The First Time Mum

So where were we… Christmas!

Christmas Eve is always one of the best days, filled with hunting, friends, mulled wine, port and mince pies. Hayden followed on the quad and enjoyed quite a few bottles of port!

Christmas Day, as always, we ventured round to the Camm’s. Slightly later than they had anticipated, but we did get there eventually! We wouldn’t miss that Christmas Day tradition. We drank some more delicious mulled wine with canapés. Back we came home after some giggles and started on the Christmas dinner. Hayden was on roast potatoes but funnily enough ended up cooking the whole dinner. We had the most delicious roast beef with all the trimmings. And lovely to have Katy and Liam with us too this year.

Boxing Day we ventured to Thornbury for the traditional Boxing Day meet. Followed by another trip to a couple of pubs whilst Hayden made his way to Berlin. I had another days hunting whilst Hayden was away and a few days later picked him up from Bristol on the way down to Devon. We spent a few amazing days in Devon, relaxing and catching up with more friends. We spent New Years Eve with even more friends, reminiscing on our Young Farmer days.

New Year’s Day myself, Hayden, Mum and Peggy went to Cheltenham races. Going with a baby was a very different experience to the previous times I have been. No partying involved this time! Trying to find a loo to change Peggy – impossible. Trying to find somewhere to sit and eat – nearly impossible. Buying food – impossible. To be honest, sadly the whole day was hard work and so we didn’t stay long!

The first weekend of 2026 took us to London. We stayed with my bestie school friend Franny and Will. AKA First Dates Fran! What an amazing few days. The weather really put it on for us so we had an amazing view of London on the eye and then wandering through Borough Market. And the oysters…. Yum!!

Where are we now? The biggest most exciting day of the whole trip. Monday 5th January 2026. We got engaged! Wahoo! I cannot tell you how excited I was. Hayden’s knee barely hit the ground and I had snatched the ring out of the box.

That evening we had dinner with Aunty Gilly before a days shooting at Hartpury with Meg and Bry. So lucky to meet little Hen too!

Wednesday we had another evening full of food and drink and friends. I clearly had more to drink than I had thought. I’d say mainly due to the extra few gins Lorna had supplied us with! The following day we were going to the Severn and Wye Smokery for a nice lunch. Well…. I nearly didn’t make it. The sick bowl followed me all the way to lunch and back. And my lovely treat of a Christmas present, turned into an extremely cheap (free) lunch out for me!

I had one final days hunting which was the best days hunting of all. Nothing can beat the sound of hounds. The Cottesmore visited us in Berkeley and what a day it was to finish on.

Our last Sunday in Gloucestershire we caught up with Nat in the morning for coffee and cake before heading to Lilly’s to see her family with Bec and Charlie and all the children. Mary and Peggy enjoyed their beef stew together. How cute!

Thank you all for such an amazing trip. We had the most amazing time and made memories we will never forget. We miss you all! Until next time…. At a wedding ❤️