It Was tomato Leaves!

I think tomato leaves are the herb I never knew I was growing! 

 Can't wait to experiment more with them next year!

An Incredible Pesto - What's the Secret Ingredient?

I made an incredible pest the other night. It used an ingredient I've grown for 20 years and have never used. 

 What do you think I used?

A Perfect Autumn Day

 I love every season of the year.

They all give something to me. Autumn rolling it removes a bit of guilt in the evenings when I think I should be doing something outside. And a Sunday like this was just perfect for spending a day together at home. 

This morning we got some apples in the dehydrator, then picked our first proper harvest of quinces in the 14 years of having a tree here. We wanted to see what we could do with them, so cooked them three ways. I'm looking forward to trying the results. 

Mum turned 70!

 Milestones in life keep passing by. This last week my mum turned 70. 

She's always been there for me over the years, to chat to and advise me, I don't see her as this old as she's just so sharp and active. It's almost a shock to see my parents turn this age! I think many of my loves in life come from her, my love of crafts especially, my love of growing things and probably my love of cooking and food.

I can remember, clear as day, mum and dad's 40th, it honestly doesn't seem that long ago. I always think looking back and knowing my parents at the age I am now is really eye opening, I often think about what the children will remember of me, and all the silly things I do. 

And I often think about the brilliant upbringing I had from mum and dad, and I think this weekend, surround by my siblings and their families, it's lovely how well we all get on, and that's a testament to our parents. 

Hopefully many more years yet from my parents, I'm so lucky to have them in my life. 

Medieval Carpentry Workshop - Centring The Past 2025

 A bit of a photo dump from the weekend before last. There's some great ones in here!

The weekend was run by Adam Lynch and Pete Eyles, recreating some formwork for medieval vaults using traditional techniques. I'm really kicking myself that I didn't go for the whole week. 

Adam has been a good friend over the years and we've frequently spoken to each other about our trade and he's even lent me a few tools when I've been experimenting with hewing and cleaving timbers. 

Centring The Past 2025

This is just a short post, as I will do a proper one later in the week. But I wanted to share with you that I have just had an incredible weekend.

I was lucky enough to be invited along to an event run by Whitacre Bespoke Carpentry, which was called Centring The Past, reconstructing formwork for medieval vaults. The idea was that I was going to come along and do some carving tuition, focusing on carving on a beam that had been hewn. I ended up going for the whole weekend and I wish I could have gone all week, it was incredible. 

 I can't wait to share with you the two days we spent there. I'm so fired up about my trade right now! 

Overstood Hedge 8 months on

Below is a video looking at the hedge I laid back in the winter. It's come on well. not all the new trees have survived the dry summer, but most of them have - pretty good as I didn't water them! 

 This video shows why I cut the elder back int he hedge really well, I'm tempted to cut it back again this winter as it's already 6ft high and I've like the new trees to get established before it shades them out completely. 

Cakes For The Scout Jumble Sale

So last weekend was our annual Scout jumble sale. It gets a little mad (although less mad than it has been in previous years as the numbers got too much), but it does all our fundraising for the year. 

My girls are young bakers who are really getting the hours in these days. I feel their practicing is really important and I hope this skill will last them a lifetime. 

They both baked for the sale. And helped all afternoon in the tea and cake area, apparently they were super helpful which is always nice to hear. 

 I was really pleased with their efforts, but only got to try one cake! 

They keep asking me for new cakes to try and bake - any suggestions?

Canning Damsons

There's so much fruit about at the moment it seems a crime to not use as much as possible. I wanted to can some more produce as I haven't done any in a while. 

 The damson trees are heavy with their fruit this year, and none heavier than the Merryweather. I know I've talked about this amazing fruit on the blog before, but it really is great, the fact that it's free-stone (the stone doesn't cling to the fruit) makes it incredible for all sorts of preserving. 

I had three talks this week, so by Friday I was feeling a bit wiped out. I decided to do a bit of a kitchen day, with a nice tea planned for my family (I had a talk to go give), bake some sourdough and can some produce. 

I still need to do more though as the 9 jars haven't made a dent, and they haven't filled up the pantry enough! 

