Delicious rich scents filtered into her bedroom through the Georgian window. Deeply she breathed perfumed roses and the oncoming rain while pearls of dew glistened in luscious green fields with grazing sheep. Rabbits hopscotched past their thick bodies and birds welcomed the day. In the background, the canal, a milky tea hue carried multi-coloured barges and even more zany characters. 

Anger split the air. Her Dad’s voice thundered from the kitchen, “Slippery underhand councillors! They put notices in the farmer’s field stating these are not public footpaths although they have been for a century.”

His fist slammed the kitchen table causing the best China to sing in disgust. Expletives bounced off the kitchen. “Fools! They are ignoring the mine shafts! They tried to steal the Village Green, a gift of a wondrous playing field to our community! Without research, they claim that badger sets and the Great Crested Newt will not be negatively affected! Both are protected species! And why? Because developers want to build one hundred acres of lucrative solar panels on beautiful countryside, greenbelt and farm land. The fools think the solar farm won’t interrupt sheep grazing, the lambing season, wildlife, property value!”

Sarcasm sizzled as her Dad complained, “Ancient trees, blackberry bushes and hedgerows won’t grow back overnight! I am getting heartburn just thinking of acres of ugly solar panels! Isn’t their production harmful because of lead and cadmium? Harmful both to our health and the environment! So dangerous that they can’t be recycled! The panels are classed as hazardous waste! One hundred acres of blight just across the road! Not that we will see them behind blooming eight foot metal fences covered with barbed wire and topped with surveillance cameras! Ugly transformation!”

Dread coursed through his daughter’s veins. Bile sloshed in her stomach. “Ugly transformation!” chaotically turned the beautiful country view to urban blight.

“Oh, why can’t the solar panels be built on car parks, industrial buildings, blocks of flats and urban areas?” she wailed.

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    Chris
    Chris(@chris)
    6 months ago

    Hi Margarida – Reading your story made me realize how challenging it can be for us humans to try to solve problems which we ourselves created. Nice read  ? 

    Carrie OLeary
    Carrie OLeary(@carrie-oleary)
    6 months ago

    I’m with your protagonists with this one, Margarida. We have several solar farms around us in Nottinghamshire and they are so ugly to look at. I know greener energy is needed but, as they’re building so many new housing estates, why not put the solar panels on the roofs and offer the buyers a discount on their energy bills for having them? There have to be better options. Nicely written.

    Marianna Pieterse
    Marianna Pieterse(@marianna-pieterse)
    6 months ago

    Margarida, your story is certainly thought-provoking. As Chris stated, it is difficult to solve the problems we have created. It would be tragic to destroy the beautiful countryside in this manner.

    Christer Norrlof
    Christer Norrlof(@christer-norrlof)
    6 months ago

    You have put your finger on a delicate problem, Margarida. We have the same kind of discussion about wind turbines. And yet, the transfer to renewable energy production is needed. What a sharp contrast between your first paragraph and your protagonist’s dad’s reaction!

    Lisa Dykes
    Lisa Dykes(@lisa-dykes)
    6 months ago

    Margarida, what a good story to get people to think about the way we think about solutions.

    Linda Rock
    Linda Rock(@linda-rock)
    6 months ago

    I was right there with the dad, Margarida, slamming my fist on the kitchen table. Reading other’s comments, I agree with everything said. A story that can’t help but fill you with anger at what is happening all around us. Really well written, as always.

    Chris
    Chris(@chris)
    Reply to  Linda Rock
    6 months ago

    Hi Linda – Yes, you are right, this story can be upsetting. In the the story – when dad was describing all the destruction of the Village Green – it was quite sad. Although I can empathize, I can no longer afford to get angry on these issues, since my anger would only waste my limited energy, and not influence any real change. However, opening these discussions is great. It is a… Read more »

    Linda Rock
    Linda Rock(@linda-rock)
    Reply to  Chris
    6 months ago

    Hi Chris – as a UK pensioner, I find I get angry about many things these days! I guess it comes with age! But of course you are right, only action brings change.

    Thompson Emate
    Thompson Emate(@thompson-emate)
    6 months ago

    Margarida, this is a beautiful story. Its message can only be understood by those who have a deep love and concern for nature. Well done.

    Lotchie Carmelo
    Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
    6 months ago

    Hi, Margarida. It was a very thought-provoking read. Indeed, it was a great story.

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