Green Gym

 This was one of the better days at Green Gym today. Although last week's labours in Wemyss Bay woods, logging trees and digging ditches, was a better workout today's work taught more.

As it was raining we spent the morning make bat, bird and butterfly boxes for the local primary schools. During this I found out some useful woodworking tips and also some ideas for this years Christmas presents.

In the afternoon the rain cleared. This allowed us back out to work on the aeroplane engine exhibit. After finishing the digging out we were able to start building the plinth. During this valuable experience on mixing cement and laying stones was gained.

There were a smaller number of participants today, probably as a consequence of the weather, but the company  was,  as always, good.




Small is Beautiful: A Study of Economics as if People Mattered by E.F. Schumacher

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This book has repeatedly been described as one of the most important or influential of recent decades. This is not unreasonable. This small but exceptionally well written book contains a great deal of wisdom and advice. Some aspects, particularly those relating to technologies, have been overtaken by events but others, especially those related to morals or culture have stood the test of time very well and remain important today.





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Do Llamas Fall in Love?: 33 Perplexing Philosophy Puzzles by Peter Cave

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is a genuinely funny and thought provoking book. It tackles important philosophical issues in an accessible and enjoyable manner. The issues and topics are wide ranging, from free-will, human rights  and the nature of knowing to the problems of sharing your lymphatic system with an attached violinist.
Short, puzzling and witty chapter, perfect for the bedside table.



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Gently With the Painters by Alan Hunter

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


This is one of the George Gently detective series and is rather plodding and dull. The characters are too stereotyped to be truly real and, as a consequence, it is difficult to take them seriously.

A further problem is that the novel is now too dated. Some of the references no longer click and it is difficult to feel the menace of a criminal who is referred to as "chummie".



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Success ?

Drug related deaths in Scotland over time. 

(Now on average 1 in three are due to methadone.)

 Prescriptions for methadone in Glasgow.

Crime Rates

Spoilt Rotten: The Toxic Cult of Sentimentality by Theodore Dalrymple

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is perhaps less weighty than some of his other works but is still well-written and very enjoyable. At times this can be extremely funny and at other worrisomely accurate about concerns for our culture. There is much common sense and some sacred cows are given a rough time.



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Lost at Sea

 The opportunity for an evening sail on the Clyde presented itself. A charity sail had been organised in the memory of Tom Dunn, who died recently, and also to make some money for the charities he had strongly supported (Amazon Hope & the Vine Trust)  The original plan had been to go with a couple of friends but as the temperatures dropped to 15 degrees (C) and the wind blew up to a slight breeze one of them took fright and called off.

The Waverley

We were left on our own to venture out onto the open waves. It was only days after the summer solstice so we knew what to expect from a summer's evening in Inverclyde. We were right;  it rained throughout and the brisk winds helped ensure that winter clothing was inadequate to the task of keeping dry. Though my friend's fears of death in the briny did not materialise hypothermia was not always inconceivable.

The boat, which had been gifted for the evening, was the Clyde Clipper which often takes tours up and down the Clyde. It was enjoyable to see the other boats alongside,  including the Waverley at Custom House and the Crown Princess which set sail for Tighnabruich at the same time that we departed.

The biting winds and sheet rain did temporarily abate after Coulport and from there until Carrick Castle the weather was fair.   The armaments shed at Coulport looks menacing  and reminds you just how close we are to this clear target. Following this the Arrochar Alps and the opening up of Loch Goil are amongst the greatest views in the world even on a cold driech evening. It was as well the views were good as inside had been taken over by the choir for some good, rousing hymn singing. As we had forgotten our tambourines we remained on deck in a spiritual, but damp, appreciation of nature.

Clearly spring.

It is quiet clear now that we have left winter behind and that times are getting better. Indeed we have had unseasonably warm weather for the last fortnight. It has been hot, sunny and dry and the plants have needed regular watering.


I and the garden have been quite busy. I have riddled the two raised beds and  tried to keep up with the weeding.  We have been taking slug patrol quite seriously this year but due to the dry weather there   have been relatively few slugs .. so far.

The old faithful plants have started to show their heads above ground and the beans, potatoes and onions are clearly starting to get ready for the summer spurt.

