The life of a homesteader....
- Thread starter British Red
- Start date
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Come along to the amazing Summer Moot (21st July - 2nd August), a festival of bushcrafting and camping in a beautiful woodland PLEASE CLICK HERE for more information.
I wish. 22:28 here now and it's still 81f (27.2c) outside. The prediction for tonight's low is 71f (21.7)
Apache Steve. Not exotic but relaible and a good cropper. I want to try to overwinter them
Nice chili for sure, as for overwintering them if it's anything like last winter you won't have any problem
Indeed not - inside now.
Some piccs from today
Our wonderful apple peeler / corer / slicer. I'm not one for gadgets, but this really speeds up apple processing
Apple Peeler by British Red, on Flickr
...and the output. One large jar of dried apple rings dusted with cinnamon and another of plain. I like to do this with our apple "sunset" which is a pippin derived eater with a sharp taste. Makes the best apple rings ever.
Dried Apples by British Red, on Flickr
One of the neighbours dropped off some "surplus" today
Beetroot and cucumber by British Red, on Flickr
He warned us there was another plague of rabbit kits around - we had noticed a couple but there's more than that
Started in on them - got two today to go with the one the missus got yesterday
Rabbit by British Red, on Flickr
No photos of me in a bee suit up a ladder doing second treatment on the wasps nests - I had other things on my mind
Saw this and thought of you you've probably seen it
http://youtu.be/T0nmEFT6Nbo
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Okay gents,
Here is a challenge for you.
I am (slowly) adapting to being a fenlander. For those of you who think "Deliverance" was a joke - stay out of the Fens!
Today, BB and I went for a walk into the Wash. The Wash is bleak. It kills the unwary. So I am not putting this up as a cuddly "please learn to forage here" post. But it is a fascinating habitat.
So, can you see a massive amount of foodstuffs, in three distinct areas here
Foraging on the wash by British Red, on Flickr
I will be honest, being primarily a "rolling hills and woods" kind of guy, I had to totally change my outlook around here, but in that photo there are three elements that represent several tonnes of foraged food.
So, can you see the three components?
To help you out, here is BB a bit further out
BB on the Wash by British Red, on Flickr
So, what are the three foraged items this terrain offer the thrifty homesteader?
Here is a challenge for you.
I am (slowly) adapting to being a fenlander. For those of you who think "Deliverance" was a joke - stay out of the Fens!
Today, BB and I went for a walk into the Wash. The Wash is bleak. It kills the unwary. So I am not putting this up as a cuddly "please learn to forage here" post. But it is a fascinating habitat.
So, can you see a massive amount of foodstuffs, in three distinct areas here
Foraging on the wash by British Red, on FlickrI will be honest, being primarily a "rolling hills and woods" kind of guy, I had to totally change my outlook around here, but in that photo there are three elements that represent several tonnes of foraged food.
So, can you see the three components?
To help you out, here is BB a bit further out
BB on the Wash by British Red, on FlickrSo, what are the three foraged items this terrain offer the thrifty homesteader?
I must admit I was thinking the same , could be the the indicator holes in the sand/mud/silt.
Marsh Samphire?
Very, very good. 2/3 items identified.
For those that don't know, this is samphire
Samphire by British Red, on Flickr
Its horribly expensive to buy...and served in the best restaurants.
The beds are too big to show...but this might help
Wash beds samphire by British Red, on Flickr
These are the "cockle holes"
cockle hole by British Red, on Flickr
and complete with cockles
cockle by British Red, on Flickr
...and a tiny portion of the bed
Cockle bank by British Red, on Flickr
here is the the third area...a good mile below high water but walkable too - if you know what you are doing. If you don't, you die
Why do we take the time do you think?
Wreck on the Wash by British Red, on Flickr
For those that don't know, this is samphire
Samphire by British Red, on FlickrIts horribly expensive to buy...and served in the best restaurants.
The beds are too big to show...but this might help
Wash beds samphire by British Red, on FlickrThese are the "cockle holes"
cockle hole by British Red, on Flickrand complete with cockles
cockle by British Red, on Flickr...and a tiny portion of the bed
Cockle bank by British Red, on Flickrhere is the the third area...a good mile below high water but walkable too - if you know what you are doing. If you don't, you die
Why do we take the time do you think?
Wreck on the Wash by British Red, on FlickrI must be missing a trick with the samphire, I first tried it in Oz but have found it too salty to eat in any reasonable quantity. How do you prepare it? I was just eating leaves straight off the plant.
Muscles on the wreck?
Muscles on the wreck?
Steam it Jonny - just lightly - fantastic on brown bread and butter with a poached egg.
TeeDee (no but keep trying)
TeeDee (no but keep trying)
