Blockerz
@huck-cider
Cider maker, dog owner, ex-teacher of 11-18s (30yrs). Draws, paints & designs. Likes CAD & DIY. Practical. Woke Bloke. Humanist. Old bloke. "Boomer".
In Notts we haven't seen, seen evidence of, nor heard Song Thrushes for well over a decade. 🫤 The habitats for wildlife have been devastated in the area. Here in Northumberland, we hear, see, & find evidence of Song Thrushes daily.😊 This stone in our garden is a favourite "anvil stone" for them.💚
She was a great Pub Dog too, loved people - & Pork Scratchings even more. Every time she passed a pub door - open or closed - she'd pick up the scent of beer, then veer off & pull you towards it. Who was I to refuse...
"Will you walk into my parlour?" said a spider to a fly; "'Tis the prettiest little parlour that ever you did spy. The way into my parlour is up a winding stair, And I have many pretty things to show when you are there..." Giant House Spider (Eratigena sp.) living behind our outdoor tap. #spider
Goodbye, old friend 🫤 Spring 1981: clutching some of my first teaching pay, I went into Moorgate Acoustics in Sheffield, where in their upstairs studio they'd set up a system for me to "audition": Mission 700's, Dual CS-505, & this A40. 😍 Just take my money - & they did.😊 Still works perfectly. ❤️🎵
And verily, thou pooch shall say unto thee: "If thou doth leave the Holy Slipper without an overseer, then Lo! I shall taketh it up unto the wilderness, lick it, anoint it with slobber, & cast it upon the grass." And when thou doth cast thine own eyes upon thy slipper, thou shalt beg forgiveness...
Talking of Festivals ... Not sure I'm totally "on message" with the Nottingham Beer & Cider Festival promo publicity for this October. But then I am a miserable old cuss. Perhaps there'll even be sossiges...🤔 Pass the Prosecco.
We're in the end zone now; the brain-racking, emotion-draining time of what is best for Yarly. 🐾 The vet said Yarly clearly has dementia, she also now has cystitis - & currently losing around 400g-500g a week. Shit. Then she comes to you wagging her tail, wanting to play, barking for treats. 🫤 #dogs
I'm going to call this a win..? 7-0, no penalties. 😊 Very happy that all seven grafts have taken & are thriving. I'll still be keeping my fingers crossed but not quite so tightly.. 👌"Cherry Melville's" on MM106 rootstocks. 🍏🍎🌱🌳 #appletree #grafting
Peak irony today. Official Grant of Probate copies arrived. Only difference from originals received in Feb 2024, is that my late brother's name has been removed; he died suddenly 8 weeks after my mum in Jan 2024. The irony is that today would have been his 72nd birthday. Happy Birthday, Mike. ❤️
Ears up for added cooling effect. Snoring softly so we know she's still alive & breathing. Sadly, countdown is progressing; no matter how much we love & care for her, time is against us all. 16 yrs 6 months & trying to make the most of every second left. Bloody dogs are heartbreakers. 🐾Yarly 💔 #dog
Sad git perhaps ... I've always liked spiders especially these GHS (Giant House Spider - Eratigena group). 😊 This cracking female was tucked away minding its own business, so after getting it to pose, I carefully moved it after it had run across my hand. Totally harmless & way more scared of you. 👍
With thanks to Darren @orchardnotes.com for timely advice, all rootstocks on the "Cherry Melville" grafts have been trimmed of growth. Still early days & not counting chickens, but the number of bud bursts is impressive; these 2 pics taken 24 hrs apart. I'm thinking there's some change here. 🤔
1990: Got a new shed for this house, built in 1959. When digging out for the concrete base, something clinked on the spade & I unearthed the first of 2 filthy, scratched, old beer bottles full of mud. Just refound them so Steradent tablets are polishing up the inside. #oldbottles #newproject #beer
This cast iron railway wagon plate is definitely coming with us.👍 Got this in Derby, mid-1970's; workers were cutting up old wagons for scrap in the (long gone) Chaddesden sidings. I was allowed to take one from the pile of plates. Now back home from long-term-loan at The Station Hotel, Hucknall. 🙂
Moving house & downsizing means you have to let go of many things ... so after more than two decades, we bid a fond farewell to our table football set. 🫡⚽ The missus always beat me anyway...🙄
Blimey! It's like being on "Time Team" or "Digging For Britain"..! Brought back tasty memories.😋👌 @rfcider.eurosky.social #cider #wholejuice #fulljuice
Sorting & sifting stuff, with piles for charity shops, keeping, & binning: Part II. My favourite weighty classical tome - in hardback too. 👌📖
There have been some very nice lenticular clouds hovering above the Cheviots over the last few evenings. This one wasn't quite "Close Encounters" territory though. 👽 Stand easy, Roy Neary 👍
Yesterday was The Goode Wyffe's birthday+ our 17th wedding anniversary.♥️ So after booking a table for a meal at the pub, we checked out the first 1/3rd of a circular walk from our village, which just happened to be the steepest part. Slow & steady was the aim for Yarly🐾 but she kept up & had fun.
Not wanting to count my chickens, etc... & it is early days...🤔 but the strong growth now evident on 4 out of the 7 grafts I did at beginning of April, is making me feel more confident of success.🤞🏼 "Cherry Melville" scions on MM106. 💚🍎🌳 #appletree #grafting
Coincidence or what..? Went down the pub sporting my "Burro" T-shirt & James, an apple grower back in the East Midlands, sent me a photo of a freshly opened 750ml of our sparkling "Burro" cider. I gave them a few bottles a couple of years ago, so now well matured. 😋 #cider #wholejuice #justapples
Popped down the local for a couple of pints & exercise the Wooffits.🐾🐾 Excellent well kept local ales from Loch Lomond Brewery & Tempest Brewing Co. 👌 Swiftly sunk. 😋 #redlioninn #milfield #northumberland #BskyBeer
Interesting choice of one of the "17 essentials" required for serious walking. Very disappointed that they did not recommend a Sloth & went with this substitute as one of the 17 "must haves"...
Clearing a wardrobe, found a tie-hanger full of my forgotten work ties, covering over two decades (back when they were popular). Funerals apart, not worn a tie in over 16 yrs. My old pupils kicked up a stink on Fbk yesterday when I proposed binning them. Almost 30 yrs of teaching memories here. 🙂