Cat and Mouse

Stardust caught her first mouse she got bored of it quickly ran out and caught her second. That will keep them out the animal food store.

Went to my first beekeepers meeting. It was really interesting and have learnt loads. They also laid on food. what a lovely group of people cant wait for the next meeting. 

Miserable rainy day on the smallholding but still moving forward.

One of my neighbours spotted a bargain - a pop up greenhouse half price an a bargain to be had. I need planning permission to get a permanent polytunnel or greenhouse but a pop up one is fine. So bought a bargain greenhouse yesterday and have started some seeds off. Cool lets just pray it doesnt blow away! Its been a miserable day today weather wise i have at last sorted my seeds out in to some sort of order, paper work and stuff like that. I was a little disappointed that the food safety man didnt turn up from the council. However he was taken seriously ill so its understandable. His colleague has stood into the breech at short notice and thankfully is coming next tuesday. All important in food processing to ensure not only my animals are happy but my customers will be kept healthy and happy. So hopefully then the smallholding business will be ready to trade!

Mischief

Well there is a lot of mischief around the small holding which is all so funny to watch. Its never a dull day here. The older ducklings after two nights of me chasing them round the field to get them to bed for the night i the duck house, last night they finally worked out how to get themselves in the duck house to bed. Yippee Francis the drake has taken a fancy to one of the ducklings. He isn't a romantic he just does a full on chase around the field. he-he he just isn't fast enough to catch her! Try flirting Francis but not till shes older!! Um does that make the other duckling a boy?? we will wait and see! The young duckling and chicks seem happy. The chicks have taken to flying and bombing the ducklings by flying into them that's when they are not using their new flight talent of escaping from their pen. The pigs they just want a sun roof option on their pad!! All fun and games on the small holding.

sleepy pigs after breakfast.

The youngsters

Chicken and Duck pad

Chicken and Ducks

Well The two young ducklings have take residency in the chicken/duck pen and duck house outside. Its draft proof and they are just about fully feathered and weather warm enough. They were too warm inside. I cleared the chicken and duck pen of newly formed brambles today and cleared some from the trees picking more brambles as I went. Two chickens followed me round and collected insects. I have 7 pound of blackberries so far. I am collecting for jam, wine and a crumble.

There was a bit of ducklings trying it on this am. Francis soon sorted it out. However trying to get the ducklings to bed this evening! um a lot of diving on the floor and running round the pen!! Them ducklings are very quick!! caught them eventually and they where fine int he duck house. I dont think they have worked it out that they need to go to bed in a warm duck house yet! Took chickens a night to catch on lets hope ducklings get it as quick!

I also set up my composing system today for compost next year. Animal waste and green waste from field should do well.

I have been asked to make a crumble and home made ice cream for a neighbours wood carving unveiling party. An opportunity to get into catering for parties as the guests are local and Rosie has kindly allowed me to give out business cards/flyers out at the party. This party is for 30. Its been costed and ingredients bought. I am going for 4 crumbles one with mixed nuts, one gluten free, one nut free (basic crumble) and one with muesli topping. There is so many blackberries that it will be blackberry and apple. Ice cream vanilla which my friends of accrington wild swimmers have tested in the past and felt it was yummy!

homemade wine

Started some homemade wine have to say came from a kit to revise the old wine making skills before making some blackberry wine from scratch. lesson one don't fill the vessel you are using to the top as the yeast is usually on the top and when it all gets lively and overflows all over your floor you loose all the yeast and have 5 gallon of cough medicine!! Thanks to Dave guidance on making a yeast starter in an old vinegar bottle looks like its fermenting. The floor is fine now too!

The older ducklings are getting closer to the new flock. They have moved into a shed in the field. Need a few more feathers and they can go into the nursery coop outside so that Francis the drake can get to know his new girls before putting them straight in his pen. (assuming they are girls that is.) Sir Francis here he is the handsome fellow.

The baby chicks and ducklings have moved into their new pad lots more space. Will stop them flying out of the box a new game they have discovered.............flying.

Shenanigans

Had a lovely day at the beech yesterday for a bank holiday in Bude this beech was a find! Bit of a swim in a shower of rain. Might as well get wet in the sea when it starts to rain!

All quite on the outdoor animal front. Pigs wondering if they want to be blog and facebook stars!

on the moggie front however what can I say. I have a moggy that thinks she is a chicken and needs a perch! As you can see she needs to hang on for dear life. Until ......................................

She fell off!! 

More shenanigans with the stardust she escaped out the bedroom window and trying to get back in or ..............was she!! Nah nothing so dramatic she was actually after the camera strap!

Stardust there is fresh water next to your food you know!

