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.