Originally we were going to put cows on the land. But as it was very exposed we wanted to plant trees, never thinking that the cows would eat them! So we decided on ducks instead. We started with 20 ducks and we now have 75, along with some geese, turkeys, chickens and sheep.

When the architect suggested a balcony we thought he was mad. I thought we'd never use it but I've seen us on the balcony in the middle of winter, with not a gust of wind, admiring the view. It's amazing how often we've actually used it.

This project has just grown and grown. First the land and then the house. There's never a dull moment, we're always learning something new.