[plumseverywhere]

was tempted to 'accidentally' not advertise them but i think hubby would go nuts!!

[Roxy]

I am getting enquiries from people who have no idea about keeping goats whatsoever.  I know everyone has to start somewhere, and thats fair enough, but these boys are big and need space.  Just answered the phone to a lady who wanted just one goat to keep in her garden.  Never kept goats before, and of course knew nothing about holding numbers etc.  I said I thought one of my goats would not settle on its own, and have now had a text saying she is happy to fill in any forms needed, and  will take two goats.

There is no way I can rehome into a situation like this ......one goat sounded too much, and without more than a minutes thought she now wants two .......have thank you, but no.  I will hold out for another home.  Fingers crossed someone will come along soon.  Do have someone hopefully interested, but they are on holiday.  But want to leave them advertised in case this person decides not to have goats.

[sabrina]

I know just how you feel Roxy, after my cancer treatment finished in 2008 I decided to stop breeding my Shetland ponies, sold the mares and both my Stallions. It is one of the hardest things I have ever done but I have been so lucky, the people who bought the girls have all kept in touch, send me pictures and showing results. I now buy and bring on colt foals, at the moment we have 5 two of which have just been gelded. It gives me purpose and gets me out in the morning. I do miss my girls but not the stress that comes with foaling. I have always told myself where as one door shuts another will open and I am sure it will be the same for you. 

[Hellybee]

go with your heart  

[little blue]

at least you know the ones that have gone Roxy have got good homes.
like with the kittens   
But still hard, all the same.

[Sylvia]

I feel traitorous when I take poultry to market or pigs etc. to the abbatoir, so know just how you're feeling. All will come well in the end, I'm certain. Take heart

[Roxy]

Having a very "down" day today - I really miss my goats, and hope they are all ok.  I am sure they are of course ....I have just walked round the 12 acres round the house, all long grass because there are no cows here this summer.  Had my second "warning" to vacate the house, yesterday in a recorded letter.  For vacant possession for the auction.  So, thats made me feel right cheerful!!!

Yes, there are other farms, and as one door closes another one opens ......but all the same, its not easy to walk away.  I have been coming to this farm since a baby,and can remember as a toddler going to feed the hens with my grandad, and riding on the back of the big farm horses as they came back from the fields.  On the other hand, the TB problem weighs heavy on my mind, and in a way, thats made me realise its time to move on.

We will have to rent in the meantime, and then make a decision whether to buy a house with land or not.  I do still have my own land just up the lane, but it will be a bit close to here, and I will find it too upsetting to see someone else here.  I have just been speaking to the farmer who rented our land, and he asked if I will be at the auction.  No ....I won't, it will be too painful.

[jameslindsay]

You know Roxy the land is just land and the house is just bricks and mortar and both able to be replaced. You have your memories as you just described some of them and keeping these cherished times in your head means you can always still share a part of your old life. Life changes whether we want it to or not and he have no choice but to change with it. Your feelings probably will get hurt more before things start to get better but always know that they will. I wish we could do something to help but you have our support and we wish you and the family the very best of luck. Here's to better and happier times.

[Roxy]

Thank you, James.  I know I should not moan.  I am very lucky to have my own land, and my animals of course.   You are right, a house is a house, and its what you put into it that makes it a home.  I am probably too emotionally attached to this one.  I think if I could find the right house, I would feel a lot better, but all the ones I have looked at have not been right ....so far.  Cumbria is favourite so far, or southern Scotland, although the different buying laws for houses is a bit off putting for us, not knowing about it.

[doganjo]

Roxy, I sent you a PM, did you see it?

The Scottish house buying system isn't a lot different from the English one at the moment.  We aren't really seeing many 'closing dates' these days - where you have to make an offer well above the asking price), there's quite a lot of 'fixed prices' where the first offer in at that price gets the property.  Many places are sold now on offers near to the asking price.