Saturday, January 30, 2010

A lonesome feeder

This cute little bird feeder we got for Christmas.  We have had very few guests so far.  There was a few Chickadees a couple of days ago.  Perhaps it's the mild winter.


Sunday, January 10, 2010

Some road work this last summer

This past summer we undertook some much needed road work.  We had been using our driveway for over 20 years without much more than the initial work it took to cut it into the hill.  At first it was quite muddy but over the years most of the mud has washed away leaving ruts and half buried boulders.  It was fine for me, I figure with a driveway like that only those who really want to visit will undertake the challenge.  The big problem was plowing snow.  We hire out the task of snow removal and the plower didn't like hitting the rocks with his plow, can't blame him.  So with that said we decided to put some money into it and have it topped with a thick layer of crushed rock.  I will have to admit it was nice, almost city-slicker nice.
Here are some before pictures, they really don't do it justice, its rougher than it looks:




Here it is getting the topping:


About the same time we decided to start a road across the hillside below the orchard.  We never really made it as far as the orchard, we will have to save that part for another year.  We stopped at the water line that comes from the well.
A before picture:


After the work.  The orchard is behind the sheds on the left.  This road will eventually extend further in the direction you are looking, below the orchard where it will turn to the right and cross over the gully.  The idea will be to build up the road at the gully and use it as a dam for pond we hope to dig out.



This coming summer we are planning on constructing a cellar directly the left in the above photo, about where the bush is.  You can see the location better in the 'before' picture.  There are about 1/2 dozen trees to remove. The cellar will extend above the grade a bit, the floor of it just above the new road.  The upper part of the cellar will need to be covered with dirt and seeded to grass.  It will make a hump about 6' high and steep enough that no one can accidentally drive over it.  You will have to use your imagination until I can start the project and post some pictures.

Friday, January 8, 2010