blower to round up the leaves into piles but it\'s a bit like herding cats and whichever method I use I always have to pick them up. Usually the leaves go onto one of the various compost heaps and bins or occasionally I\'ll put them into the green recycling bin.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/yellow-begoniaOct20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-6527\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/yellow-begoniaOct20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>There are still a few flowers in bloom. This yellow begonia is a newcomer to a raised bed. I need to keep an eye on the forecasts and if there\'s a hint of frost then I need to lift all the begonia corms (or are they tubers?)\r\n\r\nI also have to lift the geraniums before the frost. I lost all my geraniums last year because I missed the first frost. Always plenty to do in the garden.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/sweet-pepperOct20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-6526\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/sweet-pepperOct20-200x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"150\" /></a>I spent a morning at the weekend cleaning the potting shed. I managed to get six sweet peppers to harvest. They won\'t last long unless I freeze them so I shall be batch cooking some meals and throwing these into the mix.\r\n\r\nThe potting shed structure is looking decidedly poorly with gaps appearing between the panels where the wood has warped. This may be down to the fact that I haven\'t treated it in the last six years or just a cheap shed or poorly constructed in the first place. In all likelihood it\'s a combination of all three. I think it will last another year and then in the autumn of 2021 I will replace it with a glazed greenhouse. This will give more light and the possibility of growing more flowers and vegetables. All the garden tools that are in there at the moment can easily be moved to the workshop behind the garage and I may even sell off some of the duplicated items. Who needs three hoes? Unless your Santa Claus ho, ho ho...', 'Gardening and Cooking', '', 'publish', 'open', 'closed', '', 'gardening-and-cooking', '', '', '2020-10-27 13:15:17', '2020-10-27 13:15:17', '', 0, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/?p=6523', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(6510, 283, '2020-10-21 19:30:10', '2020-10-21 18:30:10', '', 'YSP teapot(Oct20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'ysp-teapotoct20', '', '', '2020-10-21 19:30:10', '2020-10-21 18:30:10', '', 0, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/YSP-teapotOct20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6511, 283, '2020-10-21 19:30:15', '2020-10-21 18:30:15', '', 'YSP pan high heels(Oct20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'ysp-pan-high-heelsoct20', '', '', '2020-10-21 19:30:15', '2020-10-21 18:30:15', '', 0, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/YSP-pan-high-heelsOct20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6512, 283, '2020-10-21 19:30:21', '2020-10-21 18:30:21', '', 'YSP gun phones(Oct20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'ysp-gun-phonesoct20', '', '', '2020-10-21 19:30:21', '2020-10-21 18:30:21', '', 0, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/YSP-gun-phonesOct20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6513, 283, '2020-10-21 19:30:25', '2020-10-21 18:30:25', '', 'YSP knitted dragon(Oct20).jpg', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'ysp-knitted-dragonoct20-jpg', '', '', '2020-10-21 19:30:25', '2020-10-21 18:30:25', '', 0, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/YSP-knitted-dragonOct20.jpg.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6514, 283, '2020-10-21 19:30:29', '2020-10-21 18:30:29', '', 'YSP big cushions(Oct20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'ysp-big-cushionsoct20', '', '', '2020-10-21 19:30:29', '2020-10-21 18:30:29', '', 0, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/YSP-big-cushionsOct20-.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6515, 283, '2020-10-21 19:30:33', '2020-10-21 18:30:33', '', 'YSP knitted circle(Oct20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'ysp-knitted-circleoct20', '', '', '2020-10-21 19:30:33', '2020-10-21 18:30:33', '', 0, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/YSP-knitted-circleOct20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6516, 283, '2020-10-21 19:30:37', '2020-10-21 18:30:37', '', 'YSP stones(Oct20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'ysp-stonesoct20', '', '', '2021-03-28 09:39:00', '2021-03-28 08:39:00', '', 6713, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/YSP-stonesOct20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6517, 283, '2020-10-21 19:30:41', '2020-10-21 18:30:41', '', 'leafless lawn(Oct20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'leafless-lawnoct20', '', '', '2020-10-22 12:38:24', '2020-10-22 11:38:24', '', 6519, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/leafless-lawnOct20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6518, 283, '2020-10-21 19:30:45', '2020-10-21 18:30:45', '', 'bday cake(Oct20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'bday-cakeoct20', '', '', '2020-10-22 12:30:26', '2020-10-22 11:30:26', '', 6519, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/bday-cakeOct20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6519, 283, '2020-10-22 13:47:19', '2020-10-22 12:47:19', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/bday-cakeOct20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-6518\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/bday-cakeOct20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>Another year has passed and I had a lovely birthday. A friend made me a cake but there wasn\'t room for seventy one candles.\r\n\r\nI visited Sutton on Sea with a friend for the day and after walking the beach we sat on the promenade with a picnic lunch. Despite it being October the weather was a lot better than first forecast. At least it was dry.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/leafless-lawnOct20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-6517\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/leafless-lawnOct20-200x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"150\" /></a>At this time of year the trees around the house are shedding their leaves by the bag load. No sooner have I blown them into piles with the leaf blower and collected them up ready for the compost bin then the wind picks up and another load comes fluttering down. I took a picture of the back lawn after running over it with the petrol mower just to pick up the leaves. The following morning it was covered again. My approach is to collect the leaves two or three times a week depending on how busy I am and the weather.\r\n\r\nMidweek I met up with my college friends. We\'ve known each other for over 50 years and still find plenty to talk about and laugh at. We met at Yorkshire Sculpture Park where we had to book in advance. The cafe was open and we did have coffee on arrival sitting at different tables and shouting across the room. Thankfully there were not many people present so we didn\'t embarrass ourselves.\r\n\r\nWe wandered around the lower gallery before taking a leisurely walk around the grounds and then settling down on two picnic tables where we ate our sandwiches. Thankfully the rain held off long enough and just as we getting our things together so it started to drizzle Throughout the time we kept a social distance.\r\n\r\n[gallery type=\"rectangular\" size=\"medium\" ids=\"6512,6513,6515,6514,6511,6510,6516\"]', 'Birthday, Leaves and Sculpture', '', 'publish', 'open', 'closed', '', 'birthday-leaves-and-sculpture', '', '', '2020-10-22 13:47:19', '2020-10-22 12:47:19', '', 0, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/?p=6519', 0, 'post', '', 1),
(6520, 283, '2020-10-22 12:35:40', '2020-10-22 11:35:40', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/bday-cakeOct20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-6518\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/bday-cakeOct20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>Another year has passed and I had a lovely birthday. A friend made me a cake but there wasn\'t room for all the candles.\r\n\r\nWe visited Sutton on Sea for the day and after walking the beach we sat on the promenade with a picnic lunch. Despite it being October the weather was a lot better than first forecast. At least it was dry.\r\n\r\nAt this time of yea tr', 'Birthday and Sculpture', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6519-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-10-22 12:35:40', '2020-10-22 11:35:40', '', 6519, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6520', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6522, 283, '2020-10-22 13:47:19', '2020-10-22 12:47:19', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/bday-cakeOct20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-6518\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/bday-cakeOct20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>Another year has passed and I had a lovely birthday. A friend made me a cake but there wasn\'t room for seventy one candles.\r\n\r\nI visited Sutton on Sea with a friend for the day and after walking the beach we sat on the promenade with a picnic lunch. Despite it being October the weather was a lot better than first forecast. At least it was dry.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/leafless-lawnOct20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-6517\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/leafless-lawnOct20-200x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"150\" /></a>At this time of year the trees around the house are shedding their leaves by the bag load. No sooner have I blown them into piles with the leaf blower and collected them up ready for the compost bin then the wind picks up and another load comes fluttering down. I took a picture of the back lawn after running over it with the petrol mower just to pick up the leaves. The following morning it was covered again. My approach is to collect the leaves two or three times a week depending on how busy I am and the weather.\r\n\r\nMidweek I met up with my college friends. We\'ve known each other for over 50 years and still find plenty to talk about and laugh at. We met at Yorkshire Sculpture Park where we had to book in advance. The cafe was open and we did have coffee on arrival sitting at different tables and shouting across the room. Thankfully there were not many people present so we didn\'t embarrass ourselves.\r\n\r\nWe wandered around the lower gallery before taking a leisurely walk around the grounds and then settling down on two picnic tables where we ate our sandwiches. Thankfully the rain held off long enough and just as we getting our things together so it started to drizzle Throughout the time we kept a social distance.\r\n\r\n[gallery type=\"rectangular\" size=\"medium\" ids=\"6512,6513,6515,6514,6511,6510,6516\"]', 'Birthday, Leaves and Sculpture', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6519-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-10-22 13:47:19', '2020-10-22 12:47:19', '', 6519, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6522', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6525, 283, '2020-10-24 20:17:07', '2020-10-24 19:17:07', '', 'bread making(Oct20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'bread-makingoct20', '', '', '2020-10-24 20:17:07', '2020-10-24 19:17:07', '', 6523, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/bread-makingOct20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6526, 283, '2020-10-24 20:17:14', '2020-10-24 19:17:14', '', 'sweet pepper(Oct20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'sweet-pepperoct20', '', '', '2020-10-24 20:17:14', '2020-10-24 19:17:14', '', 6523, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/sweet-pepperOct20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6527, 283, '2020-10-24 20:17:18', '2020-10-24 19:17:18', '', 'yellow begonia(Oct20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'yellow-begoniaoct20', '', '', '2020-10-24 20:17:18', '2020-10-24 19:17:18', '', 6523, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/yellow-begoniaOct20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6528, 283, '2020-10-24 20:17:22', '2020-10-24 19:17:22', '', 'leaf collection2(Oct20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'leaf-collection2oct20', '', '', '2020-10-24 20:17:22', '2020-10-24 19:17:22', '', 6523, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/leaf-collection2Oct20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6529, 283, '2020-10-24 22:18:21', '2020-10-24 21:18:21', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/bread-makingOct20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6525\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/bread-makingOct20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Having realised I had a bread maker a friend suggested I should get it out of the cupboard. The first attempt using old yeast didn\'t work out so I had another go with recently purchased dried yeast. Who would have thought that dried yeast has a shelf life but it does. Even more surprising is that flour has a shelf life and if it\'s old, loses its gluten content which means it won\'t make good bread. After two attempts there has been an improvement but it still isn\'t right. I need to buy new flour and try again - third time lucky.', 'Gardening and Cooking', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6523-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-10-24 22:18:21', '2020-10-24 21:18:21', '', 6523, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6529', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6562, 283, '2020-11-22 18:26:50', '2020-11-22 18:26:50', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/beech-tree-walkNov20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6566\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/beech-tree-walkNov20-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>With only a few leaves left on the trees woodland walks can be magnificent. Last Sunday, after a wet, grey morning I took a walk on the circuit out of Market Rasen that crosses the railway line a couple of times before working its way through these wonderful beech trees. Most of the leaves have dropped now but the carpet of leaves is the epitome of autumnal colours. I did see a few people out but for this section I was completely alone.\r\n\r\nThe four and half mile walk was completed in just over an hour and I kept up a fast pace to get the heart pumping.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/squirrelNov20.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6565 alignleft\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/squirrelNov20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>The squirrels are regular visitors to the garden. They enjoy chasing each other around the trees and burying nuts in the lawn and the pots. Dave next door regularly puts out peanuts for them in a box where they lift the lid and fill their mouth pouches. They then hide peanuts all over the place.\r\n\r\nI do believe this one was munching on one of my bulbs. I\'ve learned to live with the disturbance.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/P19-YRD-BoxsterNov20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6564\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/P19-YRD-BoxsterNov20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>After two weeks I received the VR5 documents for the Porsche which meant I could add my personalised number plate. The process is so simple - go online enter the registration that is on hold, the details from the new VR5 and immediately the process is completed. Tax and MoT are automatically updated with the new registration.\r\n\r\nStrangely I didn\'t feel it was mine until it had the Pig Yard label. Physically swapping the plates should have been an easy job but like all \"simple tasks\" it took the best of the morning. The usual double sided stickers I use for number plates wouldn\'t work because it was too cold so I decided to screw them on. This week has been great for taking a couple of drives with the roof down. Cold but refreshing.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/strawberry-frameNov20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6563\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/strawberry-frameNov20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>My final task of the week was to make a frame for my strawberry bed. I had plenty of wood on the garage (see photo above) left over from the builders. The difficulty about putting it together was that it really needed two people but I didn\'t want to waste anyone else\'s time.\r\n\r\nThe plot isn\'t square (more of a trapezium, \"O\" level geometry) so I couldn\'t make the ends and sides equal length. I eventually got there. The joints need to be strengthened so I\'ve bought some galvanised corner brackets. It looks good if you don\'t get too close but it\'s only for the garden, not cabinet making.\r\n\r\nHopefully next year I will get some strawberries and deprive the squirrels and birds from taking their share.', 'Autumn and more...', '', 'publish', 'open', 'closed', '', 'autumn-and-more', '', '', '2020-11-22 18:26:50', '2020-11-22 18:26:50', '', 0, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/?p=6562', 0, 'post', '', 2),
(6531, 283, '2020-10-27 13:15:17', '2020-10-27 13:15:17', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/bread-makingOct20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6525\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/bread-makingOct20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Having realised I had a breadmaker a friend suggested I should get it out of the cupboard. The first attempt using old yeast didn\'t work out so I had another go with recently purchased dried yeast. Who would have thought that dried yeast has a shelf life but it does. Even more surprising is that flour has a shelf life and if it\'s old, it loses its gluten content which means it won\'t make good bread. After two attempts there has been an improvement but it still isn\'t right. I need to buy new flour and try again - third time lucky.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/leaf-collection2Oct20.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6528 alignleft\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/leaf-collection2Oct20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>Out in the garden the trees continue to lose their leaves at an alarming rate. I cope with this using a number of methods depending on how many, how lazy I feel and the weather. Sometimes I simply run the petrol mower over the grass (Piglet gets a bit disgruntled but she\'s learning to live with it especially when I tell her I\'m putting her on furlough for the winter). At other times I attempt to use the blower to round up the leaves into piles but it\'s a bit like herding cats and whichever method I use I always have to pick them up. Usually the leaves go onto one of the various compost heaps and bins or occasionally I\'ll put them into the green recycling bin.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/yellow-begoniaOct20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-6527\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/yellow-begoniaOct20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>There are still a few flowers in bloom. This yellow begonia is a newcomer to a raised bed. I need to keep an eye on the forecasts and if there\'s a hint of frost then I need to lift all the begonia corms (or are they tubers?)\r\n\r\nI also have to lift the geraniums before the frost. I lost all my geraniums last year because I missed the first frost. Always plenty to do in the garden.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/sweet-pepperOct20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-6526\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/sweet-pepperOct20-200x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"150\" /></a>I spent a morning at the weekend cleaning the potting shed. I managed to get six sweet peppers to harvest. They won\'t last long unless I freeze them so I shall be batch cooking some meals and throwing these into the mix.\r\n\r\nThe potting shed structure is looking decidedly poorly with gaps appearing between the panels where the wood has warped. This may be down to the fact that I haven\'t treated it in the last six years or just a cheap shed or poorly constructed in the first place. In all likelihood it\'s a combination of all three. I think it will last another year and then in the autumn of 2021 I will replace it with a glazed greenhouse. This will give more light and the possibility of growing more flowers and vegetables. All the garden tools that are in there at the moment can easily be moved to the workshop behind the garage and I may even sell off some of the duplicated items. Who needs three hoes? Unless your Santa Claus ho, ho ho...', 'Gardening and Cooking', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6523-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-10-27 13:15:17', '2020-10-27 13:15:17', '', 6523, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6531', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6532, 283, '2020-10-31 13:54:21', '2020-10-31 13:54:21', '', 'beetroot prep(Oct20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'beetroot-prepoct20', '', '', '2020-10-31 13:59:22', '2020-10-31 13:59:22', '', 6537, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/beetroot-prepOct20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6533, 283, '2020-10-31 13:54:27', '2020-10-31 13:54:27', '', 'pickled beetroot(Oct20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'pickled-beetrootoct20', '', '', '2020-10-31 14:04:05', '2020-10-31 14:04:05', '', 6537, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/pickled-beetrootOct20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6534, 283, '2020-10-31 13:54:31', '2020-10-31 13:54:31', '', 'Covid immunity test(Oct20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'covid-immunity-testoct20', '', '', '2020-10-31 14:07:04', '2020-10-31 14:07:04', '', 6537, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Covid-immunity-testOct20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6535, 283, '2020-10-31 13:54:42', '2020-10-31 13:54:42', '', 'Porsche Boxster 2008', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'porsche-boxster-2008', '', '', '2020-11-04 19:29:03', '2020-11-04 19:29:03', '', 6544, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Porsche-Boxster-2008.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6536, 283, '2020-10-31 13:54:46', '2020-10-31 13:54:46', '', 'Porsche 987(Nov20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'porsche-987nov20', '', '', '2020-10-31 13:54:46', '2020-10-31 13:54:46', '', 0, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Porsche-987Nov20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6537, 283, '2020-10-31 14:16:09', '2020-10-31 14:16:09', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/beetroot-prepOct20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-6532\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/beetroot-prepOct20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>It\'s that time of year when I undertake the annual beetroot pickling \"blood\" fest. As the years go by I seem to be getting better at keeping the process under control. Admittedly this year there were fewer beets to sort out. Looking back to when I did this <a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/5836\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">last year</a> I notice that my beetroot were much bigger and I was preparing them mid September. Here I am at the end of October with some pathetic beets. I\'m not sure why I wasn\'t as successful as I was in other years so I cannot even learn a lesson from it.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/pickled-beetrootOct20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-6533\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/pickled-beetrootOct20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>Last year I pickled three Kilner jars and this year there is only one. Luckily I still have one jar left over from last year so not a complete disaster and I won\'t be starving I\'m sure.\r\n\r\nI need to eat last year\'s beetroot though before it goes off and save this year\'s for my salads in summer 2021. How\'s that for planning ahead?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Covid-immunity-testOct20-scaled.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-6534\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Covid-immunity-testOct20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>Another element of the bloodbath is the Covid 19 antibody study I\'ve participated in. I had to prick my finger and drop some blood into a hole, add some agent and then wait for bars on the device to appear or not. In my case there were no bars which indicates I don\'t have any antibodies so am still prone to catching the virus.\r\n\r\nIt doesn\'t surprise me because I haven\'t felt unwell in the last nine months, not even a cold. I\'ve also been very careful about mixing with others. As I type this all the indications are we will be going back into a national lockdown to see if we can pause the uplift in numbers in time for Christmas. It seems many people will tolerate six weeks of isolation to enable them to have one day with all the family. I\'m not sure how I will cope with more solitary confinement but hopefully with stoicism and fortitude as I have done in the past nine months. You\'re a long time dead so make the most of every day.', 'Blood Bath...', '', 'publish', 'open', 'closed', '', 'blood-bath', '', '', '2020-10-31 14:16:09', '2020-10-31 14:16:09', '', 0, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/?p=6537', 0, 'post', '', 0);
