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What the Flock!: Raising kids, rearing animals and other misadventures on our family farm
From high heels to welly boots – one woman’s misadventures in becoming a farmer, raising a family, and making a living from the land.
Twenty-five years ago, Sally Urwin was living in a tiny flat in the city with a high-pressure job. She was utterly miserable, suffering from depression and longing for a different life.
When she met and married farmer Steve, she imagined herself wafting around in floral dresses followed by a bevy of rosy-cheeked children.
The reality is quite different…
Sally is usually wearing a jumper covered in sheep poo and bellowing at Mavis the collie to stop chasing Gladys the grumpy pony, her kids are moaning about being dragged outside, while Sally is caring for a ewe who has ingested a poisonous plant after wandering into the neighbour’s garden.
But despite the chaos of juggling motherhood with running a farm, financial hardship and dealing with poorly animals, the exhilarating freedom of rural life has helped Sally to heal her own body and mind. Lambing season might be backbreaking but there’s no greater joy than cradling a new-born lamb.
With a mix of grit, humour and the love of family, Sally shows us that it’s never too late to live the life you’ve always dreamed of.
Fans of the Yorkshire Shepherdess will love this hilarious, heartfelt, and honest account that will have you howling with laughter and sobbing into your tissues in equal measure.
Twenty-five years ago, Sally Urwin was living in a tiny flat in the city with a high-pressure job. She was utterly miserable, suffering from depression and longing for a different life.
When she met and married farmer Steve, she imagined herself wafting around in floral dresses followed by a bevy of rosy-cheeked children.
The reality is quite different…
Sally is usually wearing a jumper covered in sheep poo and bellowing at Mavis the collie to stop chasing Gladys the grumpy pony, her kids are moaning about being dragged outside, while Sally is caring for a ewe who has ingested a poisonous plant after wandering into the neighbour’s garden.
But despite the chaos of juggling motherhood with running a farm, financial hardship and dealing with poorly animals, the exhilarating freedom of rural life has helped Sally to heal her own body and mind. Lambing season might be backbreaking but there’s no greater joy than cradling a new-born lamb.
With a mix of grit, humour and the love of family, Sally shows us that it’s never too late to live the life you’ve always dreamed of.
Fans of the Yorkshire Shepherdess will love this hilarious, heartfelt, and honest account that will have you howling with laughter and sobbing into your tissues in equal measure.
272 pages, Paperback
Published July 4, 2022
79 people are currently reading
56 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 35 reviews
June 16, 2022
In this book Sally Urwin tells her story of marrying a farmer and embracing the farming life. I loved how much I learned about what it really takes - all the hard work, financial worry, animal cuteness, and happy and sad times. It made me even more grateful for those on family farms who work so hard to feed the rest of us.
Sally narrates the audiobook herself and does a stellar job. I listened to it as I drove through the farm heartland of the USA - the perfect setting.
Thanks to netgalley and the author and publisher for a review copy. I'm going to check out more of the Yorkshire farm books!
Sally narrates the audiobook herself and does a stellar job. I listened to it as I drove through the farm heartland of the USA - the perfect setting.
Thanks to netgalley and the author and publisher for a review copy. I'm going to check out more of the Yorkshire farm books!
June 17, 2022
I greatly enjoyed What the Flock! This is nonfiction, basically the author's life as a farmer's wife. She's great at telling us all the details of her life, including her personal struggles with anxiety and the farm's struggles during Covid and Brexit. I appreciate her honesty on this topic. Her love of the animals is wonderful, and the animals all sound adorable. Except for the chapter on rodents; I skipped that one. It's sad that farmers struggle so much and have to seek other options for funding, like a brewery, glamping, wedding venue and more. This book is narrated by the author, Sally Urwin, and she is honest, open and sounds like someone I'd like as a friend. I will definitely follow her for more, and am going to track down the farm's social media.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for a free audio book of What the Flock! in exchange for my honest opinion.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for a free audio book of What the Flock! in exchange for my honest opinion.
June 16, 2022
I really enjoyed this one. While I didn't love hearing about the animals being raised for food, the author is a wonderful storyteller and I enjoyed her humor. I laughed out loud at the stories about Candy, the fat pony. What a character! I find it so sad too that those who grow our food (the farm includes crops) are struggling so much financially, causing so many farmers to attempt larger scale animal farming practices just to make ends meet. I did love that Urwin and her husband were open to other income streams by starting a small brewery and wedding venue on the property. I just wish that was all due to their desire and not triggered by need. I'm in a different country than the author, but the situation is similar here. Everyone wants cheap food and rarely do most think of those who grow that food.
