Roosters crow, curtains are drawn, down the pine stairs into the bright kitchen for lashings of raspberry jam on dense savory scones, piles of sizzling bacon, and fluffy scrambled eggs with veg. Gulp the last drop of tea down and run outside. Smells like chamomile flowers and sweet damp hay in the morning breeze. Sun is up over the mountain and warms our pink cheeks as we run to see where the resident dog, Bramble, has got to, and where the cows are today. Fiona has been tending the chickens and generously shares 6 large fresh eggs she's just collected.
Down the dirt road with the stinging nettle growing between tire ruts and past the neatly rolled and stacked hay bales, we see grey sheep freshly shorn and brown sugar cows expertly chomping grass and flicking flies with their twitching hides. Pick up speed down the hillside, strides turning to controlled gallops as we head toward the big pond.
We skim stones and throw in dirt clods and dead sticks, broken bricks left long ago, and whatever we find for the satisfying “ SPLOOSH!” in the murky depths. We hang from trees leaning over the creek and test an old wooden bridge, grown over with ivy and grasses, for safe passage across. Now balance on rocks and build a small dam, quickly overtaken by the relentless force of a stream searching for level land.
Lunchtime with slices of strong English cheddar and crisp pink lady apples, Thai chili crisps, and hazelnut chocolate bars. Find a spot alone in the house to read until the light pales and our eyes begin to squint - so back outside again to see how the sun has moved and where the pony, formerly in the west pasture, might be now.
Wave hello to Andrew, who's working on the tractor, watch the sun dip behind the dark green mountain and swat a horsefly from our arm. Call “goodnight sheepies!” to the lambs on the hill and inside for Yorkshire roast chicken and root veg soup, with large soft white baps from the neighborhood market.
Warm showers and fresh clothes and a family chat on the master bed to compare notes, wonder aloud, tease, cuddle, and be. Paradise on Far Wicken Hall Farm!