This blog is a little bit hurried today.
It is such a funny feeling to have to rush when normally we move along at a much slower pace than I see in towns.
We are grounded by the farm, grounded in a good way. It keeps you down to earth in the truest sense of the words.
This morning, we have to check our stock, feed the children, chickens and ducks, cat, the dogs. Sometimes we remember to include ourselves in the list if everything else is ok.
We are going to speak with a man today and must get ready, all spruced up.
The Farmer has gone to buy some proper water so we can offer the man a cup of tea without e coli in it. No amount of Abernethy biscuits can disguise the fact that you may have inadvertently caused illness to people not used to our water.
I am feeling a bit nervous as we may no longer be the people who live at the farm at the back of beyond, the people who live 100 years out of date, the people who still live in a feudal system.
We are the people who you never hear about and we are merely a drop in the ocean. We are many.
Others will hopefully learn about our way of life and the culture we contribute to.
I hope that it can provide other tenant farmers a platform to stand on and voice how they feel, how they live and how they are treated.
I don't want people to feel scared. Not in 21st Century Scotland.
I want to hold my hand out to them and say "It's ok, you are not alone. Others care deeply for you even although you cannot see them. Take my hand because I am not scared'.
The Farmer lends me his reassuring strength, he is not talkative but when he does speak, his words are calming and wise. I gather my strength from him and our family, his source is from the very earth that he works.
It feels like an electric shock when I see references to our situation on Twitter, Mumsnet, facebook, it brings us back to modern times yet we realise that finally, someone has listened.
Somebody listened and did something about it.
I feel like the burden which we have been carrying has lessened, it no longer breaks your back or reduces you to tears of frustration.
I'd better go and prepare.
It is going to be a big day.
Good luck GentleOtter for today
ReplyDeleteGood luck. Hope he likes the biscuits.
ReplyDeleteI know you must be busy right now, but if you get the chance, please have a look at my blog
ReplyDeletehttp://ravendalehouse.com/2011/09/01/a-21st-century-crusade/#more-2595
Good luck
Good luck.
ReplyDeleteIt is not us that will get you through this time. It is the stamina that gets you up at night to check on a sick animal, through lambing, through the cold winters.
You are strong. Unbelievably so.
You will withstand this storm, I am sure of that.
I'm a new reader, clicked through from Twitter but I stayed and read all the posts you've made - I really hope your visit today goes well, will be sending good thoughts your way all day :)
ReplyDeleteIf there's anything practical that people 'out here' can do to help, please let us know?
cloudybutnice - thank you for a beautiful and moving blog entry. It lifted my spirit when I was feeling a bit flat. x
ReplyDeletestepanielay - I would be grateful if you wished to write to Alex Salmond, Richard Lochhead or to any Scottish MEP to illustrate the injustice and feudality that the tenant farmers are being forced to endure.
ReplyDeleteThanks :)
ps He did not want tea or the biscuits. Imagine refusing an Abernethy biscuit!
ReplyDeletePersonally, I would never trust a man who didn't want tea or biscuits?
ReplyDeleteAnd he's a civil servant?
All the best
Keith
P.S. GentleOtter - have you seen this...
http://real-france.blogspot.com/2011/09/new-highland-clearances-rachman-style.html?
More eloquent and intelligent than I'll ever be!
P.P.S. If the civil serpent chappy didn't want his biscuits, why don't you treat to them yourselves tonight and try, hard as it might be, to forget about your troubles for a few hours?
Thank you for the link to that blog, Keith.
ReplyDeleteIt is an excellent and powerful piece and yes, these are still the Clearances in a new disguise.
The Farmer and I are cuddling on the sofa, eating the biscuits and listening to Abba's 'Dancing Queen' :)
One more follower to add strength and support to your numbers.
ReplyDeleteJust discovered your blog. Just wanted to add my support, this sort of thing should not be happening to decent, hard working people like you.
ReplyDeleteJayne x
Farmers live such a troublesome life, no clean water, proper garments to wear, or good quality of food to eat. They work with every ounce of energy in their body just for us. We should respect them.
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Eton