tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16485496643600240412024-02-07T05:12:12.287+01:00Cotswolds AccommodationThe personal Blog of a Bed and Breakfast owner in the village of Woodmancote, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England. www.cotswoldsaccommodation.net
The Blog focusses on everything related to wildlife and the environment in and around the property.A Cotswolds Accommodation Providerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09124933127079387649noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648549664360024041.post-61620713153719053462015-06-20T16:32:00.002+02:002015-06-20T16:32:25.238+02:00This blog will be closed<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Just a notification that this Blog will be de-activated soon. It would be great if any followers would migrate with us to the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/Cotswoldsaccommodation">FB site we use to gently promote our little business</a> and 'Like' it to get the occasional update. Thank you! Don't worry, you will not be bombarded with drivel and marketing messages (you can always block those!) : Just like this Blog, our business FB page is all about green issues, fine food and nature around the house. <br />
Thank you for your support!</div>
A Cotswolds Accommodation Providerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09124933127079387649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648549664360024041.post-27311187023913014342015-02-11T10:36:00.002+01:002015-02-11T10:36:30.920+01:00Home cured bacon, smoked in our garden...delicious!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Half a pig from the old local breed 'Gloucester Old Spot' has been expertly jointed on our kitchen table. The finer cuts have been dry cured in salt for some seven days (yes, making bacon couldn't be simpler!), hung in the garage in the cold winter air for a few days to mature further, and smoked in our own 'food processor' in our garden. This intriguing design comprises a wood-fired pizza oven, bread oven, BBQ and food smoker - all in one!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmzWtQT7-PMNreAtrEtIVlbG0vFFIigUehmoDpaQx4XuNn4hOX8QbrdHX6Z-neBeArZeeOaOe3K1xOyzJerXGct4ZdI5T4OSDn_2HT1deQdHf6YuBrV9r-vZ6mkTCa9Fg3c_UWCAq_ZOc0/s1600/Bacon+in+the+food+smoker+on+a+sunny+winter+day..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmzWtQT7-PMNreAtrEtIVlbG0vFFIigUehmoDpaQx4XuNn4hOX8QbrdHX6Z-neBeArZeeOaOe3K1xOyzJerXGct4ZdI5T4OSDn_2HT1deQdHf6YuBrV9r-vZ6mkTCa9Fg3c_UWCAq_ZOc0/s1600/Bacon+in+the+food+smoker+on+a+sunny+winter+day..jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our wood-fired pizza/read oven, bbq and food smoker in action</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grilled smoked bacon, all home-made, filling the house with delicious smells...</td></tr>
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A Cotswolds Accommodation Providerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09124933127079387649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648549664360024041.post-19747047499709431362014-11-05T17:18:00.002+01:002014-11-05T17:18:13.594+01:00Our honey has won some prizes!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We are really pleased with the excellent feedback we had at the Midland and South Western Counties Convention of Beekeepers on the 6th. September 2014.<br />
Nikki entered honey in two classes: 'Light honey' and 'Two cut comb'.<br />
The light honey won a 'Highly commended' and the two cut comb won a 1st. prize!<br />
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A Cotswolds Accommodation Providerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09124933127079387649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648549664360024041.post-91839361603008894012014-04-02T18:10:00.001+02:002014-04-02T18:10:49.447+02:00More great pictures of our pond life<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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A Cotswolds Accommodation Providerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09124933127079387649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648549664360024041.post-42979354047516215232014-03-15T22:01:00.001+01:002014-03-15T22:03:20.986+01:00Home made bacon<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We make our own bacon using Gloucester Old Spot, a rare breed pig, from <a href="http://www.meatdelivered.co.uk/">Sudeley Hill Farm</a>, Winchcombe.<br />
These sides of pork (loin and belly) have been dry cured in our own special curing salt for 6 days, are now hanging in the cold well-ventilated air of our garage to loose some moisture and dry out a little.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Green' bacon, fresh from the dry-cure, hanging out to dry and mature</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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A Cotswolds Accommodation Providerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09124933127079387649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648549664360024041.post-65563653339503733412013-08-21T22:37:00.002+02:002013-08-21T22:37:51.495+02:00Just some beautiful photopgraph of our pond-life<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEissHRLWTpa40bQySW18BEMURWE81YEBNEfyTd28VFF6qjTw9RyBLPhJP6uf2pYxeBY1TvoR3wYRiWeKmzs5WHsNSee78vcg4ga7_YBvVzrVWOsYglSTOQUa_BasNxaFcpxwWlUAaYDcElG/s1600/DSC00610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEissHRLWTpa40bQySW18BEMURWE81YEBNEfyTd28VFF6qjTw9RyBLPhJP6uf2pYxeBY1TvoR3wYRiWeKmzs5WHsNSee78vcg4ga7_YBvVzrVWOsYglSTOQUa_BasNxaFcpxwWlUAaYDcElG/s400/DSC00610.