Brr.... the brief nod to an early spring has well and truly disappeared. Like most of the country we've had the snow down here. Not too much of it yet, enough for DD's school to close though. Grrr....In a fleeting moment of madness (like why would I create work for myself?) I did consider getting a 4x4 'rescue' team together a la nhs for those with winter vehicles who could get staff and pupils in! Bitterly cold but gloriously sunny days make the Downs even more stunning, very ski chic!
The ducks continue to lay - all of them and most days we receive 4 eggs from them. Better get perfecting my Victoria sponges. They haven't been too impressed by the weather and spent a lot of time waddling over the icy water quacking furiously in disbelief at not getting wet. When bored of figuring out the Chinese puzzle they have been route marching around duck land so much there is now a pattern in the snow that may interest Missoni and other quirky designers. Of course the snow also tells you who's been around and plenty of fox activity has been noted however, no tracks in duck land which is a good sign that the electric fence is working.
The sheep have the middle barn section now to shelter in though Hiltz choose always to become a walking ice block instead. She's always the one baaing and not understanding that there is no grass to eat and to get at the hay requires a degree of lifting of ones woollen head to the hay net. We have also moved the double D's in with them now. Had a bit of a drama last week when Dolly was so lame she couldn't stand up and wouldn't eat. So my whole Friday was devoted in freezing temperatures to trying to get this sheep in an examinable area. I was a disgrace to all sheep keepers! Utterly useless and cursing my female weakness at being unable to heave hurdles down acres of field along with cursing DH for not providing me with a little utility vehicle or farmhand - what he's been thinking I don't know! At one point, having faced head on a rat and removed a horrid fake spider thing from my pink hat I looked at my chaffed hands, felt my wind blasted face and asked Bonnie if she could have a word with the DD's. Clearly I had reached the stage of temporary (?) insanity. After 2 unhelpful vet phone calls later - one refusing to come out until I had the sheep in question 'penned' (ie easy to catch) and the other explaining call out was £100, I persuaded our local serious farmer to help me out. He duly arrived with hurdles, sheepdog and a look of control about him. 20 minutes later with the sheep going one way and the dog the other he turns to me, I swear considers how blonde I am under my pink hat and purple boots and asks me if I was 'sure' Dolly was lame as she sure as hell was acting fine - in fact, long distance sheep marathons are her thing it would appear. Eventually, amid much cursing and embarrassment later the DD's were caught and a good job too as both had foot rot setting in. A large farmers easy to solve problem, a small smallholders nightmare. Both are fine now and hopefully not as traumatised as I was by the whole experience. As for the farmer, well he's been paid off with alcohol not to retell the story and ruin my country cred in the village pub.
Spot and Stripe have gone. GONE! It took about half an hour to move them into the trailer on Monday! No messing at the abattoir mind, straight in, papers checked and probably all done and over with within 5 mins of leaving. Miserable places that leave one feeling a bit sad. It's been a journey and learning curve with the pigs. One we'll probably repeat now we have the kit and connections. Not sure to be honest how I'll feel once the sausages arrive but it's all part of understanding our food more. Really I know I ought to be proud to have produced meat that's been wonderfully raised and British.
Weather: 0 degrees, iced snow about, lovely and sunny though!
