WELL our family's best Christmas present has arrived a little early, but none the worse for it. Oliver William Richard, weight 7lb 5oz (NHS does not seem to have gone metric, unlike the farming community) is now with us, but not very sure about it all and preferring to sleep on matters for the moment. It is difficult to see who he resembles most at the moment, but he is, of course, absolutely gorgeous.

With my husband John's brother Geoff off at the moment, John has been unable to join me to see his new grandson, but Bryony and Chris (and Jessica) do hope to come home on Christmas day so they can introduce him to all the family. And the dogs. And the animals, and any ducks and geese that have escaped the Christmas cull. Good will on earth etc, except if you are a goose or turkey.

Do not weep though. At this time of year, most farming jobs can be skimmed over in the morning, and then completed at night. If pushed. And on shooting days (which come very regularly at the moment), John is out of the house as soon as his Meg and Holly have put on their make-up and are ready to meet the other dogs on the shoot.

There is no question of where we shall be at Christmas; at home. I'm afraid that if the family want to see us, they have to make the journey. It makes no difference to the livestock which day it is, and they will still need feeding, calving or mucking out. And amazingly, the morning routine, which on shooting days can be rushed through, seems to take an inordinately long time, at least until the house is tidy, fires set and Christmas lunch on the way. This does not vary, unless there is an emergency, and then we have to call on our vet. Another occupation which can only get the day off by arrangement.

Things are changing in the vets' world, however. Our vet has notified us that he is no longer running a large animal practice, and is from January focusing on small animals. A fair indicator of farming - even the vets have spotted that there is no money in agriculture anymore. John has decided to rejoin a practice that he left some years ago, but having had a long talk with their senior partners, he seems happy to be back with a practice that is actually much handier for us. His former practice had arranged for us to be "passed over" to a replacement practice, but John has decided better the devil you know and is hopeful that we shall be treated well.

With Bryony still in hospital because of various complications, I remain on Jessica sitting service. She seems very happy, is eating well, although costing me a fortune in strawberries which are her favourite pud, and I know every one of her favourite books off by heart. Normally, household routines are a little chaotic at my daughter's house, but she has had a busy year, what with being pregnant, having a toddler, being a practising GP and studying for her professional examinations. In fact, the added bonus at Oliver's birth was the news that she had passed these. I think she was divided over which pleased her most.

"How long do you want me to stay after you come out?" I asked her last night. "Well at least until my milk is fully in and I've established a routine," she answered. At that rate, I foresee that I am here for the next year or so.

Updated: 13:13 Monday, December 29, 2003