Smallholding
Winter blues / Downed branches / Photographs
Monday 27 November, 2023
Friday 24th November
Bit of the winter blues here; partly weather related, partly due to all the shit going on in the world. Just been keeping up with the chores and having a bit of a sort through of the cupboards to give the impression of being productive.
The weather has changed to cold and crisp – windy today, but lovely and dry.
Saturday 25th November
At an all day event in Stirling then out for tea with Karen. Went to a wee restaurant in Bridge of Allan called “Friend of Mine”. Fab food. Took the train – it’s cheaper to drive but more stressful. Love travelling by train.
Water / Weeding / Caravan gone
Sunday 19 November, 2023
Monday 13th November
Wet. Office day.
Tuesday 14th November
I had two appointments in the diary today. Both were cancelled. It’s like getting an extra day. Still wet.
Made biscuits. Turned thoughts to Yule. I think crackers are a watse of money so I've bought little favours boxes, one for everyone and i"ll fill it with little gifts and sweets. Today I bought some locally made goats milk soap. I'll put a packet of seed in each too, and some homemade sweets or biscuits.
Thomas / Squash / Weeding
Monday 13 November, 2023
Monday 6th November
Took Thomas to our vet this morning. Not good. She gave him steroids to try and get him eating and a long acting antibiotic; if the steroids are going to work, it will be immediately. If they don’t, we have to have him pts. Even if they do work, he has weeks. Gutted.
Bought lots of nice things to try and tempt his appetite. He’s been out roaming around and basking in the autumn sunshine.
And it’s all over. Thomas came in tonight and collapsed. We rushed him to the vet and he eased Tommy over the Bridge. We were with him at the last. I don’t know how much he was aware of, but I hope he knew we were there and loving him.
Holiday / Jaundice / Calves
Sunday 5 November, 2023
Saturday 28th October to Saturday 4th November
We had our annual holiday to Gardenstown; third time we’ve been to the village itself and the fourth time along that Banffshire coast. Not the best cottage or the best weather, but we had a couple of nice meals at The Garden Arms Hotel and a delicious lunch at Eli’s, the wee coffee shop and plenty relaxation time.
Gardenstown Harbour on the sunny day.
Wet / Plants / Aurora's birthday
Saturday 28 October, 2023
Monday 23rd October
Frosty this morning, but lovely and sunny. Cows boycotting the shed again – huffy girls.
Put the Christmas puddings on to steam first thing. Set fruit to soak for a Classic Christmas cake.
A huge box of plants delivered; these are wee plug plants to be grown on for the front garden. I’ve opened them up and watered them. Potting up tomorrow. There was a free gift of 40 daffodil bulbs. No idea where these are going to go.
Storm Babet
Monday 23 October, 2023
Monday 16th October
Saw the cows and my pony for the first time in four days. The cows are loving the windfall pears.
I finally picked the outdoor squashes. A wee tiny one in Tesco is £1.60. We’re sitting on a fortune. Dan made spiced squash and lentil soup yesterday and leek and potato today; he’s on a roll but running out of tubs for the freezer. Soon he will start demanndong that my Lego storage tubs be retirned to the kitchen.
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Butternut squash.
Puddles / Eggs / Festival
Monday 16 October, 2023
Monday 9th October
Final run in to the Scottish Smallholder Festival 2023. Awake at 3am, up at 5am. Notes made and back to bed for a bit.
Let the cows out; it’s been mostly dry today, although the fields are still very wet, but it’s been warm and sunny, so best to make the most of it.
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It's a bit wet.
The hens, now in their winter quarters, have found the nest box Dan made for them last year – in which they laid exactly zero eggs. Doing better this year.
Rain / Mango / Festival
Monday 9 October, 2023
Monday 2nd October
Cooler than yesterday, with a brisker breeze. Cloudy start but sun got out late morning. I saw it through the window.
I did have help though. To distract Diesel, I removed my fleecy shirt. Cold now, but at lest I can get on.
Distracting Diesel.
Then Thomas stopped by.
Thomas, helping.
BFL fleece / Squash / Grey away
Monday 2 October, 2023
Monday 25th September
Sunny and breezy. MP, who is buying Grey, called to ask in the haulier had been in touch. He hasn’t.
And that’s kind of it until Friday 29th September, because it’s been all desk and meetings.
Friday teatime, I get a call from the haulier. He’ll be staying in Perth overnight, can we get Grey to him by 8.30am tomorrow. It’s about an hour from here to Perth. Yes, says I. Well, he has to go sometime.
Baby / Bronte / Rain / Chilli
Monday 25 September, 2023
Monday 18th September
Bloody cows got me up at 3am with incessant roaring. They have access to three paddocks. Blizz and Rora had got themselves “stuck” in one while the rest of the herd was in another; all they had to do was walk down the fence line to the gate but no, we’ll just stand and bawl. In jammies and Crocs, I showed them where to go and then witnessed a most joyous reunion. Back in bed, I couldn’t get to sleep, before falling deeply asleep about 5am and wakening to biblical rain at 7am. Dan did the morning round to let me sleep for another hour, but still wrecked.