Its really windy outside this am. Walk to the pigs, chickens and ducks was lovely and fresh and it was good to see everything fixed securely and present and correct and nothing blowing about the place. Pigs obviously dont want the sunroof option today!!

My first visitor

As Dave (step Dad) was arriving i discovered a bat in my bedroom.  I thought I may have to call the local bat group out to catch the bat!! The cats thought this great and tried to catch it. Welcome to the country Dave! did you think it would be quite!! Left the window open and finally found it and it must have flew off on its own accord thankfully as its nowhere to be seen this am.

Livestock all doing well. pigs still eating my wellies bathing in their water tough and generally mischievous, young ducklings and chicks all mucking in together in their pen and the ducks and chickens enjoyng life to their full. So all is well in smallholding land.

Blackberrying the easy way!!

Ever had a problem getting to the best blackberries that are always at the top of the bush that you cant reach? I am all overgrown with blackberries and needed to rescue some other fruit bushes in the secret garden! So I hacked them down and collected the blackberries!! Nice work. Found what I think is a medlar and also an unidentified tree with fruit if you know what it is do let me know!

There was fun and games in the animal enclosures today I had a chicken who found an egg shell. She wasnt allowed to eat it in piece and there where ducks and chickens chasing her all round the chicken coop. Reminded me of  a cross between playing british bulldog and rugby. I discovered that a duck might not be able to out run a chicken but it can out smart it and stole the egg shell off the chicken. 

Pig pen - well the pigs are just as funny - their game is to eat my wellies and make me as dirty as possible.  All god healthy fun down on the smallholding. 

Ducklings and chicks are all together and  getting on well i think they are too young to be naughty yet. 

Stardust discovered a toad! oh no poisonous to moggies. Luckily she hadnt a clue what to do with it and just hit it and walked off. 

Project sheep/goats fence is well under way cleared more fence - 8 dead trees later. The fence posts are all in tact and appear strong so it will just be attaching the new fencing rather then hammering in new fence posts.    

New additions - Ducklings

Two Ducklings hatched today and another on the way. Put them in with the chicks and they seem to all get on fine. One of the ducklings has already taken a shine to the water and thinks its a duck pond. Keep having to take it out I down think it realises it coat isnt waterproof yet!!

The two new chickens went to bed fine in the coop with the others and the pigs well they absolutely love the hose pipe on them rolling about the mud. Defiantly need wellies on in the sty now!

At last I found my queen bee. Only been doing an inspection once a week for the last 3!! Anyway she is found and hive seems to be doing well building the colony up for winter and its honey supply.

Success at the poultry Auction market

Success at the auction market today - I got just what I wanted 2 point of lay chickens so have 7 egg layers which will help keep my honesty box stock up. A bit of grumpiness from the other hens as I introduced them but they accepted the pecking order and seem all fine together now.

I also increased my breeding Aylesbury duck herd. Give my two ladies a rest from the Drakes. However they are still babies so a spot of indoor shed care until they have feathers. Got them very cheap only problem is what sex are they? If they are boys sorry boys its the pot for them. The hatching ducks are taking their time but healthy signs of hatching going on in the incubator.

Pigs - well funny they enjoy the hose pipe in the hot weather not sure they like the rain though. All asleep in the sty. The experiment of tying the water trough to the sty and a separate big puddle for bathing seems to have solved the water trough slinging into electric fence and shorting it game they where playing.

In the process of making my first ever batch of goats cheese just waiting for it to set! Will let you know if its successful. 

Stocking up for the winter

Logs arrived today - I am so glad I ordered them to arrive on a sunny day. I would not fancy moving logs in the rain. I also created a rock garden in my front garden looks alot better.

Pigs - they decided to remove their sty roof and throw the water trough at the fence. Sorted both. Tied the water trough to the sty and secured the roof. I also created loads of puddles which the pigs are rolling in and leaving their water trough for drinking!

Ducklings - we have signs of ducklings yippee.

Evening meal - I created a puff pasty tart for my neighbour it was a great success!

A wet day on the smallholding

Pigs - Try to eat my wellies and note to myself don't go in the pig pen in a dress they do like the flapping fabric..... To eat!!

Baby Chicks all look very healthy and developing little personalities  Stopped turning the duck eggs they are due to hatch on sat.

Chickens and Ducks - still loving their life and producing eggs.

Moggies - Toffee's Dead mouse tally is 5 mice, Trifle nil and Stardust Nil. Stardust has found the baby chicks! Now that would be cheating Stardust!!

On my walk to the post office and back I discovered Hazelnuts, Elder and more Blackberries. Squirrels have already started on the hazelnuts even though they are not ripe so may not get many! Blackberries down the lane not ready but the ones on the edge of my field are just about there. I feel a blackberry picking session at the weekend I can't wait to be able to make jam and wine from them all.