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES
(6538, 283, '2020-10-31 14:16:09', '2020-10-31 14:16:09', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/beetroot-prepOct20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-6532\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/beetroot-prepOct20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>It\'s that time of year when I undertake the annual beetroot pickling \"blood\" fest. As the years go by I seem to be getting better at keeping the process under control. Admittedly this year there were fewer beets to sort out. Looking back to when I did this <a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/5836\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">last year</a> I notice that my beetroot were much bigger and I was preparing them mid September. Here I am at the end of October with some pathetic beets. I\'m not sure why I wasn\'t as successful as I was in other years so I cannot even learn a lesson from it.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/pickled-beetrootOct20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-6533\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/pickled-beetrootOct20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>Last year I pickled three Kilner jars and this year there is only one. Luckily I still have one jar left over from last year so not a complete disaster and I won\'t be starving I\'m sure.\r\n\r\nI need to eat last year\'s beetroot though before it goes off and save this year\'s for my salads in summer 2021. How\'s that for planning ahead?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Covid-immunity-testOct20-scaled.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-6534\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Covid-immunity-testOct20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>Another element of the bloodbath is the Covid 19 antibody study I\'ve participated in. I had to prick my finger and drop some blood into a hole, add some agent and then wait for bars on the device to appear or not. In my case there were no bars which indicates I don\'t have any antibodies so am still prone to catching the virus.\r\n\r\nIt doesn\'t surprise me because I haven\'t felt unwell in the last nine months, not even a cold. I\'ve also been very careful about mixing with others. As I type this all the indications are we will be going back into a national lockdown to see if we can pause the uplift in numbers in time for Christmas. It seems many people will tolerate six weeks of isolation to enable them to have one day with all the family. I\'m not sure how I will cope with more solitary confinement but hopefully with stoicism and fortitude as I have done in the past nine months. You\'re a long time dead so make the most of every day.', 'Blood Bath...', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6537-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-10-31 14:16:09', '2020-10-31 14:16:09', '', 6537, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6538', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6539, 283, '2020-11-01 18:22:01', '2020-11-01 18:22:01', '', 'bread making2(Oct20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'bread-making2oct20', '', '', '2020-11-02 08:59:20', '2020-11-02 08:59:20', '', 6541, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/bread-making2Oct20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6540, 283, '2020-11-01 18:22:05', '2020-11-01 18:22:05', '', 'piglet clean(Nov20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'piglet-cleannov20', '', '', '2020-11-02 09:02:43', '2020-11-02 09:02:43', '', 6541, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/piglet-cleanNov20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6541, 283, '2020-11-02 09:08:13', '2020-11-02 09:08:13', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/bread-making2Oct20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright wp-image-6539 size-medium\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/bread-making2Oct20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>As we enter another period of lockdown I\'m preparing by exploring things to do when there\'s nowhere to go or people to see.\r\n\r\nMy bread making skills have improved dramatically. To be totally honest it has nothing to do with my skills but more on the age of the ingredients. I bought fresh yeast and new flour and voila a very tasty white loaf. Once I\'ve eaten this I will try a granary loaf. I have the flour ready and waiting.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/piglet-cleanNov20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6540\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/piglet-cleanNov20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>With the onset of autumn and because the lawns are covered in leaves I have taken piglet away from her duties and given her a clean.\r\n\r\nI\'m surprised that with a piece of equipment that has, in the past, been left outside all year round there is a warning not to clean with water and definitely not a pressure washer. She needs a good clean but I\'ve done as much as I can reach. I\'ve squirted WD40 over the moving parts and anything liable to rust. I\'ve also changed the three blades which are the size of razor blades.\r\n\r\nIf the grass continues to grow I\'ll run the petrol mower over the grass which will also pick up the leaves. As far as piglet is concerned - she\'s on holiday until the spring.', 'Lockdown 2.0', '', 'publish', 'open', 'closed', '', 'lockdown-2-0', '', '', '2020-11-02 09:08:13', '2020-11-02 09:08:13', '', 0, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/?p=6541', 0, 'post', '', 2),
(6542, 283, '2020-11-02 09:08:13', '2020-11-02 09:08:13', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/bread-making2Oct20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright wp-image-6539 size-medium\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/bread-making2Oct20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>As we enter another period of lockdown I\'m preparing by exploring things to do when there\'s nowhere to go or people to see.\r\n\r\nMy bread making skills have improved dramatically. To be totally honest it has nothing to do with my skills but more on the age of the ingredients. I bought fresh yeast and new flour and voila a very tasty white loaf. Once I\'ve eaten this I will try a granary loaf. I have the flour ready and waiting.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/piglet-cleanNov20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6540\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/piglet-cleanNov20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>With the onset of autumn and because the lawns are covered in leaves I have taken piglet away from her duties and given her a clean.\r\n\r\nI\'m surprised that with a piece of equipment that has, in the past, been left outside all year round there is a warning not to clean with water and definitely not a pressure washer. She needs a good clean but I\'ve done as much as I can reach. I\'ve squirted WD40 over the moving parts and anything liable to rust. I\'ve also changed the three blades which are the size of razor blades.\r\n\r\nIf the grass continues to grow I\'ll run the petrol mower over the grass which will also pick up the leaves. As far as piglet is concerned - she\'s on holiday until the spring.', 'Lockdown 2.0', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6541-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-11-02 09:08:13', '2020-11-02 09:08:13', '', 6541, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6542', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6546, 283, '2020-11-04 19:46:43', '2020-11-04 19:46:43', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Porsche-Boxster-2008.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6535\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Porsche-Boxster-2008-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Back in the day when I was working (eleven years ago) I felt I warranted owning the car of my dreams - a Porsche Boxster. When I retired I decided I didn\'t deserve to have a sports car and replaced it with a Skoda Yeti.\r\n\r\nDespite owning a couple of sports cars over the last four years (Lotus Elise and MX5) I\'ve always had a hankering of getting another Porsche and I still cannot explain why I didn\'t. All that has changed...\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Boxster1Nov20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6545\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Boxster1Nov20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>As of today I\'m the proud owner of another Boxster. 2.7 litres, 240 bhp, 0 - 60 in 6.2 seconds. I won\'t mention the top speed because that is beyond the legal limits. The  colour is perfect. It doesn\'t have the gizmos to be found on my Mazda 30 however it is refreshing to be in control - no automatic wipers or lights or lane control. I have to concentrate and drive it.\r\n\r\nI managed to do a deal so that it comes with 12 months warranty. There\'s 32k on the clock, twelve years old and it looks as good as new.\r\n\r\nMy friend and neighbour, Dave, drove me over to the garage south of Sheffield so that I could collect it. I drove back along the motorways with the roof up but once I was off the main roads I donned my thick coat and put the roof down. It was only ten degrees but with the heater on I cruised back in style. There are many great features about a Boxster: its style, panache, road holding and the throaty growl from the engine cannot be beaten. I look forward to a few more sunny days this autumn so that I can get out for a drive along the twisting lanes of Lincolnshire with the roof down. I will use it as my lockdown therapy.', 'A New/Old Arrival...', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6544-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-11-04 19:46:43', '2020-11-04 19:46:43', '', 6544, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6546', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6547, 283, '2020-11-06 15:41:44', '2020-11-06 15:41:44', '', 'cropped-Boxster1Nov20.jpg', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'cropped-boxster1nov20-jpg', '', '', '2020-11-06 15:41:44', '2020-11-06 15:41:44', '', 0, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/cropped-Boxster1Nov20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6549, 283, '2020-11-07 17:15:46', '2020-11-07 17:15:46', '', 'granary loaf(Nov20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'granary-loafnov20', '', '', '2020-11-07 17:46:34', '2020-11-07 17:46:34', '', 6553, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/granary-loafNov20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6550, 283, '2020-11-07 17:15:52', '2020-11-07 17:15:52', '', 'carrot tubs(Nov20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'carrot-tubsnov20', '', '', '2020-11-07 17:34:18', '2020-11-07 17:34:18', '', 6553, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/carrot-tubsNov20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6551, 283, '2020-11-07 17:15:56', '2020-11-07 17:15:56', '', 'carrot soup(Nov20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'carrot-soupnov20', '', '', '2020-11-07 17:24:56', '2020-11-07 17:24:56', '', 6553, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/carrot-soupNov20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6552, 283, '2020-11-07 17:16:00', '2020-11-07 17:16:00', '', 'orange peel fungi(Nov20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'orange-peel-funginov20', '', '', '2020-11-07 17:39:29', '2020-11-07 17:39:29', '', 6553, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/orange-peel-fungiNov20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6553, 283, '2020-11-07 17:54:32', '2020-11-07 17:54:32', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/carrot-soupNov20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6551\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/carrot-soupNov20-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>Let\'s start with the carrots... like many of my vegetables this year my carrots haven\'t been a great success. They were being eaten by a combination of slugs and <a href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrot_fly\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">carrot root fly</a>. From two rows of carrots I managed to rescue enough good carrots to make a litre of carrot and coriander soup.\r\n\r\nIt is most disheartening particularly when it took me half an hour to sort out the eaten carrots from the good ones. As my friend and neighbour Dave said to me, it would easier to pop up to Tesco and buy a bag of carrots. The point of growing your own veg is the joy of when it goes well and the challenge when it doesn\'t. Home grown always tastes better. The soup is delicious by the way.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/carrot-tubsNov20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6550\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/carrot-tubsNov20-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>To get round the Carrot Fly problem I decided to go back to growing my carrots next year in tubs. In previous years I had two tubs which were drainage pipes left over from the build. I cut those two in half to make four tubs which fit neatly across one plot. In theory the Carrot Fly is low flying and doesn\'t get above 50 cms. These tubs are not that tall but at least they are a bit of a barrier. I could also try covering them with a fine gauze. If it works I should get long, slender carrots not riddled with carrot fly maggots.\r\n\r\nFingers crossed.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/orange-peel-fungiNov20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6552\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/orange-peel-fungiNov20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWith the site ringed by mature trees there is always a lot of fungi at this time of year. I was picking up fallen twigs alongside the drive when I saw something bright orange out of the corner of my eye and thought it was a piece of litter. After closer inspection I realised it was a fungus called Orange Peel fungus (for obvious reasons). There were several growths in a small area. I haven\'t checked whether it\'s edible or not. Either way I won\'t be frying it up for breakfast any time soon.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/granary-loafNov20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6549\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/granary-loafNov20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>And to end with... my bread making activities continue with a combination of excitement and trepidation. This is a granary loaf which looks somewhat rustic where the top has not proved sufficiently before the machine started to bake it.\r\n\r\nDespite how it looks it tastes delicious. It is pleasantly crusty without breaking teeth. Coated with butter and blackcurrant jam it\'s a real treat to eat in front of the log fire. The white loaf I made over a week ago lasted really well and it was only in the last few days did I toast it because it was getting a bit dry.', 'Carrots, Orange Peel and Bread...', '', 'publish', 'open', 'closed', '', 'carrots-orange-peel-and-bread', '', '', '2020-11-07 17:54:32', '2020-11-07 17:54:32', '', 0, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/?p=6553', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(6554, 283, '2020-11-07 17:54:32', '2020-11-07 17:54:32', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/carrot-soupNov20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6551\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/carrot-soupNov20-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>Let\'s start with the carrots... like many of my vegetables this year my carrots haven\'t been a great success. They were being eaten by a combination of slugs and <a href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrot_fly\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">carrot root fly</a>. From two rows of carrots I managed to rescue enough good carrots to make a litre of carrot and coriander soup.\r\n\r\nIt is most disheartening particularly when it took me half an hour to sort out the eaten carrots from the good ones. As my friend and neighbour Dave said to me, it would easier to pop up to Tesco and buy a bag of carrots. The point of growing your own veg is the joy of when it goes well and the challenge when it doesn\'t. Home grown always tastes better. The soup is delicious by the way.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/carrot-tubsNov20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6550\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/carrot-tubsNov20-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>To get round the Carrot Fly problem I decided to go back to growing my carrots next year in tubs. In previous years I had two tubs which were drainage pipes left over from the build. I cut those two in half to make four tubs which fit neatly across one plot. In theory the Carrot Fly is low flying and doesn\'t get above 50 cms. These tubs are not that tall but at least they are a bit of a barrier. I could also try covering them with a fine gauze. If it works I should get long, slender carrots not riddled with carrot fly maggots.\r\n\r\nFingers crossed.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/orange-peel-fungiNov20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6552\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/orange-peel-fungiNov20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWith the site ringed by mature trees there is always a lot of fungi at this time of year. I was picking up fallen twigs alongside the drive when I saw something bright orange out of the corner of my eye and thought it was a piece of litter. After closer inspection I realised it was a fungus called Orange Peel fungus (for obvious reasons). There were several growths in a small area. I haven\'t checked whether it\'s edible or not. Either way I won\'t be frying it up for breakfast any time soon.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/granary-loafNov20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6549\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/granary-loafNov20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>And to end with... my bread making activities continue with a combination of excitement and trepidation. This is a granary loaf which looks somewhat rustic where the top has not proved sufficiently before the machine started to bake it.\r\n\r\nDespite how it looks it tastes delicious. It is pleasantly crusty without breaking teeth. Coated with butter and blackcurrant jam it\'s a real treat to eat in front of the log fire. The white loaf I made over a week ago lasted really well and it was only in the last few days did I toast it because it was getting a bit dry.', 'Carrots, Orange Peel and Bread...', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6553-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-11-07 17:54:32', '2020-11-07 17:54:32', '', 6553, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6554', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6556, 283, '2020-11-14 14:22:46', '2020-11-14 14:22:46', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/HedgehogNov20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6559\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/HedgehogNov20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>I was tidying up the kitchen the other morning, glanced out of the window and there on the lawn was this little hedgehog. It was daylight and it didn\'t look fat enough to survive winter. I called Lucie because she has an affinity to hedgehogs and she was round like a shot. It was decided that \"he\" needed feeding and so for the last few days Lucie has been putting meal worms down and I\'ve been adding dried cat food outside the back door. After a few days it is apparent the little fella is getting choosy because the meal worms are being eaten but not the cat food. Let\'s hope he puts on weight and he finds somewhere warm to hibernate when it starts to get really cold. I shall spend the winter months worrying about lifting logs from the log pile just in case he\'s sleeping underneath.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Holly-tree-removalNov20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6560\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Holly-tree-removalNov20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Midweek Nick, Dave and I removed the dead Holly trees from alongside the drive. Nick did the technical work of assessing where to cut while Dave and I pulled on ropes to make sure they didn\'t fall on the neighbours fences.\r\n\r\nWithin an hour the trees were down and cut into lengths. I spent the next 3 hours shredding the brush. It\'s amazing that these large piles of branches shred down into about 4 barrow loads of chippings which then get spread onto the path that runs between the trees.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Vegetable-Plot-Plan-2021.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright wp-image-6558 size-medium\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Vegetable-Plot-Plan-2021-e1605362640340-300x219.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"219\" /></a>As the last of the crops are coming out of the ground so I\'m planning the vegetable plot for next year.\r\n\r\nIt helps to know where everything is going and to make sure I have crop rotation although I did read that onions should go into the same area, year after year. No potatoes next year because they take up a lot of space despite growing different varieties they don\'t last well.\r\n\r\nI\'ve already put in my garlic using some of the corms from this year\'s crop. It was a suggestion from a friend and it certainly worked last year.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/seedsNov2020.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6557\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/seedsNov2020-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>While I was planning what to sow and where, I thought I ought to order my seeds. A few years ago one of Jane\'s friends recommended using a company called <a href=\"https://www.seedparade.co.uk/8-vegetable-seeds\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Seed Parade</a>. The seeds arrive in plastic bags with a simple label. They are not expensive or at least they are far cheaper than the packets in garden centres and they are high quality. Last year I didn\'t buy from Seed Parade and had serious germination problems whereas I\'ve never had failures from them.\r\n\r\nI did make the mistake of ordering onion seeds but I\'ve decided to sow them in the potting shed now and then transplant them in the spring. Last year I grew shallots from seed and they were puny so I\'m wary of making the same mistake twice. Time will tell...', 'Hogs, Holly and more...', '', 'publish', 'open', 'closed', '', 'hogs-holly-and-more', '', '', '2020-11-14 14:22:46', '2020-11-14 14:22:46', '', 0, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/?p=6556', 0, 'post', '', 2),
