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Diary of a Pint-Sized Farmer: A Year of Keeping Sheep, Raising Kids and Staying Sane
Sally Urwin and her husband Steve own High House Farm in Northumberland, which they share with two kids, Mavis the Sheepdog, one very Fat Pony, and many, many sheep. Set in a beautiful, wild landscape, and in use for generations, it's perfect for Sally's honest and charming account of farming life.
From stock sales to lambing sheds, out in the fields in driving snow and on hot summer days, Diary of a Pint-Sized Farmer reveals the highs, lows and hard, hard work involved in making a living from the land. Filled with grit and humour, newborn lambs and local characters, this is the perfect book for anyone who has ever wondered what it's like on the other side of the fence.
'I am going to do the whole bloody lambing. I'm going to lamb all the lambs. I imagine myself lean and strong, with thin thighs, in attractive waterproof overalls, striding through the lambing shed like I own it.
I spend the rest of the evening searching through eBay for waterproof trousers, short leg, size 14, that don't look like a pair of plastic bags stitched together at the crotch.'
From stock sales to lambing sheds, out in the fields in driving snow and on hot summer days, Diary of a Pint-Sized Farmer reveals the highs, lows and hard, hard work involved in making a living from the land. Filled with grit and humour, newborn lambs and local characters, this is the perfect book for anyone who has ever wondered what it's like on the other side of the fence.
'I am going to do the whole bloody lambing. I'm going to lamb all the lambs. I imagine myself lean and strong, with thin thighs, in attractive waterproof overalls, striding through the lambing shed like I own it.
I spend the rest of the evening searching through eBay for waterproof trousers, short leg, size 14, that don't look like a pair of plastic bags stitched together at the crotch.'
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2019
32 people are currently reading
317 people want to read
About the author
Sally Urwin
4 books12 followersSally grew up in Tynemouth, a small coastal town in Tyne and Wear. She went to a convent school in Newcastle and after escaping, studied History at the University of Durham.
Sally worked for many years at the coal face of corporate marketing. Her most depressing job was marketing an insolvency practitioner to very sad bankrupt business people. Eventually in 2004, she met Steve and was married a year later, throwing away her high heels and smart suits and settling down into helping on the farm.
As a slightly horrifying dowry, Sally brought with her an elderly and very grumpy Shetland pony called Gladys and her much loved rescue cat called Cyril.
Sally now spends her time farming sheep, looking after her children, writing, working, and fighting the urge to lie down on the carpet or fall asleep under a blanket.
Sally worked for many years at the coal face of corporate marketing. Her most depressing job was marketing an insolvency practitioner to very sad bankrupt business people. Eventually in 2004, she met Steve and was married a year later, throwing away her high heels and smart suits and settling down into helping on the farm.
As a slightly horrifying dowry, Sally brought with her an elderly and very grumpy Shetland pony called Gladys and her much loved rescue cat called Cyril.
Sally now spends her time farming sheep, looking after her children, writing, working, and fighting the urge to lie down on the carpet or fall asleep under a blanket.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
May 17, 2019
If you’ve ever wondered what the daily life of a shepherd or farmer is like, look no further. Sally Urwin is a charming guide to a year in the life of her working farm in Northumberland. Just don’t make the mistake of dismissing her as “the farmer’s wife.” She may only be 4 foot 10 (her Twitter handle is @pintsizedfarmer and her biography describes her as “(probably) the shortest farmer in England”), but her struggles to find attractive waterproofs don’t stop her from putting in the hard labor that it takes to tend to the daily needs of a 200-strong flock of sheep.
From mating the ewes to preparing the next year’s lambs for market, we see the whole cycle once through and about to start again. Lambing is a particularly fraught couple of months that forms the heart of the book, but there are plenty of other challenges, including stolen sheep, fallen trees, and constant financial concerns that lead Sally and Steve to petition the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution for help paying the gas bill and keeping food on the table for their two kids.
Despite the year’s many setbacks, Urwin has an indomitable spirit and writes in a chatty, chin-up style that reflects the book’s origin in blog posts from 2017 to 2018. She gets a lot of comic mileage out of her yo-yo dieting, the many escapades of Candy the fat pony, and quirky English traditions like the village fete. I especially liked the entry in which the arrival of a knacker van to pick up a dead lamb spread the stench of dead livestock over the wedding taking place at the brewery on their land.
I enjoy reading about people’s daily habits through a diary, and all the better when it’s a lifestyle that’s totally foreign to me. (For books instead of sheep, try The Diary of a Bookseller by Shaun Bythell.)