Today it was too wet to strim. I got up and feed the animals in the pouring rain it was fine. Luckily I am set up so can sort the feed in the shed at the side so its not to bad and I just get in house and jump in shower.

As ground to wet to do as I wanted today I decided to be a tourist and had a trip to Lands End. Very touristy beautiful scenery. I think I may go back off season!! I then went to a place I have wanted to see since I got here Minack Theatre - A theatre on the cliff side -   http://www.minack.com/ shame its a two hour drive. I have to go and see a performance though! on my way back I stopped at St Ives - what a gorgeous little place again a place to go out of season as it was packed!!
Homeward bound for animal feed and relax

Advisory meeting with the food safety officer sorted and got myself known in the farmers market circles so progress for hopefully a September launch!!

Todays photos I have added of my house

Naughty Pigs and sweet chickens and food safety inspector

Well a mixed day today. CD Player sorted on new car courtesy of the garage I got it from they got a cd stuck in the cd player and only just got round to getting it booked in as it wasnt urgent. I wouldnt have minded if it had been a decent cd!!

Back to smallholding well the pigs today threw their water container at the electric fence, tried to eat my wellies!! All normal pig behavior I reckon and they are so hilarious to watch! The rules on keeping pigs you have to feed them pig nuts - good for the pig nut companies I guess, you have to have it butchered at a butchers. No wonder making a lot of money from pigs isnt going to happen any time soon. Glad its not in business plan as my main earner!! Will make enough to make a small profit and will keep me in pork though.

Chicks well they are looking very healthy and already running around they are so cute.

Other then looking at cute animals, collecting avon orders (which all I can say is wow to amount of avon orders I got this campaign.) and car cd player it was paperwork day. Registration done to local council for selling food. Food Safety inspector seems like he is going to be very helpful at getting me up and running safely. So much to consider labeling, hygiene, legalities but all in a days work!

I feel with all this hype on the tv I need some advertising on people knowing exactly where the food comes from. Speaking of which my experiment with selling eggs where people can see the chickens they come from seem very successful.

Stardust my Cat well she has found the outside world strutting her stuff in the middle of the lane. I went for a walk down the lane after the paperwork for a break and found hazelnuts, blackberries and elderberries. I think I may be fighting the squirrels for the hazelnuts they are already eating them and they are not ripe yet! Plenty of blackberries to go around thats for sure!

I think that covers my day as a smallholder

Chicks

Morning all - awoke up this morning to baby chicks aww 2 at the moment and a few more trying to get out of their shells. Pigs looking happy this morning and ducks and chickens have finally found their new posh homes!! Todays job I did yesterday of building the bee frames so what to do today. Spot of fencing clearing me thinks for them goats and sheep I plan to have

New arrivals

Well a day of new arrivals. Pigs the 14 week old Berkshires seem very settled. Its seems to have been a whole neighbourhood event they have had lots of visitors already! Even the tourists who are staying in the cottage next to me. The chicks I can hear them I can see the eggs breaking but no successful houdini's yet! 

Early signs of Chicks hatching and the New Duck House

The new duck house finally arrived yesterday which is now built. I finally managed to cut round the chicken/duck fence making the fence run more efficiently. Signs of hatching, cracks appearing in eggs all over the place in that their incubator. I am late writing yesterdays blog because one of my neighbors had a spare ticket to see Carmen as part of  St Endellion music festival  http://www.endellionfestivals.org.uk/index.html  which was excellent. Apparently top musicians travel to St Endellions church Cornwall every year for this festival think may have to go next year. Well the  Pigs should soon be on route to my house today and should have some baby chicks so better get on making the broader up. yipee sooooooooooo excited. Will post pics later!!!

Day off

Day off  - Taking the new camera for a trip out. I went to the Eden project and mission was to photograph butterflies in the rain forest  Um I need to play a bit with all these new camera settings. I managed to get some butterfly pictures. Luckily I went early in the morning before the tourists flooded the place. As I left it was just getting busy. I did get some cheap herbs at the Eden project I then went for a drive to Mevagissy lovely little place with very narrow streets. This evening I went to my first village photography club meeting. I really enjoyed it. Its just a group of people who go out taking photos together once a month. Unfortunatly it was raining so we had a general chat about equiptment. Back to the smallholding work tomorrow but was good to have a day off.

