Welsh Wales

Oh Vicky, I'm am so impressed. Since I saw you yesterday, I've done nothing about our new venture and have since scarpered away from small-holding chit chat and indeed anything local or seasonal to the bosom of my family. You've given me a vision of your postie and a song.

Meanwhile, we've arrived in Welsh Wales where the shops sell black beef after the mountains they feed from and where the nearest town is home to an internationally famous food festival. And what are we eating? Oh Vicky, you know I've tried my best to enthuse the kids the way my parents did when I was little by taking them back to the land and introducing them to the ways of a peak oil future, but tonight, we're eating a pig from Waitrose rather than anyone related to those little sweeties in your garden. It seems my parents who grew up on small-holding values have sold their soul to the Supermarket Gods long since and what's easy is what's tastiest. At least it's cooked a l'Angela Hartnett's organic, hand reared pig featured on the Food Programme today. I can but pretend... What were we saying only yesterday about needing to know exactly where our meat comes from these days?

We're a-visiting for the next few days but back to toast the New Year and our new adventure in the woods. Can't believe that 2009 will have us up in the night with Mrs Sheep and her new-borns and collecting 74 eggs before breakfast. I fear for the pigs though; Dave is determined to deliver one of them to us as a Welcome present. I wonder if Ellie will get to their pen first and set up a barricade. How long do you think it will be before she sets up the parallel blog; Ananimalactivistinasmallholding.blogspot.com?

Mmm, that crackling smells good.
Love Gillyxxxx