JULY 2025
First room!
We have finished a room. The smallest room in the house and by far the furthest along, but it’s very satisfying to see one little area finished. I think carpentry is much more up my street than plastering, which is, by the way, very hard. I did plaster this room, and the first day nearly pushed me to the edge mentally, physically and emotionally. I got a labourer (Lou) for day 2, and that was better; it’s all in the timing of getting things ready and doing all the stages at the correct point. It’s passable, especially as it’s mainly been covered over, and keeps to the “rustic” feel of that old bit of the house. We are hiring a plasterer to work on the living room, where the finish will be much more noticeable. However, I think I can handle a few other areas, especially those that will be tiled or otherwise remain unseen. The cupboard is a beaut though, the first of many!
Butterflies
Whilst the hot weather and lack of rain seem to have been very bad for crops (our field was down about half on hay production this year); it was very good for insects. There’s noticeably more ladybirds, bees, flies and swallows to eat them all, as well as a large number of butterflies. I caught all these in a patch of thistles near the drive. Happy to be corrected on any of the species, but this is the best the internet has to offer.
Peacock Butterfly
Painted Lady Butterfly
Meadow Brown Butterfly
Helping Hands
We find nothing says “welcome to our home” like moving a few tonnes of paving slabs. Also, bringing cute dogs is highly recommended. This is the flooring for the bathroom and the hallway, the same as in the toilet, which can go in once the plastering is done.
Yes Cammy.
Taking on the heavy one, definitely at no point carrying two at a time.
Avvy with her city bros Gregg and Percy.
Growing update
The garden is really kicking off; there are flowers bringing colour, and beans and corn bringing height. And we have our first apples. Hoping to enter a few things in the village show, depending on what’s still going at the end of August. Also, we are locked in a fierce cucumber-growing competition with Lou’s Grandad.
Garden going strong.
Less is more.
Watch out Bampy
I’m very committed to being in the house by next month. So much so that I’m only sending another update when we are in, so maybe see you at Christmas, lol.
Thanks for reading, love from Hillside Farm x
P.S. Avvy is excited for the start of the football season.
LCFC
