Day 3

We all made the quick walk to the garden that’s about 100 yards from our cabin to meet Aidan and Jean-Christophe. I had watering duty this morning—watering plants and filling newly dug holes—that included lettuce, green beans, artichokes, sweet peas and potatoes. I’m getting really good at this watering thing. They call me the Sultan of the Soaker, Wizard of Water, Intimidator of Irrigation.

10am is Tea Time. And at Ballymaloe, tea time MEANS tea time. Mid-watering, Aiden told me to drop everything and go for tea and scones. Today there were delicious scones and raisin bread with an unbelievable homemade rhubarb jam. Seriously I think I’m already addicted. Aidan, master garden keeper, says rhubarb is one of the easiest plants to grow in the garden…just let it grow and fertilize with a bit of seaweed. But don’t eat the leaves—they’re poisonous—so you just keep the stems and boil in water to tenderize the tough stems and mix with sugar. We talked with Jean-Christophe (JC for short—yes he’s Jesus Christ) over tea—he is from a town near Lyon, France and is staying at Ballymaloe for 2 months, working in the gardens in the morning and in the restaurant in the afternoon as an intern.

Lunch was grand today. Looks like I’m not gonna be losing any weight even with all the hard work. Today’s included delicious fried fish, shepherd’s pie, spaghetti with meat sauce, cabbage, homemade pizza and more. Lunch is always at 12:55- 5 of 1- and if you’re late you won’t get the best food—so don’t be late.

After lunch, I covered the beans with plastic mesh to keep birds/rabbits out. Then scooped chicken manure and spread it all over a patch of land where salad greens will soon be grown. Yummy…sorry Dad I think there might be chicken crap stuck to your boots for a while. Lastly we cleared rocks and then sewed seeds in the glasshouse. To say the least my feet are dead tired.

Peace from Ireland for now…