Maria and I have decided to sell the 50-acre plot of woodland across the road and over a bit from the farmhouse, know to many of you from my photographs as the site of the path where we walked the dogs several times a day. It is a beautiful stretch of woods, we will be careful who we sell it to. On it, there is a mile-long path that winds through the property, which has several streams, hills and acres of forest. I imagine it as a property for hunting, for a country cottage or camp, or or a single home surrounded by beautiful woodlands.

We found when we put Bedlam Farm up for sale that many potential buyers simply didn’t want 90 acres, even these beautiful woods. Times have changed since the Great Recession, people want to be in the country, but are cautious about a lot of land. Selling this property, which I was always reluctant to do, makes  sense now, it leaves the main farmhouse,  barns, views and pastures intact and leaves Bedlam Farm with more than 40 acres, plenty for a home or farm with animals.  The sale does not affect the farmhouse, barns or grounds, the property was not, until a few years ago, ever part of the main farm.

The farm is rented until October of next year, the listing for this parcel will go up today on Preble Realty’s site, Kristen Preble, our realtor is handing it. I bought the 50-acre site – is has the foundation of a very old farmhouse off in the woods, a beautiful riding or walking path and secluded woods and hills and is close to a road – to protect Bedlam Farm, we won’t sell it for any purpose that would bring intrusive development. Kristen has decided to ask $75,000 for the property. It has been used by hunters for years – there are two stands there.

There is also a beautiful 15-acre woodland parcel that adjoins this property which is also for sale, the two properties together would make a beautiful site also – and quite a bargain. The second parcel directly adjoins a road and would make a great siting for a home.

I won’t lie and say that selling this land is not a difficult or emotional thing for me, I will shed some tears for this path and it’s memories. My blood and work is in the ground. I expected to live there forever.

Maria and I love this path so much, we cherished these quiet and very private walks in the woods, so did our dogs. This is where Rose and I first walked the day we came to the farm, where I began to train Frieda, where I pondered my books, where  Izzy ran off in panic when he first saw the donkeys, where Red and I took our first walk together and where Simon took his first walk out of the barn. Where Maria and I first walked when we fell in love, where I tried to persuade her to marry me.

Selling Bedlam Farm was hard, but we live in the real world, and very happily. I am so lucky to have been there, I am so lucky to live here. I wish this land finds it’s way to good people who love animals and the natural world.

But this is life, this is change, we are swimming in the river of life, and I mean to look ahead, not back. For people who are interested, please do not contact me, call Kristen, her number is 518 854-7888, thanks.