h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hi Prideth I hope you are keeping well.

There is a place in Northumberland called Otterburn where my mother was born, I do not know if they still have otters there. I have very vague memories of visiting woods in Northumberland, I think it was called Dingles. It was like the world of the faeries as descriped in the Tolkien stories. It is very important that we care of the enviroment if we do not it will either indirectly/directly effects us either now or in the very near future. I came back to live in Ashington about 10 years after the last time I visited it and it was destroyed. 95% of the countryside had disappeared, you could not walk to the countyside anymore as they had built an A road. The traffic had quadrupled and the effect of every member of my family including my own was devasting. Everyone of us either suffered either or both physical and mental disorders which we still have.

kat

....it's not very often that you get a leaflet about the history of a house when you move in Z , how wonderful!

As with most wildlife there are multiple reasons for declines in numbers, and sadly, the Water Vole is no different in that respect. The increased useage of agricultural chemicals, drainage or development of wetland areas leading to losses in suitable habitat have caused problems for Ratty since around 1900. However, the thing that has caused an 80'odd percent crash in numbers in the last 7 years, is, or I should say, are, Feral American Mink.... They can totally wipe out a Water Vole population from a riverbank within a single year! ....that's thanks to ignorant so-called animal rights people who stupidly thought that the American Mink should be released and given the freedom of the British countryside. Also, unscrupulous Mink Farmers releasing them when it was no longer PC to wear fur! The mink has caused many native species to become threatened or endangered. A catastrophe!

Z , I tend to get rather about this sort of thing. Ignorance, especially in cases such as this, is *not* bliss!

Prideth

P.S. I'm just off to watch BBC2's wildlife progs on the Stoat, so I'll speak to you later Z

P.S. *again*, Hi Kat, hope you're fine, interesting points you make, I'll speak to you later. to be rude, forgive please. I can't miss my wildlife programming...

Hi Kat!

It will be a little while before I get round to doing the entry as I'm waiting for some information to come my way. One of the library staff has promised me some written information. To do it justice may mean some digging around. It will be interesting to compare this with your grandmother's experience (assuming she's still with us).

Hi Prideth!

Yes, it was nice to receive the booklet - although it was about the village rather than the house. They had a little school and were looking forward to my ex and I producing children to populate the school, which didn't happen.

Oh, the *mink*. I know about the damage that chemicals do - which is why I try to eat organically produced foodstuffs and wear organic materials where possible. Not sure what can be done about the wetlands - probably very little about the habitats that have already been destroyed, although enlightened developers/councils may think of creating or recreating wetlands. Can mink be controlled? I can see why the subject is the cause of strong feelings.



Sounds as though

... old ....shouldv'e realised the leaflet was about the village and not the house... Still nice though. I think village populations are also endangered.......and that's why they were looking for you and your ex to come up with some little'uns

well done Z for going organic, which takes some doing due to the cost! ....hopefully prices will soon come down.

Where controlling *mink* numbers is concerned, it is possible, though time consuming and expensive. There are certain key areas for Water Vole where they are trapping and disposing of the mink, *YAY!* The other great news is that where otters re-colonise river systems, they are pushing out or dispatching mink populations. Otters are way bigger predators than mink, and just won't tolerate mink in their territories. for the otter!

Habitats can, in certain circumstances, and with good management, be returned to viable areas for wildlife to successfully re-colonise. There's an awful lot of both government and non-governmental organisations which have, what they call Biodiversity Action Plans, specifically for this purpose. If you're interested in having a peek-a-boo at one of the council ones, your own local council should have one in their Environmental Section.

You just can't tell I'm a conservationist, can you....

Prideth

P.S. "Sounds as though...." ???? What was it you were going to say there Z ?

Hi Kat

I'll fly by your space, and leave you a message,

Zarqoun sadly my grandmother is not with us but I could ask my Mam.

kat

Thanks Prideth.

kat

Kat, it's been lovely talking to you...

You're a convervationist! Noooo! It doesn't show ... really ... well just a bit!

Yes, it's a shame that some things seem to cost lots more if the're organic, however not everything does. There seems to be a fair amount of uncertainty about 'supermarket' organic stuff and whether it is truly organic. Well, I buy it anyway. If I were more organised, I would go to the organic market in Greenwich and buy from there. However, it does mean going by car and having to find a parking space. Or I could get organic boxes as I used to do. Again, not ideal as often there's no choice about what I get and sometimes, I'm too tired to use the veg and it goes to waste.

Ideally, I would like to buy it locally, so I can walk to the shops. I can buy eggs, milk and break (or I would if I were'nt intolerant to wheat and yeast) and a few more things like potatoes, but that's all. It's not enough.

... Now then, rant over! ...

Kat,

It would be interesting to hear what your mum has to say.

...here was I trying *not* to let it show.... I know, subtle as a brick, huh?

It must be an utter pain in the what's-it, trying to find things that are to eat when you've got food intolerances. Can't say I blame you for having a rant...