As someone who earns a living stuck in front of a computer all day, I completely understand the desire to lead a different lifestyle. Having grown up in farm country, I also understand just how much work this lifestyle requires. I appreciated the author's honesty about the struggles as well as the great parts. I also appreciated her honesty in regard to her battles with anxiety and depression. I would definitely read more from this author!
Thanks to Thread Books and NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.
As someone who earns a living stuck in front of a computer all day, I completely understand the desire to lead a different lifestyle. Having grown up in farm country, I also understand just how much work this lifestyle requires. I appreciated the author's honesty about the struggles as well as the great parts. I also appreciated her honesty in regard to her battles with anxiety and depression. I would definitely read more from this author!
Thanks to Thread Books and NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.
October 4, 2022
Audio ARC provided by NetGalley
Audio review: Author narrated her own audio book and she was brilliant.
This is one of those slice of life books, a true story (or collection of true anecdotes) that transports you elsewhere. This is Sally Urwin's story of how she left corporate life and became a farmer and farmer's wife. It's told with great warmth and honesty, avoiding bucolic beau ideal countryside tropes that don't bear up to scrutiny. Country living and working the land and animal husbandry are far more what we are designed for; living rurally and working outdoors is better for us. But it is also bloody hard work. Farmers are always on the edge of poverty. However, this was funny and heartfelt, a complete joy to read from beginning to end, Highly recommend.
Audio review: Author narrated her own audio book and she was brilliant.
This is one of those slice of life books, a true story (or collection of true anecdotes) that transports you elsewhere. This is Sally Urwin's story of how she left corporate life and became a farmer and farmer's wife. It's told with great warmth and honesty, avoiding bucolic beau ideal countryside tropes that don't bear up to scrutiny. Country living and working the land and animal husbandry are far more what we are designed for; living rurally and working outdoors is better for us. But it is also bloody hard work. Farmers are always on the edge of poverty. However, this was funny and heartfelt, a complete joy to read from beginning to end, Highly recommend.
August 1, 2022
A very rare venture into non-fiction for me as Sally Urwin chronicles her working life from a mundane job in finance to a farmers wife and its a fascinating read.
Uplifting, surprising, shocking, very funny and at times very sad (although the sad moments are never dwelled upon or drawn out) and I found myself in tears at least once followed quickly by giggling at the mental image of Wonky the sheep or Candy the overweight Shetland pony and their quirks.
It's a brilliantly eye-opening look at the realities of farming in the North-East (or anywhere for that matter) and how although the lows outweigh the highs numerically, the sheer love, patience and bloody mindness of all involved make the highs worth it.
It could be the only non-fiction book I read this year but I'm so glad I did and I'd recommend it highly to anyone.
Good luck to everyone involved with High House Farm ❤
Uplifting, surprising, shocking, very funny and at times very sad (although the sad moments are never dwelled upon or drawn out) and I found myself in tears at least once followed quickly by giggling at the mental image of Wonky the sheep or Candy the overweight Shetland pony and their quirks.
It's a brilliantly eye-opening look at the realities of farming in the North-East (or anywhere for that matter) and how although the lows outweigh the highs numerically, the sheer love, patience and bloody mindness of all involved make the highs worth it.
It could be the only non-fiction book I read this year but I'm so glad I did and I'd recommend it highly to anyone.
Good luck to everyone involved with High House Farm ❤
June 19, 2022
This was so funny and yet so informative and educational. I really enjoyed listening to it over the course of my day. As a current small homesteader, I learned a lot and related to her stories.
Sally tells of her life in the corporate world and how unfulfilled it left her. She decides to try a dating app and ends up meeting Steve, a sheep farmer who takes her to his farm on their first date and one of the lambs gives birth while they’re on their date and Sally realizes this is the kind of life she’d rather have. As they grow more serious in their relationships and eventually get married, they go through different stages with their animals and farming and Sally tells the ups and downs honestly and with lots of humor. She doesn’t sugarcoat how tough the life is, physically or monetarily, but she also points out how rewarding it can be. I love that she took in and cared for the lambs and pigs that were deemed not good enough and gave them fun names and nursed them to health.
