It's actually been quite enjoyable simply being on the farm without the stress of harvesting. Jamie is at last able to look after the farm as a whole and has even been glimpsed out on the tractor with plough in tow.
We are busy tidying up loose ends, revelling in our successes and learning from our mistakes, discovering projects that were started and then forgotten about (mostly my doing - those poor worms!). It's sad to admit that two people can only achieve so much - even with the occasional helping hand - and many of our ideas never got off the ground, we are debating whether they should roll over to next season or whether in the scheme of things they are simply superfluous.
What will next season hold? - who knows? After we have wound down the farm and the cold weather descends, this is the big question that we can tackle over red wine around the stove with the dogs. If Eddie had his way it would involve squeeky toys and for Bertie we must develop an assault course with a series of hurdles and hoops to jump through because she is never-endingly bouncy. Jamie needs a housekeeper (because I am altogether too moany) and I need lots of fun. One thing is for certain, we all need days off at the beach!
I'm off to Europe to drink wine leaving Jamie with a long list of "if you have time to fix...." jobs. My absence provides him with the perfect excuse to enjoy both the hunting and salmon fishing season. I do look forward to a packed freezer on my return and hope I am away long enough for all the gutting and dirty work to be completed. Oh yes, and I am triumphantly skiving out of planting the garlic, not sure I will ever be forgiven.
