Tuesday, August 23, 2011
No milk today, the boat hasn't come our way
No boat today. Big sign up in Walkers, when B went in to get our one get-when-the-boat-comes-in, fresh milk. Yes, the cow is still a dream. A bit too expensive right now, but we'll eventually get there. The ferry is merely delayed by a not very adequate tide at Bridport - which is still a tidal harbour (yes, really. In this day and age.) unlike the last ferry saga. But living on an island certainly teaches you about the reliance on the rest of the world. We're more self-reliant and self-sufficient than most (if the Zombie apocalypse came tomorrow we'd be bitching about tea and chocolate supplies being threatened, but really the rest Dave and Barbs are good for a year or two). Hmmm thinks. Wonder if I could grow tea? Chocolate I fear would simply be tragedy. Yes, I know. I ought to stock up... The zombies... in seriousness, one does wonder what effect a major economic downturn would have on the island. Some of the services we enjoy probably really aren't even vaguely viable.
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My dad and I learned as we geared up for growing in his greenhouse and applying for a grant to build a second one that our state has only two days worth of fresh produce on hand. If something were to happen, especially in winter, our little piece of country would get hungry in a hurry as there isn't a lot of farming. So Dad and I are doing our bit.
ReplyDeleteIf you can grow camellias you ought to be able to grow tea.
ReplyDeleteThe thing to remember about the Zombie Apocalypse is that it is an interesting way to examine survival options and scenarios while ignoring the elephant in the room...if Something Really Bad (tm) happens the problem won't be with the walking dead.
Well, veggies, eggs, and seafood is a good healthy start ... but unfortunately electricity to keep the freezer going is a fairly high-initial-investment item ;-(
ReplyDeleteBack to drying and smoking. Takes more time, but I guess the apocalypse would mean the demise of the authorial career...
Regarding unnecessary high initial investment -- I have a long screed about how I have spent maybe $600 in a year and a half on my bees, and how 90% of it was unnecessary. (titled "If I knew then what I know now) Much too long for a Blogger comment. Is there an address I could send it to, if you want it? (Mine is abigailmountmiller at gmail dot com)
Partly inspired by the chookabago, I finally finished my movable pen and acquired the denizens thereof
http://www.flickr.com/photos/29830015@N06/6074354921/
Abigail… my Dad is a master beekeeper and still learning. He's been keeping them for twenty years and still has years where they just don't produce. If you have questions, I'll put you in touch - he love to talk about his girls.
ReplyDeleteCedar, a greenhouse - eventually - is a target here too, but the wind makes it quite an ask.
ReplyDeleteThe island really really battled when the ferry service went pear shaped, as many people here buy everything. Many of the gardeners too are just summer gardeners. Not us. We basically buy dry goods, sometimes some extra potatoes (working on not having to) in bulk where possible, and in the least processed form we can cope with (If I could effectively grind my own flour I'd buy wheat. As is we buy flour (by the 65 pound sack), make our own cookies, pasta and bread. Coffee, detergent, 'loo paper... those sort of things we buy like ordinary people. And those would run out.
Quilly, I'll ask about camellias. I think there are some at the church. Never paid any attention to flowers.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest I don't expect the zombie or any other sort of apocalypse. If something nasty does go wrong, well, it could be fast, but long odds on it being slow and insidious. I seriously do think various shocks could be coming our way and as a pessimist by preparation and and an optimist in outlook, I like to feel I've got the bases covered, that I could look after my family.
Abigail - the island has its own diesel generator, and obviously some months of supply, and two wind turbines, as well as a lot of folk, off grid (2 of my 3 best friends on island), or partly off grid. I'd have days if not months, to process what I have got in the freezers. And we have a wood-heater/stove too, so that'd be covered.
ReplyDeleteThe Chookabago is so far, a joy. I hope yours is too.