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Private Notes
Having decided to stay at River Cottage rather than return to the city, Hugh is expanding; he's rented a four acre field in which he intends to keep cattle and create Chickenopolis!
The sheep and cattle are settling in, but there is a problem with some of the chickens. They seem reluctant to climb into their new high-rise home, so Hugh decides to sell them at the annual poultry auction.
Hugh's landlord [Anthony Hitchens] is holding the annual mediaeval fair in the garden of his house, Hugh has donated one of the River Cottage pigs to be spit roasted.
Hugh also tries his hand at mackrel netting, the traditional Dorset method of catching mackrel and tries to discover the secret ingredient for the local bakers' lardy cake.
Prolonged wet weather has ruined Hugh's chances of gathering a hay harvest this year, blight has struck the tomato crop too, plunging his plans to sell them at the farmers' market into doubt. However, the wet weather means that wild mushrooms are on the menu.
With his entire tomato crop harvested, Hugh has bet Michael Michot that he can earn more money than him at the local farmers' market, despite Michael having three poly-tunnels to Hugh's one. With half of a River Cottage sheep at stake, this calls for a cunning recipe or two, including one for the unripened tomatos.
The River Cottage Glutton is launched.
With a failed hay harvest, Hugh must somehow acquire enough hay to feed the animals throughout the winter. His solution? A party, instead of a bring a bottle party, it's bring a bale.
