Because we had not had weather as cold as we had in the middle of the month for a while, it took a bit of adjusting to.
Only in November did I have two coats on the go, one on, one drying. By the middle of December Id got pairs of gloves all over the farm, discarded when a job just could not be done with a mittened hand. They were then gathered up at the end of the day to put on the dryer for morning.
Thinking back over the year, its exactly 12 months since I started going to a CrossFit gym to help strengthen my arm after that little fall I had. To jog memories, I fell off a chair cleaning a window.
A tricky break into the shoulder joint left me frustratingly weak as a kitten and getting back to work was difficult. I had trouble with anything heavy, awkward or wriggly (like a calf).
Flick has been a CrossFit convert for quite a while and last Christmas she took me along to a local gym.
I was anxious that I would be too unfit, too old and not be able to do anything because of the injury.
However, I shouldnt have worried as it would seem there are plenty of over 50s that attend. From that first session, when I could barely get my arm above my head, Im happily lifting 20kg overhead and deadlifting around 75kg.
This is not in Tracey Roans league, but the transformation is miraculous. For those that dont know, Tracey is a wonder woman who carries 75kg in each hand on a farmers carry, which is exactly what youd imagine, like a very heavy bucket in each hand.
It has also transformed my working life, no longer waiting around for Stephen or Ben to lift something for me or help me with a calf.
Im back to being a pocket rocket, the nickname I was given when I was on work experience when I was 18.
Mentally it really helps and often I may feel I dont have the energy to go, but after a gym session I do feel revitalised, although post-workout muscle ache is a downside but no pain, no gain.
Zoe also does strength and conditioning training for rowing, so the three of us are often comparing what weights weve lifted. Girl power.
Its great to see farmers helping add a bit of sparkle to the season. Stephen and Ben helped put up the village Christmas trees and the illuminated tractor runs that are a feature all over the country are a brilliant way of connecting with the general public.
In the milk hut, porridge season is still in full swing, with the addition of gingerbread and Irish cream syrups.
Flavoured milk sales are quite buoyant, customers use this flavoured milk to make themselves a festive latte at home, saving money on coffee shop trips.
