I was invited to talk to the Biddenham Gardeners’ Association on Tuesday evening and it was lovely. Actually, because it was dark I didn’t see much of the village itself, but what I could make out in the street-lightless gloom, seemed very attrtactive. What I can be certain of is the attentiveness and friendliness of […]
I’m talking to Biddenham Gardeners’ Association on Tuesday evening and thought I should have something willowy to take with me so I’ve been out cutting a bit of willow and used it to finish a couple of balls I started a while ago. It’s too early for this really – I’ve spent quite a while pulling leaves […]
Apparently Admiral enjoyed his trip to the Midlands on Saturday; quite at home amongst the sights and sounds of a busy Stoneleigh showground for the Red Poll Cattle Society’s annual show and sale. He also seemed to enjoy the attentions of Joy and Ted who provided a wash and shampoo service that was second to none. Cows […]
Yesterday we moved Admiral along with his two female companions, back to Gravenhurst from his temporary home in neighbouring Shillington. The three of them now reside in our newly cleared shed and I can’t help thinking they are probably wondering what’s going on. There’s still loads of grass to eat but they are inside eating […]
Two days in the saddle; well ok the tractor seat. Being bounced around, deafened and frustrated by bits falling off and mechanicals failing to work. I’m not a great fixer of engines and the internal fury of my 1974 Leyland tractor holds no particular excitement for me. I know that being male and doing farming (albeit part-time), I’m expected to be able […]
Possibly great news for our herd, almost by chance. We hope to sell a couple of heifers in the next few weeks, which is good, and because we needed to check their pedigree (or lack of it) and because we are trying to sell our bull, Admiral, we’ve been in touch with the Red Poll Cattle […]
I seem to remember that it’s a combination of reducing temperature and day-length that prompts deciduous trees to begin the process of leaf shedding. I am once again impressed with the precision of timing involved; after all trees don’t just dump their leaves – that would be too easy. Rather, it’s an active process. Lots of useful material […]
I delivered some beef to a customer a couple of days ago, for whom I did some work earlier in the year. It was lovely to see her again and great to see the willow fence we built and to hear how pleased she is with it. As predicted when we discussed the project in July 2011, […]
Monday evening saw Hexton WI step over the border into Bedfordshire and venture as far as Gravenhurst. We were delighted to welcome to the farm, a dozen wonderful women who were interested, funny, challenging and generous with their enthusiasm for what we are doing. We started out with a bit of a chat and a lot of […]
Jane’s busy at the moment, running kids’ holiday events at the Forest Centre, Marston Moretaine and last Wednesday, a family event called Run Wild, for the Greensand Trust at Ampthill Park. Seems like everything went well. Apparently 90 kids on Thursday at Marston, all making giant sunflowers and sundials and amazingly, the sun shone for […]