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Aylesbury Ducks

July 1, 2020 by rich

Aylesbury Ducks

You don’t have a slug problem, you have a duck deficiency Bill Mollison I’m told that ducks work well in gardens and certainly aid in a permaculture setting. Basically they love eating snails and slugs. They can nibble on young plants but are generally not as destructive as chickens! We don’t have the space in […]

Herbs I Love for a Permaculture Garden

June 30, 2020 by rich

Chamomile

FennelFennel is a gorgeous, strong-scented plant with lacy foliage. It is often paired with basil in an edible landscape. The flower of fennel is umbel-shaped, like yarrow, and the beneficial insects and pollinators love it. Fennel attracts ladybugs, hoverflies, parasitic wasps, and lacewings. ChamomileNot only are the dainty chamomile flowers cute as a button, they […]

No Dig Gardening

June 29, 2020 by rich

No dig gardening

I have just noticed that people are starting to dig their gardens over. Digging in compost and turning the ground over. Why? Save your time and effort by adopting a new policy when it comes to preparing your gardening. No dig gardening takes a look at how nature does gardening and applies the principles. I […]

What to do with two old chairs

June 29, 2020 by rich

Two old chairs being converted to a love seat

Ok, I really don’t know what I am doing but I am having a go! Two old chairs sat uselessly ready for the dump. I grabbed them and added them to the todo list. But with immediate inspiration I thought I know what I am going to do. I joined the chairs together with a […]

Plant Idea for Hugel Beds

June 28, 2020 by rich

hugelkultur

Plant bulbs anytime Egyptian Onion / Tree Onion (Alliumcepa Proliferum group) Plant out young plants in Winter Babington’s Leek / Perennial Leek (Allium ampeloprasum var. babingtonii) Wild Angelica / Wood Angelica (Angelica sylvestris) Yellow Aspodel / King’s Spear (Asphodeline lutea) Sea Beet (Beta Vulgaris subsp. maritima) Turkish Rocket (Bunias orientalis) Pig Nut (Bunium bulbocastanum) Legumes […]

What to do with an old chair

June 28, 2020 by rich

An old dining chair

I have had this chair ‘sitting’ around for a long time and I didn’t have a clue what to do with it. I had an idea but it meant cutting the chair in half which caused me to pause for a bit and then I thought why not, just go for it and so I […]

A Couple of Bicycles

June 28, 2020 by rich

A couple of junk bikes ready for restoration

I have recently collected two ‘junk’ bikes, although what is junk to someone is treasure to another. Over the last 9 months I have been learning about electrifying bicycles. I added a 1000 watt motor to bike and built a sidecar for it, then promptly sold it. Then I had an old Raleigh and I […]

Blueberries

June 25, 2020 by rich

Blueberries

Eat Better…… Feel Better Low in Calories, high in nutrients Antioxidant Help with cancer and ageing Lower blood pressure Prevent heart disease Maintain brain function and improve memory And they taste nice…. And we have a garden full of them. At our last count we had around 20 bushes and each giving us several punnets […]

An Allium for every Garden

June 24, 2020 by rich

Alliums

Alliums, aka ornamental onions, are some of the most beautiful flowering bulbs for the spring and summer garden. Onions, leeks, garlic, shallots, and chives – I’ve never met an Allium I didn’t like. Their lovely purple blossoms nod in the warm breeze on a summer day, standing out amongst all the leafy garden plants. Alliums work well as a […]

Sparrows

June 23, 2020 by rich

Sparrow

One of my favourite birds and also one of the commonest. However, in recent years their urban population has fallen dramatically. Social birds that tend to nest in colonies they are happy to mix partners. They love being around people and don’t tend to stray far from them. They don’t migrate just move to the […]

What to do with some old 3 x 2 posts

June 16, 2020 by rich

A chair made from old 3 x 2 inch posts

When I rebuilt my shed I ended up with lots of old 3 x 2 inch posts of varying lengths. So I had some fun and built a chair. It is very heavy though! I tried to fill in the screw holes with a mixture of glue and saw dust but it didn’t look good […]