(6557, 283, '2020-11-14 13:51:57', '2020-11-14 13:51:57', '', 'seeds(Nov2020)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'seedsnov2020', '', '', '2020-11-14 13:51:57', '2020-11-14 13:51:57', '', 6556, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/seedsNov2020.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6558, 283, '2020-11-14 13:52:03', '2020-11-14 13:52:03', '', 'Vegetable Plot Plan 2021', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'vegetable-plot-plan-2021', '', '', '2020-11-14 13:52:03', '2020-11-14 13:52:03', '', 6556, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Vegetable-Plot-Plan-2021.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6559, 283, '2020-11-14 13:52:08', '2020-11-14 13:52:08', '', 'Hedgehog(Nov20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'hedgehognov20', '', '', '2020-11-14 13:52:08', '2020-11-14 13:52:08', '', 6556, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/HedgehogNov20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6560, 283, '2020-11-14 13:52:12', '2020-11-14 13:52:12', '', 'Holly tree removal(Nov20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'holly-tree-removalnov20', '', '', '2020-11-14 13:52:12', '2020-11-14 13:52:12', '', 6556, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Holly-tree-removalNov20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6561, 283, '2020-11-14 14:22:46', '2020-11-14 14:22:46', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/HedgehogNov20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6559\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/HedgehogNov20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>I was tidying up the kitchen the other morning, glanced out of the window and there on the lawn was this little hedgehog. It was daylight and it didn\'t look fat enough to survive winter. I called Lucie because she has an affinity to hedgehogs and she was round like a shot. It was decided that \"he\" needed feeding and so for the last few days Lucie has been putting meal worms down and I\'ve been adding dried cat food outside the back door. After a few days it is apparent the little fella is getting choosy because the meal worms are being eaten but not the cat food. Let\'s hope he puts on weight and he finds somewhere warm to hibernate when it starts to get really cold. I shall spend the winter months worrying about lifting logs from the log pile just in case he\'s sleeping underneath.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Holly-tree-removalNov20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6560\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Holly-tree-removalNov20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Midweek Nick, Dave and I removed the dead Holly trees from alongside the drive. Nick did the technical work of assessing where to cut while Dave and I pulled on ropes to make sure they didn\'t fall on the neighbours fences.\r\n\r\nWithin an hour the trees were down and cut into lengths. I spent the next 3 hours shredding the brush. It\'s amazing that these large piles of branches shred down into about 4 barrow loads of chippings which then get spread onto the path that runs between the trees.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Vegetable-Plot-Plan-2021.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright wp-image-6558 size-medium\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Vegetable-Plot-Plan-2021-e1605362640340-300x219.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"219\" /></a>As the last of the crops are coming out of the ground so I\'m planning the vegetable plot for next year.\r\n\r\nIt helps to know where everything is going and to make sure I have crop rotation although I did read that onions should go into the same area, year after year. No potatoes next year because they take up a lot of space despite growing different varieties they don\'t last well.\r\n\r\nI\'ve already put in my garlic using some of the corms from this year\'s crop. It was a suggestion from a friend and it certainly worked last year.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/seedsNov2020.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6557\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/seedsNov2020-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>While I was planning what to sow and where, I thought I ought to order my seeds. A few years ago one of Jane\'s friends recommended using a company called <a href=\"https://www.seedparade.co.uk/8-vegetable-seeds\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Seed Parade</a>. The seeds arrive in plastic bags with a simple label. They are not expensive or at least they are far cheaper than the packets in garden centres and they are high quality. Last year I didn\'t buy from Seed Parade and had serious germination problems whereas I\'ve never had failures from them.\r\n\r\nI did make the mistake of ordering onion seeds but I\'ve decided to sow them in the potting shed now and then transplant them in the spring. Last year I grew shallots from seed and they were puny so I\'m wary of making the same mistake twice. Time will tell...', 'Hogs, Holly and more...', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6556-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-11-14 14:22:46', '2020-11-14 14:22:46', '', 6556, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6561', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6563, 283, '2020-11-22 17:58:21', '2020-11-22 17:58:21', '', 'strawberry frame(Nov20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'strawberry-framenov20', '', '', '2020-11-22 17:58:21', '2020-11-22 17:58:21', '', 6562, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/strawberry-frameNov20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6564, 283, '2020-11-22 17:58:26', '2020-11-22 17:58:26', '', 'P19 YRD Boxster(Nov20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'p19-yrd-boxsternov20', '', '', '2020-11-22 17:58:26', '2020-11-22 17:58:26', '', 6562, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/P19-YRD-BoxsterNov20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6565, 283, '2020-11-22 17:58:29', '2020-11-22 17:58:29', '', 'squirrel(Nov20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'squirrelnov20', '', '', '2020-11-22 17:58:29', '2020-11-22 17:58:29', '', 6562, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/squirrelNov20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6566, 283, '2020-11-22 17:58:33', '2020-11-22 17:58:33', '', 'beech tree walk(Nov20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'beech-tree-walknov20', '', '', '2020-11-22 17:58:33', '2020-11-22 17:58:33', '', 6562, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/beech-tree-walkNov20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6568, 283, '2020-11-22 18:26:50', '2020-11-22 18:26:50', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/beech-tree-walkNov20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6566\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/beech-tree-walkNov20-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>With only a few leaves left on the trees woodland walks can be magnificent. Last Sunday, after a wet, grey morning I took a walk on the circuit out of Market Rasen that crosses the railway line a couple of times before working its way through these wonderful beech trees. Most of the leaves have dropped now but the carpet of leaves is the epitome of autumnal colours. I did see a few people out but for this section I was completely alone.\r\n\r\nThe four and half mile walk was completed in just over an hour and I kept up a fast pace to get the heart pumping.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/squirrelNov20.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-6565 alignleft\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/squirrelNov20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>The squirrels are regular visitors to the garden. They enjoy chasing each other around the trees and burying nuts in the lawn and the pots. Dave next door regularly puts out peanuts for them in a box where they lift the lid and fill their mouth pouches. They then hide peanuts all over the place.\r\n\r\nI do believe this one was munching on one of my bulbs. I\'ve learned to live with the disturbance.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/P19-YRD-BoxsterNov20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6564\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/P19-YRD-BoxsterNov20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>After two weeks I received the VR5 documents for the Porsche which meant I could add my personalised number plate. The process is so simple - go online enter the registration that is on hold, the details from the new VR5 and immediately the process is completed. Tax and MoT are automatically updated with the new registration.\r\n\r\nStrangely I didn\'t feel it was mine until it had the Pig Yard label. Physically swapping the plates should have been an easy job but like all \"simple tasks\" it took the best of the morning. The usual double sided stickers I use for number plates wouldn\'t work because it was too cold so I decided to screw them on. This week has been great for taking a couple of drives with the roof down. Cold but refreshing.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/strawberry-frameNov20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6563\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/strawberry-frameNov20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>My final task of the week was to make a frame for my strawberry bed. I had plenty of wood on the garage (see photo above) left over from the builders. The difficulty about putting it together was that it really needed two people but I didn\'t want to waste anyone else\'s time.\r\n\r\nThe plot isn\'t square (more of a trapezium, \"O\" level geometry) so I couldn\'t make the ends and sides equal length. I eventually got there. The joints need to be strengthened so I\'ve bought some galvanised corner brackets. It looks good if you don\'t get too close but it\'s only for the garden, not cabinet making.\r\n\r\nHopefully next year I will get some strawberries and deprive the squirrels and birds from taking their share.', 'Autumn and more...', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6562-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-11-22 18:26:50', '2020-11-22 18:26:50', '', 6562, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6568', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6569, 283, '2020-11-30 10:03:06', '2020-11-30 10:03:06', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/starling-flockNov20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright wp-image-6570 size-medium\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/starling-flockNov20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>During the past week time seems to have slowed down. The weather has turned colder and over the last few days it has become dull and damp.\r\n\r\nI continue to exercise most days with Gentle Fit on Monday\'s and Fridays, a PT session on Tuesday\'s and a Joe Wicks session on Wednesday. It\'s too cold for me to cycle so I take myself out on a walk. I took this photo of starlings flocking together. As I walked across the muddy field they would take to the air ahead of me with a whooshing sound. Fascinating to watch but it was too chilly to stand for long.\r\n\r\nWith daylight hours from 8 am to 4 pm the evenings can be long and tedious. I tend to light the fire shortly after dark, sit and read for a while or catch up with emails then cook dinner and shortly after 7.30 I\'m settling down in front of the TV. I seem to spend most of my viewing time watching Netflix or Amazon Prime rather than the BBC which is a complete reversal of my previous habits.\r\n\r\nThere are occasions when time seems to drag however I usually find something to do - cleaning, washing, cooking, shopping...', 'Slow Time', '', 'publish', 'open', 'closed', '', 'slow-time', '', '', '2020-11-30 10:03:06', '2020-11-30 10:03:06', '', 0, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/?p=6569', 0, 'post', '', 2),
(6570, 283, '2020-11-30 09:50:16', '2020-11-30 09:50:16', '', 'starling flock(Nov20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'starling-flocknov20', '', '', '2020-11-30 09:50:16', '2020-11-30 09:50:16', '', 6569, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/starling-flockNov20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6571, 283, '2020-11-30 10:03:06', '2020-11-30 10:03:06', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/starling-flockNov20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright wp-image-6570 size-medium\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/starling-flockNov20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>During the past week time seems to have slowed down. The weather has turned colder and over the last few days it has become dull and damp.\r\n\r\nI continue to exercise most days with Gentle Fit on Monday\'s and Fridays, a PT session on Tuesday\'s and a Joe Wicks session on Wednesday. It\'s too cold for me to cycle so I take myself out on a walk. I took this photo of starlings flocking together. As I walked across the muddy field they would take to the air ahead of me with a whooshing sound. Fascinating to watch but it was too chilly to stand for long.\r\n\r\nWith daylight hours from 8 am to 4 pm the evenings can be long and tedious. I tend to light the fire shortly after dark, sit and read for a while or catch up with emails then cook dinner and shortly after 7.30 I\'m settling down in front of the TV. I seem to spend most of my viewing time watching Netflix or Amazon Prime rather than the BBC which is a complete reversal of my previous habits.\r\n\r\nThere are occasions when time seems to drag however I usually find something to do - cleaning, washing, cooking, shopping...', 'Slow Time', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6569-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-11-30 10:03:06', '2020-11-30 10:03:06', '', 6569, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6571', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6703, 283, '2021-03-14 13:31:52', '2021-03-14 13:31:52', '', 'flower4{mar21)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'flower4mar21', '', '', '2021-03-14 13:31:52', '2021-03-14 13:31:52', '', 6699, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/flower4mar21.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6574, 283, '2020-12-05 18:54:44', '2020-12-05 18:54:44', '', 'sunset after rain(Dec20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'sunset-after-raindec20', '', '', '2020-12-06 10:17:09', '2020-12-06 10:17:09', '', 6578, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/sunset-after-rainDec20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6575, 283, '2020-12-05 18:54:52', '2020-12-05 18:54:52', '', 'veg plots(Dec20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'veg-plotsdec20', '', '', '2020-12-06 10:05:56', '2020-12-06 10:05:56', '', 6578, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/veg-plotsDec20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6576, 283, '2020-12-05 18:54:57', '2020-12-05 18:54:57', '', 'tree work N&V(Dec20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'tree-work-nvdec20', '', '', '2020-12-06 10:10:32', '2020-12-06 10:10:32', '', 6578, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/tree-work-NVDec20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6577, 283, '2020-12-05 18:55:02', '2020-12-05 18:55:02', '', 'morning walk(Dec20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'morning-walkdec20', '', '', '2020-12-06 09:57:48', '2020-12-06 09:57:48', '', 6578, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/morning-walkDec20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6578, 283, '2020-12-06 10:25:00', '2020-12-06 10:25:00', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/morning-walkDec20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-6577 size-medium\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/morning-walkDec20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>After a week of dull gloomy weather Saturday arrived with some sunshine. First I did a <a href=\"https://youtu.be/mZs-mtDmEt8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Joe Wicks fitness session</a> that he had posted on YouTube on Friday and I followed it up with a walk with the neighbours. It was good to be outside after several days being cooped up. Not warm to begin with but after a short while and some fast walking I was shedding my hat and gloves. We walked up to Willingham Woods and then through the main track to come out on the Tealby road. As we passed the Sunnyside cafe we paused to discuss whether we should stop for coffee but the prospect of sitting outside on damp, cold picnic benches didn\'t persuade us so we walked on and back home for coffee. It was close to a 6 mile walk. Although I\'m used to short, sharp exercise routines, walking for nearly 2 hours is quite tiring.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/veg-plotsDec20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-6575\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/veg-plotsDec20-200x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"150\" /></a>I spent the afternoon in the garden tidying up the vegetable plot. I pulled up the spinach beet plants which had grown well but I didn\'t use a lot in my cooking. Apart from the black kale (Cavolo Nero) and parsnips, all the other beds have been cleared and turned over ready for planting in the late spring. I\'ve already sown some onion seeds in the potting shed in a heated seed tray. They\'ve come up very quickly, possibly too soon. I\'ve turned the heat off to slow them down a bit. Hopefully they won\'t get frosted. I shall plant onion sets too just in case.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/tree-work-NVDec20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-6576 size-medium\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/tree-work-NVDec20-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>While I was gardening the tree surgeons were along the drive removing dead wood from some of Nick and Val\'s trees.\r\n\r\nThey were supposed to have been working on mine last weekend but I still haven\'t received planning consent. There\'s an Ash tree that has a fungal growth at the base also several Lime branches are overhanging the neighbours and others are brushing onto the studio roof. It appears the Tree Officer is no longer with the council and there is a significant backlog. I don\'t think I\'m going to get the work done until February but I want it done before the birds start nesting.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/sunset-after-rainDec20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-6574\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/sunset-after-rainDec20-200x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"150\" /></a>After a very satisfying day the heavens opened just as the sun was setting. The sun reflecting off the wet drive and against the stark outline of the trees was worthy of a photograph.', 'Good Days...', '', 'publish', 'open', 'closed', '', 'good-days', '', '', '2020-12-06 10:25:00', '2020-12-06 10:25:00', '', 0, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/?p=6578', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(6579, 283, '2020-12-06 10:25:00', '2020-12-06 10:25:00', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/morning-walkDec20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-6577 size-medium\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/morning-walkDec20-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>After a week of dull gloomy weather Saturday arrived with some sunshine. First I did a <a href=\"https://youtu.be/mZs-mtDmEt8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Joe Wicks fitness session</a> that he had posted on YouTube on Friday and I followed it up with a walk with the neighbours. It was good to be outside after several days being cooped up. Not warm to begin with but after a short while and some fast walking I was shedding my hat and gloves. We walked up to Willingham Woods and then through the main track to come out on the Tealby road. As we passed the Sunnyside cafe we paused to discuss whether we should stop for coffee but the prospect of sitting outside on damp, cold picnic benches didn\'t persuade us so we walked on and back home for coffee. It was close to a 6 mile walk. Although I\'m used to short, sharp exercise routines, walking for nearly 2 hours is quite tiring.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/veg-plotsDec20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-6575\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/veg-plotsDec20-200x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"150\" /></a>I spent the afternoon in the garden tidying up the vegetable plot. I pulled up the spinach beet plants which had grown well but I didn\'t use a lot in my cooking. Apart from the black kale (Cavolo Nero) and parsnips, all the other beds have been cleared and turned over ready for planting in the late spring. I\'ve already sown some onion seeds in the potting shed in a heated seed tray. They\'ve come up very quickly, possibly too soon. I\'ve turned the heat off to slow them down a bit. Hopefully they won\'t get frosted. I shall plant onion sets too just in case.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/tree-work-NVDec20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-6576 size-medium\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/tree-work-NVDec20-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>While I was gardening the tree surgeons were along the drive removing dead wood from some of Nick and Val\'s trees.\r\n\r\nThey were supposed to have been working on mine last weekend but I still haven\'t received planning consent. There\'s an Ash tree that has a fungal growth at the base also several Lime branches are overhanging the neighbours and others are brushing onto the studio roof. It appears the Tree Officer is no longer with the council and there is a significant backlog. I don\'t think I\'m going to get the work done until February but I want it done before the birds start nesting.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/sunset-after-rainDec20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-6574\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/sunset-after-rainDec20-200x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"150\" /></a>After a very satisfying day the heavens opened just as the sun was setting. The sun reflecting off the wet drive and against the stark outline of the trees was worthy of a photograph.', 'Good Days...', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6578-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-12-06 10:25:00', '2020-12-06 10:25:00', '', 6578, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6579', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6582, 283, '2020-12-19 13:33:36', '2020-12-19 13:33:36', '', 'xmas tree(Dec20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'xmas-treedec20', '', '', '2020-12-20 16:10:56', '2020-12-20 16:10:56', '', 6587, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/xmas-treeDec20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6583, 283, '2020-12-19 13:34:26', '2020-12-19 13:34:26', '', 'beef en croute(Dec20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'beef-en-croutedec20', '', '', '2020-12-20 16:15:12', '2020-12-20 16:15:12', '', 6587, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/beef-en-crouteDec20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6584, 283, '2020-12-19 13:35:11', '2020-12-19 13:35:11', '', 'xmas wreath(Dec20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'xmas-wreathdec20', '', '', '2020-12-20 16:18:37', '2020-12-20 16:18:37', '', 6587, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/xmas-wreathDec20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6585, 283, '2020-12-19 13:36:00', '2020-12-19 13:36:00', '', 'log cutting(Dec 20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'log-cuttingdec-20', '', '', '2020-12-20 16:22:10', '2020-12-20 16:22:10', '', 6587, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/log-cuttingDec-20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6586, 283, '2020-12-19 13:36:44', '2020-12-19 13:36:44', '', 'apple sultana crumble(Dec20)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'apple-sultana-crumbledec20', '', '', '2020-12-19 13:36:44', '2020-12-19 13:36:44', '', 0, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/apple-sultana-crumbleDec20.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0);
