The Compost Bin: July 2021

Hello and welcome to The Compost Bin. I'm Compostwoman and I live with my family in rural Herefordshire. We have nearly four acres of garden and woodland, all managed organically and to Permaculture principles, which we share with Chickens, Cats and assorted wildlife. We also grow a lot of our own food, run courses in all sorts of things and make a lot of compost!

I am a Master Composter and have spent more than a decade as a volunteer Community Compost adviser with Garden Organic and my local Council.
I'm a self employed Environmental Educator so I run workshops and events where I talk about compost, veg growing, chicken keeping, cooking, preserving and sustainable living. I also run crafts workshops and Forest School/outdoor play sessions in our wood.

We try to live a more self sufficient lifestyle here, as best we can, while still having a comfortable life and lots of fun.

To learn more about us click on the About Compostwoman tab and remember to click on the photos to make them full size!

Sunday, 18 July 2021

Smells!

I have just picked a stem of lavender from my patio herb garden, and as is usual, I ran my fingers along the head, and sniffed my fingers. I've been doing this for ever, but for the last 16 months, with any aromatic plant, I haven't been able to smell *anything*, since I got Covid, (in March 2020.)

For the first time in 16 months I COULD SMELL IT! (apparently it is very very strong, and I can't say I found it strong, but I *could* smell it!)

I am SO happy.

Saturday, 17 July 2021

Sitting on the patio

Sitting on the patio, listening to birdsong (lark, thrush, blackbird, sparrow, raven, buzzard) and insect sounds (bees, hoverflies, grasshoppers, dragon flies, butterflies)

Finally cool enough to water patio plants and sit outside now. Been hiding in the cool of the house all afternoon.

What a hot day.

It's astonishing the amount of insect life in the last 10 mins visiting this one 12" diameter patio pot of wild flowers.

Friday, 16 July 2021

Fritillary seeds

I have loads of Fritillaria seeds harvested from my Fritillaria meadow, if you would like some, message me and then send me an sae.

(And if you feel inclined, give Garden Organic a donation.)

Wednesday, 14 July 2021

Incapacity. and Long COVID, and Menopause,

Bloody hell, this knee is STILL such

a problem!

The start of a downward slide into incapacity, unfortunately, coupled I think with Long COVID and my pre existing auto immune conditions.

Being 59. It seems to have been accompanied by all sorts of problems.

Suspect it is menopause related, women have protection from lots of nasty stuff while fertile, and then when the hormones switch off, it all goes a bit pete tong.

Hey ho.

From 2018

Sitting in Ledbury Community Hospital waiting for a knee X ray :( Precautionary, probably ligaments not bone damage, but I'm been told, regardless, I'm going to be on leg elevation and rest for several weeks (at least) with crutches for essential movements only. Then physio.

Thank God for #NHS. 70 years of free healthcare, freely given. I'm only waiting now, because the radiographer has gone for their lunch break. I was seen within 20 mins of arriving here.

And thanks (not!) Cassi Cat for tripping me up on Monday night. I know you love me, but really, this is an odd way to show it.

The Compost Bin

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