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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A Cotswolds Accommodation Providerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09124933127079387649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648549664360024041.post-87876809252296625882013-08-05T13:10:00.000+02:002013-08-05T13:10:00.185+02:00Northern Crested Newts have moved into our pond!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Our Resident Zoologist/herpetologist (son) Richard has positively identified the presence of Northern (or Greater) Crested Newts in our garden pond.<br />
This is good news, as these Newts are one of only four amphibians which are protected by the UK <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biodiversity_Action_Plan" title="Biodiversity Action Plan">Biodiversity Action Plan</a>.<br />
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It wouldn't be such good news if we were planning to do extend the house or built in the garden as the authorities would have the power to stop any work that would disturb their habitat. It is an offense to:
<br />
<ul>
<li>Intentionally kill, injure or take a northern crested newt</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Possess or control any live or dead specimen or anything derived from a northern crested newt</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Intentionally or recklessly damage, destroy or obstruct access to
any structure or place used for shelter or protection by a northern
crested newt (in practice this means both its breeding sites, and its
terrestrial habitat)</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Intentionally or recklessly disturb a northern crested newt while it
is occupying a structure or place which it uses for that purpose</li>
</ul>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYNNzi3Zdg58wdOO3RLig4JYgKDCkLxkGKdfyIkpzzEIx8CreawVWr-2e1vn8OW7VVjL7s0NE2C8q2GhWrDxHI9XbUyX6DSEKj8-P7VTuHh5Ze5U6vCTOP3WUNDonBY81Z3GvZbmBiYH_y/s1600/DSC00691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYNNzi3Zdg58wdOO3RLig4JYgKDCkLxkGKdfyIkpzzEIx8CreawVWr-2e1vn8OW7VVjL7s0NE2C8q2GhWrDxHI9XbUyX6DSEKj8-P7VTuHh5Ze5U6vCTOP3WUNDonBY81Z3GvZbmBiYH_y/s400/DSC00691.JPG" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Richard finds a Northern Crested Newt</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhewbeBhV-ng1todNp7yEC65JxgqFC6lyjm5-LN43CJxFHX45v-pP028APzNhdNlzjSufq4vYLmAgdgbd_-dFnrHFlljF4RFn-sSCCIreLgZd90mHqV0Qzm2uYiCOSULMPm46oce_Kx2jZi/s1600/DSC00698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhewbeBhV-ng1todNp7yEC65JxgqFC6lyjm5-LN43CJxFHX45v-pP028APzNhdNlzjSufq4vYLmAgdgbd_-dFnrHFlljF4RFn-sSCCIreLgZd90mHqV0Qzm2uYiCOSULMPm46oce_Kx2jZi/s400/DSC00698.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Positive ID through the underside markings by photographing through a glass plate</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjr0WECUd2F0gV9uK_F10RLDZjyOcn-08XdPPR2xmRgzkiypfdpwaJDOJ7OTwVKqvy4KraMf810zluaUtl-mB49JSE3bGmTkQMwc_NJM2fbSZGTIJ_xBwjdg4_8vs2t_5tj5YVDAEM7sCa/s1600/DSC00695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjr0WECUd2F0gV9uK_F10RLDZjyOcn-08XdPPR2xmRgzkiypfdpwaJDOJ7OTwVKqvy4KraMf810zluaUtl-mB49JSE3bGmTkQMwc_NJM2fbSZGTIJ_xBwjdg4_8vs2t_5tj5YVDAEM7sCa/s400/DSC00695.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up of Northern Crested Newt</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
A Cotswolds Accommodation Providerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09124933127079387649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648549664360024041.post-45702681176942659842013-07-21T11:08:00.005+02:002013-07-21T11:09:34.948+02:00Muntjac buck browsing in the woods opposite our B&B<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiiJ_zhN07E">Interesting video</a> of a Muntjac buck is 'in velvet' (the antlers are still covered with skin) - they are of an unusual shape for a Muntjac.</div>
A Cotswolds Accommodation Providerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09124933127079387649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648549664360024041.post-56647130232843528302013-06-03T19:22:00.002+02:002013-06-03T19:22:54.707+02:00Green Tourism Award<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Today we received the good news that we have been a 'Silver' in the <a href="http://www.green-business.co.uk/">Green Tourism Business Scheme</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTqki5sc9GukqiRUx1qzv7yf6Ub4WYpjUbNl2XUquKPjsXBIDwTr6dboc7m90mgsw-VBEr6XrPxUZOmnqIeJXn4_DUO5e-nQEW9lE_7n51V8uFhzSUGfqKzGwbbp6J2M1mITy7VvQUKzft/s1600/GTBS_england_silver_thumb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTqki5sc9GukqiRUx1qzv7yf6Ub4WYpjUbNl2XUquKPjsXBIDwTr6dboc7m90mgsw-VBEr6XrPxUZOmnqIeJXn4_DUO5e-nQEW9lE_7n51V8uFhzSUGfqKzGwbbp6J2M1mITy7VvQUKzft/s320/GTBS_england_silver_thumb.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
