Mud, Muck and Much‑Appreciated Help
December has been exactly what you’d expect on a smallholding in a wet British winter: muddy, tiring, and punctuated by the kind of surprises only livestock can deliver. But it’s also been full of small kindnesses, quiet moments, and one very welcome bit of news that’s carried us cheerfully into the new year.
The rain hasn’t let up, and neither have the chores. We’re more grateful than ever for the regular help of a friend who gives up his so‑called “days off” (a concept we barely remember) to muck in with the mundane but essential tasks. Without him, we’d be knee‑deep in more than just mud.
A Year of Hens — and 16,007 Eggs Later
December 18th marked a full year since we scaled up from our original four hens to the flock of around seventy we now care for. In that time, they’ve laid a grand total of 16,007 eggs — a number that feels both impossible and entirely believable when you think of the daily collecting, sorting, and selling. It’s been a whirlwind, but what a difference a year makes.
Cattle In, Fields Saved — and a Surprise Calf on the Way
The cattle are finally in for winter, tucked up warm and dry and thoroughly enjoying their all‑they‑can‑eat buffet. In fact, one enjoyed it so enthusiastically that we called the vet, convinced she was bloating. She wasn’t. She was — to our complete surprise — in calf.
After what we thought was an unsuccessful AI in September, we’re now expecting the patter of tiny cloven hooves in July. A small Christmas miracle in amongst the muck.
Goats Being … Goats
The goats have taken full ownership of the sheep’s hay and are causing the usual level of chaos. They are entirely unbothered by our opinions on the matter, in fact being more than happy to challenge them.
A Quiet Christmas and an Ongoing Restoration Project
Christmas itself was quiet, which gave me the rare chance to return to a project I’ve been itching to get back to: restoring a beautiful oak Easiwork kitchen cabinet from 1940. It’s a wonderfully solid piece of practical pre-wartime furniture — complete with its original built‑in ironing board, of all things.
I’m no carpenter (not even close), and I’ve never tackled anything like this before, but I’m thoroughly enjoying the process. There’s something deeply satisfying about coaxing old wood back to life, uncovering the cabinet’s quirks, and learning about the history of these ingenious, space‑saving designs. It’s slow going, but in a month full of mud and livestock mischief, it’s been grounding to work on something that doesn’t bleat, moo, or require fencing.
Hens, Laying and… Channelling Their Inner Dinosaur 
The hens continue to lay well, though some of the white girls have been channelling their inner dinosaur and deciding that pecking each other is more interesting than eating their feed. Never a dull day in poultry.
Looking Ahead to the New Year
As we close out the year — tired, muddy, and slightly feral — we’re also quietly hopeful. The new year promises new lambs, a new calf, and all the unpredictable joys that come with them. And at the top of our wish‑list is Geronimo’s TB re‑test on January 9th. We’re keeping everything crossed for a clear result and a calmer start to 2026.
Here’s to whatever comes next — and to all of you who follow along, cheer us on, and keep us going.