[Urwin can attest that their lambs are killed humanely, but I questioned the willy-nilly use of antibiotics and shooting of crows.]
From mating the ewes to preparing the next year’s lambs for market, we see the whole cycle once through and about to start again. Lambing is a particularly fraught couple of months that forms the heart of the book, but there are plenty of other challenges, including stolen sheep, fallen trees, and constant financial concerns that lead Sally and Steve to petition the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution for help paying the gas bill and keeping food on the table for their two kids.
Despite the year’s many setbacks, Urwin has an indomitable spirit and writes in a chatty, chin-up style that reflects the book’s origin in blog posts from 2017 to 2018. She gets a lot of comic mileage out of her yo-yo dieting, the many escapades of Candy the fat pony, and quirky English traditions like the village fete. I especially liked the entry in which the arrival of a knacker van to pick up a dead lamb spread the stench of dead livestock over the wedding taking place at the brewery on their land.
I enjoy reading about people’s daily habits through a diary, and all the better when it’s a lifestyle that’s totally foreign to me. (For books instead of sheep, try The Diary of a Bookseller by Shaun Bythell.)
[Urwin can attest that their lambs are killed humanely, but I questioned the willy-nilly use of antibiotics and shooting of crows.]
May 28, 2021
Няма нищо по-хубаво от книга, посветена на частица от живота на обикновен човек. Дава ти уникален поглед към напълно различен живот, който може да е абсурдно далеч от теб и да не е точно твоята чаша чай, но ти помага да станеш една идея по-добър човек, потапяйки се в живота на други хора и опознавайки техните болки, радости и проблеми.
В случая, абсолютен бонус е, че авторката е уникално забавна. Скъсах се да се смея буквално на почти всяко вписване в дневника. Отделно, е напълно откровена и без захаросване и твърде голямо драматизиране, споделя какво представлява да си фермер в Англия.
Смееш се, радваш се, тъжиш, ядосваш се с всяка нова случка от тяхното ежедневие. Специално проверих дали са все още живи и здрави цялото семейство и най-вече дебелото пони Candy, което ми стана любимец. Наистина е уникално добра в писането. Успява да те накара да видиш най-обикновения живот като свят на чудеса, вълнения и тегоби.
Замъкна ли се до Англия, ще си платя като поп за разходка из фермата им, само и само да се запозная със семейството и всички останали обитатели. ^^
Единственият недостатък на книгата е, че е кратка. Можех да слушам за ежедневието им до безкрай и нямаше да ми омръзне. :)
В случая, абсолютен бонус е, че авторката е уникално забавна. Скъсах се да се смея буквално на почти всяко вписване в дневника. Отделно, е напълно откровена и без захаросване и твърде голямо драматизиране, споделя какво представлява да си фермер в Англия.
Смееш се, радваш се, тъжиш, ядосваш се с всяка нова случка от тяхното ежедневие. Специално проверих дали са все още живи и здрави цялото семейство и най-вече дебелото пони Candy, което ми стана любимец. Наистина е уникално добра в писането. Успява да те накара да видиш най-обикновения живот като свят на чудеса, вълнения и тегоби.
Замъкна ли се до Англия, ще си платя като поп за разходка из фермата им, само и само да се запозная със семейството и всички останали обитатели. ^^
Единственият недостатък на книгата е, че е кратка. Можех да слушам за ежедневието им до безкрай и нямаше да ми омръзне. :)
April 4, 2019
"‘I am going to do the whole bloody lambing. I’m going to lamb all the lambs. I imagine myself lean and strong, with thin thighs, in attractive waterproof overalls, striding through the lambing shed like I own it.
I spend the rest of the evening searching through eBay for waterproof trousers, short leg, size 14, that don’t look like a pair of plastic bags stitched together at the crotch.’
Sally Urwin and her husband Steve own High House Farm in Northumberland, which they share with two kids, Mavis the Sheepdog, one very Fat Pony, and many, many sheep. Set in a beautiful, wild landscape, and in use for generations, it’s perfect for Sally’s honest and charming account of farming life."
From stock sales to lambing sheds, out in the fields in driving snow and on hot summer days, A Farmer’s Diary reveals the highs, lows and hard, hard work involved in making a living from the land. Filled with grit and humour, newborn lambs and local characters, this is the perfect book for anyone who has ever wondered what it’s like on the other side of the fence.
There is something about reading a spring themed book in spring. And this one, following the life of a sheep farm was definitely a lamb fest.
