Adventures of an Angie: Home

Adventures of an Angie: Home /site.rss en Copyright 2008, Adventures of an Angie 2008-08-21T17:47+00:00 Adventures of an Angie Adventures of an Angie hourly 1 1901-01-01T00:00+00:00 Make your own Mastectomy Bra http://angie.weblobe.net/Chemo_and_Campervans/Make_your_own_Mastectomy_Bra.html Some resources for people who have had it up to here with bras that just don't quite fit right: <a href="http://www.kwiksew.com/Catalog/cat_thumbs.cfm?Cat=Misses&Level=Lingerie&QL=MissLingerie" target="_blank">http://www.kwiksew.com/Catalog/cat_thumbs.cfm?Cat=Misses&Level=Lingerie&QL=MissLingerie</a> One of my best mates runs venacavadesign which is a company who specialises in all the bits you need to make corsetry and period costumes (and storm trouper outfits... great for hubby :) They've just started doing all the bits you need to make your own bra, wired or underwired and having now bought 4 bras that just don't actually fit right I've decided to have a go at making my own mastectomy bra. The following has apparently got a good pattern for a bikini style bra. <a href="http://www.venacavadesign.co.uk/Products/Swim_%26_Action_Wear.html?q=swim" target="_blank">http://www.venacavadesign.co.uk/Products/Swim_%26_Action_Wear.html?q=swim</a> They'll be putting more up soon and I've told them of the plight of us poor prosthetic wearing people with the sides that pinch, the bits that don't lie flat and the stuff that rides up. I never did like bras and now I bloody hate them. I'm hoping making one myself can fix this situation. When I actually get around to it I shall blog and take pictures of the process. They're very nice people so don't feel embarrassed to get in touch if you want to know what bits you need or any advice, it's what they do, talk to Liz: <a href="mailto:Comp@venacavadesign.co.uk">Comp@venacavadesign.co.uk</a> and of course why shouldn't we make our own corsets too. That should give me back the waist that the steroids have stolen :) <a href="http://www.venacavadesign.co.uk/" target="_blank">http://www.venacavadesign.co.uk/</a> the pics http://angie.weblobe.net/Chemo_and_Campervans/the_pics.html You can see pics of progress here: <a href="http://www.tommymartin.co.uk/the_other_section/project_hugo.html" target="_blank">http://www.tommymartin.co.uk/the_other_section/project_hugo.html</a> As always you need to remember that I'm still weak after surgery 3 months ago... yea right. Well yes doing this does cause pain occasionally but I'm certainly getting stronger too. Tommy pointed out yesterday that he aches too so it's not just being post surgery :) Saw the onc http://angie.weblobe.net/Chemo_and_Campervans/Saw_the_onc.html so I saw the oncologist. Not the best day of my life, overwhelming would be an understatement. But yes the jury has come back (or should I say the database has spoken.) and while I didn't like the numbers at all (64% prognosis before treatment) They do get better with treatment (82%) so my gut instinct of spending the summer doing chemo was quite right. So chemo and campervan, followed by radiation therapy and campervan, And then hopefully just happily ever after with hubby, dog and campervan (with a few hormones thrown in). So wish me luck this is going to be a long ole summer. While I was waiting Tommy had a dream. http://angie.weblobe.net/Chemo_and_Campervans/While_I_was_waiting_Tommy_had_a_dream.html Tommy dreampt of a campervan, and after about 20 mins we decided we should have one, after about half an hour we must have one. Then we decided not, too expensive we'll just hire one. Then we saw how much they are to hire and went ouch, we'll buy and old one and do it up... 3 weeks of research and several close calls later we find it... it's ours now. It's called hUgo (or You go). I imagine saying "Hugo... Beach!" and suddenly we will be there. Of course right now hugo is a shell. we've just finished riping the manky 80's carpet out of it, and we have a few (ahem) spots of rust to deal with but hey it's 28 years old and has only done 38 thousand miles and we could afford it. We have to be realistic here. I'm not doing my post surgery excercises anymore exactly. I could reach the ceiling 4 weeks ago. Now I'm scrubbing the damn thing in a campervan. please.. no one tell my breast care nurse ;) The morning after http://angie.weblobe.net/Chemo_and_Campervans/The_morning_after.html Ok so I have a massive hangover and that accounts for some of it but with such great news why do I feel like somethings not right... it dawns on me it's not over, there are more results to come. The path results. I get them a week later, these ones weren't so pretty, or were they. This is where it starts to get all twisted and it's all a matter of perspective. I'm triple neg, this means that they can't use herceptin.. this is bad because that's one less weapon in the arsenal. This is also good because cancers that respond to herceptin can be aggressive. It also mean that we can't use hormone to control a recurrence... another whole set of weapons gone = bad. but I don't need to