Celeriac Envy...

I have it...

I love visiting other people's veg growing enterprises..

To see what works for them; and look at other ways of doing things. I don't believe for one moment; that there is just one right; or wrong way; of making the magic happen in this business.

There are so many variables in terms of micro climate; soil types; pressure from pests or other limiting factors.

Then mix in the needs and demands of ones beloved customers; and which produce sells well in a particular area.

And not leastwise; the inclinations of the grower.
Being self employed in a less than lavishly renumerated occupation; has a few drawbacks.

So surely some leeway can be given; to operating in a way that 'feels right' and utilising methods that give personal satisfaction...?

Allowing for a sense of 'flow' even... 

I imagine a systems analyst: I think I know what they do now; after having interviewed one on a train trip ; might say. 

"Well this isnt such a profitable crop" 

or 

"Why are you wasting time growing that particular oddity ?"...

Well; as I've opined many times before; personally I believe that in a business such as this 'variety' is, in itself a valuable crop.

Giving the ability to surprise people occasionally -

 "What on earth is this; what do I do with it?"

But now of course; thanks to the wonders of Internetland; there are a diminishing number of veg that baffle.

All the same; variety keeps things interesting; albeit challenging, on occasion for the grower.

These celeriac (grown by Cornelia... Lovely name; and person)  are twice the size of the ones to be found growing on the much Sandler drier soil here.

Celeriac; as it's flavour and name would imply; is related to celery. And that vegetables' native cousin prefers a damp 'mucky' almost marshy soil to thrive..

However the intense flavour of a 'little one' more than makes up for any lack of size..

But at the same time; I can't claim, to be unenvious of this luxuriant stand of toothsome nuggets; steadily gathering goodness; for wintertime delectation..

And I call "Liar" to any herbicide avoiding grower; who claims no tiny reassurance gained from viewing others 'weedy' areas...

Pot marigolds growing in the foreground to attract beneficial insects... I rarely get round to deliberately implementing this kind of companion planting myself...

One day I might do it again... If I ever manage to eliminate the 'simple flowered' residents such as mayweed; that pretty much perform the same job here; and most likely have years worth of seeds in 'the bank' already......

Succulent snack...

Sunday Sowing duties; rendered most palatable when accompanied by warm from the vine; red and yellow cherry tomatoes. Just coming into crop.

Here sowing Chicory Pallo Rossa; a seed in each cell. My 'special' compost firming block; still preserved by the insistent label.

These bitter but crunchy leaves should be ready by November.
Quite delicious in a mixed salad with sweet tender, red or golden beetroot; and only just hard boiled duck eggs.

Need to source a new flock of Indian Runner ducks, and build them a very lightweight duck house on wheels, so they can be penned briefly in various patches around the veg patch.

In this way, they serve as a SWAT team hoovering up slugs and snails; as well as clearing the eggs of same molluscs.

Thereby breaking the life cycle, and reducing population numbers of those horribly hungry slimey pests.

Duck eggs are one of those comestibles that sharply divide opinion.

Personally I love them, but for some inexplicable reason they give others; the shudders.

There's really no accounting for tastes; and secretly I'm glad that I don't have to fight anyone for em...

That could get awfully messy.

Leek harvest

Late afternoon, Wednesday.

Tired now.

But fettling leeks can be done sitting down.

After the carrots are dug.

Clouds are very fine things.

Resilience..

A hardy hangover from the tulips grown here by a friend setting up her cut flower business, over five years ago...

Still growing strong.

That's both the bulbs; and the now elsewhere located enterprise.

It's a constant source of surprise what some supposedly delicate blooms can withstand..

.I guess they don't read the books that insist they should be cosseted.

Ploughed, Harrowed, Disced, Rotovated...

They just keep coming back, despite all the battering.
A cheering addition to the spring flower show.

Powering up...

"The great outdoors"... Hmmmn well mostly; and nearly always feels so; when one is outward bound primarily for recreation. 

Yesterdays very cold and wet and windy harvesting day was one of the very few occasions each year when I speculate on the benefits of an office job.

 I am fully aware that I would last about half a day in that environment; the second half of which would be taken up by being voluntarily sectioned; or explaining to a desk sergeant exactly why, I did what I did, to the printer that wouldn't talk to the computer...

However; studies have shown that 'Outdoorsy people are nicerer than indoorsy ones'....!/

http://adventure-journal.com/2016/03/are-outdoorsy-people-nicer-than-indoorsy-people/

 Hmmmn well; at least us not always nice as pie; outdoorsy sorts give everyone else a break from time to time by going away to remote places...

And I couldn't say for sure but I suspect that deskbound folk don't get voluptuous loveliness like this; expertly crafted for their delectation. 

The custard wasn't so big this week, its the leeks that were teensy, gourmet offerings, double the price for half the size might apply in a fancy supermarket. But here you get twice as many.

Quite generous doncha think? Considering the almost Biblically foul weather they were lifted in.   

Is that the face of Mrs Beeton we see; pictured in the blueberries?

Now this would have been the place to spend a soggy drear Wednesday...

Tucked up in the toasty glasshouse...