Juneberry or Snowy Mespilus Hedge

June 12, 2020 by rich

Juneberry

June Berry (also known as Snowy Mespilus) makes a gorgeous addition to a mixed hedge. Plant Juneberry amongst an assortment of native hedge plants. The bush blooms in March and April with star shaped white flowers. Its new leaves are coppery pink and silky, maturing into green, then taking on tones of rich red and […]

Of One Blood

June 12, 2020 by rich

The Jewish scholar Abraham Joshua Heschel called race prejudice “the maximum of hatred for the minimum of reason.” But if we’re all made “of one blood,” how can we despise and mistreat one another; for in so doing, we also hurt ourselves. I cannot tell you what it means to be black, I was born […]

Garden Lego Railway

June 8, 2020 by rich

Off-Grid Solar System

June 8, 2020 by rich

My back garden

I have been running a small solar system for nearly 6 years. This system has worked well, charging batteries for power tools, batteries for electric bikes and a railway track. My shed however also has a mitre saw which draws up to 1400w and I want to buy a bench drill press. To use the […]

Election and Holiness

June 4, 2020 by rich

Dove of peace

Delivered on Sabbath Morning, March 11th, 1860 “Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the Lord’s thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is. Only the Lord had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them, even you above all people, as it is […]

How To Become Fishers of Men

May 28, 2020 by rich

fisherman

Charles Haddon Spurgeon(1834-1892) “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19 Verses quoted, unless otherwise noted, are taken from theHOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, ©1984 by the New York Bible Society, used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers. When Christ calls us by his grace we must not […]

Under Planting Fruit Trees

May 21, 2020 by rich

Apple Tree

A Guild – Any group of plants that are working together to achieve a common goal. Suggested Plants Daffodils *Chives *Bee Balm #Dill #Echinacea #Lupin # &New Jersey TeaLavender (Repels fleas and moths)Tansy &SouthernwoodHorse RadishBorageNasturtium &HyssopCurrantRaspberry Planting herbs under fruit trees Allium – Attracts pollinating insects and repels burrowersBasilOreganoSage – Wards of pests – self […]

Peacemakers

March 26, 2020 by rich

Dove of peace

“You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family. Matthew 5:9 MSG We’re Christ’s representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God’s work of making things […]

The best meal

March 9, 2020 by rich

Pizza

“You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat. Matthew 5:6 MSG We seem in this to hear the lesson which our Lord had learnt from the recent experience of the wilderness. The craving of bodily hunger has become a parable of […]

I am the road

March 8, 2020 by rich

a road in woodlands

Jesus said, “I am the Road, also the Truth, also the Life. No one gets to the Father apart from me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him. You’ve even seen him!” John 14:6 MSG I am the way – See Isaiah 35:8. […]

Singing in Adversity

March 7, 2020 by rich

Singer with guitar

Though the cherry trees don’t blossom and the strawberries don’t ripen, Though the apples are worm-eaten and the wheat fields stunted, Though the sheep pens are sheep-less and the cattle barns empty, I’m singing joyful praise to GOD. I’m turning cartwheels of joy to my Saviour God. Counting on GOD’s Rule to prevail, I take […]

Love

March 6, 2020 by rich

Swan family showing love

My beloved friends, let us continue to love each other since love comes from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and experiences a relationship with God. The person who refuses to love doesn’t know the first thing about God, because God is love—so you can’t know him if you don’t love. This is […]

Does God give up on you because you’re old!

February 5, 2020 by rich

A wrecked boat

No and you shouldn’t either. Moses was eighty years old and Aaron eighty-three, when they spoke to Pharaoh. Exodus 7:7Just take that in Moses was 80 and Aaron 83! And a rough estimate of Joshua’s age when starting his ministry is around 80! He entered the promised land and with God conquered the lands and […]

What is church to you?

