Thaw - The Accidental Smallholder

Posted: Sunday 12 December, 2010

by Rosemary at 6:17pm in Anything goes Comments closed

We're getting a bit of a thaw now, which is great, and I'm loath to complain. But it's been freezing overnight and where the snow is hardpacked and icy, it's absolutely treacherous underfoot in the morning. We started to break some of it up today, to help it thaw faster. I'm going to try and get some sand and salt this week, just in case it freezes again. I can't see us getting to Spring without another freeze somehow.

The ponies are boycotting the track because it's so slippy, so I think I mght let them into the five acre field. I just need to find a way of keeping them away from the sheep's hay rack.

The mild weather means that the calves are a bit warm. I dried them off with a towel on Saturday, when I brushed them. Pneumonia is a concern if there isn't much air movement and it's damp. If I can get hold of a pair of horse clippers, I'll try and clip along their backs. They have long, dense winter coats.

Also need to stock up on bird food - almost out of softbill mix, and they do depend on the feeders at this time of year. The garden just moves with birds, which is lovely. The robins in particular are getting very brave and are coming to feed even if I am close to the feeders. I've not been as well organised this year with fat cakes and stuff, but I have good intentions for Christmas and beyond.