Olga and Elisabeth are planning a walking and yoga retreat at The Gables in the autumn. They arrived to walk with us, this morning, map in hand. Two Gills and the two visitors set off across fields and along footpaths for a five km walk.

Along the way we met a farmer and discussed the crop of field beans that he was harvesting. He confirmed what Jeremy had told me – many of these beans are exported to Egypt where they make a popular and staple dish called ful medames. Unfortunately the crop is often infested with beetles that eat holes in the beans and those beans are then sold as cattle feed. We also discussed farming and how the increase in veganism and vegetarianism and climate change awareness is having a negative impact on beef and dairy farmers. Then onto the EU and subsidies and by the end of twenty minutes we were no further forward in solving the world’s problems…..but it had been and interesting and frank discussion. None of the farmer’s children want to work the land. Too many hours and not enough remuneration. Gill said she had seen paddy fields in Vietnam unharvested because the young people there have abandoned farming and the countryside for an easier life in the cities.

After an invigorating walk we repaired to The Gables to collect eggs, pick raspberries

And eat lunch al fresco