Countryside bliss - and a seed has been planted

They are everywhere, they seem to have multiplied by the millions. And they must be removed, purged, eliminated. After a few hours of work we end up in some kind of manic trance. The hands in a firm grip on the stem, a slow jerk to make the whole root smoothly let go, up and out of the soil. Satisfaction to the fullest. You don't need to think too much. There is nothing to figure out. The brain gets to rest. The weed just has to be pulled, piled up and taken away with the wheelbarrow. Again, again and again. The nice feeling of grazing, bit by bit, and creating open land. The sun burns on our scorched necks, the sweat runs down our aching backs. And it's wonderful.

We have been staying at the permaculture Ranch Sbrsko for 4 days. The farm is owned by the Tilton family; Michaela, originally from Prague, her American husband Justin and their two daughters Sofia, 17, and Sara, 16. The permaculture method is about synchronising and adjusting the agriculture with nature itself and make it healthy and sustainable, both for the earth, the animals and the humans. And there is no doubt that everyone and everything is thriving here, including the cows, the horses, the chickens, the dog, the cat - as well as the three of us. We love it here and are so happy we got to finish our interrail trip in this peaceful environment. During the days we help out with different shores, such as weeding, harvesting garlic and unions, feeding the chickens, cracking walnuts. Letting the head rest from everyday work in front of the computer in favor of proper body work feels amazing for the exhausted city soul and does wonders for both pulse and blood pressure.

And Tim - the city boy, the restless adhd kid who usually craves action and entertainment every waking hour - could spend an hour with a sleeping chicken on his lap, totally at ease. He assists Sofia in the garden and listens to everything she says, soaking up knowledge and inspiration. It's wonderful to see.

When we are leaving Ranch Sbrsko to head back up north, home, we are also bringing with us an insight. Could we apply some of this into our own lives? Maybe it would be possible to start small scale and then expand later on. It has certainly been an inspirational experience ❤️🍀🐓🐕🐴🐔