The Blacksmith's Report

We arrived at our new home to find the previous occupant still in place trying to locate his Siamese cat. Eventually, he had to admit defeat and leave the cat to us so now we have a cat as well as two Labrador dogs. The other animal occupant (so far and excluding the humans in the family) is Mabel the hen.

Life is happy and I feel incredibly revived and in the right place for me at this time. As soon as I saw the house, I knew it was home, somewhere I think I have been looking for or trying to get back to. My daughter drew a picture at school that matches the house before we had seen it and my son said if he won a million pounds, he would buy a house with two annexes and a huge garden. That was weeks before I found this place so I think someone is directing operations (God, my higher self, mum).

I wake up and immediately want to get up. I can't recall the time I last felt that way, so positive about what the day might bring. I go out to my little courtyard area and sit at the table there eating breakfast. Then I visit Mabel and give her some chicken food and let her out of our barn so she can be really "free range". On the first day, she went missing and was returned by a neighbour but now she seems to have taken to us and stays close. She is quite the character and swears at you if you don't let her out on time or put her away for the evening early enough. She lets you stroke her and I just love having a hen to talk to. Sad but true.

I feed the cat and dogs and potter about. This is a great place for taking it easy, walking on the land, picking fruit from the little orchard, inspecting the barn contents and dreaming of what animals to buy next. Weaner pigs seem like a good option and I am weighing up the pros of ducks such as eggs against the mess I understand they make.

Today, it is great as the free school transport has kicked in so I wave them off at 8.15 and don't see them again till 3.45pm. Time to think, plan, dream and potter. Time to read and write, to walk, to listen to music, to be me. Him Indoors and I have even managed the odd hour in the pub learning to be a couple again.

So it's good and I am pleased to be blogging all about it.

I have not missed city life so far although recognise that may come at some point but for now, I am loving my escape to the country.