Planting Calabrese.

[Clive.]

They're planting Calabrese today at the back of home here...7 tractors plus drivers (not all tractors in use at any one time). 8 operators on the planter plus tractor driver...8 rows set at a time in 16 row width blocks..then covered with plastic involving a further 7 more folk.
Pigeons watching with some annoyance at the plastic covering..whilst noting our uncovered Pixie Cabbage and Broc'..!!

Of all the farming operations that take place these days this must be one of the most labour intensive.??

The land has been left ploughed up all Winter and has dried nicely in the last few days and looks to be working down very well with only one pass of the power harrow before the planter. (Many years ago, the first time I was allowed to stay up late was to watch pea viners working into the night in the very same field. )

...meanwhile up in the clear blue just to the West a Griffon engined Spitfire, PM631?? of the BBMF has been giving it some verve .

Clive.

[oldherbaceous]

I bet there will be a lot of people making the most of this rather pleasant spell of weather, whether it will last only time will tell.

Clive i saw an easy jet fly over earlier.

[alan refail]

OH

I'm looking out at the Welsh rain

Alan

[Johnboy]

Hi Alan,
Well this side of the border it is sunny England and since dawn it has been brilliant sunshine.
JB.

[retropants]

ditto here. I am stuck at work staring out of the window at the clear blue sky. Really really really want to go to the lottie NOW!!!

[Monika]

Dark and dingy here in the Yorkshire Dales with a sneaking northwesterly wind this afternoon. Had intended to finish digging the ex-brassica bed which is nearly empty now, but decided to go for a swim instead. They say tomorrow should be less windy and probably a bit of sun, too, so I'll get out in the early morning and dig myself warm. At the moment the oystercatchers, curlews and lapwings are doing their courtship chases in the fields around, so that adds to the fun!

[oldherbaceous]

Well it's been that warm here it's made my ears tingle, sorry to rub it in but it has been glorious.

Hope you have all the rain Alan, before i come to Wales.

[alan refail]

We do say round these parts:
If you can see Snowdon, it's going to rain.
If you can't see Snowdon, it's raining.


Alan

[lizzie]

It's been beautiful here today. It was so warm I had a summer blouse on!!!!

I was walking the pooch and there's a rhoddodendron tree in full flower, the wild garlic is going beserk and the wild watercress is just starting to grow. There is a little cherry blossom about but the rest of the trees are still bare.

I saw the rabbits running about, the poines were galloping all around the fields, the highland cattle look very tasty, a lovely side of beef (and quite fat, a few calves on the way).

Then, to add to my joy, I saw one of the pairs of woodpeckers in the woods, building their nests. Fabulous day. Can't wait to walk the dog again tomorrow

BTW Alan, I can see Snowdon from the edge of the Mersey, sometimes very clearly. One of my favourite places.

[oldherbaceous]

Lovely words Lizzie, i wonder how you would describe where i live on a lovely sunny day.