A Snippet from The Past.
Posted: Tuesday, 04 March 2008 |
Now that we are in the Spring of the year and as one thinks back many memories surface from the past. Having been brought up to the crofting way of life springtime has always had its special connection with the other seasons, as regards the crofter's calendar of progress.
It was never an exception to experience some winter conditions at this time of renewal. The cattle were still housed and being fed from the abundance of the barn. The barn itself was regurally stowed straight from the stackyard. This was a task which I took some pleasure in on a a good day, hauling hay and corn into the barn where it would be handy to fed the animals confined to the byre. You would hardly imagine the warming effect this labour had on all worked at it,even on a cold day.
The methods peculiar to crofting years ago required simple physical effort that gave a certain toughness to young and old. Could it be that we miss the active efforts of the agrarian toilers of the past.
It was never an exception to experience some winter conditions at this time of renewal. The cattle were still housed and being fed from the abundance of the barn. The barn itself was regurally stowed straight from the stackyard. This was a task which I took some pleasure in on a a good day, hauling hay and corn into the barn where it would be handy to fed the animals confined to the byre. You would hardly imagine the warming effect this labour had on all worked at it,even on a cold day.
The methods peculiar to crofting years ago required simple physical effort that gave a certain toughness to young and old. Could it be that we miss the active efforts of the agrarian toilers of the past.
Posted on Island Wanderer at 01:26
Climate Change and The Croft.
Posted: Friday, 14 March 2008 |
I often wonder when Climate change is mentioned how many people are convinced as to its reality as a latter day phenomenon. As I look back to the seasional occupations on the croft, I can't help but wonder how much work could have been completd In such weather as we have knowledge of today.
In the month of March so many years ago part of required work consited of manuring the land and I remember seaweed being of consderable importance. It was then hauled from the shore in horse drawn carts which were emptied on the grassland in proportinate heaps, completely suitable for spreading later. A horse drawn cart would take five of those heaps and after many visits to the seashore it was surprising how the gathering increased. The spreading would take place later by hand using a grape and in surprising precision.
So what part did the weather play in all this? Good dry weather as required and indeed sunshine often did prevail. But with todays weather pattern many seasional tasks would be impossible compared with so many years ago. I am sure that many unbelievers would deem me old fhasioned and also too ready to believe what modern day weather accounts exist.
To all those who commented on my previous blog. Thanks, but I can't comment in return. There is something amiss with the system. I must get in touch with Carol.
In the month of March so many years ago part of required work consited of manuring the land and I remember seaweed being of consderable importance. It was then hauled from the shore in horse drawn carts which were emptied on the grassland in proportinate heaps, completely suitable for spreading later. A horse drawn cart would take five of those heaps and after many visits to the seashore it was surprising how the gathering increased. The spreading would take place later by hand using a grape and in surprising precision.
So what part did the weather play in all this? Good dry weather as required and indeed sunshine often did prevail. But with todays weather pattern many seasional tasks would be impossible compared with so many years ago. I am sure that many unbelievers would deem me old fhasioned and also too ready to believe what modern day weather accounts exist.
To all those who commented on my previous blog. Thanks, but I can't comment in return. There is something amiss with the system. I must get in touch with Carol.
Posted on Island Wanderer at 01:36