use hormones for the next 10 years and all that comes with that = good. so all they can use if chemo, but there are several, or should I say lots available and more being trialled all the time. But I'm thinking why would I need any of them, the tumor was removed with surgery wasn't it? It was also grade 3 (or should I say they, there were 2 tumors after all and in case you're wondering no it doesn't spread from one breast to another like that, it was pure coincidence, or maybe genetics). Now this is also bad news. Grade 3 means it was fast growing = BAD. but it wasn't in my body long because it was fast growing, so had little time to spread = VERY VERY GOOD. AAAArgh, is this good news or bad, who can tell. I now know that it's just results, and there will be a nice long wait until I see my oncologist... but in the meantime it's time to get back to living. The results are in http://angie.weblobe.net/Chemo_and_Campervans/The_results_are_in.html So the waiting was finally over. In I go, with Tommy as always (you do get to know who your friends are through something like this, and there's no doubting that Tommy truly is my best friend). The surgeon who operated on me is there and I think he may be smiling, yes he was. He checks me over and calmly gives me the results. Lymph nodes were clear, no lympho vascular involvement (that means spread into fine blood vesels around muscles) basically it looks like they got it all... I'm overjoyed. They don't use words like cured but I ask him. Is this the best news you could possibly give me, he smiles gently and says "Yes". I leave the room crying again, but this time with joy. I do so love that surgeon and his team. We go to thue pub we tell everyone the great news, life is wonderful. We get horribly drunk. People keep buying us wine, we can't be blamed. Recovery and Waiting... incesant waiting http://angie.weblobe.net/Chemo_and_Campervans/Recovery_and_Waiting_incesant_waiting.html They say the waiting is the hardest bit. They're so right about that. So I got home after the op. Drains accompaning me (little tubes that don't really live up to the scary name, they're awkward though). The next week I started doing the exercises as much as possible. It's true that doing as much as you can as soon as you can really helps. It's also true that over doing it doesn't :) 1 week later, Feb 27th, the drains come out. I am again mobile, but I can't cartwheel for a few months that's for sure. I keep excersing and start going out and seeing friends at the pub. I'm doing OK. But underneath it all I'm an emotional wreck. I still am a bit but I'm starting to understand why and that's helping me move on. I know I'll never be the same person again but I do have a say in who I will be and maybe I can be more than I ever was. In some ways I'm coming to understand that you have to work harder to own yourself when you're dealing with a disease like this. A lot of people don't like language like fighting, beating, winning etc. I can see why as it implies you're at war with something that's going on in your own body and I suppose it's not healthy to be at war with yourself at all but they're just words so if you see me using them please don't be offended. I think how you feel about yourself through all of this is more important and the emotions are so complex. My friends have been great, especially during those first few weeks, but it's like being in limbo and I didn't feel like I was really here when I was waiting for those results, the ones that would tell me just what I'd had hiding inside of me. From DX to Op http://angie.weblobe.net/Chemo_and_Campervans/From_DX_to_Op.html So there I was... I rather liked my breasts, or at least I used to, now I wanted them gone, they were a threat. They felt like they were putting a gun to my head and until I knew the cancer was gone I guessed that was how I'd stay. This turned out to be the case. I didn't really mourn them, or at least not yet, things haven't exactly slowed down enough for those kind of thoughts. So I'd never had a major op before and I was more scared of the anaesthetic than anything else. This was, it turned out, extremely daft. I had a bit of a wait before the op and a lovely recovery nurse waited with me and because of the wait I needed a pee. So I was allowed to sneak around the edge of the recovery room and I saw several people looking peaceful after their ops and slowly coming around... the fear then passed. So in I went, don't remember going under but I do remember coming around. First thing I did was lift my top to check all was OK. Yep, 1 large bandage and no pain, great. No nausea, nothing. The nurse commented about me asking lots of questions and talking quickly... yep that's me, I made it through stage 1. Wheeled back up to recovery room and a really difficult night. Not the pain, that was fine, not a lot really, a couple of paracetemol had that under control. No the problem was the incesant binging of people calling the nurse as y little ward was near the nurses station and I'm a light sleeper. I swear I'd have gone