Hogmanay 2021 - The Accidental Smallholder

Posted: Monday 3 January, 2022

by Rosemary at 11:32am in Smallholding Comments closed

Monday 27^th December

Had a bit of a relaxing day, indulging my Lego habit.

Tuesday 28^th December

Nicer this morning than forecast – broken cloud and a hint of sun. Planted out some narcissi bulbs (Jack Snipe and Tete a tete) in front of Meg’s patio, to naturalise there. I also found a tray of miscellaneous bulbs, so I’ve put them in the raised bed beside Meg’s patio. If they come, good and well; if not, well, they had a chance.

Bulbs planted.

And I polished my good boots. I’ve had them for donkey’s years, but with a bit of elbow grease, they polish up nicely. I also found my Hi-Viz fleece – under Dan’s bee suit, under Dan’s waders.

Dan’s building a nest box for the polytunnel hens.

Wednesday 29^thDecember

Well, bit of a contrast from yesterday’s mild and sunny weather – today is bitterly cold, heavy rain and it’s barely light. I shall just have to indulge my Lego habit further, now all the animals are fed, watered and bedded.

The ewes are tucked up tight in the field shelter with a full hay rack; the tup lambs have discovered the pig ark and have adopted it as their shelter of choice. Cows are settled and the ponies tied up in the barn with hay nets and water.  And the kettle’s on.

Nest box is finished.

New nestbox.

Thursday 30^thDecember

Changeable weather, this time for the better – it’s like March (lamb type March, not lion type). Sunny, blue skies, warm, gentle breeze – quite a lot of water in the fields though.

I made a start on the “new year tidy”. Byre first, then the feed store. Evidence of a mouse – so Diesel is spending the night on mouse patrol.

Hmm, small unwelcome visitot.

Dan started tidying up the barn today, and once I’d finished in the feed store, I gave him a hand. Are plastic electric fence posts the most awkward thing in the world? Anyway, taped them up in tidy batches of ten; the odds are in an old tea chest. Actually, maybe electric fence TAPE is more awkward!

Aaargh, worst job.

Friday 31^stDecember

Bit dismal today but happy Hogmanay anyway!

A bit grey on Hogmanay.

Saturday 1^st January

All the best for 2022 – lang may yer lums reek!

Sunday 2^nd January

Lovely day – cooler, but sunny and dry. Tara and I took Smokey and Euro for a walk and a “picnic”.

Smokey.

Started taking down the Christmas decorations – that’s me done now.

We finished tidying up the barn – found some surplus pea netting. Just the corner outside to do now. And I’ve brought the seed box into the house to check through them, see if I need anything, and then group them according to when they will be planted. "Where" is an issue, sincethepolytunnel is otherwise occupied.

Welcome to 2022, peeps.