BLOG 1💐🌸🏡 August 2015 🏠💐🌺

🏡 We found this lovely thatched cottage in Devon & decided to buy it !

 

The garage needs knocking down due to parking issues, that will clear the cottage side windows & let the sunshine in ! A gravel driveway is planned, it’s a tiny tiny garage, no proper parking in front to fit even my mini on it so has to go !

The garden is very overgrown ! A gardener is booked to clear it so will be much better !

Garden was cleared, looking much better !

Calling a thatcher (Phil) was next priorty, he called round & Andy went up the ladder too in the pouring rain ! I stood under the thatch & discovered that rain pours off everywhere, no need for drainpipes ! BUT the cottage does have drainpipes which are not connected at the top, why ? Maybe not originally a thatched roof ? Looking into that ! We do have to have some work done as thatch is thinning a bit around chimney & back of house so that will be sorted as soon as move in. Fun times coming ! 🏡🏠🏡 XX

Advertisement

BLOG 39🏡 November 2018

🏡 The smallest room in the house was next to be painted. It’s a built in wardrobe/cupboard off our bedroom. You can step into it but awkward, had a hanging rail & coat hook on back wall, all removed. You’d think just one day all would be done, well it was nearly but didn’t enjoy that, couldn’t work in such small places, I was hot & bothered ! Getting this one painted quickly, one coat ! Laid carpet & sorted !

As we have no loft space, which is good, stops putting up boxes & boxes of ‘stuff’ you never see again, decided to use this cupboard as storage for boxes of ‘stuff’ wanting to keep.👍 Boxes all labelled so should work out ok ?! 👍 & it did !

🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡

BLOG 41🏡 January 2019

🏡 January already (actually it’s February when writing this but time moves so fast ! ) Had our first snow this month, two lots but not as bad as last Winter, not yet anyway ! Somehow a conversation one day developed into a visit to Ferne Animal Sanctuary ( Animal Rescue Centre ) on the 21st of this month to see a couple of rescue ex-breeding Shih tzu dogs, age around 5 years old (10/01/2014), which were found on a ‘puppy farm’ in Wales & that’s all the Sanctuary know about them, they were to stay together as they were very timid, to the point they did not know how to walk with a lead, not quite house trained, run away and hide if you went near them. So can you imagine when we saw them that they just had to come home for lots & lots of love & cuddles. So after all the checks Edna and Edith came home on 25th January. Smudge & Toby our Cocker Spaniels seemed very chilled out about the new arrivals, maybe they thought they were just staying overnight !! We decided to keep the names the Sanctuary had given them, sweet & old fashioned names. So we now are officially a four dog family !

Our first trip out together to Seaton Beach, Edna walked fine, Edith needed some carrying 🐶🐕
So when the first snow of the Winter came our way it was great to introduce Edna & Edith to the white stuff ! Smudge and Toby take the white stuff in their stride, they all had fun walking in it, maybe not Edith ⬇ 🐾🐾 !

Edna was quite confident straight away, walking well with a lead but Edith would not move when you put her in the garden, no way was she going to go anywhere ! She’s fine indoors so being persistent will get her walking outside, it’s only outside she has a problem with, she does not like grown ups when we are out walking, she freezes ! But sees a dog and she’s off to chase them ! We’ve been on a few beach visits. Keep at it, that’s the best way. 🐕🐶🐾🐕🐶🐾🐕🐶🐾🐕🐶🐾🐕🐶

BLOG 42 🏡February 2019

🌞Writing this Blog in lovely sunshine today & it’s still February ! Even more amazing this time last year we were about to have lots of snow, what is the weather doing !! 🌞But of course enjoying it ! 🌞

🐔🐓The weather is a good opportunity to sort the chicken area as it has been so muddy for them, so shingle & sand coming weekend. Have boarded around the inside of the run to hold it all in, sand will be nice fun for their ‘baths’ ! 🐔🐓

‘Before’

‘After’…..So much better, no more MUD !!