The book actually takes you through Autumn, Winter, Spring and Summer in short diary entries with all the main events of the farming calendar included. The idyllic moments are captured as well as the hardships, and of course the animals, including ‘The Fat Pony’.
Whilst reading this book I fell in love with Sally. Her sense of humour shone through in (sheep lick) buckets. I mean who names their rams Thrusty Clappernuts and Randy Jackhammer? Her observations were spot on – how women have many years experience in dieting and usually know to the ounce how much they weigh. Her down to earth attitude was refreshing and her self deprecating was very relate-able. I’m five foot on a tall day! Sally offered a brutally honest account of farming, yet her love of her life style and family was plain to see.
Whilst I loved Sally, I also loved the book for its location – on our doorstep. The Urwins went to Beamish at Christmas. So did we. Sally half froze. So did we. Yet it was definitely worth it. Hexham, Corbridge, Newcastle. I know all of these places and this heightened the sense of enjoyment when reading. Do you ever find that?
In case you haven’t guessed I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It’s one of my favourites this year.
I spend the rest of the evening searching through eBay for waterproof trousers, short leg, size 14, that don’t look like a pair of plastic bags stitched together at the crotch.’
Sally Urwin and her husband Steve own High House Farm in Northumberland, which they share with two kids, Mavis the Sheepdog, one very Fat Pony, and many, many sheep. Set in a beautiful, wild landscape, and in use for generations, it’s perfect for Sally’s honest and charming account of farming life."
From stock sales to lambing sheds, out in the fields in driving snow and on hot summer days, A Farmer’s Diary reveals the highs, lows and hard, hard work involved in making a living from the land. Filled with grit and humour, newborn lambs and local characters, this is the perfect book for anyone who has ever wondered what it’s like on the other side of the fence.
There is something about reading a spring themed book in spring. And this one, following the life of a sheep farm was definitely a lamb fest.
The book actually takes you through Autumn, Winter, Spring and Summer in short diary entries with all the main events of the farming calendar included. The idyllic moments are captured as well as the hardships, and of course the animals, including ‘The Fat Pony’.
Whilst reading this book I fell in love with Sally. Her sense of humour shone through in (sheep lick) buckets. I mean who names their rams Thrusty Clappernuts and Randy Jackhammer? Her observations were spot on – how women have many years experience in dieting and usually know to the ounce how much they weigh. Her down to earth attitude was refreshing and her self deprecating was very relate-able. I’m five foot on a tall day! Sally offered a brutally honest account of farming, yet her love of her life style and family was plain to see.
Whilst I loved Sally, I also loved the book for its location – on our doorstep. The Urwins went to Beamish at Christmas. So did we. Sally half froze. So did we. Yet it was definitely worth it. Hexham, Corbridge, Newcastle. I know all of these places and this heightened the sense of enjoyment when reading. Do you ever find that?
In case you haven’t guessed I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It’s one of my favourites this year.
May 4, 2024
A Farmer's Diary is a compilation of a year's notes by Sally Urwin, a farmer's wife living with her family on a sheep farm in Northumberland, England. It starts and ends in September, when they are selling last year's lambs at auction, and readying their ewes for the November mating season. It was a very interesting book, and I learned a lot.
I read this as once, some years back, I read a similar (and better) book by James Rebanks. The Shepherd's Life, which I really liked. Both of the authors work sheep farms in northern England. I did enjoy the book by Sally Urwin but it didn't have the same knowledge base as Mr. Rebanks' book. Sally Urwin has lived and worked on the sheep farm since her marriage, ten years ago, while James Rebanks grew up on a farm and takes it over from his father.
The part I most enjoyed in Urwin's book was her description of lambing season. It sounds chaotic, and exhausting, and it ensures that I will never become a sheep farmer. The couple practically move into the lambing shed during the season, as they have dozens of pregnant ewes, which are famously unable, for the most part, to deliver unattended. The things that can go wrong at lambing season is a very long list, and you'd need to be hale and healthy to put up with the long, tiring six weeks of lambing season.
I liked the book. If you like farming tales, you'll like this. I don't particularly go for farming tales, but instead I look for books of lives that are so very different from my own, and this definitely filled the bill.
I read this as once, some years back, I read a similar (and better) book by James Rebanks. The Shepherd's Life, which I really liked. Both of the authors work sheep farms in northern England. I did enjoy the book by Sally Urwin but it didn't have the same knowledge base as Mr. Rebanks' book. Sally Urwin has lived and worked on the sheep farm since her marriage, ten years ago, while James Rebanks grew up on a farm and takes it over from his father.
