The simple life
with Wills Kass
“During autumn there is an abundance of fruit in the garden: brambles for homemade ice-cream, sloes for the sole gin, damsons picked and frozen for when I have time to make jelly and damson gin, plums made into chutney, elderberries into jelly, apples are stewed then frozen for crumbles for the cold winter days. Damaged, fallen apples are gathered up and thrown into the field for the deer to eat, so there is no waste. When the Fieldfares arrived from Scandinavia, they covered the old apple tree like a grey blanket. My husband, Lou, and I are grateful to have a garden that is full of life, there’s a tranquility about it I find therapuetic. Our love of the garden and the planning for the year ahead is exciting because there is always something to see and talk about all year round. I think my favourite season must be spring when the daffodils are out and birds are nesting in the fruit trees and hedgerows. The summer brings the fledglings flying from one side of the garden to the other, feeding from their mothers then learning to fend for themselves. The summer mornings entice us out onto the decking where we enjoy breakfast outdoors most days. At the end of the summer, the swans nesting in the far away pond made their annual mile-long walk from the pond along the field with their four goslings in tow. Sitting in the garden watching the same pair on their pilgrimage each year is a special sight to see. They walk a little, then mum sits with the goslings for a short rest whilst dad parades around them on predator watch. We have planted the garden with flowers and shrubs that specifically attract bees and butterflies. Sitting watching these wonderful creatures fly around and feed on the flowers is an amazing sight. Our young grandchildren love watching them and know that the bees make honey. Last year, the butterflies and bees were still on the astors in October. Occasionally, we see a small herd of ten Red deer as they pass the bottom of the garden on their way from one wood to another. 76 Scotland in Four Seasons Winter
We have three Highland ponies, Irish Draft cross Thoroughbred, and two Pygmy goats for the children to run around with. During the winter, we can be cut off for a few days and have to be prepared with hay bales and feeding. Breaking ice on the water trough every day before work can be a hard task. The goats get their hay and are very easy to look after, they run about the garden and eat all the weeds around the banking where the fruit bushes are. We have blackcurrants, redcurrants, gooseberries and rhubarb. I love making jams and jellies as they make nice gifts. Making jellies and jams and mixing the fruit together is interesting, I like to make up my own recipes, trial and error is my motto! My chutney is always a winner but then anyone can make chutney. I like to add a surprise fruit and let my friends guess what the ingredients are. Last summer, I made ice-cream for the first time with the rhubarb and blackcurrants, it was delicious and friends wanted me to take orders! The garden is so inspiring, looking around, I think, ‘what can I make today’, it’s a wonderful feeling. When the geese arrived in their thousands, skimming across the sky in large skeins. Oscar aged 2.5 told me they sounded like people talking.The geese tell us winter is on the horizon, Lou has been busy chopping and storing wood. We are 12 miles from Perth up a single-track road, during the winter it can be lethal with ice and -14 isn’t unknown. Two years ago, we had six feet snow drifts and were isolated for three days. I love the snow it reminds me of my childhood, and how we used to build igloos on the farm where the road would be impassable for weeks. I love the wintry, frosty weather, and a glowing fire at the end of the day is so appealing. As a family, we appreciate the nature on our doorstep through all the seasons.”
“Life can be simple if you want it to be.”