The only strange thing…they would NOT walk on the sand ! ( All ok after one day, loving it now ! )

Edna & Edith are doing so well, all fantastic with Edith’s walking, only maybe hesitating out walking with people & noise around sometimes but no carrying needed 🐕🐶 Both toilet trained already, no problems going in the garden, so no ‘puppy mats’ around the house anymore !🐕Laugh I had the other day was when I was cleaning the Coop & Edna & Edith were in the garden, now I haven’t mentioned that they like to eat their ‘poo’ sometimes !! So how do you cope with cleaning chickens, clearing up after the dogs & back to the chickens !!!😂It was funny, whichway to turn first !😂 I just have to get used to having a poo bag in my hand always ! 🐕🐶

West Bay Beach, was hoping to include the dogs looking at the camera ! 🐾🐾

Back home now 🐕🐶

Lyme Regis at night on the sandy beach ( Enjoy it while we are allowed )

Toby and Edith..ahhhh🐕

Liking their photo taken by Katherine🐶

Toby enjoying the February sunshine🌞

Playtime 🐕

So far all is well, they’ve settled in, seem to love being outdoors so roll on Summer ! 🌞🌻🏖🐾🌊🐶🐕🌞

BLOG 43🏡 March 2019🏠

🏡 It’s March already ! The weather has changed from warm days in February to wet & VERY windy for few days, flipflop Summer hurry up !! 🌞Actually last few days this month have been very warm, it’s sitting outside weather🌞….YES !
Jobs so far this month included finishing the chicken coop with shingle and it’s nice and clean walking in there now, no muddy marks on the eggs and easier to clean everywhere. Yet again the chickens have laid all through the Winter, which is amazing as they are supposed to stop, so a good supply of eggs always available. It’s time to sell them at the front of the house 🐔🐓🐔🐓

Would like next project to be sorting a new vegetable plot, moving it from area we used last year at back of garden but had a poor show of veg, some not even growing at all ! Now I imagine it’s a combination of not being an expert at growing veg, not being in a good part of the garden, last Summer was very warm so maybe not watered enough ? So decided to move it nearer the house, combining it with the area where the herbs & strawberries are at the moment and see what happens this year. Determined to make them grow !! Let’s see what happens over the growing months !

As the weather changed for the better this weekend, decided to make a start on vegetable plot, going for a much smaller one this time to see if it’s a good position & you never know could be bigger next year if successful !🌶🌽🍎

Seeds ordered, get them planted soon & see what grows this time ! 🍓🍅🌶

Had Thatcher Phil call by to tidy the roof mainly on the right front of the house, it’s the crows having a go trying to get out the insects, they pull out the thatch & just drop it on the floor, what a mess ! Wire has been laid on that corner of the thatch & other corners pushed thatch back in & see if that sorts problem ! Looking all ok after a few days. Oh yes, also moved one of the pheasants to road side of house ! 🆒👍

So looking ahead to April, if this weather stays good, the plan will be to finish painting the outside of the house, quite good planning that we have already painted the two sides that show from the front of the house, so looks a complete job, sneeky !! Oh yes another job, take down those Christmas lights !!

🐔🐶🌞🌊🐾🐔🐓🏖🐶🌞🐾🌊🐓🐕

BLOG 44 🏡 April 2019 🌻

🏡 Finished making the vegetable plot this month, planted the seeds, also trays made up with broccoli, cucumber and sunflower seeds & placed in little plastic greenhouse….thought I’d give the plastic version a go ! It’s quite a cute size so ok to experiment with. Next few blogs hopefully will have results !💐

Over the Easter Holiday made a start painting the outside of the house, the two sides we had not yet touched ! It’s good when the weather is dry but when it’s very very warm, hotter than the rest of Europe, it’s quite hard as soon as the sun comes round to that side of the house to carry on painting as it was so bright ! To be fair we only had enough paint to finish the one wall but we didn’t even succeed in that, do not complain about good weather but sitting out in it is good but painting is a no no ! Anyway gives us a chance to get more paint ordered and when the weather is a bit cooler we’ll crack on with it, must finish this Summer, it’s been planned for ages !

We visited Lyme Beach & Forde Abbey in this wonderful weather but when at home the dogs decided it was best to stay in the shade under the garden table, wise move ! (spot Toby!)

