Let’s Talk About The Weather
Continuing with my weather based chat (ha!) for the moment as I get back into the swing of things… bear with me please. The quite heavy snow loads we had pre and post Christmas thankfully, dare I say, are behind us. At 612 ft we had fairly deep snow that set in and iced in for a few weeks bringing with it some absolutely stunning sunny days (and a string of early January Northern Light nights – joyously stepping out into the garden we look North and if clear enough we can catch them.) Also of course, icy mornings defrosting the car windscreen with a boiling kettle and making it down the still icy hill, a good set of snow tyres really are everything.
Sunny moments aside – and really there were not enough! – getting through ‘the winter’ can be hard if it just feels cold and miserable all the time. And there were a few grey days when I really felt it this year, and here comes the sage old advice –getting outdoors first thing is key – but I only manage to do that if it comes with a purpose; not having a reason to get outside can leave you feeling cold indoors all day.
First Things First, The Sheep
So yes, this is where a menagerie of animals comes in – the first year of having sheep feeding them through the cold months felt stressful at times (I didn’t know if we had got enough hay in nor how much they would need), this second winter I am armed with experience plus a larger field of pasture. Two things which have made the roll out of bed to do the hay run quite enjoyable and a great way to start the day.
Typically our cat Maple – who seems to fancy himself part sheepdog – likes to come with; if I am not up early enough he pounces on the bed to let me know and then accompanies me from hay store to field where he oversees proceedings with a watchful eye, madly galloping back and forth as I finish up…
End of Winter Signalling From The Chickens
Watching the chickens start adventuring beyond their winter safety zone (under the trees and near the coop) is a lovely ‘emerging from winter’ signalling to watch. My Pekins are not prolific layers and winter months they rest. An exciting first egg end of January has not been followed up by any further activity, but then we are not quite departed from hovering around zero degree Celcius yet. I am checking hopefully every day of course…
Morning Rituals & Favourite Coffee Cups
Sheep and chickens fed, 5-10 minutes on my little indoor trampoline while my porridge oats soak, then breakfast: currently eggy porridge (yes, it’s a thing! Just whisk an egg and mix in to cook with the porridge). Lots of lovely things on top (blueberries, goji berries, nuts & seeds and a dollop of coconut yoghurt) plus a mint green tea so it tastes nicer.
Later, most exciting of all, an expresso shot topped up with frothed coconut milk, and here I am spoilt for choice… a favourite cup either by Glasgow based Cath Pots or Brighton based Nicola Gillis (above) whose Instagrams I watch like a hawk for when they have new small batches up for sale. Someone wrote in a comment on one of Nicola’s posts ‘You can never have too many cups’ but I have now filled our designated shelf and reached overflowing, so I beg to differ, but of course, I just need to galvanise and change things up. Watch this space…
See you next time for more scintillating weather chat.
Julia x