Forest Garden Update

 Spring is here and oh what a Spring. Every morning we are welcomed by a chorus of birds and the shrieking of our rooster which sounds like the tortured metal of a malfunctioning starter motor. We hoped he was going through a phase but unfortunately not. We have plenty of eggs laid in a variety of hard to access places and have the lurking suspicion that at least one hen is sitting on a cache of eggs that is still to be discovered.

Blossom is everywhere, trees are leafing up and the cuckoo calls constantly whilst the mated pair of buzzards spy on us from above on the thermals of a warm day. We are trying to reclaim the polytunnel for planting. Only the new grapevine planted so far, the aim being that the shade from the leaves will protect it from the worst excesses of summer heat. There are still brambles and bracken to pull and regular watering required to rehydrate the soil, damaged from two years of neglect and no watering. The nectarine has magically blossomed and set fruit, her roots must run very deep.

We do however still have the forest garden and orchard. Some casualties but many trees are thriving, the butterflies are everywhere and our every move is monitored by the resident robins who have to inspect every ounce of turned earth for hidden treasure.

Unfortunately it is back to the UK next week for another scan and of course that always brings anxiety. Living one day at a time is a lesson that can be taken from nature and it is what I try to do. There are difficult times for many people at the moment. Poverty is a reality for many people and counting your blessings is the order of the day.

Progress Being Made

 No new pictures I am afraid, I still haven't found my camera lead but we are making steady progress. We have a young cockerel and four mixed breed hens for eggs. No eggs yet but as the days lengthen we hope that will be remedied. Thanks to a Christmas gift we bought eight fruit trees, a Mirabelle, white mulberry, apricot, almond, persimmon, nashi pear, Williams pear and a black walnut. They have been duly planted around the property. Thanks to a wonderful man called Will our land is being cleared and brambles zapped. Lots more areas to clear but he has reclaimed around two thirds of our land and it is looking incredible. In places the brambles were eight feet high and unfortunately some plants and trees have died but the ones that remain are looking big and beautiful. We have three new hand made windows on order, they should be installed in the next week. It will be wonderful to look out at the views and the cardboard currently blocking the cold wind will be composted with pleasure. Will is also running new plumbing to the bathrooms and kitchen. We have been without running water for nearly two years now (although we were in the UK for most of that) and I can't wait to hear the sweet sound of a flushing toilet, music to my ears. 

Today I planted my first seeds, mostly peppers and tomatillos into the propagator. Life's possibilities are opening up for us now and it feels good. Birds are singing, bulbs are springing and our first daffodils are in bloom. 

We Are Back (not with a bang, but with a whimper).

 We got back here eventually, hopefully for a long time but with cancer you never know. I had more chemo and a big operation on my lungs (thank you Royal Brompton Hospital) and now I am officially no active disease so we begin the 'wait and see' phase. The land is green and thriving, so many birds everywhere but we can't access it due to the impenetrable jungle of brambles and nettles. Our mighty cat is still here, a bit thinner and older but he kept the mouse hordes mostly at bay and the fabulous Amanda fed and watered him in our absence. Leaving him was far from ideal but our temporary accommodation was not suitable for him and we believe he was happier in his home. The alternative was putting him down before we left and we believe we made the right call this time. 

The house still has no functioning water, the roof has leaked in several places, mice are everywhere, they ate their way into our emergency food stash but it is SO GOOD to be here. No pics this time, I haven't found my camera yet, still unpacking to do but my soul is singing in response to Petas. this is where we belong, we have been through tough times but we got here eventually. Battered but not broken, I am pretty disabled, can't walk far, short of breath on the slightest exertion but we have the summer ahead of us.

San Juan celebrations tonight, the price of sardines has rocketed and I can't jump the fire but I haven't had the energy to sin much anyway. Perhaps next year I shall be more in need of cleansing fire.

Best wishes to you all, Nicky and Tim xxx