Four Seasons with a Grumpy Goat: How I learnt to stop worrying and love life on the farm

by Carol Altmann

A tree change is about finding a simpler life, right? And that's what Carol Altmann and her partner were seeking when they moved to a hobby farm in Tasmania. But things go wrong in a surprising number of ways as they try to adapt to life on the farm surrounded by an odd assortment of animals - a goat that thinks it's a dog, a bunch of amorous ducks, and a collection of vermin with teeth sharp enough to tear through a wall that are hell-bent on moving into the kitchen.

What looked from afar like an idyllic life turns out to be an education. Add an odd assortment of neighbours and friends and you have an amusing tale about leaving the rat race behind, only to discover more about yourself than you would have found in ten years of city living.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography

286 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Cathy Atkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy, enjoyable read. Those of us living on small acreage can relate to events in the book. Gives an interesting view of life in Tasmania a decade or so ago.

[Suzy Dominey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love reading about people moving to Tasmania. We were happy that we only death with mice coming in rather than rats!

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this. I have never hankered to be a hobby farmer and Carol’s anecdotes about her trials during her first year did nothing to change my opinion. They were told in an amusing way, but knowing the area well, I understand how tough it must have been.
It’s interesting how much Hobart has changed during the years since Carol wrote this book. Because of the MONA effect (an eclectic private art gallery that has drawn worldwide attention since it opened in early 2011) floods of tourists have been drawn to the capital and it become a far more cosmopolitan place, and it’s not quite Slobart any more.

[Literary_Madness (Tonya Allen) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simply written, it evokes my passion to retire to Tasmania. Maybe not to hobby farm, but who knows.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

'Baby boomer journalists who write books about struggling to look after animals' is a surprisingly common thing, and I'm not sure why.

Most people don't have anecdotes about decapitated ducks or not knowing what a ruminant is because they do research before becoming responsible for animals. Writing about how you're mystified by duck behaviour might be amusing, but all you're really doing is showing your ignorance.

Books like this really contrast with something like 'How to speak chicken', which is written by someone who expends a lot of effort in learning how to understand their animals. They're not just furry/feathery additions to your garden, they're living creatures that you are legally required to protect and nurture.

[Deb Kingston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book about learning to live on a hobby farm. I laughed my way through the book reading about Carol and Deb's farming antics as well as sharing their emotions when life had its trying times. Carol writes a straight forward book that is easy to read and keeps you enthralled to the very last page.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed the story but for me, it was not very well written at all. A lot of the 'jokes' or exagerations were over the top and not necessary, just seemed like padding. I think I would have enjoyed it a lot more if it was re written or edited properly.

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun book! I can relate to so much in this book. Our family moved over to Tasmania from Sydney 5 years ago for a better life. We do love it here and reading this book brought back some funny memories - we also tried the farming thing. Many laugh out loud moments. Loved it!

[Fiona Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly entertaining. Made me laugh out loud. And surprisingly educational.

[Shereen Lang · Rating 5 out of 5]

THis book had me in stitches as I so want a farm with a goat and boy after this epic tale and crazy ducks and goat I'm over it all but was a laugh all the way

[Merryll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly entertaining.

[Kim]

I found this boring.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of good laughs.

[Rosemary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reasonably well written, but we skimmed some of it. Moderately funny. Interesting for being local (set in Tasmania, Australia).

[Bekkitae Jay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Straightforward anecdotes with a smattering of sad moments made for a light but interesting read about this couple's plunge into hobby farming.

[Keryn Burns · Rating 4 out of 5]

thoroughly enjoyed it and now I have a small farm can totally relate to the antics

[Shereen Lang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Funny and brillant

[Maria Augustus-Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the funniest books I have ever read! I have recommended this book to many people, particularly tree-changers!

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amusing. Loved the setting.