Whatever the weather, residents and guests alike have lovingly tended the plants.

From the very first days, the soil has had the benefit of good wholesome compost made from organic waste, organic straw and or course, steaming heaps of dung from our organically reared cows and hens. With all this richness and copious amounts of fresh rain water, our crops just keep on growing better every year.

Although we would like to take a slice of the credit, we all know that it's the spirits of the gardens who do all the really hard work. Rain, hail snow or blow, they are out there painting the flowers, tending the crops and laying unseen hands upon our food leaving it rich in life giving energy.