New Departures

Terrifying prospect of writing blog posts without pictures; has to be faced square on .

For tech reasons unfathomable (at least to me) I am unable to upload pictures from my phone camera to this blog.

What a feeble excuse for not posting...

But you haven't really missed much visuals wise.

The last few weeks have mostly been filled with not so photogenic vegetable growing tasks,. Autumn tidying, weeding, and so on.

With luck all will be re established by my return. Hopefully in time for the golden globes, the just reward of the squash harvest.

But in the meantime.

Another excursion looms.

By bike (well train first)
Scotland again.

What larks! Initially a fact finding business trip. to discuss , show and tell, with fellow 'Hairy Farmers' the triumphs and trevails of medium scale farm tech, adapted and even fabricated to suit the needs of an individual operation.

I am keen to procure, or at least commission, a couple of "Foot-wide Ho's"

And yes, for sure there's a song in there somewhere...

Just the thing for taming the earthen paths between the vegetable beds..

http://www.commongoodfood.org/whats-on/farm-hack-scotland-sold-out


You might find some pictures there..

Then afterwards, well the open road beckons.

At liberty for over ten days with a tent, a vague plan, and some vital local knowledge procured from those many and various kind souls willing to share it.

Going West; if the wind and weather allow. Some new places, and perhaps revisiting some familiar.

So the challenge is to relay all this without the use of pictures.

I will of course take a phone camera, and will find it hard to resist posting up on instagram, with damn fool #hashtags to amuse my progeny..

So if you want a random selection, and have the necessary channels.. *

I can be found.... @vegetable_dalliance

if you're lucky you'll get some snaps of other peoples vegetables

*If in doubt ask a patient younger person... It's really not difficult; believe me; if I can do it... Anyone can :)

Coming home...

Almost a week has passed.  Barely time to draw breath, between alighting from the past midnight train and getting back to farm work, and yoga teaching.

Alongside dealing with all the somewhat odiferous hiking kit. 
Washing stuff,  and oneself,  in rivers, and cattle troughs doesn't have quite the same squeaky clean effect as hot baths and domestic appliances. 
Makes one appreciate them all the more when they are there..

But a few days taken for family visit too,  and to walk a while in Wales with my two now all - grown up boys.
I had a lovely green leafy picture to post here; but it would appear the tech won't play nicely right now.

Unlike first and second born who seem to enjoy each other 's company most fulsome out and about.

They used to moan sometimes when ' 'made' to go for walks.  But now they return to it voluntarily,  and can see the point....  Especially as they like taking pretty pictures too.

Hoping that the picture posting glitch is but a temporary annoyance.
There's a small mountain of hot Pyrenean
images to sift and sort..
And an account of sorts, to write. Might have to wait for shorter days.. Winter fireside being the traditional time for storytelling.

And what news from the farm?

  I hear you cry.

Well,  all was well, and lovingly cared for.

Some things have grown hugely in the time spent away...

The sweetcorn is ready! ... What a homecoming treat.

Should keep me close to the valley; for a couple of weeks at any rate.

Trains of thought...

Leaving the farm can be hard to do... Not just the prep for being away (hasty packing as per, but at least the leggings were found)

But more pertinent perhaps; leaving the 'stead in reasonable shape...
But so long as fabulous farmsitter; isn't fretting: then all is well..

But the nomad; has to be balanced against the settler. (and the warrior; and all the other roles)...

And most of us need some new views from time to time..

Eurostar; and SNCF are a very civilised way to get to the Pyrenees... From UK  Lourdes first ( probably best us heathens don't linger too long) Then up and up; and down and down; and repeat for a couple of weeks...

Hoping for long views; a broader perspective; longish luncheons; a modicum lakeside yoga; high camps; and a smattering of inversions; along the GRs 10: 11 and a goodly portion of the HRP.
No fixed route in mind; save roughly (perhaps literally) eastwards from last years endpoint ... *

Will try (and probs fail spectacularly) not to indulge in too much tomfoolery...

Our Hero; can only be expected to take so much nonsense... Quite right too; this is serious stuff   ;)

*see  Nov 2015 for last year's fun (!?) in the sun, trip report...

http://broadviewfromasmallfarm.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/navigation-pyrenees.html

It's a kind of magic...

These innocuous looking clusters of yellow eggs can transform themselves into very hungry caterpillars.
And they in turn can transmogrify a verdant grove of kale, into a fluttering cloud of white butterflies.

Back in the late spring, there was a dearth of cabbage whites. As a brassica grower this was a relief, but as someone who enjoys seeing the swallows swooping to catch this usually generous bounty of foodstuff; I was a tad concerned.

