We are nearly at the end of the year. How quickly has it gone? It’s been a funny old year one way or other and a real eye opener as well in many ways too. I had another good year with all rugs being sold relatively quickly once again. I have started my waiting list once more which I really didn't want to do just because of the work involved: I would prefer to do a mailing list but still not got around to setting it up yet. I had an email from Country Living last year asking if I wanted to be in a ‘book-zine' they were printing. I knew exactly which picture they wanted to use which is of course the one with me and Billy, nose to nose in the snow. I very sadly lost Billy earlier this year to a very sudden illness. I found him in a bad way one morning and immediately called the vet. The vet tried various things but unfortunately 10 minutes after the vet left he passed away. He didn’t appear to be in any pain. Billy was my favourite sheep and would always come and say hello. I like to think he had a good life and a longer life than he might have. The farmer who bred him do meat boxes so maybe he could have gone into a box had he not come here. Who knows? But Billy will always live on with this wonderful picture taken by Andrew Montgomery. It’s a reminder that there really is more to sheep than meat boxes and they can make more money alive than dead which really shows in this beautifully natural shot which Andrew took. The book will be a great keep-sake as I don’t have many pictures of me and the sheep working alone as I do. And I will never forget how cold I was while Andrew was taking this picture in a blizzard. The Country Living book ‘A Year in the Country' is available in hardback and soft versions. I personally bought the soft version directly from Country Living and the hardback from Amazon. It really is a lovely book with stunning pictures and has to be a perfect coffee table book. It’s a wonderful way to skim through 2021 with your favourite drink in hand, whatever that may be.

 I would like to wish anyone reading this best wishes for the season and also thank you to all my lovely customers who have supported my flock over the last seven years.