By Bernie Bell
At the front of our house we have a wildflower meadow, with paths and a spiral mown into it. https://theorkneynews.scot/2017/08/14/bernie-bell-i-can-hear-the-grass-grow/
Each autumn, The D Team (aka Dean & Doug) come and strim the grass, rake it up, and take it to our neighbours for their piggies. Initially as bedding – then – the piggies eat their bedding – then – the neighbours – eat the piggies!
A productive cycle of grass management and providing food. Nothing wasted, everyone happy – including the pigs, who have a grand life, and a clean, swift death. https://theorkneynews.scot/2018/02/17/another-piggin-pig-story/
The D Team had got to the stage of raking the grass into heaps, when the light started to go, so they left it to finish off on the next fine day. I looked out, and it reminded me of an old-fashioned hay-making scene – getting the grass into little heaps, for the cart to come and take it to be made into a hay–rick. I remember that happening on my Aunt & Uncle’s farm – the farm was too small to warrant machinery, everything was done by hand. I took a picture because the scene reminded me of the old ways of farming, then I thought it might bring back memories for other folk, too.
The light, the hayfield, the leaves on the bushes turned to brown, the year, turning – an autumn, Orkney day. We’re still waiting for the next fine one!
NB – The D Team are available for garden work – call Dean on 751 487 or email on deanjohnson670@gmail.com
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Please, Orkney Islands Council, please don’t close the Kirbister or Corrigall Farm Museums. Please.
How are the young ones to learn about the old ways? And some of those old ways, are still useful to know about, today.
https://theorkneynews.scot/2017/09/14/orkneys-farm-museums/