Out of control...

Broad view from ...
An appetite can be worked up; by walking up; to enjoy this from the freshly mowed hilltop... Sunshine not guaranteed.

And another round of feverish activity commences...
Of course; it never really stopped in truth....

Preparing to receive visitors at the annual Farm "Show and Tell"
Although the main event, for most people, comprises eating cake; and plenty of it..

However; people are coming round; and some will feel obliged to show an interest in the veg growing operation, and come with me on the farm walk.
So things had better be smartened up somewhat...

This scenario will be familiar to most; unless one is already ruthlessly tidy by nature.....Not something that comes easily to me...

So if I give even half a fig; for what other people think; I'd better get a wiggle on...

We can often be admonished for worrying about other people's opinions of us...

"Just be yourself" they say...

And then again; almost as frequently..

"You can't do, or say that; what will people think?"

There really is no winning sometimes...

So a comfortable line somewhere between the two?

And of course when it comes to tidy.
One persons chaos; is anothers 'comfortably lived in'.

Most of us have visited houses, where the sofa cushions, for instance, have had to be readjusted as soon as ones posterior has been raised from the banquette....

Doesn't make one feel so welcome..

But at the same time it's nice if there is a buttocks width of upholstery available; upon which to perch...

Balance in all things...

And so it is; in farming; at least if you're trying to farm in a way that could claim to be agroecological...

Leaving enough wiggle room for nature; in part just because; it has an entitlement to space to do its thing.

But there's also a degree of self interest..
For example; pollinating hoverflies; who also predate on some crop pests such as aphids are attracted by flowering weeds and gone to seed vegetables and herbs...

But too many weeds and they start to compete. Fighting for space; light; and nutrients; with the crops. Which are necessary to pay the mortgage; and the wages; and the running costs of the farm.

I'm also trying (and mostly failing; miserably) to keep an open optimistic outlook about last Fridays referendum.

All for due democratic process; and acceptance of a result of a properly thought through debate. But I can't help feeling that a decision was made, by a populace not necessarily in possession of enough of the actual facts, to chose wisely.

There was a lot of unedifying fear of the 'other' spread about. encouraging of xenophobia; even racism; for political gain... 

Already there are regretful folks; who thought they were voting 'out' merely as; a kind of protest about what they didn't like about the EU and the way it is run. 

Some who voted to leave, are now wishing the result hadn't gone the way it did... 

We will have to live with this decision; and its consequences for many years to come; we don't; as in a general election; get a chance for a rethink in five years time.

One thing that saddens me in particular; is that it was the older generations in the main; who voted out; the youth; who will be feeling the fall out for far longer; wanted to stay in.....

Ho; and indeed hum; is as impolite as I'm prepared to be in expressing my feelings of sadness and frustration on their behalf; on this 'open to all' blog.

But next Sundays event will also be open to all too; everyone will be made welcome; and doubtless well fed too. No matter their political views.

I will try to keep off the subject; and just focus on what goes on here; unless someone directly enquires as to my feelings. 

However; I am almost disinclined too, to swag the bunting in the usual 'English Fete (worse than death) style' Although I suppose I could slightly subversively insert the occasional European flag into the line.....?

 "No man is an Island"

Or any farm, or community, or country ( even if this one is an island geographically speaking)

Maintaining boundaries; personally; and geographically are important for sure. 

But maintaining connections; and acknowledging interdependencies; is just as crucial.

To quote a brave; young woman who's life was horribly cut short whilst peacefully campaigning for greater inclusivity; and for our staying within the EU .... 

"We have far more in common with each other than things that divide us."

Proceeds from next Sundays cake and veg sale will be going; as usual; to this organisation....

http://practicalaction.org/?gclid=CJDv6ZWGxs0CFYZuGwoduEkILQ

 Which does useful work globally; to find; and fund practical; sustainable; solutions to enable people to lift themselves out of poverty...

If you can't come and join in the gluttony in person.Then I'm sure a few pounds, or dollars, or Euros, or whatever coinage has currency in the country in which you; my dear reader reside; wouldn't go amiss.

Italian egg custards... With blueberries; just some of the delectables on offer last year.... hungry now...

I have to say I am impressed with the international diversity of folks who seem to be interested in the goings on; of a fluffy little farm in Devon, UK...

So waves cheerily \0/ to the Portugese; Belarussians; Malaysians; French; New Zealanders; Peruvians; Nepalese; Malawians; Spaniards; Japanese; Brazilians; Canadians; Americans; and, and all of you.....I've had to look some places up - most educational ... 

Of course you may all be enthusiastic 'bots'.... But then; perhaps; you have feelings too?