Spring (ish)

Spring (ish)

by | May 18, 2013 | permaculture

  Although it might not look it here, we are finally seeing a lot of young vegetables growing and are reaping the benefit of the new tunnel in this not-quite-spring.  Hundreds of young seedlings are coming on in modules, and the first of those have been planted...

Pass it on

by | Oct 15, 2012 | smallholding

Something that many of the readers of this blog, and of the blogs that I follow have in common is that we are to some degree, trying to derive a living from the land – usually fairly small bits of it too. Agriculture has grown from humble roots to the massive...
Another empty cottage

Another empty cottage

by | Oct 14, 2012 | buildings

The countryside around us is full of empty cottages and farmsteads, some of which have had modern bungalows built next to them, but many of which (like this one), simply lie empty. This one  is up beyond us, totally hidden from view in the fields, and has no...

Poll

by | Oct 2, 2012 | smallholding

It is on this day every year that I remember Poll, my most excellent horse friend of many years. I’ll tell Lyra about him.

Charlie’s House

by | Sep 17, 2012 | smallholding

I worked with Charlie briefly on the community hub building at Lammas, and not only is he a top bloke, but a fantastic example of how someone with relatively little experience can create the most amazing building. It really is the nicest reciprocal frame roundhouse...

With the blessing of horses

by | Sep 16, 2012 | smallholding

Horses always seem to be fascinated by small people, and Sherafey is no exception. I presented Lyra to her, and she very carefully blew warm breaths over her, and had a good old sniff, whiffling around her very gently. I can’t imagine anything better to see a...

September

by | Sep 1, 2012 | smallholding

Thresh seed, and to fanning, September doth cry,get plough to the field, and be sowing of rye;To harrow the ridges, ere ye strike, is one piece of husbandry Suffolk doth like.Sow timely thy white wheat, sow rye in the dust,let seed have his longing, let soil have her...

The smell of hard work isn’t so bad after all

by | Aug 13, 2012 | smallholding

One of the benefits of having two and a half inch thick cedar work tops is that although cutting them is exhausting, it does make one of the nicest smells imaginable.The kitchen (such as it is) design is evolving as I go, but I think I know where I am going now. A...

So many little jobs.

by | Aug 4, 2012 | smallholding

Now that we are more or less done with the really big jobs, the race is on to get all the million and one little things sorted. The little gas bottle woodburner moved home today, and took up its new position in the living room. Thankfully it seems to draw well,...

Munitions in the shed..

by | Jun 25, 2012 | smallholding

In my quest to find the missing bits of the cooker, I decided to go through the many tins and boxes of old scrap out in the shed. Finding an old dried milk tin, I gave it a good shake (as you do), and decided it must be full of nuts and bolts. Imagine my surprise when...

Preparations continue..

by | Apr 24, 2012 | smallholding

In the hope that we might complete our land purchase sometime soon, work continues apace to get all our assorted junk ready to move. Today saw both trucks started up for the first time in a while, our solar panels hauled down from the roof, and the rainwater...

Am I missing a trick?

by | Mar 16, 2012 | smallholding

One of the benefits of the whole living off grid, alternative homes, low impact lifestyle ‘thing’ is that it is generally seen as something different, (for good or bad) and interesting, by plenty of onlookers. People are often fascinated to see how we...