and kipped on the sofa in the shared lounge if I hadn't been so wired up. They kept me in for just 3 days, but I think they really would have had to upgrade the hospital to fort knox level to keep me in for another night. That said, joking aside. I owe that team of people my life... in a very real and literal sense, I felt that at the time but it would be another 2 weeks before I found out just how much... So why the chemo... http://angie.weblobe.net/Chemo_and_Campervans/So_why_the_chemo.html Well tomorrow I go see my oncologist for the first time so I guess it's time to quickly cover the backstory to the chemo part of this section... in essence it goes something like this. Start of Jan 2008... Happy new year, what's that, a lump on my breast, probably nothing. I make an appt with the doctor. a couple of days later a very nice doc reassures me that yes I am young, yes it's probably just a cysts, but we have the wonderful NHS and a things called the 2 week rule, which means I'll be seen and checked out properly within 2 weeks. Jan 16th: just under 2 weeks. Ultrasound scan sees a lump, a very fine needle (didn't hurt honest) tries to take a sample, nada. It's not looking like a cyst anymore. So a larger sample is taken and appointment made to come back next week for results. Jan 23rd: Hmmm, whisked up to the clinic, now have a mammogram too, it's true that they're not comfy but didn't hurt really. Another scan and now they scan the other breast too, WTF I'm thinking. There's something on the other side too. another biopsy taken. I'm now thinking I should train in this equipment the ultrasound gear looks cool (yes I am a Geek, there's no denying it). Pop off for some lunch and back for results. I know somethings wrong when a consultant surgeon walks in instead of the doc, you don't need a surgeon to tell you everythings fine right. Tommy and I prepare ourselves. Yep I have Breast Cancer, yes it's rare in someone my age but not impossible, and there's also a lump on the other side that looks suspicious we'll get results on that side the following week they say, like that really matters anymore. Surgery is recommended. Mastectomy in fact, I'm young, best not to risk it returning and I'm informed that because I developed it in the first place the chances of me developing it again are higher. I hold it together and can barely breathe when leaving the hospital. Over the next few days I tell family and friends, wait for the shock to pass (takes more than a few days it turns out). Everyone tell me how brave I am. While that's nice to hear it doesn't change the fact that you have no choice. Jan 30th: Yep the other side is cancer too. great. so what's next. the appt is booked. I'll be having a bilateral mastectomy towards the end of Feb. I leave and try to carry on with life for a while... Chemo and Campervans http://angie.weblobe.net/Chemo_and_Campervans/index.html Ok so maybe putting <a href="/Chemo_and_Campervans/index.html" title="Chemo and Campervans">chemo and campervans</a> under the same section is a little odd but the fact of the matter is simply this. I will probably be spending most of the summer having chemo, it's not what you'd call a hobby by all accounts. It's doable but not fun. Now why the campervan... because it will be my escape pod. Tommy, Toby (a Border Collie) and I can just pile into the back at the first sign of a nice day and escape. So that's the plan. So I've been told repeatedly that the chemo can be done.... but can the campervan? Will we get it lined before my first treatment? Does FEC make planning wiring impossible? Watch this space... Angie's finally built her own website http://angie.weblobe.net/index.html So who or what am I. Why is my site made up of blogs when I hate blogs so much and why do I hate blogs. One day I might answer those questions, maybe ;) In the meantime you can read about my failures in gardening in the gardening section which will hopefully one day be a try useful resource to someone. My recipes in my food section (soon to be given over temporarily to things you can do with Pineapple and Mango I suspect.) My Work in Web development and Politics (my work does now cover both because I work with mysociety now). But the biggest section of this site for a while will be <a href="/Chemo_and_Campervans/index.html" title="Chemo and Campervans">chemo and campervans</a>. Mainly because we just bought a campervan. and I'll be starting chemo in a few weeks. I'll never complain again about about life being boring, but then I don't think I have since I was 14. old home http://angie.weblobe.net/old_home1.html Includes gardening, walking, web development and the occasional act of political activism. I guess that's going to change a bit because it's a bit like my day job now, the plan is to now help reform e-government rather than just bang on about it. I now work with mySociety. You can read all about the amazing projects they do at <a href="http://mySociety.org" target="_blank">http://mySociety.org</a> I'm a perl girl at heart. I love perl, I'm not an evangelist as such