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Showing posts with label football. Show all posts
Showing posts with label football. Show all posts

Kits Kat - Monday 20/12/10

Nigels wife Cassie had asked if we could take her to Clunderwyn station as she was volunteering in a shop in Carmarthen, this tied in nicely as we were already driving to Narbeth to take Kits cat, or Kits Kat, to be spayed. As it happened, we then drove to Carmarthen as it made alot of sense due to the size of the place and that way we could save Cassie a train journey.
Had a good time mooching, and eating fresh pasties from a Taste of Cornwall shop.
Met up with Cassie. She wondered whether we could pick up Nigels Solstice present - a red leather chair from Narbeth, went well with the "Bah Humbug" hat I bought him. This was fine as we'd need to go back there for the cat. It fitted in the boot, and Nigel got his gift in time.

Had just settled in front of the wood burner with a welcome cup of coffee when the phone rang. A delivery van was stuck at the bottom of the trackway, teetering over a ditch. Would I answer the call? Cors ah wud!
Another rescue under the belt, and it was nearing 18:00. Now I had said I'd pass on football, but the idea of a shower in a warm environment twisted my arm...
Emma wasn't happy, she and Fran had found me a copy of The Muppet Christmas Carol on DVD and were looking forward to watching it together. Managed to squeeze it in before footy, but it was touch and go as our battery was very low. A combination of a small dvd player and a 12v transformer of Kits was much more efficient than the inverter.

Upon my return around 23:00 I was glad to get into bed, but this wasn't to be, the grate had been left open and the fire burnt out. The caravan was freezing and we were out of kindling. 02:00, the fire was upto temperature, and I stiffly climbed into bed...

Gwyn sensing somethings up...

M Jones

Changing the Game - Monday 08/11/10

A game changing day. Emma had been feeling 'off' for the past few days. Being past her sell by date and having inclinations towards incubation, we took a trip to Crymych at 09:00 to get a pregnancy test.

The result was "Pregnant 3+"


A flurry of text messaging to random folk and an emergency meeting with Ayres and Marianne. Frances took it upon herself to spill the beans before we had a chance, and subsequently faced Emma's wrath.
A serious talk about the whole thing brought forth many ideas and potential possibilities, the main one being to consult Paul and Hoppi. Paul knows the ins and outs of both the planning and the leasehold agreements. therefore is it even feasible for Lammas to absorb another family? It was only designed and got permission for nine. We are looking for long term stability along the lines of 2-5 years. This being the case, i simply don't feel Lammas is the place. We do have an offer from another plotholder that would grants us that, but to accept this would fly in the face of rules and policies. As always one can manipulate such things but its definitely not a practice i wish to engage in.
Here's the truth. We have no right to be here. To remain beyond Spring would tread on toes and upset people we've come to hold dear, and whose generosity has known no bounds thus far. Once more i am writing lists of options and at this moment in time, here they are;

1) Remain in or near Lammas. kits plot verbally guaranteed for two years. Possibility of more living space in the form of a static caravan. Other options and possibilities could evolve from this, but mindful of aforementioned factors.

2) Tipi Valley. Plenty of experience in residents r.e. Homebirths. Poor access to lower valley - emergencies. Ideally a yurt to live in. Would entail logistics moving our life and home. Would be guaranteed for as many years as we'd require. We have visited and know people there.

3) Join a different community. Tinkers Bubble? Would be an unknown unless we used the time we have to make prior visits.

4) Go back home. Ideally rent/buy/get permission to reside on land in a caravan or yurt. Alot of unknowns.

5) Sell out and return to the system be it in Wales or back in Stroud. For me, the least desirable of all. Benefits could be seen as wide and numerous, but at a vast cost spiritually, morally and financially.

6) Squat on land. Extremely unstable. Many variables and unknowns. One important disadvantage, we'd be on our own...

7) Buy our own land. a big ask financially. would require major help from family. Unlikely in probability and unlikely to be finalised in time frame.

8) Wait and see...

Listing is useful. But inconclusive. Will follow option 8 for now. I feel immense pressure to properly lead this family, and lead it well. Its bewildering and overwhelming now. One realisation is that, at this point, nothing has changed. The considerations, yes. But as those who've read previously will know, the options haven't really changed. I've created a mental pressure that has left my stomach knotted and mind exhausted.
If anything, this news has become a catalyst.
Will have to ransom this grandchild if money is the answer.
Hopefully a good hour of football tonight will help clear this over active brain.


