Strange Times

We are very lucky to live in this small rural community where we have great scenery and very kind neighbours. Social distancing (strange how that alien term now slips off the tongue) is not difficult to achieve and we have masses of countryside walks from our doorstep. The weather has never been better in the springtime, and we have so much time to do the jobs that are usually rushed through such as gardening and decorating. We are very lucky to have Neil's Great Niece, Allana staying with us. She came to us on Christmas Eve and we have thoroughly enjoyed her company. With her input we have started playing games again - Monopoly cards, Scrabble, Uno and poker. We have had quizzes, musical evenings and done jigsaws. We have watched an awful lot of television and I have picked up my tapestry again. We have become so much more aware of how much we have and what we should be grateful for.

It is May 2020 and the world is in the middle of coronavirus pandemic. There are times, here in Kilmichael Glassary, that I feel we are in a bubble protected from the 'real world'. But then the reality kicks in. I have continued to make jam, marmalade and chutney but on a far reduced scale . The reasons for this are firstly I struggled to buy sufficient sugar even for the fruit I had already purchased. Then, once I had sugar, an order of 10kg of fresh pears 'got lost in the post' - I can't help but wonder what that box will be like if it is ever found! Pear soups perhaps..... Anyway, I digress. Outlets have greatly reduced - the shops and cafes that were previously stocking my jams have all had to close their doors. All the craft fairs and country markets have been cancelled for the foreseeable future. I am now only selling from the stall in the garden, with an honesty box, and online.

Online delivery is slower than usual as the local sorting office is on reduced opening hours, so I can no longer dispatch the same day. Also I have had to disappoint potential customers, who have contacted me to enquire about discounting postage on single jars. Unfortunately I already subsidise the delivery costs, so this is not possible. In my few years of trading I have tried 3 different courier companies. We have been through late collections and deliveries, non-deliveries, damaged goods and partial orders lost in transit. From all this the lesson learned is that you cannot beat the Royal Mail! They are a little more expensive - but have proved themselves to be utterly reliable. For me they have a 100% track record so I will be sticking with them. Another positive is that I can post up to 10kg for the same price. For those who want to buy a few jars rather than just one this becomes economical.

Yesterday I made lemon curd and then pear and ginger chutney, getting my fruit, eggs and butter from a local farm shop. It is great to be able to buy local and support other small businesses right now.

( Thank you John Welsh for the photos of Pooh Sticks Bridge, Kilmichael Glassary)