Anglesey Smallholder

Hi, and welcome to my blog.

In spring 2008, I moved from London to the isle of Anglesey, North Wales. I left behind the small yet ridiculously expensive flat in the city, and bought my very own smallholding in the countryside.

I’ve always loved the countryside. I never planned to move to London, but that is where much of the work is, and so I had to go. I didn’t enjoy living in the city, and being out here is a wonderful improvement. I have as much space as I could ever want, clean air, privacy, and the opportunity to own my house rather than rent.

I have no farming experience at all. Nobody in my family owns any animals beyond a dog or cat, nobody is an expert at DIY or a mechanic, and sadly, nobody is a millionaire. However, my parents live nearby and have given me invaluable help. My mum is a keen gardener, and her knowledge will certainly be useful once we start trying to grow some vegetables. While my dad is not an expert at DIY, an extra pair of hands is always useful. They have already given me many many hours of assistance with painting and redecorating the house, and repairs to the exterior.

My biggest worry is caring for the animals. Having no experience, I may not be able to spot the early signs of illness or injury. Caring for farm animals is also made more difficult by the fact that they are less tame – it’s rather difficult to catch them to check their health, and chasing them around is likely to make things worse. I’m also unfortunately extremely shy – just making a telephone call is an ordeal, especially if it is something I am unfamiliar with. Things like buying feed, bedding, or finding a vet… it’s difficult for me.

Still, I will try my best. Whether it leads to success or failure, I hope you will join me on the journey.