Recession... what recession?
Posted by Paul Daly, 14th May 2009
Thurs 13.00 . 'Bessborough Lads' on site have just broken into the metal fence to give the pigs a bigger run and then go to lunch. I am continuing to work planting some veg when Beci arrives through the gates, after a "hi" I noticed the shock look on her face and the finger pointing, I quickly turn around oh no, one of the pigs has escaped out the back way through a gap which the lads had not seen, we noticed that the main gate leading onto the road was open and we had to race the pig for it was also making for this, Beci closed this as she can run faster and is younger than me, but we still had to get the pig back into the main pig run. After some gentle persuasion and a chat with him he finally decided to go back in and rejoin his two companions - happy as Larry! Laughing at us he was!
Fri 8.00 My son James and I go to our allotment as it is our turn for those oh so delicious organic eggs everyone has been ranting about . When we arrive there is no one yet on site except for the usual wood pigeons, crows, rabbits and wild pheasants which seem to love the food that we give the pigs (organic pheasant why not!! ) and don't forget all our other little friends like the ones that have dessimated my peas , slugs, snails, caterpillars etc. but these creatures have a habit of hiding themselves. As I am the chief chicken and broiler house poop cleaner James and I go to work on these to make sure they have a nice clean bed for the night and the days ahead. After this, we depart and have a well earned rest and some fresh omelette for our breakfast.
10.00 We arrive back on site this time joined by my wife Margaret who has also donned her wellies, this is getting serious!! Her intention is to plant her own little herb garden which she gets stuck into and does a brilliant job of it. As I promised James his own little allotment we have a look to see the positioning for this - having decided on this, he plants his own broccoli and some runner bean seeds, just to see him down and dirty is good enough for me, what a site!! you could not buy it with all the money in china!
12.30 We have a picnic on site and have a laugh, the sun is shining, the birds are singing, the pigs are honking and the hens are laying, what a sound, just like your favourite band of all time - majestic! And to top it all off James turns to us and says this is one of the best days of his life, who needs money? Recession... what recession?
Sat 8.30 Oh no , James and I arrive at the allotment to find all his broccoli has been eaten by something, there are a few tears and after a hug we regroup and we decide that all is not lost and this is only a minor set back. He decides himself not to give up and will replenish his crops with fresh ones and so he does as we have some more in the glass house (well plastic house!) that I have built on the allotment with the good help of my neighbour Peter who I want to thank. Thanks Pete! I have made a secret pact with the slugs and rabbits that they can eat all they want of mine as long as they leave James's alone, is this too much to ask?
Keep it simple.
Slán, Paul.
