Happy new year @revisesociology !
I can relate to the idealistic journey at your old friend of your partner parent's, there is nothing more energizing then connecting with nature and some manual work :)
I simply love this part:
The farm is idyllic... cows, sheep, a working corgi dog, neurotic cat and ducks...
I wonder why you named the cat has neurotic... Ahahah Aren't all cats neurotic somehow? Ahahah I love that thing about them :P
Hey cheers, I had a great break, I think it is a thing with cats, just this one especially so!
Cheers!