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As a farmer I’m no great example.  My herd of highland cattle only numbered 12.  Handling them was always dangerous, they could flick their long horns so quickly I was surprised I never got gored.  Once crossing their field they charged at me, maybe hoping I’d brought food for them, I ran towards the hedge and amazed myself how high I could jump to get away.  Normally for contact I groomed them out in the field with a big Afro comb, to help shed their thick winter coats.  The birds came to take the cast off hair to weave into their nests.  The bull came over and hooked one horn round my leg, tugging at me as if to say ‘it’s my turn to be groomed’.  But it could get rowdy when they all wanted their turn.

     Now the cattle are gone so I grow hay and plum trees.  It’s only 30 acres, set high in the hills near Monmouth in Wales,  with views of mountains and glorious sunsets. It’s an eco-friendly farm with wild areas, marshy bits, woodlands, a stream and ponds with wild ducks and moorhens. Last year I counted 43 types of wild flower in the fields.  

 

     My main activity at the farm in recent years is as a holiday rental, using the house and one of the large barns so it has rooms for 24 guests.  My new venture is to turn half of the second big barn into a spacious hall for groups to do Yoga, Tai Chi and Meditation.