A Handful of Toads: A Humorous Rural Tale

Lynnette is the eldest of four sisters, raised by hardworking parents in the Medway Towns of Kent, England, shortly after the Second World War.

Together with her dynamic, country born husband, she has learned to adapt to life in a new country and shepherdess skills while raising their five exuberant children.

Moving our young family from the busy south of England to become sheep farmers on the remote and beautiful ’sunshine Island’ of Anglesey, or Ynys Môn, North Wales, sounded idyllic, the ultimate in ’no stress’ country living. However, we were in for some surprises!

A Handful of Toads is set in the 1980s. All the tales told are based on truth and weave in the amusing side of farm, family and village life while giving a respectful and entertaining insight into that delightful country and culture.

It is laced with historical events and issues surrounding that period, which will be either familiar or educational, depending on the age and circumstance of the reader. It highlights the challenges to those who tried to integrate into the inimitable Welsh culture and commemorates our dear friends and family whose lives have been shaped by the experience.

＂Don’t you worry about that little house anymore＂, my father had said excitedly. ＂Your mother and I have found just what Philip has always wanted, a farmhouse with land.＂

’Why am I doing this? I’m a southern-born ’townie’; will I ever adjust to a country life in wild and windy Anglesey?’

We stood facing each other across the kitchen; hard-headed Saxon, versus quick-tempered Jute, in some kind of cross-cultural standoff!

Life was good ... after three wonderfully eventful years of our life on the beautiful Isle of Anglesey.