Posts Tagged ‘october’

21 October 2009 DIRTY NAILS’ BLOG by Joe Hashman TRUE STORY: HOW IT BEGAN

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

Edible gardening began to be a serious part of my life back in 2001. In fact, a number of events took place that year which I can identify as instrumental in providing the foundation for where I am now. Apart from some profound family stuff, which I’d rather not elaborate on, there was of coarse [...]

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20 October 2009 DIRTY NAILS’ BLOG by Joe Hashman WOODING

Tuesday, October 20th, 2009

A damp and dirty October day in Dorset. I knocked up Richard in the cottage next door and told him of some wind-fallen seasoned beech wood I’d clocked out on my travels a day or two before. We had a standing deal and set off shortly after midday. It was great to get out in [...]

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19 October 2009 DIRTY NAILS’ BLOG by Joe Hashman SPREADING THE MASH

Monday, October 19th, 2009

My van can smell of various things depending on the time of year and what’s been transported in the back. Right now, when you open the door, a sweet residual smell of apples perfumes your nose. That’s because I had a dozen bags of apple mashings in there over night, only unloading and barrowing them [...]

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18 October 2009 DIRTY NAILS’ BLOG by Joe Hashman APPLE DAY 2009

Monday, October 19th, 2009

Apple Day 2009 was another roaring success. Held down at The Donkey Field Community Orchard, this was our 5th. Apple day only works because lots of people take responsibility for sorting out specific bits. In that respect, and in no particular order, special thanks must go to Chris (as always) for making the cider pressing [...]

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17 October 2009 DIRTY NAILS’ BLOG by Joe Hashman CLACKETT LANE SERVICES

Saturday, October 17th, 2009

This is actually rather civilised as motorway service stations go. The air is calm, surfaces appealing and spacious. Around the periphery, dense woodland and large trees. Noise from the motorway is constant but buffered. Put it this way, I can hear the individual songs of birds, including robin and green woodpecker. Less than half the [...]

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16 October 2009 DIRTY NAILS’ BLOG by Joe Hashman LAST SUNSET ON THE M25

Saturday, October 17th, 2009

I had the last Sunset apple of this season whilst filtering off the M3 onto M25. I picked it out from the glove box, where it’s been since Tuesday, held it to my nose and inhaled deeply. The scent was strong, of apples, and welcome alongside the black asphalt and blue and white directional signs which [...]

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15 October 2009 DIRTY NAILS’ BLOG by Joe Hashman THURSDAY EVENING 5.56

Thursday, October 15th, 2009

It’s pleasant to get on the plot for an hour after a long day at work. The exersize of turning soil stretches and stimulates the body, encourages internal heat and blood to flow. It’s not been cold cold today but by lunchtime I was struggling to warm up. I’d been delivering, had a meeting, popped [...]

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14 October 2009 DIRTY NAILS’ BLOG by Joe Hashman BLACK SPANISH ROUND RADISH ON THE MENU

Wednesday, October 14th, 2009

Pulled the first Black Spanish Round radishes not long ago and loved them, thinly sliced, with lettuce in a sandwich. This season has kicked off later than most but never mind – it’s here now and I intend to relish in it while it lasts. Black Spanish Round is a terrific autumn radish. The ample [...]

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13 October 2009 DIRTY NAILS’ BLOG by Joe Hashman LOOKING ON IN DESPAIR

Tuesday, October 13th, 2009

I’m sitting on a bench in the grounds of Trinity, just across from the decommissioned graveyard. It’s a beautiful morning at the stroke of eleven. I’m watching a bloke on a tractor mowing the grass. He’s circling and manoeuvring, squeezing in between and reversing. Sweeping in and out, across and back. Every so often a [...]

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12 October 2009 DIRTY NAILS’ BLOG by Joe Hashman ON YER ‘EAD

Tuesday, October 13th, 2009

In the stillness of a calm and sunny mid-morning a sweet chestnut seed case landed on Mrs Nails’ shed roof with a clatter. I looked up in response to the sound and watched as it rolled down the pitch and onto a path. The nearest sweet chestnut is up on Park Walk where it splits [...]

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