Teenage sheep farmer Harriet Allin gives us an insight into life with the flock in the run-up to Christmas.

Harriet, who lives at Milton Damerel near Holsworthy, is looking forward to the arrival of new lambs - and to the return of the shows which she enjoys so much.

As I write this the sun is shining and the sky is as blue as the sea. The sheep are happily munching in the field, the winter feed delivery of hay and straw is in the barn and the sheep scanning has had positive results.

It’s at times like this that I know this is why I love where I live and what I do. It’s also memories I need to come back to when it’s cold, dark and wet and I’m covered in mud and then I have to change and go to school!

I’ve just started feeding bagged food to the sheep that are due twins as they need a little extra and then in a few more weeks’ time, those with singles can start on the hard feed. Also this time (4-6 weeks before lambing ) is when we vaccinate the in-lamb ewes so that they can pass the immunity onto their babies to give them the best chance of survival. Our first lambs are due at the end of January as in the show ring they like them big and strong.

I’m really hoping there will be shows in 2021 and seeing that event organisers like Devon County Show have released their 2021 show dates really made me happy.

Christmas is going to be quite different this year with COVID-19. We normally have lots of family visiting or us visiting them, this year it’s online, but the animals are happy that we are home all the time and get the extra time and attention.

For Christmas I’ve asked for a sheep fleece blanket and a new showing outfit as I’ve grown since the 2019 season.