Christmas 2021 - The Accidental Smallholder

Posted: Monday 3 January, 2022

by Rosemary at 11:07am in Smallholding Comments closed

Monday 20^th December

Cold and dry. Calves a bit loud this morning – I think they just realised there’s no milk for breakfast. On the plus side, Bronte discovered beet pulp and both she and Baby got halters on. Baby has now joined the “line” with Blizzard in her usual place, Rora moved up next to her mum, then Baby. Bronte will join the line shortly. Buster thought he might have some of Bronte’s beet pulp but she was having none of it.

Last day in the office until 3^rd January. Yay!

Tuesday 21^st December

Well, Covid wrecked our Solstice plans but hey ho. At least we’re all healthy. Dan got out into the vegetable garden. He cleared the comfrey bed and manured it and hoed, Remin’d and manured this year’s potato bed, which will be the pea bed next year.

Comfrey bed cleared.

The 2022 pea bed.

This morning, all the female cattle were nicely lined up. Just got Buster to sort out now.

l to r Bronte, Baby, Rora and Blizzard.

Wednesday 22^nd December

There was a bit of a rammy in the cow shed this morning; Rora was “playing” with the three younger calves and it looked a bit rough. Since it was dry, and has been dry for a while, I decided to let them out for a run. And run they did. Hopefully they will have taken the tickle out of their feet.

We collected out turkey from South Powrie Farm – looking braw!

Thursday 23^rd December

Change in the weather – wet and miserable. Dreich, in fact.

Bronte is such a nice heifer; Rosie, her mum, could be a bit thrawn, but Bronte is just easy. Gets haltered no bother and tied up. Baby, on the other hand, who’s mum Annie is the sweetest cow, is a thrawn wee besom in comparison.

I mademore Mince Pie Truffles,this tie withedible gold lustre.

Mince Pie Truffles.

Cleaned out the caravan hens, cleaned out the bantams, took hay and straw to the steers at East Pitkerro. They were very excited to have a new bed.

Friday 24^th December

Final preparations so that we have the minimum to do tomorrow – all hay racks filled, dumpy bags and hay nets, feeds made up. And relax!

Merry Christmas.

Saturday 25^th December

Lovely day with the family. Cold and dry outside, warm and slightly liquid inside.

The ponies' Christmas breakfast.

Sunday 26^th December

And that’s it over for another year. Relaxing day today, but I’m already making plans and lists for 2022. But there’s still turkey to eat and tonnes of cake, so won’t be starting on the diet just yet.