St. James’ Park

The other day I was thinking that it was inconceivable that a Geordie would want to swear at Alan Shearer – even just a sheep named after him but this animal is doing my head in. I think its now a universal fact, agreed by me, Jess, Tino and my neighbours that I made a mistake. I understand now that I should have got two lambs so that they have company but they’re also not used to going out walking in lots of company all day and everyday. This poor animal just can’t deal with being alone.

It was actually quite funny when we were all up the hill behind the field, I hid in the grass, just to see what she would do, and she ran up and down the field in panic when she couldn’t see me and then came charging over when she saw me. I don’t quite have an answer to this problem yet – maybe I could swap her for 2 lambs – my Bulgarian isn’t quite up to that standard right now.

A word on houses and building materials – I can’t believe how cool these old houses are in the height of a hot afternoon and also how easy they are to heat in the winter. They are build so that the house can breathe – bricks and mud I guess with a huge open loft space above the whole length of the house. Sitting in the shade of the porch is cool but its quite chilly in the rooms. Who needs air conditioning? Also, people live their lives outside so much here – everyone has a cool shady place to sit and eat – I’m on the porch at the moment but the vines are growing at a phenomenal rate and will soon be covering the lawn area. I’m also growing climbing flowers and melons across the frame so we’ll be able to sit in the shade and just reach up for a melon or a grape.

A few days later – Alan seems to be getting the hang of this business of eating grass on your own but I’m not sure that I have the patience to wait around till she learns. However, getting rid of her is also a b ig hassle so I think I’m in Scarlet O’Hara mode on this one – “I’ll think about it tomorrow”.

I get a bit despondent sometimes when I look at other people’s gardens and their fields full of vegetables but then I have to remind myself that they’ve all been here for most of a lifetime and even this year, I started nearly two months later than everyone else. And things are growing now so I do feel a bit better but there are ups and downs – millions of cucumbers and tomatoes but the cabbage, turnips and sprouts have all been decimated by white fly when I wasn’t looking. I’m taking the Zen approach to my veg growing and gardening this year – I’m being fairly passive while I get to know the soil which I do now know is pretty crap! But it’ll get there eventually. I’m activating my compost heap biodynamically right now so that should help – I haven’t shared this information with the neighbours as they already think I’m weird enough. Those of you who were here earlier will be happy to know that the fifth apricot tree has now got leaves on it – Rescue Remedy ad lots of attention worked.

I’ve decided to advertise the campsite around hostels in BG even though the toilets and showers aren’t finished – the gazebo and the solar showers will be well good enough. I have to admit that bricklaying is now really high up my list of things I just cant bring myself to do! I’m sending out some really powerful messages to the universe to send me someone to help.

I spent a lovely day doing totally nothing the other day – I was very tired so I put on a skirt and a sparkly top and lay on the lawn, reading and watching the vines grow. I may have no cabbages but I have a lovely lawn but then I am English and I do have a couple of cake stands for when I have afternoon tea.

Thanks for all the lovely responses to mylast blog – great to hear from people.

A Health & Safety officer’s worst nightmare!

But I’ve got a mountain of wood now.

Just a wee picture of Nastas and Rosi building the showers.

Phew, I’ve finally finished the site!

St. James’ Park is now (as you can tell) online. If you find any problems, please drop me an e-mail (see the Contact page at the bottom).

Good luck with the Winter, Kathy!

I found a pile of manure today that I can have. I’ve just got to get Drago to come down with me with the horse and cart. But I still haven’t figured out where to put the polytunnel – I’ll talk it over with Lisa.

Its great, the whole area has opened up now that all of the fences are down. When I step out of the door and look up the field I can see the barbeque that Petra and Sarah built, the table that Clair made (my first WWOOFERS who have really set the standard), two apple trees with red apples and yellowing leaves with a hammock slung in between and beyond I can see the path which draws the eye to the far end of the field and gives a lovely bit of depth. Its also really starting to look like a place where people will come and camp.