Sunday 13 September 2020

seasonal changes

We recently discovered Channel 5's documentary series "Our Yorkshire Farm" and have been captivated by the Owen family and their home, 2000 acre Ravenseat Farm. high in the Yorkshire Dales.
Parents Amanda (The Yorkshire Shepherdess) and Clive are raising 9 children (ages 1 through 16), over 1000 Swaledale sheep, a herd of 40 cows as well as assorted horses, ponies and dogs.
With the changing of the seasons, over three series, we've seen the children grow and learn new skills around the farm. 
From lambing to shearing to mending ancient farm equipment, restoring drystone walls, raising chickens and catering to passing hikers with hearty cream teas.
I took these photos in 2013 when we rented a cottage in the Yorkshire Dales village of Low Row which as it turns out is only about 10 miles away from Ravenseat Farm as the crow flies.


Here in Derbyshire the seasons are changing too.
Our farmer neighbour has been out cutting the wild meadows behind our home, making haylage for horses. As he no longer needs it for his own animals he sells it to raise money for his favourite local charity.
The view from our bedroom window.
This is our first Autumn here and I've been looking forward to seeing the fall colours as the landscape is quite different to what we've been used to seeing in Normandy. 
We are due some hot weather in the coming days according to the weatherman and so far the trees are remaining decidedly green, maybe next month will see a colour change.


Beef in ale
beef in ale

We've had the occasional grey rainy day and some mornings are quite chilly.
On days like these there's nothing better than a hearty homemade soup or casserole to warm this English girls heart.

Joining Angie for Mosaic Monday # 96

13 comments:

  1. Gorgeous photos and your beef in ale looks delicious!

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  2. Wonderful post, I'd love to visit the farm - looks beautiful.

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  3. That stew looks great and I'm a farm girl so those photos just bless my heart.
    Dawn aka Spatulas On Parade

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  4. Maggie - that documentary sounds right up my alley. We'll have to see if we can get it over here. Love the view out your window, and how wonderful that the farmer gives the proceeds to charity! Thanks for linking up to Mosaic Monday, my friend!

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  5. Hello Maggie! Our weather changed drastically last week and then returned to normal. We actually had snow! It made me yearn for autumn all the more--it is my favorite season. It was nice to see the view from your window and to hear the farmer donate his profits to charity.

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  6. Hello,

    Pretty views of the farm land, I love seeing the sheep. You have a lovely view there, very peaceful. The stew looks delicious! Our weather changes hourly and daily, flipping and flopping. We are seeing the leaves falling, could be from the drought we had this summer. But, Autumn seems to have arrived early. Take care, Stay safe! Enjoy your day! Wishing you a happy new week!

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  7. It seems to be a good documentary. I like such films too. Do you know All Creatures Great and Small

    Jahr(e): 1977–1990

    I love this...

    ...happy MosaicMonday

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  8. The documentary sounds very good. We are watching an old series called Larkrise to Candleford (I bought the DVDs) and they were harvesting the wheat in the show we saw last night. The field looked just like the one you've shown. Enjoy your week!

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  9. OMG Maggie, just reading the story of Amanda's amazing farm life, huge family, books, TV etc. is exhausting to me! All is fantastic though - I love stories of people such as her who have followed their dreams and gone even much further!
    The view from your bedroom window is so lovely, and so English!!! Do you actually live on a farm now?
    Enjoy the coming days of Autumn. I bet you feel very safe in your location but even so stay well. . . . . and be happy.
    Hugs, Mary

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  10. The view from your bedroom window is so beautiful and peaceful, Maggie. Ravenseat sounds like such an interesting place. I see that Amanda has written a book, too. Such energy! Most admirable. Enjoy the last sunny days, winter comes all too soon with its grey days.

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  11. This is very interesting to me i have no farming knowelede or experience. And the food looks yummy
    Have a good week

    Much💛love

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  12. I bet it really is fun to watch a good TV show set in an area you know so well. It sounds like a winner for anyone especially right now in this world ...we all can use extra doses of happy! Your seasonal changes are beautiful pictured ...including the delicious warming Autumn meals ...I always look forward to those this time of year.

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  13. Oh, that food looks fabulous and so do those fields. It will be an adventure seeing how your new area changes with the seasons!

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