February 4, 2020 by rich

crowd worshipping God

The Anglican church in Cornwall is going through a rather dramatic and damaging change. It has decided to create 7 ‘mega-churches’ across the county, allowing smaller churches to die. The idea is that when the small local church dies they will go to one of these larger churches, reducing running costs across the county. But […]

God claims our trust

February 3, 2020 by rich

GOD wasn’t attracted to you and didn’t choose you because you were big and important—the fact is, there was almost nothing to you. He did it out of sheer love, keeping the promise he made to your ancestors. GOD stepped in and mightily bought you back out of that world of slavery, freed you from […]

Salvation Gardening

January 30, 2020 by rich

Apple orchard

Post this at all the intersections, dear friends: Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear. God’s righteousness doesn’t grow from human anger. So throw all spoiled virtue and cancerous evil in the garbage. In simple humility, let our gardener, God, landscape you with the Word, […]

Talking

January 29, 2020 by rich

Man and woman laughing

There’s more: God’s Word warns us of danger and directs us to hidden treasure. Otherwise how will we find our way? Or know when we play the fool? Clean the slate, God, so we can start the day fresh! Keep me from stupid sins, from thinking I can take over your work; Then I can […]

Guidance

January 28, 2020 by rich

Weather vane

I am adding a new topic on this site where I will be blogging about the ups and downs of a Christian life. At this point I am reminded of Adrian Plass’ first diary entry in his amusing book, The Sacred Diary of Adrian Plass. He basically opens his diary with an opening paragraph detailing […]

It will catch up with you

January 28, 2020 by rich

Father and son walking together

A God-loyal life keeps you on track; sin dumps the wicked in the ditch. Proverbs 13:6 MSG A God-loyal life is doing what is right and living to please God. It has nothing to do with your habits, preferences or traditions, it is simply journeying through life and going God’s way. It is the narrow […]

Do you justify yourself?

January 23, 2020 by rich

Woman hiding behind her jumper

We justify our actions by appearances; GOD examines our motives. Proverbs 21:2 MSG Every person is right in his own eyes and in his own way – well nearly everybody! Your sinful ways promise you pleasure, profit and honour and your ways probably suit you. But the Lord he weighs your heart, he considers it […]

Who do you keep company with?

January 22, 2020 by rich

Praying with arms outstretched

Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 Keeping company with God is an exciting journey, it is also to gain tranquillity. Why tranquillity? We seek after all manner of things – money, things, happiness, sex, love. When you keep company with the Lord he will […]

Do you know what you’re doing?

January 21, 2020 by rich

Peace of mind

If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who “worry their prayers” are like wind-whipped waves. Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master […]

Justice

January 20, 2020 by rich

Gavel

I can’t stand your religious meetings. I’m fed up with your conferences and conventions. I want nothing to do with your religion projects, your pretentious slogans and goals. I’m sick of your fund-raising schemes, your public relations and image making. I’ve had all I can take of your noisy ego-music. When was the last time […]

End of my rope

January 16, 2020 by rich

man praying over the Bible

Hurry with your answer, GOD! I’m nearly at the end of my rope. Don’t turn away; don’t ignore me! That would be certain death. If you wake me each morning with the sound of your loving voice, I’ll go to sleep each night trusting in you. Point out the road I must travel; I’m all […]

In God

January 12, 2020 by rich

Bird in a nest

When I get really afraid    I come to you in trust.I’m proud to praise God;    fearless now, I trust in God.    What can mere mortals do? Psalm 56:4 – The Message How do you do at the height of your troubles? David had no hesitation to say, when I get really afraid, I trust God. His life was […]

Wisdom

January 7, 2020 by rich

Books

Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. Matthew 7:24 – ESV The challenge here is not in these verses but in all the verses before these. Jesus has just finished the sermon on the mount full of much […]

The Holy Spirit

January 5, 2020 by rich

Dove of peace

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. John 14:26 – ESV This verse has an importance when we take into account the promised aid of the Holy Spirit in preserving […]

