About once a year we have been paying a local guy to plough the land to keep it tidy and keep the weeds down which is not nearly enough, especially by August when the wild fennel plants are fully grown and covered with snails. This is ok if you are a snail lover and the Portuguese certainly are as the snails live on the wild tarragon and this then gives the snails a flavour of aniseed.
That has all been ok, but for the last 2 years the Gypsies have found our snails and then they come along with their brothers, their wives and Mum's brother's and their kids, some still in nappies and not forgetting their dogs.
It matters not that the land is walled or fenced as they do not give 2 hoots about boundaries. Last year when the gypo's arrived, we hadn't realised they were on the land so didn't know how long they had been there, probably from first light. By the time I shoo'd them off, they left behind empty water bottles, empty cigarette packets and cigarette ends that they had carelessly flicked away, which could so easily started a fire.
That has all been ok, but for the last 2 years the Gypsies have found our snails and then they come along with their brothers, their wives and Mum's brother's and their kids, some still in nappies and not forgetting their dogs.
It matters not that the land is walled or fenced as they do not give 2 hoots about boundaries. Last year when the gypo's arrived, we hadn't realised they were on the land so didn't know how long they had been there, probably from first light. By the time I shoo'd them off, they left behind empty water bottles, empty cigarette packets and cigarette ends that they had carelessly flicked away, which could so easily started a fire.
But the most disgusting item they left behind was junior gypo's dirty soiled nappy that had been removed from the babies bum complete with contents and just left it on the ground.
Right, that’s it I said. You won't find any snails next year, because I'll clear the land and remove all trace of wild tarragon plants.
So I bought a tractor, as I have a big birthday this month, it's a birthday present from my mother-in-law who sadly died earlier this year.
It's a boy's toy thing really and I am having loads of fun clearing up the weeds.
Right, that’s it I said. You won't find any snails next year, because I'll clear the land and remove all trace of wild tarragon plants.
So I bought a tractor, as I have a big birthday this month, it's a birthday present from my mother-in-law who sadly died earlier this year.
It's a boy's toy thing really and I am having loads of fun clearing up the weeds.