The world from my window

I'm up bright and early on Dorset's highest hill, looking out across the vale to a hazy coast, at around about twenty past seven. This is a 'no filter' photo from my phone. It's wonderful up here this morning, with no-one else about. On the top of the world, looking down on creation. It's Lady Day today, and also my only brother's birthday. Two important events in my family's calendar over the years: the latter because he is the Golden Child, the only male in a gaggle of females, and the former because it's the traditional day for farm tenancies to change. As children, we were brought up on a county council smallholding in Somerset, so Lady Day has always been part of my inner make up. It's the first of the four traditional English quarter days (the others being Midsummer, Michaelmas and Christmas Day). It's called Lady Day because it marks the Feast of the Annunciation, which celebrates the Angel Gabriel's announcement to the ...

Like Laurie Lee, I was the baby in a big family, living on the land in a rural village. It was an idyllic upbringing and I have much to be thankful for. I was the youngest of five, brought up on dairy farm down a country lane edged with campions and gypsy lace, on the edge of a golden-stoned village in Somerset. I've been writing about family life over on The Lady Shed website. I'd love to hear your stories. That's about it. Love Maddie x