Spring Watch 2009 - Presenters

Well we've nearly completed the first week of the BBC's Spring Watch

without the inimitable Bill Oddie

and I just wondered is anyone missing him?

I'm not being horrid but I far prefer his successor Chris Packham.
Probably something to do with all those years watching The Really Wild Show with the children.
What do you think?
Do you have a preference?

If you enjoyed this post you might also enjoy our other blogs

Renaissance Vintage Notebook and The Chicken Daily.

Coming soon Renaissance Shop

A Taste of Things to Come

It looks like it's going to be a good year for pears

and figs.
My mouth waters just at the thought of figs, fresh juicy figs....

If you enjoyed this post you might also enjoy our other blogs

Renaissance Vintage Notebook and The Chicken Daily.

Coming soon Renaissance Shop

Recommended Reading - No Nettles Required

No Nettles Required by Ken Thompson dispells many wildlife gardening myths and I highly recommend it. As Mr Thompson points out much of the accessable information on wildlife gardening is provided by groups with specific creatures (or sales) in mind, or indeed regugitated old stuff.

This is a book like no other, based on a research project that envolved some 60 Sheffield gardens. Ordinary gardens such as you and I or your next door neighbour might have.
It's written in a fairly amusing style and makes fascinating reading, but even if you just want to skim the book you'll gain lots of information from the pointers in each chapter.

One of the most important being that like it or not we are all wildlife gardeners.

I borrowed this book from the library but of course you can get it here where you'll also find lots of reviews.

If you enjoyed this post you might also enjoy our other blogs

Renaissance Vintage Notebook and The Chicken Daily.

Coming soon Renaissance Shop

Another blog

Hello, just a quick post to let you know that I've another blog over at

Renaissance Vintage Notebook

so if I'm not here you'll find me there.

Why not pop over sometime? I'd love to see you there.

Inspirational Recycling from Snapdragons Garden

Tin cans as vases

as used by Jane of Snapdragon's Garden.
Don't they look wonderful?
British grown flowers as well, perfect.

If you enjoyed this post you might also enjoy our other blogs

Renaissance Vintage Notebook and The Chicken Daily.

Coming soon Renaissance Shop

Sprouting Broccoli and Chickens

Your chickens (or your neighbours' chickens) will relish

clearing up the sprouting broccoli once it has "gone over".

Just pull them a stalk or let them into the broccoli patch.

If you enjoyed this post you might also enjoy our other blogs

Renaissance Vintage Notebook and The Chicken Daily.

Coming soon Renaissance Shop

Our Magic Apple Tree

Earlier this week Shy Songbird and Cheryl posted

wonderful photographs of their old apple trees in blossom.

I thought it such a lovely idea that I'm jumping on this blogish

bandwagon with photographs of the blossom on our really old tree.

Beautiful isn't it?


If you enjoyed this post you might also enjoy our other blogs

Renaissance Vintage Notebook and The Chicken Daily.

Coming soon Renaissance Shop