Brief Recap

Over the last several days we have received a gift from Nick in the form of a bowser. The drought has carried on for so long there has been mini canyons in the soil for weeks, some of which can fit my whole hand. The bowser holds 3.5 thousand liters and has helped water some desperate plants. On Thursday this past week we added water to trash cans of minute to help feed the potatoes and we finished the task on Friday. We called it poo day and I'm naming Friday poo day 2.
A couple weeks ago, I mentioned at just the right moment that I wanted to spend time exploring more parts of the UK and a community volunteer who had joined us for lunch offered to take me with her on her trip to Snowdon in Wales. Despite phone malfunctions, we were able to follow through with the plan and I took some amazing pictures this past weekend during our day long term up and down the mountain. This opportunity came at just the right time since I had been getting really stressed about everything and having some issues with another team leader who has habits that grate on my nerve including catastrophizing the effects of various foods and creams. This hiking break fully refreshed me despite returning tired.

Pictures from Stanford Hall

Weekend to Weekend Update

Was stuck at Stanford on Sunday but managed to get out to Lutterworth later in the afternoon. Spent Monday at the house garden planting tons of carrots then went to the field to check the plants in the polytunnel. I ended up talking to a newcomer from France (again). We now have 6 French people. Tuesday we spent time building up bell tents and cleaning them and next week we will be finishing the job. Wednesday started out just like any other day, but ended up rather interesting. In the evening I ran into three young guys staring into the CSA field and I got a chance to talk to them about the project. They were on their way to Chequers (the pub in Swinford) to see the England vs. Croatia game. After dinner, I headed to Chequers as well and noticed my wallet was missing, possibly since Sunday. I went to the pub anyway and had a good time with Rory, Adam, and Connor. One of the three got so wasted, he was providing indecent entertainment during the walk back to Stanford. (They were going to be working at a falafel stand at the Give festival.) That same night I found out my wallet had been in the caravan. Friday was a good lazy day with a bit of work within the festival to compost the food waste. While there I discovered our pearl oyster mushroom supply hadn't stopped giving and got a whole bread bag full of them and brought them over for dinner. I spent much of the evening laughing at/with people while they discovered unexpected forms of life in them (maggots). I had known but didn't warn them. After their discovery, they couldn't stop pulling them out nor groaning each time they saw one. But I was impressed because they were willing to cook and eat them despite the hilarious drama. That evening a chicken escaped the enclosure, so while the mushrooms were getting prepared, we were chasing a hen around. Also during this time I was asked to braid John's hair. (A middle aged man who works as a permanent part of the up and coming Community Supported Agriculture scheme.) When I asked if he had a comb, he said no, we'll just use a fork. Minutes later someone offered us a comb and the braids turned out well.
I stayed up late last night with the festival. I got to see some amazing and unexpected things including a goddess shrine with crystals and amethyst, fairy and animal figurines, sandalwood incense etc. I tried CBD tea which really helped me fall asleep. Today I did a little work in the morning but mostly tried to delegate. I got a chance to have a couple really good conversations with Davis (a new arrival from Germany) and he offered me a massage to help me relax. We ended up attending a foot reflexology workshop together which was fun. When I walked back to the field later, I helped get people organized for the festival job and then laid down for a couple hours.

Successful Experiment

Yesterday was a relaxed half workday and today I spent most of my day watering, gathering ingredients, and preparing lunch and dinner. For dinner, I used a ton of lettuce that should have been picked ages ago, kale, broad beans, cucumber then cous cous, and lentils. In order to try to make the bitter greens taste better I billed them with 4 or 5 bouillion, crushed cardamom pods, and even a bit of turmeric and cumin in a bit of oil. (I learned just yesterday that turmeric is oil soluble.) It ended up being thoroughly enjoyed by all. Lunch was just zucchini sautéed with small tomatoes, mushrooms and garlic with could cous and lentils since one of us is gluten free.
Ended up at a pub with the two French people and two newcomers who arrived today. They speak Spanish and Italian and a little English. England won a game today (at 3 pm) so the pub was noisy for a while.

Brief Summary of the Week

Monday I put more seeds in the house garden and covered them with something to keep moisture in and pests out. Tuesday, I put in a new bed of carrots with a volunteer and a person with Workaway. Wednesday was chaos for me. I was delegating the watering of tons of potatoes, preparing a bed for squash and work in people care with cooking and cleaning up. With not enough sleep and too much to lead, I was losing my mind. Today we finally did get the squash in and two other plants as well. But unfortunately, we discovered we have to the broccoli I planted need to be rescued from tiny green eggs and caterpillars as soon as possible.

Relaxing Weekend

Yesterday I spent the day with no skin exposed to the sun. I woke up late then, after a couple nice chats with breakfast and during our daily meeting, I strolled around the place taking pictures of the work we've been doing this past month. Along the way, I came across some delicious oyster mushrooms and picked them for lunch or dinner. After lunch, I took a two hour nap/meditation. I was able to fall asleep well last night despite the extra rest. After spending Thursday and Friday in the sun and not getting enough sleep either night, I needed the siesta. Today, a new French person arrived and will be helping in plant care. I got to practice more Frech this afternoon since there are now 2 French volunteers on my team. Spent the day wandering about and thinking about researching schools soon.
I missed talking about the orange nearly full moon Thursday & Friday night. It was gorgeous.