Yikes! The benches in the greenhouse are already full, and its only just March... There is just never enough space. 

Here the seed germination; and plantlet growth is hastened by custom made heating mats on the benches.

 They're a bit like electric blankets; but set into a heavy duty foil sheet. 

This is overlaid with thick polythene, then capillary fabric to provide water to the modules from underneath. Which is finally topped off with thin perforated polythene; which impedes the growth of algae and moss thereupon; but allows water through

A temperature probe into a bag of moist compost nested between the trays regulates the heat via the adjustable gauge. 

Second sowing of peas in the foreground nearly ready to go out... First sowing already happily growing away in the polytunnel.... Must go out 'a mollusc hunting with headtorch and scissors....Slugs love fresh pea shoots... Don't worry, I'm not going to post a picture of that nocturnal activity, even with googly eyes...

 And fascinating slug factoid #16 (look away now if you're squeamish)  by the morning the resulting carnage is cleared up ....The surviving slugs eat their deceased breatheren...Eeeww!

There's a bit of a campaign going on at the moment to persuade people to switch to Greener Electricity suppliers.

It would be great; of course; to have some solar panels here to harvest more of the sunshine, and if one has some spare dosh sloshing about in the bank it's definitely worth doing; but that might have to wait.

But the next best thing, after you've been frugal with the current, is buying from someone like this...

http://www.goodenergy.co.uk/?gclid=COmagpOxpcsCFYTGGwodGk8G4g

We've been using their 100% renewable supplies for nigh on 20 years now...

Good customer service; and its a fairly pain free of 'doing the right thing'.
Makes me feel slightly better about indulging in deep hot baths too....

And in case you were wondering..... These peoples' Electricity seems to work pretty much as well as anyone elses'  ; even if it does leave the kitchen with a faint whiff of cumin...*

* And OK; yes you do; sometimes; have to pick little bits of hessian fluff out of the sockets; but its barely any trouble; really...

The pie..

Is found; and is found to live up to legend.
Bit of a squidgy pitch for the night, but top local knowledge tip; from my informant.
More of a close up views sort of day, mild; if moist cycling conditions. 

No great fan of organised religion per se; but hats off to the good old C of E for their commodious porches; enabling donning of waterproofs; and inevitable kit riffling; in relative comfort.

That is all, must do full justice...Suet pastry....Raptures :-)

On a promise...

One of those 'two sets of waterproofs' harvesting days....But very glad of bib and brace trews...Even if they do make me look (and behave) like a 70's kids TV presenter...The alternative; wet underwear can be quite depressing.

There is talk of an extra large custard for the morrow; further compensations of country living :-)

Meanwhile...In other shopping news..

...Further worshipping at 'The Local Temples of Mammon..'
A new yoga teaching shirt...

"Lift and spread your tractor"
Look at 'em hooge wheels ;)

I really can't be doing with all that hippy dippy lotus flower thing that some yogi types go in for....
I mean; they're not even native species to these Isles.

Spotted this beauty (well who could resist?) whilst lurking in a bike shop; awaiting the arrival of my afternoon tea companion....

Need any tips for your 'rock n roll' lifestyle?..
You know where I am....

Paperwork...

This is the kind of 'filing' I like..
It has a persuasive air of finality about it.
A satisfying rainy day barn clear out, and a successful run to the tip with 'Man Friday' It's a particular (perculiar?) treat for him.

And it's not as if he 'doesn't get out much'.

By the way MF, I don't remember receiving the 'leave of absence form'... But apparently it's India for four weeks now....Hopefully incorporating some intensive yoga practice?
Hmmmmmmm?

Still as this wise sage would point out..."Once you've got a fire going it isn't really work any more :) "

Solar panel here???

We could learn a lot from cats...
If only we"d listen...

Trailer Trash Kitty, soaking up some rays, whilst showing her best side..

Magnificent stripes darling :)

Ooo, wiggles....

Just in case, you thought I'd lost interest...
In wiggly tin.

Far from it; but not everyone gets such a thrill from this particular niche.

It's always hard to judge how far to take indulging ones own proclivities, without impinging upon others interests.

However the owner and creator of this Shepherds Hut is not immune to its charms, and was quite understanding of my enthusiasm.

These once humble examples of agricultural workers, mobile vernacular accommodation are also the source of no little gentle leg pulling in these parts.

Because, despite these tin sheds on wheels being generally far less luxuriously appointed than your average touring caravan, you can, if you have a Dingly Dell enough type venue, park them up and charge some folks three time the price of staying in their more modern cousins...

How those horn handed labourers would have shaken their heads at such impractical indulgence in rural fantasy.

but then they'd doubtless also have thought my thing about wiggles pretty bonkers too. So perhaps we'll leave it as a case of each to their own...

To warm the bones...

On a frosty morning, Golden Beetroot.
Each ring represents a months growth.
The sweetest beets, and they don't turn your dinner (or 'other' things) purple.
Delicious...

Nine months of solar rays, Devon rain, and lots of love and compost.

"Bring me Sunshine"

An Anonymous Biscuit Fairie...?

Very much liking this seasonal variation on a theme; upon descending from the heights of the red cabbage patch; homebaked offerings sit awaiting on the porch; blessed much...