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A Cotswolds Accommodation Providerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09124933127079387649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648549664360024041.post-49468418279564359832013-03-11T13:57:00.001+01:002013-03-11T13:59:13.137+01:00Redwings spotted in our garden<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This morning we spotted a large amount of Redwings on our lawn, we counted 50+.<br />
One moment they were there, next moment they were gone. The Redwing is rarely seen in gardens as it is typical farmland and hedgerow bird. For more information: <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/r/redwing/index.aspx">http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/r/redwing/index.aspx</a><br />
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We didn't manage to take any pictures - we found this picture on the Net. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0NwmM8s4uW1zsA7GV2gWxEjbjb_KSLwIyfsthKjnMeIR3BPrd8CDlPEDAcKfoi3p3oSAv50tG4gju48N3GpYVsLzuWzmfl2Vi9uIlnf5iOvmOaskMPx_e5inpERj1MBAVQg0EvyGam7PN/s1600/Redwing.-Photo-by-Mick-Dryden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0NwmM8s4uW1zsA7GV2gWxEjbjb_KSLwIyfsthKjnMeIR3BPrd8CDlPEDAcKfoi3p3oSAv50tG4gju48N3GpYVsLzuWzmfl2Vi9uIlnf5iOvmOaskMPx_e5inpERj1MBAVQg0EvyGam7PN/s400/Redwing.-Photo-by-Mick-Dryden.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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(Photo by Mick Dryden)</div>
A Cotswolds Accommodation Providerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09124933127079387649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648549664360024041.post-74829079289486074962013-01-18T14:46:00.001+01:002013-01-18T14:47:58.388+01:00Green Tourism Scheme (England) <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We are now a member of the England Green Tourism Scheme and will soon be audited and graded.<br />
<a href="http://www.green-business.co.uk/GreenBusiness_Introduction.asp">Green Tourism Scheme</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqgZR3Zh1wGbPIBs36bJl7anaSEXshTnjtJzYoiVGP39Zd-UOFnX2-jXGMWLGe18VJeTEC4qwxGDUabPDjaBAfqNJTtT9VIRZWPxgOSoeaE0Ca6mID3sOAI2pzDHUw3kLvJ0xFGnq7tI1b/s1600/England_awaiting_grading_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqgZR3Zh1wGbPIBs36bJl7anaSEXshTnjtJzYoiVGP39Zd-UOFnX2-jXGMWLGe18VJeTEC4qwxGDUabPDjaBAfqNJTtT9VIRZWPxgOSoeaE0Ca6mID3sOAI2pzDHUw3kLvJ0xFGnq7tI1b/s640/England_awaiting_grading_.jpg" width="490" /></a></div>
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A Cotswolds Accommodation Providerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09124933127079387649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648549664360024041.post-66272618574486115702013-01-14T11:02:00.001+01:002013-01-14T11:02:34.187+01:00Muntjac deer in our garden, pictures taken at night<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHlF9AwtbdqEdO6C_vHYQnfFpDn7bzakVZ4k7MgoGn0u_mmnVOQ-6wDf4OKt6DnmsxYW7cg5kTFksJNI13IDs6d9l27GAdsMwIO6AEOyBB7p2I3fwkTafibpcAHC3n6WVTVJnM7nUs1ylX/s1600/SUNP0075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHlF9AwtbdqEdO6C_vHYQnfFpDn7bzakVZ4k7MgoGn0u_mmnVOQ-6wDf4OKt6DnmsxYW7cg5kTFksJNI13IDs6d9l27GAdsMwIO6AEOyBB7p2I3fwkTafibpcAHC3n6WVTVJnM7nUs1ylX/s320/SUNP0075.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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A Cotswolds Accommodation Providerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09124933127079387649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648549664360024041.post-108693674736193102013-01-07T15:49:00.000+01:002013-01-07T15:49:18.533+01:00Infrared pictures of wildlife in our garden<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Father Christmas left me a lovely present: A wildlife Cam.<br />
This one is now set up to make pictures only when it is dark, triggered by PIR or Passive Infra Red.<br />
When the camera senses an animal it quickly makes three pictures in three seconds. So far we have only managed dozens of pictures of our chickens, on those nights they're still out after 16.00 Hours. But finally....a fine Muntjac buck, and a Fox dog.<br />
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A Cotswolds Accommodation Providerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09124933127079387649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648549664360024041.post-3065778967458659082012-10-11T20:40:00.002+02:002012-10-11T20:40:55.806+02:00Sausage making!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Finally, we had some rain today...;) so a good day to make a fresh batch of sausages.<br />
You may wonder what the relevance is to this Blog: Well, I believe using good, local and seasonal produce is relevant to your environmental credentials. More importantly, if the raw ingredients are of an excellent quality then the end result is likely to be pretty good. You know where it comes from, how far it traveled, and what's in it.<br />
What's in it is of course important when making a sausage: Many butchers (but not all!) will use any old scraps to put through the mincer, add some bought-in ready mixed sausage flavouring powder, add salt (a lot of it), add rusk (even more, to keep the ingredients costs down) and ram it through a machine using collagen casing, made out any unspeakable part of animals.<br />
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Well...not here!<br />
