This was gutting, but if I am honest, it all got too much. In the beginning, it was very much a joint enterprise, and my then partner was keen on weeding, mowing, livestock and caught up in it all.
This coincided with a drastic cut in income for us both - fine with me, as I was happy to do the selfsufficient thing, but it caused a lot of arguements - he was not really up for 'budgeting' .At the same time his enthusiasm waned and I often found myself outside strimming half an acre of nettles, while he sat inside blasting aliens to bits on his Xbox thingy even though it was a rare bright, sunny day
. The patch just grew and grew and it became so disheartening just watching my lovely neat veg get subsumed by nettles and everything got out of control.I can't blame it all on him - if I am honest, the life of simple pleasures began to wear a little thin, and I started to look longingly at new clothes and clean, presentable houses with envy. I discovered that it is one thing to aspire to selfsufficiency when you have the choice - but when you are struggling to pay for heating and a bottle of wine (food that isn't pork, eggs or vegetables) and your house is permenantly cold, because the hand-knitted socks aren't keeping your feet warm enough - it becomes a bit of a drag.
Anyhoo - long story short, old Partner is long gone, and new one is WONDERFUL and willing to learn how to grow veg. I have had a break from all things selfsufficient, and spent six months living with lovely new partner in his lovely, clean, dry, warm, modern house - doing normal people things like going out for dinner and to the cinema.
BUT - this year, as the buds started to swell on the trees and I can feel the ground trembling with the vibration of new life, IT CAME BACK! Suddenly, I was desperate for the smell of tomato leaves on my fingers and the sight of seedlings breaking through the soil. So I put my name down for an allotment - and two weeks later, one came up! It is in quite good condition - not too overgrown. We have a shed in mind and are going to make some raised beds to make it more manageable. The plot is really well organised, with a lovely 'clubhouse' that even has a log burner and loos!
I still make bread by hand, I still knit, and I still crave a cottage with a manageable garden. Maybe even a couple of chooks again one day. I still would never be a rampant consumer ever again and still buy all my clothes in charity shops. I have never been much of a one for balance, but hopefully this time I will get it right!
If you are still awake, thanks for reading
(thanks)
