If you have read earlier posts, you will have seen that my mother died last October in her cottage on the farm, after living here for 18 years, and contributing far more than her age - 80s, 90s - might warrant.
A month ago my husband died in his nursing home. We had bought the farm together in 1989, after 10 years of partnership, and ran it together for 14 years as the first registered organic farm in Gwent. Michael suffered a series of strokes from high blood pressure after the Foot and Mouth outbreak of 2001, lost more and more of his mental capacity, and finally retired to a nursing home in 2009. I have been effectively running the farm's 30 acres (11 hectares) single-handed since 2004, and expected to be able to go on doing more of the same now as a single woman, but I find that - at any rate to begin with! - it's quite different.
I am struggling with the responsibility and all the work involved. No doubt many wwoofers will be a little put off by this. But, if you aren't, I need strong arms and minds more than ever before! I believe I am as sociable and talkative as before - but am finding it difficult to cope with the immense business of keeping the place on its feet. If anyone feels like being a lifebelt - do, please, get in touch!
