April 2007

OK... if you've been reading this journal for a while, you'll notice that we ride a bit of a roller coaster here... and so it's been this month.

The lows have included an ever strengthening realisation that our finances are just not working out. We continue to be deeply frustrated that we cannot meet demand and we don't have the cash to buy stock to fill the gaps. We are working all hours sent and live from hand to mouth every day... we need a couple more electric fence energisers, some new gates, to fix the pig housing and improve the chicken houses... a bigger trailer, to fix the digger, new tyres for the tractor, some salt and lime for the land... and the list goes on. Then there are the emergencies that just have to be dealt with there and then, no matter what else you had in mind. Like when during our annual TB testing, the cattle crush broke - just came apart like it was made of matchwood... so a new crush needed to be found immediately... that costs time and money... moving on has been a serious conversation in these dips.

Having said all of that, the good news is that our herd went clear in the TB test and the bull, Parrot, was taken home to Derby. Our girls didn't seem that fussed to see him off. He's a nice enough fella, but was a bit stand-off-ish and none of us warmed to him like we did to Prospect.

Spring continues to make her presence felt. The land dried up enough for the cows to go out. If you talk with anyone with livestock, they will tell you that this is one of the best experiences, turnout time. Watching the animals greet the land, rub their faces in the earth, savour a mouthful of fresh spring grass and jump for joy as they feel the softness under their feet is a sight to lift the spirits. All we ask is that they stay within the fencing!

Our first batch of chicks hatched too. They are currently yellow and fluffy and under a heat lamp in the conservatory. Quite a noisy little bunch.

And still on the subject of birth, Emma's Cotswold Sheep, Magda, gave birth to a lovely healthy girl, Lulu in the field one morning. Emma has 6 sheep, 3 ewes, Molly, Magda and Tilly, were all supposed to be in lamb. Molly had stillborn twins this year. They say where there are livestock there are deadstock... but it doesn't matter what the books or "they" say, losing animals is hard and sad. Lulu is doing her best to make up for that sadness by being very cute and bouncy and lamb-like! Tilly, well, Emma's not sure she's even in lamb... time will tell.

Finally, I had a day off this month! Our friends, Ed & Jess came to do the Farmers Market in Canal Walk for us and I went up to London for the day. My father received the Freedom of the City of London. I wish my Mum was here to have been with him. She would have been so proud (and it would have been a good excuse for her to go out and buy a new dress and hat!). It's a funny, old fashioned institution from the days when only a certain few, the Freemen, were allowed to do business in the City. Now of course, it's open to pretty much anyone, but there's something nice about being part of that history... and Pop felt honoured.