Well, Christmas was hugely exciting with the safe arrival of a second granddaughter, Molly - and amazingly, the boys were let into Geneva to have Christmas together with us all.
Molly surrounded by "special" welcome home toys from her sister
Adrian caught up with the Swiss pruning.
And the uncles bonded with their new niece.
And just as we were thinking of where we would spend New Year, a new engagement was announced. So that’s two weddings this year and a Baptism.
Summer Pig had 10 piglets on Valentine’s Day, naturally there were 5 boys and 5 girls.
Valentine piglets
And a friend brought a spare cockerel to dinner, he is a lavender Pekin and although small he has great presence, and was saved from the dustbin.
Top of the pecking order
You know you are getting on when you get enquiries from customers wanting to take a holiday let to celebrate their silver wedding anniversary - the holiday let being the particularly romantic Temple Folly - which was where they got engaged! We should ask why it has taken them so long to revisit.
We still have plenty of yurts available to book this year with hot tubs waiting for customers to jump (or climb, sorry Health and Safety) in. I think everyone is adjusting to two years of lockdown, then circulating and getting COVID; this on top of petrol and gas price rises and now the massive inflation with the background of an awful war is making everyone think twice about doing anything. But Wensleydale is very peaceful and almost spiritual - so do consider it for a holiday.
And the new Pygmy goats will need socialising - named already as Bill and Barney, they are 12-weeks old and looking forward to joining the team - we are hoping Gav will show them the ropes and how to be adorable for the farm tours and experiences.
Bill and Barney
March seemed to come and go - most of it was spent isolating as we both got COVID and then the children got it. But up and going now in time to watch the enquiring pheasants and partridges wondering which parts of the garden would make a good home for the next family now the snow has cleared.
Spring snow
The blackbirds got off to a really early start and seem happy to return to old haunts.
Blackbird’s front door
The lambing buildings on the farm have been updated and as a result there are no pet lambs to feed this Easter as any orphans have been successfully mothered onto the sheep with a single lamb - sheep usually have enough milk for two lambs, so if a single is born there is spare capacity. On the plus side, there are lots of lambs with their mothers to feed nuts to on the farm tours. Goat cuddles will have to take over from lamb cuddles.
And the store cattle are eating up ready to be turned out as soon as the sun is back.
Next generation tucking in
Harry the sheep is at the stage where he overtakes his pony companion in the biggest bottom competition.
Bottoms
He is looking forward to a clip in April.
And I will be planning a sprucing up as Mother of the Groom, twice - wedshed starts today.
