I very recently attended a Self Sufficiency - Food From Your Garden Class at Hunters Lodge in the beautiful Carlow countryside. Except for me arriving a little late (sorry got a little lost), the class started with introductions and each of us giving some background as to the extent of our growing and rearing to date, if any, and our future aspirations, hopes dreams....
Our host Fiona then shared the story of her long and varied journey, the ups and the downs, and where she is today with the Hunters Lodge garden providing her family with so much food....eggs, vegetables, potatoes, apples, soft fruits, honey, tomatoes, herbs, chicken, duck, pork, ham, bacon and turkey and more.
It's not difficult to make a small change in your life somewhat towards self-sufficiency, by considering some of the options that are open to you within the confines of your own garden or even apartment balcony. This class explores and allows you to understand the possibilities for your space, from growing your own herbs and vegetables, from keeping Chickens to Pigs.
The class duration was about 3 hours, and we were fortunate on the day the rain stayed away, so it took place outdoors, surrounded by the sights and sounds of our feathered friends as they free ranged in the garden beside us. We also took a tour around the garden exploring what seemed like endless possibilities. There was plenty of time for questions over a cuppa and some delicious goodies ( homemade of course - soda bread and the most amazing strawberry jam) in the garden.
The aim of the course is for you to leave Hunters Lodge armed with lots of self-sufficiency possibilities for you and your space. It certainly has left me with a lot to ponder. It was a most enjoyable and informative day and we all left with a gift, a nice selection of eggs from our feathered friends. My two girls were big fans of the quail eggs, my four year old asked "Daddy can we get quails too?", something else to consider. But for me the Pigs stole the show, now from keeping Chickens to Pigs, it's a possibility, Thank you Fiona :-)
For Classes with Fiona, see www.hunterslodgeliving.com or @Hunterslodge1
Thank you so much Stephen for the lovely words. It was a pleasure to meet you and I'm glad you got so much from the class. Be sure to visit again some time and bring the girls with you. Kindest regards. Fiona :)
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