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Today's batch of sausages is made out of the following list of ingredients:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Gloucester Old Spot free range minced pork from the Sudeley Estate, Winchcombe (100%) </li>
<li>Onions from our own garden (7% of the meat weight)</li>
<li>Sage and Rosemary from our own garden</li>
<li>Black pepper </li>
<li>Breadcrumbs (7% of the meat weight)</li>
<li>Water (7% of the meat weight)</li>
<li>Virgin rape seed oil </li>
<li>Curing Salt (0.75% of the total weight)</li>
<li>Natural hog casings</li>
</ul>
The process is as follows:<br />
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>Chop the onions, sweat in a little rape seed oil, add chopped herbs and spices, add salt, add the water, bring to the boil to dissolve the salt, cool.</li>
<li>Mix this with the minced pork and bread-crumps.</li>
<li>Put in the sausage making machine and press the sausages into the casings to make one VERY LONG SAUSAGE.</li>
<li>Make a string of little sausages by squeezing and twisting</li>
<li>Leave to dry in a cool airy place overnight</li>
</ol>
Ready!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMmddhubenbi7Wz-yUaBv927oTLReSzMek8Jbu7du-dhpFnVYZ22kcnXI8C4akd-R-xuruvqmXUNagDNmjLsxR6-Rk6Xug6vy25YgDlyxpyklJKOOM-Vru-60QlhO0w4l89IXeJAyv3-Co/s1600/P1060815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMmddhubenbi7Wz-yUaBv927oTLReSzMek8Jbu7du-dhpFnVYZ22kcnXI8C4akd-R-xuruvqmXUNagDNmjLsxR6-Rk6Xug6vy25YgDlyxpyklJKOOM-Vru-60QlhO0w4l89IXeJAyv3-Co/s400/P1060815.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Putting the minced pork mixture in the sausage making machine</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixcXzqE_86DMWtt5VDBZ5tQb_nXJy7KS8gemaZ6uDxhc5GYSuc3pu_W-WPqp94IENqu7xI6Ke4WV31U8WiF2QPbqBvA_v_amAr-aiRCR7Tryj8IHqmJ_ZEYd7ipe2Ybny12LaIRpxRkEBv/s1600/P1060822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixcXzqE_86DMWtt5VDBZ5tQb_nXJy7KS8gemaZ6uDxhc5GYSuc3pu_W-WPqp94IENqu7xI6Ke4WV31U8WiF2QPbqBvA_v_amAr-aiRCR7Tryj8IHqmJ_ZEYd7ipe2Ybny12LaIRpxRkEBv/s400/P1060822.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turning out one large sausage, using a hand-cranked machine</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnXjodzriHP8wOAUwLOcUUMqtq_hZGWTF8NiyQlhrgAZkPYWBlDLNV0_Ooa50U5p23eqSCSF90n2Msu26GG0gfCucL-4AM2QeKTOjYLA5qrVFabKw-4G2Diy0K98pE7O41HOp-r3s9s8dF/s1600/P1060826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnXjodzriHP8wOAUwLOcUUMqtq_hZGWTF8NiyQlhrgAZkPYWBlDLNV0_Ooa50U5p23eqSCSF90n2Msu26GG0gfCucL-4AM2QeKTOjYLA5qrVFabKw-4G2Diy0K98pE7O41HOp-r3s9s8dF/s400/P1060826.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dividing the large sausage into individual linked sausages</td></tr>
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A Cotswolds Accommodation Providerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09124933127079387649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648549664360024041.post-81875184202180688902012-05-29T16:45:00.001+02:002012-05-29T16:54:37.284+02:00We have our own bees at home - finally!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Our own bees having been living in their hive in a farmers field a few miles from here. They are being looked after by Nikki under guidance from the Gloucestershire Beekeeping Association. They will come 'home' in September 2012. We may even get some honey from them this year!<br />
<br />
Our second hive has been unoccupied in our garden since the Spring of 2011. In Spring bee colonies that get too lage sometimes swarm and move into an unoccupied hive, attracted by a small piece of comb which contains all the lovely smells bees like. We are on the waiting list of the 'Gloucestershire Swarm Collector' - who will let us know when a swarm is spotted in the area, reported by the public, and needs to be collected.<br />
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So, earlier this week Nikki collected her first swarm (see pictures). It wasn't too hard to get them into a box, but it wasn't so easy to get them from the box into the hive. The Queen bee somehow ended up outside the hive and promptly decided that 5 Meter up a tree above the hive was a much nicer spot. There they stayed put all night, only to disappear the next day, alarming our neighbours in the process.<br />
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However, within 2 days another swarm or cast was spotted nearby and this time we managed to collect them and transfer them to the hive. This swarm is very small, consisting of a virgin Queen bee and maybe 200-250 bees, but it is a start. Now they are busy feeding on suger syrup and hopefully settle down, start foraging, and expanding the colony after the Queen bee has been mated 'on the wing'. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEdQx8Bal99YPuZ-ffQzio7JFoWl1n3NvorX1jJEPcF02lUqLVYmUBpBB00Ko3ZC0JBY7SOKFa9irlQgiiMZ77JqnmxN-Wl8FecpuJ41LNrr_38D3P19myJhm7YnHgl9HtOgBo-BN21cwG/s1600/Rehousing+a+swarm+of+honey+bees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEdQx8Bal99YPuZ-ffQzio7JFoWl1n3NvorX1jJEPcF02lUqLVYmUBpBB00Ko3ZC0JBY7SOKFa9irlQgiiMZ77JqnmxN-Wl8FecpuJ41LNrr_38D3P19myJhm7YnHgl9HtOgBo-BN21cwG/s320/Rehousing+a+swarm+of+honey+bees.