We have an array of animals providing us with a plentiful source of milk, eggs, muck and wool all of which play an integral part of life on the hill.
The chickens are truly free range. They can be found scratching around all over the place in the day, returning to their cleft chestnut geodesic dome at night, safe from the fox! They are a jolly assortment of Blue Cheshires, Leghorns, Rhode Rocks, Redcos and Brown Nicks.
The goats, Amerley a Golden Guernsey and Lisa a Saanan cross, provide milk, halloumi, kefir and yoghurt for the house. The goats have their own shed but are often found grazing near the edge of the wood.
We keep a small flock of Shetland sheep which provide the finest wool of any British breed, we spin and use this wool throughout the year.
We have two delightful Kune Kune pigs, Ruby and Bilbo, who are now an old pair, peacefully living out their lives in the wood. They keep the weeds down, ensure that nothing goes to waste and are always ready for a scritch and a scratch.
Minstrel is a Gypsy Cob. She is ridden by the family and she also provides a rich source of manure in our compost heaps.
The outdoor cats, Holly and Midnight can usually be found sunning themselves in the hay barn or anywhere you least expect them!
Daisy Dog shadows us as we go about our work and otherwise keeps an eye on what is going on from the highest vantage point.