The part I most enjoyed in Urwin's book was her description of lambing season. It sounds chaotic, and exhausting, and it ensures that I will never become a sheep farmer. The couple practically move into the lambing shed during the season, as they have dozens of pregnant ewes, which are famously unable, for the most part, to deliver unattended. The things that can go wrong at lambing season is a very long list, and you'd need to be hale and healthy to put up with the long, tiring six weeks of lambing season.
I liked the book. If you like farming tales, you'll like this. I don't particularly go for farming tales, but instead I look for books of lives that are so very different from my own, and this definitely filled the bill.
July 17, 2019
I really enjoyed A Farmer's Diary. I often think that books in diary form don't work well because, let's face it, it's impossible for something interesting to happen every day and it can be irritating if the author digresses or steps down memory lane too often but Urwin stays focused (and the diary doesn't have an entry for every single day of the year in any case). It has a strong opening recalling a visit from someone who questions if she really is the farmer (something that happens to a lot of women so there will be plenty of enraged empathy going on). Candy the fat pony provides plenty of humour as well as the occasional drunk wedding guest from the business next door. There's plenty of "warts and all" with regard to the sheep farming between tough births, theft, deaths and bad weather but her humour shines through. The sale price of each lamb, when you multiple it by the numbers sold, shows how challenging it is to make a good living from this industry and Urwin is very honest regarding their financial struggles and the necessity of a second income to the farm.
For me, the lambing section seemed to drag a little. Perhaps it needed more about other species (maybe more adventures from Candy the fat pony). All in all, it's an excellent memoir and I hope many farmers as well as city dwellers will read it.
For me, the lambing section seemed to drag a little. Perhaps it needed more about other species (maybe more adventures from Candy the fat pony). All in all, it's an excellent memoir and I hope many farmers as well as city dwellers will read it.
May 26, 2019
This was perfect. I was confined to barracks following a knee injury, and couldn't face anything demanding. Furthermore, we'd met the delightful Sally and her equally charming lamb Mabel when she visited our local independent bookshop.
Sally takes us through a year in the life of an upland sheep farmer in rural Northumberland. She loves her life. Just as well. It's tough. She and her husband need another job a-piece just make ends -barely - meet. Their life often involves back-breaking effort, night shifts, being covered in excrement and slurry, and juggling a family with all its demands. Compensations include the sheep themselves, the glorious scenery, abundant wildlife and a supportive community. So while Sally made me laugh, and turn the pages to learn more of her day-to-day life, I was never once tempted to wish myself into her redoubtable wellington boots. If you have a rosy-tinted view of country life, and of a farmer's lot, this is the antidote you need.
Sally takes us through a year in the life of an upland sheep farmer in rural Northumberland. She loves her life. Just as well. It's tough. She and her husband need another job a-piece just make ends -barely - meet. Their life often involves back-breaking effort, night shifts, being covered in excrement and slurry, and juggling a family with all its demands. Compensations include the sheep themselves, the glorious scenery, abundant wildlife and a supportive community. So while Sally made me laugh, and turn the pages to learn more of her day-to-day life, I was never once tempted to wish myself into her redoubtable wellington boots. If you have a rosy-tinted view of country life, and of a farmer's lot, this is the antidote you need.
October 30, 2020
Fun little book - perfect escapist reading material during Covid. Sally has a witty approach to her day-to-day life on the farm, which is often extremely difficult & challenging in so many ways - physically, emotionally, and financially. After falling in love with a farmer, Sally immersed herself in becoming a farmer herself, having two farm kids and making friends with neighbors, chickens, a pony, and countless lambs and sheep. She uses a lot of funny British words that I didn't know, but were understandable in context. Very enjoyable read.
June 20, 2019
Of course I'm going to like this book, it's my life in novel form. I like that it's only last year, one of the most challenging farming years (snow, then a drought, and for us campylobactor) in recent history.
The good humour that pervades everything makes even the hardest moments seem bearable. There's a lot rumbling under the surface that doesn't really get talked about, but that's farming. You do what you can do and, as far as possible, you ignore the rest.
The good humour that pervades everything makes even the hardest moments seem bearable. There's a lot rumbling under the surface that doesn't really get talked about, but that's farming. You do what you can do and, as far as possible, you ignore the rest.
April 29, 2021
This was a delightful and warming story about a very strong woman making a life, a family, a home on a sheepfarm.
I enjoyed it so much more than I expected.
This was a mood booster all the way, especially with COVID and one of my cats that has gone missing, I needed something to dry my tears and make me feel a bit better. thanks to Sally Urwin, I found hope again (now hopefully I will find my cat)
I enjoyed it so much more than I expected.