but you wouldn't want to try and take it away from me. I'm also getting up to speed with PHP, Ruby and loads of other bits and pieces, they're OK, I'm sure I'll get on fine with them but Perl will always have a place in my heart. Especially if it's object oriented and running under mod_perl. If you like beautiful photography then you should check out Tommy (my partner's) website: <a href="http://www.tommymartin.co.uk/" title="Tommy Martin Photography & Illustration - Tommy Martin" target="_blank">Tommy Martin's photography website</a>. We both live in bliss in Cumbria. When I say bliss I mean we work bloody hard but it's so idyllic up here that it just doesn't get to you the same way as it does in a city. <div class="break"></div><script type="text/javascript">var irr_lang = 'en';</script><script src="http://fragments.irrepressible.info/js/fragment-180.js" type="text/javascript"></script> 2007... the gardening year that wasn't http://angie.weblobe.net/Gardening/2007_the_gardening_year_that_wasn't.html Well that didn't work. Nothing worked. It turns out that that much rain isn't a good thing so 2007 was officially a wash out. I'll be trying again this year. Assuming my new job with MySociety and the chemo and the campervan don't prevent me from ever getting the seedlings in the ground. It must be said that my single courgette plant is currently on my bedroom windowsill and it's already flowering... gulp. MySociety http://angie.weblobe.net/Politics/MySociety.html I now work with mySociety. You can read all about the amazing projects they do at <a href="http://mySociety.org" target="_blank">http://mySociety.org</a> I'm learning an awful lot at the moment, or at least I was until I had one of those life changing moments, you know the kind, the ones in the movies that happen to some fictional character. But that's another section of the site... back to mysociety. It's an interesting mix of people and skills and ideas. Far too much to put into one blog posting so I'll keep adding things here. For now I must go and explain my long absence from posting. Old home http://angie.weblobe.net/Old_home.html Includes gardening, walking, web development and the occasional act of political activism. I guess that's going to change a bit because it's a bit like my day job now ;) Well finally I've put my own website up. It may possibly be the slowest and fastest website ever built in the history of woman. To build the site took me a total of 1 and a half minutes, plus 1 minute to upload 4 pics and then I'm off writing content. Pretty fast I hope you'd agree. The only catch is my day job is as a web developer and I coded the system this site (and lots of others) are running on. That took 2 years (I'm a bit of a perfectionist, don't get me wrong it's not perfect yet but it will be). Not to mention the 5 years building various custom sites that were all prototypes for the system before that. So this site really took 7 years and 2 minutes to build. I work Tommy at <a href="http://www.vertebrate.co.uk/" title="web development by vertebrate... - vertebrate" target="_blank">vertebrate</a>. He's the designer and I'm the programmer which is why my site will have loads of functions and his will look good. If you need a website (or want a website that's ready for you anywhere between 2 minutes and 7 years) do check out the <a href="http://www.vertebrate.co.uk/" title="web development by vertebrate... - vertebrate" target="_blank">Vertebrate</a> site. If you like beautiful photography then you should check out Tommy's website: <a href="http://www.tommymartin.co.uk/" title="Tommy Martin Photography & Illustration - Tommy Martin" target="_blank">Tommy Martin's photography website</a>. We both live in bliss in Cumbria. When I say bliss I mean we work bloody hard but it's so idyllic up here that it just doesn't get to you the same way as it does in a city. <div class="break"></div><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.pledgebank.com/celebrateyule/progress.js"></script><script type="text/javascript">var irr_lang = 'en';</script><script src="http://fragments.irrepressible.info/js/fragment-180.js" type="text/javascript"></script> ABELIA Evergreen Shrub http://angie.weblobe.net/Gardening/species/ABELIA_Evergreen_Shrub.html Fertile, well-drained soil in full sun, sheltered from cold dry winds. grandiflora AGM Axillary cymes and terminal panicles of funnel-shaped, fragrant, pink-tinged white flowers. Vigorous evergreen shrub with arching branches which produce ovate, glossy , dark green leaves. 