On a frosty walk through the woods, a momentary stop to appreciate the clarity of the day drew my eye to the south-facing trunk of a struggling ash tree. It was covered from top to toe in what I thought was some sort of fungus but on closer inspection it turned out to be clusters… Continue reading Ladybirds in hibernation…
This morning we woke to a thick blanket of fog covering the farm. Visibility was down to about 15 metres, the air was cold and the earth was frosty. It was incredibly picturesque, particularly when the sun started to do it’s very best to burn the smur off.
Without wanting to talk about Christmas too early, I’d like to – for the reason of floral arrangements! For the last couple of years I have made wreaths for our own home, for family and friends and for my grandparents’ graves – but this year I’ve decided to sell them, I love making them and any excuse to… Continue reading Christmas wreaths…
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…
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…
Today I eagerly awoke to the sun streaming through the bedroom window. It felt like a good day to be alive. One of my aims for the day was to take part in the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch. My task…to sit and watch the birds in the garden for one whole hour. I’ll be honest,… Continue reading Sunshine and bird watching…
For the past few mornings I’ve woken up to a blanket of mist covering the farm. For the first couple of days it cleared as the sun rose, however today it lingered until the sun set. Accompanying the mist there have been equally impressive sunrises and sunsets. Because the air has been so clear the skies have been magnificent.… Continue reading Haggis, neeps & tatties and misty morning starts…