I was not aware of her social media presence but I am a follower now because I can’t wait to see what her life is like on a daily basis.
I absolutely loved hearing her tell her tales in her own voice. It added so much to the stories and gave it so much emotion.
Thanks to Thread Publishing and NetGalley for this audiobook arc in exchange for my review.
Sally tells of her life in the corporate world and how unfulfilled it left her. She decides to try a dating app and ends up meeting Steve, a sheep farmer who takes her to his farm on their first date and one of the lambs gives birth while they’re on their date and Sally realizes this is the kind of life she’d rather have. As they grow more serious in their relationships and eventually get married, they go through different stages with their animals and farming and Sally tells the ups and downs honestly and with lots of humor. She doesn’t sugarcoat how tough the life is, physically or monetarily, but she also points out how rewarding it can be. I love that she took in and cared for the lambs and pigs that were deemed not good enough and gave them fun names and nursed them to health.
I was not aware of her social media presence but I am a follower now because I can’t wait to see what her life is like on a daily basis.
I absolutely loved hearing her tell her tales in her own voice. It added so much to the stories and gave it so much emotion.
Thanks to Thread Publishing and NetGalley for this audiobook arc in exchange for my review.
May 10, 2024
Откакто по случайност попаднах на първата ѝ книга, си мечтаех за втора и ето, че най-после се доредих до нея. Искрено се надявам и трета да има скоро. :)
Първата ѝ книга е анекдоти и кратки случаи от High House Farm. Тази книга е по-структурирана и е разделена на отделни теми като всяка тема обхваща някакъв важен епизод от историята на фермата през нейните очи. Беше много интересно. На моменти като четеш и ти става много тъжно. Почти се разплаках на някои моменти, защото тя умее невероятно добре да пресъздаде с думи трудностите, през които са минали, не само те, но и други малки ферми из цялата страна.
Наистина wholesome книга и ако човек е фен на Clarkson's Farm, то тази книга би му харесала също и бонусът е, че дава много по-добра и лична представа какъв е животът на обикновените малки фермери в UK, а не богаташи, превърнали се във фермери.
Първата ѝ книга е анекдоти и кратки случаи от High House Farm. Тази книга е по-структурирана и е разделена на отделни теми като всяка тема обхваща някакъв важен епизод от историята на фермата през нейните очи. Беше много интересно. На моменти като четеш и ти става много тъжно. Почти се разплаках на някои моменти, защото тя умее невероятно добре да пресъздаде с думи трудностите, през които са минали, не само те, но и други малки ферми из цялата страна.
Наистина wholesome книга и ако човек е фен на Clarkson's Farm, то тази книга би му харесала също и бонусът е, че дава много по-добра и лична представа какъв е животът на обикновените малки фермери в UK, а не богаташи, превърнали се във фермери.
July 13, 2022
This was a cute memoir. I mean, it wasn’t all cute… some of the stories were really sad and it definitely seems like farm life would be very hard. I enjoyed the different tales about taking care of sheep and lambing and how they expanded. The book was easy to read and I looked forward to reading it every night.
July 15, 2022
What a lovely book this is.
Sally tells her story as if she was chatting to a friend about the ups and downs of her life on the farm, and the result is a heartwarming and very honest account of the benefits and challenges of agricultural life in the twenty first century. I read this in a couple of days, genuinely laughing out loud at the tales of Candy the Fat Pony and Scabby the Sheep, then not twenty minutes later shedding a tear when the inevitable happens to some of the less fortunate animals on her farm. Sally is obviously an animal lover and lets her heart rule her head sometimes when she has the chance to save a pet lamb or a distressed pony, while her husband Steve has a more practical approach, shall we say!
She is very honest about the her struggles with mental health and has a positive approach to dealing with them. I echo her sentiments about the mental health provision in the UK these days. I know from experience that what she has to say on the lack of resources in this area is true.
The struggles that farmers face are many. But if Sally continues to produce such great writing, and her books sell as much as they should, maybe the financial pressures on her fram will be slightly eased as a result.
Anyway, stop wasting time reading this review and get yourself a copy of this book. You won't be disappointed!
