Introducing our correspondent
I was brought up in rural West Wales. My home was sandwiched between two livestock farms: one was 'modern', for those days, with tractors and a milking parlour; the other was quite old fashioned and used Welsh cobs to haul and cart. I liked the traditional version best but loved the house dog, a magnificent dark sable rough collie, who resided in style in the “mod” one. Against my parents’ wishes I spent every moment I could in the farm yards and it no doubt accounts for my enthusiasm for farm animals and the countryside but particularly for my lifelong love of Collie dogs and Cobs!
I guess I would have liked to be a farmer but it was not a viable option for a female in those days and I ended up pursuing an academic career in Oxfordshire where for the last 40 years, my husband and I have had a 5 acre 'hobby' farm with Welsh ponies, collie dogs and various breeds of sheep and poultry. Rare breeds have figured prominently. We have an official holding number, farm organically, plant trees and shrubs, encourage wildlife and try to be as self-sufficient as possible. It has been an interesting career compromise!
I am now retired. My other hobbies are reading, gardening, leather work, Australian wine, pilates and golf. I also spend a lot of time with grandchildren and their young friends encouraging them to appreciate the pleasures that animals and country living can bring. Anthea Rogers
Anthea writes:
I recall the winter weathers of my youth as wet, misty sometimes really cold but very rarely icy. It was West Wales, adjacent to the sea, and after Christmas Spring came early and was always in sight. There were reminders all around - snowdrops, aconites, primroses and daffodils ready for St David’s day.
Here in Oxfordshire on our windy hill we have rarely had a daffodil in bloom for March 1 and January and February can be cruel months with temperatures frequently below zero. The winter seems to be endless.
I have had to devise a strategy for coping with this and here is the recipe I have evolved to give me faith that, despite the cold winter days of central England, spring really will come eventually!
RECIPE
Ingredients:
Branches of trees or shrubs that when brought indoors will respond to warmth and spring into blossom and/or leaf.
Items needed:
Vase - with heavy base. Use ballast if necessary. The size will depend on the space you can afford and maybe your need. Mine is for really large chunky branches!
Secateurs - good ones that tackle thick branches.
Branches - from suitable trees/shrubs.
Method:
Start when the weather gets grim and you need cheering up! For me this is December when I raid hazel and prunus trees.
Arrange as a display, position in warm room near heat if possible so that catkins and blossom will emerge before Christmas. Prunus Pissardi Nigra is my favourite as the blossoms are an absolute pink delight.
As January and February progress I take out any wilted branches and replace them with a succession of ‘pussy willow’, cherry, apple and plum from the orchard.
Last of all in February I select some assorted native tree branches (although horse chestnut is a favourite) and marvel every year as they open up with sticky buds and fresh green leaves.
Ongoing care:
Top up the water frequently - it is amazing how it quickly it disappears but occasionally change the water or the family may complain of strange scents!!
In mid March depending on the weather I empty out the large vase and store it away for next year because visible signs of spring are now around me everywhere!
I have cheated the winter blues for yet another year!!!
- Click on the related articles tab at the top of the page for more from this blogger.
No comments have been made.