3m x 4m. grandiflora â€˜Sunriseâ€™ A recent introduction with brightly variegated yellow and green leaves. Is this Cucumber Mosaic Virus http://angie.weblobe.net/Gardening/Is_this_Cucumber_Mosaic_Virus.html <a href="/images/image31.html" class="imgbox-full"><img src="/images/large/large31.jpeg" width="470" height="265" alt="Courgette leaf possibly with CMV" />Courgette leaf possibly with CMV</a> I pray that this isn't CMV (Cucumber Mosaic Virus). I lost my first 5 courgette plants to snails/slugs, the next 3 almost got lost to them but this one just about survived. The weather's been so drab that I'm yet to see a single female flower. I've got another 6 courgette seedlings to go out but who knows if they'll make it, they were mobbed by aphids the second they sprouted and that was on my windowsill inside. Are my capabilities to grow courgettes doomed I wonder. Grrrr. Not Minestrone http://angie.weblobe.net/Food/Not_Minestrone.html I can't call this recipe Minestrone because it will offend some italians and I wouldn't want to do that. it's inspired by it though and makes use of whatever veg you have available. Finely chop a big onion. Take a load of veg such as courgette, carrots, potatoes, cabbage or greens, leeks, whatever. As a general rule I always use some root veg and some greens, and almost always a courgette and some garlic. but if you've got fussy children you can use whatever you can force them to eat (or chop it so small that they can't spot it, works for me). How much soup you get depends on how much veg you put in but I like to make sure it's got nearly 1 quarter onions family, ie Onion, leeks, garlic etc. Do all this over a medium heat, not low and certainly not high. Fry the onion until softened. add the firmer vegs and fry for another 5 mins until it's sticking to the bottom of the pan, only add the stock about 3 mins AFTER you've got a good dark colour on the bottom of the pan, This nearly burnt stuff that's stuck to the bottom is caramelized onions and all the colour is the flavour, without this it's just veg soup and the warming amazing this this recipe is. keys for sedgefield http://angie.weblobe.net/Politics/keys_for_sedgefield.html About 2 years ago in 2005 I helped out by putting together a website for Reg Keys when he was campaigning against Tony Blair at the general election. Earlier this month the domain expired and it's been snapped up by an unnamed individual and it goes nowhere. I wonder if someones trying to remove it from the web. Sorry mate, it not that easy, some of us have backups and the bloody iraq war is still going on soooo.... <a href="http://regkeys.weblobe.net/" target="_blank">http://regkeys.weblobe.net/</a> Have a look, and see what may very well be one of the pictures to define Blairs record in History. The meaning of Life (Or Existence at least) http://angie.weblobe.net/Politics/The_meaning_of_Life_Or_Existence_at_least.html I'm 32, I've pretty much decided I won't have kids. But I think most of us have some form of calling to contribute something to society. Some people have children in the hope that they will do what they themselves didn't. I'm sure that doesn't apply to most people but I know some that it does apply to. To me that's kind of sad as it means they don't think they themselves have done anything significant so far. I've also been told that as you get older these things don't matter as much to you. As if you slowly let go of any notion that you could really do something. That scares the wits out of me. If that's' the case bring on the anti ageing drugs, I don't care about my skin as such but my mind that's another matter. So I've started growing my own veg. I plan to build a house in the middle of nowhere and collect my own water, harness power from the sun, the wind, the water and the earth (geothermal). Make my own compost, process my own waste in reed beds. So in essence I want to go self sufficient. What if I succeed will I be happy? I reckon probably not. This is because I would then be just existing. Fine for some maybe, but where's my legacy what in my life would I have contributed, created, done. Sure I've made Weblobe and that could be it. It certainly could allow other people to be empowered and maybe allowing other members of my planet to really make the most out of the web and have the same tools as companies that spend millions of dollars on their websites a year could be it. Weblobe is an unknown entity now, every single client does something I didn't imagine with it so maybe they'll change the world with it. I don't know. I could plant trees but then someone else may just cut them down. I could give to charity but as soon as I stop the people I supported would be in dire straits again. I could write to my MP, and I do, but results may vary. I could become an anarchist but I'm a database programmer and such order is actually something I kinda crave. At least data order. That's not to say I wouldn't like to overthrow the occasional incumbent government but that's a topic for another day. So I've worked out the following. I can't buy a legacy. I can't lobby for one. Planting things is great but not a future of mankind changing kind of thing. Those that create a movement or an idea have a lasting contribution. Ideas from people like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther_King,_Jr." title="Martin Luther King, Jr. - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia" target="_blank">Martin Luther King</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Babbage" title="Charles Babbage - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia" target="_blank">Charles