A New Chapter: Creating Our Own Little Smallholding
Life has changed quite a lot over the few months, and as I sit down to write this, it feels like the beginning of a completely new chapter.
My partner Luke and I have taken the leap and moved in to our home together, creating our very own little smallholding and starting to build a life here together.
Of course, moving house is never straightforward. Moving house with dogs, ponies, sheep and an ever-growing collection of animals is something else entirely!
Moving the Animals
For me, home has never just been about the house. It’s about the animals outside the window, muddy boots by the door, dogs following me from room to room and heading outside first thing in the morning to make sure everyone is fed and happy.
Moving the animals was always going to be one of the biggest parts of the move. There was a lot of organising, plenty of worrying and more trips backwards and forwards than I’d like to count, but slowly everything has started to come together.
Seeing the animals settle into their new surroundings has made all of the hard work worthwhile. There is still so much we want to do, but it already feels like home.
Building Our Life Together
Luke and I are gradually putting our own stamp on the smallholding. There are jobs everywhere we look, projects we want to start and ideas that seem to grow by the day.
That’s part of what I love about it.
We’re not trying to create something perfect overnight. We’re building it as we go, learning along the way and enjoying watching everything slowly take shape.
Nearly 30...
Another milestone is creeping up too.
In 2027, I turn 30.
It feels slightly strange writing that when I started my author journey at just 17 years old. So much has happened since then. What began with Little Alf and one book has grown into a career I could never have imagined when I first sat down to write his story.
There have been books, events, adventures, animals, incredible opportunities, difficult chapters and plenty of unexpected turns along the way.
As I head towards 30, I feel like I’m entering a different stage of my life. I’m creating a home with Luke, developing our smallholding, continuing to grow my businesses and, most importantly, still writing.
And there are lots of plans ahead.
New Books Are Coming
Writing will always be a huge part of my life, and behind the scenes I have been working on ideas for several new books.
There are so many stories I still want to tell.
As my life has changed, my writing has naturally changed with it. I want to share more about country living, the animals who have shaped my life, the realities of creating a smallholding and the funny, chaotic and sometimes emotional moments that come with having so many four-legged friends around.
There will also be more from the Little Alf & Friends world.
Little Alf started everything for me, and I’m really excited to continue growing the range with new books, products and ideas that bring together my love of animals, storytelling and the countryside.
I want the next few years to be about expanding what I have already created while staying true to where it all began: real animals, real stories and life in the Yorkshire countryside.
The Next Chapter
Right now, life is busy.
There are boxes still to unpack, jobs waiting outside, animals needing attention, books to write and an ever-growing list of ideas scribbled down in notebooks.
But it feels exciting.
This little smallholding is going to be the backdrop to so many new memories and, I’m sure, plenty of new stories too.
Luke and I are only at the beginning of creating the life we want here, and I’m looking forward to sharing more of the journey as the smallholding develops, the animals settle in and our plans start to become reality.
From starting my first book at 17 to preparing to turn 30 in 2027, it has certainly been quite a journey.
And somehow, it feels like we’re only just getting started.
Hannah x
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