Sally tells her story as if she was chatting to a friend about the ups and downs of her life on the farm, and the result is a heartwarming and very honest account of the benefits and challenges of agricultural life in the twenty first century. I read this in a couple of days, genuinely laughing out loud at the tales of Candy the Fat Pony and Scabby the Sheep, then not twenty minutes later shedding a tear when the inevitable happens to some of the less fortunate animals on her farm. Sally is obviously an animal lover and lets her heart rule her head sometimes when she has the chance to save a pet lamb or a distressed pony, while her husband Steve has a more practical approach, shall we say!
She is very honest about the her struggles with mental health and has a positive approach to dealing with them. I echo her sentiments about the mental health provision in the UK these days. I know from experience that what she has to say on the lack of resources in this area is true.
The struggles that farmers face are many. But if Sally continues to produce such great writing, and her books sell as much as they should, maybe the financial pressures on her fram will be slightly eased as a result.
Anyway, stop wasting time reading this review and get yourself a copy of this book. You won't be disappointed!
July 7, 2022
I love to read the memoirs of ordinary people whose lives are very different from mine. I especially enjoy reading books about farming. Sally Urwin's book "What the Flock!" is just the kind of book I like. This is non-fiction, but reads like a novel due to Urwin's wonderful writing style.
Urwin pulls no punches; as happy as she is on her family farm, and as many joyful stories she relates, she also shows the many hardships involved in contemporary agriculture. I live in an agricultural state with family farms fast going out of business, and what is plaguing British farms also holds true for American ones.
"What the Flock!" is a book I am so glad to have read, and like all good memoirs makes me wish I could spend a month there. Except for the getting up early and hard work part, naturally. Do yourself a favor and read this book. I can give no higher recommendation.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC
Urwin pulls no punches; as happy as she is on her family farm, and as many joyful stories she relates, she also shows the many hardships involved in contemporary agriculture. I live in an agricultural state with family farms fast going out of business, and what is plaguing British farms also holds true for American ones.
"What the Flock!" is a book I am so glad to have read, and like all good memoirs makes me wish I could spend a month there. Except for the getting up early and hard work part, naturally. Do yourself a favor and read this book. I can give no higher recommendation.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC
August 20, 2022
I laughed, I teared up. This was just delightful from start to finish! I loved how it didn’t shy away from the pros and cons of life on a farm. Having the author narrate, as well, made it even more special ❤️
June 26, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for my access to the ARC of Sally Urwin’s “What the Flock!”
I don’t even know where to begin! What the Flock! is an amazing memoir that reads like fiction. At times, I felt like I was reading a cute BritLit novel, filled with its highs and lows of Sally Urwin’s life, and her finding herself on a farm in the northern bits of England.
No spoilers, but you will find yourself being sucked into stories of working animals and pets that Sally took under her wing. If you are anything like me, you will laugh and cry and worry over the futures of the English farmers as a whole, and High House Farm, in particular. You will learn things, too, about animals, animal husbandry, history, weird laws, and so much more! I couldn’t put this book down until I devoured it from start to finish.
After finishing this book, I immediately went and followed the pint-sized farmer on social media, as it feels like she is my new BFF (not in a creepy way, but like having made a friend through her blog or FB posts). The best bit about her having written a memoir and not a work of fiction is that I can read what happens next by following her IG. So, now, y’all need to buy her book when it launches in July 7, 2022, and read it (when you do, you’ll understand why we all need to buy her book and all farmers’ books) and follow her for more adventures on High House Farm on social media! (But as she is a socially unique penguin like myself, let’s not crowd her space, ok?) 1000/10 would read again and again.
I don’t even know where to begin! What the Flock! is an amazing memoir that reads like fiction. At times, I felt like I was reading a cute BritLit novel, filled with its highs and lows of Sally Urwin’s life, and her finding herself on a farm in the northern bits of England.
No spoilers, but you will find yourself being sucked into stories of working animals and pets that Sally took under her wing. If you are anything like me, you will laugh and cry and worry over the futures of the English farmers as a whole, and High House Farm, in particular. You will learn things, too, about animals, animal husbandry, history, weird laws, and so much more! I couldn’t put this book down until I devoured it from start to finish.