What's your favourite fruit to can (or bottle)?

New Chickens

To make sure we get plenty of eggs we have to update the chickens every now and again. 

Our breeding flock is for meat really, so when we want some more egg layers we tend to get hybrids. Some we buy in, sometimes we get given ex commercial birds. This lot we had to buy! 

Dehydrating Apples & Damsons

There's so much fruit this year I need to make a start on getting stuff stored away for the winter. 

A great use of early apples (which won't store) is to dehydrate them. 

Custom Wooden Potting Tray With Metal Bottom

A few weeks back I had an email from a potential customer who wanted to have a potting tray made with a metal bottom. I talk to them about how I could change my design slightly to make it fit. 

They also wanted it stained darker. This isn't normally something I offer as storage space is my main issue with these trays and I like to keep a good stock of them and get them shipped next day. They offered to pay for stain so I agreed. 

I think the finished tray looks pretty good, it's 1mm galvanised steel on the bottom (supported by 9mm plywood) and treated with Osmo oil. It was a pair of trays but I had the first already packaged when I saw the message from the customer about a picture! 

 Hopefully I'll get a picture of them in their new home as well!

Carved Dice Tower

Not homestead related, but I did make this as a magazine article which helps me earn my living from home. 

I love playing games, and for a long time have loved things like blood bowl and necromunda, which involve a lot of dice. As my son has got older, he's got into these games as well. A dice tower seemed like the perfect project to make. 

 

I filmed the whole process. It's a dead easy project to make, and an easy one to carve, only using 2 carving chisels really, make sure they're sharp though!

What games do you like to play?

Beehive Inspection At Hartpury College

 Last week we were really fortunate to be invited to have a look at the apiary at Hartpury college. 

It was part of the children's beekeeping course I'd expressing interest in for the girls, but the first time we'd been able to come along, far too late in the season now, but it makes for a good start for the course next year. 

Potting Bench Fitted For A Customer

 Today I delivered a potting bench I made for a magazine article a while back. Originally it had been for me, but I'd nver got round to building anywhere to keep it, so instead I thought it was best to sell it rather than keep moving it around in storage.

It went to a customer with a beautiful garden in a beautiful shed.

Back From A Week In Holland! Eurocamp with A Twist!

 We'e got back form our weeks holiday. A bit different this year - no Wales for us for our full holiday (although we did have a weekend there a few weeks back), this time we went to the Netherlands. 

This meant getting the ferry - the first time for the youngest two children (eldest had a school trip to France earlier in the year). 

Bee Inspection from few weeks back

I filmed a whole hive inspection with my daughters the other day. It's probably more for myself than anyone else, but I enjoyed it. 

 

Wasp traps

I know they're part of the ecosystem, but around here everything is out of balance. We're surrounded by big fields of single crops, The wasps seem to love it here, and there is just too many. 

They stripped a whole tree of fruit, so I took action. 

Some wasp traps. 

 How are your wasps this year?

Blackcurrant Pie

 In last months newsletter I posted a recipe for blackcurrant pie that my daughter made. I had a few people last weekend ask me to put the recipe on the blog. 

Ingredients – Pastry – 225g plain flour 100g cold butter (supposed to be unsalted but we just use salted) 25g caster sugar 1 egg yoke Pinch of salt (no need if using salted butter) Splash of water if needed   Filling – 400g of blackcurrants 100g caster sugar 1 tbsp of cornflour 1 tbsp of lemon juice

1.       In a bowl, rub the butter into the flour until it’s like bread crumbs. 2.      Stir in the sugar, then add the egg yolk and water. 3.      Don’t work it too hard, shape it into a ball then wrap in cling film and rest for 30 minutes in the fridge. 4.      For the filling, heat up the blackcurrants, caster sugar and lemon juice in a saucepan over a low heat. 5.      Preheat the oven to 200 degrees, then roll out two thirds of the pastry on a floured surface, enough to cover a pie dish around 20cm in diameter. 6.      Prick the base with a fork and trim any excess. Line the pastry with baking parchment and fill with baking beans. 7.      Blind bake for 12 minutes, remove the beans and parchment paper, then bake for another 5 minutes until golden. 8.      Pour the filling into the pie, roll out the rest of the pastry and cover, sealing the edges. Cut a slit in the top to let the steam out. 9.      Brush with beat egg and sprinkle with sugar 10.    Bake for 30 minutes 11.     Cool for about 15 minutes, then slice and enjoy with fresh cream.

