I'm not really one for New Years Resolutions. But the start of the year is nonetheless a good time to reflect on the things it might hold. Particularly as this month should finally (after nearly 6 months of 'conveyancing limbo') see us moving into Hollow Barn. And becoming the stewards of approximately 3.5 acres of meadow, cottage garden, orchard, fruit garden, mixed conifer plantation and moorland views. The anticipation of getting there and starting to explore the place as our own has become almost unbearable. There is a risk that our 'imaginings' of what living there will be like will actually exceed the reality. It's a small risk though. What sticks in J and my's mind the most is the simple 'magic' of the place. An indefinable essence that makes it a truly special place to be. So. In no particular order some thoughts about what our first year might hold:
1. Lots of watching, learning and identifying. We just need to see how the place works. What grows, what different conditions, environments, habitats, soils the place has. We are hoping that the current owners may 'catalogue' some of the many plants and trees and fruit bushes they have established. We somehow need to figure out how to 'manage' this complex new place. What are our responsibillities as stewards or guardians? Which relates to...
2. Lots of worrying that we don't know what we're doing and that nature will 'beat us.' The couple we have bought the place from have designed the gardens to be as 'natural' and light touch as possible. The meadow and woodland are left quite wild. A lawned path is mowed around the whole property to give a sense of 'garden' rather than 'wild place.' The cottage garden, a more formal garden and lawn area just outside the house, another fruit garden area, 2 greenhouses and a small apple orchard are the key areas requiring more time and effort. So their reassurance that 'its actually very easy' to keep the place as beautiful and magical as it was when they were there has some foundation. But there is no escaping the fact that they have lived their for 2 decades, know every detail of the place and have a deep, rich horticultural knowledge. By contrast the largest garden we have owned was a pretty tiny patch of suburban Nottingham. And its been 4 years since we've had any garden at all. We may not be worthy inheritors of their stewardship!
3. Some chickens. Once the weather gets a bit warmer this is a priority project. We occasionally get given eggs from chicken keeping friends. Our desire to eat perfect poached eggs outweighs the frequency of these gifts. So we need to decide where we will site a chicken house and how to keep our feathered arrivals safe from the no doubt vibrant local fox community. And decide on how many and whether to get rescued battery hens or a mix of unusual breeds.
4. Growing stuff. And either eating it. Drinking it. Or preserving it. The cottage garden and fruit garden in some ways feel like the most 'achievable' bits. I think we'll be a long way off having the knowledge that seasoned growers and allotmenteers bring to ensuring year round harvests and a steady flow of hand grown deliciousness. But we'll hopefully manage to get at least a few decent crops of who knows what. And if we don't get at least a few jars of jam, some chutneys, boozy drinks and a few square meals out of 2010 there will be disappointment in the moorland air.
5. Foraging. We believe that at the very least there are some good supplies of edible mushrooms in the vicinity. I suspect there will be a lot more 'food for free' once we can figure out what is tasty rather than deadly.
6. Planning and plotting.We have a few hazy longer term plans for the place. To gradually shift the woodland to being more of a deciduous mix and to figure out how much we can pursue some of the principles of agro-forestry. To try to incorporate some hazel coppice in this. And possibly some other nutty trees. To extend the orchard so we've got more fruit trees including plums, cherries, pears and quince. To find some areas for more perennial edibles like rhubarb and asparagus. To create a semi-permanent campfire area. To build a clay bread oven. To extend the barn to create more living space. To add some more outbuildings possibly including a polytunnel, a greenhouse or a woodland studio. To acquire or create some garden or woodland sculptures. Oh and maybe get some honey and wax creating machines. Also known as bees. On which:
7. Learning about Bees. I find the idea of beekeping simultaneously highly appealing and absolutely terrifying. They are beautiful, ecological, productive and endangered. And also alien, stingy and apparently prone to bad moods and mistaking friendly human beekepers for arch enemy bears. So some sort of bee education is going to be required before too many hives get bought. Possibly a bee mentor.
8. Inspiration. There is a lot to learn. I hope we still live in this place in many years time. I expect there will still be lots to learn then. This gives a greater sense of purpose to existing pleasures such as visiting inspiring landscapes, allotments and gardens, doing relevant courses, meeting and chatting to knowledgable people, reading our way through big piles of books etc etc.
9. Some campfires, bbqs and garden parties. Places are only really places when they're full of people enjoying and being part of them. On a personal level I wanted any house we purchased to be a fitting replacement for the fabulous flat we had in Portobello in Edinburgh. Which was at its most fabulous when it was full of friends and family having great times. Many of these featured bonfires on Portobello beach. But hopefully there will be even more outdoor occasions in 2010.
10. Sitting, watching, listening, being. Yeah I know. Thats sort of the same as 1. Except 1 felt a bit stressful. There is lots to learn. But there is most to gain from simply becoming a part of this amazing place that we are going to be privileged enough to call our home. Hopefully this blog will capture much of what it means simply to be here.
Happy 2010.
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