Happy New Year, I hope you had a pleasant New Year and were not badly affected by the bad weather on the 3rd. Our casualities from the high winds of the 3rd were several panes off glass out of the greenhouse, a gate blown off it's hinges and someone elses's rubbish scattered around the garden. Sadly, a neighbour was not so lucky when they fell making a trampoline safe and injured their back. I believe that we have had 30 severe weather warnings in Scotland in the last 12 months, 3 times the average. My understanding is that Climate Change is predicted to result in more variable and extreme weather conditions. One year doesn't make a trend but does get one thinking.
Just before Christmas we decided that we didn't need one of our TVs. Yes we were a three TV house hold. A small portable that is 5 years old that the kids watch an occasional DVD on - once a year, and two second hand Sony Trinitrons given to us over the years. Though the TV to be got rid of was analogue it was still in good working condition, We therefore decided to freecycle it - but no takers. As it was large and heavy we decided to try putting it on Gumtree for a minimal sum. We had two offers for it and it was picked up on the 23rd of last month. We were delighted and so hopefully were the purchasers. The sale was largely carbon neutral, took from the waste stream and local. It did make me think about the human psyche prefering to buy than be given, or finding selling sites more acceptable/ easier than free sites. I don't know but on efficiency grounds alone it would push me down that line rather than giving for free!
We have now started the year trans planting some blackcurrant bushes, gooseberries and blueberries that were not doing very well in their existing positions. Despite the wind and rain the conditions were fine for planting as all are dormant. Our broadbeans are several centimetres tall and the garlic is coming on. We need to check our seeds and order what is missing ready for the new growing year.
I forgot to mention that we ate our own turkey for Christmas and New Year. It was delicious, with minimal fat. One to ponder for next year.
And finally I have done the preliminary work on our figures fromlast year. Our CO2 production from the house and travel came to less than five tonnes, or 1.6tonnes per adult and 0.8 tonnes per child. Not bad. Hopefully I'll get the rest of the figures
Just before Christmas we decided that we didn't need one of our TVs. Yes we were a three TV house hold. A small portable that is 5 years old that the kids watch an occasional DVD on - once a year, and two second hand Sony Trinitrons given to us over the years. Though the TV to be got rid of was analogue it was still in good working condition, We therefore decided to freecycle it - but no takers. As it was large and heavy we decided to try putting it on Gumtree for a minimal sum. We had two offers for it and it was picked up on the 23rd of last month. We were delighted and so hopefully were the purchasers. The sale was largely carbon neutral, took from the waste stream and local. It did make me think about the human psyche prefering to buy than be given, or finding selling sites more acceptable/ easier than free sites. I don't know but on efficiency grounds alone it would push me down that line rather than giving for free!
We have now started the year trans planting some blackcurrant bushes, gooseberries and blueberries that were not doing very well in their existing positions. Despite the wind and rain the conditions were fine for planting as all are dormant. Our broadbeans are several centimetres tall and the garlic is coming on. We need to check our seeds and order what is missing ready for the new growing year.
I forgot to mention that we ate our own turkey for Christmas and New Year. It was delicious, with minimal fat. One to ponder for next year.
And finally I have done the preliminary work on our figures fromlast year. Our CO2 production from the house and travel came to less than five tonnes, or 1.6tonnes per adult and 0.8 tonnes per child. Not bad. Hopefully I'll get the rest of the figures
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