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES
(6587, 283, '2020-12-20 16:48:25', '2020-12-20 16:48:25', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/xmas-treeDec20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-6582\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/xmas-treeDec20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>It\'s two weeks since my last posting and looking back there\'s not been a lot happening that I can tell you about (there has been stuff but I\'m sworn to secrecy about it).\r\n\r\nThe Christmas tree is up and for the first time since moving in (nearly 7 years) I erected it in the living room instead of up on the landing. I took the policy of less is more however I think I need to buy some new baubles and throw out the stuff that is tatty. It doesn\'t have any sentimental value, in fact it\'s of no value at all.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/beef-en-crouteDec20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-6583\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/beef-en-crouteDec20-200x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"281\" height=\"211\" /></a>I keep pushing the boundaries of my culinary skills and last weekend I made some mini beef en croute or should that be boeuf en croute. I discovered a new word in the process - duxelle which is a mushroom mixture that coats the meet before wrapping it in pastry.\r\n\r\nThe whole dinner was a delight and I\'m pleased to have added another meal to my repertoire.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/xmas-wreathDec20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-6584\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/xmas-wreathDec20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>I have also been given by a young friend a Christmas wreath.\r\n\r\nIt is hanging from one of the lights just outside the front door. I\'m under strict instructions to keep the moss backing watered so it stays green and fresh throughout the holiday period. I say \"holiday period\" however life is now one long holiday so it does lose a little significance.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/log-cuttingDec-20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-6585\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/log-cuttingDec-20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"182\" height=\"243\" /></a>When the weather is dry and sunny I\'m working in the garden. I try to ignore the cold. There\'s always loads of tidying up to do not least cutting branches that I\'ve been stacking for the last 6 months. My small cordless Stihl chainsaw is excellent. It\'s light, relatively quiet but cuts very effectively and the battery lasts for about an hour which is as much as I want to do at any one time.\r\n\r\nMy wood pile is slowly going down but I\'m still burning the sycamore that was <a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/5021\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">felled 18 months ago</a>.\r\n\r\nI\'m hoping that I will get permission to remove an ash tree that has a fungal disease however I\'ve been waiting several months for the tree officer to give their approval. There is a staffing issue at West Lindsey council. When it does come down I shall have enough wood to last me another two years.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/covid-19.jpeg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6177 alignright\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/covid-19-200x92.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"92\" /></a>As the pandemic continues to dominate the news and our lives, I decided to do a calculation to estimate how many vaccinations would need to be done every week for the over 65s and health workers to get all their jabs. There are 13 million people that fall into this category and each one will require two jabs so that\'s 26 million in total. If the government achieve 1 million per week it will take 26 weeks (six months). Any less than 1 million then the time required will obviously lengthen. The UK government hasn\'t managed to get anything right so far (don\'t mention Brexit) so I can say with some certainty that we shouldn\'t expect to be free of the constraints caused by Covid-19  until autumn 2021. How depressing is that?', 'Cooking and Cutting', '', 'publish', 'open', 'closed', '', 'cooking-and-cutting', '', '', '2021-01-16 16:42:39', '2021-01-16 16:42:39', '', 0, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/?p=6587', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(6588, 283, '2020-12-19 13:44:50', '2020-12-19 13:44:50', '', 'Cooking and Cutting', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6587-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-12-19 13:44:50', '2020-12-19 13:44:50', '', 6587, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6588', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6707, 283, '2021-03-14 13:32:47', '2021-03-14 13:32:47', '[gallery size=\"medium\" ids=\"6700,6701,6702,6703,6704,6705,6706\"]', 'Spring Flowers', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6699-revision-v1', '', '', '2021-03-14 13:32:47', '2021-03-14 13:32:47', '', 6699, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/?p=6707', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6590, 283, '2020-12-20 16:48:25', '2020-12-20 16:48:25', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/xmas-treeDec20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-6582\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/xmas-treeDec20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>It\'s two weeks since my last posting and looking back there\'s not been a lot happening that I can tell you about (there has been stuff but I\'m sworn to secrecy about it).\r\n\r\nThe Christmas tree is up and for the first time since moving in (nearly 7 years) I erected it in the living room instead of up on the landing. I took the policy of less is more however I think I need to buy some new baubles and throw out the stuff that is tatty. It doesn\'t have any sentimental value, in fact it\'s of no value at all.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/beef-en-crouteDec20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft  wp-image-6583\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/beef-en-crouteDec20-200x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"281\" height=\"211\" /></a>I keep pushing the boundaries of my culinary skills and last weekend I made some mini beef en croute or should that be boeuf en croute. I discovered a new word in the process - duxelle which is a mushroom mixture that coats the meet before wrapping it in pastry.\r\n\r\nThe whole dinner was a delight and I\'m pleased to have added another meal to my repertoire.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/xmas-wreathDec20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-6584\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/xmas-wreathDec20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>I have also been given by a young friend a Christmas wreath.\r\n\r\nIt is hanging from one of the lights just outside the front door. I\'m under strict instructions to keep the moss backing watered so it stays green and fresh throughout the holiday period. I say \"holiday period\" however life is now one long holiday so it does lose a little significance.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/log-cuttingDec-20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft  wp-image-6585\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/log-cuttingDec-20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"182\" height=\"243\" /></a>When the weather is dry and sunny I\'m working in the garden. I try to ignore the cold. There\'s always loads of tidying up to do not least cutting branches that I\'ve been stacking for the last 6 months. My small cordless Stihl chainsaw is excellent. It\'s light, relatively quiet but cuts very effectively and the battery lasts for about an hour which is as much as I want to do at any one time.\r\n\r\nMy wood pile is slowly going down but I\'m still burning the sycamore that was <a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/5021\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">felled 18 months ago</a>.\r\n\r\nI\'m hoping that I will get permission to remove an ash tree that has a fungal disease however I\'ve been waiting several months for the tree officer to give their approval. There is a staffing issue at West Lindsey council. When it does come down I shall have enough wood to last me another two years.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/covid-19.jpeg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6177 alignright\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/covid-19-200x92.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"92\" /></a>As the pandemic continues to dominate the news and our lives, I decided to do a calculation to estimate how many vaccinations would need to be done every week for the over 65s and health workers to get all their jabs. There are 13 million people that fall into this category and each one will require two jabs so that\'s 26 million in total. If the government achieve 1 million per week it will take 26 weeks (six months). Any less than 1 million then the time required will obviously lengthen. The UK government hasn\'t managed to get anything right so far (don\'t mention Brexit) so I can say with some certainty that we shouldn\'t expect to be free of the constraints caused by Covid-19  until autumn 2021. How depressing is that?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;', 'Cooking and Cutting', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6587-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-12-20 16:48:25', '2020-12-20 16:48:25', '', 6587, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6590', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6591, 283, '2020-12-24 18:34:36', '2020-12-24 18:34:36', '<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 20pt; color: #0000ff;\">After such an awful year we deserve to have a wonderful festive season</span></p>\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/christmas_cat_animated_gif.gif\"><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-761 size-full\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/christmas_cat_animated_gif.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"288\" height=\"354\" /></a>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff; font-size: 20pt;\">And Be Grateful for Good Friends</span></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5416\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/friendshipdec18.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"240\" height=\"320\" /><span style=\"color: #0000ff; font-size: 20pt;\">Love and Hugs</span></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff; font-size: 20pt;\">Steve xx</span></p>', 'Christmas 2020', '', 'publish', 'open', 'closed', '', 'christmas-2020', '', '', '2020-12-24 18:34:36', '2020-12-24 18:34:36', '', 0, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/?p=6591', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(6592, 283, '2020-12-24 18:34:36', '2020-12-24 18:34:36', '<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 20pt; color: #0000ff;\">After such an awful year we deserve to have a wonderful festive season</span></p>\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/christmas_cat_animated_gif.gif\"><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-761 size-full\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/christmas_cat_animated_gif.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"288\" height=\"354\" /></a>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff; font-size: 20pt;\">And Be Grateful for Good Friends</span></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5416\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/friendshipdec18.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"240\" height=\"320\" /><span style=\"color: #0000ff; font-size: 20pt;\">Love and Hugs</span></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff; font-size: 20pt;\">Steve xx</span></p>', 'Christmas 2020', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6591-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-12-24 18:34:36', '2020-12-24 18:34:36', '', 6591, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6592', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6593, 283, '2020-12-28 19:20:01', '2020-12-28 19:20:01', 'There\'s something about Christmas that gives me some concerns. There\'s an expectation that everything will be full of jollification and the best day of the year. Of course this is nonsense and simply a deep, psychological leftover from childhood.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/xmas-dinnerDec2020.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-6596\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/xmas-dinnerDec2020-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>This Christmas surpassed my expectations. I had a delightful dinner with friends (not saying who for fear of incriminating the innocent). I was served Boef en Croute with all the usual trimmings including brussel sprouts. There was a time when I wouldn\'t eat a sprout but these days I\'m happy to try new foods and I\'ve discovered I quite like them. It made a pleasant change not to be cooking.\r\n\r\nDinner was washed down with my favourite wine - <a href=\"https://www.grantburgewines.com.au/index.cfm?method=pages.showPage&amp;PageID=DBAC20A9-D467-E382-2CD7-57F8CDC219A7&amp;originalMarketingURL=Wines/Barossa-Ink\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Barossa Ink Shiraz</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/whiskeyDec2020.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-6595\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/whiskeyDec2020-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>And to smooth my way through the evening watching the usual Christmas TV, a glass of my favourite whiskey.\r\n\r\nThroughout the year I drink very little (glass of beer with my Friday night curry) but I felt obliged to indulge on Christmas Day.\r\n\r\nPeople say they don\'t like whiskey but what they usually mean is they don\'t like blended whiskey. A single malt like Laphroaig is very special.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/spotted-woodpeckerDec2020.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-6594\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/spotted-woodpeckerDec2020-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>Meanwhile the garden keeps getting the usual visitors. This greater spotted woodpecker has been on the bird feeder several times this week and usually he keeps to the far side but on this occasion he came around to give a good profile. Considering I was taking this photo on my phone at maximum zoom (10x) and through the utility room window it isn\'t too bad.\r\n\r\nI should keep my main camera and tripod closer to hand to capture this chappie when it next visits.', 'Not So Bad...', '', 'publish', 'open', 'closed', '', 'not-so-bad', '', '', '2020-12-28 19:20:01', '2020-12-28 19:20:01', '', 0, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/?p=6593', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(6594, 283, '2020-12-28 18:29:30', '2020-12-28 18:29:30', '', 'spotted woodpecker(Dec2020)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'spotted-woodpeckerdec2020', '', '', '2020-12-28 18:29:30', '2020-12-28 18:29:30', '', 6593, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/spotted-woodpeckerDec2020.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6595, 283, '2020-12-28 18:29:34', '2020-12-28 18:29:34', '', 'whiskey(Dec2020)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'whiskeydec2020', '', '', '2020-12-28 18:29:34', '2020-12-28 18:29:34', '', 6593, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/whiskeyDec2020.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6596, 283, '2020-12-28 18:29:38', '2020-12-28 18:29:38', '', 'xmas dinner(Dec2020)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'xmas-dinnerdec2020', '', '', '2020-12-28 18:29:38', '2020-12-28 18:29:38', '', 6593, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/xmas-dinnerDec2020.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6597, 283, '2020-12-28 19:20:01', '2020-12-28 19:20:01', 'There\'s something about Christmas that gives me some concerns. There\'s an expectation that everything will be full of jollification and the best day of the year. Of course this is nonsense and simply a deep, psychological leftover from childhood.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/xmas-dinnerDec2020.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-6596\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/xmas-dinnerDec2020-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>This Christmas surpassed my expectations. I had a delightful dinner with friends (not saying who for fear of incriminating the innocent). I was served Boef en Croute with all the usual trimmings including brussel sprouts. There was a time when I wouldn\'t eat a sprout but these days I\'m happy to try new foods and I\'ve discovered I quite like them. It made a pleasant change not to be cooking.\r\n\r\nDinner was washed down with my favourite wine - <a href=\"https://www.grantburgewines.com.au/index.cfm?method=pages.showPage&amp;PageID=DBAC20A9-D467-E382-2CD7-57F8CDC219A7&amp;originalMarketingURL=Wines/Barossa-Ink\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Barossa Ink Shiraz</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/whiskeyDec2020.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-6595\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/whiskeyDec2020-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>And to smooth my way through the evening watching the usual Christmas TV, a glass of my favourite whiskey.\r\n\r\nThroughout the year I drink very little (glass of beer with my Friday night curry) but I felt obliged to indulge on Christmas Day.\r\n\r\nPeople say they don\'t like whiskey but what they usually mean is they don\'t like blended whiskey. A single malt like Laphroaig is very special.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/spotted-woodpeckerDec2020.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-6594\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/spotted-woodpeckerDec2020-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>Meanwhile the garden keeps getting the usual visitors. This greater spotted woodpecker has been on the bird feeder several times this week and usually he keeps to the far side but on this occasion he came around to give a good profile. Considering I was taking this photo on my phone at maximum zoom (10x) and through the utility room window it isn\'t too bad.\r\n\r\nI should keep my main camera and tripod closer to hand to capture this chappie when it next visits.', 'Not So Bad...', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6593-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-12-28 19:20:01', '2020-12-28 19:20:01', '', 6593, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6597', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6598, 283, '2021-01-03 15:29:55', '2021-01-03 15:29:55', '<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/memory-box.gif\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6600\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/memory-box-300x180.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"180\" /></a>The only constant in life is change...</span>\r\n\r\nI try to keep an open mind about my attitudes, preferences and habits. These include the language that I use; for example it was pointed out to me recently that I use the phrase \"for sure\" a lot instead of saying certainly or definitely. I\'m trying to avoid it \"for sure\".\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/cheeseJan21.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft  wp-image-6599\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/cheeseJan21-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Ever since I was a child I\'ve avoided eating cheese and used excuses like I was allergic or simply didn\'t like it. I recently tried some cheese out of curiosity and liked it. I now believe that my \"dislike\" was a childhood rebellion that stuck with me without any rational cause. Cheese is now on the menu although I should be careful how much I eat because it isn\'t good for cholesterol levels. No point in taking statins to reduce cholesterol and then adding more.\r\n\r\nAs part of my drive down memory lane I shall be putting a link to my posts of ten years ago. At that time I used to blog once a month. To see what was happening then <a href=\"http://www.pigyard.com/ArchivePages/january11.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">click here...</a>', 'Looking Back and Looking Forward', '', 'publish', 'open', 'closed', '', 'looking-back-and-looking-forward', '', '', '2021-01-03 15:29:55', '2021-01-03 15:29:55', '', 0, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/?p=6598', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(6599, 283, '2021-01-03 15:14:52', '2021-01-03 15:14:52', '', 'cheese(Jan21)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'cheesejan21', '', '', '2021-01-03 15:14:52', '2021-01-03 15:14:52', '', 6598, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/cheeseJan21.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6600, 283, '2021-01-03 15:14:55', '2021-01-03 15:14:55', '', 'memory box', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'memory-box', '', '', '2021-01-03 15:14:55', '2021-01-03 15:14:55', '', 6598, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/memory-box.gif', 0, 'attachment', 'image/gif', 0),
