I just had a run through last year’s Autumn blog - you need to look backwards to realise there has been progress. The main difference in the house from this time last year is that we have swapped our team of resident plumbers for a lovely Ukrainian family. The Ukrainian children are starting school this week; it has been good to see the old toys coming out again and a joy to have extra hands on the farm feeding tasks.
Sometimes language isn't important
Our new young boar, Brookie, also in the photo, is shaping up nicely - he will be replacing Chutney next Summer.
Summer pig has produced a wonderful litter to coincide perfectly with the Autumn fruit harvest - I will be badgering friends for fallen apples in return for sausages. I will keep a sack in the car from now on in case of abandoned fruit.
Summer pig's new litter
The sad news is that we recently had to put Beltie the llama down - he had a wound on his back and with the warm weather we couldn’t keep the infection at bay. Beltie was a great team player and was always happy to be stroked and fed by hand. Ishka, his partner, has got over the shock and is now living happily with this year’s pet lambs - we will be looking at a replacement soon.
Beltie the llama - a missed team player
The Highland bull has been and gone – it was difficult for him to follow in the footsteps of Maserati, Mercedes and Lionheart. Maybe it was being called Alisdair; he didn’t quite have the same presence but was a gentle type. And we will hopefully have six new Highland calves from him next Spring.
Alisdair - this year's Highland bull
Fluffy the sow is imminent for giving birth – but it doesn’t stop her having a stroll around and a mouthful of grass in the evenings.
Fluffy on tour
Talking about being “on tour”, we were treated to tickets to see another Boss in Hyde Park – an early Christmas present to see Bruce Springsteen live - a wonderful evening with all the favourites.
Bruce Springsteen
And Berry’s had a very successful Swinifest with five live bands - the event is growing every year, watch out Hyde Park.
Swinifest in Berry's courtyard
Tickets are now on sale for the Bavarian Night on 29th September with live music again in the Courtyard - leather lederhosen encouraged.
In July, we took to the bicycles for a family holiday in Burgundy - with ages ranging from 1 to 83, it was truly intergenerational.
All generations on tour
Maybe next year for the two-wheeler
Sticking with children, I had some followers recently on a farm tour and was chuffed to receive some thank you letters - I am calling it fan mail!
Fan mail
More from the farm soon.
