Disaster!
Today was going to be about planting potatoes…
It started off with digging the chosen patch in preparation for the sowing of the seed potatoes.
Towards the end of the dig, the spade hit something rather tough…
It turned out to be the water pipe which leads from the spring well on the hill above the cottage, down across my land towards the back of Bealtaine.
Oh dear!
(The Rhubarb this morning.)
An emergency trip was made to Ballyfarnon, a village about three miles away, where there is a local hardware store.
The connector was bought to mend the pipe.
At this point, a brainwave had caught up with the disaster…why not use this opportunity to connect a tap to the tunnel?
Why, every summer the carrying of buckets of water to the tunnel from the cottage was time-consuming to say the least! This was a golden opportunity, as the broken pipe was just a couple of metres away from the tunnel…so, the necessary components were duly purchased!
One of my five brothers, Hugh, was visiting from Omagh, so the expertise was there and willing to help!
Hugh and I returned with the gear and set about the task…
A channel was dug to release the water, which by this time had the potato patch looking more like a rice-paddy field!
After almost eight years of carrying water to the tunnel, I am delighted with my inside tap!
As you can see the Rhubarb is coming up really fast and will be ready for harvesting in the next 10 days or so. One of the joyous tastes of Spring…a Rhubarb Crumble and egg custard!
Although this morning is dull and grey, the garden is illuminated with colour…blossom, buds and leaves, like this Photinia near the apple trees closest to the cottage. Good shelter and colour!
Your rhubarb is much further on than mine. I live near the south coast of England. Proof of the power of plastic.
Love the bog and pics.
That should say blog. Phone posting eh! 😉
The Rhubarb is growing outside! The west of Ireland is usually more ahead in the seasons as we have the warming effects of the Gulf Stream.
Colx
Sorry, looking at it on my ‘phone mine is barely budding up!!
The pics of the bikes on your blog reminded me of the brief relationship I once enjoyed with a 1952 Bantam BSA, ex-army, camouflage green bike…ah, happy days!
Colx
Hm I nearly bought one of those about three months ago, not sure what the tear was though. Instead I plumped for a couple of 1960’s Raleigh mopeds, cheaper and my wife could use her existing driving licence for one. What a hoot, such fun to ride, mine is now my daily commute for a short while.
The garden is looking great, despite mini disasters! The rhubarb is looking particularly inviting
I divided the Rhubarb last summer, so have increased the yield.
Colx
I have so yearned for a water spicket at my pastures and garden… what a wonderful silver lining for you!
….nicely done, by the way!
Jess
I couldn’t be more delighted with the outcome!
Colx
Nothing like making the best of a bad situation. Am pleased to see you can harvest rhubarb so soon too, I’d no idea. Tasty desert for me coming up soon then.
Ah, the delights of Rhubarb Crumble! Seasonal food is always best!
Colx