Winter has made a comeback ’round these parts, and you know what? It could be worse. In fact, it’s kind of pretty when you’re ensconced indoors, drinking copious amounts of tea and devouring a steady stream of educational BBC TV programming.
Yes, in this rare glimpse into my weekend, I’m revealing that I’ve been heavily geeking out on a show called Tales from the Green Valley.
It’s a 12-part series that originally aired in 2005. Five historians and archeologists – all brilliant hosts – spend a full calendar year on a farm on the Welsh Borders, working and living as though they’re in the 17th century. Since my home between the ages of 11 and 18 was a small commercial apple orchard, I’ve retained an urge to “work the land.” That’s one of the reasons this show is super-appealing.
I love seeing how, in the 17th century, you got almost everything you needed from your own patch of earth. And here I am, sitting at a computer for hours at a time. Do you suppose that evolution is baffled as to why I’m suddenly parked on my rear, when my ancestors have been physically labouring for centuries? I feel uncomfortably restless sometimes, like I’m meant be swinging a farm implement in the hot sun or something. A scythe. I need a scythe.
I would love to participate in a project like Tales from the Green Valley – to immerse myself in a simpler time and focus on life’s necessities (look, I realize the hosts had high-tech cameras and boom mics in their faces, but let me have my fantasy). It was quite moving – I shed a few tears during the last episode when the participants were summarizing their experiences.
Tales from the Green Valley was the first of several similar programs. I’ve also watched Victorian Farm and Victorian Pharmacy, which was filmed in Blists Hill Victorian Town in Shropshire. I visited Blists Hill in 2009 (before the show was shot) and it was a highlight of that trip.
Victorian Pharmacy cast in front of the pharmacy.
A shot I took in front of the pharmacy.
I just dug around in my archives and found shots of the pharmacy’s wares -
- and the pharmacy’s chairs.
Anyhow, back to both Canada and the year 2012.
The tea bender is due to this Sweetheart Collection from David’s Tea. They sent me a sample and I figured I’d better try it before Valentine’s Day because the whole point is to gift this to someone (a individual who shuns chocolate, perhaps?)
Inside, there are five packets of loose tea. To come full circle, I daresay the components of these teas aren’t unlike what I saw in drawers in the Victorian Pharmacy. Nothing overly poisonous, though.
They’re all romance-themed and – it must be said – I thought “love tea #7″ was quite the seducer. I didn’t realize tea could be so chocolatey! David’s Tea claims it’s an aphrodisiac, but, to be honest, I’ve been drinking so much tea the most desirable thing in the house is currently the bathroom.
I’m off to Colorado tomorrow for my very first skiing experience! True, I’m a late bloomer but isn’t it fun to mock a newbie? I’ve got some other fun stuff planned as well, so be sure to pop by.
Goodnight.
*presses “play” on Edwardian Farm.*
