3 April 2025 (Thursday)

Up early as off to Vanessa.  

The drive down wasn't too bad, though again it was roughly two hours all told.  I listened to Radio 4, though I can't really remember what it was on, apart from the Minister for Business talking about the tariffs that the orange twat has brought in for the UK and all countries around the globe, including a 10% tariff for an island that is occupied only by penguins and scientists… clearly well targeted!

A busy day ensued, changing prices for a few of the shop's products that I can only do onsite, and adding fresh turmeric to the till - it’s now freighted by boat rather than plane.  A customer is keen to buy in bulk and freeze, and we aim to please, whilst also thinking about the environment!  

We also met a lovely couple who do woodcut and linocut hand printing, as a workshop.  They live near Chichester and had come up to meet us and look at the Great Green Barn.  Interestingly, I learned that the linoleum they use is totally natural, made of clay, oils and a natural binder that attached it to the hessian net backing.  We learn new things each day!

Other jobs needed to be done, including planting up new borders that Vanessa's gardener has put in recently; Vanessa had bought flowers at the local garden centre yesterday and she and her gardener had not had time to do the planting the same day, so today she and I did it.  They will need watering in thoroughly tomorrow again; of course we watered them in well soon after planting.

The afternoon saw a meeting that could be important for the Great Green Barn.  Giorgos of London's The Life Goddess in Store Street (with his family, a tenant of Vanessa at her house next door) led the meeting with various people from the Greek tourist board; we discussed a Greek full day event at and in the grounds of FES and GGB.  It will be a day for the people of Surrey to have a taste of the wines, food and culture of Greece.  They’ll be a lot of work to do, and I need to cost quite a few things, though it looks like the event will happen.

I left nine hours after I arrived, and the drive home was swifter than getting down to Shamley Green, as per usual.

Getting back Richard had made a lovely chilli, which we had with wholemeal couscous.

After some watching of Digging for Britain, and rewatching another episode of Endeavour, it was time for bed.  

A shave will be needed tomorrow, as my bristles are getting a little too itchy.


Weather:  Definitely warm this morning, 7° overnight and warm throughout as sunny all day.

Breakfast:  Bran sticks, yogurt, banana
Lunch:  Vanessa Omelette, mushrooms and lemon potatoes
Supper:  Richard's Chilli with wholemeal couscous

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