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moving the swarm from the colection box to the hive</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjclZJg1tn4WKUiusvsRVyx3RNARwLFzXoTkcNZKU8PAYR5T6MyVBopiMLHTUAfq-9wDf61Uy3tocw7PQRIBlyTDj-unPfAkvd3T8QXwN1oaomspe-1QkTj6Fu36azYFsnqu3rUiPdWuXQf/s1600/The+buzz+approvingly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjclZJg1tn4WKUiusvsRVyx3RNARwLFzXoTkcNZKU8PAYR5T6MyVBopiMLHTUAfq-9wDf61Uy3tocw7PQRIBlyTDj-unPfAkvd3T8QXwN1oaomspe-1QkTj6Fu36azYFsnqu3rUiPdWuXQf/s400/The+buzz+approvingly.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hmm. They don't like it!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhihvtbBTxTWEcCmfVjdeT-HMOS1K6ByItkdfZcJu41SByu7FsmPwSZQOXestF0p7wW1VBBwyKTEDZIX689Ii5gXjYcF-1awV5Crzt_2UZj66kATM3FNaGFsK-X13lgfpuD9CwfmXB_E7g6/s1600/The+swarm+re-settles+in+a+nearby+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhihvtbBTxTWEcCmfVjdeT-HMOS1K6ByItkdfZcJu41SByu7FsmPwSZQOXestF0p7wW1VBBwyKTEDZIX689Ii5gXjYcF-1awV5Crzt_2UZj66kATM3FNaGFsK-X13lgfpuD9CwfmXB_E7g6/s400/The+swarm+re-settles+in+a+nearby+tree.jpg" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why not settle in a tree. Much more comfortable!</td></tr>
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</div>A Cotswolds Accommodation Providerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09124933127079387649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648549664360024041.post-38732186444163417292012-05-29T15:55:00.001+02:002012-05-29T16:06:24.320+02:00Fledgling Woodpecker<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYrcon_AlPVevcol3wuDYl2ZJtoz2pjTItjeKN96SZyR2NGuPq0wBTwMr9SqRgG2GuwWd3PhIL0DsxXFWW0oM1vDC5dnso7OCYB7iAMHTunX-vbSW_qdbYq3W4rteg2S7GmTM-bTUtf81R/s1600/Fledling+Woodpecker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYrcon_AlPVevcol3wuDYl2ZJtoz2pjTItjeKN96SZyR2NGuPq0wBTwMr9SqRgG2GuwWd3PhIL0DsxXFWW0oM1vDC5dnso7OCYB7iAMHTunX-vbSW_qdbYq3W4rteg2S7GmTM-bTUtf81R/s320/Fledling+Woodpecker.jpg" width="179" /></a></div>
Just a quick post to show a fledgling woodpecker clinging to our garden fence.</div>A Cotswolds Accommodation Providerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09124933127079387649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648549664360024041.post-71205753580665052962012-04-03T15:53:00.000+02:002012-04-03T15:53:00.128+02:00A quick update!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <br />
It has been quite some time since the last Blog post and nature hasn't stood still of course. So what has happened? <br />
All the non-native trees in our garden have now been felled and replaced by British native trees, such as Poplar, Willow, Oak, Elm and Hazel. Some of these species are suitable for SRC (Short Rotation Coppicing) so a few well-rooted Poplars and Willows have been cut off this Winter at approx. 6" above the ground, for new shoots (typical 6-7 shoots) to emerge and grow for the next 4-5 years to provide us with firewood. This process can be repeated 5-6 times before the tree is exhausted. <br />
The fruit trees in the Orchard have all been pruned and 1/2 dozen new fruit trees have been planted.<br />
The overgrown and out-of-control hedge on our Southerly boundary has had a real good trim at approx. 5' high, so it can now regenerate and become thicker, healthier and more wildlife friendly <em>and</em> provide privacy, as we will now let it grow to approx. 6'. <br />
The first frogs and toads appeared by the end of February in our little pond so thousands of tadpoles are providing food for our newts – but there will be plenty left to complete the cycle.<br />
Two Grey Herons appear every morning at dawn and are eying up the fish in the pond - according to our 'in-house Zoologist' Richard the pond shouldn't really have any goldfish in at all so we don't really mind. Baby rabbits have started appearing with the lovely summery weather last week - all week- up to 21C. by the end of March - unheard of. But snow is forecasted for tomorrow so we'll see all seasons this week. We haven't seen any badger activity lately: A small woodland close to us is being cleared out so we think they may have lost their habitat and moved on. However the Muntjac deer keep visiting our garden and nibble all the fresh young shoots of everything so we see some very strangely shaped plants and lots of fraying damage. <br />
The wild flower meadow area has been cut for the first time this year to suppress the grasses and give the wild flowers and Orchids a change: The next cut will take place around October.<br />
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</div>A Cotswolds Accommodation Providerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09124933127079387649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648549664360024041.post-31577976741456883172011-06-18T18:50:00.000+02:002011-06-18T18:50:03.744+02:00Kitchen Composter<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Most of our household waste is already sorted and recycled, but we have always had a problem with food waste which can't be composted, such as chicken bones, fish bones & heads and cooked food left-overs. This has to be collected in a special little bin which gets rather smelly and in itself forms a food safety risk if it is kept in or near the kitchen.<br />
