Working it out

I’d like back into the habit of running again. Before I do though I want to get a bit fitter. There is no time spare for going to a gym, besides I’d rather use my money for other things so I’ve dusted off my trusty Wii. There are two games(?) I like EA Sports Active More workouts and My Fitness Coach Cardio.

As I’m a bit of a morning person I’ll be getting up a bit earlier to do 30 mins before I head in. The mistake I made last time using the Wii was to set the levels too high and then lose interest. This time I’m going for getting the habit locked in first so exercises are set to Low intensity. I’m also on the lookout for an online tracker. I’ve tried www.dailyburn.com before but didn’t get on with it. Until I do I’ll be using a spreadsheet.

The EA Sports title has a six week challenge. That should be enough to make this a habit. Today is day one, exercise complete… only five and a bit weeks to go :)

Mowing a meadow

Two hours of solid mowing, and there’s still more to do! The mower packed up and I must say I wasn’t entirely disappointed. Also potted out the courgettes and cucumbers Was great to be out in the sunshine.

20110625-192632.jpg

20110625-192651.jpg

20110625-192859.jpg

Random gardening #2

Photo 12-06-2011 17 24 19.png6 months have hurtled by since I last posted about the garden. It was wonderful to have the time again to do some random gardening this week. I’ve already posted a photo of the Oleander planted for Dad. The Bay Tree Watch project is at last underway.

Looking like the horticultural equivalent of the Usual Suspects our four very sorry looking Bay Trees are now in intensive care. I can’t give up hope for them just yet. I’m more than a little ashamed to say that all but two of the shrubs from before the move have copped it. Best I could do is salvage their pots and chuck the dried husks away…

On the good news front the two shrubs that did survive the last few months of complete disregard look quite well on it. A big Sage and a little Box plus the random seeds I potted out seem to be giving it a go: Basil, cuccumber, courgette and tomato. Whilst the transpanted Alpine strawberries are doing their best and to join them I picked up some bargains from B&Q. Photo 22-06-2011 07 53 03.pngI believe the term is “seasonally exhausted”. They are getting plenty of watering and some tomato fertiliser (thanks for the tip Mum) and I’m hoping the TLC will result in a general floral resurgence.

seedlings.png

Happy Father’s Day Dad

Planted this lovely Oleander for Dad today. I am sure he would have liked it. Happy Father’s Day Dad.

20110619-204709.jpg

Random gardening #1

Conditions perfect for some random gardening: The snow
has cleared (check) The rain has stopped (check) It’s a Bank Holiday
(check) It’s still daylight (just about).

I also just happen to have a downright exciting soil testing kit that I’ve been wanting to try out. You might reasonably wonder how a soil testing kit could be exciting. Let me show you…

Front of Anderson soil test kit

Thomas Salter Chemistry sets are alive and well...

Grid of colours and values to compare with soil test results

Wow - I told you this was exciting

So I channelled my inner gardening geek and headed out for samples. After a bit of fiddling about with capsules and mud I ended up with this:

Tubes of soil samples alongside a colour chart

Not quite as pretty as the picture...

Which seems to correspond with:

  • ph 8 Alkaline
  • Nitrogen Very Low
  • Phosphorus Very Low
  • Potash Very Low

or in other words there’s a bit of work to do this year…

Blog almost back up and working

Well it’s not quite right after update-gate but at least my blog is working again. Actually it’s been rather nice setting it up from scratch. Looking forward to (re)learning WordPress stuff as I go.

Online outlining done right

One of my favourite online resources is a website I found late last year.
www.checkvist.com is an online outliner – with a disarmingly simple interface. I like it because it’s

  • fast
  • uses keyboard shortcuts (as well as being mouse-friendly)
  • imports and exports well
  • easy to share
  • iphone and mobile ready
  • It also has a very generous free account. So whether you are working on your New Year’s Resolutions or planning for the week ahead take a look at www.checkvist.com

    Happy New Year

    Great to be starting 2011 – looking forward to what it will bring (and what I can give). Out with the old and in with the now :)

    Just sorting a few things out here

    Please don’t mind the mess while I sort out things around here.