Title: Comment: <p><a href="http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=2lbm58i&s=7"><img alt="View Full Size Image" src="http://i53.tinypic.com/2lbm58i_th.jpg" /></a>    <a href="http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=33vfb04&s=7"><img alt="View Full Size Image" src="http://i54.tinypic.com/33vfb04_th.jpg" /></a></p><p> </p><p>We dont normaly get to excited about a trip to RC HQ , but to be honest yesterday was especially different.</p><p>Both Kristine and I are Landrover fans so when we arrived at RC Autumn Fair and I saw the Gastrowaggon in a fully reconditioned state I could barely control my excitement. The Man behind the restoration is Mr Jes Brito who I had the pleasure of meeting and talking Landys with.</p><p>This guy is very driven and commited to fresh wild food and we fully support what he has re created. </p><p>It is a perfect reconstruction of the cook on the wild side original Landrover and beautifully done.</p><p>Everything else was also fine and we were happy to leave with some nice fresh bread and honey and also a new Chilli plant from Michael and  Joy Michauds Sea spring seed company.</p><p>Everyone was there including Hugh who was busy chatting with people and  signing books. </p><p>It really was a great day and to end it we took a trip over to West Bay and had fish and Chips on the Beach.</p><p> </p><p>I  have a feeling this might be the last day of summer and a great way to end it.</p><p> </p> Submit > < Back

Title: Comment: <p><strong><u></u></strong></p><p><strong><u></u></strong></p><p>I was wondering when does a smallholder or in fact anyone say that the year starts or ends?</p><p>Some say Jan 1st after the NYE hangover some say when the first peas come or when the full on harvesting takes place in August and September.</p><p>I can be measured by the reproductive cycles of animals we eat spring lamb for example.</p><p>Perhaps a Christmas turkey. </p><p>As a fan of Autumn I like to think our smallholding year seems to start in October.</p><p>I appreciate this may be a little weird in comparison to say the Jan 1st thought line, but it is the time when we start preparing for the future twelve months, like say the following years growing cycle how much fire wood we will need to see us through the winter what seed catalogues to choose shall we do more raised beds what about fruit trees etc etc.</p><p>The seasons seem to dominate everything but I wanted try and think about where the beginning and endings are or perhaps there is no end just an endless rolling 12 months where you just repeat the same things over and again trying to take out the mistakes as we go along.</p><p>The Jan / Dec is a simple way to go and I think it is tried and tested but when I looked at the way the last few years had gone if I am honest we seem to make the biggest plans in October and start there. </p><p>Christmas is a pretty big deal in our family but then most of our food for the celebration was put in place months before, not necessarily October albeit most of the presents are purchased by then, hmmm. </p><p>More that after Christmas we seem to be in the middle of winter that we set up for six months before and looking forward to summer and blue sky days six months ahead.</p><p>So we have chosen to split the difference and have the beginning of the year in October.</p><p>Having said that it's only an experiment and we could of course start planning anytime.</p><p>Some people say it's the spring planting season that is the beginning some say the harvest time especially with all the preserving that can be done September can be a pretty stressful month. Looking back October is generally quieter and gives us chance to think ahead. </p><p>It's a good time.</p> Submit > < Back

Title: Comment: <p> </p><p>Well it's been a pretty good growing season for us so far, and I must not complain as most of what has gone into the ground has managed to come out again and is all putting on great growth.<br />I suppose if I have one gripe it would be I would have liked to see a little more rain over the land as on our plot we have to bring water in as where the veg is growing there is no ready water supply, never mind looking out of the window right now that particular aspect of things has been covered with rain coming down like stair rods!.</p><p>This has me wondering one of the greatest skills seems not only to prevent pest's weeds and the like but to be able to deal with the immanent onslaught  of over production of crops.<br />Some things like spuds are always taken care of but sometimes we are bombarded with extra strawberries or tomatoes and lets not forget the runner bean , last year we had enough to make a runner bean mountain far too many even having passed them off as gifts and give aways there are always too many.<br />I  know we should perhaps moderate the planting but we are always worried about pest attack and die off etc so each year the same glut arrives.<br />Not being one to throw anything away I will always try to preserve swap give away and when all else is lost  it's  compost.!<br />How do we deal with the glut of over production , I am sure we are not alone in this respect, where does it all go ?</p> Submit > < Back