(6601, 283, '2021-01-03 15:15:19', '2021-01-03 15:15:19', '<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/memory-box.gif\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6600\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/memory-box-300x180.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"180\" /></a>The only constant in life is change...</span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;', 'Looking Back and Looking Forward', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6598-revision-v1', '', '', '2021-01-03 15:15:19', '2021-01-03 15:15:19', '', 6598, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6601', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6602, 283, '2021-01-03 15:28:27', '2021-01-03 15:28:27', '<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/memory-box.gif\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6600\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/memory-box-300x180.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"180\" /></a>The only constant in life is change...</span>\r\n\r\nI try to keep an open mind about my attitudes, preferences and habits. These include the language that I use; for example it was pointed out to me recently that I use the phrase \"for sure\" a lot instead of saying certainly or definitely. I\'m trying to avoid it \"for sure\".\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/cheeseJan21.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft  wp-image-6599\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/cheeseJan21-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Ever since I was a child I\'ve avoided eating cheese and used excuses like I was allergic or simply didn\'t like it. I recently tried some cheese out of curiosity and liked it. I now believe that my \"dislike\" was a childhood rebellion that stuck with me without any rational cause. Cheese is now on the menu although I should be careful how much I eat because it isn\'t good for cholesterol levels. No point in taking statins to reduce cholesterol and then adding more.\r\n\r\nAs part of my drive down memory lane I shall be putting a link to my posts of ten years ago. At that time I used to blog once a month. To see what was happening then <a href=\"http://www.pigyard.com/ArchivePages/january11.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">click here...</a>', 'Looking Back and Looking Forward', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6598-revision-v1', '', '', '2021-01-03 15:28:27', '2021-01-03 15:28:27', '', 6598, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6602', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6603, 283, '2021-01-10 12:12:23', '2021-01-10 12:12:23', 'With all the major events going on in the World our conversation is dominated by the pandemic and the threat to democracy in the USA. There are times when one is grateful for the banal.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/bread-bagjan21.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright  wp-image-6606\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/bread-bagjan21-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"194\" height=\"259\" /></a>I\'ve been making bread over the last few months (using a bread machine) and the problem arose how to keep bread fresh. I could freeze it which is what I do with the sliced bread I buy for sandwiches but the pleasure of eating home baked bread is the flavour and freezing it doesn\'t work. After some research and reading the debate between airtight containers which may cause the bread to become moist and grow mould or ventilated tins that allow the bread to dry out. The answer, it seems, is to put the bread in a linen bag in a ventilated container. Let\'s see if it works or not but I won\'t be doing parallel tests.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/ash-tree-consentjan21.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6605\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/ash-tree-consentjan21-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>In the last week I\'ve been consent from the local authority to undertake the tree work I applied for last February. Initially the first pandemic lockdown stopped my application and the second was delayed because the tree officer left the council.\r\n\r\nThe ash tree in the centre of the picture has a fungal growth at the base which is weakening the core of the trunk at the base and therefore puts the tree at risk of falling. On the plus side this tree will give me enough firewood to last several years once it has been seasoned. The tree surgeon is booked to come at the end of February and remove fell the ash as well as carry out work on a couple of the lime trees that overhang the neighbours bungalow.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/winter-walk-1jan21.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright  wp-image-6604\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/winter-walk-1jan21-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"209\" height=\"279\" /></a>Lockdown alone isn\'t too bad provided the weather isn\'t so severe it stops me getting out into the garden and do some tidying. I spent an hour cutting up branches for firewood the other day and I did get cold.\r\n\r\nWalking is more invigorating. On a cold winter\'s day with a bright sky there\'s nothing better than going for a walk. After an hour, having covered 3.8 miles I arrived home, gloves off, warm and ready for a cup of Earl Grey. The only downside is that my left knee has a bit of a twinge. Was it the walk or my Joe Wicks workout in the morning. It will pass given time.\r\n\r\nFor those readers in the UK with a TV license I highly recommend watching the BBC series <a href=\"https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000qfrw/winter-walks-series-1-selina-scott\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Winter Walks...</a> I found them delightful and left me feeling very serene (especially the walk undertaken by Selina Scott).', 'Interesting Times...', '', 'publish', 'open', 'closed', '', 'interesting-times', '', '', '2021-01-10 12:12:23', '2021-01-10 12:12:23', '', 0, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/?p=6603', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(6604, 283, '2021-01-10 11:50:42', '2021-01-10 11:50:42', '', 'winter walk 1(jan21)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'winter-walk-1jan21', '', '', '2021-01-10 11:50:42', '2021-01-10 11:50:42', '', 6603, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/winter-walk-1jan21.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6605, 283, '2021-01-10 11:50:53', '2021-01-10 11:50:53', '', 'ash tree consent(jan21)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'ash-tree-consentjan21', '', '', '2021-01-10 11:50:53', '2021-01-10 11:50:53', '', 6603, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/ash-tree-consentjan21.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6606, 283, '2021-01-10 11:50:56', '2021-01-10 11:50:56', '', 'bread bag(jan21)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'bread-bagjan21', '', '', '2021-01-10 11:50:56', '2021-01-10 11:50:56', '', 6603, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/bread-bagjan21.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6607, 283, '2021-01-10 12:12:23', '2021-01-10 12:12:23', 'With all the major events going on in the World our conversation is dominated by the pandemic and the threat to democracy in the USA. There are times when one is grateful for the banal.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/bread-bagjan21.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright  wp-image-6606\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/bread-bagjan21-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"194\" height=\"259\" /></a>I\'ve been making bread over the last few months (using a bread machine) and the problem arose how to keep bread fresh. I could freeze it which is what I do with the sliced bread I buy for sandwiches but the pleasure of eating home baked bread is the flavour and freezing it doesn\'t work. After some research and reading the debate between airtight containers which may cause the bread to become moist and grow mould or ventilated tins that allow the bread to dry out. The answer, it seems, is to put the bread in a linen bag in a ventilated container. Let\'s see if it works or not but I won\'t be doing parallel tests.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/ash-tree-consentjan21.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6605\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/ash-tree-consentjan21-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>In the last week I\'ve been consent from the local authority to undertake the tree work I applied for last February. Initially the first pandemic lockdown stopped my application and the second was delayed because the tree officer left the council.\r\n\r\nThe ash tree in the centre of the picture has a fungal growth at the base which is weakening the core of the trunk at the base and therefore puts the tree at risk of falling. On the plus side this tree will give me enough firewood to last several years once it has been seasoned. The tree surgeon is booked to come at the end of February and remove fell the ash as well as carry out work on a couple of the lime trees that overhang the neighbours bungalow.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/winter-walk-1jan21.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright  wp-image-6604\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/winter-walk-1jan21-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"209\" height=\"279\" /></a>Lockdown alone isn\'t too bad provided the weather isn\'t so severe it stops me getting out into the garden and do some tidying. I spent an hour cutting up branches for firewood the other day and I did get cold.\r\n\r\nWalking is more invigorating. On a cold winter\'s day with a bright sky there\'s nothing better than going for a walk. After an hour, having covered 3.8 miles I arrived home, gloves off, warm and ready for a cup of Earl Grey. The only downside is that my left knee has a bit of a twinge. Was it the walk or my Joe Wicks workout in the morning. It will pass given time.\r\n\r\nFor those readers in the UK with a TV license I highly recommend watching the BBC series <a href=\"https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000qfrw/winter-walks-series-1-selina-scott\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Winter Walks...</a> I found them delightful and left me feeling very serene (especially the walk undertaken by Selina Scott).', 'Interesting Times...', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6603-revision-v1', '', '', '2021-01-10 12:12:23', '2021-01-10 12:12:23', '', 6603, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6607', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6608, 283, '2021-01-12 09:19:43', '2021-01-12 09:19:43', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/oxford-036.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright wp-image-3048 size-medium\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/oxford-036-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\nToday marks the fifth anniversary of Jane\'s death. Five years to come to terms with the worst thing to ever happen in my life.\r\n\r\nOver the last five years I\'ve learned to look at life in a more positive way. I feel fortunate that I will have three lives - the 19 years before I met her; the wonderful 45 years we were together; and my time ahead of me in a new life.\r\n\r\nShe was a beautiful person. She helped to shape me and make me a better person. She taught me about selflessness and how important that is. Her life lessons will remain with me for the rest of my life.', 'Five Years...', '', 'publish', 'open', 'closed', '', 'five-years', '', '', '2021-01-12 09:19:43', '2021-01-12 09:19:43', '', 0, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/?p=6608', 0, 'post', '', 2),
(6609, 283, '2021-01-11 13:59:25', '2021-01-11 13:59:25', '[caption id=\"attachment_3048\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/oxford-036.jpg\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-3048\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/oxford-036-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Oxford open air theatre[/caption]\r\n\r\nToday marks the fifth anniversary of Jane\'s death.', 'Five Years...', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6608-revision-v1', '', '', '2021-01-11 13:59:25', '2021-01-11 13:59:25', '', 6608, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6609', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6610, 283, '2021-01-11 14:06:37', '2021-01-11 14:06:37', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/oxford-036.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright wp-image-3048 size-medium\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/oxford-036-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\nToday marks the fifth anniversary of Jane\'s death. Five years to come to terms with the worst thing to ever happen in my life.\r\n\r\nOver the last five years I\'ve learned to look at life in a more positive way. I feel fortunate that I will have three lives - the 19 years before I met her; the wonderful 45 years we were together; and my time ahead of me in a new life.\r\n\r\nShe was a beautiful person. She helped to shape me and make me a better person. She taught me about selflessness and how important that is. Her life lessons will remain with me for the rest of my life.', 'Five Years...', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6608-revision-v1', '', '', '2021-01-11 14:06:37', '2021-01-11 14:06:37', '', 6608, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6610', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6611, 283, '2021-01-16 17:05:39', '2021-01-16 17:05:39', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/driveway-lakejan21.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6614\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/driveway-lakejan21-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>After several days of cold, wet miserable weather it was, at last, sensible to get outside if only for a short time. The wet weather has flooded the area alongside the drive. It has been wet before but I don\'t think it has ever been as waterlogged as this.\r\n\r\nIt\'s along this strip of land that the holly trees died and I\'m wondering whether the fact it is so wet might be the cause. Maybe I should start planting mangrove trees or better still a willow. Jane and I planted a willow in the middle of the lawn at Rothersthorpe because it was quite wet and that soon drained the soil.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/challahjan21.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-6617 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/challahjan21-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>I\'ve been trying my hand at baking bread in the bread machine since October with mixed results. I think I\'ve got the hang of the standard loves so I tried making Challah which is a Jewish recipe.\r\n\r\nThis is my second attempt after the first one failed to rise and was heavy and uncooked in the middle. This one looked good from the outside but was still heavy and only \"half baked\". I did eat some of it and it tasted really good, but then it should because it has a lot of caster sugar and honey in it. I eventually put it out for the birds. The woodpigeons loved it but looked very bemused when they could no longer fly due to the weight of their intake.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/briochejan21-scaled.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6615\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/briochejan21-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Never to be put off by failure (story of my life) I tried my hand at Brioche using the bread maker.\r\n\r\nAs you can see, apart from the boring shape, it has risen well and has a lovely, golden baked crust. It tastes delicious but then it should because it has masses of sugar, butter and three eggs in it. Bread is my greatest weakness when it comes to eating sensibly.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/rock-cakejan21.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6612\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/rock-cakejan21-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>Dave, my friend and neighbour has a birthday soon so Lucie baked him some rock cakes. He generously brought one over and carefully left it on the seat by the front door.\r\n\r\nIt was deliciously light and went really well with a cup of tea after lunch.\r\n\r\nWe\'re planning to have a coffee out on the drive tomorrow afternoon - 2 metres apart of course No doubt we will share rock cakes and brioche to celebrate.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/mazdacx30jan21.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6613\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/mazdacx30jan21-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>The Mazda CX30 is approaching one year old so I thought I would give it a wash as a treat. It was only when I was half way round that I realised it goes in for its first service next Wednesday and will be cleaned at the garage. I do enjoy cleaning cars and it\'s also good exercise when stretching up to the roof, across the bonnet and squatting down to clean the wheels. It was almost like doing a Joe Wicks workout which I continue to do in between online personal training sessions.', 'A Winter\'s Tale', '', 'publish', 'open', 'closed', '', 'a-winters-tale', '', '', '2021-01-16 17:05:39', '2021-01-16 17:05:39', '', 0, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/?p=6611', 0, 'post', '', 2),
(6612, 283, '2021-01-16 16:30:07', '2021-01-16 16:30:07', '', 'rock cake(jan21)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'rock-cakejan21', '', '', '2021-01-16 16:30:07', '2021-01-16 16:30:07', '', 6611, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/rock-cakejan21.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6613, 283, '2021-01-16 16:30:13', '2021-01-16 16:30:13', '', 'mazdacx30(jan21)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'mazdacx30jan21', '', '', '2021-01-16 16:30:13', '2021-01-16 16:30:13', '', 6611, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/mazdacx30jan21.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6614, 283, '2021-01-16 16:30:17', '2021-01-16 16:30:17', '', 'driveway lake(jan21)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'driveway-lakejan21', '', '', '2021-01-16 16:30:17', '2021-01-16 16:30:17', '', 6611, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/driveway-lakejan21.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6615, 283, '2021-01-16 16:30:25', '2021-01-16 16:30:25', '', 'brioche(jan21)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'briochejan21', '', '', '2021-01-16 16:30:25', '2021-01-16 16:30:25', '', 6611, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/briochejan21.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(6616, 283, '2021-01-16 16:42:39', '2021-01-16 16:42:39', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/xmas-treeDec20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-6582\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/xmas-treeDec20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>It\'s two weeks since my last posting and looking back there\'s not been a lot happening that I can tell you about (there has been stuff but I\'m sworn to secrecy about it).\r\n\r\nThe Christmas tree is up and for the first time since moving in (nearly 7 years) I erected it in the living room instead of up on the landing. I took the policy of less is more however I think I need to buy some new baubles and throw out the stuff that is tatty. It doesn\'t have any sentimental value, in fact it\'s of no value at all.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/beef-en-crouteDec20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-6583\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/beef-en-crouteDec20-200x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"281\" height=\"211\" /></a>I keep pushing the boundaries of my culinary skills and last weekend I made some mini beef en croute or should that be boeuf en croute. I discovered a new word in the process - duxelle which is a mushroom mixture that coats the meet before wrapping it in pastry.\r\n\r\nThe whole dinner was a delight and I\'m pleased to have added another meal to my repertoire.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/xmas-wreathDec20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-6584\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/xmas-wreathDec20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>I have also been given by a young friend a Christmas wreath.\r\n\r\nIt is hanging from one of the lights just outside the front door. I\'m under strict instructions to keep the moss backing watered so it stays green and fresh throughout the holiday period. I say \"holiday period\" however life is now one long holiday so it does lose a little significance.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/log-cuttingDec-20.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-6585\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/log-cuttingDec-20-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"182\" height=\"243\" /></a>When the weather is dry and sunny I\'m working in the garden. I try to ignore the cold. There\'s always loads of tidying up to do not least cutting branches that I\'ve been stacking for the last 6 months. My small cordless Stihl chainsaw is excellent. It\'s light, relatively quiet but cuts very effectively and the battery lasts for about an hour which is as much as I want to do at any one time.\r\n\r\nMy wood pile is slowly going down but I\'m still burning the sycamore that was <a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/5021\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">felled 18 months ago</a>.\r\n\r\nI\'m hoping that I will get permission to remove an ash tree that has a fungal disease however I\'ve been waiting several months for the tree officer to give their approval. There is a staffing issue at West Lindsey council. When it does come down I shall have enough wood to last me another two years.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/covid-19.jpeg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-6177 alignright\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/covid-19-200x92.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"92\" /></a>As the pandemic continues to dominate the news and our lives, I decided to do a calculation to estimate how many vaccinations would need to be done every week for the over 65s and health workers to get all their jabs. There are 13 million people that fall into this category and each one will require two jabs so that\'s 26 million in total. If the government achieve 1 million per week it will take 26 weeks (six months). Any less than 1 million then the time required will obviously lengthen. The UK government hasn\'t managed to get anything right so far (don\'t mention Brexit) so I can say with some certainty that we shouldn\'t expect to be free of the constraints caused by Covid-19  until autumn 2021. How depressing is that?', 'Cooking and Cutting', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6587-revision-v1', '', '', '2021-01-16 16:42:39', '2021-01-16 16:42:39', '', 6587, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6616', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6617, 283, '2021-01-16 16:45:24', '2021-01-16 16:45:24', '', 'challah(jan21)', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'challahjan21', '', '', '2021-01-16 16:45:24', '2021-01-16 16:45:24', '', 6611, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/challahjan21.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0);
