Quick update

This will have to be a real quick post, life has been very busy this last week or so, we have a nice helper call ed Simon, who although quiet is working hard and getting stuff done, Rick and him have cut tons of logs for next year, a van full to top up my barn for now, felled trees to give the orchard more sun, and yesterday made me a seed house, out of scrap wood from the forest and old plastic sacking... its lovely and I forgot to bring the camera with the pictures...
We also had Carnaval last weekend which was great fun.... pics to follow another day too...
Bookings are picking up too, Ive had to turn down two enquiries for April this last week as April is looking good for us, last night I took a August booking and have other enquiries pending too... its all go!
Im looking to start a lot of lanting in about a week, as stuff is really starting to come up now... all our plants from two weeks ago are thriving, even the lettuce, my seedbed stuff is just through the ground too...
On the minus side...
There are bloody caterpillars everywhere... we've burnt four lots this week...
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Signs of Spring ...

The beautiful little plum tree across from our house is in blossom and looks so fantastic I just wanted to share it... and my daffadils too...

Stevia More info.

Ive had a few people email and ask for info on Stevia. It was reccomended to me by some local Swiss women who use it and have used it for years, one is a nurse, the other a alternative therapist, both swear by it. They havent used sugar for years, you can buy Stevia as a liquid on the internet but I plan to grow my own which is what they do.
It is notoriously hard to germinate, which is probably why some people say you cant do it and buy plants instead. That isnt much of an option for me due to postage costs ect. Ive bought a packet of seeds via uk and all together it only cost me 4 pounds with postage. So worth a try.
I feel the growing conditions here should be good, they like a very humid atmosphere for germination and early growth. We have a really humid area that should suit them fine.
I can but try...
There are all kinds of health claims for this plant, Ive attached a link to a website that may answer a few questions for you all.
http://www.stevia.com/Stevia_article/Growing_Your_Own_Stevia/8077

Stevia Herb... Sunshine and frost...

Ive just ordered via the internet some Stevia seeds. For anyone who hasnt heard of this herb before it originates in South America I think , and its often called 'sweetleaf ' sweetherb etc. Its supposed to be 300 times sweeter than sugar... with no calorific value at all...
I plan to attempt to grow it, dry it and use it instead of sugar in baking , and hopefully maybe even in my coffee. I use sweetners at present and hate the thought of the horrible chemical s Im putting in my body, but I just cant manage without the sweetness... sugar is high in callories as is honey... all costs money which we dont have... so do sweetners but at least they help my weight struggle...
Stevia is banned in somecountries apparently, the sugar industry have really clamped down and pushed governments to not licence it... it would ruin their businesses over night...
So... I'll let you know how I get on ..

The weather has changed a little, its still mild and sunny during the day, though not the lovely warm temps we had last week. But we've had frost again the last two nights...
Luckily the new veg I planted out is in a very sheltered place in the garden so isnt catching it.... yet...

We have a new helper arriving on Saturday, a hopefully big strong man to help Rick with more logging, I also want him to help me cleaning walls in the orchard, so I can get the last of the old vines trimmed and up on supports before the sap starts rising... they weep horribly if you trim them then ,...
I also would like a hand in staking out the herb garden dividers too... Im so desperate to actually do something out there .... Ive waited so long to get it up and running... I cant quite believe it will really happen this year