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Mud, Malfunctions and Making Progress - Karen's Corner - 30.11.25

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November always arrives with a certain personality, doesn’t it? A mix of sideways rain, sudden frosts, short days, and the annual question of why do all the appliances choose this exact month to give up?


It’s been a busy one here at Fossoway Stables and it feels both productive and mildly chaotic, depending on the hour of the day and the state of the weather.


We’ve had torrential rain that turned fields into lakes, followed immediately by freezing temperatures that turned the lakes into something resembling ornamental ponds. Completely normal for November, of course but it does mean jobs like fixing non-essential fencing have had to wait for kinder weather. The essentials though, animal care, market garden tidy-ups, daily checks don’t stop, and we’ve been marching through them in less-than-ideal conditions, waterproofs rustling and fingers frozen.


But over the years, I’ve learned that this is simply the rhythm of the place. November demands stamina, humour, and acceptance. I’ve even found myself saying things like “We need a good frost now to kill off the bugs,” which feels like the most middle-aged sentence I’ve ever uttered and yet, here we are.


There is definitely a sense of winding down, or at least trying to, and I’m very aware of the number of tasks I’d quite like finished before the end of the year, and also aware that the list is not getting any shorter, while the window of time absolutely is. It’s that late-autumn overwhelm ... the annual realisation that the fresh-start feeling of January is only soothing if you’ve cleared the decks in December.


It also didn’t help that the moment the first frost hit, our air source heat pump broke leaving us without hot water or heating for over a week. Character-building, I suppose, but not ideal when the house feels colder inside than outside. A skilled engineer (and an eye-wateringly large bill!) saved the day, and the moment the radiators whirred back to life, I felt ready to tackle life again rather than simply trying to stay warm.


As if that wasn’t enough drama, the tumble dryer started flashing error codes at me (again), and the car has developed a strange new noise since its service. I’m choosing to believe this is all character development rather than a sign that the machines are plotting against me.


But it hasn’t all been mechanical mayhem. I’ve been busy behind the scenes writing content for the Everything & Nothing website, organising tours and events for next year amd beyond, and slowly but surely making progress on the admin that keeps our creative world turning. Progress always feels slower in winter, but it’s happening all the same.


We've also got Michael, our handyman, in painting, and it’s incredible what a fresh lick of colour can do ... it lifts the whole house. A carpet fitter has been in to measure up, and a full house re-organisation is underway this weekend. Environment really is everything ... it changes how you feel before you’ve even realised why.


John has been away, first in Ireland with his folks, then in Germany on tour, so it’s especially lovely to have him home again for a little while. The house, and I, just feel steadier when we’re both here, even in the chaos.


And now, somehow, we’re staring December in the face! I’m not sure how that happened so fast, but I suppose it’s time to start the shopping, light the candles, and prepare for the wonderful madness of the month ahead.


Never a dull moment, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.


Until next month,


Karen xx


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