This summer we have had WWOOFERs for the first time. A lot of extra helping hands have helped to make light work of many tasks and each volunteer has brought something worthwhile to our lives, and not just the farming, be it music, laughter, knowledge, friendship ...
The endless lists of jobs are still endless but things get finished far faster than usual, but of course more items get added to the list just as quick as they are crossed off! Most visitors have been individuals but we've had one couple which was challenging to keep both set up with enough jobs. I thought it might be harder for me with two extra people in the house but they were so wonderful at helping at mealtimes and general upkeep of the kitchen that it was in fact a lot easier than normal with them around. Dishes were miraculously loaded and unloaded in and out of the dishwasher and pots and pans were washed, tables set and even some meals cooked.
Another challenge has been to find jobs for WWOOFERs on rainy days, and we've hand plenty! The polytunnel is always a good bet and it's looking magnificent ... not a weed in sight and plenty of successionally sown crops in there to see us through the summer and autumn now. All my beekeeping supplies have been made and are ready to rock and roll as soon as the sun shines again, if ever. During breaks Oliver produced his trombone and so my six year old would play along on her fiddle, teaching him how to play 'the Kerry Polka'. It was a wonderful ensemble, fiddle and trombone!
Then Robin came over from Scotland with an RHS qualification in horticulture under her belt so she could hit the ground running. Luckily she was also well used to bad weather, so we got a lot done in the polytunnel that week.
Chelsie came from Vermont, USA having traveled and performed in Ireland for a week with a choir. We finished off a permaculture bed that Georgie and Oliver had started. It's in a very sheltered sun trap and so I've put in some cape gooseberry (Physalis), 'paskins' rhubarb grown from seed and a 'brown turkey' fig tree.
At the moment Lina is with us from Switzerland and has been doing trojan work too. We've been making a very large permaculture vegetable bed which involves moving many wheel barrow loads of manure and mulch. I'll post all about permaculture very soon as it's something I'm learning about and it's close to my heart. Lina is also a wonderful bread maker and so she has treated us to some hand made oven baked loaves (I normally use the bread maker).
So far the summer has been very busy and productive on the smallholding, but we have forgotten to block off a few days for our planned trip to Dingle to swim with Fungi the dolphin. I'm still determined to squeeze in a short break somewhere before school starts again.
Your figs will be wonderful. We never tell our guests when they are ready for eating and they don't often make the trip into the house!
Posted by: Jean | July 11, 2008 at 06:07 PM
Well done, it is hard to stay productive when so much has to occur indoors!
Posted by: Verrysherry | July 11, 2008 at 11:05 PM
My goodness Rebecca, you have been busy since I last visited! Great idea being involved with this scheme to give people opportunities to work on organic farms ~ it certainly sounds like a productive time.
How wonderful to have home baked bread to enjoy too.
Marie
Posted by: marie | July 11, 2008 at 11:37 PM
All these extra helping hands must have made life a lot easier. How cool too, to have people from all over the world come and spend time with you. I bet the evenings in your front room were merry to say the least.
Posted by: Maddy | July 13, 2008 at 12:02 AM
Hi, I just wanted to share that my husband and I still have fond memories of being WWOOFers in Ireland back in 1992! We already lived on an organic farm in Ohio (USA), but had a fabulous time working and sharing ideas with Paul and Maggie O'Malley-Brown down in County Cork. We had to give up our farm and now live in the city, but still live a sustainable lifestyle (compost, organic garden in a community garden, etc.).
Posted by: Beth L. | July 14, 2008 at 01:41 AM
Hello to Chelsie from VT! I am one of the women of Bella Voce who Chelsie sings with. What a wonderful adventure for her! Please give her our best and let her know we are looking forward to seeing her on this side of the pond!
Posted by: Gisele | July 15, 2008 at 06:01 PM
The sharing of souls like that, even if ever so briefly is long lasting.
Posted by: Lizz | July 16, 2008 at 09:25 AM
I really like the breadmaking photo and wish I could see more of your kitchen! It's looks cosy and full of life.
Posted by: Victoria | July 26, 2008 at 02:04 AM