Edna and Edith are coming along fine, they love being outside, if the weather is to continue very warm through the Summer we’ll seriously have to get another paddling pool just for the dogs. Toby loved the pool to cool down last Summer as that was a hot one ! I only buy the small toddler size pool, it’s just enough water depth & easy for him to get in & out, loves it !

Forde Abbey fountain

Lyme Regis beach

Back home

Fun times had by all 🆒😉🌞🌊🏖🌞

BLOG 45 🏡 May 2019🌻

🏡 How can it be end of May already ! The weather has been amazing, hot & sunny most days🌞 Trips to Forde Abbey & the seaside have been very enjoyable 🐕🐶

Well so far the veggie plot is doing well, just the onions not growing properly, only about quarter of them popping up so think I’ll put in the broccoli instead, they’re ready from the ‘experiment plastic’ greenhouse I ordered last month, we will see how they get on. Added some cane supports for the peas today which are growing well. Also added the broccoli & cucumber which I’ve grown from seed in the ‘plastic’ greenhouse, shall try the cucumber in the wall area again, same as last year as they grew very well 😁 The only issue I’ve had this month is that the plastic came away from the zip on the greenhouse, otherwise it’s worked well. Contacted the supplier & they replaced it by next day, now that’s service !

Edna & Edith had their first proper grooming session, I asked to stay to check they would be ok & they coped very well, they’re looking much better 🐶🐕

Toby has been on a diet for past 6 weeks (from beg April), he’s losing the weight, will be weighed again middle June & hopefully down to under 20kg ! He started around 23.4kg so that’s great isn’t it !🐕🐶 On 16/4/ dropped to 22.2kg, on 17/05/ dropped to 21.05kg so next clinic Friday 14/06/ dropped to 20.4kg ! 🐶🐕 So since beg April he has lost 3kg ! Good Boy !🐶🐾

🐕🐶🐾🐕🐶🐾🐕🐶🐾🐕🐶🐾🐕🐶🐾🐕🐶

BLOG 46🏡June/July 2019 2 Years living in Devon

🏡 ‘The Vintage Shed’ Colyton Devon We have decided this month to have a section in an Antique & Crafts Shop, The Vintage Shed in Colyton, 15 mins from the house, you sell your items amongst other traders having your own area which you pay a monthly rent, it’s situated next to the Seaton Tramway which travels between Seaton Beach & Colyton bringing lots of tourists who depart the Tram and pop into the Antique Shop. We are buying from Auctions, car boots, charity shops, it’s fun especially all the bidding at Auctions. We have two local places we visit, Atkins Auctions in Axminster & Lyme Bay Auctions near Seaton, Devon. They hold auctions once a month, different days which helps, on Fridays & Mondays. There are a lot of Auctions held around but it takes a lot of time out of your day but you can bid online too, so that’s the easiest way sometimes. But there is an extra commission charge when bidding online so adding this on top of buying the item, you add this in to selling cost & then you’ve covered the cost of purchasing. It’s good fun, if you’ve watched the bidding at Auctions on tv, it’s a good feeling when you win an item against others bidding against you ! We now need more space to sell so looking around other Antique Shops, Bridport & Lyme Regis have good shops which are very busy with tourists.

YES, gave in and bought a bigger paddling pool for the dogs ! The weather has been so amazing this last month, cannot remember last day it rained, it’s been cloudy every now & then but certainly not cold ! So we replaced the silly little pool we bought at the Car Boot and purchased this bigger one, have to leave part of the sides down flat so they can get in & out !

The vegetable plot has grown very well, strawberries & peas are the best growers ! (Got to stop strawberries & cream most evenings though !!) Broccoli, onions, carrots, runner beans are doing well, still waiting on the tomatoes which seem a bit slower this year. Not sure why, they’re all in growbags, think they grew better in pots last year !

