#hatfriday

Our first three weeks at The Fold were so soulful and enlightening that when our main vineyard for the harvest in Tuscany cancelled, we decided to extend our time here in the UK.

In the first few weeks of our time here, we explored mythology, the ethics of yoga, and male initiation rituals. We read extensively about natural building (especially cob and straw bale) and got inspired to start designing our own hand built home. We experienced biodynamic cranio-sacral therapy and stirred by hand the biodynamic agriculture 500 preparation, designed to encourage movement toward the damp, dark, slimy, and moist energies. We made lots of compost and compost tea from nettles and comfrey, whose deep roots bring the minerals from the subsoil into the topsoil. We observed the ancient British tradition of Hat Friday and held the space at council. We heard legends of folk and folk remixed at Spookyfest. We skinny dipped in the River Teme and were stung by countless nettles while weeding and walking. We woke unceremoniously to the first light of the sun in our loft bedroom and sang to the robins. We ate the fruits of our labor and drank local British bubbly. In other words, it was great. 

That’s not to say we haven’t been working hard, smelly, and physical. But as Nick so eloquently put it, “I guess it’s better to smell like compost than to be covered in chemicals.“

crowdsourced haiku

a pair of plums plucked perfect, firm yet sweet, before yellowjackets’ theft

council

each word is a raindrop, sending shocks as it plops into this small puddle, exposing grooves in grains of wood beneath, then the flood returns

Setting up the new farm shop with Julien, Joris, and Lucy. They say if you meet a farmer you should give her all your money. Or just a beer.

So fresh and so clean clean. 

It was a monsoon and we forgot our rain jackets in the upper garden.

Post-council Hat Friday shenanigans with our hosts, Will and Janne.

Tomatoes