Country pursuits

Living in Devon is giving me many new experiences that city life just doesn't muster. Last weekend, for example, was my first attempt at clay pigeon shooting. Now, prior to this experience, I was not really a fan of guns, so this came as an eye-opener for me: firstly, I really enjoyed it, and then found I was quite good at it. Something definitely exciting about the crack of a shotgun, the recoil leaving a smart bruise on the inside of my right arm and the satisfaction of watching the clays disintegrate mid-air.

Of course, this experience led me on to thinking about how I would feel about killing a real animal. I enjoy eating meat, though as a family, we have made the conscious decision to eat meat only at weekends. I am painfully aware that there is a gross overconsumption of meat and in the western world, at significant cost to the environment. Part of my dream to live a self-sustainable way of life must then include either the production of meat or harvesting from a plentiful local supply if we are to continue eating it. I suppose also the satisfaction of providing a delicious meal for the family put together from vegetables and herbs grown in the garden or collected wild, and game caught by one's own hand fulfills a deeper human need, that connection with our food. Strangely, I now feel more ready to take that step than ever before.

For the present however, I shall content myself with eating fresh eggs laid by soon-to-be hens in our own back garden. Today's experience of an Exmoor farming auction was not one I shall soon forget. With the purpose of buying a hen house, my father-in-law, William and I went along and milled around outside among the lots with wizened, wiry-bearded, dusty farm folk. I couldn't help but notice the poor dental health of many of them. The hightlight has to have been the auctioneer, who, barely stopping for breath between his fast rhythmic chant, willed the bidders on with a gentle insistence like the commentator at a horse race. I have never seen so many flat caps and Land Rover Defenders in one place.

The hen house arrives tomorrow! ...and next week... HENS!