Entering The Village Show

So we decided to come across all River Cottage and Enter the local horticultural show. We all looked through the program and decided to enter a few different things. 

I entered just two categories, Stoned fruit (5 in a dish) and soft fruit. I picked some plums from the tree trained on the back of the container, but they all had a few bits of damage on them. Instead I went for the beautiful little gages.

And the soft fruit was Japanese wineberries. 
  

The youngest entered a picture of his favourite flower (snap dragon). 

Eldest entered scones, a Victoria sponge and a trio of tomatoes (I said I wouldn't feel right if I entered them as she's done all the work. 

Middlest entered a Sunset photo and a Victoria sponge - a bit of competition between my girls. 

I got second on the soft fruit and third with my gages (out of three lol!).

Youngest got first for his picture, Middlest got for her Victoria sponge, Eldest got first for her Victoria sponge and second for her scones and First for her tomatoes. 

The Horticultural society were lovely as well as they invited me to have a stall there for the afternoon. It was great fun and loads of people I knew were there, Middlest helped with the stall all afternoon as well. 

Good fun and a proper bit of village life. We'll have to enter more next year! 

Scythe Over Strimmer

 It's been a few years now, and I still prefer the scythe over the strimmer. But I must say there are a few things to consider that could make it harder. 

When you damage your scythe edge, you need to deal with it straight away. this can be very annoying when you just want to knock down a few weeds. I'm tempted to have a spare blade ready to go. 

Sharpening has to be right - if it's not then it just doesn't cut very well. You need all the tools to get this right, from peening to the stones

Setting has to be right, this can be annoying. I probably don't use it enough to be able to tell at a stroke of the scythe if it's set right or not, I end up messing with it quite a bit. 

Storage - you need to keep it in good condition. The blade's shape makes it hard to protect without making something yourself. 

But being able to use this in the cool of the evening or early morning is still glorious as it doesn't make the noise a strimmer does. You're far more likely to come across and notice wildlife this way as well. 

A harder tool to learn, but one that will make you feel like you're doing the right thing.  

Shaker Style Wardrobe doors

 My sister's partner has been making an alcove into a wardrobe/cupboard. He needed some doors to cover the space. 

So I made him up a set of four shaker style doors, with simple clean lines, to cover the hole! 

A Simple Carved Gift

My wife had a friend and work colleague leave her school a few days ago. She wanted to give her a personal gift and knew that the lady in question was building a library as she was obsessed by books. she asked me to make a simple sign for the door.

 the set up takes just as much time as carving it in all honesty. Luckily I had a few scraps of planned oak left from an urn I'd made and carved for my best mate's dad a few weeks back. This piece took the letters brilliantly. 

Part of me thinks it would be nice to sell more carved items, but I know I'm competing against machines that can do in seconds what takes me hours. 

Wasps Are Bad This Year

 I like to think I'm normally live and let live in my attitude to most things. But this year the wasps have been so bad I've had to do something about them. 

I had a plum tree come ready , and they were delicious but the last few days we can't get near the tree for the sheer number of wasps on them. 

I've already removed one nest from the roof of my shed, but I've decided to put up some wasp traps around the small holding, especially near the bees where I've witnessed them going in and robbing them. We've made the entrances smaller, but it does feel like we should help them out more. 

I made a homemade trap, which filled in a few days (from an old pop bottle), but I've also bought 8 plastic traps which you fill with an attractant, I'm looking forward to seeing how these do. 

I know they're essential to the ecosystem, but there is just too many this year! 

Have you found wasps bad this year? What do you do to combat them?

Middlest Leaves Primary School

 I must be getting old, that's what I keep thinking! Now I have two children at secondary school and I can very much remember all of these parts from my own childhood. 

