Things are growing apace round here. We’ve got the best crop of Docks and Dandelions ever, the Orchard is in full bloom, and the wild flowers we scattered two years ago are coming up again. We’ve finally had some dry weather and we’ve even had some sunshine. Temperatures have been 22C, and the days are …
I have tried something different this time. I have uploaded a series of videos Phil and I took as I inspected and cleaned my dead honey bee colony/hive. These videos have spent a fair bit of time buffering when I have tried to watch them back. Let me know how you get on. But before …
We’ve had a few morning with frost, and a little ice on the pond, but nothing bad. The highs are still 10C degrees, and the nights are usually above freezing. Storm Debbie brought a lot of rain, and wind, so most of the leaves are off the trees. They’ve been washed into the drains and …
It’s been a month of new routines for the cows and us. Setting up the shed, showing our trainee cow keepers how to keep cows, dividing the chores into morning and evening lots and then deciding who does what half, halter training, rejigging food deliveries, dog walks and evening meals. It’s all new! But the …
Phil and I had a few days away. Oddly, since we have moved here we have become friends with people who are happy to look after the holding for us. They are people who grew up on farms and miss the animals and routines. So, we had a three-day break last week and we get …
Just to answer the most pressing question: No. As of the 28th of May, 2023 the calf has not been born. THE HOLDING It’s all about the grass. The grass is growing. The cows are eating what is in their paddocks as fast as it grows, and they are also eating the grass that is …
We have finally had some dry weather and warm(er) temperatures. This means the cows are no longer locked in the barn, even overnight. They are enjoying free ranging but have been frustrated by the lack of long, lush grass in their paddocks. This is because they have noted the long, lush grass on the other …
Thought we’ve continued to have some cold nights and a lot of rain, the days in between have been warmer. The sun is higher in the sky and we are forecast several days of sunshine and warmer temperatures. And everything has responded: There are wood anemones, celadines, primroses and violets blooming in the wood, daffodils …
I imagine most of us have prepared for the arrival of a new life. Whether it was a new pet, a new brother or sister, or maybe a step-parent, once you know its coming things begin to change. Space has to be created for the new life. While a good portion of that space may …
Well, I had written my whole blog, added photos, done most of the final edit – and the stupid thing has disappeared! SO There is no narrative here, because if I retype the whole thing I will lose the will to live. Instead, I will redo the photos and their captions and hope it is …
Sweetness and Light at the McLunt Smallholding 