Where to start?

Today I feel like I’m starting at the end, progressing to the middle and ending up at a very exciting beginning!

Helloooo! It is so good to be back! After eleven weeks away from all of you, my lovely subscribers, I am positively bursting with things to talk about. I do know however, that you are all really here for pictures of cute beasties so perhaps we should start there…

The obligatory new year shot of some of our girls enjoying their Christmas treats. Christmas trees are not only for decoration and celebration they are also super tasty and anthelmintic (naturally worming) if you happen to live on a goat farm.

Back to the end, middle and beginning. What is ending? I’m delighted to say, nothing of any note, just a few digital platform changes. The eagle eyed amongst you may have noticed that this newsletter has been brought to you via ‘Substack’ rather than Mailchimp. We have changed our allegiance as part of a much bigger reform of our communications generally. Don’t worry, weekly newsletters will arrive in your inbox in much the same way as they always have, you don’t need to change anything. This way though, we can keep the chat going. Our Friday newsletters have always been more of a blog and now they will be available in perpetuity, for free, on Substack where, you can also join us to chat :) or comment on our newsletter in a way that everyone can see and join in. There are no algorithms or advertising to contend with just a nice, open place where we can share ideas, news and longer form writing than you find anywhere else.

Also new, this is Claire, whom I am delighted to introduce as our new Knitting Inspiration writer. Claire is one of the most talented knitters (secret designers) I have ever had the privilege to meet and I couldn’t be more pleased to have her join Whistlebare. This newsletter, from the end of last year, features some beautiful pattern interpretations knitted in our yarns by Claire. Our Knitting Inspiration newsletters will be a little bit different in format going forward to reflect their new author and, for the time being at least, will be biweekly. They will still, however, appear as if by magic in your inbox on Wednesdays and have their own dedicated chat space here. Claire’s very first Inspirations newsletter will be arriving on Wednesday 5th March - you heard it here first!

During the Christmas holidays I was determined to have some fun with my wonderful working ponies. Here, Rain and I are heading up onto the moor at Hagden.

It is so beautiful up there and despite the threatening skies we had the most wonderful time. Part wandering along enjoying the fresh air and golden hour light with views forever, part high octane excitement crashing through drainage ditches and bouncing round bogs! It was all great fun, that is, until it wasn’t. Unfortunately we had an accident 100% caused by driver error, the pony in the partnership couldn’t have been more innocent. I was misled by bog grass into believing that the little slope we were going down onto the track was shallow and nothing to worry about. In reality it was very steep and as we were turning onto the track the chariot capsized completely, in local vernacular we were well and truly ‘cowped’.

This last photo had been going to be of the extraordinary splint I have been wearing to support my broken finger, rib fractures apparently get better by themselves. However, this photo of Rain sweetly carrying injured me on to the nearest village where Mr Whistlebare waited with the ambulance (van and horse trailer) is so much more attractive to look at! You will be pleased to know that neither pony nor chariot suffered any ill effects and that I am well on my way to full recovery.

I do hope that you have enjoyed our very first newsletter powered by Substack and that we may see more of you in that forum. I for one am delighted to be back chatting all things farm life at Whistlebare.

Studio at Whistlebare also re-opens this week. Do come and see us, there is yarn to squish and gifts to buy. We are open on Wednesdays and Fridays from 10.30am until 3pm or any other day/time if I’m about. Drop me a text on 07775 501068 to confirm, you are always welcome and there is no obligation to buy.

Very best wishes,

Alice