Scarcity and crop switching. Looking at drought in the face. What it really means. This morning there are ice needles in the northerly wind. They have done there best to steel my nose and now they attack my hands. I write two lines. Stop. Walk. Warm up then two more. Like me, the wild pampus grass has lost its symmetry today. LIts balance deserted with the stars, at day break with the arrival of this Arctic air. My hair whips across my eyes as I turn up the hill. I walk up a steep stony track to warm up, beneath me are rocks and stones and dead wild grass. They are too pale to pray for water. Too weak to fight. There’s me, nature and this drought who’s a hulk of a guy. Unfriendly and abusive. Slowly everything gives in to him. Like a nobleman from ancient times sapping all the energy from the workers of the land. Flowers are so few and far between that my camera is trying to persuade me to ask the garden centre if I can take photos there for a colourful change. Drought doesn’t want me here. He wants to own this land that is turning to sand and stone. He is pushing me away. But I love this land now. It’s my spa. I still photograph dead flowers and dried grasses with shredded tops.
A great and pertinent read Pip, one I had planned for later in February too....
It is a frightening prospect, the future.... ‘drought’ it’s a word we don’t pay attention to unless we’ve experienced it first hand, here too we have a 25% water deficit in the soil and we have had rain.... the rivers were empty until December, unseen ever before. I read a startling report on one particular way of reducing agricultural water consumption which was to introduce mealy worms and crickets as a replacement to protein additives in many off the shelf products in supermarkets. The list was endless and this new directive is apparently passed here in France, I feel slightly repulsed... but on the other hand, the research must show that the flavours won’t change and really, if it helps a desperate situation, why not....? Something has to give right?
Our prayers are obviously not working.... I am not even sure I will plant my seeds this year. ☹️
A very brave directive, although the French love snails so I’m struggling to see a huge difference... 🙈😂Joking a part, it is a serious problem, we have to change, all of us ! The worst of it is, statistics show at the moment that it is the wealthy that are more opposed than anyone else... the money no object, don’t know, don’t care attitude... and unless that changes nothing will... 😥
A great and pertinent read Pip, one I had planned for later in February too....
It is a frightening prospect, the future.... ‘drought’ it’s a word we don’t pay attention to unless we’ve experienced it first hand, here too we have a 25% water deficit in the soil and we have had rain.... the rivers were empty until December, unseen ever before. I read a startling report on one particular way of reducing agricultural water consumption which was to introduce mealy worms and crickets as a replacement to protein additives in many off the shelf products in supermarkets. The list was endless and this new directive is apparently passed here in France, I feel slightly repulsed... but on the other hand, the research must show that the flavours won’t change and really, if it helps a desperate situation, why not....? Something has to give right?
Our prayers are obviously not working.... I am not even sure I will plant my seeds this year. ☹️
I hope rain finds you soon and in abundance!
A very brave directive, although the French love snails so I’m struggling to see a huge difference... 🙈😂Joking a part, it is a serious problem, we have to change, all of us ! The worst of it is, statistics show at the moment that it is the wealthy that are more opposed than anyone else... the money no object, don’t know, don’t care attitude... and unless that changes nothing will... 😥