As our Middlest takes to the front of church to read out her leavers speech and I can only think of how proud I am of the young lady she's becoming. She's very, much my go-to, my partner in crime in a lot of things, ask her to do a job and it's done, most of the time I don't even have to ask. Funny and witty, smart, sporty and popular, she was very much the person I wish I was at school! 

And her time at primary school has been amazing, she's loved every minute. She's really lucky and built such a tight group of friends. Her (excellent) year six teacher was telling me how capable she was, but also how she's learnt she can rely on her friends and how some of us never get that. 

The last few weeks have been mad with everything going on, and that's the main reason I haven't posted. With three children in school and my wife being a teacher it's always going to be full on. I've done a lot of running around, ferrying children to different things. With a class party, play performances, dance performances (not school related), and a few other things! 

The best part, for me, was being invited to their end of year trip. I checked with Middlest first though, but she was happy for her dad to come. I had a message on Saturday asking if I would be able to go to the safrai park with them on Monday - I'm DBS for the school ( I run a club on a Wednesday and was in school a lot when my eldest got type one diabetes) and have been on a lot of school trips over the years, so I jumped at the chance. The head teacher was going to go but had to drop out. 

It was honestly such a perfect day, I've joked that if you've ever seen the film "About Time" where the guy jumps back in time to relive certain days, this is one of the ones I'd pick (the whole weekend in fact). They are a lovely class and many had been to nursery with her, or been to the playgroup I used to run, so I knew every child. This whole class seems to care about each other deeply, I didn't see anyone get left out the whole day, and that's really unusual.

They weren't that interested in the animals if I'm honest, but were very interested in the rides! The safari park is very much perfectly pitched to 11 year olds (there were a lot of school there) and it was small enough that with three adults we could look after them all as we went from ride to ride. I went on everything and Middlest did as well, showing no fear (well maybe a bit when we got asked to step off one ride so they could test it as it wasn't working right, then got back on it). 

We got home shattered, but happy, I then had to drag us to scouts, which was also perfect. We went to the park on what was a perfect summers evening, played rounders and ordered some pizza as an end of term treat. Chilled out and lovely, I crawled into bed early and didn't even wake when my wife came up. 

Her last day was lovely, she had such a great time with her friends, and the school did such a lovely leavers service for them. It's a shame the whole class can't stay together as they go on to their secondary schools. I feel guilty for splitting up her friendship group, but I've no doubt she going to make lots of new friends and keep the ones she's already got. 

She is a wonderful person and I love spending time with her. I feel so lucky to have been able to do some much with her over the years and the school has been great (although I moan sometimes) with asking me to help and be around my children even more. 

She's going to do exactly what she wants in this world, and I'm going to support her every step of the way. 

Dissatisfied At Work?

 I have a friend who I think is dissatisfied with his work.

The other day he asked me if I found what I did boring. It's not the first time he's asked me this question. It must play on his mind. Mine isn't a normal job, but then having been a carpenter all my life I'm not sure what a normal job looks like. He was mainly talking about my making items to sell online. 

The answer is the same every time. Yes it can be boring, I make a lot of the same thing many times over, but also I've had far worse jobs and I'd say this is the best I've every had. Not money wise (not by a long shot), but for quality of life. 

Part of me enjoys a repetitive task. I like making items as efficiently as possible, with the best templates and jigs I can make, making my small workshop work in the best way possible, 

I don't enjoy sanding, which is a bit part of what I do. I try to have the best tools to make this job as painless as possible. 

I do enjoy developing different products, although I have less time for that these days, but the magazine works helps to break the cycle every month. 

I do enjoy not having a "boss" or a direct customer who I'm working for. When I was a jobbing carpenter I was very aware that you're always being judged, and a lot of what you did, if it was in the workshop, or going to collect materials, was often forgotten. 

I do enjoy being self motivated. Sometimes I make a batch of items or a one off that I know will take many months to sell to see a return in my labour, but I also know if I'm not making something then I won't be earning anything. 

