The Camas staff were joined by an intrepid band of travellers, many of whom had journeyed a good distance to arrive down the track. In all, nine nations were represented by the twenty four members in our community for the week. We all join in with running the ship here, we split into chore groups to ‘Get Stuff Done’; our rota for this week was plant themed and beautifully illustrated by one of our more artistic volunteers.
One person’s weeds is another's forage, chick weed and fat hen are often discarded in the weed pile in many gardens, but here at Camas these leaves are added to the varied salads which we share around the meal tables. With so much international gardening experience around we were regularly checking out the different names and uses we had for various plants, the richness of the languages was a joy to be part of.
Many and varied garden tasks were available to be taken on during the week. All manner of skills and arts were exercised: both muscle & mind stretching; some called on engineering and puzzle solving skills, dexterity, flexibility and panache, attention to detail, stoicism and a handful of enthusiasm was thrown on for good measure. Tasks large and small were taken on in some extreme weather conditions. Bubbles of conversations, laughter and singing were to be found emerging from the polytunnels, the lazy beds, the fruit cage, and the woods.
The universal language of music combined us in singing familiar songs and tunes. Throughout, all the work was fuelled by good food, laughter, storytelling, support and encouragement. It wasn’t all work and no play though, Iona and Ardalanish were visited and many shared short walks around Camas were taken.
During our last evening together we shared what we had achieved. A list had been written up of our collective deeds and a cheer went up when each one was read out. In gardening we often have to wait and see the fruits of our labour. For those who only had a week in a garden, we gave thanks for those that came before us and expressed gratitude for leaving a little legacy of our own to be nurtured by those that come & in turn; those that will harvest & be nourished by the food later in the season.