M Jones



Barley shoots growing from a bale weighting our awning down.

Mushrooms... Unmagical ones...









Ramming And Whacking - Thursday 28/10/10


Foolishly, i made a hand print in the grime from the paraffin lanterns, and was made to clean it. So being immature, i only cleaned my side...






Emma using our rescued hand powered Singer sewing machine for the first time. The cold called for some heavy curtains that made a huge difference.


Hinge snapped :-(






Kit having a quick whack by himself.

Still whacking...

His wife Saara is away...Keep whacking Kit.
Ironically, since Ayres and family departed last week i have been the busiest i've probably been since my arrival. Finished Kits foundations yesterday after a full days graft. He'll now be leaving the rammed stone to wash and settle naturally over the coming week. Well timed too as Ayres returned around 16:00 yesterday.

Monday nights football was very productive, had a fantastic game following which it transpired the oppositions goalkeeper was none other than the owner of the farm next door. This prompted me to suggest us volunteers trooping down to his to help out. This i feel, will give us the husbandry and livestock experience currently lacking at this phase of Lammas' development. Would also help with public relations. Nice and neighbourly and all that.

Tonight we have a gathering of volunteers down at the local pub. I believe its intention is to be a relaxed, informal affair where we can raise and discuss topics of varying importance. Might turn out that the term 'piss up' becomes more accurate...

M Jones

Firewood, Five-A-Side and Japanese Game Shows - Monday 04/10/10

Joined Ayres, Simon (the tree surgeon) and volunteer for the week, Helen, in the woods to collect firewood felled a while ago. Had an interesting time trying to turn a land rover and large trailer around on a narrow woodland trail, overlooking a deadly drop...
Football night. This time Ayres joined us. He likened the new pace of the indoor game to watching a Japanese game show. "Blah blah blah Brother. Blah blah blah October". I know what he means. With the ball bouncing around you can find yourself a spectator, but for a frantic few seconds pitched headlong into the thick of the action.
He won't be returning until April when the guys play outdoors again.
I on the other hand have been asked to play in the 5 a side league...

View through the trees.

The building pad being reclaimed by nature after a spell of inactivity.



M Jones

Alligator Log Stripping - Monday 20/09/10




Up early to gather some kit for todays work. Charlie appeared at 08:50 and we set off for Willow's Forest. What greeted me was an incredible 325 acres of Douglas and Norwegian Fir set across a valley.
Our task was to strip the bark off some 200 2m long sections. For this we had a tractor attachment. This machine was basically 2 cogs and a cheese grater. The log was fed in and gripped in a death roll as an alligator might an antelope, then grated at an obscene speed. Was a horrific and fascinating sight. In the first hour it devoured 57 lengths!
Pretty back breaking work and was glad when 17:15 rolled around. 7.5 hours well, 8 hours minus half an hour break.
Got a text to say there was football going on. Was torn. I was pooped, but at the same time liked the sound of a kick around, even if it made tomorrows labour even more painful.
I decided to go as i felt if i didn't on the basis of work the next day, and being tired from todays toil, i'd be living to work and not the other way around.
We left in Ayres' car and were delayed as one of the guys was a volunteer who needed to erect his tent whilst it was still light. On the way we met a large 4x4 coming the other way driven by a woman who looked far from confident at passing in such a narrow lane. Therefore Ayres had to squeeze further in than was necessary. She passed fine, but as we pulled back out BANG! Ayres gouged out a chunk of his front tyre side wall and a large part of the alloy rim. Not good. He dropped us back, understandably rather pissed off and we took my truck. As a result we only played 30-45 mins but that suited me just fine. Feel sorry for Ayres though...

M Jones

Maenclochog - Monday 16/08/10



Set off just after midday with Kit & Sara for a trip to Cardigan. Had a small shopping list from Ayres, but the main aim was to visit the brew shop. Of course it was shut on Mondays... So we filled the afternoon mooching around various shops, mostly charity ones collecting some pretty good bargains. I was particularly pleased with my purchase of Brewing Beers Like Those You Buy (Amateur Winemaker) and Amateur Winemaker recipes
The trip ended with a supermarket shop and then it was off to grab fish and chips in Crymach before us lads went of to play football in Maenclochog.
Had a good run around that saw us troop down to a seemingly near bankrupt village pub, and after another beer at kits it was time to welcome the warm embrace of my bed and sweet restful slumber.

M Jones