Title: Comment: <p>In the last  twelve months or so we have turned over the idea of re locating time and again, but have not taken the plunge and at the moment we are still looking.</p><p>We have looked at  every part of the country and have come to realise there is  a significant differnce in price and availability. The agents will all say the market is seller heavy and therefore the choice is endless.</p><p>We have made numerous trips and tried to find the exact place  from region to region , we have visited Scotland England and Wales and seen  quite a lot of  prospective small holder living sites and feel that we are narrowing down the field ( pardon the pun) to the westcountry .</p><p>We both come from Devon where we grew up and therfore have an affinity with the South West, so its not supprising we are looking to return to our roots.</p><p>Having drawn inspiration from RC We have just returned from  a weekend in   Dorset where to be honest we were very very drawn to. The county seems to have everything  plenty of coast not to far from London and a very friendly welcome from the locals. One negative seems to be the price , most  of what we looked at seemed quite expensive for what you actually get in terms of land and floorspace, especially west Dorset where it really seems to lift off. Looking at the current market we are told that this is a great time to buy as prices have leveled off and represent good value for money, if you look just over the boarder into Somerset there can be as much as a 25% decrease in value and still be more or less in the same area, it's wierd and doesnt seem to add up.</p><p>None the less we have fallen for the Beaminster area and have drawn up a plan that means we will move within the next 12 months.</p><p>Its no big deal really my best friend has just relocated to Nova Scotia Canada and is having a great life so Oxfordshire to Dorset should be ok ;)</p><p>I was wondering how much the RC community in general has considered where we all choose to live ?, I appreciate some folk dont have a choice though life situations work family etc but given the choice where in the UK would you all chose to be ?, We have chosen Dorset/ Devon area , due to the warmer climate friendly folk and proximity to London , but thats just an individual choice what about the rest of us?</p><p>Just a thought ..........................</p><p> </p><p> </p> Submit > < Back

Title: Comment: <p>Now this question posed is in fact inviting multiple answers, what I am eluding to is not just self supporting growing and general well being, I would like to think more directed at not just the seasons but the time we are living through right now.</p><p>Spring has always been seen as a new beginning time for change hence the term spring clean, time to look forward to new growth. The fertility rituals and dances are formed with new life and the origin set in place and celebrated at the Mayday celebrations.</p><p>Now I am no expert but I think it's fair to say I that most people favour spring and early summer to any other time, and in many situations this time is used to certain effect for celebrations such as weddings and sometimes christenings</p><p>A general election is a spring business, and most of the school academic year seems to come to a climax with exams and final papers being written up in June and July at the heart of the summer. Spring and summer fetes pop up all over the place and as a general rule people set new business / and tax years all around the beginning of April.</p><p>We think of the possibility of a warm summer ahead , it's all still possible at the moment nothing has happened to disrupt it  we could even win the football world cup in June everything is up for grabs.</p><p>I heard the best time to put a property on the market is April May time as we can expect the feel good factor to lift our expectations of moving on to better things with change ahead.</p><p> </p><p>So I now turn to the time we are in to be a little more precise the decade, we have just entered the second decade of this century we are surrounded by change morally economically politically, and lets not forget climate change and all the associated arguments there. Would it be better to have jump back in time to the 60 s or 70 s and re live the hey day of the sexual revolution mass strikes the use of DDT expansion of the cold war I am not so sure.</p><p>The thing is downsizing, self supporting has always been available as a lifestyle as it links people with nature and life from origin to death, and there is no better time to take it head on as spring. </p><p>Remember the very first RC series when Hugh first went to the little Dorset cottage ?, if I recall it was the spring that set it off  with him uprooting a flower bed in favour of growing on some lovely vegetables for the summer ahead. I believe when you are involved in this type of lifestyle the decade wont really matter every year has something up it's sleeve to surprise us so long as the cycle of growing fresh clean healthy food comes and go's spring will always be the origin. Just look at the activity on this blog site with people showing an interest in the newness and hope given by spring. This Easter the garden centres throughout the land will be full of hopeful folk all looking towards the growing season vegetable seed sales now way outstrip flowers, why is that??</p><p>I believe the answer is quite simple the thought of growing on and living a more sustainable fresh lifestyle gives hope for the future a prospect of much better things to come, eg strawberries (not those flown in tasteless watery things in the supermarket now) fresh vegetables spring lambs, hog roasts at summer fetes, fresh tomatoes carrots peas onions the list is endless, and it is all to come in the next few months.</p><p>I like most folk have toiled and spent hours setting up my plot wanting success for the future, everything is either in the ground or close to being prepared for germination and many thousands of others are doing the same. This is a very exciting time of change for everyone.</p><p>As soon as the wet windy dampness of April shakes it's self into order we will be off flat out into what I hope is a very productive and exciting summer ahead.</p><p>See you all in the sunshine ahead.</p><p>Martin</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> Submit > < Back