All the seeds planted this year have been left-over from packets obtained in previous years. Often these have been free gifts with magazines. Some are past their sell-by date so we will await developments.


Even the apple tree has had blossom this spring.

The mystery seedlings that were damaged in the storm have started to develop. It unlikely that we will get a great crop from them but it is clear that we will get some lettuce, some cauliflower (if it doesn't bolt) and perhaps some celery.

Today we planted the peas (Kelvedon wonder which appratentl don't need supports) and started off the courgettes.  A final task was to clean out and refresh the herb garden with dill, thyme and basil.

We are still waiting for the spinach, which I think has expired, and the chard which is making a very poor show.

The staff of life

Baking reasonable bread has been one of the most difficult things to master. However, after many months we seem to have it cracked. The trick, in this cold house, seem to be to allow the bread-maker to do the kneading and proving (as it is warm) and then use the standard oven and trays to do the baking. Loaves like this seem to cost about 40p a loaf including the costs of energy for baking^*.

The most successful recipe, to date, seem to be this one for a light brown loaf. This  is a good general purpose loaf, good for sandwiches or toasting,  and which keeps quite well.

Ingredients

• 350 g Brown Flour
• 150 g White Bread Flour
• 350 ml warm water
• 1 oz Lard
• 2 tsp Salt
• 1 1/2 tsp Dried active yeast
• 1 tbs White Sugar

Nutritional Information

Nutritional information reflects amount per slice.
Calories 102
Total Fat (g) 2
Saturated Fat (g) 1
Cholesterol (mg) 1
Sodium (mg) 234
Total Carbohydrate (g) 19
Dietary Fiber (g) 2
Sugars (g) 1
Protein (g) 3

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One of today's visitors unfortunately was not very welcome. The Large Yellow Underwing Moth larva was found. Two in total. These cutworms are thankfully enjoyed by the chickens and were dispatched quite quickly. These will be added to "slug patrol" at nights also.

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^*  White flour 6p, Brown Four 25p, Lard 1p, Yeast 1p, Salt & Sugar 1p, Energy 5p

Taking the piss .. ..

.. .. out to the garden.

Urine has all the hallmarks of a great fertilizer. It is rich in nitrogen as well as having reasonable amounts of phosphates and potassium. Indeed, fertilizers are rated by the NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium) system and in this regard the potency of urine is similar to that of proprietary fertilizers but with the advantage of being free. Research from the Stockholm Environmental Institute suggests that one person's urine can anually fertilize about 500 square meters.

Urine is probably too concentrated, when it is produced, to be used directly on plants. It should be diluted 8:1 with water, although other sources suggest stronger concentrations can be used. However, direct from the source, and undilutted, it can be added to the compost heap as an activator and as a useful way of adding nitrogen to a carbon heavy heap.

As there can be other salts in your urine it should be used around the garden. Apply at different sites each time and avoid always using the one site. When using the fertilizer it should be delivered to the plants roots not the leaves to avoid the risk of scorching.

As part of the drive to self-reliance we have decided that this is the next stage and will reduce our need for fertilizers. This, plus composting, should meet our needs. For reasons of practicality this will mainly be a male chore. I feel that we can probably allow visitors to skip this.

This is job number 1. However, there is an obvious job number 2, though this step is perhaps one too far at present. For those wishing more information about human manure I'd suggest The Humanure Handbook which can be downloaded here (or as kindle file here.)

Macaroni Fritters and Tomato Sauce

In our plans to try and avoid meat we continue to look for quick and easy recipes.

This takes about 45 minutes to make and is palatable if not stunning. However, a quick and economical meal which is another way to use up macaroni.

Ingredients

• 3 oz Macaroni
• 1 tbs Plain Flour
• 2 Tbs Milk
• 2 Medium Eggs
• 2 oz Parmesan Cheese
• 8 oz Tinned Tomatoes
• 1 Tbs Olive Oil
• 1 small Onion
• 1 tsp Basil
• 1 tsp Sugar

Sauce :-
Add the grated onion, tin of tomatoes, oil, sugar and basil to a pot and bring to the boil. Simmer for 20 mins.
Fritters :-
Drain the macaroni after it has cooked and allow it to cool. Mix flour and milk to a paste, mix in the cheese and add the macaroni. Fry the macaroni as 4 fritters and serve with a green salad.