Category Archives: Farmblog

Click, and you’re there, plus reflections on London

Well, last night I wrote a 1000 word review of John Bagnall’s collection of strips Don’t Tread On My Rosaries (publisher), ostensibly for the TRS2 site but also with the idea of editing it up for submission to something like … Continue reading

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Ups and downs, as per bloody usual…

Another day of roller coaster emotions. I had a particularly vivid dream which, while not disturbing in any way, woke me up in the middle of the night. Normally I’m aware I’m dreaming due to the subtle layer of surreality … Continue reading

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Bye bye ducks

A quiet has descended on the farm the likes of which I’ve not heard in a while. At lunch time the ducks were sold to a nice lady with a box. She knelt in the pen holding box while M … Continue reading

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The field is a phone box

Got a text from bro-in-law. He’s located a laptop for £50 which might just do the job. So after the Archers I took the mobile up the hill to get a signal and phoned Jeff. Sister Lucy answered his phone … Continue reading

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Three months in and I bruise my arse

I don’t know how I did it but at some point this afternoon I must have banged into something because there’s a deep pain on my hip/arse bone forcing me to limp about the place. Nothing visual there but it … Continue reading

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And so, back to work

Quite a few changes over the last week, although some of them are gradual ones I’ve only noticed because I’ve been away such as the orphan lambs getting fatter. Compared to the other lambs in the field they’re waddling little … Continue reading

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Return of the WWOOfer

Again with the rain worries. When the ferry was docked at Southampton it was sweltering and sunny but as soon as we disembarked a fierce wind hit in as the clouds darkened and the odd little spot of rain came … Continue reading

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Farmblog to Farmzine?

I’ve had a couple of very complimentary pieces of feedback to this farmblog , which is very nice since it’s what I spend a good hour or so each night working on, one of which suggested turning it into a … Continue reading

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Harvesting rocks (that is, literally harvesting rocks rather than harvesting kicking ass or anything)

The whole day today was spent in the middle field collecting rocks and stones. With an overcast sky and a breeze working conditions were quite pleasant and since I’ve been dwelling on stuff a bit too much of late I … Continue reading

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Sometimes I wonder if I’ll ever be content…

Nearly threw in the towel today. Let’s just say I’m starting to wonder if this is actually going anywhere. Aside from being constantly exhausted, uncomfortable and, yes, a little bit lonely, I don’t seem to be moving on in any … Continue reading

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Full range of weather

Shall we talk about the weather? I know, nothing more tedious, but they are an important element of my life here these elements. At some point last night (5.00am?) there was a huge thunderstorm and while I didn’t get up … Continue reading

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A different wind

There’s a very slight breeze blowing across the farm this evening which , while not strong enough to do anything about the almost debilitating heat, does affect the ambience in a rather odd way because it’s coming from the west. … Continue reading

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Summer is surely here

It hardly deserves mention but I’m English so you’ll bear with me. It’s been very hot this last few days. Clear blue skies and a beating sun. I didn’t think much of it until it was so hot on Wednesday … Continue reading

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Farm animals don’t deal with change well

You’ll remember the ducklings that hatched to their surrogate chicken mother a month ago (to the day, actually). When I was building their home I was expecting three of them but we ended up with seven. Now they’re half the … Continue reading

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Rookley – cultural capital of the bit of the island south of Newport

And so, to Rookley for the Art On The Green art and craft fair plus mail art exhibition. At first glance a village event like many other – lots of stalls mainly manned by persons into retirement age, bunting around … Continue reading

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Serious Dischuffment

Great blurting on Any Questions just now. “Serious Dischuffment.” Must use that myself often. (Currently 2 occurrences of Google as of this posting…)

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To catch a sheep

Word is on the vine – lambs in the area are getting maggots. Fred lost a couple the other night and others have found the wiggly things in their baby sheep. So first thing this morning we again brought the … Continue reading

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Captain Beefheart and me

Just realised that I’m connected to Captain Beefheart on a personal level through just two people. A friend of mine is Mike who works in a London bookshop. He played guitar on PJ Harvey’s first album and has remained in … Continue reading

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Turning point?

Actually, right at this minute, I feel rather damn fine. After dinner I came back to the caravan and sat outside smoking a cigarette with my feet on this table I found in a shed watching the lambs graze and … Continue reading

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Fuckity tense goddam

And so to the accursed chicken house and run and the fifth day of construction. Now all my efforts were to come together to form the whole and the proof would be in the pudding. Will it work? Well, we’re … Continue reading

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