We met this lot on the cycle home
As the sun burned thorugh this morning's mist we took to our wheels to visit the orange groves for the fifth year running. We had some photos to deliver to some farmers in the small cluster of houses on the hillside. In 2008 our old friend Luo Huizhong, the orange farmer whose groves we raided in 2005, was over visiting his daughter in Shenzhen. He is now back and living slightly lower down the valley in a new, white-tiled house. His old neighbours may not be far behind them as their houses crumble around them. The orange trees have been uprooted and replaced with carrots and maize, in rotation, or teabushes on the terraced hillside above.
The neighbours' old house
Mr. Luo's new house
Outside the new house the Luo family (old farmer Luo, his two grown-up sons, one daughter in law and his 11 year old grandson) have a small orchard with bayberry and lychee trees. They also have two giant pigs that they are fattening up for Spring Festival. Mr Luo's eldest son has promised to call us the eve of the pig slaughtering, about a month from now, so that we can go and join in. Killing the pig and preparing all the meat and fat for the coming months is a traditional family event. Nevertheless, it's a promise I won't be disappointed if doesn't keep. Even if I wasn't vegetarian, I can't imagine relishing the sight and sound of a pig slowly bleeding to death from the neck with two grotty farmer's fingers stuck up it's nose - don't quite know what function the latter serves. I'll send Ali. It's a cultural ritual that should be documented.
Luo Huizhong is on the right
For more on Luo Huizhong and the Orange Groves (as they once were) visit www.leafgovso.co.uk and click on Simao Folk.
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