The butterflies usually turn up just before the swallows. Just in time for; (or to be) dinner...

Turns out I needn't have worried. The caterpillars and their parents, have been abundant for the past few weeks.
Leaving just enough toothsome greenery, for those humans keen on it too.

The swallows are particularly busy right now. Fattening themselves up for their own remarkable journeys, back down South; mainly to subsaharan Africa for the winter.

Doubtless I'll find some other wildlife related problem to fret about afore long...

Such as fencing the badgers off the fattening cobs of corn...

Outstanding in their fields...

Until someone comes to visit.
There is something about the smell of horses, and they way they will rest their heavy heads on your shoulder..
Irresistible.
The equines at this farm on Dartmoor hang out together in herds. It's the most natural; stress free way for horses to live. 

It almost seems tortuous to see one hoss alone in a paddock.
They are social animals, who look out for each other.
There may be a touch of hierarchical 'argy bargy' that goes on when establishing a pecking order. But once that's sorted,  then everyone is far more relaxed in their lives.

On visiting the home of these fragrant ladies, I heard some gladdening accounts.

For it was here that we held the first 'yoga and the horse rider' session back in the spring.

Apparently, the attendees were still practicing a lot of the ideas, and techniques they'd picked up on the day.

And they were finding much of it helped them feel more comfortable about themselves generally; both on and off their mounts..

A thought occurred today..
In conflab with another friend; after todays mid holiday all day yoga session closer to home... (Lovely new studio, almost on the doorstep)

Yoga ; done properly with heart; for body and mind. 

Is a bit like the butter; of the 'body work' world....

It goes with; and enhances deliciously,  just about anything you might choose to partner it with.

So long as you don't over do it, and turn it into a sacred cow.

All the big stuff...

Is made up of little things.

And simple satisfying pleasures; are often to be found in small matters.

I love the ancient occupation of hand broadcasting seed.

Here a mix of ryegrass; red clover; and crimson clover. To keep the goodness sealed in a half acre patch over winter.

Make one pass; casting back and forth with half the alloted seed from North to South.
Then repeat with the second batch in the other orientation.

Having first stormed through with the duckfoot cultivator to lift and crumble the clods.

Then fire up the modern tech again...
Yes; a 46 year old tractor is still very young, by some standards... And at any rate she's a willing workhorse; who is reasonably low maintenance.

So hitch up the Springtines and tickle in the seed before the birds find em.
Would have been ideal to roll it all in with a ring (or Cambridge) roller, to firm and consolidate.

Further excuses for implement shopping..... 

Although you can still find the odd one lurking unloved in hedgerows..

Proposal...

On the basis of her homemade pesto alone.
Imogen would marry Beatrix; like a shot.

If; of course; she was 'on the market'...

Her words... My picture.

The pesto is extraordinarily good...

Just As well I'm not 'the marrying type'...

Or there could fisticuffs.

Words and moving pictures

Smaller farms; run with ecology; as well as profitabilty in mind. 

They seem to be a flavour of the moment...

Further investigative researchers ; only coming here now; seeking words and  pictures.

A piece of film I hope I never have to witness; or at least not without a few years intervening first, at any rate.

In accord with the far distance custard creator pictured here; I'm no big fan of having my photo taken; so the prospect of being filmed is even worse. 

A tad too late now methinks; to become part of the unselfconcious 'selfie ' generation.

But you soon forget the camera; and who can resist the probing of an interested interviewer?

And imagine being paid; to go on about stuff; that most people; would give generously for me to shut up about?

In truth, it was a bribe that got me into this situation in the first place.

"If you fill in this "Productivity on small farms*" Survey; and get it in by the deadline; I'll send you a fabulous new knife."

Well; I think we all; if we're honest; have our price. 

And it would appear I'm really quite easily persuaded; with promises of shiny new things.

So several months after having filled; and filed the document; (literally at the eleventh hour)  and subsequently forgotten all about it; a missive arrives.

Turns out this operation is actually doing rather well; in the numbers game; both in terms of productivity and profitibilty... The two don't always correlate; interestingly...

 "Can we come and find out how?"

"Other people may find it useful; and it will help promote the cause of smaller farms in general."

First reaction?

 "Arrgghh no thanks; way too self concious..."

But then; "Oh get over yourself; why not"

 It is nice if is someone is interested in what you do; and how you do it. 

And having to answer inquiries as to how it is all achieved; does concentrate the mind; on those issues.

I won't attempt anything like the full depth and range of topics covered and explored that resulted from over four hours of interrogation... 

Sounds formidable; but it was actually quite a lot of fun....