After finishing this book, I immediately went and followed the pint-sized farmer on social media, as it feels like she is my new BFF (not in a creepy way, but like having made a friend through her blog or FB posts). The best bit about her having written a memoir and not a work of fiction is that I can read what happens next by following her IG. So, now, y’all need to buy her book when it launches in July 7, 2022, and read it (when you do, you’ll understand why we all need to buy her book and all farmers’ books) and follow her for more adventures on High House Farm on social media! (But as she is a socially unique penguin like myself, let’s not crowd her space, ok?) 1000/10 would read again and again.
July 18, 2022
5 stars!
I loved this audiobook so much! The author, Sally Urwin, provides a unique look into their adult life, from being raised as a city girl to transforming into a country woman in the UK. It was so much fun to read.
The characters are well developed and explored, the details are perfect. Although I have a vast knowledge of farming, even someone who doesn’t could still easily follow Sally’s adventures in all types of farming and business. The ups and downs of farming are real!
Sally also touches on her struggles with depression and thoughts of suicide. The fact that she included this vulnerable part of herself in this book says to me that she is human and like many of us, is still here to fight. This life is not easy, but it is rewarding and worth it when you are kind to yourself and give yourself a chance.
I would absolutely read the next chapter in Sally’s farming life in a few years, in a heartbeat. I will definitely look into purchasing a physical copy of this book for my personal collection. As someone who has hobby farmed and owned livestock for many, many years, I would recommend this book to anyone who does any type of farming. Also, to anyone who appreciates a good non-fiction read or memoir. Even anyone who loves animals! This book is for practically everyone!
Really well done, Sally. A toast to this accomplishment. Cheers and congratulations!
(ALC received from NetGalley in exchange for honest review. Thank you!)
I loved this audiobook so much! The author, Sally Urwin, provides a unique look into their adult life, from being raised as a city girl to transforming into a country woman in the UK. It was so much fun to read.
The characters are well developed and explored, the details are perfect. Although I have a vast knowledge of farming, even someone who doesn’t could still easily follow Sally’s adventures in all types of farming and business. The ups and downs of farming are real!
Sally also touches on her struggles with depression and thoughts of suicide. The fact that she included this vulnerable part of herself in this book says to me that she is human and like many of us, is still here to fight. This life is not easy, but it is rewarding and worth it when you are kind to yourself and give yourself a chance.
I would absolutely read the next chapter in Sally’s farming life in a few years, in a heartbeat. I will definitely look into purchasing a physical copy of this book for my personal collection. As someone who has hobby farmed and owned livestock for many, many years, I would recommend this book to anyone who does any type of farming. Also, to anyone who appreciates a good non-fiction read or memoir. Even anyone who loves animals! This book is for practically everyone!
Really well done, Sally. A toast to this accomplishment. Cheers and congratulations!
(ALC received from NetGalley in exchange for honest review. Thank you!)
April 10, 2024
I am someone living in semi rural area so farms and farm shops are right up my street.
I really enjoyed this book about the authors life as a farmers wife so after reading so much about Jeremy Clarkson and his farm I was interested to read from the female point of view, As I have sadly learnt farming pays so little thanks to supermarkets, weather and generally having to venture into new projects to make money.
What I found difficult to understand was her anxiety during Sars Covid-19 as I worked throughout this time and felt more at peace as everything was more simple so this gave me a good insight into someone else who was as busy as I was.
The author writes about her experience of working in a corporate world and wanting to do something different - something I did but not quite the same - I left the firefighting of the NHS and work in an Academy now.
Loved the stories of lambing and other animal tales and found quite amusing ( rather like James Herriots All Creatures Great and Small)
Hopefully those who want cheap food will realise just what goes into farming in the 21st centuary and that despite the cost of living crisis people will support local farmers and growers.
Recommended read.
I really enjoyed this book about the authors life as a farmers wife so after reading so much about Jeremy Clarkson and his farm I was interested to read from the female point of view, As I have sadly learnt farming pays so little thanks to supermarkets, weather and generally having to venture into new projects to make money.
What I found difficult to understand was her anxiety during Sars Covid-19 as I worked throughout this time and felt more at peace as everything was more simple so this gave me a good insight into someone else who was as busy as I was.
The author writes about her experience of working in a corporate world and wanting to do something different - something I did but not quite the same - I left the firefighting of the NHS and work in an Academy now.
Loved the stories of lambing and other animal tales and found quite amusing ( rather like James Herriots All Creatures Great and Small)
Hopefully those who want cheap food will realise just what goes into farming in the 21st centuary and that despite the cost of living crisis people will support local farmers and growers.
