Written by –That Wandering Farmer

Swiftly approaching the three-month mark since relocating to the northwest coast of mainland Britain, I have found myself pondering where the hell life is taking me.

This is the first spring in four years that I haven’t spent covered in the delights of lambing season. And I can only say I am ever so slightly sleep deprived through self neglect, compared to historical springtime norms on the Farm.

I will have to come clean. As much as I enjoy public speaking and sharing stories online, moving into a hospitality-based role had formed a dark cloud over me. Was I really fit for the job? I had quite enjoyed a quiet life in the countryside, away from the obscure day-to-day habits of humans. However I am thoroughly pleased to report that I have taken it in my stride and I have grown very fond of it. Sometimes jumping into the unknown, not knowing how you might react, is exactly what is required for further character development.

So a bit about me; my heart simply desires to have a positive impact, both in the minds of people and on the heart of this planet. Towards nature, animals and humans, “leave no trace” and care for all life is my character to no fault.

Which, as it happens, does not change when you transition from an animal-based career to a hospitality-based career.

And why did I ever think it would?

Be not fooled though, I do very much miss being shouted at by cattle every morning and I long for that to return. However, there are many metaphorical summits that I want to clamber towards before I make a return to farming life. Like finding a community in Scotland to catch on into, be that through hiking, skiing, singing, climbing or churching (all the “ings”) and a desire to find “my person” if they ever do so exist.

But until then… welcome to my blog! Maybe you’ve caught up on my Farming Archives, or perhaps you knew about my short stint writing for the BN1 Magazine back in the 2010s.

That experience inspired me to dust off my writing boots and put pen to paper once again in this modern technological age.

Hiking trails and adventures are to come this summer. I have fourteen entries sitting in the Hiking Journal: some short, some long, some failures and some successes. I look forward to sharing them with you all and carving out this little squared-space on the internet.

Peace, blessings and great summits for your summer ahead.