Happy Lá Fhéile Bríde from Indonesia...

Transcription

1 Happy Lá Fhéile Bríde from Indonesia... This has turned into one of the most amazing trips of my life. After Christmas I decided I needed to step outside my comfort zone and leave Bali and explore two remote Islands, West Timor and Sumba. Both are part of the 17,000 islands that make up Indonesia. Timor I had a vague memory of it being a very troubled place when I was a child. Sumba I never heard of. I always feel I have never really experienced countries until I get away from the tourists and immerse my self in mountains and culture... both these places certainly did that for me. Once I boarded the plane in Bali I never saw another tourist until I returned. Enjoy reading about my adventures and seeing photos of these fascinating Island. Being away from Hunting Brook this year has given me the space to figure out clearly how I

2 want my plantings in the various areas in the garden to look this summer. New plants and lots a seeds are ordered, planting plans prepared, now all I need to do is get back with my hands in the soil in Hunting Brook. MY FAVOURITE EVERGREEN SHRUB Aquaba japonica 'Rozannie' I am often asked what's the best evergreen shrub in Hunting Brook is. I have lots of amazing semi tender evergreens which come and go depending on the winter but Aucuba japonica 'Rozannie' is reliably hardy, looks good through the year, should be easy to get your hands on and cheap. It has dark green waxy leaves, small red-purple flowers in late spring followed by bright red berries. This compact Japanese laurel is perfect for a semi shade site. Tolerant of dry shade makes this a very useful shrub.

3 Aquaba japonica 'Rozannie' The English Garden I was so cuffed to see that Hunting Brook was listed in the February edition of The English Garden magazine. in their top 10 Plantsman's gardens to see in Britain and Ireland. Click

4 image for the full article. Sumba

5 One of the highlights of my trip to Indonesia was time spending time exploring the Islands of Sumba and West Timor in the Indian Ocean. Both are rarely visited by westerners and sparsely populated. I never saw one tourist from when I left Bali till I returned. Sumba is perhaps the most mysterious and least understand of all the 17,000 Indonesian Islands. I was fascinated with their culture which has continued mostly unchanged since megalithic times. The Marapu religion believe in temporary life on earth and eternal life in the world of spirits in Marapu heaven. They believe in life after death and consider the funeral ritual as the opening way to the world of Marapu. When some one dies the corpse is bent in fetal position symbolizing it's rebirth to the spirit world and buried in megalith tombstones which were in in every village is visited. Multitudes of buffaloes, horses and pigs are slaughtered as an offering to accompany the departed. Sumbanese people speak a variety of Austronesian languages, 30% practice the animist Marapu religion. Sumba is one of the poorest Islands in Indonesia, a huge % suffer from malaria? many villagers have to walk several km several times a day for clean water.just had one of the most extraordinary days of my life visiting traditional tribes. These people are one of the few places in the world in which megalithic burials are still carried out. Head hunting has stopped but they did have a drum made from human skin! To see more Click here West Timor

6 EVENTUALLY, I FOUND THE BOTI TRIBE IN WEST TIMOR! After 3 days, 4 wheel drive, motor bike, walking and 2 fantastic local guides. The Boti tribe live a life closed from the out side world apart from the very odd tourist like me. I got a very warm welcome from the king of the tribe and straight away felt we had lots in common - with the help of my guide who translated. We started talking about growing food and showed my photos of Hunting Brook! He particularly took a shine to the photo of my mum! They still have their own language, are totally self sufficient, organic, preform animal rituals and are about 350 people in total. They really do live at one with nature, living in the forest, produce their own cotton for their clothes - this was true forest gardening! I asked what the situation was with crime with in the village. The king said if someone robs bananas from some one else's tress, the village all come together and pick lots of bananas for the man. If he robs again they will plant a banana tree in his garden! CLICK HERE if you would like to see more pictures of West Timor

7 Plantpersons Course with Jimi Blake The next Plants Persons Course which starts this coming February is open now for booking. This is a very popular course and always over subscribed so if you are interested contact Jimi on Jimi@huntingbrook.com or on CLICK HERE for more information

8 Snowdrop Gala This is a delightful opportunity for the green-fingered and general gardening enthusiast! Contact hesterforde@gmail.com

9 Sign up for the next Plants Persons Course

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