I am in no doubt that Autumn has arrived here at the homestead. This is most evident in the changing meadow. All of the long grasses have achieved a pale beige state, the tall nettles are looking thin and in the new light the copper beech appears green and brown. I’m sitting next to the disused swimming pool which over the years has become more like a Japanese water garden with ivy, unruly plum overhanging and fading hemp agrimony. A satisfying sight in this warm morning sunlight. Our large black cat sits beside the deep water looking up into the trees for unsuspecting birds. His fur shines and he takes pride in himself by looking my way and regally he begins grooming. It is warm this morning but there is a chill in the completely drinkable air. My partner uses this description a lot at the moment as there has been a noticeable decrease in the late summer pollen we have been suffering from. You can fill your whole lungs with its freshness like pure water. I have so loved the summer but this autumn newness is impossible to resist. I have been turning my thoughts towards introducing a new batch of hens to join our remaining three. We have been offered two chicks that will need to be eased into the flock and a few more ex-battery hens will come along soon. I will be getting them from The Hen Welfare Trust which I feel needs as much support from smallholders as possible. We are making an effort to wean ourselves off of mass production where we can and send a message to the powers that be that we don’t want to benefit from the exploitation of animals, people, or the environment. Hopefully, I’ll be able to start supplying my neighbours with a few eggs by next year. Hen welfare is very close to my heart now because I have seen how unique and characterful they are. Even if you may only be able to keep two or three hens, it becomes commonplace like it used to be, neighbours could supply neighbours and so on. The egg farms could stop killing off one-year-old birds and our egg needs would be met in kinder ways. Our primary school even keeps them. I think the idea is catching on slowly but there is still a lot of work to be done to get the word out. It’s good news that City farms are starting to become attractive and allotment uptake is on the rise. Something to think about and try to adapt into daily life if that strikes a chord with you. Next on the animal saving agenda for me is my addiction to dairy. The two mother cows and calves in the field across the lane are working on me. The children and I visit them at their gate and they are so gentle and enchanting we are powerless to resist their charm. I won’t harp on about the numerous evils associated with that industry in larger scale right now. My neighbour is certainly not into that kind of farming up here. I will continue to battle with my attempts to give up dairy so it remains a work in progress. I plan to get the enclosure ready for the new chicks shortly so I will enjoy some much needed hard labour. There is nothing like that post hard graft feeling that keeps a girl going! I think I would have made a good Land Girl as I have always enjoyed a bit of outdoor work. It will be wonderful to be in the warm sun doing something real, feasting on this autumn air. Times are changing next week as our lockdown bliss is drawing to a close with school starting again. I will be aiming to gain as much sustenance from nature as I can get in the coming days. I also wish you strength and good health as we enter into even more uncertain times. Catch the warm sun on your face. It’s Autumn.