Self-Sufficiency in Style
july 2004 diary
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Self-Sufficiency in Style july 2004 diary |
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| June finished with the writer in murderous mood and determined to catch the grey squirrel stealing the fruit from the walled garden | |
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July started with him reduced
to eating his dinner with an open window and a
gun at his side.
Mrs P seemed to doubt the writer's expertise and seemed equally concerned for her own safety, the window and the possibility that he might hit the cat. Two squirrels were efficiently despatched on successive nights, but the third was being difficult; snatching a loganberry and then retreating quickly over the wall. You only have to produce a gun in this family for the men and dogs to rush around in circles. They spend most of their time either shooting, beating or with their noses in shooting magazines. Even our old Rottweiler was press-ganged into being a replacement gun dog for late night fox expeditions... after which the merest sight of a gun would attach him to the heels of the bearer like glue ...but when needed, nobody was to be seen, so the writer was on his own. |
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"Well, did you want the squirrel caught, or not?" |
But all Rottweilers obviously have hidden depths. A couple of days later, Star seemed restless then suddenly dived into the prized Burgundy grapevine over the barn. Out came a squirrel and away across the garden's raised beds. Eventually, after a lot of crashing about in the equally prized Asparagus bed, out came Star with squirrel. But the mess. Have you ever seen a walled garden after a Rottweiler has chased a squirrel through it? You can warm to field sports. |
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The July weather has been predictably unpredictable. An early Summer of unusual drought has been followed by monsoons. |
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As these words are being typed it is scorching hot again. The hay was
given its final turn...and we wait the arrival of the baling machine. A scratch gang of family has been organised to help... and we wait watching every weather forecast. When it gets this hot in England, a thunder storm is an ever present risk. We scan the sky...and wait and wait, just as man has done in this landscape since farming began. Once we start, there will be no time for websites and photographs, just cut hands, exhaustion and perhaps, if we are lucky and all goes well, a celebratory meal. |
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It is not just the hay that is being harvested, all kinds of produce is finding its way to the table from the kitchen garden and orchards. |
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Pounds of blackcurrants for the freezer, plus red and whitecurrants. 25
lbs of the last two from just four bushes in total. We will make some jam, when time allows, otherwise they will make good pies. |
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The very first trees we planted on coming here six years ago were a couple
of Morello cherries.
Careful netting against bird attacks has resulted in the first worthwhile crop. |
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And, as you can see, good use has already been made of them in the kitchen. |
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The blueberries are more prolific this year. Not a very common crop in this immediate area because of the unsuitability of our soil. The cost, of providing them with a special acid bed, was great. So they are a luxury. |
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Asparagus peas are a luxury crop too.
Nothing to do with either asparagus or peas, but they are an unusual taste and rather pretty too. |
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Not to forget the humble and much loved mint. Far too easy to grow, it will take over the garden, but it remains the perfect accompaniment to lamb. |
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Rarity Value. |
The peach should not be exotic, but alas when you only got three, it seems so! |
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Squashes, marrows, courgettes and the like are always in good supply from
now until late Autumn. For some reason, they attract no pests or diseases and can be grown outside the walled garden. |
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The self-sufficiency year is now well-advanced. We are past the middle,
well into harvest and indeed the first tell-tale signs of winter are
already there. The swallows have deserted their nest in the barn and are, no doubt, well on their way to Africa. As crops are harvested, there is little now to plant, so the black plastic starts to reappear - tracking the shortening days. The grape vine over the barn door was the one hiding the squirrel. We hope it will produce a few bottles of wine despite its traumas. |
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Whilst we are looking towards winter in the garden, the animals are still enjoying the summer. |
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| Warmwell, who disgraced herself, by not producing a litter this year, is to be found in the wallow, still spoiled by the occasional shower. |
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Her daughter, Tamsin, an extremely belligerent young lady, much given to
scrapping with her easy-going mother, pops her head out to see what is
going on. The arc is insulated, warm in winter and surprisingly cool in summer. Tamworths are an independent breed. Tamsin takes it to extremes. |
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Gladys, the Jersey, is always good natured, often quite playful. She is in the late stages of pregnancy...and judging by her figure, it might be twins. |
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The flush of grass following the recent heavy rain suits the sheep well.
Later we will be moving them onto the "aftermath." That's the hayfield
once the hay has been harvested. The hot weather now, means that, as for all animals, the water supply needs watching extra carefully. |
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Making hay whilst the sun shines at Hangman's Cottage, just to the south of Misery Corner. |