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(6618, 283, '2021-01-16 17:01:10', '2021-01-16 17:01:10', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/driveway-lakejan21.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6614\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/driveway-lakejan21-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>After several days of cold, wet miserable weather it was, at last, sensible to get outside if only for a short time. The wet weather has flooded the area alongside the drive. It has been wet before but I don\'t think it has ever been as waterlogged as this.\r\n\r\nIt\'s along this strip of land that the holly trees died and I\'m wondering whether the fact it so wet might be the cause. Maybe I should start planting mangrove trees or better still a willow. Jane and I planted a willow in the middle of the lawn at Rothersthorpe because it was quite wet and that soon drained the soil.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/challahjan21.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-6617 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/challahjan21-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>I\'ve been trying my hand at baking bread in the bread machine since October with mixed results. I think I\'ve got the hang of the standard loves so I\'ve tried making Challah which is a Jewish recipe.\r\n\r\nThis is my second attempt after the first one failed to rise and was heavy and uncooked. This one looked good from the outside but was still heavy and only \"half baked\". I did eat some of it and it tasted really good, but then it should because it has a lot of caster sugar and honey in it. I eventually put it out for the birds. The woodpigeons loved it but looked very bemused when they could no longer fly due to the weight of their intake.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/briochejan21-scaled.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6615\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/briochejan21-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Never to be put off by failure (story of my life) I tried my hand at Brioche using the bread maker.\r\n\r\nAs you can see, apart from the boring shape, it has risen well, has a lovely baked crust and tastes delicious but then it should because it has masses of sugar, butter and three eggs in it. Bread is my greatest weakness when it comes to eating sensibly.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/rock-cakejan21.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6612\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/rock-cakejan21-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>It\'s Dave, my friend and neighbour\'s birthday soon so Lucie baked him some rock cakes. He generously brought one over and carefully left it on the seat by the front door.\r\n\r\nIt was deliciously light and went really well with a cup of tea after lunch.\r\n\r\nWe\'re planning to have a coffee out on the drive tomorrow afternoon - 2 metres apart of course No doubt we will share rock cakes and brioche to celebrate.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/mazdacx30jan21.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6613\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/mazdacx30jan21-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>The Mazda CX30 is approaching one year old so I thought I would give it a wash as a treat. It was only when I was half way round that I realised it goes in for its first service next Wednesday and will be cleaned at the garage. I did enjoy it and it\'s also good exercise when stretching up to the roof, across the bonnet and squatting down to clean the wheels. It was almost like doing a Joe Wicks workout which I continue to do in between online personal training sessions.', 'A Winter\'s Tale', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6611-revision-v1', '', '', '2021-01-16 17:01:10', '2021-01-16 17:01:10', '', 6611, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6618', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6619, 283, '2021-01-16 17:05:39', '2021-01-16 17:05:39', '<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/driveway-lakejan21.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6614\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/driveway-lakejan21-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>After several days of cold, wet miserable weather it was, at last, sensible to get outside if only for a short time. The wet weather has flooded the area alongside the drive. It has been wet before but I don\'t think it has ever been as waterlogged as this.\r\n\r\nIt\'s along this strip of land that the holly trees died and I\'m wondering whether the fact it is so wet might be the cause. Maybe I should start planting mangrove trees or better still a willow. Jane and I planted a willow in the middle of the lawn at Rothersthorpe because it was quite wet and that soon drained the soil.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/challahjan21.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-6617 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/challahjan21-150x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" /></a>I\'ve been trying my hand at baking bread in the bread machine since October with mixed results. I think I\'ve got the hang of the standard loves so I tried making Challah which is a Jewish recipe.\r\n\r\nThis is my second attempt after the first one failed to rise and was heavy and uncooked in the middle. This one looked good from the outside but was still heavy and only \"half baked\". I did eat some of it and it tasted really good, but then it should because it has a lot of caster sugar and honey in it. I eventually put it out for the birds. The woodpigeons loved it but looked very bemused when they could no longer fly due to the weight of their intake.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/briochejan21-scaled.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6615\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/briochejan21-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Never to be put off by failure (story of my life) I tried my hand at Brioche using the bread maker.\r\n\r\nAs you can see, apart from the boring shape, it has risen well and has a lovely, golden baked crust. It tastes delicious but then it should because it has masses of sugar, butter and three eggs in it. Bread is my greatest weakness when it comes to eating sensibly.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/rock-cakejan21.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-6612\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/rock-cakejan21-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>Dave, my friend and neighbour has a birthday soon so Lucie baked him some rock cakes. He generously brought one over and carefully left it on the seat by the front door.\r\n\r\nIt was deliciously light and went really well with a cup of tea after lunch.\r\n\r\nWe\'re planning to have a coffee out on the drive tomorrow afternoon - 2 metres apart of course No doubt we will share rock cakes and brioche to celebrate.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/mazdacx30jan21.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-6613\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/mazdacx30jan21-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>The Mazda CX30 is approaching one year old so I thought I would give it a wash as a treat. It was only when I was half way round that I realised it goes in for its first service next Wednesday and will be cleaned at the garage. I do enjoy cleaning cars and it\'s also good exercise when stretching up to the roof, across the bonnet and squatting down to clean the wheels. It was almost like doing a Joe Wicks workout which I continue to do in between online personal training sessions.', 'A Winter\'s Tale', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '6611-revision-v1', '', '', '2021-01-16 17:05:39', '2021-01-16 17:05:39', '', 6611, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6619', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6620, 283, '2021-01-18 17:49:48', '2021-01-18 17:49:48', 'Over 50 years of driving I\'ve had the pleasure of driving a variety of vehicles. There was a time when I would think nothing of spending my weekends repairing cars that were hanging onto survival by the thinnest of metal. I still enjoy driving but the cars have become more reliable and faster. For a time line view of our later cars <a href=\"http://www.pigyard.com/ourcars.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">click here...</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Morris_Minor_1000_1960.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-4814\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Morris_Minor_1000_1960-200x128.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"128\" /></a>I bought my first car when I was at college - an ex police Morris Minor which had a dodgy clutch. I remember spending a Christmas break at my brother\'s house in Bedfordshire with the car rolled up on scaffolding boards and bricks whilst in freezing temperatures we removed the gearbox, replaced the clutch and thrust bearing. It was so cold our fingers stuck to the metal parts. Happy days! In the final months of college I had to wrestle it all the way to the scrap yard as the steering seized up and the wheel bearings rattled to bits.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/morris-mini-van.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-4812\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/morris-mini-van.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"259\" height=\"194\" /></a>The replacement car was a Mini van that had more holes in the bodywork than a colander. The floor in the back of the van was becoming separated from the sides and had to be brazed together (the metal was too thin to weld) and the engine frequently overheated. I recall standing in a petrol station whilst it was being refueled and I scratched a bit of paint on the front wing only for my finger to go right through and get stuck. I filled the hole with a rubber grommet so it looked as though it had once been an aerial hole. It was a nightmare vehicle and didn\'t last long.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Triumph-Herald.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-4816 alignleft\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Triumph-Herald-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"223\" height=\"167\" /></a>We were both teaching so we could just afford the luxury of a Triumph Herald convertible.\r\n\r\nIt was easy to maintain and fun to drive even if the hood was a bit fiddly to take down and put back up again. The wheel bearings needed to be replaced on a regular basis for some reason.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Triumph_Spitfire.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-4817 alignright\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Triumph_Spitfire-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"229\" height=\"172\" /></a>The Triumph Spitfire was our first sports car. It had the same running gear as the Herald and so was an easy step to take but it was totally impractical in terms of one car between two people and giving lifts to friends. From what I can remember we didn\'t keep it very long.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/morris-minor-pickup.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-4813\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/morris-minor-pickup.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"264\" height=\"176\" /></a>Whatever possessed us to buy a Morris 1000 pickup is beyond me now and looking back made no sense at all but it seemed a good idea at the time.\r\n\r\nIt was rebuilt by someone we knew in Weedon, Northants. He did the major welding and body work; Jane and I painted it and cleaned up the engine. I can recall spending a Sunday afternoon replacing a half shaft that had broken. It was cold and wet but I needed it to get to work the following day.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/hilman-imp.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-4810 alignright\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/hilman-imp-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"235\" height=\"176\" /></a>The Hillman Imp was our first new car. Jane loved the colour and I think this is the car she learned to drive and passed her test.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Citroen2CV.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-4804\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Citroen2CV.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"150\" /></a>The 2CV was another new car. A crazy vehicle with a flap under the dashboard to allow air to flow and a gear stick that needed to be pulled and pushed in a most unnatural way. Jane loved the car but hated driving it. It was possible to easily remove the rear seats if you wanted to sit around for a picnic. The suspension was very soft and it wallowed around cars. The 2 cylinder engine barely accelerated so the idea of a 0 - 60 acceleration time was immaterial. A real character of a car - love it or hate it!\r\n\r\nWe went through a very boring phase of car ownership when we seemed to be purchasing Fords - An Escort, Orion and Fiesta Sport.\r\n\r\n[gallery type=\"rectangular\" ids=\"4809,4807,4808\"]\r\n\r\nThey were practical, reliable and they allowed us to have a car each at a time when I was teaching in Daventry and Jane was Homeless Officer at South Northants Council.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/fiat-uno.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright wp-image-4806\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/fiat-uno.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"203\" height=\"152\" /></a>For a while Jane had a Fiat Uno. I think she was influenced by the fact that it had an econometer on the dashboard so she could drive economically. In the end it proved to be such a pain (it drove me nuts) I stuck a bit of black tape over it so we could ignore it.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/bmw_318i.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-4803\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/bmw_318i-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"211\" height=\"158\" /></a>And then there was the BMW 318i. I loved this car for its raw power - it was the most powerful vehicle I had ever driven at this point in time. It did have its foibles such that if I accelerated too fast in the wet the back end would get very lively and I found myself driving sideways down a major road in the middle of Northampton. It also had this quirk of just stopping and then refused to start. I would have to wait an hour before it would start again. I only found this out when I called the RAC and by the time they arrived I just turned the key and it started - most embarrassing.\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/suziki_vitara.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright wp-image-4815\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/suziki_vitara-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"221\" height=\"166\" /></a>When we started ballooning we wanted a vehicle that could tow a trailer and be capable of off road activity.\r\nThe Suzuki Vitara filled the role very well and Jane loved it.\r\nAs my main crew person when I started to learn to fly she enjoyed following me and I was always pleased to see her and the Vitara bounce onto a field after a landing. Car and driver never failed me!\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/landrover-90-defender.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-4811\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/landrover-90-defender.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"213\" height=\"160\" /></a>Sadly the Vitara wasn\'t sufficiently chunky. We were used to driving the Ballooning Business Land Rover Defenders so we decided to buy a Land Rover Defender 90. It was uncomfortable and the fuel economy, even for a diesel, was terrible but it was great off road.\r\nIt towed our balloon trailer back and forth across Northamptonshire for a couple of years before we decided we needed a bit of comfort.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/freelander_2003-02-01_002.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright wp-image-4798\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/freelander_2003-02-01_002-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"212\" height=\"159\" /></a>Sticking with the Land Rover theme we then purchased the Freelander. A good workhorse but very dull. It was sold before it gave us too many problems (Land Rovers were notoriously unreliable).\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/mazdamx306.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-4801\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/mazdamx306-300x240.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"228\" height=\"182\" /></a>At some point we owned a Mazda MX3 but the exact timing is a little vague (must have been when we lived in Rothersthorpe). It was Jane\'s car and she loved it. Amazingly zippy with a rev counter that when higher than any car we had owned.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/golf-gti.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright wp-image-4799 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/golf-gti-200x160.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"160\" /></a>Nobody can have a real love of cars until they\'ve owned a VW Golf GTi. Our black rocket was our pride and joy for a few years. Fast, furious and an iconic vehicle.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/audiTT04.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-4797 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/audiTT04-200x160.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"160\" /></a>The Audi TT was a gift from my brother. I was so proud to own it and the driving experience was superb. No matter how fast I threw it into a corner it went round like it was on rails. One winter after an unusual snowfall when the town was all snarled up with traffic I drove home on impacted snow and the 4x4 TT didn\'t slip or slide. It was like driving home in slightly damp conditions. The most sure footed car I\'ve ever owned.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Nov-29-2011_0765.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright wp-image-4793 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Nov-29-2011_0765-200x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"150\" /></a>Our ballooning required comfort and so we upgraded the Freelander for a Honda CRV. It was comfortable, reasonably economic and had a large a boot.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Img2007-04-14_0004.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-4800 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Img2007-04-14_0004-200x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"150\" /></a>I think it was around this time we had three cars. The Honda CRV, Audi TT and to add to our stable we bought a Smart Car. It was Jane\'s pride and joy. Everything about it suited her - colour, economy, sliding roof and it was very distinctive. She loved it so much we then bought <a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/bluesmartcar.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-4802\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/bluesmartcar-200x127.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"127\" /></a>a brand new one.\r\n\r\nAlthough she had a choice of colour she still wanted it to be personalised but with the new house build and other pressures of time we never did get round to it. In the spirit of positivity she even test drove a new one whilst she was undergoing chemotherapy. She actually thought the new one was too large and didn\'t want to change it.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Porsche-Boxster-2008.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft  wp-image-6535\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Porsche-Boxster-2008-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"223\" height=\"167\" /></a>After the Audi TT I decided to buy a Porsche Boxster. It didn\'t handle the road quite as well as the Audi TT but it had the growl to the engine and the qudos that made it special.\r\n\r\nI only kept it for four years until I retired and then I decided, despite Jane\'s protestations, we needed to move on to something more sensible.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/farewell-Skoda-Yetisep16.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright  wp-image-3929\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/farewell-Skoda-Yetisep16-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"199\" height=\"149\" /></a>The Skoda Yeti was definitely a change (step down) from the Porsche but its 175 bhp diesel engine and four wheel drive made it very responsive. It had the power to pull a balloon trailer across rough terrain and was very comfortable.\r\n\r\nIt did us very good service and I was still driving it for 10 months after Jane died. It was at this point I decided to move on and sell her Smart Car and the Yeti in a single Trade in deal.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/mazda-cx5-frontsep16-.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft  wp-image-3931\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/mazda-cx5-frontsep16--300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"231\" height=\"173\" /></a>After much deliberation in October 2016 and many test drives I eventually decided to buy a Mazda CX5.\r\n\r\nA large four wheel drive car with all the luxury and gadgets of a Range Rover or Jaguar FPace but at half the price. Its 180 bhp diesel engine was brilliant. It was also the first automatic car I had owned. A great car for doing long haul journeys and it took me to Scotland many times in the three years that I owned it.', 'Cars', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '4818-revision-v1', '', '', '2021-01-18 17:49:48', '2021-01-18 17:49:48', '', 4818, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6620', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6621, 283, '2021-01-18 17:51:04', '2021-01-18 17:51:04', 'Over 50 years of driving I\'ve had the pleasure of owning a variety of vehicles. There was a time when I would think nothing of spending my weekends repairing cars that were hanging onto survival by the thinnest of metal. I still enjoy driving but the cars have become more reliable and faster. For a timeline view of our later cars <a href=\"http://www.pigyard.com/ourcars.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">click here...</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Morris_Minor_1000_1960.