December plans

I really don't know why we bother having plans for work on particular days, I've yet to see a single one work out as expected on the farm.

December was full of such moments.

We'll set out what needs to be done and we sit waiting for the day, and off we go... only we're a man down and it just isn't possible.
Or a vital piece of equipment isn't working.
Or they tried to get the supplies on the site, but the airship had a puncture.
Or it's too muddy.
Or the ground is frozen.
Or a councillor hasn't done what they said they would.
Or we're waiting for a grant to be decided.
Or they only give money to organisations who already have money.
Or we're waiting for a cheque.
Or a form wasn't signed in black enough ink.
Or they only want a single box in section A7 ticked and they say so on the returned form... next to the single box ticked.
Or they don't sell that any more.
Or they do sell it, but they don't have any right now.
Or they don't answer their phone messages/emails/letters.
Or they suggest you write to another office.
Or the large DIY chain say one thing publicly, but its staff spend more time eating the sweets behind the curtain samples...

You get the idea.

You would think all this would get us down, but there's been something in the air of late. And I don't just mean the smells from the old toilet we uncovered.

The snow helps of course. It irons out the wrinkles, covers the scruffy areas, and reveals possibilities. It's also handy for drawing plans full size on the ground instead of doodling on paper, which means mistakes are spotted earlier.

Let's not pretend the snow doesn't effect the general run of the place though – we'll see whether we're as jolly about it in January's blog post.


December started with our involvement in the BBC's Tree O'Clock world record attempt – see the last post. It seems unlikely they broke the record total trees planted in a single hour, but any tree planted is a good thing.

Other trees on land nearby haven't been so lucky, with an over-ambitious landowner trashing trees and bushes on other peoples land that would have been better off being left alone – if only for their benefit. Annoying. As was the apparent lack of interest from the actual land owners when others contacted them, but we've grown used to the illogical way of things around here.


The few weeks we have to go before Spring will be busy as we build up to the big Easter open day – there's lot's to do and organise in such a short amount of time, but when isn't there?

And there was some other good news before Christmas, but despite delaying this post we still can't go into that yet... ask me a in a few days.

Jamie