I'd call them just desserts for getting ahead with this weeks harvesting. 

Thanks Vera !

Trains, bicycles, custards, and wiggles,

Whatever does it for you....Do more of it....

This October I was in Yorkshire; cycling about in various weathers. 

During a brief respite from the Proper Northern Rain, this steam train arrived in Goathland on the North Moors.

 I could have got a better shot of it pulling in, if I'd been prepared to leap into the path of an oncoming lorry on the very narrow bridge; under which the rolling stock was passing. Obviously not enough dedication to the cause to attempt a third career in photo journalism.

This picture reminded me of something I only recently discovered about my father, when reading through some old papers of his. 

It was in a transcript of a speech that an old college friend of his had given at his memorial service. Apparently as a youth he was mad keen on trains (yes; even spotting them) and bicycles; something I really don't remember being made aware of as a child growing up.

It made me wonder at how many of our proclivities are absorbed almost by osmosis; rather than directly learnt..

Now, this may single me out as part of the 'Easily Pleased' coterie (no bad thing IMO); but loading a bicycle onto a train is probably one of my top ten thrills. 

Pregnant with the possibilities of new horizons; self directed travel (if they let you off at your chosen stop*) ; whilst at the same time combining two very elegant pieces of engineering.

My career path has been quite different to his; but I think I could credit him; and my mother too with the employment philosophy of "Find something you like doing, and are hopefully reasonably good at, and then work out a way of getting someone to pay you for doing it"

He managed just that; right up until his far too early death seventeen years ago today. 

At the time of his passing he was only twice my age. Having been something of a dilettante in terms of my own occupations up until then; I think his untimely demise somewhat galvanised my energies into 'getting on with life, and settling enough to something (or as it turned out several things) to see it through'.

Small mixed farming suits the temperament of someone in possession of multiple enthusiasms. There's never one job that goes on too long; and there's lots of stuff to find out about, involving a wide range subjects and variables.

Teaching yoga although completely different in some ways; still throws up many challenges and avenues to explore; in addition to being sociable, useful, and fun.

Pa' was a lifelong devotee of a good bit of quality food and drink, I remember his unfondly reminiscing about having grown up in the 'Arid Cake Belt' of East Sheen in the fifties.....

He was particularly keen on the cuisines of the Mediterranean and Middle East; tastes he had acquired through extensive travels in those areas for 'work'.

The legend is, in the world of academic specialisation that:

"You get to know more and more: about less and less; until one day you end up knowing everything about nothing."

Towards the end of his life however he had taken to studying archaeology in areas of recent seismic activity; in order to gain insights in his field of tectonics.

It may not have been entirely coincidental that these studies required him to undertake frequent trips to sunny; properly well-fed lands...

He would most certainly have approved these Sicilian Egg Custards baked by 'Cake Fairy in Chief' Cynthia for the Open Day here at the field, in July. 

Even with the less than conventional addition of her own home grown blueberries.

 How many now classic immutable recipes were 'invented' when something fell into a pot quite by accident. Leading to sublime combinations like this. 

Neither of my jobs is going to bring in vast monetary riches; certainly not with the way I keep accounts anyway;  but this region is so thickly populated with kitchen genii, and culinary craftspersons; that one is seldom left wanting in the delectable edibles department.

If I did have spare cash; I guess it could either be train tickets; more new socks; or possibly an addition to my already extensive (in deep need of rationalisation if I'm honest) collection of tractor implements.... Look girls! It's the spring tine cultivator....With following crumbler bar...... For those of us who just can't resist a bit of a wiggle....

*http://broadviewfromasmallfarm.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/temporary-glitch.html

Found them a home...

24kg Quince in total,
Robin 'the Pig' was more than happy to take them.

Appearing on the menu at our local (as in really does only use local produce) Restaurant cum Charcuterie 'The Rusty Pig' in Ottery St Mary...Very soon.

Go eat there, if ever you get the chance
....If you're at all disappointed (highly unlikely) I'll give you a go on my tractor 
....Not a euphemism, just a very rare privilege for anyone....

The more cosmetically challenged amongst these fruits will be made into membrillo, a thick paste traditionally served with cheese.

But how to choose the cheese? I favour something hard and goaty.
Our local Cheese Wranglers 'Quickes' do a particularly irresistible one.

Was treated to a fabulous Sunday Lunch chez Pea Plant this weekend.
After having being obliged to consume prodigious quantities of luscious lamb, we were then forced to endure a pudding of her quinces poached in cassis.
Pretty damn fine.

Such are the hardships of country living...

I'd better go and do something towards working it all off now...

As the season shifts...

The egg custard nestles snugly;
'pon a bed of 'Cavello Nero'
Delicious and nutritious both.
Its Tuscan name makes it sound 'Oh so sophisticated'.
It rather more prosaically translates as 'Black Cabbage'.... 20 mins steaming ...as much butter as you dare (lots mind, cos' it's officially good for you now, but then we always knew it was anyhoos) and get a-grinding with the pepper...chilli flakes are pretty tasty on there too...Hungry now? :-D