Potter/Photographer/Writer/Mistletoe Farmer?

Orchard life and other wild inspiration

Lots of blackberries to come!

Hello, how has your week been? 

I’m trying to think how to describe mine, there have been lots of good things to enjoy, but somehow I find myself at the end of the week feeling somewhat lacklustre. Largely disappointment, I think from being teased by the odd day of summer only to find the next one is grey, damp and cool once again. Perhaps next week…

Still, the lack of long, warm summer evenings to spend in the garden has meant that I have watched a couple of documentaries which I’ll share as I found them both fascinating and inspiring. The first, The Biggest Little Farm, tells the story of a young couple who take on a depleted farm and embark on a challenging journey towards biodiverse farming. The second I saw at a local cinema with a couple of friends, you will likely have heard of the Knepp Estate and if you’re able to see the film of their rewilding journey, Wilding, I hope you’ll find it as interesting as we did. The obstacles that both these farms encountered and determined to overcome were both predictable and unexpected, as were the many things they learned along the way. 

I don’t seem to have made much progress on anything in particular this week, some weeks are just like that aren’t they? Actually, when I stop to think about it I’ve done quite a lot, I think I’ve just spent too much time at home alone. So, I have taken myself off to Yeo Valley Organic Garden (which is just up the road from me) where I am tapping away having treated myself to coffee and cake. It’s easier somehow to get on with the specific tasks of photo editing and writing away from the house and amongst the gentle buzz of conversation in a beautiful setting. 

In The House & Garden

Garden life is ticking along, a few plants moved and some new lavender on the way to replace the partially dead plants in front of the garden room. The hydrangeas are in full bloom and giving me great pleasure as I look out upon them from my bathroom, they’ve definitely brightened that area as I hoped they would and I’m now beginning to imagine what else we might weave through them. Probably Verbena which grows like a weed here and is spreading rapidly, no complaints as I absolutely love it, but if you want a seedling let me know!

Always on the lookout for something to chase

I’ve spent more time this week wandering down to the orchard with Gertie, now we no longer have any rams in the apple orchard I can enjoy being in there without the risk of being butted. The cider apples down here were planted by my parents in the 70s, I remember it fairly well, and while they’re still producing apples they haven’t received as much attention as they might have appreciated over the years and are pretty hampered by mistletoe now. I’ve begun doing a little reading around how best to manage the situation and think it’s a case of allowing the trees and mistletoe to thrive together by regularly harvesting the berries - I may have to add mistletoe farming to my repertoire! Essentially, my desire is to interfere as little as possible, occasional sheep grazing keeps the shorter grasses under control and I hope that the many trees and hedging down there provide a haven for wildlife.

Down the track to the bottom of the apple orchard

Tree root skeletons left for the wildlife

And what about the house? Are you interested to see as we gently begin making it more our own? We’ve been here nearly 18 months now, a good period of getting to know how we live here and what will work, and we have some plans afoot. Also, moving furniture from room to room is one of my favourite things so there’s always something new to see! In a fit of enthusiasm last Sunday we took apart the room that was my childhood bedroom to decorate before our younger daughter returns having graduated from drama school, so my weekend will be spent paintbrush in hand, probably with deep regret!

We have a wonderful glut of blackcurrants which I’m picking and freezing with jam, compote and ice cream in mind. I thought the birds would be quick to help themselves once I’d removed the netting, but either they’re not than keen on them or there are simply more than enough for all of us.

I recently read about the amazing benefits of dried nettle leaves on Leyla Kazim’s substack and since we have plenty of nettles in the garden and orchard I set out to harvest some. I posted a snap on Instagram while doing so and Leyla was kind enough not only to respond, but to forward me a YouTube video which clearly demonstrates the difference between seed and pollen along with extolling the many virtues of them. It was a very simple process and I’m now sprinkling them on my breakfast and expecting great things… If you’re interested here’s the link.

In The Studio

It’s been a bit of a slower week in here, a successful bisque firing means I have more glazing awaiting me, although I think I’ll avoid some of it by smoking a few pieces. I have a hand building project in progress and have been mulling over what I’m going to produce next and how I might go about selling all those bits on the shelves.

My Ceramic Alphabet

E is for equipment. And boy is there a lot to choose from! Wheels, kilns and turntables being the basics perhaps, but add to that a work bench, some shelving and all the glazing paraphernalia (one of my favourite words that!) and it quickly becomes worthy of a room to itself. I did initially start in our dark, damp garden shed amongst the forks and spades but I can’t say it was wholly conducive to getting down to business

!

Right, I’m going to wind up now so I can go and enjoy the sculptures currently being exhibited in the garden here before I head home. I wish you a peaceful and happy weekend.

With love,

Vx

NB. If you’ve been kind enough to read this far hitting the ♥️ button makes me feel great, but also helps other people see this post. Thanks :) x