The Beauty of the English Countryside with Peter Kinnaird

11/03/20 • 57 min

There are so many things to appreciate when it comes to rural living.

Joining me on the show today is someone who has taken in those wonders first hand, Peter Kinnaird! Peter is a long time Managing Director and Marketing Director within the car manufacturing industry and made the move to greener pastures, now residing comfortably in the English countryside.

In this episode, we dive into his background within the vehicle industry, having worked at many notable companies such as, ‘British Leyland’ , ‘BMW’, ‘Alfa Romeo’ and Landrover, the contrast of his life now having disconnected from the hustle and bustle of city life, as well as the many benefits that living close to nature has brought both of us.

To hear more, tune in to Episode 12 of Flowerhood!

Some Questions I Ask:

Where did you grow up as a child? (4:53)
What were your holidays like living in England? (9:02)
What did you do after you left school? (13:03)
What is one of the business techniques you’ve carried over from your more difficult days in the car industry? (18:00)
When did you move towards the English countryside? (21:59)
When did you buy, Moat Farm? (29:19)
Do you ever think about the contrast of your Essex upbringing to the life you have now in the countryside? (36:11)
What do you love about where you’re living currently? (45:50)
Does Worcestershire sauce really originate in Worcestershire? (52:00)

In This Episode You Will Learn:

The relationship England has had historically with France and Spain (10:44)
Some background on ‘British Leyland’ & what Peter learned from his tenure at the company (14:13)
What Peter’s transition to ‘BMW’ was like after working for ‘British Leyland’ (19:00)
Peter’s take on the architectural and aesthetic aspects of rural England (24:16)
Peter’s proximity to the farm connected to J.R.R. Tolkein (26:16)
How rural living detaches us from materialism (39:54)

Resources:

Let’s Connect!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There are so many things to appreciate when it comes to rural living.

To hear more, tune in to Episode 12 of Flowerhood!

Some Questions I Ask:

Where did you grow up as a child? (4:53)
What were your holidays like living in England? (9:02)
What did you do after you left school? (13:03)
What is one of the business techniques you’ve carried over from your more difficult days in the car industry? (18:00)
When did you move towards the English countryside? (21:59)
When did you buy, Moat Farm? (29:19)
Do you ever think about the contrast of your Essex upbringing to the life you have now in the countryside? (36:11)
What do you love about where you’re living currently? (45:50)
Does Worcestershire sauce really originate in Worcestershire? (52:00)

In This Episode You Will Learn:

The relationship England has had historically with France and Spain (10:44)
Some background on ‘British Leyland’ & what Peter learned from his tenure at the company (14:13)
What Peter’s transition to ‘BMW’ was like after working for ‘British Leyland’ (19:00)
Peter’s take on the architectural and aesthetic aspects of rural England (24:16)
Peter’s proximity to the farm connected to J.R.R. Tolkein (26:16)
How rural living detaches us from materialism (39:54)

Resources:

Let’s Connect!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Previous Episode

Tips For The Dreamers & First Time Orchard Buyers!

This one is for the dreamers!

It recently came to my attention through someone I’d met that I never really learned how to operate an orchard. There was really no official class that I could take on how to approach this exciting and sometimes daunting new venture, but that didn’t stop me from taking it on with curiosity and perseverance. I’ve learned so much throughout this journey and felt the need to share some of those lessons with you all today, particularly for those out there wanting to nurture their own orchard one day.

I’ll be sharing some of my most important tips and tricks in relation to growing, how different types of soil are utilized in the ground, and the impact that photosynthesis has on a plant’s growth rate. I’ll also be discussing what I think are some of the main aspects to look for when ‘designing our dream’ and how we can use the right mindset to achieve our goals.

Tune in to Episode 11 of Flowerhood, to find out more!

In This Episode You Will Learn:

A message to any listeners who are in need of an escape (5:01)
What my ‘office’ looks like in the orchard (5:53)
How your work life can be dictated by nature and the seasons (7:05)
Tips for those out there who are pursuing or manifesting their dream (7:32)
Questions to ask yourself when ‘designing your dream’ (8:54)
Why size is important to consider in relation to your orchard (11:54)
The process of photosynthesis in growing (14:16)
Why you may eventually need to sacrifice some trees in your orchard in order to gain the most sunlight (17:58)
My tips on adapting soil types to your individual orchard (19:04)
Why mulching is such a vital component to your gardening process (22:13)
How ‘companion planting’ helps to break down compacted soil in your orchard (23:07)
Why you need to have a toolbelt on hand when gardening (25:23)

Let’s Connect!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Next Episode

Stories from Childhood Connect Us with Nature

Today’s episode is going to be a little different.

Because reading has been an integral part of my upbringing and has helped me further my own education on the world around us, I thought it would be a good idea to read a few passages from my favorite book series, The Little House, and another much-loved childhood book The Secret Garden!

The nine-volume series consists of many stories that enrich our understanding of and appreciation for nature. One book, in particular, The Little House in the Big Woods, is one example of this, as the stories presented in this book informed my opinions and romantic ideals of American farmland. These books also introduced me to new and exciting things outside of my New Zealand bubble and were a fantastic learning opportunity on the value of our environment.

In contrast, The Secret Garden is a much-loved childhood book set in the English countryside. In contrast to vast prairies and woods, this book focuses on a walled and contained garden.

To hear The Little House and The Secret Garden excerpts, tune in to Episode 13 of Flowerhood!

In This Episode You Will Learn:

The types of plants I’m currently growing in my Orchard (1:12)
How the books from my childhood impacted me throughout my life (4:10)
An excerpt from, The Little House in the Big Woods (6:19)
An excerpt from The Little House on the Prairie
An excerpt from The Secret Garden where Mary discovers a coveted and beautiful garden (12:37)
How these stories connect us to our environment (23:47)

Let’s Connect!

Resources:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.