How 2009 has been full of adventure

I’m reading Monty Don’s Ivington Diaries, an account of his garden over the years. Best known as a gardener this is the book that showcases his writing.  He recaptures moments of time in his garden over a number of years rather than one year giving the...

The natural alternative to mowing

As I stood at the Butchers on Christmas Eve I overhead another customer telling him that they were staying at home over the holidays as they had animals and were supervising their  neighbours animals.  The butcher replied “….seems very fashionable this...

The upsides to rain – yes there are some!

If you’re prone to frizzy hair you wouldn’t want to have stayed with us at Kaitoke Acres for the last couple of days.  We’ve been shrouded in a blanket of mist, drizzle and rain.  If however you’re desperately trying to repair your lawn such...

How would you give away your basset?

Nothing really prepares you for bringing  basset hounds to live with you in your home.  Since Fortnum and Mason arrived at Domestic Executive HQ they have caused mayhem and comedy in equal measure. Their adventures have been well documented on this blog. But...

What happens when you mix mud, spuds and bassets

Being in the new Kitchen Garden with me is a whole new adventure for the bassets with enormous scope for mischief. I love their company but gardening with bassets is a futile exercise in command and control.  There is rarely an offer of a helpful paw but rather an...