The solution appears to be the so-called 'Bokashi' composter which uses a bran-based material that has been fermented with EM ('friendly' bacteria) and dried for storage. Adding the Bokashi to the special closed bin and the organic food waste starts an anaerobic fermentation of the organic matter which does not produce adverse smells. The end-product can be added to your normal compost heap, and a reservoir under in the compost bin collects a liquid which can be tapped off and used for the fertilisation of plants and vegetables. The liquid can even be used to clear drains or septic systems and as such prevents algae build-up and controls odours. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqp_MKb0PIw8rhd6JHoZjxacCW4r_vgSv-XV3IrXw5nrCw4o9RE5wZOQGzhxOhkb8c3oxQo9Z4i7YVDZtjWE_CcUh9447PYL-EY52YHyByaBwF_ht3ZU6SNepLn8tZngdrIZGWbF2pU1Ha/s1600/Bokashi+Composter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqp_MKb0PIw8rhd6JHoZjxacCW4r_vgSv-XV3IrXw5nrCw4o9RE5wZOQGzhxOhkb8c3oxQo9Z4i7YVDZtjWE_CcUh9447PYL-EY52YHyByaBwF_ht3ZU6SNepLn8tZngdrIZGWbF2pU1Ha/s1600/Bokashi+Composter.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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</div>A Cotswolds Accommodation Providerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09124933127079387649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648549664360024041.post-76539211004849982892011-06-03T14:29:00.000+02:002011-06-03T14:29:32.642+02:00Pompeii style bread & pizza oven<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">We have now been in Homelands for just over a year, and decided to clear up some old stone left by the previous owner, and 'recycle' it by building a Pompeii style bread & pizza oven.<br />
This has now reached the stage of a workable oven - and a beauty it is as it doubles up as a BBQ and food-smoker. Some final touches still need to be applied but that's all cosmetic.<br />
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Parties of 4 or more booking into Homelands B&B are now offered a 'pizza experience' where you make up your own pizza's, bake them in our out-door oven, and eat them - we will supply all the ingredients. We will demonstrate the basics to you but you'll have to do all the hard work yourself. As we're not licensed to sell alcohol you may bring your own drinks and wines.<br />
Here are some pictures of one I made a few years ago:<br />
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</div>A Cotswolds Accommodation Providerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09124933127079387649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648549664360024041.post-2179239565879401082011-05-29T19:50:00.000+02:002011-05-29T19:50:32.224+02:00What's rattling?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">Yellow Rattle or Cockscomb, or Rhinanthus minor, is a flowering plant native to Europe and Western Asia.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">It is a hemi-parasitic herbaceous annual plant that gains some of its nutrients from the roots of neighbouring plants. It grows to 25-50 cm tall, with opposite, simple leaves, with a serrated margin. The flowers are yellow. The name gives it away really! The fruit is a dry capsule, which contain loose, <b>rattling</b> seeds when ripe. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Its preferred habitat is dry fields or meadows, where its flowering period is between June and September. </div><div class="MsoNormal">Encouraging Yellow Rattle to grow in hay meadows greatly increases biodiversity by restricting grass growth and thereby allowing other species to thrive. </div><div class="MsoNormal">So that explains why we have made quite some efford to saw Yellow Rattle in our little meadow: The results are now showing.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><img src="http://www.paulechapman.btinternet.co.uk/martinsmeadow/tour/HomeMeadow/yellow_rattle.jpg" /></div></div>A Cotswolds Accommodation Providerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09124933127079387649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648549664360024041.post-87590745536123177452011-05-23T11:57:00.000+02:002011-05-23T11:57:13.705+02:00A buzz!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Finally....our first bee-hive is ready and sitting in the garden, rather empty, waiting for a few lost bees to take up residence. Or even better, a swarm. Or failing that, we'll have to buy a nucleus of bees. With a bit of luck we may have a little honey by the end of September, but the priority for now is to establish a population.</div>A Cotswolds Accommodation Providerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09124933127079387649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648549664360024041.post-58011972890250009552011-01-12T19:16:00.000+01:002011-01-12T19:16:08.398+01:00Just two pretty pictures: A curious fox and our Wintry garden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoLpXjQAdq0DtWK4jL9np3HKKr5tKUZCuPQRCKyp6clbX-Qmy5UPU3Twxr_yTiuepv2l5OdESlQwucSjHQs8-HWoy4h0DoFBw3HyfEyPWni-n9zNkcw0Hk7AfUwF1CB4vcpdJbae_ZX12k/s1600/fox.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoLpXjQAdq0DtWK4jL9np3HKKr5tKUZCuPQRCKyp6clbX-Qmy5UPU3Twxr_yTiuepv2l5OdESlQwucSjHQs8-HWoy4h0DoFBw3HyfEyPWni-n9zNkcw0Hk7AfUwF1CB4vcpdJbae_ZX12k/s640/fox.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZatHHygRrAkytmxuzUFppCXTuv0ygYP6MGDcuSfSNz8zaIzevuGrf7GFUVfv017gJujDhg_NbXqOr6iQHxjuRNisy5BOYJxuj140971K6eWy3ggLDOL1O1n0hsRSIsc_8MFv3ZeuNBM0/s1600/CIMG0555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZatHHygRrAkytmxuzUFppCXTuv0ygYP6MGDcuSfSNz8zaIzevuGrf7GFUVfv017gJujDhg_NbXqOr6iQHxjuRNisy5BOYJxuj140971K6eWy3ggLDOL1O1n0hsRSIsc_8MFv3ZeuNBM0/s640/CIMG0555.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>A Cotswolds Accommodation Providerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09124933127079387649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648549664360024041.post-44199801888305578382011-01-12T16:18:00.002+01:002011-01-21T14:23:36.370+01:00The sunshine is free...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">...but our Solar PV system wasn't!<br />