Comment: I have just got some First earlies from B&Q. It was my intention to chit them and plant them in about three weeks. When I opened up the bags they had quite long chitted stems some as long as three inches ! My question is should I put them in straight away ? My ground is prepared and the trench is and manured etc. Submit > < Back

Title: Comment: <p align="center" style="text-align: center"><strong><u>His tiny paws are frozen</u></strong></p><p><u></u></p><p><u></u></p><p>Well as we can all clearly see the grip of winter is all over us.</p><p>As a general rule we take each season as it comes and try and work around it accordingly.</p><p>Now most folk I know who happen to work on the land or outside say the best place for snow is on Christmas cards and no where else.</p><p>This morning I became aware of what harsh weather can do to a dog.</p><p>We have three dogs, two Patterdale terriers and one old Lab X rescue.</p><p>The old one has for many years worked along side his younger partners and is as good as any of them in general pest control ( Ratting etc) , but this morning I noticed a difference in him that I had not seen before. Of late he has slowed down and become more sluggish, in part due to a little too much over eating and lack of exercise (sound familiar?) anyway on the morning run I noticed he kept laying on his side and shaking his paws as if he had something in them. On closer inspection I could only see compacted ice in between the pads that was obviously pushed in following his running about on the snow.</p><p>Now it's been particularly cold with us over the last couple of days, not quite North America freezing but still deeply penetratingly cold with the wind-chill.</p><p>Now Hugo that's the old one had to be carried home and had to rest up by the wood burner to that out his frozen paws. It's a little sad to see age creeping up on an old friend he is about twelve now and didn't have a great start in life so has done very well so far.</p><p>It has made me think that in nature the frozen winter has a knack of finishing off the weak and old, now please understand I do not foresee the end for him anytime soon in fact the vet recently said he was in rude health for a fat old boy but the weather has certainly played a part in his reluctance to get out and about. </p><p>The other two are as robust and excitable as ever and still keen as mustard to go down to the Farm grain store to work. </p><p>Some folk say we should put food out for wild birds and support them in times of harsh weather, I must say we do this from time to time but have to wonder how much difference it can make in the long run as the east wind bites so things move on.</p><p>I don't give the dog's gifts at Christmas but this year maybe I would think about some pad covers to repel ice and snow, it's the least I could do for him.</p><p> </p><p>The allotment is covered by a blanket of ice and snow, this I am pleased with as it means the Parsnips will be crunchy fresh for the big feast next week and nature is busy breaking up clumps of soil with the freeze thaw action therefore making my job in a few weeks so much easier. No grass to cut nothing to water and no need for a fan in the bedroom to aid cool peaceful sleep.</p><p>The food is better for me this time of year, I like hot roast meats and root veg, and I like hot puddings and anything that warms the cockles. The BBQ idea from Mrs B was a great way of hitting back at the cold it's out way of saying we can be here and eat right in the heart of the storm every season gives and sometimes takes away you cant beat nature but you can trick it a little and dodge the worst bits.</p><p>I see Christmas as the Peak of the hill it's a time to re think the previous year and prepare ourselves for a new and gentle meander down through the end of winter into spring and then on to the warm flat plains of summer. Merry Christmas M&K</p> Submit > < Back

Title: Comment: <p>This morning at 0630 we took out four Gloucester old spots to the Abattoir. </p><p>This entry is really a follow on from the last ( its not all  food it's more than that ) when I was stressing about killing them due to the bond we had built during the last six months. </p><p>The strange thing is when I loaded them there was absolutely not hesitation in them whatsoever they ran up the ramp and couldn't get in the stock wagon fast enough. I padded it out with fresh straw and made the 20 minute journey. I made sure we were there first and on arrival my only anxiety was not being very good at reversing , after a couple of tries we were in. As Hugh once said in one of his films I was there at the beginning and it was only fitting I was there at the end. They were taken away around the corner to a holding pen whilst I handed over the paperwork.</p><p>This took a couple of minutes and  then I was off. I was assured that they were first in line and by the time I was home ( about 20 minutes drive) they would be dead. I am feeling very satisfied with the whole experience because I have been assured it is done fast and clean and with an on site vet there was the added feeling of satisfaction when I was complemented on the good standard of animal I had produced. </p><p>This is not the first time I had been there but the first time I really took notice of what was going on. </p><p>I feel completely satisfied and relieved , a strange feeling as I had feared feeling very sad, on the contrary I feel fine. I spent last night preparing a joint list, this is a private arrangement I have with them as I don't feel I have all the skills yet to prepare the best cuts. I will be calling next Tuesday to arrange collection. </p><p>When I arrived back at the Farm I spent some time cleaning and sterilising the wagon and then stripping out and cleaning the Ark feed trough and drinking vessel etc.</p><p>It is all now packed away and set aside for the next occupants sometime next year.</p><p>As this year closes in not everything has gone brilliantly but this part of the Smallholding project most definatly has. I will celebrate their return with a family roast a kind of celebration of product.</p><p>Thanks for taking the time to read this.</p><p>Martin and Kristine</p> Submit > < Back

