Well, what a change in weather! I must say I was glad yesterday was so lovely, otherwise today might have been tough as my first day!
Today the view from my window was a little different! The snow had started to fall and by the afternoon it was falling in huge flakes like feathers.
As Geoff was working at a school today, Jane and myself moved some of the larger willow that had been cut to over near the van, ready for sorting, getting the biggest and wettest job out of the way! I then did some sieving of compost in the polytunnel for some containers that will be planted out with seeds and grown inside in a propigator. After that, while Jane used up some mangos by making some delicious smelling chutney, I sat and wiped off some bundles of stripped and dried willow that had got wet and dried with a little mould on. It's a repetative job, but simple and satisfying! We also listened to the radio to keep us going.
After that had been done, we stopped for a late lunch and then I was free to go for a walk.
I headed out well wrapped up and made for the castle that I'd been told about. The walk was stunning, since all the snow had fallen and made everything look like it was a scene from Narnia. The water of the loch was so still that the reflection was amazing. I tried to take a few photos but didn't do it justice.
I then found Loch Doon Castle. It was pretty interesting, as I found out that there used to be an island on the loch before the level was raised for a hydro-electric scheme. It couldn't be seen though today.
I then took the track back around through the forest, and it was so peaceful. All I heard was the tweet of a few birds and the rushing of the water down to the loch. I finally got back after a two hours walk feeling healthier and achy!
I had a cup of hot earl grey tea, sat down with a magazine and read an article to make your heart ache. It's about the young children who pick through rubbish heaps in Cambodia. These children at the time had no shoes so would be walking through broken glass, needles and used nappies, getting sores and infections. One woman decided to change this. Amy Hanson set up the charity Small Steps Project, to buy wellies. This has extended to mosquito nets, and is also trying to get children off the dumps and into schools.
First of all, here's the website in order to donate...even one pound will make a difference.
Secondly, why on earth are there these massive rubbish dumps in the first place? One was described as being the size of five football pitches and the rubbish was coming from Europe and Japan. Please please please do all you can to recycle. YES, I know it's a hassle. But think of the alternative...massive disgusting heaps of rubbish in other countries, putting the poorest at risk.
We are lucky enough to have things to recycle. If we even just did a little, it would help. And maybe one day businesses will realise that we don't want our bananas individually wrapped, (Del Monte, I'm looking at you!). And if we do have to have packaging, please, businesses, make it biodegradable with vegatable inks!
So, tins, cardboard, paper, carrier bags, batteries, old chargers....don't just send then to another country as rubbish, ok?
Right, rant over!
Just found out that Geoff will be heading to York at the end of the month for a basket-makers event, and it's held in the Mount School, were I used to go! Small world!
That's all for tonight, I'm bushed from all this fresh air!
Wonder what tomorrow will bring?