I love the flexibility it gives me, having three children to run around after it means I can do all that for them, make sure tea is on the table and attend anything else that life throws at us. I can also support my wife in her career. Having one child who is type one diabetic also means we have a lot of extra visits to do and sometimes have to drop everything to be there for her should she need it. 

I love that my children can see me working, can look at what I sell. I love that them seeing me "create" my own job my inspire them to look outside the box when it comes time for them to think about work. 

I don't enjoy how hard this type of work is on my body, my hands have ganglion cysts in where I've probably worked them too hard over the years and can be painful, not to mention lifting and bad posture working at a bench all day.  

I always disliked having to rely on other trade when I was a jobbing carpenter, making the items like I do means I'm mainly reliant on myself and my suppliers (who still cause me plenty of stress). 

I sometimes miss working with others, but still do days doing carpentry for one customer, so I get my fix this way. I also do plenty in the village and see lots of people in my week, so I'm never alone for long. 

I would like to earn more money, this doesn't earn as much as normal carpentry. But then we earn enough and I've also worked some rubbish jobs for more money and it was never worth it. 

I love the time my job gives me to think, or if I want to be entertained I can listen to a book or podcast. 

SO, I'd say that I do enjoy my job, yes it can be boring and hard on my body, but I think it's far better than any other job I'm qualified or experienced enough to do. So for now I'm happy, who knows what the future will bring, I may go back to being a "normal" carpenter in the future, especially if one of the children decided to take the same route, I love that my trade has given me so many options and such variety over the years. 

I can always remember a "friend" telling me I'd failed by not going to university, but I was lucky and my trade has brought me many opportunities (I'd still like to go to uni one day maybe, but only for my own enjoyment and then I think it's too expensive to justify it). 

Sorry this is a rambling post, more writing down my thoughts on being asked the same question many times over. 

Are you happy in what you do? 

Wooden Scoops Handmade by Me

 I've blogged about it before but I'm really proud of my wooden scoops. 

I make them in small batches (this is the biggest batch I've made in one go), and they're designed to use up the offcuts I have left over from some of my other products. I try to be as near to zero waste as I possibly can be. I've also tried to make them as affordable as possible, although with postage having gone up again I may have to increase the price slightly soon. 

Ledged And Braced Door

 Last week I made a few doors for my mum & dad and filmed the process. 

Just simple ledge and braced doors, I've made dozens of these over the years. 

Scout Weekend - My Hammer Challenge

This weekend has been lots of scouts. 

Our son was at a camp all weekend with cubs, he loved it and has come back with many stories. I popped over and helped put a few tents up Friday night and did call round on Saturday with ice creams for everyone. As a scout leader I think it aids transition if all the cubs know me for when they move up to scouts. 

Then with my middle daughter (eldest is on a school trip), we went to an activity day with our district. I was asked to run a base and to have it as a challenge base. I was unsure what to do, but then my mate suggested a hammer base. Take some logs, nails and hammers and teach them how to drive a nail in. So some racing to see who could knock a nail in. 

 

Help Needed - Always

A tail as old as time - I need help in the garden. 

The eldest has been amazing, she goes out most nights and does a bit. She waters stuff for me and does weeding and planting. 

Youngest needs a bit of persuasion, but will come out and do a few jobs when asked.  

 Middlest is keen to help, but needs to be a set task, clear this area, plant this, etc, or she gets bored quickly. 

I'm lucky to have a bit of help, although the garden is getting swamped. Just too much time in the workshop trying to keep up! 

The Giant Spinach Didn't disappoint!

Sometimes what is said on the packet doesn't always translate to the plant. But I think this one did. 

 Labelled as giant spinach it certainly ticked the box!

Make A Gabled Roof For A Beehive

A few weeks back I noticed I could have another complete hive out there if I had an extra rood made up, so I used some pre folded sheet steel I bought last year to make a gabled roof for a national hive. 

They normally have flat roofs, but I thought this would be worth making one of these and seeing how we like it. 

There are pros and cons to each type. The video above shows me making it up, step by step. 

Which roof do you prefer for a beehive? Flat or pitched?

