12. One year on at Farlands...



We moved to Farlands a year ago (yesterday) in 3cm of snow and -4C. Nothing has changed:- we have been snowed in over the weekend.

 


But, then again everything has changed. Our lives, well my life especially could not be more different.






At Cherko Ri we used to spend weekends relaxing - walking, going to church, sometimes massage or yoga. Sarah read the entire Guardian and I may have finished off a philosophy essay.

At Farlands it is life on a smallholding. I feel a lot of sympathy for David (R4's Archers) and our real local farmer Tony. They work hard all day every day. So this weekend we fixed a leaky gutter, and installed metal grids in the top of our 6 downpipes. Chopped wood (we have just finished our big wood bin next to the house), put up shelves in our office, sketched plans for our new heating system, and husbanded (?) the turkeys. We had to cope with a power cut, and being snowed in.

Good stuff too though! Sarah starred in her church panto, and took great snowy photos. And luckily I like chopping wood.

It is said that for a long life (or to feel you have had a long life) you need fresh challenges. Farlands is certainly a challenge, and my permafrosted feet would emphasise its freshness.

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