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Spring Has Sprung - Karen's Corner - 26.06.26


April has been full ... people, laughter, a bit of chaos, and that unmistakable sense that the year is properly getting going now!


We started the month travelling home from a wonderful weekend in London with what felt like the full clan. My brother, sister-in-law and nephews flew in from the States to meet us there before coming back up to spend a week at Fossoway. It’s always so special having everyone together, a rare thing these days, and the house felt properly alive.


We celebrated my nephew Alec’s birthday in the most perfect, no-frills way ... pizza and chocolate cake (his choice, and absolutely the right one). There were days out too, including a trip to Blair Atholl Castle, a place I’ve spent so much time over the years during the International Horse Trials. It was always one of my favourite events, the setting, the Highland air, the whole atmosphere. Strangely, I’d never actually been inside the castle before. The exhibition itself was fine, but what really stayed with me was the staff ... every single person we met was warm, welcoming, and genuinely lovely. I came away thinking that’s how you want people to feel when they step into your space, like they’re expected, like they matter. Someone there has done an incredible job shaping that experience, and it’s something I’ve been thinking about ever since.


During that week, John and I also popped out to design our new fitted wardrobe, a fairly standard outing that took a slightly unexpected turn when John noticed his already sore-looking finger had turned rather alarming shades of black and bulgy. A swift detour to the hospital later, and it was being lanced that evening ... not quite the design appointment we had in mind.


Not long after, we welcomed Sam Kelly and Toby Shaer to Fossoway to record some of their new EP ahead of their upcoming tour. Toby stayed on for a few extra days, helping John and me prepare for the Big Barn Sale an idea that had felt wonderfully simple when I first thought of it months ago ... gather up all the things we no longer need and find them new homes rather than sending them to waste. As the date crept closer though, the scale of it all became clear. Sorting, organising, advertising and that creeping fear the day before that no one might turn up and we’d simply created a second house in the barn for no reason at all!


Thankfully, that wasn’t the case and people arrived. In fact, some arrived 45 minutes early which, I quickly learned, is standard practice for seasoned bargain hunters! I’d never been to a car boot sale before, so this was a whole new world. Serious business (!) but such good fun and so lovely to see things heading off to new homes with people who genuinely wanted them.


The kids were off school for the Easter holidays, which I always really love. I know plenty of parents count down the days until routine resumes, but I’ve never quite felt that way. There’s something about having them home, even if they spend a fair bit of time behind closed bedroom doors, that just feels right.


Out on the land, spring has properly arrived. Daffodils are up, the grass is growing, and the sun has started to show its face bringing with it that familiar burst of optimism and energy after a long, wet winter. Of course, with that light comes visibility … and suddenly all the jobs that have been patiently waiting are now shouting a little louder. Fence repairs, in particular, are top of the list. In fact, I’ve decided that this is the year I learn how to fix fences myself. Historically, I’ve been more than happy to delegate that particular task but it’s time to step up. I watch these incredible women online tackling all sorts of DIY projects and think … why not me? Watch this space!


With schools back, the rhythm of term time has returned too ... Playmakers are deep into rehearsals for their summer performance in the barn, and Fossoway Farmyard will be back in a few weeks andI’m really looking forward to that. There are still a few spaces if any little ones fancy some time outdoors getting stuck into life on the farm. You can email me at enquiries@fossowaystables.com to book a space.



In the market garden, things are shifting too. Outdoor beds are being prepared, new ones are being created, and the polytunnel is slowly filling up again. Our veg boxes continue to grow in popularity, which is incredibly exciting though it does bring the very real question of how we grow enough to meet that demand this year! A lovely problem to have, and a really heartening sign that people are embracing locally grown, chemical-free food.


At home, the building work is almost complete, we’re just waiting on carpets now, and it’s amazing how much calmer everything feels already. Less dust, fewer decisions, and a sense that we’re coming back together again as a space. Phew!


Looking ahead, we have the next Fiddle Weekend to prepare for on 2nd and 3rd May - an opportunity for musicicans of all instruments to come and spend a few days of workshops, masterclasses, q&as, a live podcast recording and session-style tunes together in our little village hall. This time, we have the wonderful Duncan Chisholm coming as out special guest on the Sunday so particiants are in for a real treat. These events are always really lovely - people are so warm and friendly and as a non-musician myself, it's so heartening to see people who were strangers at the start of the weekend, leave as new friends, all brought about by their shared love of music. It's really worth joining in if you play yourself. There are, currently, still a few spots left - here's the link if you fancy coming along - Fiddle Weekend.


After that, John head's off on tour again with Sam and Toby around the UK (and Czech Republic) but we do have out own gig, again in the village hall. This normally sells out so grab your tickets while you can - here's the link - John McCusker Trio and here's a little video of them playing last year incase you haven't been before, they're really wonderful!



We’ve also had the lovely Ian Carr staying with us he and John have been rehearsing for upcoming gigs. I always love having friends here, not least because I have my own personal concerts as i work, but it’s exactly how I imagined Fossoway would be ... full of people, music, conversation, and life!


So yes, April has been full! Busy, occasionally chaotic (!), but so much fun and as everything begins to grow again, on the land, in the business, in our plans, it feels like we’re right on the edge of something exciting.


Until next month,


Karen xx


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