Pruning, Whiskey and a Shiny New Year
It's almost the new year. I could have spent the last 6 weeks in Wales but I'm glad I didn't. Obviously it wasnt all rosy, not being in regular work makes me feel a bit sad and useless, but it's been great to spend some time with my friends, and I really appreciate everyone who came to support me at the christmas markets, you made it fun even though I didnt sell much.
On the Land (see my previous post) a few weeks ago we had a pruning day for the orchard trees. Some professional orchard people came to show us how it was done and promptly told us the trees had been pruned wrong for years. But we all learned a lot and did our best to make the trees happy: the trick is making space for the new growth, removing enough branches so that a blackbird can fly through but not so many that they grow back like mad next year.
Mum and dad rocked up to do some learnin' and it was super nice to show them where I've been working. I mean, I might be 26 but I still wanna show my mummy and daddy my school work.
To practice my newly learned skills I pruned the apple tree in my parents garden yesterday. It only took me about 3 hours. I was taking pictures as I went along and wondered why I wasnt making any progress on the left side. Then realised that there was another tree in the background. Plz see before and after pics below:
On our final working day pre-christmas, me and Charlie planted the last 2 trees and protected them with fences. It was rainy all day. Jim joined us in the afternoon by which point we were wet through and pretty chilly. "Have some of this," he said, "it's my warming tea." And he poured us his usual lemon and ginger from the flask. As we were drinking it I asked him if it was definitely lemon and ginger because it didnt taste like lemon and ginger. It took several more questions and correct guesses to get him to admit that he'd put whiskey in it without telling us. Dont worry: Jim is about 70 and as good as gold, putting whiskey in our tea is his way of being nice.
Despite the achey muscles, wet feet, chilblains and muddy knees it has been an absolute privilege working with Su, Charlie, Jim and everyone else on the Land, and I will definitely continue to visit them. I have seen hornbeam trees for the first time, loads of birds of prey (buzzards? Peregrins? I am rubbish at birds, dont ask me about them), deer, and so many sunrises and sunsets. All on a peice of land that sits right next to the city of Bath. And working together with Su & co has really reminded me how fulfilling and joyful it is to work alongside people, particularly doing physical work. If this is something that you would like to do there are loads of community gardens around Bristol and Bath, although often they are hard to get hold of and meet on week days. I can certainly recommend Easton Community Garden, but it's worth doing to some research into your local area.
In the meantime I am travelling to the next farm on the 4th January! It is near our favourite holiday destination: the fishing village of Beer in Devon. I am off to live in a caravan in a wood, looking after chickens on an organic chicken farm. Needless to say I will be bringing my hot water bottle. And I will of course write a post when I get there.
I hope everyone has survived christmas: whether it's a happy time for you, or a stressful or anxious or lonely time, I hope you found some peace and spent some time with people you love. Now the days are getting longer, the winter lies ahead and most of us are still here muddling along.
Welcome to a shiny new year, and a new decade.
On the Land (see my previous post) a few weeks ago we had a pruning day for the orchard trees. Some professional orchard people came to show us how it was done and promptly told us the trees had been pruned wrong for years. But we all learned a lot and did our best to make the trees happy: the trick is making space for the new growth, removing enough branches so that a blackbird can fly through but not so many that they grow back like mad next year.
Mum and dad rocked up to do some learnin' and it was super nice to show them where I've been working. I mean, I might be 26 but I still wanna show my mummy and daddy my school work.
To practice my newly learned skills I pruned the apple tree in my parents garden yesterday. It only took me about 3 hours. I was taking pictures as I went along and wondered why I wasnt making any progress on the left side. Then realised that there was another tree in the background. Plz see before and after pics below:
On our final working day pre-christmas, me and Charlie planted the last 2 trees and protected them with fences. It was rainy all day. Jim joined us in the afternoon by which point we were wet through and pretty chilly. "Have some of this," he said, "it's my warming tea." And he poured us his usual lemon and ginger from the flask. As we were drinking it I asked him if it was definitely lemon and ginger because it didnt taste like lemon and ginger. It took several more questions and correct guesses to get him to admit that he'd put whiskey in it without telling us. Dont worry: Jim is about 70 and as good as gold, putting whiskey in our tea is his way of being nice.
Jim, and some blue sky after a wet day
Despite the achey muscles, wet feet, chilblains and muddy knees it has been an absolute privilege working with Su, Charlie, Jim and everyone else on the Land, and I will definitely continue to visit them. I have seen hornbeam trees for the first time, loads of birds of prey (buzzards? Peregrins? I am rubbish at birds, dont ask me about them), deer, and so many sunrises and sunsets. All on a peice of land that sits right next to the city of Bath. And working together with Su & co has really reminded me how fulfilling and joyful it is to work alongside people, particularly doing physical work. If this is something that you would like to do there are loads of community gardens around Bristol and Bath, although often they are hard to get hold of and meet on week days. I can certainly recommend Easton Community Garden, but it's worth doing to some research into your local area.
Su and Charlie fixing the fencing
In the meantime I am travelling to the next farm on the 4th January! It is near our favourite holiday destination: the fishing village of Beer in Devon. I am off to live in a caravan in a wood, looking after chickens on an organic chicken farm. Needless to say I will be bringing my hot water bottle. And I will of course write a post when I get there.
I hope everyone has survived christmas: whether it's a happy time for you, or a stressful or anxious or lonely time, I hope you found some peace and spent some time with people you love. Now the days are getting longer, the winter lies ahead and most of us are still here muddling along.
Welcome to a shiny new year, and a new decade.
The old hornbeam avenue
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