November, 2003

The idea was that this month was dedicated to moving our business along and setting things up so that we can grow and be efficient whilst doing it... and I guess that's what we've been up to... just not the way I planned it (what's new!)

Right at the beginning, we were blessed with a weekend away. Our friends Jules and Keith (who got married on the farm in September) moved in with Aimee and Jessica, their two daughter, and took care of animals (who took the opportunity to practice escape techniques into our neighbours garden!). We went to London for a weekend seminar about Partnership called Trusting You Are Loved. Led by our friends Francine Epstein and Rita Reneaux from The Partnership Foundation, it was a special time for Mark and I to hang out with some folks we hadn't seen in a while, whilst renewing our commitment to ourselves, each other and our life together. We returned to the farm like newly weds, ready for the next decade of deepening relationship, honouring partnership and building community.

We got caught up in many seasonal jobs, including learning about Hedge Laying. Lorraine was busy at farmers markets on the days in question, but Mark took the lead and got stuck in with some participants and Giles, a tutor from BTCV and as a result, we have several metres of rather decimated looking hedgerow. I'm assured that come Spring, it will look vibrant and "come back" vigorously. The cows thought the whole process most fascinating and promptly tested the stock-proofness of it - the stakes held fast, but I think it needs another growing season before it's really up to that kind of challenge!

Have you ever reversed a vehicle with trailer attached? I'm so full of admiration for those farm hands and truckers who, with the greatest of ease, back those rigs into tight spaces and round corners without so much as a hiccup. Although I take our little trailer with the chiller to the farmers markets, I live in fear of having to reverse it, 'cos it takes me forever to figure out which way to turn the wheel to get it going in the right direction... then I find I've oversteered and have to start all over again :-( Well, I was presented with a situation this month which meant that I was the one to take our Christmas steer to the abattoir. To cut a very long story a little shorter, Mark was away and the friend I'd enrolled to help me out didn't show up. Fortunately Peter, one of our neighbours, put on his wellies and helped me guide the animal in question into the trailer (which I'd eventually managed to reverse into the yard!) and I set off on my way. In order to let the animal off at the abattoir, I needed to reverse the trailer down a narrow (to me) alleyway between two buildings and position the tailgate alongside a step by a gate so he could just walk off and into one of the straw pens awaiting his arrival. The thought of this did nothing for my blood pressure... but I'm proud to say that I did it. I don't think anyone would have had difficultly spotting the amateur, but my fear of reversing a trailer has reduced considerably! And, as an aside, but important factor in this whole animal to abattoir conversation, I am amazed, inspired and thankful that our animals generally walk onto the trailer without a fuss, travel well and walk off the other end with great calmness.

And on the subject of animals... I took the opportunity to go to Peels Turkey Farm in Norfolk and learn the art of quick dispatch of Christmas turkeys, something I'm not eager and over excited about but an important part of our taking full responsibility for those wonderful black feathered friends currently foraging, sparring and giggling in the front paddock. I know that what I have learned from this day will enable us to be more humane and efficient in our Christmas preparations next month.