Pigs

All set up now and waiting for pigs. Just a little strimming round the bottom of the fence to stop battery draining quick. Looks like an air- raid shelter! Think I can finish off friday so going to have a day off tomorrow. Not decided what I am going to get up to yet.......................... wait till the next blog!!
I must remember not to turn the chicken eggs as there are only two days left before chickens should hatch. Lets hope I wasnt sold dud ones.

bees and pigs

Today on the small holding was about bees and pigs. I have my pigs coming on saturday and the pig arc arrived. Its now built and painted with wood preserver suitable for animal housing. Roof  to put on arc and fencing to set up and feeders to put in the pig run tomorrow and we should be ready for the three Berkshires. I also discovered a new bee hive going very cheap on ebay so I got it very cheap. It was an online shop clearance so had no instructions. That was a sharp learning curve on how a bee hive is made but so glad I did it in more ways then one. I now understand the bee hive completely even though the bee hive is made up on my dining floor at the moment with frames all over the place. Good job not going for the tidy look this evening!!

oh dear demand for egg is more then supply

sold out of eggs!!

what to do on a rainy day on a small holding?

Here's a list - in no particular order

Feed and let animals out! They want fed but do they want out in this!! Apparently so!

Persuade cats they need to be more assertive when trying to get rid of next doors cat!

Wash up from last nights none bbq!

Go round potential shops and talk to shop owners about selling produce.

Make sure I have invoices for everything I have bought - vat at that

Consider registering for vat as volunteer as selling food doesnt include VAT. double check this point with vat 

helpline tomorrow!

Work on financial predictions/Business plan

Test recipes for farmers markets in anticipation for a sept 1st trading day.

Start cheese and yogurt cultures 

Enrol as a member of river cottage and save money going to river cottage as get online course included

See if egg market research experiment will actually work.

research shops and farmers markets in the area

A rainy day can be good when indoor jobs to be done as no temptation!

Another quite day at the office!!! Not......................but nothing there other then paper work that I havent enjoyed and even the paperwork nobody breathing down my neck for it so its bearable.

Getting to that dust time again i wonder what animals I can get to see this evening! I am hoping to see these deer in my field but no luck so far!

Honesty box

Well I set up an honesty box out in the front of my house with eggs in as market research to test if part of my business plan will work and I can sell eggs when I start trading. I was sat in the house reading my small holding mag (that friends kindly bought me the subscription for as a leaving gift) and then talked to family on phone and watched a German group of tourists taking photographs of the honesty box and eggs inside. Oh and yes they bought eggs!! It was very amusing to watch. At least I have put it in a place where people notice it. Also I have learnt that I have a barn owl nesting box on the side of my house and yes a barn owl. However the owl lives in the barn across the road and other birds apparently next in the nest box. I also have a squirrel that comes in my garden. Fencing getting closer I know how much I now need just need to get on and clear space to erect the fence, Another job today I cut some mint and its now drying above the aga. I can see some dry herbs being available soon.

business ideas and socialising

Today - My business idea got accepted as a new enterprise scheme. I experimented with food samples and used them to have my first BBQ - or not. We have not had rain here since I moved I  mention BBQ and invited all my neighbors and the heavens open. so it ended up an aga party. Was a lovely evening getting to know neighbours though. I made the food and everyone really enjoyed it - from that I have a potential order to cater for a party next month! Thats a work stream I hadnt even thought of but would really enjoy.

Walls

Walls in more ways then one. negative or positive first? Thats the questions. Lets get the negative out the way. Well after an hour to do a 4 mile journey thanks to a for Czech coach and a trailer down a road that was in appropriate for it. The road to Boscastle isn't made for it specially the bend on the road to Tinagrel. The coach with 4 foot trailer had to do about a 7 point move to get round bend. Unfortunately i was the car behind it that it nearly hit. I wont mention the coach was following a bunch of cyclists and ask why it couldn't do the suitable route for such a large vehicle and meet the cyclists at their destination. Reason I was going to Boscastle was for a nurse asthma review. I arrived at the surgery to find the receptionist double booked and I couldn't be seen today and  that was a brick wall no negotiation there. I did manage to keep my cool. Positive on walls I found a few today. I hadnt intended on tidying my part of the communal car park however     I started pulling a few weeds and came across this lovely dry stone wall and decided that was a lot better sight when feeding the animals I just carried on and cleared the lot. A few alpine plants on there and it will look amazing. Of course my garden was over grown and looks out over there so I then found myself clearing my house garden. I then discovered another lovely wall all the way up my garden. After removing the grass I found the biggest mint bush i have ever seen!! I can see some drying of mint on the aga. Speaking of aga's another of todays adventures was visiting the dairy. The dairy is a little farm not 1 mile from my house that sells milk, cream and veal getting back to the story I went for double cream and came back with clotted cream. This was to make a quiche for tomorrows bbq with the neighbors  So i tried making quiche with clotted cream and I have to say my quiche taste good but with clotted cream wow. That is a definite for a farmers market may have to market think of a title as courgette, cheese and onion clotted cream flan is more then a gob full!!.