Smallholding

Diary

Raspberries / Buffet / Sewing

Sunday 13 November, 2022

by Rosemary at 7:00pm in Smallholding Comments closed

Monday 7^th November

Farrier out to trim Smokey’s feet. He was a very good boy. I’m wondering if he’s staring to be a bit stiff in his hind legs.

Was supposed to take Diesel to the vet for his annual check up this afternoon. 2pm, no Diesel. New appointment made for Wednesday morning. He’s usually snoozing it up in the morning. Bloody cat.

Tuesday 8^th November

Had my Covid and flu jags this afternoon. Can I swing a duvet day tomorrow?

Calves / Hens / Holidays

Sunday 6 November, 2022

by Rosemary at 6:43pm in Smallholding Comments closed

Monday 24^th

So that’s the Scottish Smallholder Festival over for another year. It all went swimmingly – or maybe more like the swan analogy – all calm on the surface and paddling furiously under the surface. We now have a bigger team and a very good one. We’ve had much positive feedback on the Festival from visitors and stallholders – thankfully, it doesn’t make us complacent but makes us want to do better next year. I’m staying on for another year to do the rural skills but not the communications. Most of my stallholders want to come back next year, which is great – on, because they were very good but two, because it allows me to think about new things to do. The cookery theatre went well – I think that will be back next year. Tidying up now, copying over files and thanking everyone.

Pigs away / Apple pressing / Festival

Monday 24 October, 2022

by Rosemary at 2:05pm in Smallholding 2 comments Comments closed

Friday 14^th October

Set up the trailer for Sunday and the pigs going to the abattoir. Hopefully the hurdles will stop them breaking anything – or at least anything crucial.

trailer Trailer.

Trailer Protected trailer.

Covid / Cucumbers / Tatties

Monday 3 October, 2022

by Rosemary at 3:05pm in Smallholding Comments closed

Saturday 24^th September

So here we are, past Mabon, the autumn equinox. Still plenty grass in the fields to do the cattle until early November. I’m on the usual changing seasons tidy up, leading to an autumn clean. Started in the feed store – found six quiet wean things and three thermometers. When I want them, they will be invisible.

Spent most of the day in the veg garden, weeding and getting ready for manuring, REMIN-ing and covering with black plastic. Loads of raspberries coming ready and dozens of bees on the raspberry plants.

Exercises / Cucumbers / Stove

Sunday 25 September, 2022

by Rosemary at 8:15am in Smallholding Comments closed

Monday 12^th September

Had Gwenna at the physio today. No hydrotherapy yet, but we have land based exercises to do. We go back in two weeks.

Tuesday 13^th September

Cool this morning, but warming up. Set up Gwenna’s exercises.

weave Gwenna's exercises.

Wednesday 14^th September

More lovely autumn weather. Only 4C this morning but warm and sunny in the afternoon.

Apples / Tatties / Leeks

Monday 12 September, 2022

by Rosemary at 8:49am in Smallholding Comments closed

Monday 5^th September

Dan lifted the first ¼ of the potatoes. They look really good – had two baked for dinner and they were delicious.

potatoes Caledonian Rose.

I did nothing productive apart from my routine chores. Truly depressed at the prospect of Liz Truss as Prime Minister. The weather reflected that, being dismal with thunder and heavy rain.

Cats / Toad / Greengages

Monday 5 September, 2022

by Rosemary at 1:11pm in Smallholding Comments closed

Monday 29^th August

Dan’s been experimenting with growing comfrey crown cuttings in boxes.

comfrey Comfrey growing

We’ve been walking Gwenna round Home; I hope Grey had fun dispersing the brash around. It smells very piney.

brash Grey's play area.

Gwenna / Geraniums / Lintel

Monday 29 August, 2022

by Rosemary at 8:27am in Smallholding Comments closed

Monday 22^nd August

Busy morning; down to Downfield to pick up some Shetland beef from Paul Sanderson. Three of my old customers had bought beef too, so I picked that up as well.

Light rain this morning, with some heavier showers, dropping to drizzle – not forecast but welcome, nevertheless.

Visit this afternoon from Alan and Dianne Yarker, who we met through the Shetland Cattle Breeders Association. Great to catch up with them; lovely folk. Managed to avoid talking about the state of the current breed society.

Fox / Rain / Bus pass

Monday 22 August, 2022

by Rosemary at 6:04pm in Smallholding Comments closed

Monday 15^th August

Thunder, lightning and rain overnight and into morning. Biblical rain about 7am. I was in the polytunnel, watering, and it was thrashing down. More forecast for tonight and tomorrow. Hens left the hen house, and most turned around and went back in. Others sheltering under the nest boxes.

hens It's raining.

Farrier due to come at 10.30am. I’m slopping about in trousers but bedtime T shirt and no underwear when he arrives early. Ponies no even in. Arrgh. What a sight! Still done now and I am properly shored up. Dogs exhausted this morning – maybe the thunder kept them awake. Today is the day I’m going to sort out my bus pass. Maybe.