Ready for the New Year

Hello Everyone,

A very Happy New Year to you all.

I always feel that the start of the year is a great time to start afresh, even if it is just a tiny little refresh of the fridge or kitchen cupboards.

Bob and I have thoroughly enjoyed our downtime, but I think we are now itching to be “back at it”. Our kitchen cupboards, fridge and more have been refreshed. Our cupboards have all been replenished and all Christmas decorations gone! We are ready to start a fresh in this New Year of 2025.

The New Year brings a continuation of our re-set for the farm and a resumption of the Walled Garden development plans. The plans we have in place will begin again. The downtime rest (not total downtime as Bob and I constantly chat and plan for the future), has cleared and focused our minds. The plan has not changed but we agree our energies are replenished. Thank goodness.

Bob’s role as ‘Head Gardener’ is still in place. His contribution to the whole ‘Freyja Project’ now sees him with an additional role as the ‘Project Coordinator’. Bob, throughout his career, has always ‘Managed’…people, projects, governance, contracts, operations and partnerships. Resulting in a successful career. He cannot do this alone and he is very conscious of relying on the wider team, particularly working closely with John, the Project Manager. It is also a good job we have the Lovely Lucy and Graham the Great who will be “back at it” from tomorrow. They have been alongside us for many a year now…they know exactly what needs to be done from the “get go” and we could not have better company with our team.

Since last year our wider team has grown somewhat due to Bob’s increased role, resulting in Bob being introduced to a whole new language, well a few new languages. The ‘Mother Tongue’ of the builder, engineer, electrician, architect, landscape gardeners and experts in drains, grounds, environment, sustainability, interior design, all building work but more importantly for us…heritage and greenhouse people. We should never stop learning and we are about to learn more in 2025.

We are all back to it tomorrow, even if the weather seems to be slightly unaligned with the plan.

We are now definitely in the season of Winter. It is “blinkin” freezing, icy and white outside, it is also a completely different beauty and atmosphere that surrounds the farm and garden. As a result very little growing occurs at this stage of the year. Crops which are established become frosty and crispy. Surprisingly, these crops do survive the minus temperatures. This is Mother Nature at her finest as she is capable of such magic…she encourages sleep. Our organic vegetables are all now in a state of dormancy. No matter what state of growth they are at, the ability to be active and productive has stopped. When the climate becomes warmer and lighter our crops will continue to develop from the state where they were at pre dormancy. It’s magic!

The little creatures and birds also have to survive the winter season. A little hand from ourselves will probably be greatly received even if not physically appreciated…no hugs from that Robin or Hedgehog. Try and remember to feed the birds and not disturb untamed areas of the garden where sleepy little ones are dormant. You may not get a hug but you may watch a delightful display of nature in the Spring.

Till next week please stay safe and warm,    

Ann