Babbage</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Einstein" title="Albert Einstein - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia" target="_blank">Einstein</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plato" title="Plato - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia" target="_blank">Plato</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Hawking" title="Stephen Hawking" target="_blank">Stephen Hawking</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ada_Lovelace" title="Ada Lovelace - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia" target="_blank">Ada Byron</a> (a personal heroine of mine) have made a significant impact. In the case of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Einstein" title="Albert Einstein - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia" target="_blank">Einstein</a> it's a touch double edged because of his involvement in the development of atomic energy but someone was bound to discover that eventually and at least we got all the other ideas and theories too. Innovations such as solar energy, wind power, geothermal power, hydro power, insulations, telecomms, sewage, water distribution and the basic things that we all just can't live without in the west are other things that come to mind. These are what I call real legacies to mankind. Don't get me wrong but is weblobe one of those. I don't know. but I doubt it's the last thing I'll do... I hope. Blair Retires http://angie.weblobe.net/Politics/Blair_Retires.html So Tony Blair's finally announced when he's going to retire. It's all rather sad really. I've never been a Labour supporter perse but I have to admit they have done a lot of good things and I was like so many people very hopeful when they cam to power in 1997. But I'm not sure any of those things can counteract what's happened in Iraq personally. I've had many debates with friends about Iraq and blair, and bush, climate change, economics, technology and science and living in the UK is strange what really gets to be the most heated of debates. Not gun law, gay marriage or abortion, things that seem to cause so much division in the US but the Iraq war, well shall we say I've seen some pretty rational people show a side of themselves that honestly stunned me. I think discussing these things is really important, as is telling your MP what you think via services such as <a href="http://www.theyworkforyou.com/" title="TheyWorkForYou.com: Are your MPs and Peers working for you in the UK's Parliament?" target="_blank">TheyWorkForYou.com</a> but sometimes you're just a voice amongst the masses and that's how it should it be, that's democracy. However every so often you come across an opportunity to help someone who's really trying to initiate change and if you have a way to help them and you want to you find a way. Reg Keys wanted to make sure Tony Blair couldn't just dismiss the consequences of the war in Iraq at the last election and they needed help with the website. Weblobe had only had 1 site launched on it at that time and managing a website that's having press releases, testimonials of support and loads of other stuff shoved at it all hours day and night really is a good test and it was. I'm really glad that I got involved, it was a very manic month but when Reg got to tell Blair exactly how he felt about the consequences of Blair's decision it was worth it. So I don't generally post comments on other peoples blogs especially when it comes to political stuff, forgive me for saying this but there's just too many Trolls looking to goad people, I don't have time for that. I say get your own blog or website, actually do something if you truly feel strongly about something. It's so easy to say you care about something or hate something but it's all talk unless you actually take some form of action. Unless of course you're talking to your MP, that's different. For historical purposes: <a href="http://regkeys.weblobe.net/index.html" title="Reg Keys for Sedgefield: UK Election 2005: Reg Keys for Sedgefield Campaign" target="_blank">Reg Keys for Sedgefield website</a> Wow that was just over 2 years ago. So we didn't get to kick him out but he has gone and Iraq still haunts him, quite frankly until they find a way to bring back all the civilians who've been killed it should in my opinion. For the record yes I do think Sadam should have gone. He should have gone in way that had a long term plan and the backing of the UN. That's my point of view. The Plants http://angie.weblobe.net/Gardening/species/index.html Knowing nothing but being an information junkie (brain like a sponge... in a good way). I've picked a few things up from all these seed packets about growing things. It'll be interesting to see how these things hold up but heres a few common things that seem to be on almost every packet. Some are so obvious that you really should take time out to have a good think about it if they don't seem it... my fave so far for example is: Transplant when large enough to handle. As