Coming out of hibernation

by | Jan 15, 2013 | climate, smallholding, the farm

Following the midwinter break, we’ve emerged from a brief hibernation to begin the process of preparing the ground for growing our veg, fruit, trees and flowers. Although the hens are helping enthusiastically by scratching over and fertilising various bits of...

Happy New Year

by | Dec 31, 2012 | smallholding

Well – what a year. So much has happened, and is all here in our blog, but looking back you wonder how it all fitted in. A year ago we were all set to move to Wales, hadn’t even seen Lackan Cottage Farm, and of course there were only two of us. 2012 began...

Midwinter celebrations

by | Dec 22, 2012 | low impact living, smallholding

At last midwinter is here, and we marked the solstice with a fire, shared with friends. The seemingly relentless rain stopped falling just long enough for us to enjoy the night and reflect on the turning of the seasons, of which we are more acutely aware, living the...

Brr…

by | Dec 12, 2012 | environment, low impact living, permaculture, smallholding

The last couple of weeks have also been a bit on the chilly side, with sharp night time frosts, and early  fog. Outside pipes and taps have frozen, and digging the ground has become a challenge. It looks lovely though.. We had some amazing frost patterns on the...

Big shoes to fill

by | Dec 12, 2012 | smallholding, volunteering

Well, after nearly three weeks, our first proper experience as Wwoofing hosts is over, and our volunteer (and now extended family member) Bettina has left to begin her journey home to Austria. Hers will be hard boots to fill, as we have achieved much in her time here,...

An inspector calls

by | Nov 18, 2012 | smallholding

One of the problems with buying land that is affordable, is that it is quite likely to be what is known as ‘unimproved’ land, or that it has been improved, but really not a great deal. Most of ours falls into this second category, and so it was with a...