Fact checking seems all the rage these days for some reason. So I figured it would be appropriate to go back to the lofty list I made this summer to see just how successful or not that I have been in this regard. So without further ado, here it is, warts and all:
1. The bee hive I bought is still only half-assembled, but I’ll have it ready for spring, when my 10,000 new pets will need a bigger home. Can’t wait to have honey on tap…
2. E-bike is great deal of fun, but has been surpassed by its larger brother somewhat. Great for joyriding in the forest tho. Also highly recommended.
3. Home made apple juice was a great success. And stored very well at room temperature. Great way to use the entire harvest. Victim to its own success tho – drank the last of some 30 bottles this morn; so much for self sufficiency through the winter…
4. Hedgehog clearly established in garden. Plus: inspired relatives to create winter quarters for their ‘hogs. All you need is an overturned box, some leaves and (ideally) a narrow entrance so it can remain undisturbed.
5. Chokeberry jam is good. Grown-up taste with a hint of bitterness to counter-balance the sugar. Goes well with toast and/or cheese.
6. Solar panels installed. Geeking out occasionally when it’s sunny, following along with production in real time online. Feels good to be less dependent on other energy sources, not least because…
7. Yup. Got a hybrid car. A black Ford Kuga that looks and feels like a toy batmobile. Can’t recommend it enough. The utter silence alone compared to the old diesel monster (which I now think of as Bane) makes it worth it, and the joy of driving something so responsive is glee-inducing!
8. Geothermal heating seems a non-starter here in Belgium. Weird, since it’s so common elsewhere. If anyone has a different experience here I’d love to hear about it. I haven’t given up hope yet.
9. Volunteers at wildlife centers are an interesting lot. All in all it was a good experience, but with ever-more Corona cases and cramped quarters at the centre in question I decided to let this initiative lie dormant for the time being.
10. In all likelihood I’m getting a swimming pond. Because of Covid there is a long waiting list however, so won’t be happening before next summer, but hey, I need a good birthday gift for myself next year… 😄
11 and 12. Something else that won’t happen before next year is ducks, but the house is ready, so once new hatchlings arrive at the poultry place I’m going for it! Indian runner ducks, to be precise. The scourge of snails everywhere.
13. The garden is full of tits, robins and starlings. Some are already checking out the highrise ahead of next year’s mating season. Here’s hoping the occupancy level will be high as can be!
14. The hammock proved perfect for this year’s excursions; I slept in it just by the water’s edge in Södermanland, and brought it along for when I went kayaking with my brother in the Uppland archipelago.
15. The tomato growing boxes proved impossible to get home from Sweden, as they were much too bulky to take on a plane, but then a Danish friend heard me talk about them and got me one, so it’s on! Heritage seeds, UV lamp, check. Next season will start early.
16. There is nothing quite like kayaking. Quiet, seemingly effortless, at one with nature. The forest lakes of Södermanland were, at least. The Uppland archipelago turned into a hair-raising windsurfing adventure when we crossed miles of open water in windy conditions! The really luxurious way to do it is of course down river, which I did in the Ardennes. Highly recommended, as well.
17. Bees are still busy with the flowers in the garden – not least the ones in the new border I planted especially for them, so that’s gratifying.
18. Sadly, our beloved cat passed away suddenly in September, on the last day of summer, so the clothes line will only be used for washing in the future, unless a new kitten finds its way here…
19. The Ardennes are lovely. I’ve been a couple of times this fall; with the new car it’s a pleasure to go on excursions. I need to get a bike rack so I can bring no. 2 along!
20. Pantry is properly stocked. I may have used up all the apple juice, but I’ve taken to buying local produce and/or using what the garden gives more systematically, so now there’s jams, preserves, frozen berries and mushrooms, and even some locally produced venison. Winter may be coming, but I’m ready.
So there it is. I’m 19 for 20, which is a good score, I think you’ll agree. More importantly, it feels genuinely good to have done all these things, all of which will contribute to making my environmental impact less than it would otherwise have been. I can only encourage you to do the same; turns out it IS easy being green.