Wednesday 19th November 2025
The weather was once again fresh and crisp, and I was greeted by a blanket of glistening frost when heading out to do the animal chores.
There has been snow scattered across other parts of the UK, but the white stuff is yet to reach our little corner of Devon. Still, the breeze carried a real winter bite – that unmistakable “something is coming” chill.
We spent the day keeping warm, pottering around indoors.
The girls spent much of their day making Christmas plans and creating decorations for their bedrooms. Paper garlands, tiny snowflakes, and miniature pom poms, now hang from ceilings and doorways.
The house has felt warm and homely, full of the soft rustle of craft paper, the snipping of scissors, the unmistakable sound of cellotape ripping, and a few quietly whispered ideas.
Late afternoon we bundled up with gloves and scarves, and took Milo for his evening wander. The weather had shifted into a perfect moment where the sky was bright blue brushed with fading gold. The lanes looked extra beautiful tonight; crisp, quiet, and full of that winter stillness whilst still sharing the fading Autumnal colourways of oranges, yellows, browns and greens.
As the light started to dim and we headed for home, we spotted a sheep tucked into a hedge well away from the flock. Something didn’t feel right.
She stayed still, breathing, head lightly lifting, but certainly not displaying behaviours that a healthy and happy sheep usually would. We were in an area where we didn’t know who was who, so we hesitated for a moment, debating what to do and who to call. We decided to knock on at the nearest farmhouse, and the farmer was not at all put out by the intrusion. Even though he was aware of the sheep and was about to pop out and collect her, he still genuinely seemed grateful that we had taken the time to check.
I know that we will rest easier tonight knowing she is safe and warm, regardless of the outcome. The thought of an ill animal out alone in the cold makes my heart ache.
Today I am grateful that we live in such a beautiful area with stunning country lanes right outside our door. Today’s walk was over 7km – I am grateful that I am currently healthy and mobile enough to enjoy them. I am grateful for the slow cooker stew that I prepared in the morning, being ready to warm us up from the inside upon our return from out walk. And I am grateful for a wonderful husband that bought us all chocolate on his way home from work today!