Swallows have arrived and it’s wonderful to see them flying in and out of the farm buildings so expertly. We also have a wren nesting in an old chicken shed, a very shy little bird. The chickens are laying well except one has gone broody, sadly in vain as we have no cockerel.
Today 23rd April is St. George’s Day and our son’s 23rd birthday – More calves have come in but we are keeping them in the sheds as they are young and would not like this cold wet weather.
The blackthorn is out so as usual we are having a cold spell, commonly known as ’the blackthorn winter’. We have put some of the bigger cattle out, great to see them jumping for joy when they first go out. Everything is looking good with all the leaves and blossom coming out, it is a lovely time of year.
Our daughter is getting married in the summer so it is time for some gardening, and growing flowers for the wedding – all very exciting and so much to plan. Spring cultivation on the farm, ploughing, dung spreading and chain harrowing getting ready to put in grass and barley seed. The cattle are still in the sheds waiting for Spring grass clover. As we are organic we cannot use artificial fertiliser.
We were lucky to be able to borrow a tent for our party last Sunday as we had a few heavy showers, it was really good to catch up with friends mid summer when everyone is so busy - Just loaded 48 bullocks destined eventually for Waitrose. More coming in next week. The sheep have stopped wandering and are content for the moment having had a little bit of rain to keep the grass growing.
After many years of talking about it my husband and son have at last built a lovely patio area with a wooden trellis above – now all there is to do is lay the paving stones and plant it with a few climbing roses and vines. Let’s hope that we have some sun to use it now!
Dare I say it the farm desperately needs this welcome rain and then we want some more sun! The hens are laying well now which is good because everyone seems to be asking for scrambled eggs for breakfast.
Having had a visit by the fox, we have bought 15 point of lay hens which are just beginning to lay. 6 white leghorn, 6 rhode island red and 3 that will lay pale blue eggs much to the delight of our grandson Rowan. The electric fencing hopefully will deter Charlie fox – it is wonderful to have our own fresh free range eggs again.
My new blog page is now up and running which is exciting – Wambrook is looking fantastic at present with so much blossom and we have been so lucky with lots of sunshine and blue skies.
