First of January 2014

[Blow-in]

A Happy New Year to everyone on the Ricoh forum!

While much of the UK is having wet weather, New Year's Day started bright in the Highlands. Here is my friend the old water pump.



Richard

 

[thelps]

Happy new year Richard, here's hoping we all get lots of inspiration for this year

Here's my waterpump.. the trough is dry

 

[quester]

Have a great 2014, Richard. What's growing there? Too early for potatoes I would guess...

 

[Blow-in]

Have a great 2014, Richard. What's growing there? Too early for potatoes I would guess...

Quester, Tim, thanks for your wishes. That field is planted with some form of brassica and from previous crops with this farmer my guess is oil seed rape. He also produces potatoes and barley (he has a winter barley crop in the field on the otherside of the road). Considering how far north we are (57 degrees 30 minute plus) the Black Isle is very fertile and productive. On the higher & stony ground there is a lot of wood land and in the bits in between the forest and the arable land you'll find beef cattle and sheep. Most of the produce is sold locally but the one 'national' crop is Christmas Trees! There are several big producers who supply supermarket chains. Quite different to your intensive desert farming but I do admire what you are doing there.

Richard