Recommended read.
July 6, 2022
Sally Urwin, was a city girl, working in a high pressure job, and the day came when she had a break-down in the women's room. She met a man, Steve, who was a farmer. She decided to move in with Steve and see what happens. It wasn't what she thought it was, but between her and Steve, they learned and worked the farm. Over time, they had to think outside the box in order to keep the farm operational.
Sally is honest in her journey, from the corporate world to life on the farm, from what she was expecting to the reality she found. It wasn't easy, but they found a way. It isn't the life for me, but I loved reading the book, and experiencing the life she was living. There were many adventures and misadventures, there are unexpected surprises that came into their lives, it is the life they have, and how they made it work, and love the life they have.
The book flowed smoothly, it wasn't focused on one aspect but the journey that she was on. That made it a great read.
I received an ARC from Thread Books through NetGalley.
Sally is honest in her journey, from the corporate world to life on the farm, from what she was expecting to the reality she found. It wasn't easy, but they found a way. It isn't the life for me, but I loved reading the book, and experiencing the life she was living. There were many adventures and misadventures, there are unexpected surprises that came into their lives, it is the life they have, and how they made it work, and love the life they have.
The book flowed smoothly, it wasn't focused on one aspect but the journey that she was on. That made it a great read.
I received an ARC from Thread Books through NetGalley.
November 30, 2022
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this Audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
One day, Sally decides to leave her urban life with her office job and her high heels in order to become a farmer but then she discovers that the rural life is not only fresh air and wandering around the farm easy peasy while admiring the landscape. In reality, being a farmer is so much harder than it seems and it could be really stressful most of the time.
This was such a cozy read that made you discover the true life at a farm. I enjoyed listening to this book which I had also the ebook ARC and I was able to follow with the audio. Sally's rural life has a lot of ups and downs with some struggles mostly financial ones that the family has to undergo but, at the same time, it has its charm and funny moments that Sally wouldn't trade for all the world. For her, there is nothing greater than living this life.
From the risk of losing all your animals to the visit of the royal family to an invasion of rats, Sally's life at the farm will always be so eventful.
One day, Sally decides to leave her urban life with her office job and her high heels in order to become a farmer but then she discovers that the rural life is not only fresh air and wandering around the farm easy peasy while admiring the landscape. In reality, being a farmer is so much harder than it seems and it could be really stressful most of the time.
This was such a cozy read that made you discover the true life at a farm. I enjoyed listening to this book which I had also the ebook ARC and I was able to follow with the audio. Sally's rural life has a lot of ups and downs with some struggles mostly financial ones that the family has to undergo but, at the same time, it has its charm and funny moments that Sally wouldn't trade for all the world. For her, there is nothing greater than living this life.
From the risk of losing all your animals to the visit of the royal family to an invasion of rats, Sally's life at the farm will always be so eventful.
March 21, 2023
I listened to this audiobook a while ago. It was almost right after another farm-focused one, so I decided to give some time between the two. That said, they are completely different to each other. This particular book focuses on a very different aspect of living a life on a farm.
The author does not come from a farming background, and it so happened that she ended up on a date with a farmer. We begin with the life she led prior to her marriage and her mental state at the time. Then the focus moves on to smaller anecdotes that overall provide a very comprehensive picture of a family on a working farm and the energy (both mental and physical) that it takes to keep the wheels turning.
The narration was fitting and made me feel like I was being personally told the story. Especially since the author narrated it herself.
There are several stages to the content, we pass through several years, sometimes looking back, but for the most part, the narration is linear. This last part is something I appreciate in a memoir-like story because it is easier to keep track of everything happening and give appropriate time to feel with the people. It also helps when you like the people who are being talked about because of their behaviour when faced with adverse situations.
I highly recommend this to anyone who is even mildly curious about the ins and outs of the regular, daily life of a farming family and the myriad decisions they have to juggle.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own listening experience.
The author does not come from a farming background, and it so happened that she ended up on a date with a farmer. We begin with the life she led prior to her marriage and her mental state at the time. Then the focus moves on to smaller anecdotes that overall provide a very comprehensive picture of a family on a working farm and the energy (both mental and physical) that it takes to keep the wheels turning.
