Beasts and Berries

As we approach winter, I'm trying to imagine how it could grow any colder! It's very often warmer outside than it is in cottage #1 at the moment. The metre-thick stone walls keep the chill in, like an ice house of old. Great in the summer months, but challenging once the sun takes its position lower in the sky. 

We still have a huge amount of work to do to renovate these ruined old farm buildings. I can't believe that we're still working on cottage #1. We seriously imagined that we'd be finished by this winter and that we'd be enjoying the luxury of a warm comfy base while venturing out to work on the piggery and pottery. We are certainly not on track to be welcoming guests next Spring... We need to pull out all of the stops and get cracking! Starting with some heating.

For now, here are some photos to show both the beauty and the beasts of our farm...

While searching for a paint roller in the lower section of the top barn, I realised that a bit of the vegetation hanging down above my head was in fact a little birds' nest. 


The wood shed, looking through to the top field


Cottage #2, a very long way from 'renovated' status!

Looking down at cottage #1 and through the hayloft

The Midwife Toad is still in residence in amongst the leaves in the water trough

Looking East

Looking North

The hydrangeas are behaving splendidly!

The walk that always heralds the suspicious bonks from the depths of cottage #2

The lean-to lamb-shed

No, we still haven't moved that yoke-y piece of wood from the window of cottage #2

Interesting cord and fleece bundles in the 'window' of the top barn


One of Brigitte's roses, blooming happily despite the chill



Isn't it amazing how these berries festoon themselves decoratively

East end of the piggery

I woke up at 4 am this morning because it was too light... I'm looking forward to viewing the supermoon tonight!



The neighbours' horse has been here all day today. She stood in one spot, just outside the front door, for two hours. She then moved to the top lawn and did the same thing. What's she up to?!

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