Waveney Dexter Beef

12/08/2026

What a weird and painful couple of weeks it’s been… ❤️🐮

A couple of weeks ago, what started as a nasty stomach pain led to an unexpected stay in hospital. After various tests, scans and a fair amount of head scratching, I was treated for inflammation/infection around my appendix alongside the discovery of a large ovarian cyst.

Thankfully, I avoided surgery and eventually came home with antibiotics, but it turns out that “no operation” doesn’t necessarily mean bouncing straight back to normal! I’m getting there, but recovery is taking longer than I would like.

Standing for too long, bending and lifting are still difficult, my energy levels seem to have disappeared and even my sense of taste and smell has gone a bit haywire!

If you know me, you’ll know I’m happiest when I have about 47 things on the go at once, so being told to rest is proving quite the challenge. 😂

For now there’s a little less cow content, fewer farm adventures and rather more sitting down! I’m still visiting the cows most days, although my main job currently consists of holding a hosepipe to fill water buckets. 🐮

My August farmers’ markets are also a little uncertain, so please bear with me while I work out what I can and can’t manage.

A huge thank you to everyone who looked after me in hospital, everyone who has checked in or sent lovely messages, and especially my lovely mum and dad for picking up all the things I currently can’t do. ❤️

I’m taking it one day at a time and hopefully I’ll gradually be back out and about soon — there are plenty of things coming up that I’d quite like to be fighting fit for!

For now, apparently my job is to behave myself and recover.

I’m not very good at either of those things. ❤️🐮

🌸🌳☀️💖

30/07/2026

I had great plans for getting involved in this years but things have taken a bit of a turn! I’d been thinking it would be nice to get away for a night or two in my summer break but I wasn’t bargaining on an almost week long stay at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. With a bit of luck my appendix and ovarian cyst will be evacuated today 🤞🏻 at least I have the British Farming awards ceremony to look forward to when I’m back to full health. Not used to sitting still and wondering how the next six weeks are going to plan out if I’m not allowed to lift anything 🫣

25/07/2026

Traditionally Summer time jobs which normally would start in August, are all over and done by the 23rd of July. Is this a one-off or a sign of things to come in the future?

It almost seems like we finished before we started but the last couple of weeks have been a mixture of silage, straw and hay.

This time of the year signals long hours, harvest smells (that’s the one thing that never seems to change in any harvest season), bouncing around in a tractor on some funny little South Norfolk roads, eating packed up food in random places and at random times and more besides.

Being completely honest I don’t really enjoy tractor jobs but the best bit about the last few days of being busy has been spending time with my dad, doing our jobs, putting the world to rights and having a bit of a yarn and a laugh along the way - with the odd swear word thrown in when things don’t quite go to plan!

Here’s a little glimpse of how we’ve been getting winter feed and bedding sorted for the Mini Moos. And now… onto the next job! Good thing I’m on “holiday” from my college job! 😂

12/07/2026

Not all legends are born on the same day…

…but these two were! 🎂😂

Happy Birthday, Mum and Dad! Thank you for everything you do - they are with me every step of the way. They are both absolute stars, even if I have given them the odd grey hair over the years!

Here’s to what will be a busy but hopefully a lovely day! 🎂🐮❤️

09/07/2026

Tonight’s episode of random minimoo party tricks! Sometimes they do some quite weird things - might as well blame it on the heat I reckon

04/07/2026

Time for something a little bit different today. Amongst all the other bits and pieces that I fit into my day, today I’ve been back to the Royal Norfolk Showground for the rally. Young farmers has been a massive part of my life for the last 27 years so it was good to see members taking part in a variety of weird and wonderful competitions. Even had the job of being master judge for mystery stockjudging which this year was hobby horses. And as always, I’ve talked. A lot! There’s a surprise!

28/06/2026

Really chuffed to be included in this lineup

A show of admiration for Norfolk's inspirational female farmers

27/06/2026

Phew! Anyone else struggling to get sleep and function properly with the heat?! I almost didn’t make it to Spixworth Farmers Market & Crafts this morning thanks to a very flat tyre on my little car, but I’m here now until 12.30 with a selection of beef ready for your bbq. As yet, I’ve not managed to properly celebrate from the Royal Norfolk Show but I have got a little cream cake to enjoy this morning (and a sausage roll 🤫)
There are loads of lovely stalls here and we have air conditioning in the hall 🙌🏻

26/06/2026

Well, what a couple of days it’s been! ☀️🌾

Although I didn’t come away with the Best Woman in Agriculture title at the Rural Business Awards, I’m incredibly proud to have been named runner-up. To be recognised alongside such inspiring women is a real honour. Huge congratulations to Emily Winter Darrow Green Farm on a well-deserved win! It also made me smile that we both farm in the same South Norfolk village—our little patch is certainly flying the flag for women in farming.

To be one of 19 finalists from more than 70 nominees across Norfolk is something quite special - quite chuffed about that!

The Royal Norfolk Show has once again been the highlight of my year. From meeting HRH The Princess Royal, to seeing my photo as part of the Women in Farming exhibition, to catching up with apprentices, employers, colleagues, friends, former students and so many familiar faces—I don’t think I’ve stopped talking for two days!

The show also holds a special place in my heart. Over 34 years ago, it was where I first saw a Dexter cow and completely fell in love. I never imagined where that moment would lead.

Thank you to everyone who stopped for a chat, sent a message or offered congratulations. It really has meant the world.

A little sunburnt, a bit hoarse and very tired—but already looking forward to Royal Norfolk Show 2027! 💚🚜 🐮🌾