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-4814\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Morris_Minor_1000_1960-200x128.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"128\" /></a>I bought my first car when I was at college - an ex police Morris Minor which had a dodgy clutch. I remember spending a Christmas break at my brother\'s house in Bedfordshire with the car rolled up on scaffolding boards and bricks whilst in freezing temperatures we removed the gearbox, replaced the clutch and thrust bearing. It was so cold our fingers stuck to the metal parts. Happy days! In the final months of college I had to wrestle it all the way to the scrap yard as the steering seized up and the wheel bearings rattled to bits.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/morris-mini-van.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-4812\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/morris-mini-van.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"259\" height=\"194\" /></a>The replacement car was a Mini van that had more holes in the bodywork than a colander. The floor in the back of the van was becoming separated from the sides and had to be brazed together (the metal was too thin to weld) and the engine frequently overheated. I recall standing in a petrol station whilst it was being refueled and I scratched a bit of paint on the front wing only for my finger to go right through and get stuck. I filled the hole with a rubber grommet so it looked as though it had once been an aerial hole. It was a nightmare vehicle and didn\'t last long.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Triumph-Herald.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-4816 alignleft\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Triumph-Herald-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"223\" height=\"167\" /></a>We were both teaching so we could just afford the luxury of a Triumph Herald convertible.\r\n\r\nIt was easy to maintain and fun to drive even if the hood was a bit fiddly to take down and put back up again. The wheel bearings needed to be replaced on a regular basis for some reason.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Triumph_Spitfire.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-4817 alignright\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Triumph_Spitfire-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"229\" height=\"172\" /></a>The Triumph Spitfire was our first sports car. It had the same running gear as the Herald and so was an easy step to take but it was totally impractical in terms of one car between two people and giving lifts to friends. From what I can remember we didn\'t keep it very long.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/morris-minor-pickup.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-4813\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/morris-minor-pickup.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"264\" height=\"176\" /></a>Whatever possessed us to buy a Morris 1000 pickup is beyond me now and looking back made no sense at all but it seemed a good idea at the time.\r\n\r\nIt was rebuilt by someone we knew in Weedon, Northants. He did the major welding and body work; Jane and I painted it and cleaned up the engine. I can recall spending a Sunday afternoon replacing a half shaft that had broken. It was cold and wet but I needed it to get to work the following day.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/hilman-imp.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-4810 alignright\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/hilman-imp-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"235\" height=\"176\" /></a>The Hillman Imp was our first new car. Jane loved the colour and I think this is the car she learned to drive and passed her test.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Citroen2CV.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-4804\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Citroen2CV.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"150\" /></a>The 2CV was another new car. A crazy vehicle with a flap under the dashboard to allow air to flow and a gear stick that needed to be pulled and pushed in a most unnatural way. Jane loved the car but hated driving it. It was possible to easily remove the rear seats if you wanted to sit around for a picnic. The suspension was very soft and it wallowed around cars. The 2 cylinder engine barely accelerated so the idea of a 0 - 60 acceleration time was immaterial. A real character of a car - love it or hate it!\r\n\r\nWe went through a very boring phase of car ownership when we seemed to be purchasing Fords - An Escort, Orion and Fiesta Sport.\r\n\r\n[gallery type=\"rectangular\" ids=\"4809,4807,4808\"]\r\n\r\nThey were practical, reliable and they allowed us to have a car each at a time when I was teaching in Daventry and Jane was Homeless Officer at South Northants Council.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/fiat-uno.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright wp-image-4806\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/fiat-uno.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"203\" height=\"152\" /></a>For a while Jane had a Fiat Uno. I think she was influenced by the fact that it had an econometer on the dashboard so she could drive economically. In the end it proved to be such a pain (it drove me nuts) I stuck a bit of black tape over it so we could ignore it.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/bmw_318i.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-4803\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/bmw_318i-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"211\" height=\"158\" /></a>And then there was the BMW 318i. I loved this car for its raw power - it was the most powerful vehicle I had ever driven at this point in time. It did have its foibles such that if I accelerated too fast in the wet the back end would get very lively and I found myself driving sideways down a major road in the middle of Northampton. It also had this quirk of just stopping and then refused to start. I would have to wait an hour before it would start again. I only found this out when I called the RAC and by the time they arrived I just turned the key and it started - most embarrassing.\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/suziki_vitara.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright wp-image-4815\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/suziki_vitara-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"221\" height=\"166\" /></a>When we started ballooning we wanted a vehicle that could tow a trailer and be capable of off road activity.\r\nThe Suzuki Vitara filled the role very well and Jane loved it.\r\nAs my main crew person when I started to learn to fly she enjoyed following me and I was always pleased to see her and the Vitara bounce onto a field after a landing. Car and driver never failed me!\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/landrover-90-defender.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-4811\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/landrover-90-defender.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"213\" height=\"160\" /></a>Sadly the Vitara wasn\'t sufficiently chunky. We were used to driving the Ballooning Business Land Rover Defenders so we decided to buy a Land Rover Defender 90. It was uncomfortable and the fuel economy, even for a diesel, was terrible but it was great off road.\r\nIt towed our balloon trailer back and forth across Northamptonshire for a couple of years before we decided we needed a bit of comfort.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/freelander_2003-02-01_002.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright wp-image-4798\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/freelander_2003-02-01_002-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"212\" height=\"159\" /></a>Sticking with the Land Rover theme we then purchased the Freelander. A good workhorse but very dull. It was sold before it gave us too many problems (Land Rovers were notoriously unreliable).\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/mazdamx306.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-4801\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/mazdamx306-300x240.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"228\" height=\"182\" /></a>At some point we owned a Mazda MX3 but the exact timing is a little vague (must have been when we lived in Rothersthorpe). It was Jane\'s car and she loved it. Amazingly zippy with a rev counter that when higher than any car we had owned.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/golf-gti.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright wp-image-4799 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/golf-gti-200x160.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"160\" /></a>Nobody can have a real love of cars until they\'ve owned a VW Golf GTi. Our black rocket was our pride and joy for a few years. Fast, furious and an iconic vehicle.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/audiTT04.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-4797 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/audiTT04-200x160.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"160\" /></a>The Audi TT was a gift from my brother. I was so proud to own it and the driving experience was superb. No matter how fast I threw it into a corner it went round like it was on rails. One winter after an unusual snowfall when the town was all snarled up with traffic I drove home on impacted snow and the 4x4 TT didn\'t slip or slide. It was like driving home in slightly damp conditions. The most sure footed car I\'ve ever owned.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Nov-29-2011_0765.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright wp-image-4793 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Nov-29-2011_0765-200x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"150\" /></a>Our ballooning required comfort and so we upgraded the Freelander for a Honda CRV. It was comfortable, reasonably economic and had a large a boot.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Img2007-04-14_0004.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-4800 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Img2007-04-14_0004-200x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"150\" /></a>I think it was around this time we had three cars. The Honda CRV, Audi TT and to add to our stable we bought a Smart Car. It was Jane\'s pride and joy. Everything about it suited her - colour, economy, sliding roof and it was very distinctive. She loved it so much we then bought <a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/bluesmartcar.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-4802\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/bluesmartcar-200x127.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"127\" /></a>a brand new one.\r\n\r\nAlthough she had a choice of colour she still wanted it to be personalised but with the new house build and other pressures of time we never did get round to it. In the spirit of positivity she even test drove a new one whilst she was undergoing chemotherapy. She actually thought the new one was too large and didn\'t want to change it.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Porsche-Boxster-2008.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-6535\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Porsche-Boxster-2008-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"223\" height=\"167\" /></a>After the Audi TT I decided to buy a Porsche Boxster. It didn\'t handle the road quite as well as the Audi TT but it had the growl to the engine and the qudos that made it special.\r\n\r\nI only kept it for four years until I retired and then I decided, despite Jane\'s protestations, we needed to move on to something more sensible.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/farewell-Skoda-Yetisep16.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright wp-image-3929\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/farewell-Skoda-Yetisep16-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"199\" height=\"149\" /></a>The Skoda Yeti was definitely a change (step down) from the Porsche but its 175 bhp diesel engine and four wheel drive made it very responsive. It had the power to pull a balloon trailer across rough terrain and was very comfortable.\r\n\r\nIt did us very good service and I was still driving it for 10 months after Jane died. It was at this point I decided to move on and sell her Smart Car and the Yeti in a single Trade in deal.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/mazda-cx5-frontsep16-.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-3931\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/mazda-cx5-frontsep16--300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"231\" height=\"173\" /></a>After much deliberation in October 2016 and many test drives I eventually decided to buy a Mazda CX5.\r\n\r\nA large four wheel drive car with all the luxury and gadgets of a Range Rover or Jaguar FPace but at half the price. Its 180 bhp diesel engine was brilliant. It was also the first automatic car I had owned. A great car for doing long haul journeys and it took me to Scotland many times in the three years that I owned it.', 'Cars', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '4818-revision-v1', '', '', '2021-01-18 17:51:04', '2021-01-18 17:51:04', '', 4818, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6621', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6622, 283, '2021-01-18 18:10:26', '2021-01-18 18:10:26', '', 'VW Lupo', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'vw-lupo', '', '', '2021-01-18 18:10:26', '2021-01-18 18:10:26', '', 4818, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/VW-Lupo.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0);
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` (`ID`, `post_author`, `post_date`, `post_date_gmt`, `post_content`, `post_title`, `post_excerpt`, `post_status`, `comment_status`, `ping_status`, `post_password`, `post_name`, `to_ping`, `pinged`, `post_modified`, `post_modified_gmt`, `post_content_filtered`, `post_parent`, `guid`, `menu_order`, `post_type`, `post_mime_type`, `comment_count`) VALUES
(6623, 283, '2021-01-18 18:19:31', '2021-01-18 18:19:31', 'Over 50 years of driving I\'ve had the pleasure of owning a variety of vehicles. There was a time when I would think nothing of spending my weekends repairing cars that were hanging onto survival by the thinnest of metal. I still enjoy driving but the cars have become more reliable and faster. For a timeline view of our later cars <a href=\"http://www.pigyard.com/ourcars.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">click here...</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Morris_Minor_1000_1960.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-4814\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Morris_Minor_1000_1960-200x128.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"128\" /></a>I bought my first car when I was at college - an ex police Morris Minor which had a dodgy clutch. I remember spending a Christmas break at my brother\'s house in Bedfordshire with the car rolled up on scaffolding boards and bricks whilst in freezing temperatures we removed the gearbox, replaced the clutch and thrust bearing. It was so cold our fingers stuck to the metal parts. Happy days! In the final months of college I had to wrestle it all the way to the scrap yard as the steering seized up and the wheel bearings rattled to bits.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/morris-mini-van.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-4812\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/morris-mini-van.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"259\" height=\"194\" /></a>The replacement car was a Mini van that had more holes in the bodywork than a colander. The floor in the back of the van was becoming separated from the sides and had to be brazed together (the metal was too thin to weld) and the engine frequently overheated. I recall standing in a petrol station whilst it was being refueled and I scratched a bit of paint on the front wing only for my finger to go right through and get stuck. I filled the hole with a rubber grommet so it looked as though it had once been an aerial hole. It was a nightmare vehicle and didn\'t last long.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Triumph-Herald.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-4816 alignleft\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Triumph-Herald-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"223\" height=\"167\" /></a>We were both teaching so we could just afford the luxury of a Triumph Herald convertible.\r\n\r\nIt was easy to maintain and fun to drive even if the hood was a bit fiddly to take down and put back up again. The wheel bearings needed to be replaced on a regular basis for some reason.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Triumph_Spitfire.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-4817 alignright\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Triumph_Spitfire-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"229\" height=\"172\" /></a>The Triumph Spitfire was our first sports car. It had the same running gear as the Herald and so was an easy step to take but it was totally impractical in terms of one car between two people and giving lifts to friends. From what I can remember we didn\'t keep it very long.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/morris-minor-pickup.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-4813\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/morris-minor-pickup.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"264\" height=\"176\" /></a>Whatever possessed us to buy a Morris 1000 pickup is beyond me now and looking back made no sense at all but it seemed a good idea at the time.\r\nIt was rebuilt by someone we knew in Weedon, Northants. He did the major welding and body work; Jane and I painted it and cleaned up the engine. I can recall spending a Sunday afternoon replacing a half shaft that had broken. It was cold and wet but I needed it to get to work the following day.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/hilman-imp.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-4810 alignright\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/hilman-imp-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"235\" height=\"176\" /></a>The Hillman Imp was our first new car. Jane loved the colour and I think this is the car she learned to drive in and passed her test.\r\n\r\nThe aluminium engine was a bit of a problem with water leaks after a few years and I don\'t we ever sorted it completely before we sold it.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Citroen2CV.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-4804\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Citroen2CV.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"150\" /></a>The 2CV was another new car. A crazy vehicle with a flap under the dashboard to allow air to flow and a gear stick that needed to be pulled and pushed in a most unnatural way. Jane loved the car but hated driving it. It was possible to easily remove the rear seats if you wanted to sit around for a picnic. The suspension was very soft and it wallowed around corners. The 2 cylinder engine barely accelerated so the idea of a 0 - 60 acceleration time was immaterial. A real character of a car - love it or hate it!\r\n\r\nWe went through a very boring phase of car ownership when we seemed to be purchasing Fords - An Escort, Orion and Fiesta Sport.\r\n\r\n[gallery type=\"rectangular\" ids=\"4809,4807,4808\"]\r\n\r\nThey were practical, reliable and they allowed us to have a car each at a time when I was teaching in Daventry and Jane was Homeless Officer at South Northants Council.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/fiat-uno.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright wp-image-4806\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/fiat-uno.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"203\" height=\"152\" /></a>For a while Jane had a Fiat Uno. I think she was influenced by the fact that it had an econometer on the dashboard so she could drive economically. In the end it proved to be such a pain (it drove me nuts) I stuck a bit of black tape over it so we could ignore it.\r\n\r\nI hadn\'t left teaching long and had to go away to Derbyshire on a course for three days so I drove up there in the Orion and Jane was very concerned about me driving all that way. While I was away she managed to smash into a roundabout in thick fog at Towcester and squashed the Uno by a centimeter or two on one side. surprisingly it wasn\'t a write-off and once it was repaired we soon sold it.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/bmw_318i.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-4803\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/bmw_318i-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"211\" height=\"158\" /></a>And then there was the BMW 318i. I loved this car for its raw power - it was the most powerful vehicle I had ever driven at that time. It did have its foibles such that if I accelerated too fast in the wet the back end would get very lively and I found myself driving sideways down a major road in the middle of Northampton. It also had this quirk of just stopping and then refused to start. I would have to wait an hour before it would start again. I only found this out when I called the RAC and by the time they arrived I just turned the key and it started - most embarrassing.\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/suziki_vitara.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright wp-image-4815\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/suziki_vitara-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"221\" height=\"166\" /></a>When we started ballooning we wanted a vehicle that could tow a trailer and be capable of off road activity.\r\nThe Suzuki Vitara filled the role very well and Jane loved it.\r\nAs my main crew person when I started to learn to fly she enjoyed following me and I was always pleased to see her and the Vitara bounce onto a field after a landing. Car and driver never failed me!\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/landrover-90-defender.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-4811\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/landrover-90-defender.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"213\" height=\"160\" /></a>Sadly the Vitara wasn\'t sufficiently chunky. We were used to driving the Ballooning Business Land Rover Defenders so we decided to buy a Land Rover Defender 90. It was uncomfortable and the fuel economy, even for a diesel, was terrible but it was great off road.\r\nIt towed our balloon trailer back and forth across Northamptonshire for a couple of years before we decided we needed a bit of comfort.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/freelander_2003-02-01_002.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright wp-image-4798\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/freelander_2003-02-01_002-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"212\" height=\"159\" /></a>Sticking with the Land Rover theme we then purchased the Freelander. A good workhorse but very dull. It was sold before it gave us too many problems (Land Rovers are notoriously unreliable).\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/mazdamx306.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-4801\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/mazdamx306-300x240.