Welcome to 2026!

 The year began with a grey mist. When I went into the bathroom to brush my teeth, I could half see Lythmore on the other side of the valley, but it was covered in a translucent curtain of sleet and rain. The wind had been wild in the night and, when I went to let the chickens out, I found that the top gate had been blown open. The chickens stayed close to me, unbothered by eating, but just wanted the reassurance and comfort.



The wind has continued all day, and the snow has been ever present, sometimes falling as hail, other times as thick, fluffy snowflakes. It hasn't settled much, though there is a thin dusting, surprising as it has been snowing most of the day. Perhaps it is being blown away as soon as it nears the ground!

One of my female quail has hurt her eye. I'm unsure how it happened, but imagine she has been in a bit of a fight with another one. I am concerned, but I can't bathe it in salt water while it is so close to her eye. Ouch!

I think tomorrow will see more wind and snow, but I wonder what it will be like when I get up in the morning!

Inside, we enjoyed a buffet meal to celebrate New Year's Day, and we played Pass the Parcel and Bingo. I won Pass the Parcel and got a money box with a penny and instructions on how to use Martin Lewis' moneysaving strategy. For the 1st January, you put away 1p, on the 2nd, 2p and so on all through the year. It all adds up and you're left with a substantial sum at the end of December. The money box itself is an adorable little tin with farmyard animals. I won 2 line prizes in Bingo (selection box) and 3 house prizes: an organiser notebook, a to-do list pad, and a crime puzzle book.

A wonderful start to 2026!

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