opposed to what, waiting until they've grow good strong roots in the seed bed or trying to move them when you can barely see them, are there really any plants that should be moved when their barely touchable? Water well during dry periods... as opposed to what leaving them to die? Unless otherwise specified it seems the following are good rules to follow for most veg. sow thinly in a finely raked seedbed at a depth of 13mm (half an inch) or sow directly at the same depth. Cover lightly with soil. Use good quality compost* Manure is a good idea but you shouldn't fertilise/manure in the same year as you apply lime if you need to raise your PH. do the liming and manure spreading on alternate years, and some leave for a year in between too. <ul><li>although I've been told that using soil that's too rich for sowing seed can cause plants to bolt as they get too much nutrient). You can get pretty good organic compost at decent prices now, and make your own. We live in one of the colder parts of England (Cumbria) so it takes ages to get good compost, so we're looking at getting a wormery instead and I've heard good things about these compost bins that you just turn once a day (they spin). But I still prefer the wormery idea, let them do the work. </li></ul><h2>Lime: raising your PH</h2> It seems that lime takes up to 6 months to work on the soil (unless you use quick lime/hydrated lime) which is a bad idea if you're growing veg in that soil already. And don't apply too much at once or you can shock you soil. Quick lime is a short cut that I really don't like the sound of personally. It's nasty on human skin, can burn your veg's roots. I'd rather wait the 6 months and risk growing veg in acid conditions in the meantime if I must. My soil is currently really acid so cabbage and brassicas are no go for me but I'm going to sow a few seeds in plugs and plant out and see what happens for purely scientific purposes. That's one thing you'll get to know about me. I'm a control freak, or rather a control group freak. I like to have results to compare to otherwise how do you know whether that received wisdom is so wise ;) Cabbage 'Greyhound' http://angie.weblobe.net/Gardening/species/Cabbage_Greyhound.html Brassica oleracea capitata 'Greyhound' Sow thinly Mar-Jun into finley raked seedbed, depth 13mm. Germination 7-12 days. Transplant allowing 30 cm between plants. Sow early February under glass or in succession outdoors March-July. Chicory 'Sugar Loaf' http://angie.weblobe.net/Gardening/species/Chicory_Sugar_Loaf.html Cichorium intybus 'Sugar Loaf' Likes a sunny position. Sow thinly direct into a moist warm soil that's been finely raked. Sow at a depth of 6-13mm in rows about 38cm apart. Germination 7-14 days. Thin to leave 25cm between plants. From sowing to crop: 20-22 weeks. Looks like a well-grown cos-type lettuce, with a firm heart which will stand over a long period. Use thinnings in salads. Water well during dry periods (as opposed to leaving to die ;) Best results are obtained from a June-July sowing in rows about 38cm (15inches) apart for use from October onwards. Cut heads in late autumn and use immediately or store in a cool shed. Apparently sowing to early can cause bolting. Carrot 'St. Valery' http://angie.weblobe.net/Gardening/species/Carrot_St_Valery.html Daucus carota. Sow thinly direct into a moist warm soil that's been finely raked. Sow at a depth of 13mm in rows about 30cm apart. Germination 15-20 days. From sowing to crop: 20-22 weeks. Reliable maincrop variety producing long, tapering roots; excellent for winter storage. Sow March to July and store maincrop roots in dry sand or soil until ready to use. Carrot Maestro F1 http://angie.weblobe.net/Gardening/species/Carrot_Maestro_F1.html Sow thinly direct into a moist warm soil that's been finely raked. Sow at a depth of 13mm in rows about 30cm apart. Germination 13-20 days. From sowing to crop: 20 weeks. Carrot Fly resistance shown, with superior quality, reliability and excellent taste. Particularly suitable for organic growing. Grows well in an open position on light righ soil which has not been recently manured. Carrot fly is attracted by thinning, so try to avoid thinning at all. If plants are overcrowded, carefully pull alternate roots when small and use whole. Broccoli, White Sprouting http://angie.weblobe.net/Gardening/species/White_Sprouting_Late_Brocolli.html Brassica oleracea Available as late and early varieties. Information for late variety. Sow thinly and directly into finely rakes seedbed. Depth 13mm. (going to try plugs as in Cumbria) Germination 7-12 days. When large enough to handle transplant allowing 60cm between plants in each direction. likes alkaline soil. apply nitrogen rich fertiliser in winter to increase yield. harvest following year. Beetroot, Boltardy http://angie.weblobe.net/Gardening/species/Beetroot_Boltardy.html Early Beets. Choose a sunny site and sow thinly direct into a moist warm soil that's been finely raked. Sow at a depth of 13mm in rows about 30cm apart. Germination 10-14 days. Thin to leave 25-50mm between