So, now that we are officially a smallholding, I guess we need to act like one.

Self-sufficiency is not something we will be able to reach any time soon (if ever), but self-reliance and a decent supply of vegetables, fruit and meat should be achievable. If we have extra to share with friends and family, that would be fabulous. If we manage to sell some and make a bit of money to recoup some costs (and buy more seeds/chicks/piglets) then we’re really winning.

I've written a Master List of what I want to achieve. And it all looks so very simple.

But there’s a lot to do in terms of infrastructure before we can even start on the majority of this. Fencing, hedge cutting, bramble clearing…water and electricity supplies…sorting and organising the garage, stable and tack room…making a plan for sowing and growing, then putting in the beds…sourcing incubators and egg suppliers....maybe a polytunnel…

It’s currently equal parts exciting and overwhelming.

For now, I’ll be working on my favourite task: sitting in front of the fire with a glass of wine, writing the Mega List of Everything.