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However, we are now generating up to 3,000W (3kWh) of electricity per hour, <i><b>IF</b></i> it is bright and sunny, and only between the hours of say 11am and 2pm.<br />
But as the days get longer and the sun climbs higher in the sky the frequency and intensity will increase. On a cloudy foggy Winter morning the system produces some 200-300W, with other words we can just about run 2 or 3 100W light bulbs off it. The maximum capacity of our system is just under 4kWh - our typical daily household usage is around 24kW. And of course we use most electricity early in the mornings and in the evenings, after dark, when our Solar PV system produces absolutely nothing: Zilch, zip, zero, null. Never mind.<br />
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It all depends on the weather, of course, but based on averages the prediction is that our Solar PV system will save us approx. £250-£300p.a. in the cost of <i>purchasing</i> electricity. In addition to that we get paid (this is called the Feed-in-Tariff or FID) 41.3p for each kWh we produce and use ourselves, and 44.1p for each kWh we export into the national Grid at times we produce more than we use. And that FID is guaranteed for 25 years <i>and </i>Tax Free. My only worry is that it is guaranteed by <i>The Government</i>... and I think our politicians have been know to break one or two promises to 'the people' in the past - but let's be positive for now!<br />
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Guests in <a href="http://www.cotswoldsaccommodation.net/">Homelands bed and breakfast</a> can see the sun at work by looking at the Inverter in the Guest Utility Room, when they get some fresh milk or browse for maps and walking routes. A Solar inverter or PV inverter is a type of electrical inverter that is made to change the direct current (DC) electricity from a photovoltaic array into alternating current (AC) for use with home appliances and feeding back into the National Grid. The Inverter displays the current (in both meanings of the word) generated in real time: So the moment the sun pops up from behind a cloud the reading jumps up - a wonderful sight. <i>And</i> your milk is kept cool.<br />
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Our system has been installed by <a href="http://www.gsmlimited.com/">GSM Ltd from Gloucester</a> - they have had a bit of a struggle installing this system as it was done during one of the worst winter months the UK has experienced for some 30 years. GSM specialises in air conditioning, heat pumps, ventilation systems, and renewable energy systems.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUZRZmnpKF_sZaxqvHa_kgv9rc27OtRQwDL7kROd-JxDUqRoEmpUvQEzAqRAfwLBrvgPtQDcveV3x49PMbmdaIdhSB_R6y3xmcl8XzPu3CylSkGpxm_jhtbl4xjpe6HtKdGwaUdtw3x5AW/s1600/fronius-ig-plus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUZRZmnpKF_sZaxqvHa_kgv9rc27OtRQwDL7kROd-JxDUqRoEmpUvQEzAqRAfwLBrvgPtQDcveV3x49PMbmdaIdhSB_R6y3xmcl8XzPu3CylSkGpxm_jhtbl4xjpe6HtKdGwaUdtw3x5AW/s400/fronius-ig-plus.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div>A Cotswolds Accommodation Providerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09124933127079387649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648549664360024041.post-40965764950779574502011-01-12T14:34:00.000+01:002011-01-12T14:34:51.847+01:00RAGWORT IN OUR GARDEN: AN ALIEN INVADER OR A BENEFICIAL PLANT?<div class="MsoNormal">Ragwort<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>is a very common wild flower in the family Asteraceae that is native to northern Eurasia, usually in dry, open places, and has also been widely distributed as a weed elsewhere. We find a fair bit of ragwort in the <a href="http://www.cotswoldsaccommodation.net/">Homelands</a> garden.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Pollination is by a wide range of bees, flies and moths and butterflies. Over a season, one plant may produce 2,000 to 2,500 yellow flowers in 20- to 60-headed, flat-topped corymbs. This number of seeds produced may be as large as 75,000 to 200,000, although in its native range in Eurasia very few of these would grow into new plants and research has shown that most seeds do not travel a great distance from the parent plant. </div><div class="MsoNormal">Ragwort can be found along road sides and waste grounds, and grows in all cool and high rainfall areas. In our garden it is trying to overtake our lovely wild flower meadow – but as we keep pulling out any new plants it will not succeed!