 Some of the key points arising; that contribute massively to prosperous productivity:  (prosperous that is for small farming, it is all relative, being a primary producer is unlikely to overburden one with riches at this scale)

The land itself makes an enormous difference; being early warming south facing sandy loam in one of the balmiest valleys (weatherwise) in the country.

 And this plot being owned; not rented, so that long term investment in windbreak planting, irrigation, and other such beneficial strategies make sense.

If you were renting on a short lease; how could you invest for the long term in infrastructure that might take years to repay?

It's not so much ownership in terms of property that's important; it's more about being able to think; and plan ahead; reasonably securely.

And that perennial favourite of the estate agents...

The location; within a community that has enough people interested in buying the produce of the land.

 Folks who see for themselves the value of nutritious and delicious food; and perhaps who even care enough about the environment in it's widest sense; to seek out a product that makes some tiny difference?

And that same community that values good food; but is also willing to lend support over such protracted; and energy sapping shenanigans; like obtaining planning permissions for barns; polytunnels; and onsite accommodation. All very necessary for the effective running of a mixed enterprise.

It's not some random chance that the majority of farmers and growers live on their land.

And even more vitally perhaps having enough good folks of the valley who will come and help produce the stuff too...

Mechanisation is a vital part of the production system here. It's not only that i enjoy charging back and forth on the tractor in the late afternoon sun. 

But machinery will never replace the human skill and effort required to bring forth the greatest bounty of each individual crop... For instance going back for multiple harvests from each plant, which wouldn't be possible with greater mechanisation, or a 'time is everything' approach.

Those industrious people should (in my book) be paid twice as much for what they do; but that's not quite how 'real food' in our culture is valued; yet.

Certainly not whilst 'property' in the form of bricks; enclosing not very fresh air; is so costly for most householders; whether they rent or buy. It sucks up most folks income before their thoughts even turn to the food on their plates.

Maybe; one day; things will change.... 

But whilst I'm dreaming of some faierietale land; where landworkers are valued properly........

 The fair maiden pictured here; is actually getting on with the job of settling module raised plantlets into the Serengeti like conditions...

And she might opine; if she wasn't just so very patient and accommodating.....

"All very well taking pretty pictures.... But spinach doesn't plant itself you know?"

In fact I think I may have slightly overdone the planting and weeding work myself over the last couple of months; as both elbows are grumbling to the point of tetchiness....

But no sooner that mentioned; than help is at hand again... It really is a case of knowing the right people...

A magical salve marked 'Soothe' (Yes it does) arrives. 

Containing wintergreen, and other wondrous unguents; it smells good and powerful.

And; from another source; some medicinal powderd Turmeric; used as an anti inflammatory tonic in ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. 

One of those 'it can't do any harm' and may well do some good type remedies. Just stir a spoonful of it into your dinner. 

Or; (and I haven't tried this yet; but 'Girl any day I can get her' assures me it's most palatable) mix it with coconut oil; and black pepper; and spread it on toast...

Mmmmm Toast...

I did get back to it eventually. And the lower bed is now filled with the same amount of rainbow chard. Then all was given a good soaking via hosepipe; fed by borehole installed nearly ten years ago now.
The elbows really would have rebelled at carrying that many watering cans.

The patch above the spinach beet; meanwhile; awaits one final cultivation with the tractor; and spring tines..

Then it'll be hand broadcasting (sideways peasant style) a mixture of ryegrass, red, and scarlet clover, to hold fertility, and the soil itself over the Autumn and winter months.
When we might, one hopes, get some  much needed rain...
Light sandy soil will dash off down a slope at an alarming rate if its left uncovered in a downpour. And soil is ultimately where all proper food production; starts and ends.

Can I lay my hand on that knife? 

Well; things do get put in pockets; then taken off site by accident.

 But it's very similar to this one; minus the lion..

And this reminds me too of needing to dehydrating further greens; to take away. That is one downside of your body getting used to lots of good food.

 Working out how to port two weeks worth of it; if you're lucky enough to have fabulous farmsitter; who will look after things whilst one escapes from 'living the dream' 

'First world problems' indeed...

Three of my favourite things; a decent notebook, a pencil (they never let you down) and a well honed knife.... Lion optional; but a nice touch... Grrrrr!

* Some might question this relatively small patch being referred to as a Farm, rather than a 'smallholding'... Why does it matter...? Well much like the term 'peasant' used in this country; more often than not; as a term of diminishment..
instead of as a reference to someone; who knows how to produce useful stuff from landwork.

Small holding is often used as if to denote 'playing at it' ... 'hobby farming'.... Not to be taken with any degree of seriousness.   A "three wilted chickens, a lame sheep; and four gone to seed cabbages" type of operation.

