xmas markets

Its all about xmas markets in the coming month. Book a few so the hard work starts next week. I am at the new Camelford market on weds and then Hengar Manor next weekend. Looking forward to it. So its about creativity, imagination and then plotting and planning for kts kitchen at the moment.

Animals all ok they dont seem to be bothered by the cold

Noise pollution

As I lied in bed this am and last night  i noted the noise pollution - we have cuckoos, owls at night - during the day cows, sheep and  ducks. what a difference to house alarms police, ambulance and fire Sirens.

water butt - your a saver

So glad I put out a water butt in near the ducks and chickens. The hose pipe that usually keeps the water topped up has been frozen in the mornings.Watering needs to be done in the afternoon. Braking ice so that animals can drink has started and frozen ground!. frozen ground a good thing as dont have to move chickens till next spring yippee. Tonight as the ducks and chickens went to bed heard an owl and a cuckoo.

flying greenhouses

Well a bit windy on the smallholding today. Greenhouse decided to take off not sure it got permission from air traffic control mind. It flew over the top of the house and landed in the road apparently. The holiday makers in the cottage near by thought it was hilarious!! Thankfully they pinned it down till I got home. Greenhouse back to being tied down in the back garden. Then whilst opening duck roof to check for eggs duck roof flew off - cordless screwdriver and that's safely back on. Freezing cold and wet I think its definitely time for the bath once the ducks and chickens are in bed!

Winter seems to be here

Well as I throw logs on the woodburner watching the hale and the sleet I think winters here. I am impressed with the local garage who have just changed my brake light bulb for 60p. I couldnt be bothered doing it myself in the cold and wet and I guess now not worth doing it myself for that price.

The cats are stopping in more and more. The chickens well one of my hand reared chickens got out the coup by accident an was trying to escape back into the coup when i got home. Must feed them to well when they are trying to get into the coup! Pigs well one of my pigs knows how to escape and isnt I guess they all have a cushy number at the smallholding!!

secret garden is no more a secret

Feel really pleased as managed to cut back loads of blackberries and reopen the secret garden. wow there is so much space in there. Its going to make a superb fruit garden next year. going to look round for some more fruit me thinks. Next jobs is design and paths.

Um there has been a fox spotted in the field opposite my house. No foot prints around the chicken and duck pen lets hope it stays like that!!

Heard the barn owl this evening for the first time. Not seen it yet though!!

Also started a new business venue of starting a producers market in a local town so visited a local craft fayre today - might have some stall holders - excellent. Next weeks job to advertise and market the new market. Fingers cross it will be a success.

confirmation

After a lovely day in the lovely city of plymouth, a toll road and a traffic jam i feel pleased to be living where I am. It confirmed I made the right move. Like Plymouth and can see me nipping down to the theatre from time to time and be a visitor but living in a city no thanks for me. So happy, blessed and lucky to be where I want to be. The picture is looking out from the loe. I have had a lovely few days with my Aunt Jane I have enjoyed being a host.

Animal Tracks

I have my Aunt staying at the moment. Yesterday I was showing her round the small holding as the grass has grown up there are some distinctive animal paths across the field. I am interested to know what animals are using my field to get to the other side. I know there are deer in the area um might have to investigate further.

Had a lovely day in boscatle and bude the weather was really great. Here is the view i mentioned on my last blog along with the latest of the ducks, chickens and pigs.

Autumn colours

 I awoke this am to a lovely view of varying different colours of greens and browns as the leaves change colour and fall off the trees. I am so lucky to have a lovely view of the brow of a hill, sheep and cows. I should have taken a photo of it but my camera was downstairs and i was too busy admiring the view. Maybe tomorrow morning.

Well its getting colder and wetter for the animals out there. Ducks still loving the puddles and the chickens sit on the chicken coop roof. Pigs well they are busy eating nettles to supplement their diet of pig nuts. Whilst the chickens and ducks enjoy the vegetable peelings. Shame you cant give pigs anything that has been in the kitchen so they will have to just put up with nettles. Its a hard life for them...........................NOT.

Stardust is still enjoying the aga I wonder if I can teach her to cook!!

Gigantic hot water bottle

Stardust discovered the aga! She has been in the simmering oven and would have curdled up and gone to sleep if i hadnt stopped her. Her new sleep place is right infront. As you can see she likes her paws to be warm and rests them on the aga itself. Must be getting cold

Autumn is here

What a lovely day today. Very much needed down on the smallholding getting a bit wet in the chicken pen. Might have to move them to a drier spot. Ducks love it mind! Beaks and feet right in the middle of the puddles doing their own foraging me thinks.

Pigs well they are behaving in their new large pen munching through the nettles.

I invited all my neighbours round at the weekend it was lovely to get to know them all. One of them used to keep goats so was very kindly giving me information. The food went down which was well. I cooked one of my 6lb pollocks i caught in my fish kettle. First time I used a fish kettle so easy to use.

Tonight has been about making jellies and tomato sauce. I now have Blackberry and Apple, and first attempt at Quince and Apple Jelly and Medlar and Apple Jelly. Busy cooking and  straining  in muslin bags.