Comment: I have just picked some field mushrooms and noticed that when I cut them open I could see some very small black things tunneling inside the flesh of the mushroom. They are very small ( about half the size of a flea) and appear as little black spots . When I approached them with the tip of my knife i noticed they jump jest a few millimetres but it's without a doubt a little jump ! I suppose cooking them would kill them none the less once I had eyes on my appetite for them dissapeared. simple question .......what re they please ? Martin Submit > < Back

Title: Comment: <p>   What I mean is................................</p><p> </p><p>I have been increasingly aware of the imminent approach of the slaughter date of my Gloucester Old Spot pigs.</p><p>Now under normal circumstances I can be pretty matter of fact about it, and I have not had these feelings before. I have always taken the approach well they wouldn't have a life (and a pretty good one at that) if it were not for the end game i.e. food production.</p><p>The problem I am facing this time is I have made a bond with them and if I am honest I am really struggling with the thought of taking them to the abattoir.</p><p>I will ultimately do it as both Kristine and I are committed to changing our lives for the better through all of the principals laid down in Smallholding/ Downshifting particularly through the writings and films made by Hugh over the last ten years or so.</p><p>It's just that sometimes it's so damn hard to actually look at something and think I am going to kill cook and eat you!</p><p>Another example was a recent event in our small poultry flock. We had a bit of a clear out recently and I bumped off about eight old birds that had pretty much stopped laying eggs. I worked under the idea I have no room for passengers and that lot were costing me money in chicken food and I was getting nothing back in the way of eggs. So they all met their maker and my freezer was eight hens the fuller at the end of the day. The thing is there was this one light speckled Sussex who had been around for about four years and at least twice in her life had been a broody hatching eggs for me. Now I know she wasn't a layer anymore and I rarely saw any eggs from her. But she had a history with us and we had made the fatal mistake of naming her (Hilda) so she had become more than just another bird in the flock she was in fact a problem for me. </p><p>Now on my conscience I have a clean slate as I will always eat what I kill and the death is swift and unexpected for the Animal. But in the case of this little bird I had to give her a reprieve and now well she is well um...   just a pet ?, still laying next to nothing but still there.</p><p> </p><p>I simply can't afford to make the same mistake with Pigs as they are very much going to have to pay me back on the plate so to speak.</p><p> </p><p>I believe the lessons we learn from keeping livestock and working with them can reflect exactly back into our own characters and show us who we really are.</p><p>What I mean is working around the seasons learning from others and making balanced informed decisions based on a form of humanity and morality all rolled into one with a side factor of cash and or perhaps for some survival or not.</p><p>Now when is all said and done we are base creatures at heart when you are very hungry a crisp bacon sandwich or roll is very appetising or perhaps a piping hot roast chicken dinner with all the trimmings. Assuming you are not a committed vegetarian these are certainly difficult things to ignore.</p><p> </p><p>So many of the people who I have encountered over the last few years have had massive issues of struggling with food production and sourcing with them not wanting to know anything about it's history before slaughter not because they don't care or are cruel more to the fact they cant bare to think of the creature having a life and personality and all that goes with it. In other words they are quite happy to accept my word for it that what they are eating is ethically pure and clean and all is good just don't tell me it once had a name etc.</p><p>I don't think we will ever get over that particular hill as they say people are people and they won't change.</p><p>Smallholders, Farmers, and all people involved in food production have a responsibility to try hard to produce the best and looking at the recent couple of years (Hughs Chicken out and Jamie's Pork Campaign) it would seem we are all becoming more aware. So when I sell my next batch of bacon and Sausages I will add to the marketing message ......  Made with love and care so cook and eat them the same way.</p><p>Thanks</p><p>Martin and Kristine</p><p> </p><p> </p> Submit > < Back