The narration was fitting and made me feel like I was being personally told the story. Especially since the author narrated it herself.
There are several stages to the content, we pass through several years, sometimes looking back, but for the most part, the narration is linear. This last part is something I appreciate in a memoir-like story because it is easier to keep track of everything happening and give appropriate time to feel with the people. It also helps when you like the people who are being talked about because of their behaviour when faced with adverse situations.
I highly recommend this to anyone who is even mildly curious about the ins and outs of the regular, daily life of a farming family and the myriad decisions they have to juggle.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own listening experience.
June 29, 2022
I don't know how to tell you how much I loved this book, but I do plan to buy several copies to give to friends. There are so many stories included in this narrative!
Taking a lamb in diapers to book signings, transforming outbuildings into a destination farm venue complete with tearoom and craft ale brewery.
The Foot and Mouth epidemic of 2002 that was so disastrous for farmers and consumers alike. Even worse than the Covid mess.
Did you know that a whitesmith is a metalworker who does finishing work on iron and steel such as filing, lathing, burnishing or polishing?
Whether you live in the British Isles, Australia, or in Wisconsin, farm life is tough, rewarding, fun, back-breaking, and a real financial and mental health challenge.
You just CAN'T go wrong with having the author as narrator.
I requested and received a free temporary audio copy from Thread, an imprint of Storyfire Ltd. and Bookouture via NetGalley. Thank you!
Taking a lamb in diapers to book signings, transforming outbuildings into a destination farm venue complete with tearoom and craft ale brewery.
The Foot and Mouth epidemic of 2002 that was so disastrous for farmers and consumers alike. Even worse than the Covid mess.
Did you know that a whitesmith is a metalworker who does finishing work on iron and steel such as filing, lathing, burnishing or polishing?
Whether you live in the British Isles, Australia, or in Wisconsin, farm life is tough, rewarding, fun, back-breaking, and a real financial and mental health challenge.
You just CAN'T go wrong with having the author as narrator.
I requested and received a free temporary audio copy from Thread, an imprint of Storyfire Ltd. and Bookouture via NetGalley. Thank you!
August 2, 2022
I really enjoyed this entertaining but also refreshingly honest memoir of life as a farmers wife. I loved the stories of rats mingling with wedding guests, badly behaved coach parties, blasphemous waitresses and nappy wearing lambs. But found the sobering realities of financial hardship, depression and virus outbreaks just as interesting. I'm also always inspired by stories of creative entrepreneurship and so found the different diversification projects Sally took on such as weddings, glamping, beer-brewing, tours, tea shops, etc totally fascinating. Whilst a memoir, chapters follow a theme rather than strictly chronological order and it reads more like fiction due to Sally's wonderful storytelling. I'll definitely be checking out Sally's socials now.....
October 19, 2022
This was a decent book, solid charachters, decent narration, entertaining stories mixed with stories that didn't really 'do it for me'.
I enjoyed listening to this audiobook especially the bits about the Foot-and-mouth disease struggles, as a veterinarian, this was very interesting to read (the other side). I really felt for them. The stories about the less-well-develloped animals they cared for also touched me, as well as the story about her elder father. But other parts were not as memorable. Perhaps because they didn't interest me as much?
Recommend for anyone who might consider making the same moves as the MC, or who feel like farmlife is 'the simple life'.
I enjoyed listening to this audiobook especially the bits about the Foot-and-mouth disease struggles, as a veterinarian, this was very interesting to read (the other side). I really felt for them. The stories about the less-well-develloped animals they cared for also touched me, as well as the story about her elder father. But other parts were not as memorable. Perhaps because they didn't interest me as much?
Recommend for anyone who might consider making the same moves as the MC, or who feel like farmlife is 'the simple life'.
April 15, 2023
Picked it up at my local library - I love farming book and was delighted to see this one was actually in the UK. I enjoyed learning about farmer’s life and I can definitely feel the personality of the author. I can imagine her writing her book between two super busy moments.
However the content fell a bit short to me as I was excepting more of a chronological story than having topics centered chapters. I do feel like a few opinions were pushed hard (like brexit) which honestly I do not care for - but hey, it’s not my book.
It wasn’t that enjoyable as a read, but I’m glad of the glimpse into her life and would definitely visit them if nearby
However the content fell a bit short to me as I was excepting more of a chronological story than having topics centered chapters. I do feel like a few opinions were pushed hard (like brexit) which honestly I do not care for - but hey, it’s not my book.
