Comments on: How big is your footprint

By: Johnny Norfolk

Johnny Norfolk — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 11:02:10 +0000

Trees should be planted bare rooted in October/November. They need to be watered once a week in dry wether in the summer with about 2 gallons/ 10 Ltrs per tree. more often if it is very dry. this should be done in the first summer and possibly longer. Look at the leaves regulary in summer if they show ANY signs of droop water well.Here in Norfolk there are no visable effects of so called global warming so the old farming families tell me. They all understand about cool and dry periods and its called weather. we need to look over a far longer period than the experts are doing before we make long term expensive actions. Do you remember about the hole in the atmosphere that everyone was forecasting doom about that you do not hear about now. well the hole filled in and they do no know why. You cannt look at 10 years cycles, 100 years is not realy long enough but that could be the starting point. So dont worry till about 2090.

Rgds JN.

By: Boris

Boris — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:20:25 +0000

Hi Johnny, thanks for stopping by.
In truth I do know when trees should be planted, but it would have less of an impression on people staying here if I promised to plant a tree six months later rather than if I did it during their visit!
Regarding climate change, I do tend to the view that it’s better to act now rather than wait and see who’s right. Even the locals talk about the change in weather patterns over the last 10 years or so but I’m not sure their opinion on its causes would carry more weight than the large number of experts who attribute it to global warming, or would persuade me that the problem will just go away on its own, even if other experts disagree with them. I’m always open to hearing other possibilities, but mostly concerned it’s not a problem we can ignore until it’s too late.
Cheers

By: Johnny Norfolk

Johnny Norfolk — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 07:37:32 +0000

Its a bit concerning that you dont know when to plant trees. It tells me that you should check all the asumptions you have made aboute climate change and all that, it is not what you think. Ask some of your french farming locals they know far more about it than the so called experts.

By: The Bogtrotter

The Bogtrotter — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 19:31:31 +0000

I think the idea sounds great. The tree planting should be seen as a long term benefit that would be good for the environment and provide a woodland you and your guests can enjoy. You don’t have to plant 400 in one go, just do what you can when you can.

Don’t forget there are also other ways to lower the carbon footprint. Encouraging guests to shop locally and use local facilities helps the environment and also puts you in the good books of your neighbours.

By: Ellie

Ellie — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 00:06:01 +0000

Thank you! You inspire me to plant a tree myself!

By: Boris

Boris — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 16:07:05 +0000

That’s not a bad idea but few of them would go for it – I just checked and the London to Bordeaux train journey is about 9 hours and costs £180 return. Allow another couple of hours (and more expense) to get to Bergerac and it looks like the train will cost significantly more than most flights, and take as long as driving.
Most people that drive want to avoid having to hire a car, or have too much luggage or children, while people that fly are looking for quick transport. I’m not quite sure which of those groups could be persuaded to take the train instead.
To be honest I’m not convinced that most holidaymakers are concerned enough about the environment that they would undergo the extra hassle and expense, especially since when they get here there is no chance of relying on public transport – there is none at all within at least 25km.
Having said all that – I’ll add it as an option on the ‘getting here’ part of our site just in case.

By: Margaret Leach

Margaret Leach — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 14:35:52 +0000

What about encouraging your guests to travel by train?