2020 – Our Best Nine

Whilst we could have simply looked back at ‘the year that was’ sadly remembering all the events and celebrations that were cancelled, I’ve been reminded that, by publishing the year as it evolves on social media, we have an instant ‘scrapbook’ of snippets to look back at, as a record of the good times in all their photographic glory…

This recent trend to share our #BestNine, the nine Instagram posts that attracted the most likes, is a great way to look back with thankfulness at the little highlights that our followers applauded with a little ‘double tap’.

So let me explain the stories behind our most popular photos, from top left:

1 – Introducing our new Online/Virtual courses (297 likes)

If you’d told me this time last year that I’d be teaching guests in America how to make sausages, people in France how to keep chickens, new friends in Switzerland how to bake bread and families in Scotland how to to make Christmas wreaths – I would never have believed you!

2 – Teaching bread to hundreds of virtual guests in their own kitchens (199 likes)

Seeing myself explain the techniques of working the dough, live in someone else’s kitchen is really quite surreal! But something we are going to continue doing through our range of Online/Virtual Courses for the foreseeable future…

3 – Celebrating my 50th Birthday in lockdown (187 likes)

Superbly organised by my wonderful husband Andy – Thanks, I had a great time!

4 – Beautiful eggs from our lovely ladies (173 likes)

The Hens at the Corner continue to be the stars of the show, especially when eggs were on the ‘hard to get list’ earlier in the year…

5 – Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Hen Corner (158 likes)

With a lovely new portrait from Country Living Magazine! We also released a fab new film looking back and forward:

6 – Festive fun with my newly discovered passion for Open Water Swimming (153 likes)

Who would have thought that I’d be swimming in a lake in December??? I’m so glad to have discovered this new hobby, it has been such a gift especially this year…

7 – Starting a new Christmas tradition: Harvesting vegetables for the festive feast fresh from the allotment (145 likes)

So thankful for my other new hobby this year, it’s given me fresh purpose and challenge outside of the house

8 – One of our favourite hens; Nandos the Pekin Bantam (139 likes)

Sadly she died of old age later in the year, but will always remain a pin up girl!

9 – Harvesting the first crop down the plot (136 likes)

After months of clearing brambles, rubble and fly tipped junk. We’ve achieved quite a lot at the allotment this year, but there’s still a long way to go. My aim is to have food available to harvest throughout the year; something to bring to the planning meeting with my plot buddy next month.

All through this challenging year, I’ve tried to maintain an #attitudeofgratitude, literally counting my blessings every day and thanking God for His faithfulness as I’ve tried to do my best for my family, my customers and my local community.

My #TopNine this year has no famous faces, well we couldn’t go out to meet anyone could we, but it definitely reflects another year of adventure and celebration.

Other highlights, not featured in the photos, are the three significant awards that we won:

1 – Named as one of the Top 100 Changemakers of 2020 by The Big Issue, see more here

2 – Winning TWO Bronze Medals at the World Marmalade Awards, see more here, and check out our new season marmalade courses both in person and online/virtual

3 – Seeing our Christmas Pudding receive a Great Taste Award, full story here

Not forgetting the mountain of flour that we used whilst baking for hundreds of local households throughout the most challenging months of the year…

As the calendar page quietly turns to reveal 2021, with a significant lack of pomp and ceremony, I have much lower expectations, no grand plans, but a peaceful sense of carrying on with my family by my side.

What more could I ask for?