</div><div class="MsoNormal">Ragwort is best known as the food of caterpillars of the Cinnabar moth Tyria jacobaeae. (See illustration –photo taken in our garden)They absorb alkaloids from the plant and become distasteful to predators , a fact advertised by the black and yellow warning colours. The red and black, day-flying adult moth is also distasteful to many potential predators. The moth is used as a control for ragwort in countries in which it has been introduced and become a problem, like New Zealand and the western United States. In both countries, the ragwort flea beetle (Longitarsus jacobaeae) has been introduced to combat the plant.</div><div class="MsoNormal">In the UK, where the plant is native, at least 30 species of invertebrate, many of them rare or declining, are entirely dependent on ragwort as a food source and hundreds of species will feed on its nectar, making it a vitally important component of the native flora.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Ragwort contains many different alkaloids, making it poisonous to animals. Ragwort is of concern to people who keep horses and cattle. In areas of the world where ragwort is a native plant, such as here in Britain, documented cases of proven poisoning are rare. Horses do not normally eat fresh ragwort due to its bitter taste. However, It loses this taste when dried and can become a danger in hay. The result, if sufficient quantity is consumed, can be irreversible cirrhosis of the liver. Animals may also resort to the consumption of ragwort when there is shortage of food. In rare cases they can even become addicted to it. Sheep, in marked contrast, eat small quantities of the plant with relish. Sheep and goats suffer the same process of liver destruction but at a reduced rate to horses and pigs. They seem to benefit slightly from eating it; as the alkaloids kill worms in the sheep's stomach.</div><div class="MsoNormal">In the United Kingdom, Common Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea) is one of the five plants named as an injurious weed under the provisions of the Weeds Act 1959. The word injurious in this context indicates that it could be harmful to agriculture not that it is dangerous to animals, as all the other injurious weeds listed are non-toxic. Under the terms of this act, a land occupier can be required by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to prevent the spread of the plant. However, the growth of the plant is not made illegal by the act and there is no statutory obligation for control placed upon landowners in general.</div><div class="MsoNormal">In ancient Greece and Rome a supposed aphrodisiac was made from the plant; it was called satyrion.</div><span style="font-family: "Gill Sans MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Also, the leaves can be used to obtain good green dye, and yellow dye is obtained from the flowers.</span><div><span style="font-family: "Gill Sans MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
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</span></div>A Cotswolds Accommodation Providerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09124933127079387649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648549664360024041.post-77637006212900949022011-01-12T14:17:00.000+01:002011-01-12T14:17:20.999+01:00Eco-logs for the wood burners<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div class="MsoNormal">When looking into all issues relating to fire wood and wood burners we came across this local company: <a href="http://www.thebriquettecompany.co.uk/">The Briquette Company,</a> from Cheltenham. They produce 'Easy-Logs' made out of sawdust. As they offer a free 10Kg trial bag we decide to test the product.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">The product is sawdust briquettes: Locally produced premium quality wood briquettes branded as Easy-Logs. They manufacture the briquettes from locally sourced, environmentally friendly clean 100% recycled sawdust which can be purchased on-line directly through our website as well as through local stockists. It is claimed that Briquettes are a greener, better more sustainable solid fuel to traditional logs for your Log Burner, Wood Burning Stove, Open Fire and Chimenea. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beautifully packaged Easy-Logs are more economic, burn better, are more environmentally friendly and produce less harmful pollutants than traditional firewood logs.</div><div class="MsoNormal">It was easy to claim our free bag, and we placed a follow-up order of 25 bags to help us through the Winter with our temporary shortage of seasoned logs, as we have only just started producing our own wood. </div><div class="MsoNormal">The online ordering and delivery process is efficient, and the product looks good and smells lovely. (Think fresh sawdust – which is exactly what it is!). We are using some 6-7 ‘Easy-Logs’ each time we light the woodburner, with a few bits of newspaper, some kindling and just one small block of firelighter. Within minutes you have a roaring fire and a lot of heat, after which we start adding our own logs. Sometimes if we neglect the fire we add a few more ‘Easy-Logs’ to quickly re-establish it.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Nothing beats a proper seasoned (=dry) wood log, in our view, but as a supplementary product used together with traditional fire wood we think we will continue to use ‘Easy-Logs’ as a stand-by and supplementary product.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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