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"228\" height=\"182\" /></a>At some point we owned a Mazda MX3 but the exact timing is a little vague (must have been when we lived in Rothersthorpe). It was Jane\'s car and she loved it. Amazingly zippy with a rev counter that when higher than any car we had owned.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/golf-gti.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright wp-image-4799 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/golf-gti-200x160.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"160\" /></a>Nobody can have a real love of cars until they\'ve owned a VW Golf GTi. Our black rocket was our pride and joy for a few years. Fast, furious and an iconic vehicle.\r\n\r\nThis was Jane\'s car and she really enjoyed driving it. She was never reluctant to put her foot on the accelerator and speed around the country lanes of Northamptonshire\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/VW-Lupo.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-6622\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/VW-Lupo-300x161.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"205\" height=\"110\" /></a>The high power and poor fuel consumption of the GTi made Jane feel guilty and with her desire to save the planet she set her heart on something smaller and decided, after enjoying the VW experience, she wanted a VW Lupo. She still managed to zip around but it didn\'t have the panache of the GTi so she didn\'t have the same feelings about it.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/audiTT04.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-4797 size-thumbnail alignright\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/audiTT04-200x160.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"160\" /></a>The Audi TT was a gift from my brother. I was so proud to own it and the driving experience was superb. No matter how fast I threw it into a corner it went round like it was on rails. One winter after an unusual snowfall when the town was all snarled up with traffic I drove home on impacted snow and the 4x4 TT didn\'t slip or slide. It was like driving home in slightly damp conditions. The most sure footed car I\'ve ever owned.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Nov-29-2011_0765.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-4793 size-thumbnail alignleft\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Nov-29-2011_0765-200x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"150\" /></a>Our ballooning required comfort and so we upgraded the Freelander for a Honda CRV. It was comfortable, reasonably economic and had a large a boot.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Img2007-04-14_0004.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-4800 size-thumbnail alignright\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Img2007-04-14_0004-200x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"150\" /></a>I think it was around this time we had three cars. The Honda CRV, Audi TT and to add to our stable we bought a Smart Car. It was Jane\'s pride and joy. Everything about it suited her - colour, economy, sliding roof and it was very distinctive. She loved it so much we then bought a brand new one.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/bluesmartcar.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-4802 alignleft\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/bluesmartcar-200x127.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"127\" /></a>Although she had a choice of colour she still wanted it to be personalised but with the new house build and other pressures of time we never did get round to it. In the spirit of positivity she even test drove a new one whilst she was undergoing chemotherapy. She actually thought the new one was too large and didn\'t want to change.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Porsche-Boxster-2008.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-6535 alignright\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Porsche-Boxster-2008-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"223\" height=\"167\" /></a>After the Audi TT I decided to buy a Porsche Boxster. It didn\'t handle the road quite as well as the Audi TT but it had the growl to the engine and the qudos that made it special.\r\n\r\nI only kept it for four years until I retired and then I decided, despite Jane\'s protestations, we needed to move on to something more sensible.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/farewell-Skoda-Yetisep16.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3929 alignleft\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/farewell-Skoda-Yetisep16-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"199\" height=\"149\" /></a>The Skoda Yeti was definitely a change (step down) from the Porsche but its 175 bhp diesel engine and four wheel drive made it very responsive. It had the power to pull a balloon trailer across rough terrain and very comfortable.\r\n\r\nIt did us very good service and I was still driving it for 10 months after Jane died. It was at this point I decided to move on and sell her Smart Car and the Yeti in a single Trade in deal.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/mazda-cx5-frontsep16-.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3931 alignright\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/mazda-cx5-frontsep16--300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"214\" height=\"160\" /></a>After much deliberation in October 2016 and many test drives I eventually decided to buy a Mazda CX5. A large four wheel drive car with all the luxury and gadgets of a Range Rover or Jaguar FPace but at half the price. Its 180 bhp diesel engine was brilliant. It was also the first automatic car I had owned. A great car for doing long haul journeys and it took me to Scotland many times in the three years that I owned it. I covered close to 40,000 miles and only had to replace the front tyres.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lotus-cleanmar17.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-4306 alignleft\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lotus-cleanmar17-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"215\" height=\"161\" /></a>While driving the CX5 was fun and practical I wanted something that was going to raise the adrenalin a little.', 'Cars', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '4818-revision-v1', '', '', '2021-01-18 18:19:31', '2021-01-18 18:19:31', '', 4818, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6623', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(6624, 283, '2021-01-18 20:55:37', '2021-01-18 20:55:37', 'Over 50 years of driving I\'ve had the pleasure of owning a variety of vehicles. There was a time when I would think nothing of spending my weekends repairing cars that were hanging onto survival by the thinnest of metal. I still enjoy driving but the cars have become more reliable and faster. For a timeline view of our later cars <a href=\"http://www.pigyard.com/ourcars.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">click here...</a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Morris_Minor_1000_1960.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-4814\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Morris_Minor_1000_1960-200x128.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"128\" /></a>I bought my first car when I was at college - an ex police Morris Minor which had a dodgy clutch. I remember spending a Christmas break at my brother\'s house in Bedfordshire with the car rolled up on scaffolding boards and bricks whilst in freezing temperatures we removed the gearbox, replaced the clutch and thrust bearing. It was so cold our fingers stuck to the metal parts. Happy days! In the final months of college I had to wrestle it all the way to the scrap yard as the steering seized up and the wheel bearings rattled to bits.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/morris-mini-van.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-4812\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/morris-mini-van.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"259\" height=\"194\" /></a>The replacement car was a Mini van that had more holes in the bodywork than a colander. The floor in the back of the van was becoming separated from the sides and had to be brazed together (the metal was too thin to weld) and the engine frequently overheated. I recall standing in a petrol station whilst it was being refueled and I scratched a bit of paint on the front wing only for my finger to go right through and get stuck. I filled the hole with a rubber grommet so it looked as though it had once been an aerial hole. It was a nightmare vehicle and didn\'t last long.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Triumph-Herald.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-4816 alignleft\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Triumph-Herald-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"223\" height=\"167\" /></a>We were both teaching so we could just afford the luxury of a Triumph Herald convertible.\r\n\r\nIt was easy to maintain and fun to drive even if the hood was a bit fiddly to take down and put back up again. The wheel bearings needed to be replaced on a regular basis for some reason.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Triumph_Spitfire.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-4817 alignright\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Triumph_Spitfire-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"229\" height=\"172\" /></a>The Triumph Spitfire was our first sports car. It had the same running gear as the Herald and so was an easy step to take but it was totally impractical in terms of one car between two people and giving lifts to friends. From what I can remember we didn\'t keep it very long.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/morris-minor-pickup.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-4813\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/morris-minor-pickup.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"264\" height=\"176\" /></a>Whatever possessed us to buy a Morris 1000 pickup is beyond me now and looking back made no sense at all but it seemed a good idea at the time.\r\nIt was rebuilt by someone we knew in Weedon, Northants. He did the major welding and body work; Jane and I painted it and cleaned up the engine. I can recall spending a Sunday afternoon replacing a half shaft that had broken. It was cold and wet but I needed it to get to work the following day.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/hilman-imp.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-4810 alignright\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/hilman-imp-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"235\" height=\"176\" /></a>The Hillman Imp was our first new car. Jane loved the colour and I think this is the car she learned to drive in and passed her test.\r\n\r\nThe aluminium engine was a bit of a problem with water leaks after a few years and I don\'t we ever sorted it completely before we sold it.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Citroen2CV.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-4804\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Citroen2CV.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"150\" /></a>The 2CV was another new car. A crazy vehicle with a flap under the dashboard to allow air to flow and a gear stick that needed to be pulled and pushed in a most unnatural way. Jane loved the car but hated driving it. It was possible to easily remove the rear seats if you wanted to sit around for a picnic. The suspension was very soft and it wallowed around corners. The 2 cylinder engine barely accelerated so the idea of a 0 - 60 acceleration time was immaterial. A real character of a car - love it or hate it!\r\n\r\nWe went through a very boring phase of car ownership when we seemed to be purchasing Fords - An Escort, Orion and Fiesta Sport.\r\n\r\n[gallery type=\"rectangular\" ids=\"4809,4807,4808\"]\r\n\r\nThey were practical, reliable and they allowed us to have a car each at a time when I was teaching in Daventry and Jane was Homeless Officer at South Northants Council.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/fiat-uno.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright wp-image-4806\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/fiat-uno.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"203\" height=\"152\" /></a>For a while Jane had a Fiat Uno. I think she was influenced by the fact that it had an econometer on the dashboard so she could drive economically. In the end it proved to be such a pain (it drove me nuts) I stuck a bit of black tape over it so we could ignore it.\r\n\r\nI hadn\'t left teaching long and had to go away to Derbyshire on a course for three days so I drove up there in the Orion and Jane was very concerned about me driving all that way. While I was away she managed to smash into a roundabout in thick fog at Towcester and squashed the Uno by a centimeter or two on one side. surprisingly it wasn\'t a write-off and once it was repaired we soon sold it.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/bmw_318i.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-4803\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/bmw_318i-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"211\" height=\"158\" /></a>And then there was the BMW 318i. I loved this car for its raw power - it was the most powerful vehicle I had ever driven at that time. It did have its foibles such that if I accelerated too fast in the wet the back end would get very lively and I found myself driving sideways down a major road in the middle of Northampton. It also had this quirk of just stopping and then refused to start. I would have to wait an hour before it would start again. I only found this out when I called the RAC and by the time they arrived I just turned the key and it started - most embarrassing.\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/suziki_vitara.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright wp-image-4815\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/suziki_vitara-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"221\" height=\"166\" /></a>When we started ballooning we wanted a vehicle that could tow a trailer and be capable of off road activity.\r\nThe Suzuki Vitara filled the role very well and Jane loved it.\r\nAs my main crew person when I started to learn to fly she enjoyed following me and I was always pleased to see her and the Vitara bounce onto a field after a landing. Car and driver never failed me!\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/landrover-90-defender.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-4811\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/landrover-90-defender.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"213\" height=\"160\" /></a>Sadly the Vitara wasn\'t sufficiently chunky. We were used to driving the Ballooning Business Land Rover Defenders so we decided to buy a Land Rover Defender 90. It was uncomfortable and the fuel economy, even for a diesel, was terrible but it was great off road.\r\nIt towed our balloon trailer back and forth across Northamptonshire for a couple of years before we decided we needed a bit of comfort.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/freelander_2003-02-01_002.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright wp-image-4798\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/freelander_2003-02-01_002-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"212\" height=\"159\" /></a>Sticking with the Land Rover theme we then purchased the Freelander. A good workhorse but very dull. It was sold before it gave us too many problems (Land Rovers are notoriously unreliable).\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/mazdamx306.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-4801\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/mazdamx306-300x240.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"228\" height=\"182\" /></a>At some point we owned a Mazda MX3 but the exact timing is a little vague (must have been when we lived in Rothersthorpe). It was Jane\'s car and she loved it. Amazingly zippy with a rev counter that when higher than any car we had owned.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/golf-gti.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright wp-image-4799 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/golf-gti-200x160.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"160\" /></a>Nobody can have a real love of cars until they\'ve owned a VW Golf GTi. Our black rocket was our pride and joy for a few years. Fast, furious and an iconic vehicle.\r\n\r\nThis was Jane\'s car and she really enjoyed driving it. She was never reluctant to put her foot on the accelerator and speed around the country lanes of Northamptonshire\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/VW-Lupo.jpg\"><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-6622\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/VW-Lupo-300x161.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"205\" height=\"110\" /></a>The high power and poor fuel consumption of the GTi made Jane feel guilty and with her desire to save the planet she set her heart on something smaller and decided, after enjoying the VW experience, she wanted a VW Lupo. She still managed to zip around but it didn\'t have the panache of the GTi so she didn\'t have the same feelings about it.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/audiTT04.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-4797 size-thumbnail alignright\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/audiTT04-200x160.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"160\" /></a>The Audi TT was a gift from my brother. I was so proud to own it and the driving experience was superb. No matter how fast I threw it into a corner it went round like it was on rails. One winter after an unusual snowfall when the town was all snarled up with traffic I drove home on impacted snow and the 4x4 TT didn\'t slip or slide. It was like driving home in slightly damp conditions. The most sure footed car I\'ve ever owned.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Nov-29-2011_0765.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-4793 size-thumbnail alignleft\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Nov-29-2011_0765-200x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"150\" /></a>Our ballooning required comfort and so we upgraded the Freelander for a Honda CRV. It was comfortable, reasonably economic and had a large a boot.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Img2007-04-14_0004.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-4800 size-thumbnail alignright\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Img2007-04-14_0004-200x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"150\" /></a>I think it was around this time we had three cars. The Honda CRV, Audi TT and to add to our stable we bought a Smart Car. It was Jane\'s pride and joy. Everything about it suited her - colour, economy, sliding roof and it was very distinctive. She loved it so much we then bought a brand new one.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/bluesmartcar.jpg\"><img class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-4802 alignleft\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/bluesmartcar-200x127.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"127\" /></a>Although she had a choice of colour she still wanted it to be personalised but with the new house build and other pressures of time we never did get round to it. In the spirit of positivity she even test drove a new one whilst she was undergoing chemotherapy. She actually thought the new one was too large and didn\'t want to change.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Porsche-Boxster-2008.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-6535 alignright\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Porsche-Boxster-2008-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"223\" height=\"167\" /></a>After the Audi TT I decided to buy a Porsche Boxster. It didn\'t handle the road quite as well as the Audi TT but it had the growl to the engine and the qudos that made it special.\r\n\r\nI only kept it for four years until I retired and then I decided, despite Jane\'s protestations, we needed to move on to something more sensible.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/farewell-Skoda-Yetisep16.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3929 alignleft\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/farewell-Skoda-Yetisep16-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"199\" height=\"149\" /></a>The Skoda Yeti was definitely a change (step down) from the Porsche but its 175 bhp diesel engine and four wheel drive made it very responsive. It had the power to pull a balloon trailer across rough terrain and very comfortable.\r\n\r\nIt did us very good service and I was still driving it for 10 months after Jane died. It was at this point I decided to move on and sell her Smart Car and the Yeti in a single Trade in deal.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/mazda-cx5-frontsep16-.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-3931 alignright\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/mazda-cx5-frontsep16--300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"214\" height=\"160\" /></a>After much deliberation in October 2016 and many test drives I eventually decided to buy a Mazda CX5. A large four wheel drive car with all the luxury and gadgets of a Range Rover or Jaguar FPace but at half the price. Its 180 bhp diesel engine was brilliant. It was also the first automatic car I had owned. A great car for doing long haul journeys and it took me to Scotland many times in the three years that I owned it. I covered close to 40,000 miles and only had to replace the front tyres.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lotus-cleanmar17.jpg\"><img class=\" wp-image-4306 alignleft\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lotus-cleanmar17-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"215\" height=\"161\" /></a>While driving the CX5 was fun and practical I wanted something that was going to raise the adrenalin a little. Bring some excitement into my life.\r\n\r\nI bought a Lotus Elise. There was a knack to getting into and out of it and it was impossible without the seat being pushed back as far as it would go. I also had to swing the door as wide as it would go and effectively fall out. Apart from the inconveniences around getting in and out there were few refinements. It did have a stereo system but it was impossible to here the radio over the noise of the engine. It accelerated like lightning because the body was light and the small Toyota engine revved very quickly. Another down side was the road holding - great round corners but hopeless on bumpy roads when the steering wheel wanted to tear itself out of my hands. After 12 months of adrenaline rushes and 5,000 miles I decided it was a younger man\'s car.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/mx5houseoct17.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright  wp-image-4586\" src=\"http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/mx5houseoct17-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"228\" height=\"171\" /></a>The Lotus had to go and I decided to buy the most popular sports car in the world... the Mazda MX5.', 'Cars', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '4818-revision-v1', '', '', '2021-01-18 20:55:37', '2021-01-18 20:55:37', '', 4818, 'http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/6624', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
