The really exciting news this week is that we have had our bore-hole drilled and struck water. We felt like oil barons as the seam of water burst up as high as the hedge, but much wealthier. It is fascinating to think of the world of water beneath our feet, what a scarce resource it is and what lengths we need to go to reach it. The amount of fresh accessible water is minute compared to the land mass and even in ancient times ingenious engineers located water at hidden depths over 100ft beneath them to build their civilisations upon.
Our empire is, perhaps more prosaic, but never-the-less just as important as we desperately need access to water in order to grow food. The drought we experienced this season might not be an annual occurrence but to be unable to counter the lack of water and nurture crops when needed is devastating. In sharing in the risks and rewards of growing local and ecologically produced food we are dependent on the seasons and the availability of natural resources, light, heat, water and the good earth. Walking around the cold field it is hard to remember the fecundity of July but that any later crops survived the hot, dry summer to end up on our plates is a miracle. We lost hundreds of seedlings while the sun beat down and we were armed only with a watering can and an unreliable water source. So, we are very thankful to the drilling bods who came and brought us water.
Other exciting news is that our 3rd polytunnel is almost up and running for next years propagation. Ed has been singing loudly and sawing several hundred identical lengths of wood to make staging that is probably the best darn staging there is. Finally, we are ready for the season, just as it draws to a cold close. The nights are very cold and dark and December is suddenly just a few days away. There is a tangle of wrens that flit amongst the brassicas and shout at me every time I go near a cabbage. Hopefully they are finding enough bugs to sustain them and we’ve bought a bird feeder for the seed feeders as the tits and goldfinches have finally finished the sunflower seeds. Finally, another reminder to come to the next Chagfood work-day on Saturday the 27th November from about 10am to 3pm. We will hopefully be able to prepare the soft fruit area and really do need the help! Bring warm clothes, waterproofs, a thermos of hot drink and we will provide lunch.