Finally we have internet access - unstable and unable to be picked up downstairs on my laptop or the pc but we do have it!!! Sad to realise how much we come to depend on it although I did hear recently that a pigeon was sent off with a data stick strapped to it, the same information was sent via the internet and by the time the pigeon had arrived only 4% of the data had been downloaded!


Random bits of useless information aside.... life continues to be busy here. Having finally managed to get laptop, photos and internet together here are some photos of Bethan being started off early in the veg patch and our arrival with the last van.

Richards Mum and dad have been here for a week having a 'trial run' to see how things might work out practically when they move up next year to join the melee. We have visited the local flower show, attended the church service and been to the Womens Rural Institute and community coffee morning so have started to meet a number of the local people in what seems to be an exceptionally friendly community.


At the house I have sorted out most of the gardening gear and created a potting shed/garden store in one of the stables and have a good selection of winter salad, cabbage, broccolli, and other veg planted in the garden. The highlight of the week had to be the ride on lawnmower being returned from being repaired which gave Richard Joe and Liz some playtime!


The walled garden is still looking lovely despite the attacks of the rabbits. Rhema gets very excited when let in there but as yet hasn't managed to catch one. It may be time to enlist the services of Pete and his gun....

We also had a deer in the paddock - the first we have seen on our land and Richard managed to get quite close before the camera shutter startled it. Sarah has seen what we think was a sparrowhawk and an owl and Richard too has seen some large birds of prey which we have yet to identify. The osprey have now left for warmer climates but hopefully will be back next spring and we are left with the task of discouraging the swallows from nesting in the garage and stables - lovely to see but not very practical if the buildings are to be used at all.

Expecting to complete very soon on the house in Belmont. The remaining furniture has been picked up by a charity and no doubt it will look very different when we return next week.