Thursday 25 September 2014

A pile of photos, sharing my world....


Our river, the Adour,
all quite and gentle,
lazing her way through the last of the summer days....


...and our river beach, 
which is soon to be taken away again
by men in machines.
But it will return as winter weather pushes water down the river,
the force of which plays with the stones on the river bed,
which will eventually make a new beach.


And the back of the house,
with Lester busy feeding the pigs....


..... and a little while later,
carrying on with getting the gates done in the new paddocks,


..... so that these hooligans can get out onto grass,
which they will hopefully dig the roots up of,
to make for us next year's veg patch.




...and Max having a strop about the noise Lester is making with his grinder..



Sometimes it is hard to think that just over six years ago we didn't have a roof, and we didn't have pigs, or any of the other animals, nor did we have a veg plot, nor fenced fields and paddocks. 

Sometimes it is good to look back to see how far we have come...


Winter 2008


September 2014
The fenced areas  in front of the house are the new paddocks which Lester is making the gates for,
the lighter green on the right is the Side Field,
and the lighter green towards the horizon on the left is the Home Field,
which is our main grazing area.



Vx


13 comments:

Horst in Edmonton said...

Wow, those photos sure show how much progress you've made on your small holding. Just fantastic to see how great it looks. Keep up the good work.

Sunnybrook Farm said...

I like your pigs, we are thinking about getting a couple and putting them in one of our fenced in gardens to let them root it up good.
Nice stream photos.

Vera said...

Horst, thank you for your kind words. And just to say that I still have not started my sourdough starter!

Sunnybrook Farm, pigs are great animals to have, and will do amazing rooting about for you. They are also full of character....our Tamworths talk to us!

ally said...

lovely photos. All that hard work paying off. I admire your committment and energy,Vera. I now have health issues since buying the renovation project in France and hope I can be at least some help to my husband when the big retirement project starts next Spring. You inspire me! Meanwhile I fill myself with herbs and healing to fight a horrid chest infection. Love your posts and pictures x

Kerry said...

Wow what a difference. Its great to look back on your achievements. I'm sure your piggies will enjoy their new home x

Vera said...

Ally, don't be afraid of your health, because once you have made that shift into your new life next year you will find more energy than what you have now. How can I say that? Because when I lived in the UK I was plodding along, getting older by the day. Once we came here (I was 60), the years dropped away from me and my energy returned. I am 67 now, and while I can't do what I used to do, I am still much better in health and energy than what I would have been if I had stayed in the UK life style.
I shall channel healing for you, Ally. Sending blessings to you. Vx

Kerry, I think those piglets will romp about with great glee once they are out of the confinements of the paddock!

rusty duck said...

You've made enormous progress. The before and after shots are amazing, but even the difference over last year is staggering. The house looks more comfortable within its landscape somehow.

Vera said...

Jessica, before we came here a farmer was farming the land and the house was left to decay, the previous owners not being interested in either the land or house. But since we have been here we have tried to bring the land and house back together as one unit, and I think our efforts are just starting to show!

DUTA said...

Bravo! Well done!
The pictures are of course "worth a thousand words", and those "hooligans" are very cute.

Horst in Edmonton said...

Hi again Vera. I know you have done a lot on your house and have a ways to go yet, but you and Lester have made it a wonderful place to live again and show much pride in your home. It's so nice to see that Lester is learning new trades to spruce up the farm and keep your animals safe and in the paddocks. Keep up the good work and you will soon have your home completely finished.

Vera said...

Duta, you are right, photos do explain more than words can do.

Horst, ..it is good to see Lester learning these new skills. He has lots of plans about things to make in the future, and can't wait to get started on them!

Ohiofarmgirl said...

i'm late to this party but WOW those pix are incredible! the before pix really tell the story. and i love all those pigs! they look just terrific. will you sell some of them? Tams are my favorite breed for sure.

Vera said...

OFG, we are keeping this litter, six for the freezer, and one possibly to breed. Tams are lovely pigs, they are always interested in having a chat, and are very friendly. Not sure we would have any other breed......