We are in our second week of our newest Helpx host: Yvonne & John of Pencoed Growers in Pencoed (about half an hour from Cardiff in Wales). John & Yvonne are lovely, are great cooks and are looking after us very well. They grow organic veggies and some fruits, as well as Xmas trees. They also sell veggie boxes (just like Aussie Farmers back home). We help them out with all sorts of bits like packing the veggie boxes, weeding, planting, and picking raspberries & other veggies for sale.
Now, I’m well known for being a wee bit of a veggie nut. You all know that. I happily munch whole carrots for snacks as well as entire meals. Shit you not, the veggies I’ve had here are the best I’ve ever had. The cherry tomatoes are so flavourful they make you weep.
There must be something in the soil, because rainbows grow in the form of salads here.
The only real pests are the bunny rabbits, who, I have to say, are very welcome in my eyes. THEY ARE JUST SO CUTE!!! Have you ever seen one sitting in a French bean patch munching on flowers? It’s enough to make a grown man collapse with knee-weakening love of all things cuddly. Luckily for you, we managed to get a photo of said bunny wabbit.
The carrots grow in all sorts of amusing shapes, yes, they have willies! It’s highly, highly amusing. Also they smell amazing when you’ve pulled up a wheel barrow full of them. Carrots, not willies.
They grow herbs (basil, dill), fennel, eggplant, cucumbers, salad leaves, cherry tomatoes, capsicums, French beans, runner beans, carrots, potatoes, beetroot, artichoke, raspberries, garlic, spring onions, spinach, broccoli… I know there’s more. Much of it is done in polytunnels – basically a plastic tube to increase warmth & protection. Incidentally, we get to wear Wellies (gum boots) and water proof trousers which in fact act exactly like your own personal polytunnel leggings. Humidity pants, if you will.
We’ve spent some time checking out Cardiff city, as well as a nearby castle called Caerphilly Castle which is probably the best castle we’ve ever seen. We also bought some whisky & ginger fudge, which was a pretty good decision..
Enjoy the following pictures of the best veg in the world which you will never have:
