Tuesday 25 June 2013

Haud yer wheesht and get oan wae it

Now its not often than I'm dour'r than a stick of rhubarb, but I've had to give myself a wee shake today after yesterday's girning. (Or as they say in Orkney, 'pleeping' (used to express an ability to moan excessively)). Near my wee cottage is a rather fine pier, I'd a mind to jump off it and let the cold water give me a blast of common sense. Fear not the water, whilst icy, is not deep. As you can see from the view a few seconds from the door, I'm very lucky and life's actually rather fine. You see its the weather, it does get to me.  But, today as it does sometimes do, the sun came out and spirits cheered. Even I'm sick of my moaning, so a good shake was given and whilst I was at it I had a stern word too.
I've a lot to be happy about, even if I'm piled high in fleecy attire. For instance - last weekend I retrieved the manchild from university so enroute I managed to meet up with a rather lovely chum for a rather lovely walk, in a rather special forest. I assure you she did indeed walk but as she's getting her garden ready for an open day this coming weekend, she was, tis fair to say, a bit tired. But, as always a great inspiration of positivity and drive in our lives. 

And, as for the returning manchild, well he's now held firmly hostage at home. He's enjoyed his first year immensely, which is just great to hear. Well done Jambon.
I've managed to finally meet another really inspiring gardener up here in Orkney who's efforts (with ingenuity, hard work and building shelter) has made some seriously amazing gardens here and even, if you can imagine it, created a park. (A park, I nearly had to lie down) But, folks with a keen appreciation of plants are always fine to blether too, you learn so much from their knowledge its a joy to talk to them.
Much excitement when my day job and 'tother' job nicely merged into one for a Rhubarb workshop, which had me researching this amazing plant into the wee small hours. I tell you, tis indeed most interesting and grows like a tree here, so quite nice to talk about something which thrives in this climate, come wind, rain, hail or shine.
And we also managed to taste a lot of very fine fodder made from this delightful gargantuan vegetable. In many ways, I'm learning (at last) to appreciate what I've got around me! So be it rhubarb curry's, salads, cakes, jam's chutneys or cordial - I'm going to embrace its productivity rather than look at its epic growth and wonder what on earth to do with it (aside, build houses?)
And, I've taken the time to talk to my tomatoes, who're making a sterling effort to grow beautifully, so its only fair I let them know. I have two tomato experiments at the moment, my normal windowsill efforts and some in the polytunnel. I've told both parties I'm taking notes on progress. These gorgeous beasts are in the polytunnel at work. Czech Bush and Glacier - the latter of which I'm assured will grow well OUTDOORS in Orkney. Well, I'm not taking any chances so its fishboxed and planted in the tunnels. My cunning plan is thus - if it can actually survive outdoors in Orkney (although I'm sceptical given the gales and the wind burnt strawberries I have) - then it should thrive in the polytunnel. I'm all for things thriving, so I'm happy with its efforts.
I think on balance, despite a few layers of fleece. I've lots to be grateful for, cracking family, bonnie fine friends, great crack and lots of lovely grub about. This is the final year in Orkney, as the family flee their mothers grips, my time on the islands is coming to a close. So I'm going to appreciate every second I'm here with the big skies and standing stones, beaches, rhubarb forests and abundant willow. There's so much to look forward to and so much to do and so much to see.
 
And, so much to plan for - in lots of ways.
 
A cellist to get to university
A new home to find
Perhaps a new job next year
A new garden to hunt down
 
And we'll finally (at last) take a husband, although only part-time for a while, we shouldn't rush such things as I hear they're sometimes tricky to adjust to. (Darling, I've booked the forest.)
 
I think I'd do best to haud me wheesht fir mair than a peedie blink yet and get oan wee it.
 
(I think I'd do best to hold my moans for more than a short while yet and embrace appreciating what I've got.)
 
 
 
 









12 comments:

  1. I'm glad you are feeling better. The sun is shining here, this afternoon and it is amazing what a difference it makes.

    That Orkney garden looks amazing! As for the rhubarb, yours proves that it comes from a cold climate (Somewhere in China, I believe. We're on the edge of the Rhubarb triangle here where it is forced for early consumption.

    Good luck with the house hunting - not easy!

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    1. Rhubarb - ah the stories I could tell you in cultivation for 4500 years :)

      Yeah its a particular favourite of a cold climate so does brilliantly here. I've seen photos of the 'rhubarb' triangle - looks immense!

      Thanks for the goodlucks I'm sure we'll need it!

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  2. Glad you got a bit of sunshine and are feeling more back to your usual cheery self.
    As you have been reading all things rhubarb - any idea why mine started flowering this year almost as soon as it started to grow. I have two varieties champagne and victoria and both did the same? Is there something I should be doing or something they need? Any suggestions appreciated xx

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    1. I've done some reading me dear - it seems the unseasonally warm burst at the start of the year is to blame, so you can't do anything. If you've cut the flowers off that's the best thing and if you haven't chop the seed heads off and just keep them well mulched and fed with lots of organic matter. :)

      xx

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  3. Hurrah to forest booking - you're excited, heck, I'M excited! Woo hoo! Glad you're cheerier today too! xx

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    1. Indeed nothing cheers you up like the thought of a forest in the autumn, so colourful!

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  4. Congratulations on the husband thing. A part-time one does sounds like a cracking idea. Your tomatoes look wonderful. The fish boxes are indeed so very useful. And a polytunnel is a fantastic thing to have. My tomatoes are outside here in SW England and they aren't particularly happy about it.

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    1. Ah the husband thing, yup its official we're all booked up for a very autumnal event, I figured the forest could take centre stage :) and p/t is potentially the best way to adjust I hear.

      Tomatoes are doing well I must day - although with the weather here in central Scotland at the mo, they'd be bursting outside, I hope your weather has improved.

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  5. Husbands have their uses :) if well trained! Rhubarb curry??? recipe gizzit go on gizzit. Pier jumping, go on! When we stayed on the shore of Loch Nevis east of Mallaig we had a pier and that was a very bracing wake up long walk off the short pier for me and the dogs!

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    1. Link for recipe here

      http://www.orkneycommunities.co.uk/oz/index.asp?pageid=4224

      (as per Mr K - second recipe down) :) hope you enjoy

      I'll mebbe give the pier jumping a miss ;)I'll leave it to you experts.

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  6. Glad you've booked the forest (at last)! Repeat Tony's request for rhubarb curry recipe. While you're searching for a new garden, you are welcome to keep up your skills on mine!

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    1. Hi there and yes finally the forest is booked!

      :)

      Recipe for rhubarb curry (think its called spiced somethingorother) is on this website here - second recipe down, although the beetroot salad is also gorgeous!

      http://www.orkneycommunities.co.uk/oz/index.asp?pageid=4224

      And Mr K I may take you up on that offer :) less than a year now :)

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