New Beginnings

It is getting hot these days in Thailand as we head into the hot season.
That is why I am so excited to be moving to a beautiful town in the mountains. At 1000 meters above sea level the climate is lovely.
We are heading for Canada in a few weeks so the move won't happen til we return in October. But already I have lots of gardening plans.

The panoramic views are incredible of the mountains, valleys and nearby village.

Last season the land was used to grow tomatoes. Now it is a meadow, so the 1 1/2 acre field is wide open for landscaping choices. There are a few trees at the lower end of it and 3 mango trees at the top end. The property slopes gently to the west.
I can see lots of tree planting in my future.

Market days are very colourful and are well attended by the numerous Hilltribe people that live in the area.

The next few months will give us time to put some ideas on paper.

Of course my new garden development plans in Sointula (British Columbia) will keep me busy as we head into my first spring there.

Exciting times!

India and Nepal

We have just returned from a month travelling in India and Nepal.
Business took us to Delhi in India. Delhi is always such a chaotic place.

The markets are fun to wander through though, and we always stock up on tea and spices to take with us.

I always enjoy Nepal and Kathmandu.
Kathmandu didn't seem to suffer that badly from the earthquake, but walking around the villages outside the city the devastation was much more obvious. You can read more about our experiences here.

Here a woman is carrying fodder home for her goats and cows.

Life goes on-weeding the potato patch,

and carrying compost to the fields in preparation for planting.

Due to a blockade at the Indian border there was a shortage of cooking gas, so many people went back to burning wood in their clay stoves.

Time to harvest the potatoes in this village.

In spite of the earthquake and the blockade at the border the people are getting on with their lives and there is a sense of optimism and cheerfulness in each of the villages we travelled through, that I for one could learn something from.