It’s time to welcome a new year. As is traditional, GS was chucked out before midnight on the 31st of December in order to be our tall, dark and handsome first foot bringing food, drink and fuel as symbols of peace and plenty for the year ahead.
As GS knocked on the door, I wanted to pretend he was Black Rod trying to get into Parliament, but even though it wasn’t cold out this year (11’C compared to minus 7 last year) I let him in. Hugs and kisses and good wishes all round followed. The Geordie Smallholder family stayed up to quaff a few drinks, snaffle a few sausage rolls and text a few relatives.
Earlier that day, GS had been chopping wood for GSM’s fire when he was joined by the Assassin. I don’t think she realised she was right on the chopping block. Here comes the chopper to chop off your head as the old children’s rhyme says.
In other news, GS had repaired two sets of wellies for me last month. Yesterday I noticed my best pair had started leaking again so I changed to my second pair. I was chagrined to find out they were also leaking again. So it is with a heavy heart that I have decided I need to actually spend some money and get a decent pair. Wellies are a major part of the smallholder’s wardrobe.
Smallholder Uniform
as modelled by GS:
*wellies/ walking boots
*overalls/ jeans,
*waterproof trousers,
*fleece,
*waterproof jacket/ padded shirt (must be check or tartan),
*hat,
*gloves.
Each of these items are required in both summer and winter weight.
Personally I absolutely loathe wearing waterproof trousers, I’d rather get wet (it’s only the bit of leg between the bottom of my jacket and the tops of my wellies (when they are not leaking) that gets wet, I can handle it. So that reminds me, here is my list of must-have factors for my new wellies:
- Waterproof and not leaking
- Durable (don’t want to have to go through this purchasing process again)
- Fits a high instep (a family failing and the reason most footwear is not comfy)
- Good anti-slip sole (for mud and other larks)
- Self clearing tread (to try to keep the house clean)
- Long (up to my knees cf aversion to waterproof trousers above)
- Nice looking (ha ha)
So it’s off to the country shop tomorrow with the long-suffering GS to help me purchase this paragon of footwear, wish me luck.
The Geordie Smallholder 