Farmers Diary for July (from Europe) by Ruth Kimber

PAUL and I have dreamt of taking ourselves around Europe just like our children did back in the 90s. Four of ours and our newphew Richard took the Landrover 110 and toured for five weeks. They came back with many tales of adventure, amd ever since we have thought of doing something along the same lines. We fleetingly thought of a motor-home type holiday, but dismissed it nearly as quickly. With no foreign language between us we opted for a more planned break. We reached for the BVM, and true to form found ourselves an inexpensive cottage way up in the hills of Tuscany only an hour from Pisa and many more Italian gems.

We left Dover on Sunday having done two markets on the Saturday; we planned our time away to coincide with the least work on the farm and at the markets. June is probably our quietest month.Our day old turkeys arrive in July and calving starts in August.We drove the first day as far as Rheims where we stayed over night, and enjoyed supper sitting outside a little restaurant. We took our bikes with us we were able to explore quite a lot of the city. We were up early next day and walked to the Cathedral, really fantastic, I believe it is the largest in France, where in years past their kings were crowned. It's not to be missed if you are ever in the area.

We drove to a Champagne vineyard which had been recommended to us by a farmers market colleague. we were taken around and shown how it was done and then of course there was a tasting. It was only 10am and a bit early for such activities, and with Paul driving I had to do the job single handed.

We drove on through France to a village near Chamberly passing so much agricultural activities we hardly knew which way to look. They have a great variety of crops, largely due to the climate. So much land and a wealth of water, soil and sun. We saw corn, maize, wheat, barley, tobacco, poppies, vines and in many areas vegetables and fruit, orchards of top fruit and walnuts.We've been to France before and always find this part of the holiday fascinating.

Our next stay was in a very comfortable converted barn, and we had supper with the family, which always proves interesting and is a chance to taste local cuisine.

Floods

Then it started to rain! Floods followed, and in France many people lost theirs lives.

It rained nearly all the 380 mile drive to Italy. We were amazed as we entered Northern Italy - the number of bridges and tunnels we travelled, the engineering was incredible. The first two days we had thunder and lightning storms, and the rivers in flood. The locals told us this was unheard of this time of year, when it is usually 25-30 degrees. We actually lit the wood burner, as the atmosphere was so damp.

However, the cottage was really cosy and we didn't mind. Then the weather cheered up and we explored the locality. The hills and mountains are magnificent, the views stunning and there was so much to see.Pisa was a highlight - we even climbed the tower, strange though it was with its leaning which was really detectable!

Lucca was another wonderful place, very old and well preserved, full of charm and with an intact outer wall which you can walk or cycle around.

The cottage was 1200 feet above sea level. The garden was alive with insects, including fireflies as dusk drew, and birds, lizards and lots of wild flowers.

I saw my first hoopoe bird. I know they sometimes visit Britain in the summer but I have never see one. Sadly songbirds across Europe are still hunted - I just can't understand why.

This wonderful place we discovered through the help of the BVM, is in a place called Fiano, we also met an expat who had lived there for 20 years. He was most helpful and gave us several tips on where to go for the best views and routes to and from places of interest,

We stayed in Fiano for 10 days, leaving early on Saturday to make our way back to France on the coast road. We went through 179 tunnels and over about the same number of bridges, clinging onto the side of cliffs, with deep ravines below or the sea, it was a spectacular drive with amazing scenery all the way. We drove through Monaco, so Paul could see the grand prix route - our jaws dropped at the wealth displayed everywhere.

We stayed overnight in Marseille and drove to Provence, through the beautiful rugged mountains and gorges, to a house that belongs to some farmers market friends where we have stayed before.

We love it there. There is so much agriculture to see - corn, maize, sunflowers (they are just about to burst), plums for prunes, walnuts and of course lots of vineyards, also many veg crops some surprisingly grown under plastic tunnels. We saw tobacco which had just recently been planted and the drying barns are all around. All in all a really interesting place for a visit especially for anyone interested in farming and food.

But just like at home there are not many cattle about, the milk price is low and the farmers are up in arms!

Our next stage was to the Loire valley where we stayed with Yves and his family. Yves stayed with us some 20 or more years ago when he was an agricultural student. We were greeted by the family, ushered into the farmhouse kitchen and seated for supper, which consisted of many courses and lots of wine. We finally went to bed about 1am and slept like the dead. We didn't wake till well after 10! In the morning we were given a tour of the farm, and Yves explained the process of growing the valuable seed maize crops.

Kimber's Farm Shop is in Charlton Musgrove, two miles off A303, 1 mile off B3081, post code BA9 8HJ. Follow Kimber's Farm Shop signs. Opening hours:

Tuesday - 9-5.30

Wednesday - Pot luck! If we're here we will serve you - we usually are.

Thursday/Friday - 9-6.30

Saturday - 10– 4.30ish.

Sunday/Monday - Closed.

Kimber's Traditional Produce attends the following Farmers Markets:

Wincanton, Memorial Hall. 1st Friday each month, 9-1pm.

Shaftesbury, Town Hall, 1st Saturday - 9-1pm.

Frome, Cheese and Grain. 2nd Saturday - 9-1pm.

Salisbury, Market Square, 1st & 3rd Wednesday - 9-2pm.

Bath, Green Park Station, every Saturday - 8.30-1.30.

Tel. 01963 33177, email info@kimbersfarmshop.co.uk

www.kimbersfarmshop.co.uk