It wasn’t that enjoyable as a read, but I’m glad of the glimpse into her life and would definitely visit them if nearby
July 24, 2022
A self-narrated memoir about farming that reads like a casual conversation between friends over a cup of tea. Urwin doesn't shy away from describing the ups and downs of keeping a farm going. At points it's rather hard to listen to the family struggle as they push themselves to the limits just to pay the mortgage. But that's the reality of farming around the world. This memoir helps you appreciate what farmers are doing just to keep us fed.
Thanks to NetGalley for an ALC in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley for an ALC in exchange for an honest review.
July 28, 2022
I don’t often read non fiction books but this was such an honest and raw book and the author really doesn’t hold back on her stories. You get the highs and the lows, which can be very low but between them as a family, with the support of the neighbourhood, they get through it.
These tough times really do push you to think outside of the box and appreciate what we have, farming really is a lifestyle rather than a job and I take my hat off to everyone doing it. It’s an incredible thing and the passion that Sally has for the animals shines through in this book
These tough times really do push you to think outside of the box and appreciate what we have, farming really is a lifestyle rather than a job and I take my hat off to everyone doing it. It’s an incredible thing and the passion that Sally has for the animals shines through in this book
July 15, 2023
A good read
As an inefficient smallholder and as the daughter of an unsuccessful farmer, I'm well aware of the very hard work of farming and the almost impossible task of making a living out of a small farm today.
Sally Irwin's book follows a well trodden route of mildly amusing tales of lives led in jobs little known about by others.
It is a good read and generally rings true and I so admire her and her husband as they continue working all hours of the day and night to feed us all.
As an inefficient smallholder and as the daughter of an unsuccessful farmer, I'm well aware of the very hard work of farming and the almost impossible task of making a living out of a small farm today.
Sally Irwin's book follows a well trodden route of mildly amusing tales of lives led in jobs little known about by others.
It is a good read and generally rings true and I so admire her and her husband as they continue working all hours of the day and night to feed us all.
July 1, 2022
Sally Urwin has written a beautiful memoir and the way she narrates it in this audio book makes it all the more special. I particularly enjoy when an author narrates their own book and this book is exactly why. The humour and the drama all come out in Sally’s voice and tone and I felt as if I was sat at her table having a cuppa as she told me about her life. Stunning book and I will be buying copies for friends.
July 10, 2022
I absolutely loved this book! It was honest, funny and a like a breath of fresh air. I especially loved how Sally Urwin talks about the animals on her farm; they are all family, flawed yet perfect in their own way. I laughed out loud and cried into tissues, and I cannot wait to see what happens next at High House Farm.
August 8, 2022
An interesting, honest, and entertaining memoir about living on a farm. There's the fun part and there's the hard part about economics.
I liked the style of writing and how the author never sugarcoated anything.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
I liked the style of writing and how the author never sugarcoated anything.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
March 15, 2023
Real Deal
If you enjoy the show Clarkson's Farm, you'll love this book. Candy the pony ended up being my favorite "character"! Sally doesn't sugarcoat any part of agriculture, but also manages to capture the good and satisfying parts beautifully. I'm so glad I found and read her story.
If you enjoy the show Clarkson's Farm, you'll love this book. Candy the pony ended up being my favorite "character"! Sally doesn't sugarcoat any part of agriculture, but also manages to capture the good and satisfying parts beautifully. I'm so glad I found and read her story.
August 8, 2024
rural pragmatism
Sally gives one a nice ramble over the farm, honestly portraying the joys and anxieties of a farming life.
I got lost in the timeline here and there, so a bit jumping around.
Highlighting mental health was appreciated, that situational cures can help but they are not a panacea. Finding our good spot is important.
Sally gives one a nice ramble over the farm, honestly portraying the joys and anxieties of a farming life.
I got lost in the timeline here and there, so a bit jumping around.
Highlighting mental health was appreciated, that situational cures can help but they are not a panacea. Finding our good spot is important.
July 9, 2022
I loved this book. This is the first time I have read/listen to this author. She is so real and let’s you know if the real struggles they go through as farmers and as families. I love forward in reading more of her books and hope to one day meet her across the pond. Highly recommend this book.
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