PRINCE OF WALES GARDEN: DAY 3

I've now gone as far in as planned. 

Mainly what I've done today is cutting down trees and bushes.

The garden waste pile has now grown to way bigger than me.

I've cleared all the grass and stuff from underneath one of the trees.

I only had like 3-4 hours available today to work, but still got a fair share done. Early in the morning I phoned up the Council to let them know what kind of waste that needed collection. If they think they can forget me, they'll have to think twice, haha. That said, they've really been great so far. After 20 minutes (!), one of the Environment Department managers, Neil, and another employee, Paul, was at my door. I was quite shocked at that, didn't expect them to come that quick. They took a look around and I explained what I was doing and why and they really liked it. Neil took some pictures of the broken/stolen fence and said that they will come and set up a new one. And Paul is coming back next week some time to collect all the rubbish.

I'm really enjoying this, good workout and much fun! Even though my arms and legs are filled with small scratches from the bushes and branches, but details details.

My plan is to host a BBQ or something similar when it's all done. Hopefully I can manage to get the Evening Post (South Wales biggest newspaper) to cover it. Was a couple of people that stopped and waved today, so hopefully people will notice the progress.

Again, if anyone in Swansea is full of energy and wants to do some good, you're more than welcome to come down!

Today's song: Calvin Harris - Feel so close

PRINCE OF WALES GARDEN: DAY 2

YESTERDAY

What I've done today

Mainly focused on part A today, same tomorrow. Because that is the area that needs the most work really.

Managed to cut, saw, pull and rake up a nice big pile today. It's about my height!

One pile of today's junk...

I've managed to remove all the torn bushes from the front side of the tree. My legs are now full of small cuts, but it's worth it.

That massive bush is now gone.

Another pile of rubbish.

And I've taken great care in preserving the Blue Bells. My house mate told me to be careful, because cutting down Blue Bells is illegal in the UK, which I didn't know. 

So what did I find today?
A left children's shoe, a right ladies shoe, about 30 bottles/cans, bags, a large carpet and enough black tiles to redecorate two bathrooms (if the hadn't been broken). Plus some other stuff. It's really disgusting what people throw away!

I also went to see the Council today about my project. They agreed to come and pick up all the rubbish. And I also said that if did a good job, could I have a nice bin placed in the "garden"? And she said bring them in and we'll see what we can do. I assume much of the cans come from a VERY VERY small selection of football supporters. (The reason why I ASSUME it's supporters is because everytime there was a match on, we'd always find new cans, haha ). Our road is one of the routes people that come from town and the train use to get to the stadium.

Believe me, I will hold the Council to their words. If they try to take me on, they're going to get a hell of a fight! I'm like my mum in that way, WE LOVE to fight with the government for what's right. Who knows how many time my mother was in the newspaper for something, normally related to my sisters kindergarten and later school.

Tomorrow more work will follow, so stay tuned.

Today's song: The Script - The man who can't be moved

PRINCE OF WALES GARDEN

Next to our houses there's a patch of land, which I believe is the Council's, and it's all filled with tall grass, bushes and worst of all rubbish! People tend to throw stuff out in here! For months now I've been wanting to turn this into an urban park, but have been too busy with uni. Now that I'm done, I can start and hopefully work way into next week. 

Just cleared most of the rubbish, then grass cutting time.

After grass is cut.

So why am I doing this? Well this has annoyed me for months now. Even though it's not on our land, it's next to our house. Basically if something looks shit, people are going to treat it like shit. And there's no point in me just sitting here complaining about this. If I want something fixed, it's up to myself to do it. I think it's a shame when people just sit there complaining and don't do anything about the problem when they clearly can. AND besides, it's a great workout!

I want to create a sort of urban "park"/"garden".  My landlord was kind enough to lend me all the tools I need, rake, grass trimmer, hedge trimmer and a spade. One of my mates found some good wood we could get for free to make benches and hopefully the Environment department will donate a bin for the "garden". I did talk to them a couple a months back about it and they seemed positive, so just hoping if I get this to look good that they will place one there.

The yellow area is the general area I'm working on, but mainly focusing on the front part. With the help of Google Earth, I calculated that the area I'm clearing is about 150 m2 / 1600 ft2. Problem is that this green area have been neglected for years, so that means bushes, grass and tree have been left to themselves. Which normally is fine, but because vegetation so dense here, the main trees are not growing right because of the lack of space. So my plan is to chop of the damaged branches and get rid of/trim the bushes. Then even out the ground afterwards. Also I'm going to remove the aluminium poles which is left after someone stole the fence a few years back. Yes I know , crazy, but you could fetch a good price for the metal then.

And in a perfect dream world the Council would donate some flowers to plant, but doubt that will happens though (I will try to apply for it).

Oh and guess what I found in the tall grass today? ....Two old nappies! Ehw.... I think it's DISGUSTING what people get themselves to throw away. I've found two car tires, a mattress, tubes, a bunch of beer bottles, like 30 books and wood. But I will get there. So if anyone in Swansea want to come and help turn this into a "proper" Prince of Warden garden, then come along! I'll be working for the next five days or so, at least.

Stop waiting for change to happen. Be the change! Take control. If you're unhappy about something in life, change it. This might be work, school or love, what's holding you back? CHANGE = moving forward in life

Today's song: Katy Perry - Firework

HOMEMADE NORWEGIAN BREAD

I love baking bread. Gives you such a great feeling and perfect if you're angry. And besides I like having control over what I eat. I can't stand loaf! It's too white and hardly keeps you full, no fibre. There's nothing better than a fresh piece of warm home made bread with butter! Yummy!

Ingredients
175ml full-fat milk
175ml water
2 tbsp dark soft brown sugar
1 x 7g sachet of fast-action dried yeast
250g rye flour
200g strong white flour, plus extra for dusting
1 tbsp fine sea salt
2 tsp caraway seeds
1 tbsp sunflower seeds
sunflower oil, for greasing

Preparation method
1. Put the milk, water and sugar in a small saucepan and heat very gently, stirring constantly, for just a few seconds until the liquid is lukewarm and the sugar has dissolved. Remove the pan from the heat and pour the mixture into a bowl.
2. Stir in the yeast and leave for 10 minutes until there is a light froth floating on the surface.
3. Put all the flour, rye and white, in a large bowl, stir in the salt and caraway seeds, then make a well in the centre. Pour the warm yeast mixture on to the flour and mix with a wooden spoon and then your hands to form a soft, spongy dough.
4. Turn the dough out on to a well-floured surface and knead for 10 minutes or until it is smooth and elastic. Kneading this dough can be hard work so you’ll need to roll up your sleeves and give it some welly.
5. Put the dough in a large, lightly oiled bowl and cover loosely with oiled cling film. Leave to rise in a warm place for about 1½ hours or until it has doubled in size.
6. Put the dough on a floured work surface and knock it back with your knuckles, then knead for another minute.
7. Shape the dough into a fat oval or round loaf, pulling the dough from the top and sides and tucking it underneath to make a neat shape.
8. Place the loaf on a baking tray lined with baking parchment and score the surface 4 times with a sharp knife. Cover it loosely with the oiled cling film and leave to prove for a further 40–50 minutes until it has doubled in size once more.
9. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4. Bake the loaf in the centre of the oven for 40 minutes or until it is well risen and the base sounds hollow when tapped sharply. Cool for at least 20 minutes before serving.


Go baking!