1 Man, 1 Hunter, 1 Nomad.: fish

Land is power. Those without it do not have power. This is a fact. "He who has the means of production has power". Land = means of production.

Attended another committee meeting today. Just as well too. Flicking through the agenda, I noticed the following.
"Hunting, fishing and firearms - following complaint from Su [previous landowner and neighbour] about hunting and fishing in the woods. PW"

This was most interesting. Obviously this issue was concerning my recent activities, as no one else here at Lammas hunts or fishes except me.
I don't own a firearm, they require a firearms certificate. I own a sub 12ft/lbs air rifle. The first inaccuracy...

Following this item was point 8.21 of the management plan labelled 'for reference'. "Hunting in common areas is not permitted. The committee is empowered to make an exception when it is deemed absolutely necessary for pest control. Any such activities on residents plots must be in accordance with current laws and regulations. JW"

My first thought was to explain to the group where I had been hunting. It wasn't the woods, there's nothing there! But I realised how vague the item was. There was no elaboration on the complaint, which made me question if indeed there was one. Paul W, the very person who put the item on the agenda, admitted that no, no complaint had been made at all. Merely a question had been asked of him by Su as to whether I was allowed to hunt/fish in the Lammas woodland...
Glad I asked! Still, the others present voiced their concerns over my fishing in the millpond. Jane said she had felt "upset and disappointed" when she heard I'd caught a fish and Melissa believed it best the fish be left for an otter that had occasionally been sighted.
20 fish were added a year and a half ago, so assuming they were infertile and none perished, there are 17 left. I had already decided to give the fish a break, but have now been formally asked not to fish for an undefined period.

I find it all very amusing.
So here we have the haves and the have-nots.
The haves do not. When the have-nots do, the haves ask the have-nots to do not.
Because the have-nots have not, the have-nots have no choice but to do not.

Land is power. The Barons knew it. The Kings knew it. Civilisations knew it.

Governments know it.

7:19 And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and stretch out thine hand upon the waters of Egypt, upon their streams, upon their rivers, and upon their ponds, and upon all their pools of water, that they may become blood; and that there may be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood, and in vessels of stone.

The Builders Of The Hub Posing For A Group Photograph.

Magpie Decoy.

M Jones

This was to be a completely surreal day. Perhaps my body knew it would be and was so excited it wouldn't let me sleep. I rose at 04:45 and decided to go a-hunting. Took a very long walk about, which culminated in me locating and subsequently scaring off 3-4 rabbits. Upon my weary return, I knew I would have nothing to lose if I went a-fishing.
To my shock and surprise, I cast out my line only 3 times when I got a bite. Nothing could have prepared me for the amazement at the size of the monster on my hook. A brown trout weighing 1lb 14oz and 1/8th. A sharp tap on the back of my quarry's head and he was despatched. Albeit with an eye bulging from its socket.
My primordial task was concluded and fulfilled for the day. I returned home filled with pride and elation. This beast of the depths would feed my entire family.
After announcing my accomplishment to all those who would listen, I passed out on the couch.

Slightly re-energised by my siesta, I went for a wander and returned to find Emma chatting to Helen, a videographer, documenting Lammas on behalf of Undercurrents.
Of course, she was next to be regaled with the tale of my Moby Dick! And off she went.

Then she came back. Through talking to Jasmine, she discovered I wrote a blog and had published it as a book and sensed a story. So I did a very enjoyable interview with her, talking about the above and our time here as volunteers. I am very grateful indeed to her for her time and for thinking of me.

The rest of the day I spent tinkering with lawnmowers before we had dinner. I fried the trout in olive oil after leaving it soaking in salt water for 6-8 hours. I had foraged some Wood Sorrel (Oxalis acetosella) in the day which complimented the fish beautifully.
Now, my taste buds will be biased, but everyone who tasted it agreed that that trout was some of the best fish ever eaten. A thick meaty texture only wild game has, with a beautiful rich flavour gained from an equally wild and organic diet (Nick found a newt in its stomach!).

Incredible day. I slept well that's for sure!