It has taken an eight-hour power cut and a gentle nudge or two to put the latest farming and family news on a screen.
The power cut
The plumbers took up residency in August to tear out the old and broken hundred-year-old pipes and replace them with neat and tiny copper ones. And the wonderful old radiators have been repaired locally and are now back waiting for a home. There has been a lot of bustle and dust and no time to sit down and reflect.
Thick walls
Radiators spruced up
It is going to be worth it: with heating for the first time in two years, we are hoping to be more popular. The only problem being that it will take a year to clean up; we have rather got used to having clothes in black bin liners and rooms shut off. When the water stops completely, we will be flushed out for a day or two enjoying someone else’s hot water and heat.
So, no gold Roman coins found but equally no rot or rising damp.
No gold coins
With a second Summer wedding to enjoy, it has taken some time to come back to earth.
August wedding
Blessed with another fabulous sunny day and the resident Flower Girl facing the right way, it was again filled with happiness and joy. Clearly our contribution of the silver birch trees was the icing on the cake, most of them will end up planted in Wensleydale, hopefully in the shape of a heart.
The flower girl
With wedding duties done, the popular granddaughter, Summer, is back to grooming duties. Quite a change from the satin and flowers.
Flower girl back in the stable
It could take a fully blown Wendy House to entice the grandchildren overseas again.
A Wendy House for bribery
The cattle were not happy to come off the hill, and half of them now have new homes having fetched a good price at the market. As I write, the remaining herd of shorthorn cross cows feel it is definitely time to come in for the Winter.
Cows staging a protest
While some young heifers were allowed a little old hay.
Young heifers
Our youngest new mother, Fluffy Gilt, is one of the friendliest pigs I know. Even when the goats found her tea before she did, she seemed very happy to share. Despite having twelve piglets in her tummy due to arrive the next day.
Who's eating my porridge?
Usually, it’s the piglets who are on walkabout; this one was wondering what Rolo the pony had for tea.
Pig and pony
And this young punter was deciding whether to exchange his teddy bear for a piglet!
A fair exchange
With the threat of disease always present, we are now locking up the hens in the stable again - the little cream legbar bantam probably has other ideas, we're keeping the fishing net handy.
The Autumn has been mild with some stunning colours.
Tree in the mist
Seasons change and the cycle continues. The saddest cycle this year is the changing of the monarchy - I have kept this picture of the Queen at an agricultural show.
The Queen
The joy on her face is a bit like our wedding photographs - a tonic for us all.
