new year new plans

I realised I haven't blogged since November been a busy December with xmas sales of the sauces, xmas puds, preserves etc. The chaos has now passed and relaxation had over xmas nows the time to focus on the coming year. Well my ram that needed a step ladder has been busy last August and First lamb born already. Mum and lamb doing really well she is a good first time mum. Its a ram though so cant get attached next years food. He all tagged and the necessary jobs done. Castration and tail docing.

The sheep are all doing well got ? two pregnant ewes out there but think they will be a lot later lambing due to it being their second year of breeding.

The pigs are doing rather well they will be off for bacon soon sorry vegetarians but I cant loose the focus of raising my livestock is so that I know where my food comes from and that the animals have a happy healthy life!

The Chickens and Ducks just keep praying I am keeping them free from the dreaded Avian flu.

The bees are doing well hibernating at present. Looking forward to some honey this year.

Vegetable garden and polytunnel starting to take shape the nematodes appear to be doing their job and protecting the crops in the polytunnel

I plan to use my xmas present of a hot and cold smoker at a very good price so today is about research and learning the art of curing and smoking cant wait. I also plan to build a pizza oven will I finally get round to doing it!

Willow weaving I created a rustic basket for my firewood and some other bits and bobs to sell.

Dying wool still no further forward with this will have to get finger out.

Sheep dogs or sheep pigs

Pigs have been in big field due to their pen being flooded. Today I found one of my pigs rounding up the sheep. Not sure what her plans were when she rounded them up. 

Pigs back in a new dry pen happily making themselves comfy. Near miss for me the tripped in the mud. The title of the blog could have been a mud facial!  

Flooding

Pigs and chickens at risk. Pigs running big field as their pen too flooded and need to sort. The pigs fine running big field. On welfare check this evening they came to greet and stood in line for a stroke. Chickens floorboards used to cover the wet ground from latest storms and avoid foot rot. 

Willow weaving

Today I did a spot of willow weaving two rings for Xmas. 

And I attempted an angel only 6foot tall. 

Angel not finished but might make a good garden feature for peas to grow up. 

War against slugs

The war against slugs has began. I have sent in my army of Nemotodes let battle commence!!
My winter veg seedlings is growing nicely in the worm castings in the polytunnel. very little weeds thankfully. Hopefully after the army do there work very little slugs.

War against blackberries taking over veg patch continues on going saga but gets easier each year. Plans for more raised beds in my head. By next spring will all be in place. Fingers and toes crossed.

Lambs are all double tagged approx 3 months before they legally have to be so all good. Question is are the ewes pregnant from the weedyish looking ram you ever did see. He would need step ladders and scaffolding!! If not I think I may have a plan!

Sheep and lambs all doing well. Pigs are funny they can hear me feed the chickens in the morning and become very vocal. I think they are wondering why the chickens get fed before them. The baby chicks doing well still in the nursery as they are not big enough to go in main pen as they can get through the wire fence and that would be far too tempting for the kittens!

Raised beds - the beauty of recycling!

I have just created raised beds for next years growing. They cost me nothing as the wood came from kind neighbours.  Just got to put the corner posts in and all sorted. Next job black plastic down over winter and hopefully next year a delivery of compost and jobs a good one.

This years herb bed looking good will be able to expand it next year.

Strawberries doing well in their new home. Got to taste the wild strawberries in their today delicious.

The animals are all doing well.

wrong side of the fence

baby chicks and mum growing well

The truffle waiting for her grub no sign of brother ninja

Tagging sheep

spent today tagging sheep. my tame sheep ok with this only took an hour. the lambs not a chance however have help before their tagging due