The Retirement Thread

[Dave7]

Take it this one is for me Dave. Apologies this is a bit long but there's quite a lot to day! I think you can encourage your brother that a decent compost heap is simple if one follows a few guidelines:

• If it was once organic it can be composted but unless one has a heap which works very well, that is high temperatures, it's best to avoid a few things. These would be anything which is twiggy or woody, they simply take a long time to break down
• Include paper and cardboard. These provide carbon and help to create airpockets in the heap. Tear up in to sensibly sized pieces. Remove sticky labels, tape etc. from cardboard - they won't break down. Only use brown or white cardboard, anything with pictures or shiny probably has a plastic film on it which won't break down - it's the film which is printed not the cardboard.
• When adding bulky material, large leaves etc. - for example brassica or rhubarb leaves - chop these up before adding to the heap. It's a few minutes work but by damaging the leaves break down is speeded up
• Add material in layers especially when adding leaves or grass cuttings. These are best mixed with paper or cardboard to prevent a dense soggy mess building up
• Before adding substantial amounts of material turn over the top 9-12" with a fork. Add the new material and turn this in to the top layer.
• Avoid the heap getting too wet. Cover the top with plastic of some sort and chuck a bit of old carpet on top of this
• Hops are brilliant for getting a heap working - the centre of mine is +/-60C. Animal manure should create a similar effect but I've no direct experience as I don't have a source.
• If hops or manure aren't available following the above will work but take longer.

Kitchen waste is a good addition but will probably attract rats. I compost this separately in a rat proof plastic bin and then add it to the heap every six months or so.

If these thin bright red worms appear, probably in their 100s, the heap is a really good one!!! Tiger worms will do the work of breaking everything down. They live on or near the top of the heap but die off when dug into ordinary soil. Once the heap is fully composted they disappear - no food!! If your brother needs some he can buy them online - once you've got a population they never disappear completely.

View attachment 534894

Thanks so much. I will pass this on to him. Much appreciated.

 

[Dave7]

@PaulSB @Mo1959
Sorry BUT............I was watching the match on tv last night. 21.30 I got tired so recorded it and went to bed.
Slept like a baby/log (take your pick) and woke at 0500 for a pee. Back to bed and woke again at 0620.

 

[Dave7]

Yet another horrible day weatherwise. MrsD tells me it hammered down during the night (I didn't hear it ).
Think I will put a loaf on to bake.
No plans apart from that.
Oh yes, Liverpool beat Brighton 1:3 so I will watch that

 

[Dave7]

Hopefully meeting up with our best mates tomorrow...they're getting big hugs and kisses!

No offence but I am happy not to be your best mate.
Man kisses I can live without

 

[Drago]

I have risen!

Rising for much of the night. Not raining bow, although it appears it might any second, and very, very muggy.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Good morning people

 

[Tenkaykev]

Agadoo doo doo...
Good morning fellow retirees,
Went downstairs to put a brew on only to discover that we're out of ground coffee.
Mrs Tenkay ordered the last lot but inadvertently got coffee beans instead. Being the considerate soul that I am and not wishing to disturb Mrs Tenkay, I took the coffee beans and grinder out to the outhouse and ground them out there.
Sitting down enjoying a fresh brew at the moment and I thought I would leave you all with an earworm 😁
Agadoo do do...
Have a lovely peaceful day folks 🏃‍♂️🚶🚲🏊🌞

 

[Paulus]

Morning all, second mug of tea being drunk as we speak.
Wet and windy at the moment, ( the weather, not me.)
Out with muttley soon and then we shall see what the day brings.

 

[Flick of the Elbow]

Morning all, still and sunny here just now. I suppose I will go out on my bike for a bit, again. You can indeed have too much of a good thing.

 

[Dirk]

Morning all

Misty moisty this morning and very windy last night.
The weather's not much better.

Waiting on a text message from our friends on their progress down the M5, them we'll sort out where to meet up.

 

[Drago]

No ride today. As Mrs D went out the door she announced she had 3 parcels due for delivery today, one of which is quite valuable, so I'd need to be home. Unless they all get delivered really early that's it for today's ride, bit the way the weather is I can't say I'm unduly upset.

 

[numbnuts]

 

[Drago]

Morning Jon.

 

[Flick of the Elbow]

Still pondering Dirk’s image of Exmoor spookiness last night. I first read Lorna Doone as a schoolboy and I read it again every few years, it’s the only book I’ve read more than twice. My maternal grandfather was from Tiverton and his family name was Reed, I like to think perhaps a distant ancestral connection with the Ridd family name of the book. A conceit, I know !

 

[Mo1959]

I had a little bimble. Hybrid again as the sky looked a bit iffy but stayed dry so wished I had taken a road bike. The legs weren't working very well today but that's it done. Hopefully a walk later at some point.