Yes it's only words; but words can be powerful tools; and we might take note of how they are used... 

It's only words...

Small holding.
Large holding.

Small farm
Large farm

Peasant...

Self reliant, capable, productive, landworking person...

Genius is seldom recognised...

In its own lunchtime...

Camping is what you do on your holidays..

When you go on your holidays; you camp.

 Or leastways that's how it's nearly always been for me.

Growing up in the UK in the seventies; that was what you did; especially if you were lucky enough to be taken to remoter spots for a 'lark about'.

And rocky areas were often chosen to visit; because my pa was a passionate geologist; both professionally, and by amateur (in the proper sense, of the word) inclination. So if some study could be undertaken whilst en famille....

As was; the norm in those days. Most of the practical provisioning for these expeditions would have been undertaken by my mother.

And I'm sure some designs such as this wouldn't have looked out of place in our sturdy ; much patched "mustn't touch the sides when its wet" canvas 'A' frame.

Was it a nostalgia trip? I don't know...

But I got a little carried away with the internet shopping the other day...

It was one of those "dare I?" moments.

"What if its awful?"

Some might judge it is a touch outre; but then taste (or lack of) is merely a matter of opinion.

Despite strongly held views to the contrary in some quarters.

Anyhow; tis done now.

A glorious; in my view; purple paisley to make a lightweight camping quilt.
No more being forced to lie 'tidily' to be comfortable..
Yoga all night long if I choose.

The pattern; puts me in mind of some of the wallpaper that the youngsters from last century;  might have perused at length, to work out the repetitions. We certainly knew how to make our own fun; back in those days...

Although I don't think I'm the only person who believes that allowing children; to find their own ways to entertain themselves; or even; whisper it; 
to be allowed to be bored...

Does wonders for their imaginations.

Even the hens were somewhat startled....... 1.6 oz polyester ripstop... Larks aplenty.

Unlikely that anyone; will want to borrow it either.

I have my mother to thank; very much indeed; for generously sharing her sewing skills with me. Being a dress-making teacher by profession; didn't stop her  pursuing needlecraft for her own pleasure; and practicality also.

  Plus; she possessed the patience, to pass on the knowledge. Combining just that right balance of 'here's how; give it a go; it's not the end of the world if you make some mistakes; there's plenty more fabric where that came from'  with the technical know-how.

Like her; I have a stash of irresistible multi-coloured yards; that will be made into something one day; when inspiration; or necessity strikes. 

Sometimes years later; exactly the job comes up... The hoarde doesn't take up so much room really. 

It's keeping the moths out that's the harder part. They seem particularly prevalent and hungry in dampish Devon. Putting infested stuff in the freezer to kill the eggs, works a treat.

Ma'  knew how to step back and let you get on with it. Knowing from her own experience, I guess, just how unhelpful it can be, having someone hovering over your every move, or wincing as you make some fumbling attempts. And never was overly quick to point out the so called 'flaws'. She would probably; more generously; have called them 'character'. 

However this particular piece of 'technical' fabric (very slippery Ma you wouldn't like it) cost enough; to make me think carefully before launching in with the scissors. 

And the bespoke design is going to be very specific to my own particular needs. 

Which is surely the whole point of making something for oneself? 

The cost of ready made items; so rarely reflects the actual work that's gone into them; if costed at a proper hourly rate... Familiar themes?

 There was a time when I made nearly all of my own garments. But I haven't attempted anything beyond the most basic 'run ups' for many a year.

This might, if time allows, be ready for the Autumn cycling and camping touring trip*. 

It particularly being aimed; with it's synthetic insulation; at wetter climes; where carefully tending to feathery down, with it's hatred of damp, isn't so possible.

yet another job to add to the list of projects. But one to look forward to as a challenge, rather than a chore. There might be a few calls made to the 'exclusive advice line' too...... Taking full advantage of a lifetimes worth of experience...

* Those clever 'Merry Cans' I think it was, coined the slightly pithier 'bikepacking' to describe this activity. Although I'm not sure if I am in truth, quite gnarly enough; to fully qualify as one of their number...

Especially as I have been known; to resort; rather wimpishly; to more luxurious accommodation if available at the right price...

Particularly if conditions prevailing are very moist.

http://broadviewfromasmallfarm.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/just-decided.html

And a bit of 'awkward' silliness with mother in mind... She usually being of the opinion that life is far too important to be taken seriously.....           "Oh hello; sunshine!" 
Who could resist an aubergine with a ready made nose?  Not this yellow patty pan squash obviously.