Going global ???

Four weeks ago we launched our book A Year on Our Farm. After that we were interviewed by Damien O’Reilly for RTE 1 Radio 1’s very popular CountryWide programme. Then it was on to the Ploughing where we sold 330 books and about half those who bought mentioned that they had heard us on CountryWide.
So there I was on Friday night when I noticed that CountryWide had posted a link about Damien being interviewed by Trent Loos, the Voice of Rural America whose Loos Tales programme is aired on over 100 stations and who has 3m listeners on air and on-line. Thinking that it would be interesting to hear Damien on the other side of the table as it were, I clicked the link.
Damien did really well talking about Irish farming and our grass-based beef production and the thought was running gosh, wouldn’t it be wonderful to get a mention in this company when suddenly I nearly fell off the chair …. Have a listen !!!

From the Known to the Unknown

Last night, Killermogh Church had its annual harvest service and, afterwards, some of the congregation (everybody was invited!) came back to our house for a cup of tea and a chat.

I was raised a Catholic where we don’t have such a service but I think it has to be one of the nicest in the Protestant calendar. The church was decorated with the fruits of the congregation’s gardens and orchards and the theme is two-fold, giving thanks for what we have and remembering those with much less, good lessons for every day of the week.

We had a busy weekend, heading to Dublin for our RTE Radio 1 Countrywide interview on Saturday morning and then back home to finish the very-rare dusting of the house and doing some backing, including the pictured mini-apple pies. When I started doing the harvest service teas three years ago we used to offer people a slice of tart but came to the conclusion that its just too awkward trying to juggle a mug of tea, a plate and a fork. But these little guys go down a treat; I make 9 dozen in total but did stash a few away for the girls’ lunch today as they just love them.

Today was spent gathering up the final few bits for The Ploughing – posters, press release, as we prepare to head to Ratheniska and the Farm Indo stand (S300) where we will be trying to sell our new book A Year on our Farm. We have absolutely no idea how its going to go … which is exciting and scary in equal measure.

Time to close now as it will be an early start. Oh, the giddiness of the unknown.