Farming Life

Listening and laughing

I find it frustrating on the farm sometimes as I have not got the years and years of farming knowledge that many farmers have from being born and brought up on a family farm. My life growing up in Glasgow is a million miles away from life here. I absolutely admire farmers for what they do and their dedication to their work.

I am trying to think what I have learned from growing up in a city compared to someone who grew up on their family farm. I definitely know how to keep myself safe on a night out and how to spot trouble when it is brewing. I know the short cuts and back streets of the west end and where to find the best curry. I know where to go for a ‘special treat’ meal or where to go for a good bite to eat on a week night. I know exactly the very spot where my favourite place is to meet a friend for a gin and tonic or where to buy gorgeous vintage clothes and jewellery. I can happily jump on the underground at Hillhead and know what stop to get off at for where I am going without having to look it up. I am not sure though that any of this knowledge helps me living on the farm.

I guess that my early years of life in Glasgow has taught me to ask questions if I am stuck. In Glasgow everyone talks to each other and has a laugh. I will always happily ask someone if I am lost, stuck or don’t know the answer. I guess that this skill is transferable to life on the farm as I will always ask for advice if I don’t know the answer or ask for help if something is too heavy.

Maybe that is what Glasgow taught me. Talk to people and listen. I talk to everyone and love hearing people’s stories. If you listen. Really listen. Then I can find myself in the most amazing conversations with people that I might never see again. Having the patience to listen really works on the farm. Listen to what is being said. Listen to the story from the wildlife and the beat of life on the farm.

Glasgow taught me that.

This photo is of the family outside the Grosvenor Hotel in Glasgow for dad’s 80th. The Grosvenor is my favourite place to stay when I go back as it is like a second home as it has been part of my life from the start. I lived just a few streets away from the Grosvenor. This post was about listening and people’s stories. When my family get together there is not much listening but a whole lot of talking and laughing. That is for sure. Also a lot of love.

Thank you for reading to the end x