 

Hellen's Garden Festival this weekend

 The years seem to fly by, and I find it hard to believe it's time for Hellens again already. Always a highlight of the year. 

This year I'll be back in the garden Question and Answers tent, on Saturday at 12 o'clock. 

Really looking forward to it. Be great to have a day out of the workshop! 

Miniature Display Cabinet

 Not really homesteading, but I realise I do probably need some hobbies that don't earn money. One that's been nice is my lads interest in models and model making. I was into this when I was about his age (and older) and so a few months back we got all my old stuff out again. 

It's really reignited something in me, and it's been lovley to sit on an evening and do some painting with him and watch his skills grow. 

As always with me we've gone all in on this. We have a 3D printer (although this will be for work as well), and have a lot of models we've been putting together and painting up. Of course that means we need somewhere to keep them. 

The downstairs loo is just painted brickwork, so I thought it could do with brightening up with a few models on the walls. I made up a unit from some good quality ply and ordered some glass doors to protect the models. 

A fun project and a good way to make use of a narrow bit of space. I'm going to build a second one of these units for the opposite wall next I think. We've already filled this one! I've been told we'll have one each then. 

Busy Bees

 Sorry I've been so neglectful on here, we've just been so busy lately! 

My Online stuff has gone crazy again with lots of gooseberry scoops being sold as well as my other items. there doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day. I've also had a few talks, as well as a day at Hay Festival and lots of bee stuff to do as well. 

I love this picture above, we were trying to capture a swarm for a friend who is a beekeeper, who was on holiday. We thought we had the queen, but she was tucked up under a roof and so this was a failed attempt. Good experience, although a bit disappointing. I took one daughter each time I tried with that swarm. A real shame for my friend, but we did try our best. I think I needed some sort of vacuum to get the queen out. 

So tomorrow will be in the workshop, and I'm going to get my eldest to do the jobs I should be doing in the garden hopefully, and Middlest making some sourdough! 

Talk For A School

I was really lucky again this year to be invited back to Hellens Gardens to give a talk for a school. 

They'd been going to the school and building a garden with them and planting seeds with the year 3 class. This was the last day and involved some crafts and planting as well as a talk from me about growing food. 

Sweet Chestnut Raised beds

Well it's taken me a year, but I finally have some raised beds in that I can use. Well nearly... I still need to fill three of them. 

Wild Garlic Flat Bread

Last night I fired up the pizza oven for tea, made some dough and sent the children on a foraging walk without me. 

Their mission was to get me some wild garlic we could mix into butter to make amazing flat breads to go with the pizzas. 

Visit To A Vineyard and Garden

 Last week as manic as I've come to expect, but I did manage to steal an hour yesterday to go and see a local garden and vineyard as I'm friends with the daughter in law of the owner. 

It was a perfect spring day (in fact so hot it felt like a summers day), and it was a the perfect break to take from the workshop. 

Easter "Break" Over

 I think my wife and children have had a great Easter break, they've had lots of friends round, lots of time with some of their cousins, and other family, and a few days out (they all went to London on Thursday, but I stayed working at home). 

I feel like I'm starting to catch up now, I've managed to get ahead with a few stock items, and start producing some more batches of my items. I'm trying to make sure I have plenty of gooseberry scoops in stock should they do well again this year, but the batch I started nearly broke me - you can see the number of pieces in the picture above. 

Tomorrow I'm going to do a few other jobs that have been sneaking up on me, and then back in the workshop Monday hopefully. 

Using A Deep National As A Bait Hive

Last year I bought a few new poly hives very cheaply as they were in a closing down sale. The were deep national hives, also called 12x14s, at the time I thought this could work well, but my concern since getting them is that my girls will struggle with the inspections with the bigger frames. It's surprising the weight that is in a frame. 

I might still use these, but while we have some standard national hives I'll use those first. I still want to use them though, so I decided I'd use them as bait hives. 

Bait hives are used to try to capture wild swarms of bees, that have swarmed naturally (or from someone else's hives). 

Another Weekend Working In Wales

 I had another weekend down in Wales with dad. 

Got loads done.

My main job was to hang the garden gate and two external doors for the boiler shed and storage shed.