The chickens are still laying well with fresh eggs every day, omelette is on the menu once a week to use them up, still haven’t sorted selling them outside the front, must get on with that plan. Sad news, we lost one of our chickens recently to an illness, not sure what but she went to the vet due to her suddenly messy & runny bottom & very slow & quiet, he thought she seemed quite hot & maybe it was a virus so she had an injection & analysed her poo which was fine but sadly she didn’t make it through the night. We shall never know what poor Doris had wrong with her XXX 😔🐔🐓

This is Nessa making all the noise ! 🐔🐓
Weigh-In for Toby soon, keep you updated as to weight loss ! Hopefully hitting under 20kg. **YES now 19.9kg 🐾🐕🐾🐕That’s over 3kg since April.🐕🐾** Brilliant X

🐓🐔🐾🐕🍅🥝🌽🥦🥬🥒🐓🐔

BLOG 48 🏡 Sept 2019 🏠

🏡 Outside painting this month, YES at last finishing remaining two walls of the house, has always looked finished from the front with side and front painted, sneaky ! 🏠   Now finished at last, looks so much better & fresher.  Had to scrub the paint drips off the windowsills & windows, always say we will cover the windows with covering so it protects them BUT never happens as such a pain doing it but wasn’t too bad to clean, all done now !! 

• 

• 

Next Job……….finish that 4th bedroom  (1) Alcove to paint  (2) Skirting to add   (3) Carpet  (4) Curtains – bought a lovely set for £ 7.50 but split them for the two windows.  They also have hooks rather than rings on the curtains so found some oak colour rings for £2.50 plus some more on eBay for £5.00 which should work.

Vegetable Plot is nearing its’ end !  Most of the vegetables grew well,  the tomatoes been moved to different part of the garden in their grow bags & pots so catch more sunshine to make them go red maybe !  They are a lovely size tomato but still green & stayed green, shame !  Wonder if I should grow the tomatoes in the little greenhouse next year ?

• 

• 

• 

• 

Last of the carrots 🥕🥕🥕

Spring Onions grew well 🌰🌰🌰

Colyton Shop Space……We are having to store the new items we purchase as no room in the Shop at the moment, we use our dining room with the large table pushed to end of room and bought some more plastic boxes so all neatly tucked away. Sorting & wrapping the items into a box, label & price each item, add Box number to Stock list to keep a track on where everything is at the moment. We had thought of racking around the room and keeping items on the shelves which is fine too but the boxes keep it tidy & dust free ! All ready to go to the Shop…. grab a box or two, sorted !👍👏

• 

• 

• 

  Looking quite full at the moment !

BLOG 50🏡 December/January 2020🏠

🏡   Decision made in January……decided to close the Shop Area at Colyton,  we’ve decided we are selling more on our Ebay Shop Online and monthly payment a lot lower than the Shop at Colyton.  A big decision but moving on, maybe in the future have another Shop Area.  Ebay hopefully will be fun.  We now have alot of stock all boxed & ready to be added to our Ebay Shop, gradually adding it. Our most popular item at the moment are tea sets amazingly,  the challenge with these is the packing to post & getting it to the buyer in one piece !   Success at the moment.  So moving all items to this Shop we are working on social media also to advertise items so next Blog with updated details hopefully.Cannot wait for Spring & Summer, weather has been very bitter lately so garden being neglected.  The dogs love being in the garden so hurry up sunny weather ! Edna & Edith have been with us for a year now (25th January) and they seem happy & settled, think Smudge & Toby realise now that they are staying & not just overnight !  Look at Toby here, now dropped weight to 17.70kg,  that’s 6kg weight loss since last April, sooo good 👍😃🐕Little Edith here looking all fluffed up in the garden, her favourite place 🐕🐶Lyme Regis is as nice as ever, especially enjoy it when the tide is way out, the dogs love the run around, only issue that bothers me is when we let Edith off the lead she tends to run off to other dogs as she loves them so you can shout her name over & over but no she wants to play !  But I realise the more you let her off the lead the easier it will get, eventually, hopefully ! But she LOVES it and has great fun running around & keeps us fit !   Issue that is brewing with regard to dogs on the beach at Lyme is that there is talk to completely ban them ALL year from using the beach, I’ve given my opinion on this matter, so we will see what happens, would be dreadful if the ban is enforced.