Otter and frogspawn.

It is the time of year again when the pond starts to bubble, yes actually bubble! I couldn't capture the bubbling on camera so you'll have to use your imagination! I'll post this frogspawn picture instead.

The otter was here yesterday for a springtime frog feast.

One sees little more than the occasional head popping up from the water.

 The heron has been a regular visitor over the last month, also enjoying the frog feast. The frogs all disappear under the water as soon as anyone goes near.

Grey squirrel.

We have a cheeky grey squirrel eating the nuts from our bird feeder.

March 7th

 It was early morning and the light was poor for taking a photo but you get the picture!

The season of frog spawn.

 Frog spawn underwater in the pond.

During the day the pond is thick with frogs but as soon as anyone goes near they disappear.

Alfie looking at the frog spawn.

Angus and Alfie looking at the frog spawn.

The following photos are from last spring...

Common frogs on their way to lay spawn in the pond.

Common frogs on their way to spawn.

Otters visit the pond.

This morning 3 otters visited the pond, one was a juvenile. It is hard to get a good photo as they spend most of their time under water with a head or tail bobbing up every now and again.

However here are some great photos Angus took this year in the spring.

This otter was feasting on frogs who came to lay spawn in the pond earlier this year.

Otter scampering from one pond to another.

Otter at the edge of the pond.

Today's snap of the otter in the water.

Vegetable garden.

 The vegetable garden in summer. 

On the left is the sweetcorn, then broad beans inter planted with French beans, then the Kales and on the right potatoe.

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 Peas under planted with crimson clover

Garden in June.

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Here are a few photos taken in May.

The hazel bean poles are ready for the runner beans to grow up. Early potatoes are in the next bed. Garlic is beside that. The yellow flowers are on the purple sprouting broccoli which has been left to flower for the bees.

The Angelica is flowering and it is the first plant I see the bees foraging on. The red flowers are crimson clover.  Poached egg plant borders the path, It has been self seeding itself since the veg patch was first planted. The bees love it.

There are 3 beds of sweetcorn .The middle one is under planted with lettuce.

The paths between the beds are laid with slate left over from roofing the house.  They are simply lying on a little stone with sand to make a firm base. They are easily lifted if necessary.  The soil here is clay and rainfall is high, This makes sticky soil!  I found covering paths with hay/straw/mulch attracted slugs and relied on sourcing hay/straw/mulch and the work of spreading it. The slate is acting as a good heat sink, a good weed suppressor and good access for weeding/harvesting in all weathers. The main draw backs are  that they occasionally break and ants like to live under them.

Apple tree in blossom beside the hen house.

Crimson clover.

The door into the orchard.

Here are some photos taken in early spring.

Many beds had a winter green manure crop of phacelia. Well rotted manure from the cows has been spread in January on the beds where potatoes will grow this year. Kale, purple sprouting broccoli, leeks and beetroot have over wintered well.

See summer garden