Bits and Bobs No. 10

oldherbaceous · Mon Jun 01, 2009 7:52 am

Morning Alan, i'm not going to get too angry about it, but i do like the idea of Venison recipes hanging around as a deterent. :lol:

Not sure if our country deer can read but, it's sure to understand the pictures.

Glad your Red Duke of York were up to expectations, and also hope you find some welcome shade from the searing heat.

Geoff · Mon Jun 01, 2009 8:23 am

Got 14 ozs off the second root of Maris Bard yesterday for a delicious Sunday dinner.

oldherbaceous · Mon Jun 01, 2009 8:53 am

I have never thought about weighing a root Geoff, i will weigh a root out of interest.

oldherbaceous · Mon Jun 01, 2009 2:47 pm

Dear Alan, have you managed to find a troglodytic retreat from this heat. :wink:

alan refail · Mon Jun 01, 2009 4:30 pm

Dear OH

Yes, I'm just thinking of emerging. What a joy to live in a house with thick stone walls

Geoff · Mon Jun 01, 2009 6:06 pm

I have been building a thick stone wall in the garden - not the most sensible project to tackle today. Did observe some strange behaviour though. I am terracing a banking and have cut back into it and exposed some quite damp clay. While I am building the wall small bees. possibly honey bees, keep landing on the oozy clay. Do they collect it for nest building?

Monika · Mon Jun 01, 2009 6:54 pm

Geoff, are you sure they were collecting material and taking it away? Because masonry bees actually build their nests in earth banks, as well as in old walls and mortar, so you might have disturbed their nests. They don't sting unless massively provoked and, if it was them, they will have moved on to somewhere else quite safely.

Geoff · Mon Jun 01, 2009 10:06 pm

I have cut a length of about 60' and they seem to flit between the various damp bits rather like going from flower to flower. they do seem to be scraping as opposed to burrowing. Don't know if the photo is good enough for someone to identify them, when i try and get in close predictably they move. Here's an action shot of one being disturbed.

Mon Jun 01, 2009 10:10 pm

I think they will be collecting water from the damp soil.

Geoff · Mon Jun 01, 2009 10:41 pm

I should have done the obvious - put "bees collecting clay" into Google and got http://www.nhm.ac.uk/nature-online/life ... =node/1547

and found some photos of Mason Bees on Wild about Britain site so I think that is what I have.

donedigging · Tue Jun 02, 2009 12:17 am

Dear OH,
Was it your Birthday?
If your Broad Beans have been eaten by deer again, (can OC confirm this? with maybe a pic?) because...if so
that means as a novice, I beat you with my harvest

Sorry but still no sun-burn again today, will have to try harder tomorrow!! :wink:

but work calls

oldherbaceous · Tue Jun 02, 2009 5:41 am

Dear Donedigging, O.C can confirm the Deer, infact he is a lot crosser about it than i am. Just can't believe how bold this Deer is being.
Congratulations to you for having your first broad beans.

Shame you haven't got a job out of doors, i might stand more chance with the sunburn then. :wink:

Parsons Jack · Tue Jun 02, 2009 7:08 am

Good morning OH,

Sorry to hear you have deer trouble again. Can't you get OC to act as night watchman

Parsons Jack · Tue Jun 02, 2009 7:11 am

donedigging wrote:Dear OH,
Was it your Birthday?
If your Broad Beans have been eaten by deer again, (can OC confirm this? with maybe a pic?) because...if so
that means as a novice, I beat you with my harvest
Sorry but still no sun-burn again today, will have to try harder tomorrow!! but work calls

Hi DD,

My broad beans are a few days away yet, but looking good.
Shall we hire that deer again for next year

donedigging · Tue Jun 02, 2009 9:22 am

Good Morning Parsons Jack,

Now thats a thought :wink:

Bits and Bobs No. 10

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