Belated happy new year to you all. I was rather surprised this morning when Louise Minchin announced on the Breakfast programme that it is only three days until the first day of spring. I prefer to stick to the traditional thought that spring actually starts on March 21.
That thought in itself brings some trepidation, because by then we should have started lambing and, fingers crossed, all will be well.
January 5 was the day all our ewes were scanned. We were pleasantly surprised by the results, which indicate plenty of lambs with twins and triplets galore. Many other farmers are reporting similar results, so I expect that yet again, Mother Nature is in charge.
The issue now is that those expectant mums have to be fed a diet that will see them through to the birth and then help them to rear the lambs. This requires a high protein feed, but also a balance of good carbs to keep their strength up.
In the meantime, we carry on with repairing fencing and cleaning ditches and drains.
The other side of our business, the shop and cafe, have recovered from the very hectic Christmas period, although obviously with the Covid restraints the cafe remains closed. Fortunately the kitchen remains open, so we still have an ample supply of ready meals and takeaway Sunday lunches on the production line.
The shop continues to be busy and we’re very happy to be supplying an order and collect system for those who need it. Of course, people are still celebrating birthdays and anniversaries - and soon it will be Valentines, too - so we are pleased to be able to try to make things a bit special.
On a final note, we have just said goodbye to Sarah in the shop. We wish her good luck for the future.
Stay safe, and roll on 2021.
David

I'm slowly tearing my hair out. No, really. The weather is fine today, but it's set to break on Monday night. Right now what we should be doing is ploughing and sowing wheat, but the tractor pulling the plough has had a burst tyre and no-one carries the tyres in stock to replace it.
Which law says that things have to break down just when you want to use them?
On the plus side, the breeding ewes have been given an MOT to check that they are suitable to breed again for another season. Thankfully we only found a very few that weren't.
Also at this break between harvesting and seeding we have been repairing broken drains and clearing the water courses. After last winter's rain, many problems became apparent.
The cattle that came into the shed a fortnight ago have settled down very well. They had a TB test and all passed, which is always a relief.
On the Covid front, social distancing is having its effect on numbers in the cafe. I do feel, however, we are all becoming accustomed to queuing and I suspect this is how it is going to be for the foreseeable future. Takeaway Sunday lunches are proving very popular, so are the afternoon teas,  but I fear the picnic season is about to come to an end, which probably means goodbye to the picnic boxes, which have also been very popular.
That must mean that Christmas is just around the corner. We're all building up to it, even if we're not sure how it will go. Be sure we as a team are here to help in any which way we can.
Hello! The fitter has arrived to fix the tractor tyre. Must go!
Stay safe,
David

Saturday, September 5, 12.30pm - The combine has started to roll again after rain stopped us harvesting on Wednesday. In America there are are apparently many people who chase storms, we're quite the opposite, we have to run to try to complete a job before the next storm comes.
In the meantime, Sue and I have not been idle. We have been to purchase 100 sheep to bring in replacements for our flock. They're a mixture of Suffolk crosses, black-faced sheep, and Texel cross white-faced sheep.
Harvest time isn't just about cereal crops and big machines. We have also been busy picking apples from our own orchard for sale in the shop. We also have damsons. Hopefully some of them will end up as damson gin.
I'm also pleased to report that Steve the Potato Man from the Rolly Farm in Knockin has promised us that bags of potatoes will be available from Monday.
News from Cote Kitchen is that Dawn and Catherine have moved on to pastures new. We wish them both good luck. Sue and Ange have taken on the task of recruiting replacements.
On the plus side from our point of view, there are many people out there looking for a job. I really wish more people could be gainfully employed again and that hopefully the country will be back up and running soon.
The schools are back; it's September. The sun is bound to shine, so I had better get back to work!
All the best, stay safe,
David