Wisdom

January 3, 2020 by rich

Books

For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:6 – ESV There is only one source of wisdom and that is God. Looking elsewhere is foolishness. Unfortunately we see intelligence, education as wisdom and they are different. Even human wisdom is not as God gives. So what is Godly wisdom? […]

Salvation

January 2, 2020 by rich

The Cross

Sing to God a brand-new song.He’s made a world of wonders!He rolled up his sleeves,He set things right.God made history with salvation,He showed the world what he could do.He remembered to love us, a bonusTo his dear family, Israel—indefatigable love.The whole earth comes to attention.Look—God’s work of salvation! Shout your praises to God, everybody!Let loose and sing! Strike up […]

Goodness

January 1, 2020 by rich

Homeless man

See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 1 Thessalonians 5:15 – ESV Paul encourages us to do good to each other and focuses particularly on not repaying evil with evil. When he was writing this I wonder if he had in […]

Waiting on the Lord

December 30, 2019 by rich

Kneeling humbly before the Cross

Why would you ever complain, O Jacob, or, whine, Israel, saying,“God has lost track of me.    He doesn’t care what happens to me”?Don’t you know anything? Haven’t you been listening?God doesn’t come and go. God lasts.    He’s Creator of all you can see or imagine.He doesn’t get tired out, doesn’t pause to catch his breath.    And he knows everything, inside and out.He energises […]

Shepherds

December 25, 2019 by rich

Flock of sheep

There were shepherd’s camping in the neighbourhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Saviour has just […]

Virgin Birth

December 24, 2019 by rich

father and child asleep

While he was trying to figure a way out, he had a dream. God’s angel spoke in the dream: “Joseph, son of David, don’t hesitate to get married. Mary’s pregnancy is Spirit-conceived. God’s Holy Spirit has made her pregnant. She will bring a son to birth, and when she does, you, Joseph, will name him […]

Singing God’s praises

December 23, 2019 by rich

Singer with guitar

At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises: Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him. Luke 2:14 MSG Angels were heralds of the new-born Saviour, but they were only sent to some poor, humble, pious, industrious shepherds, who […]

Life-Light

December 22, 2019 by rich

The universe

Everything was created through him; nothing—not one thing!— came into being without him. What came into existence was Life, and the Life was Light to live by. The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness; the darkness couldn’t put it out. John 1:4‭-‬5 MSG John is not writing a biography, he is writing about real life. […]

God with us

December 21, 2019 by rich

Woman staring at Christmas lights

So Isaiah told him, “Then listen to this, government of David! It’s bad enough that you make people tired with your pious, timid hypocrisies, but now you’re making God tired. So the Master is going to give you a sign anyway. Watch for this: A girl who is presently a virgin will get pregnant. She’ll […]

The Star

December 20, 2019 by rich

Stars

Instructed by the king, they set off. Then the star appeared again, the same star they had seen in the eastern skies. It led them on until it hovered over the place of the child. They could hardly contain themselves: They were in the right place! They had arrived at the right time! They entered […]

Jesus, our great High Priest

December 18, 2019 by rich

The Cross

Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let’s not let it slip through our fingers. We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let’s walk right up to him […]

The Word

December 17, 2019 by rich

The Cross

The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighbourhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, Generous inside and out, true from start to finish. John 1:14 MSG Christianity does not involve the belief that all things were made for man. it does involve the […]

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Work – not sure I like it too much

Servants, do what you’re told by your earthly masters. And don’t just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you’ll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you’re […]

man praying over the Bible

Pray Constantly

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 New International Version (NIV) Smith Wigglesworth once said, “I don’t often spend more than half an hour in prayer at one time, but I never go more than half an hour without praying.” […]

Respryn

Morning, we walked to one of our favourite places yesterday. I was captivated by the light reflecting back from the river, under the trees. It was cool in the shade and the river was freezing. I made myself get in because I knew I would regret it if I didn’t, it was so worth it, […]

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