Monday 8 February 2010

Still a bit wintery so, although we sent out quite a few orders this week and one or two top ups, we have not hit big time busy yet.  It’s a shame for the cash-flow but not the end of the world on the nursery.  We have been finishing off some off our contract potting, which was a bit later than planned, due to a late pot delivery (caused by the idiot who ordered everything else forgetting this one order, you just can’t get the management).
We had a bit of a team session and sorted out a more efficient despatch set up, with some new benches and an adjusted process, which will simplify things for when the seasonal staff start. We have just about finished our winter whittling, a new job this year, repairing any damaged wooden boxes and inserts. A good week outside.

More frustrating, was the fiasco in the office where our computer turmoil continues. A mega spanner fell into the works on Wednesday. Suddenly we lost all internet access on all computers. Turned it all on and off again to no avail. Naturally assumed it was something I had done, so spent ages messing about with settings and cables trying to sort it. I eventually phoned our broadband supplier spending a couple of hours trying to get it to go. They gave up saying they would call me back later, with a level 2 engineer. No call. While we were waiting Caroline suggested we test the dedicated broadband phone line, which I must admit I thought was daft, as the router it plugs into, showed it was connected. Anyway, as I always do as I’m told, we borrowed a neighbours BT phone (ours don’t work on direct plug ins) and plugged it in. We then phoned the line number which rang on our phoning out phone but not on the actual plugged in phone. We then did the opposite, and phoned into our system, everything rang ok, but a different appeared number on the phone display.  BT had accidentally changed our number at the exchange!  It then took them two attempts and 24 hrs to put it right, by which time it had completely confused the broadband connection back at the main server.  Once the line was corrected it took another half hour on the phone to Orange before it all came back on at 5.15 on Friday.  During the down time we also lost all the internal network, for several hours, when the confusion of extra test cables and various plug in combinations confused the whole system and particularly me.  Had to turn off everything in the end and refit cables before it all sprang back into life.  Such a silly mistake, not even by me, caused so much chaos it’s quite scary.

Oil delivery came on Tuesday (ordered on 5th Jan), but house boiler refused to start until man came to hit it on Thursday. A week with no heat certainly makes you appreciate the central heating system when it returns!

Other stuff generally going well, although this time of year always carries an air of PST (pre season tension) with its mixture of excitement of sales to come and fear of how we will get through the work load. Having been doing it for as long as I have, I now know that we can do it and do it well, but every year is different and throws up its own challenges (as above). I suppose in the end it depends on your approach to the challenges, you can dread them or relish them, and that is actually your choice.

Don’t forget the GAN trade show on Wednesday, we’ll be there.
Eco Update

Had a visit from prospective MP and a city councillor this week, very positive on wind turbine plans.  A couple of other positive letters from neighbours and still no negatives, so quietly pleased.  Still no reaction from Parish councils directly so I will have to chase them up and see what they would like us to do (presentation/nursery visit) to help.

You can access the outline proposal in our ‘Dear Neighbour’ letter and the full details of the planning backup documentation at;

http://www.kirtonfarm.co.uk/ and http://www.hairypotplants.co.uk/

Don't forget to do your bit.
Have a good week.

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