January 2017

Diary

Hedge-trimming / Weeding / Cheddar / Brushing cows

Monday 2 January, 2017

by Rosemary at 9:52am in Smallholding Comments closed

Monday 26^th December

No white Christmas, but there was a tiny smattering of white this morning.

There was a bit more at Astwood, when I went feed the steers but I don’t think it’ll last.

Smattering of snow at Astwood - it's been a mild Winter so far.

The steers are getting a scoop of sugar beet every day, to get them steady enough to apply a pour-on worm / fluke treatment.

Cattle move / Workshop plans / Avian flu / Meg / Knitting

Monday 16 January, 2017

by Rosemary at 9:35am in Smallholding Comments closed

Monday 2^nd January

Moved the steers to their winter paddock today, with access to the wood. It was half dark by the time we got round to it, but they were really good.

Although the weather had been good over winter so far, I’m happy with them having additional shelter, just in case. We’ll get the ring feeder in soon.

The sheep now have access to all the other paddocks, so they’ll be happy too.

Met my chum Carol for lunch – great to catch up at Balgove Larder. Brought home a few wee foodie treats for Dan.

Meg / Bryn & Ceri / Snow / Straw / Weaners

Wednesday 18 January, 2017

by Rosemary at 5:01pm in Smallholding 1 comment Comments closed

Monday 9^th January

Took Meg to the vet and she’s been kept in overnight on fluids. Poor old girl. She’s in the best place. Hope to get her home tomorrow.

Tuesday 10^th January

Meg’s much better and is home. She’s on a diet of chicken and rice for the foreseeable.

Meg's dinner Meg tucking in.

Farewell Meg

Tuesday 24 January, 2017

by Dan at 4:28pm in Dogs 7 comments Comments closed

We had to say goodbye to our border collie Meg today. She was 16 years and 4 months old, and was our almost constant companion for all that time, whether inside or outside. She was an awesome dog, we'll miss her terribly and she'll always be remembered.

Meg Meg x

If you've ever watched any of our videos, or been on a course here, you'll have seen Meg. She was *always* there, making sure we didn't suffer some terrible disaster that only she knew how to prevent. Even going to the toilet was something Meg felt we weren't to be trusted doing alone.

Planning / Clean polytunnel / Bird boxes / Patio

Friday 27 January, 2017

by Rosemary at 11:20am in Smallholding Comments closed

Monday 16th January

Cleaned out the hen byre today. It was easier than I expected, although there was more bedding than I thought. Still, it made a good base in the muck heap.

And I completed my quarterly VAT return. Always nice to get that off the desk.

Tuesday 17th January

My lovely Winnie has become a monster. She wouldn’t get her halter on today and kicked me on the leg – well, she did get it on eventually.

Looking at the way she’s flirting with Ace, I think she’s coming into season – so I’ll put it down to hormones and forgive her. She’ll be 7 months old on Monday, so I’m thinking that it’s nearly time for her to be weaned. This year, I’ll do that by taking her up to run with the steers at Astwood.

Goodbye Meg / Winnie moved / Mucking out Rosie

Monday 30 January, 2017

by Rosemary at 6:30pm in Smallholding 2 comments Comments closed

Monday 23^rd January

Ooh, full sun today. Zaza came for her Monday morning play with Bryn.

Meg was much better this morning; she came out with me, had a big pee, supervised my morning tasks and ate all her breakfast. She even played in the hay. By 11am, she was shut in the dining room in her bed and sound asleep. We think she needs to rest more, which is why she’s good in the morning and poorly at night. But she’s such a sticky beak that she has to see what’s going on.