The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Community => Introduce yourself => Topic started by: SisterKaff on November 01, 2008, 05:15:41 pm

Title: Hello Smallholders
Post by: SisterKaff on November 01, 2008, 05:15:41 pm
An interesting forum, I'm glad I came across it.
I don't have any land over here in England, where I've had to return for economic reasons. I miss the large allotment type garden I had in France. I'm hoping to return there soon, and the way things are going in the world economy, I'll be going back there sooner than I thought! I used to grow a good mix of vegetables, the only type my soil didn't favour were beans. Carrots and parsnips were fantastic. I'm interested in gleening food from woods and hedgerows, and where ever possible  mend clothes, shoes, utensils, buildings, you name it, don't chuck it. I'm a good woods-woman, living in a house where for seven years our only source of heat was a wood-burning stove. I could go on, suffice to say : I'd love a small holding!
Title: Re: Hello Smallholders
Post by: garden cottage on November 01, 2008, 06:06:03 pm
Hi sisterkaff, I have an excellent book on wild fruit and nut gathering by geoffrey eley pub in 1976, loads of hedgrow recipes and all the folklore surrounding trees etc, weve had a wood burning stove for many years and theres no other heat like it!        welcome to the forum..................neil
Title: Re: Hello Smallholders
Post by: Hilarysmum on November 01, 2008, 06:41:12 pm
Hi here in Brittany we cut our own wood for our only source of heat a woodburning stove.  During winter use it to cook and heat water as well.  I would love to utilise the mushrooms which abound here, but am worried that I might mistake a chicken of the woods or a sep for something inedible.  Where in France were you, and where would you like to move to when you come back?  HM
Title: Re: Hello Smallholders
Post by: doganjo on November 01, 2008, 08:39:36 pm
Just been watching Hugh F-W. Fantastic programme where they went foraging and produced a wonderful meal for 14 with nature's bounty.  He mentioned a scheme which I am just going to investigate - Landshare (on Channel 4 website)  whereby people with large gardens or land can allow others to use it tog row veg etc and they share the produce.  Sounds a great idea.  Might work for you, SisterKaff.
Title: Re: Hello Smallholders
Post by: Rosemary on November 01, 2008, 09:01:57 pm
Hi, Kaff and welcome.

I just watched the programme too. Very interesting. There's a grey squirrel cull going on near here at the moment, to take the pressure of the reds. Don't see many in the local butchers though.
Title: Re: Hello Smallholders
Post by: doganjo on November 01, 2008, 09:52:15 pm
Those kebab starters looked interesting, might try that with chicken giblets at Christmas.  Not sure I could eat squirrel, nor bunny for that matter.  I've registered for Landshare so if anyone wants to try it, I'm happy for a bit of my half acre at the front to be fenced off (protection from marauding ducks and dogs ;) )and veg beds laid, for a share in the produce. I'll help care for them too.
Annie
Title: Re: Hello Smallholders
Post by: carole on November 01, 2008, 10:17:49 pm
Hi and welcome from someone else in Brittany who only has wood for heating, and boy has it been cold these last few days.

Yet again missed the programme, is it repeated anytime again soon please?
Squirrel, not sure about, but bunny YES PLEASE.

Carole
Title: Re: Hello Smallholders
Post by: pigsatlesrues on November 02, 2008, 11:38:41 am
It was a fab programme as always, and is on weekly so you can catch the next one Carole.

We too are freezing here in Normandy, with wood for the fire in the main living room.  God I miss radiators!!

Welcome to TAS SisterKaff - are you a nun by any chance? We could do with someone of the cloth on here to keep a few of us in check!!

Kate  :pig: