Today winter hit Norfolk, days behind the rest of the country. While much of the west has been covered in a blanket of snow for five days (in some places up to 17 inches deep), here in the east we have had little snow until today. I woke up, opened the curtains and was met… Continue reading Winter at last…
The cattle, who have spent the spring, summer and autumn out in the paddocks, are now inside for winter. Now, this movement is normally pretty challenging, but this year it went like a dream. In the past the difficulty has been the Highland cattle – they are temperamental, stroppy, strong willed and normally want to… Continue reading The cattle move inside for winter…
For me, Christmas is as much a time for beautiful food and drink as it is for wonderful company. It’s a time when quality time spent with family and friends is coupled with indulgent, traditional and richly festive foods. Many of these are firm family favourites linked as much to winter as to Christmas itself. My top picks have got to be:… Continue reading The beauty of festive food…
Today the sun shone, the birds sung and the sky has been bright and wonderful. Here in Norfolk it has been simply glorious – November please remain this way… The morning dog walk started with crispy leaves underfoot on what was the first proper frost of the winter here in south Norfolk. As I made my… Continue reading What Novembers were made for…
Before moving to south Norfolk I lived in north Norfolk, in Cromer – home of the famous Cromer crab. I was frequently out on a crab boat, helping where I could. I was fascinated with the whole crab fishing process and the industry in general, which continues to make up the very fabric of Cromer. The… Continue reading Photo diary: Cromer crabs from pot to plate
In February this year I made my first trip to the abattoir. We delivered two Highland cows in a trip I felt I had to make if I was going to rear cattle. It didn’t sit particularly well with me but some things just have to be done and do you know what, in the end, it… Continue reading Why I couldn’t face the abattoir…
Today has been a strange one weather wise. Having spent most of it outside preparing the garden for winter and listening to news of approaching Storm Ophelia, the sky suddenly darkened… …the sun went red and a misty haze enveloped the landscape. Apparently this was Storm Ophelia blowing Sahara sands across the region. I’ve never… Continue reading An African sunset in Norfolk…
Wednesday is a good day in our house. Not only is it mid-week, it’s also Country Life day. Each Wednesday (Royal Mail depending) the weekly magazine lands on the doormat. Every week the magazine remains cocooned in its cellophane until the working day is over and I can justify opening it. And opening it always feels… Continue reading Why Wednesdays are good…
Without wanting to talk about the festive season too early, there is one festive thing I like to start in October and that is planting hyacinth bulbs for indoor blooms at Christmas. Now, Christmas in our house isn’t a very big affair, and what decorations we do have are mostly plant-based (apart from the pet-proof wooden… Continue reading Planting hyacinth bulbs for Christmas…
For years I lived in the same jacket – a beloved Barbour Beaufort that I first slipped on in 2007. I had always wanted one, ever since I saw my dad in one – it just looked so warm, comfy and reliable. Day in and day out it hung loyally in the boot room until… Continue reading A new trusty stalwart…
