Stardew Valley - The Flying Farmer

Spring, Thursday 4th - My First Harvest

Today marked a special day... ever since I sowed those seeds, Lewis has kindly 'donated' to me, it has been 4 days of daily watering and intense finger-twirling patience, then the time has finally come.

I opened the door and saw the results of my hard work, what was once a sprout in the ground had grown into a fully-fledged Parsnip, its yellow-white skin peering from above the soil. I grinned from ear to ear and got to work with ripping each root from their earthly bed. As I closely examined them, some looked to be in better shape than the others. Maybe the soil varied in different patches and there was little I could do to improve it. Nonetheless, these fully grown tubes would fetch a decent price in the local market.

To save me time, Lewis had Robin install a shipping crate and told me that he'd come to empty it every morning but I insisted on getting the cash immediately. I raced over to Pelican Town and waited until the doors into Pierre's open.

"Morning Robbie, what can I do for you?" The shopkeeper warmly greeted as I presented the results of my work.

"Oh, great Yoba, are these Parsnips? I grow such crops in my back garden but to see these from that old farm brings back memories. You really gave them some homegrown love. Y'know what, since some of these looked like they're 'cream of the crop', I'll pass you on a secret.

If you get some decent looking crops, they'll sell more. Lotta folk around here grade produce and other products via a 'star system'. It goes from silver, to gold to the mystical Iridium. The better the grade, the more you'll get out of them. That's a tip, I'd hold onto all year. Because you'll never know when it'll help you understand... the deeper secrets of how things work around here in Stardew." Pierre explained.

All the information and tips, he told me sounds really intriguing but it was where I understood on how to make a living here... and that's to learn the tricks of the locals. As Pierre tucks the crops under the counter, he hands me out a reasonable size of Gold.

"Here you go, your first taste of success. Soon, you'll be raking in the cash and be able to fork out on the neater luxuries of being a farmer. Oh, if you really wanna make the most of your income, I'd go for crops that produce more than one example of yield. Parsnips are good for beginners but they don't sell for much. I'd gun for the likes of Potatoes or Strawberries. Potatoes will come out in twos or threes and strawberries are semi-permeant. They'll grow slowly but once they mature, they'll remain like that and continue sprouting strawberries, as long as they're in season. That way, you'll be raking in the cash in no time.

Why don't you go and get started on some potatoes? I don't have strawberry seeds in stock at the moment." He suggested.

"Alright then." I hummed and went over to his shelves; Helping myself to a good few packets of potato seeds. Being a farmer, I like to keep things organised so I went with 25 of them, which was enough within my budget.

"Oh, and one more thing, I'd advise getting a scarecrow. Not much point selling if you get those wretched birds coming in every morning to peck on your seeds." Pierre added.

Saying my farewell, I went to explore the town when I was approached by Lewis.

"Hey, Robbie. I want you to know that there's someone on the beach who wishes to see ya. He's been out of sea for a while so it'd be nice to get used to. Word of warning... he isn't the most beautiful to one's nose, some may say.

See you around!" The mayor suggested.

I headed south, over the bridge and onto the beach. From where I stood, surely there was a man standing on the edge of the distant pier, holding a fishing rod. I went over to say hi but a wall of fish slams into me. I tried not to cough and held my breath.

"Ahoy there Robbie." He greeted.

"'heard there was a newcomer in town. Good to finally meet ya. The name's Willy." He introduced himself as he looks over.

"Ah... I'm still tryin' to unwind from a month out on the salty seas. It was a big haul, sold a lotta good fish; Enough to get me a new rod. Here... since I have no more use for me old one, I want ya to have it. Might as well pass it on to the next generation." He said as he presented me the very rod that he fished with.

"There's a lotta good fish here in the waters, might be a good idea to catch some and, if the price is right, might even sell them to me. I'm sure you'll be able to keel-haul in a good sizeable profit if you do.

"If it smells, it sells." As me ol' pa used to say." He chortled in a hearty laugh as he whips out a pipe, lighting it, and sticking the small end into his greasy-bearded mouth.

"I'll be in me fishmonger so be sure to drop on by if you wish to buy any fancy fishing equipment or sell off any fish you might 'ave.

It's nice meeting ya, son. "He nodded and went inside his shop, that was standing behind us.

Fishing... it's something I have never done before... but my grandad used to say to me that he once went fishing with his dad in the local river and had only taught me a few basics such as hooking and reeling in. As the aged fisherman retreated into his shop, I went to get some practice in and stood by the wooden edge, with my line cast out.

Fishing felt more of a waiting game than actually bringing in the fish. I watched with a lazy gaze as the bobble floated merrily with the current; It felt like days gone by when suddenly, my rod twitched. I immediately flicked the rod and hooked whatever had got caught. It was only a matter of reeling it slowly. The creature was obviously fighting back as I struggled against its frantic movements. However, it proved to be a futile opponent as I hoisted my catch out of the water and inspected the relatively small shrimp that was wiggling on the line.

I presented my work to Wully.

"Eyo, that's a little Sardine. Very popular on pizza and the most numerous. I wanna give you credit for yer first time with a successful catch so I'll give ya a little fortune. Not bad for a farmer like yerself, haw haw!

Once you raked in enough treasure, you'll be able to buy a better rod and catch more prominent fish. Let these be yer training wheels from now on, eh? Good catch son." He smiled as I was given some gold for the fish, I sold.

Walking out, with a new lesson learned, I retreated to my farm to evaluate the future for it. I might have to clear more of the rubble for a bigger farm. I know this was my first few days but flying farmers usually don't have to water and cater to such small fields. I did read in the local bulletin board that the mayor was considering selling the land, on the other side of the town. Trouble was that he was still in negotiation with the conservation society. When the time has come, and I amassed enough gold, I could sell up this old land and move onto the new plot.

From my earlier exploration, I noticed that it was a nice flat large plain... almost half as big as Hummingbird Plains. It might be a long-term goal, I could consider for the future of the family. For now, it's only been the first few days of a new year here in Stardew as a farmer. One day... I'll take to the skies, like my father did and continue the legacy of what we've been known for.

I got to work with tearing away more of the land, ploughing the field, planting and watering my potato seeds for the next few days. Then, using the materials harvested from the weeds and trees, built my first scarecrow and sat 'er down in the middle of the plot. That way, those darned birds won't make a snack out of my profits.

With a day's work done, I headed back into myfarmhouse to conclude my day's events in the journal before laying my wearyhead for tomorrow.