Prideth

Yes, particularly being vegetarian (although I do eat fish and I know that fish aren't vegetables!). Most people think - ah, vegetarian - give her cheese! Or pasta. Or bread. I have to admit that there are times when I fail utterly to keep off things that are bad for me. Of course, if I am going to a friend's for a meal and s/he has prepared a great cheese dish, there's no way I'm going to say, 'I can't eat that!' (although I do remember going to a friend who I thought knew I was a veggie and his wife had prepared chicken!).

Sometimes if shops don't have organic stuff in them, I'll tend to go without rather than getting the non-organic alternative, although for some things, it would mean I never get them, so I can't afford to be *too* fussy. Not where I live!

Hi Z

I've thought many a time of becoming a vegetarian, but never quite managed it I'm afraid... I tend to eat white meat rather than red, although that's not much of an excuse. Organic stuff is quite difficult to get here. I do what I can, but I'd really either need to travel into Glasgow, or to the Hamilton Farmers Market, (which you really need a vehicle for, and I don't have one, so...) which isn't very practical. I'm always skint too, as I am on disability benefits, and they don't tend to stretch far enough, so, even though it sticks in my craw, I have to compromise...

Hi Zarquon and Prideth

Sadly my mam does not have any memories about my grandmother's first world war experiences.

I like alot of vegetarian dishes especially those made with quorn because I find eating meat very dull and boring. I try and eat as much as a varied diet as possible. I once had a book called superfoods and I still look on food as medicine. I do not have the book any longer. I would like to grow my own vegetables and fruit as much possible in the traditional organic way. One favourite dish of mine is potato salad made with olive oil, chives along with their flowers, wine/cider vinegar and garlic. I am addicted to garlic.





kat

I am in a meat eating family but when when I cook I try and use as many super foods as possible.


katkat

Hi Prideth and Kat

I'm what you might call an accidental vegetarian. I've no difficulty with those who eat meat. I didn't choose to become vegetarian - it sort of chose me. Long story. I suspect that if I did eat meat, I would try for organic meat, however it's probably horrendously expensive. The only things that tempt me from time to time are bacon and venison. A while back, both little and I had a tiny slice of venison on a primitive living camp. The food there was vegetarian, except for the sliver of venison, which was from a road kill and it was delicious.

I've decided not to beat myself up about not being completely organic - I do my best within limits, so don't give yourself a hard time, Prideth! I assume that none of the organic veggie box schemes operate in your part of the country either.

And Kat - I'm sure you're doing what's best for you. Don't give yourself a hard time either! If you're meant to be a veggie, I'm sure you'll become so in your own good time.

Mornin' Z and Kat

Venison, huh Z ? I've never tried it myself , but I adore really crispy bacon How did you and little find yourselves at a primitive living camp? ...what was it like, and where was it, if you don't mind me asking?

There aren't any organic veggie box schemes here, unfortunately . We seem to be lagging behind on most things here. It's ridiculous really, when you consider the fact that this is the constituency of Scotland's First Minister! Z , I'll stop beating myself up over it

Kat, your potato salad sounds yummy . I am also quite partial to garlic, especially garlic bread

Prideth

Oh the primitive living camp is organised by a group (?) called Trackways, who do a whole load of things throughout the year including wilderness philosophy and I'd wanted to go on one for ages, but having a young child, I thought I couldn't. Then I found that they did a children's camp, so I took little there a couple of years ago. This year was our third visit. I don't think they have a website yet, but it was fun. The children's camp takes place in August. A few people come without children as it's a gentle introduction to the subject. We've done things like firemaking, water finding, tracking, silent walking, bird language, flint knapping, play making, song lines, etc. Great fun!

We have this nearby: http://www.capricornorganics.co.uk/. I haven't used this particular one. I used to order via a friend, then stopped because in the summer, the stuff used to go off whilst it was outside the house. Perhaps I should start using it (or this) again. A thought. If there isn't a veggie box service near where you live, you might think of starting one. There must be organic produce grown in Scotland?

Hi again, Prideth

You might be interested in this:

http://www.pceg.org.uk/

which is a local environmental group.

Hi Z

The primitive living camp sounds just the job for getting back to nature! Appreciating the bounty this earth has to offer without stripping her of as much as we can get from her! Can only be highly commended as far as I'm concerned! How wonderful that they take children too. Mind you, on saying that, they've got the right approach, considering that children are the future. If you catch them young enough, what a difference they can make to the world.

Oh! Capricorn organics, huh? That's funny, I'm a Capricorn myself! The environmental group looks interesting. I've bookmarked both the links to check out later, as I've been on h2g2 for so long trying to catch up with peeps.

Prideth

hello again Z

The Plumstead Common Environmental Group has the right idea. Well done to them for trying to tackle issues such as fly-tipping and getting burnt out vehicles removed, and generally taking good care of their local environment. We need many more of these types of local environmental groups. I never could understand why people could care less about the planet that sustains their own lives!!!???

Good on them, I say!!!

Prideth