This was a mood booster all the way, especially with COVID and one of my cats that has gone missing, I needed something to dry my tears and make me feel a bit better. thanks to Sally Urwin, I found hope again (now hopefully I will find my cat)
May 21, 2021
Loved it
Having been bought up on a farm, it was good to read of the highs and lows of a northern farm. It is written in a friendly easy way and I loved reading about the sheep and it took me back to my childhood when I used to help with the dipping and worming!
A fantastic feel good book, Thank you for writing such a brill book Sally I hope you are thinking about writing another one to keep us up to date with all the farming going ons!
Having been bought up on a farm, it was good to read of the highs and lows of a northern farm. It is written in a friendly easy way and I loved reading about the sheep and it took me back to my childhood when I used to help with the dipping and worming!
A fantastic feel good book, Thank you for writing such a brill book Sally I hope you are thinking about writing another one to keep us up to date with all the farming going ons!
December 28, 2023
Sally Urwin is a 4’ 10” former corporate marketer who became a farmer’s wife when she married Steve a sheep farmer based in Northumberland) and started writing a blog recounting her experiences. This entertaining book that reinforces how difficult farming is both physically and emotionally (made worse by the perilous economics within the industry) is based on some of Urwin’s blog entries and tracks a year of living on the farm.
June 6, 2019
A gentle, cosy book about life as a tiny, chubby, female farmer. Short chapters make it easy to pickup and put down, and it is arranged over the course of a farming year. By the end, you feel sure you’d find your way around a spot of light sheep farming, which I’m fairly sure is not the author’s intention! Digestible fare.
December 18, 2025
A charming, informative and altogether splendid read on working on a farm with hundreds of sheep, a mardy pony and a young family. This book is perfect if you want to learn about farming and on top of that is very well written. Sometimes non-fiction can be boring and/or pretentious, a pitfall some others stumble into that Urwin soars over with ease!
May 19, 2019
I really loved this book. As someone who comes from a farming background it was great to read an honest account of the realities of running a farm. The diary was funny and I really felt as if I was part of the family. Great read!
November 17, 2019
Very real, funny, down-to-earth account of a farming year. I live on a lifestyle block and found I identified with it often. Well worth reading and I may read it again - something I don't do very often.
August 22, 2020
This was an absolute delight. Very funny and I learned so much about life on a farm (I’m surprised we have enough farmers at all). Big fan of sheep and a bigger fan of the hilarious, talented author. And what a truly beautiful cover! I'd like it as a poster.
August 24, 2020
An excellent read demonstrating the highs and lows of farming in the UK. Warm, heartfelt and also laugh-out-loud funny, I highly recommend this book to give a real view of farm and family life in the North East. I absolutely loved it.
September 16, 2020
An excellent book, written with warmth and humour. Follow the ups and downs of farming life with Sally and her family. It will make you laugh and cry. You will develop a real empathy for the author because of her imaginative story telling.
February 15, 2021
A really pleasant and enjoyable read. I loved reading about the different things that go on on the farm, and the book was littered with humour and interesting facts, both educating and captivating. My favourite parts were about the lambs being born, and then growing bigger etc.
December 27, 2024
Written in a blog style, a very interesting take on farming in the UK. A bit too much of a "blogger" style to the book but I guess that is the point as it's supposed to be a "diary"
A good easy read with lots of insight into farming, lambing and all that goes with it.
A good easy read with lots of insight into farming, lambing and all that goes with it.
May 27, 2019
Fabulous cried with laughter heartbreaking the poverty the farm goes through
June 17, 2019
Hilarious. Very frank and genuine account of a year in the life. Truly enjoyed.
June 23, 2019
I couldn't really warm to the author and this made me enjoy this book less than I thought I would. No idea why, sure it is more me than her. Or perhaps I am just not a fan of sheep!
September 6, 2019
TWR: glorious, hilarious, earthy
February 26, 2020
This is how farm memoirs should be written...Brava!
November 10, 2020
Amusing and informative and left me with a strange urge to go and help with lambing season
June 15, 2021
Fun, easy read that gives a glimpse into a year as a farmer. I enjoyed the honesty, humor and heartbreaks that the author shares as a farmer (and farmer in training).
August 27, 2021
Honest and true to daily life on a working sheep farm in the U.K. The ups and downs of farming life, its hardships, and celebrations.
December 5, 2021
A very pleasant and amusing memoir of a Northumberland sheep farmer
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews