"Always something there to delay me..."

...as Sandy Shaw famously once never sang.

Despite the Solar Fence project being started back in December, with the panels mounted well before Christmas, they still aren't connected to the grid! There are two reasons for this (three, if you count my laziness): First, the hideous, wonky patio we inherited from the previous owners of Chateau Lessgrid was apparently laid by gentlemen with horses and stetsons. Consequently, it sits too high against the house and, while not breaching the damp course, it is perilously close. Close enough to warrant digging out and relaying a good few inches lower. Secondly, ever since discovering the aforementioned patio problem, the effects of climate change appear to have singled out our garden for special attention and rarely has there been a dry day. (Well, there have been a few, but we've buggered off out for a walk when that's happened. Too nice to stay at home digging...) Anyway, it's all conspired to delay installation of the main cable between panels and house, which will be running under the patio. Nevertheless, I am still hopeful that the installation will be complete before we lose an ice cap.

Lavender doing well

On a happier note, plans to turn this previously neglected end of the patio into a micro nature reserve are ticking along quite nicely. January saw an explosion of snowdrops under the panels and now, as February draws to a close, daffodils are about to put in an appearance. It looks like the ground under the panels receives a good amount of dappled sunlight, which should be good for shade-tolerating woodland plants. Plans to plant the area in front of the array with lavender are in hand. Deb has got a propagator on the go and already we have plenty of seedlings appearing. We're growing Hidcote and Munstead strains, both chosen for their compact size and fragrant, bee-friendly flowers.

World's first solar powered bird box?

Finally, a couple of weeks ago, in a fit of sudden, uncharacteristic activity, I stuck a spare bird box to the end of the timber array frame. The local blue tits have been in and out on a daily basis ever since, so I am hopeful that we will see a pair take up residence when the nesting season gets underway.