Happy New Year's Eve

It is hard to realise that we have reached the end of another year and so as we put 2017 to bed and prepare to welcome 2018 we send you much love and best wishes from Hill Farm.

Out walking

Today it was still icy but there was sunshine so I decided we would all benefit from a walk to Marston Montgomery and a drink at the pub. En route we saw the farmer taking feed to his sheep (although as he was opening the gate I laughed because it looks as though the dog is the one driving). Coming back a huge number of starlings were gathering in the field. They used to roost in a big oak tree but that fell down and now they seem to be using electricity wires and bushes not really adequate for the purpose.

Christmas lunch

Christmas lunch was a family affair with just the four of us. This year we broke with tradition and actually ate our Christmas Pudding on Christmas rather than Boxing day. Afterwards we had fun playing a game that Tom had given us. It's quite mild (typical after all the snow!)

Turkey time

I love turkey and was delighted to see that mine was suitably labelled!! Dave signed me up for the loyalty card and made it match my barely used cheque book. This one was delicious and just the right weight to go in the oven before we walked down the lane to church.

Festive buckets

The boys find that as well as their stockings Mother Christmas has left them festive buckets this year because ... well you can never have too many buckets especially ones with bells on them!

An early present

I was so excited to see that the field opposite is full of sheep again! I rushed outside to say hello, this way I have the best of both worlds, the fun of seeing the sheep but none of the worry of owning them (yes everyone here thinks I'm mad!)

Christmas decorating

We are having a party for all our friends and neighbours and so the house is decorated inside and out (we hope to light the bonfire and toast marshmallows and crumpets). Suddenly Christmas is almost here!

Mist

Dave called me outside to see the strange mist swirling across the lane. Gradually it came in a line across the Big Field.

A fox in the snow

Looking outside to see if it was snowing I was surprised to see this fox by the gate. He was digging in the snow and pouncing just like puss does. We see foxes rarely although I know they are around. He was oblivious of me behind the window.

Sun scapes

Glorious sunrises are matched by equally pretty sunsets as the sky flushes pink and orange. After a cold start the snow has cleared apart from along the edges under the hedge. The roads are very muddy everywhere.

So beautiful

Our glorious view looking extra perfect under a layer of snow. The sun came out and everything looking beautiful under the blue skies.

Winter

Walking today in the crisp snowy weather I can feel winter is really here. The snow has formed an icy crust and sparkles in the sunshine.

Sunrise

This morning I went out to take snow pictures and got this glorious photo of the sun as it rose up over the horizon.

Snow and ice

This morning we had a cold, below freezing start and saw little in the way of traffic on the lane. I was glad Joe had the day off and didn't return from London until midday when it was a little safer. We were lucky not to have to drive anywhere and instead I went out walking with the camera.

I'm being watched

Walking up the lane to take more snow photos I look up and see that puss is watching me from high up on piles of hay in the big barn. She hardly visits us for food now but I always love to see her about the farm (although we've long given up any ideas that she could be considered a pet).

Proper snow

Today so much snow fell that our carol service was cancelled. It snowed all day, fine particles that took a while to build up and coming from a leaden sky. Joe was down in London and even there he saw a few flakes.

Christmas tree shopping

This is the first year that there has actually been snow on the ground as we went to choose our Christmas tree from Needwood Farm. We always buy it from the same place and we got the perfect one (I took a tape measure to check it will fit when it comes indoor, but for now it will stay under cover outside in the barn).

More snow

Yet again the forecast snow fell. We laughed as Joe went to view a house on Monday (in the dark) and is viewing again tomorrow (in the snow)!

Card Making

Our embroidery guild: Gathering Threads decided that instead of buying Secret Santa presents everyone should bring and swap a home made card (no pressure there then!) I used scraps of fabric with real history (from a jacket I made for my Imperial College interview, rompers for Tom as a baby etc) and put them together using skills learned over this year. It was fun to make it.

Supermoon

Tonight we had a 'supermoon', but although bright, I wouldn't have known it appeared '7% bigger than normal' unless I'd seen it on the news! However in the early hours of the morning I could see the garden and field in its light which is always a magical thing.

Festive stars

We had a joint service in church today for all the 7 parishes in our benefice. We'd made wooden stars to give out and I also took star shaped biscuits as an edible celebration of advent. It was a lovely service and for once our church was packed.

Greening for God

Today I took a wheelbarrow of holly (which I'd hidden away from the field-fares and red wings) down to church so we could do our advent decorating. Many hands made light work and we soon had every surface festooned with greenery.

Festive lights

To mark the start of December we put up our outside lights around the dairy building. We were disappointed to find that last years hadn't survived and so we purchased a new longer set (far too many in Dave's opinion) but I laughed when they fitted around the building absolutely perfectly and look so pretty.