Getting ready for spring

Its been a bit quite on the old smallholding - I am sure calm before the storm. There are lambs about in the hamlet and I am sure soon will be orphans about anytime soon.

I have just reserved 4 chickens from a local poultry farm so as soon as there is a break in the weather get the new chicken coup up and running and get more chickens.

Project smoker/Pizza Oven is making slow progress. A very kind local came with angle grinder and took the lid off  the oil drum that was kindly donated by a local farmer. Next stage is to get a chimney attached. I am using all recycled parts for this oven which was inspired by an oven by steffi.

Potatoes need ordering so I can chit them and polytunnel lid needs putting back on and some digging then we are raring to go for spring.

willow needs cutting so I can finish making hanging baskets. I am pleased with the latest willow basket I made it is actually more round rather then oval. The more I do the better they are getting. Good job I have loads of willow to practice on!!

Trees

AS the trees change here are some signs as to what the tree might be

excitement as back bone of winter ends

As the days go longer and the weather starts to improve. Time to start with plans for 2015. Time to think about seeds and next years food.

Also time to think orphan lambs and having a place for them ready as if I remember last year you dont get much notice!!

The two lambs I have are getting to be too friendly. if i ask for names on the blog you know they will have turned pets. They keep pulling at my heart strings. No they are going to be dinner still. One murs and one bahs. They are so happy little sheep. Still not very big. They munch their way through hay kindly donated from Pencuke farm.

Its lovely to see all the birds on the feeders and Buzzard on the fence. The crashing waves of the sea on windy days. Today though was a beautiful calm day with lovely blue sky. Oh i do feel privileged to have a rural lifestyle.

Roll on spring where there will be new life

clearing the plot

clearing blackberries from the smallholding. Ongoing problems. its hard work and thorny but eveytime i do it the blackberries are getting thinner. the hedge that was originally put on the smallholding is back to being a natural hedge and not one strangled by the blackberry. The secret garden is clearer this year then last so making progress.

The two sheep left are doing ok.

sheep - bye bye

Today is the day my first sheep go to slaughter. Thankyou sheep and thanks to Stuart for taking the sheep for me. It's been amusing and a learning curve. Will I do it again this year. Oh yes. Don't want lambs to be orphaned as they should be with their mothers. I will be here to look after the unfortunate orphan again this year. I have two lambs that I have kept due to them not being quite big enough.

It feels really strang just having cats and two sheep to look after. The bees obviously still hibernating. Can't wait for spring till the smallholding is bustling with animals again.

Sad loss

It was heart pullng this am. I went to feed the ducks and the chickens who had been safely put to bed in their hen house behind an electriv fence that was on. You would have thought safe. No some animal has actually broken through the hen house. used the air vent to break the wood and then killed all my ducks and all my chickens!!!

Very sad day that the last of francis the drakes bloodline is now lost. Not to mention my lovely hens. need to re think the hen and chicken coup before getting anymore.  Whatever killed them hasnt even taken them so not even done it to feed their selves. gutted

You can tell its winter

When the morning animal checks start to include checking wind damage the fire gets lit and the spare duvet finds its way on the settee you know its winter. 

Stardust goes out less!! Not mention the other two who started to go out less in autumn!! 

So far touch wood no wind damage despite the strong winds. 

Better weather - Planning and a plotting for next season. 

Plans are going ahead for me to build a pizza oven come smoker. Thanks to Paul at Cottage farm for the oil barrel and Steffi for the pictures of how I can achieve it. Plan for mine will be portable-ish so can be moved. Can wait for better weather to start to build it.

Crafting work is going ahead and a revision of how I make money to keep the smallholding going is in the pipeline. My willow baskets are improving. They are very sturdy but to look at still only hanging basket quality a little rustic I think they call it.

So all though its winter plenty to do. plenty to plan and although cold jumper weather