We have done an “online sale”, well more than that we have packed up half a pig and sent it to Scotland. I say grandly “we” - I had some great intel on the Royal Mail and have learned a lot about insulation - all probably helped with outside temperatures being well below zero - but it’s a start. And hopefully my appalling marketing will now take off with positive word of mouth reviews.
It’s always satisfying when the finished product finally leaves the farm having arrived at birth and leaving usually in a box to eat, the cycle completed.
To begin the cycle again, Fluffy produced an amazing litter of 14 piglets in September.
Fluffy’s litter
Sadly, one didn’t make it through the first week but 13 have flourished. I love having Fluffy in the yard, she comes out regularly for breaks to have a scratch and check up on the rest of the yard.
Fluffy having time out from the children
And is very tolerant of us all playing with her babies, even ignoring an incomer helping himself to her well earned rations.
Barney the goat on tour and helping himself
Barney carrying on his intrusions
Continuing with Fluffy, the Yorkshire Post photographer took an instant shine to her and she appeared in the double spread promoting The Wensleydale Experience, along with the popular Highlands.
Yorkshire Post spread
I couldn’t keep myself out of the frame either. It was very good coverage explaining the tours and farm experiences that take place here.
My niece, Lucy, was thrilled that the woolly luing heifer (a cross between a shorthorn and a Highland) had been named after her and is now known as Lucy Luing - we had an introduction on a rainy day last week.
Lucy meeting her namesake
The Highlands will soon be losing their five calves to give them a few weeks to build up energy before their new calves are born in February.
The South Devon cows came up for a hoof trim and I was wondering what plan B was on the return to the field if a walking party was heading up - fortunately we didn’t need one.
Girls heading back - traffic going one way!
I love this orange time of year - Berry’s had lots of orange pumpkins delivered for Halloween.
Orange pumpkins
And the colours in the woods were stunning before the storms came.
Orange leaves of a late Autumn
And to cap it off, the lights in the Berry’s courtyard have been redone and it gives a very warm atmospheric glow.
Courtyard lights
After an informative talk in the village on Christmas traditions, I was surprised that most of the traditions around Christmas are relatively new. The Victorians introduced the Christmas trees and sadly for this household the stocking tradition has stopped completely, unless you are under 5 and been very well behaved. The main event at Christmas is celebrating the beginning of a life in a stable.
Baby in a manger
Happy Christmas,
