Ranch:
At work we do tests of change. It’s a common sense way of trying out new ways of working to see if we can improve efficiency. My ranch test of change is to set myself a list of two or three jobs before I go up, then just do them and come home instead of vaguely farting about doing nothing much in particular.
The winter-long hedge pruning is a task of gentle husbandry. The end result is a very tidy wind-break providing security, hazel and willow garden canes, firewood, rosehips, sloes and organic material for Hugel beds and mulch.
On three separate occasions when using my scythe, people have offered to lend me their strimmers. Each time, I point out that a scythe is quicker and more efficient than a strimmer and even beats the heftier two-handled brush-cutter. It also matches a petrol driven hedge cutter. They never ever believe me. The combination of well-maintained shears, loppers and a scythe and the ubiquitous fuel of belly flab is preferable to the hassle of getting petrol, farting about with green plastic string and the noise and Dupuytren-forming vibration. I bought a brand new strimmer/hedge-cutter when I bought the field, but gave it away when I got the scythe.
After every session, I sharpen and oil everything so the process is self-sustaining and overhead free. Old engine oil and a rag is perfect. Choosing the right tools and looking after them properly is at the heart of all craftsmanship.
I re-planted the rye after the crows quaffed the last lot. It was late afternoon and the light was fading. I thought they might have gone to bed but no – I heard a ‘crawk’ and there was one watching me from the top of a tall tree on Linda’s allotment as if to say ‘Ha, I’ve seen you – we’ll just wait until the seed has absorbed some moisture and is nice and juicy, then we’ll come and nick it again.’ Let’s see if the fleece keeps them off.
Rock and Roll:
I interviewed Spider for the Sick of Being Normal – Pendle punk 40 years on project. We’ve been friends a long time and we both have a scathing disregard for parliamentary politics. I’m fully convinced that a bunch of unimaginably rich trillionaires control the global corporations who in turn control the majority of governments. Parliamentary politics seems largely to serve their interests and often seems like a Punch and Judy shit-show to entertain the plebs without changing much.
We’re rehearsing for our gig on Friday in Hebden Bridge. It’s amazing that Gaz and I are still playing together after all these years – for obvious reasons, playing Notsensibles songs comes naturally. The two we played last week went down a storm so we’ve learned two more to do next week. They have their own natural energy and are fun to play.
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