My editor said in a quiet voice that she might not have time to edit my scribbles in May as she was getting married. Surely she could do both? But I had forgotten what the word “wedding” meant as we careered into our first of two weddings this year in June - I have just started getting back to normal (and I wasn’t even a walk-on part). Granted a lot of the last two weeks has been spent looking at photographs, definitely the fun part.
Wedding
The dust has settled and it can truly settle now as we are digging up old heating pipes and replacing them, so what is the point of dusting? The elephant in the room is where are we going to live with no heating or water? But who cares with temperatures in the 30’s and everyone living outside anyway.
Farming and wildlife continue with eggs being laid by the river.
Eggs by the river
Calves are arriving in quick succession – with swallows and house martins settling in and patching up the housing. I think they prefer France?!
Patching up the housing
And the spaniels have a rather severe haircut, the cold nights need extra clothing.
Spaniel in coat
On the farm tours, the young goats are getting very used to being part of the team - and happy to be bossed about by my helper at Easter, who felt that standing on the table while eating was a bit much.
Gav the goat being reminded of his manners
The young stock have left the great indoors for the great outdoors, with the help of a couple on a Farm Experience.
Young stock on the top of Penn Hill
While the new generation of cattle are pretending to be rabbits in the garden. Luckily no weddings here this summer.
Calf in the shrubbery
Chutney the young boar is keen for interaction.
Chutney the boar with Summer the sow
And the Valentine's Day piglets are now very independent.
Happy Valentine litter
I had a happy day at the Great Yorkshire Show where everyone who was anyone was celebrating 200 years of the Shorthorn cattle breed. Our president, the Princess Royal, came to cast her eye over the winners in their classes, and it was useful to see what we are all aspiring to. I took a photo of a sample of planted cover crops, which seems to be where everything is heading - the no dig revolution.
Cover crops at the YAS
Why we need cover crops
And these fellows rather caught my eye - with Elspeth our Manx Loaghtan getting older, I thought they looked rather fine. Pity they heralded from far-away Norfolk.
The Merriot sheep from Norfolk
Back to the farm, and it’s watering the silver birch trees to keep them alive for the next wedding.
Young silver birch trees
Just my luck to hit a drought, weddings are so hectic.
