Hello! This picture is me…I have two sides. They go something like this: I-like-makeup-and-fashion-although-I’m-rubbish-at-shopping and a-bit-of-a-farm-girl.
I’m Lucy. I’m 29 and being a vegetarian, I love vegetables. So I have decided to try and grow lots of them to eat. I love animals too, that’s partly (not completely) the reason why I can’t eat them! I have also grown to love gardening, garden design, flowers and since of about the age of 5, I’ve been into all things ‘green’ and wildlife-orientated. At school I was very english, theatre and art orientated, and went on to belatedly study graphic design at university. At present I freelance copywrite and am trying to start up a couple of websites that will hopefully grow into palpable businesses in due course. I still love design, but in a more ‘organic’ tangible and natural sense, rather than your straight advertising and print. But despite what you might think, I’m not a hippy. I don’t wear potato sacks and birkenstocks and I don’t dye my hair with henna. But I don’t know many people my age that like the things that I do, and sometimes that’s where the difficulty lies. What other 27 year old wants a barrow for their birthday (disclaimer: and no, the picture is in no way indicative of my design skills!)?!
I am a Beatles obsessive, and this is reflected in the fact that I have named my hens after some Beatle wives (and for those of you that care to ask, my favourite Beatle has always been John!). I love going out to dance - Rich finds it quite embarrassing - reading, writing, photography, stupid films, fantasy TV series like Alias and Heroes, but also have a ‘thing’ for Monty Don on Gardener’s World. I am way too interested in the world of Harry Potter - books, films, You Tube community, the music…it’s fantastic! I was even an extra on Batman Begins, and managed to get filmed in a scene on my own with another guy, as well as being allowed to have a ride in the then new batmobile. That’s about the extent of my high-flying glitter glam acting career.
Sometimes it’s really quite confusing being me. One minute it’s nice hair, nailpolish, and sparkly cardigans, the next it’s Nannie’s cable-knit jumpers, soil, wellies and veg. Makes life a bit more varied I suppose. I want to prove that you can do both - farming, veg growing and living the good life can be in vogue as well as fulfilling.
Anyhow, as you might expect, this is my blog charting the highs and lows of my attempt to turn our little patch into a successful and thriving ’smallest smallholding’. I hope you enjoy reading it.
April 27th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
Hi Lucy,
I’m 28 and I really DO understand. One half of me is pickle-making, cherry-cake baking, lettice planting, home loving watcher of Tea With Moussalini. The other half likes Karen Millen clothes. And the idea of jet-setting around the world with a big, shiny career. And - eek - fancies a black sports car. It’s sometimes hard to marry these various facets of me-ness, but at least I have a husband who understands why I’m stitching handmade geese one minute and caning the credit card the next.
I too work as a copywriter - for some friends who have a personal development company, and I also write lots of my own stuff too. I don’t have chickens (two children - Aysha-Jade and Rowan are hard enough to rear)but I am soon moving to my own little patch of heaven “The Haven” which has big potential for a small smallholding. I look forward to seeing how you get on!
Bethan
May 8th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
I’m so glad its not just me! People look at me as though I’m mad when I talk about my chooks but I love them. We’ve currently got one very poorly girl and I’m keeping my fingers crossed she pulls through but I know I will sob my eyes out if she does go. Good luck with Yoko’s recovery.
May 8th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
Oh No! I’m so sorry, I’ve just read further on. Apologies for what has probably come across as very insincere. Must learn to read on before commenting x
June 13th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
Oh yipee, I am not alone, I thought maybe I had something wrong with my mind feeling like two different people but now I have read yours and Bethans words I feel quite ok……for now!!
Im now off to bake bread in my manolo’s!!
September 18th, 2009 at 11:50 am
Nothing funny about the wheelbarrow, I’m 25 and we got one as a wedding gift.
Did raise some eyebrows though.
January 16th, 2010 at 10:45 am
Hi Lucy,
Just found your blog via the Battery Hen Welfare Trust. Love it - and can totally empathise with what you say above!
December 27th, 2010 at 1:13 pm
hi lucy, just found your blog and so understand how you feel. i’m actually 52 but still feel like you!! I get really annoyed with myself when my hands are all rough and my nails are desperate but i love being with my hens and gaots and in the greenhouse one minute and then at the gym and down the shops looking for something totally unpractical and feminine to wear the next! I always feel as though i wear two identities, but surely this is a good thing!!
January 16th, 2011 at 11:00 am
Hello Lucy, coming across your page has really enlightened me! im shocked that so many people are so similar in the way i am! im 22 and your fall blown fish nests corset whereing black lace Goth (not in the garden though), for my birthday i asked for a green house, i found your site as for my 23 *this week* im hoping to get some rescued chickens or ginnie fowl for the garden!
Im very lucky that my parents let me used there garden for growing veg and planting flowers, im sure the neighbours think im crazy!
The only problem i have is finding a job in the wildlife industry. That’s what im really interested in, im not working at the moment as i really find it depressing to do a job that i don’t enjoy e.g working in a shop. You are lucky to have talent and can work freelance; i really admire you and all your doing!
Wishing you good luck for this New Year
February 16th, 2011 at 7:10 am
Hi Lucy
Just found your website and I am 51 but just the same as you. I love to dress up (also love Goth, black lace and fishnets) and I LOVE my wellies and scruffy jeans!
I love growing veg from seed and get so excited when my babies grow into toddlers and go out into the garden but I also love going to the gym and relaxing in the hot tub!
I have always thought I had a split personality and it seems there are lots of us out there who do!
I am lucky enough to have a reasonable size garden and space for a veggie patch and polytunnel but my dream would be to have more land and keep chickens and goats.
Its great knowing there are others out there who feel the same!
May 6th, 2011 at 3:29 pm
Hi Lucy,
I’m a similar age to yourself and I am the sort of girl who thinks that mascara, lipgloss and a slick of saddle soap on my boots makes me fit for a night out! I have recently started a blog about my wee cottage garden in the Vale of Belvoir, my mini zoo and the scrummy things that go on in my kitchen. I enjoyed trawling your website and look forward to reading more!
May 18th, 2011 at 6:11 am
For my birthday, I’d be happy with a cart load of manure!
Sue xxx
September 7th, 2011 at 9:04 am
Hi Lucy!
I stumbled across your “Blog” site whilst browsing some info on Enorma beans (bred by a fellow compatriot from Wales called Brython Stenner of the famous show-bench Stenner bean fame).
I just felt compelled to touch base with you and just say “hello” to a fellow lover of veggie growing!
Can I invite you to visit my two web-sites? The first is http://aberaeronallotments.org the other is a gardeners social networking site called The Gardeners Chat-Shed at http://gardenerschat-shed.net/
Hope to bump into you on there sometime - perhaps we can have a “chat” about all things green and edible & of course the Beatles who I “grew up” with in the 60s. My other half is from Merseyside - so I don’t need to say anymore!!
All the best,
G.