Now that he has some extra land to work with, Hugh purchases some livestock, prompting he and Angus Carmichael, a local carpenter, to build a fox-proof chicken coop. Hugh also goes scallop hunting, and enters a nettle eating competition.
Hugh has now been at River Cottage for 1 year. He negotiates with his landlord to have the use of four and a half acres on which he intends to put a milk cow, her calf (a steer) and a small flock of Dorset Down sheep. The cattle are joined with his chickens which he introduces to high living in an effort to keep them safe from the foxes. He also acquires three more pigs. Hugh puts a brave face on it when he enters a local nettle eating competition.—Joyce M