Well, the festivities are almost over, the excesses of the past weeks should be fading and we are back at the start of a new year. We have been very quiet tis year, just us and our little pack of dogs. They still number three though Chloe is now 18 and her daughter has not been well for a few weeks. She didn’t eat apart from a few dried turkey treats for almost 2 weeks. We tried everything we could think of – chicken (cooked, raw and roasted), turkey (roasted as well as dried), pilchards, Chloe’s special medical meat, roast goose, 100% organic, natural dog pouches, vet recommended tinned menu for digestive issues, dog biscuits… Today she finally ate one Markie (a small dog biscuit) and then graciously accepted shreds of roast goose from Jacqui. Now that is a wonderful start to the new year.

There have been few visitors this last 12 months and we are more settled into a routine. The house and land still take a lot of work but we are more familiar with its demands and this makes a lot of tasks easier. We also have access to more of the tools we need which helps. I remember one of the removal men holding up a trowel from one box on our arrival, looking around and suggesting we might want a bigger spade. How right he was! We have some much appreciated workmen who help with the heavier jobs and the local hire company seems happy to let us get our unskilled but enthusiastic hands on their machinery so we are looking forward to more progress this new year. It will be great to begin sowing and planting earlier, especially if we can get the raised bed built.

Whilst the difficulties presented by our health did seem daunting we are determined to overcome them. Jacqui is getting quite agile on her crutches and my shoulders are stronger though still painful. We are trying to be more patient and to pace ourselves – I can hear the hollow laughter from here – so we can recover as well as press on with the wood, orchard and house. Life is too busy to become boring and I am sure the new year will throw up new challenges.

I hope to do more writing, if I can decide which project to focus on. Resolution #1 this new year – just choose one! Jacqui has started her painting and drawing again as well as making things. “Making things” is her happy place, whether art, crochet, woodwork or plants. Her crochet is especially impressive and prolific covering blankets for a friend’s rescue dogs, a few little bags for the dog rescue stall and a work bag to keep it all together. The house offers many diversions (and occasional unwanted residents) and we currently have a bit of a stand-off some mornings. Charlie, such a good little watchdog, gets into a frenzy as a local farm/feral cat settled on our fences or walls and stares at him. She’s even climbs onto the kitchen window sills occasionally and is not in the least impressed by his shouting.

It is very cold here now with thick frost in the mornings and freezing fog at night. When the sky is clear we know it will be a chilly night but being so far from light pollution the stars are magnificent and we had a fabulous view of the weekend’s “super moon”.

Let us hope 2026 is a good year for us all after the chaos of the last 12 months. So, a very happy new year to you all. May life be good to you and all you wish for come true.

Thank you for reading and I hope to see you all again soon.

Jennie.