plants. Grows best in soil that has not been recently manured. water well in dry weather. Successional sowing for continuous crops. sowing to crop - 12 weeks. Nutrition: Vitamin C, Potassium, good for the immune system. Blue Lake French Climbing Bean http://angie.weblobe.net/Gardening/species/Blue_Lake_French_Climbing_Bean.html Produces a heavy crop of green beans that reach 6 to 7 inches in length. Unlike Runner Beans, this bean variety does not require the presence of bees for pollination. The jade green coloured pods are ideal for canning or freezing, are stringless and are high in Vitamins A, B and C. Some form of support is necessary to grow this bean variety as the vines will reach 7 feet in height. Matures in 55 to 65 days. Dried, the small white seeds can be used in the same way as Haricot Beans. Origin: <a href="/Gardening/species/Blue_Lake_French_Climbing_Bean.html" title="Blue Lake French Climbing Bean">Blue Lake</a> area near Ukiah, California. Web Development http://angie.weblobe.net/Web_Development/index.html There will be quite a bit in this section over time but for now all you need to know is I programmed weblobe and the little weblobe bug below says all that needs to be said really. Confessions of a Foodie http://angie.weblobe.net/Food/index.html So I live in Cumbria. I'm surrounded by fells full of sheep and cows that are mostly organic, and if not they're pretty much organic, aka Fell Bred (the fells are far too big to cover in pesticides). There's also lots of organic veg produced around here. Tourism is Cumbria's main industry now but food production hasa got to be a close second. I'll be dedicating a section of this site to various sources of local Cumbrian food some time in the future as there are many sites with list of some but nothing I'd personally call comprehensive, and I've looked. But this section is about what I make. Soda Bread (with a Kenwood Chef) http://angie.weblobe.net/Food/Soda_Bread_with_a_Kenwood_Chef.html My first attempt at soda bread. I was recently given a Kenwood chef (an old 70s one, still going strong) and I slightly overcooked it and put in sage which doesn't taste the same unless it's been cooked first. Next time I'll fry in butter first, the sage made the bread taste a little antiseptic for my taste. Here's the recipe: <ul><li>220gm plain (unbleached flour)</li><li>110gm coarse wholemeal flour</li><li>1 tbl sp bicarbonate of soda (bread soda)</li><li>1 tea sp baking powder.</li><li>240 ml - 480ml buttermilk (or half and half yogurt and water). (start with 240ml)</li></ul> Preheat oven to 220c <h2>Kenwood Chef method:</h2> Mix all dry ingredient with the dough hook, add liquid a little at time, if it gets too sticky add a little more flour. it's right what it all forms a ball around the hook and you can pull it of the hook without it just sticking to your fingers like glue. No need to knead. <h2>By Hand:</h2> Mix in a bowl again adding liquid a little at time. Form into a ball and flatten slightly onto a floured baking sheet. It is traditional to cut a cross on the top of the bread. place on baking tray and cook for 10 mins at 220c then turn down to 190 and cook for 20 to 40 mins longer. To test whether it's ready tap the bottom, when it sounds hollow it's ready. You can add all sorts of flavourings. I'll add my faves as I find them. It only keeps a day so eat while nice and warm. Great if you're on a yeast free diet for any reason. <a href="/images/image4.html" class="imgbox-full"><img src="/images/large/large4.jpg" width="470" height="313" alt="DSC_2496" />DSC_2496</a> New Spinach plants, is there something wrong with them? http://angie.weblobe.net/Gardening/New_Spinach_plants_is_there_something_wrong_with_them.html <a href="/images/image2.html" class="imgbox-full"><img src="/images/large/large2.jpg" width="470" height="313" alt="DSC_2497" />DSC_2497</a> I bought these spinach plants 2 days ago from the local nursery and noticed these little white eggs/crystals on the this afternoon while I was taking them out to harden them. I shall be popping over the ever so useful <a href="http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/grapevine/" title="Grapevine Forum - Grow Your Own - GYO Allotments, Growing Fruit & Vegetable Advice, Gardening, Chickens, Seeds for Sale & Organic foods" target="_blank">grapevine forum</a> to see what they think. If you're an experienced gardener or a complete newbie like me you too could learn to love the grapevine community, they're a lovely bunch or people. The <a href="http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/grapevine/" title="Grapevine Forum - Grow Your Own - GYO Allotments, Growing Fruit & Vegetable Advice, Gardening, Chickens, Seeds for Sale & Organic foods" target="_blank">Grapevine Forum</a> Gardening http://angie.weblobe.net/Gardening/index.html I'm pretty new at this gardening stuff. In 2006 I managed to grow 1 courgette plant, 1 tomato, 4 parsnips and not kill the herbs that were already there. This gave me hope. This year I'm going for it. Read on for my triumphs and failures...