Janet East
December has seen the grass disappear and we are now supplementing the in-lamb ewes with hay which they are certainly enjoying. The cattle have started to poach the ground where they have been grazing down in the river field, so they are now up nearer the farmhouse, where again they are enjoying hay. In the next few days we will house them until the weather improves. We bed one of the barns for them but they have access to the yard and can wander in and out to their hearts’ content and can enjoy the sunshine when and if it shines.
It won’t be long before we will start to set up the barns for lambing. It’s always a long job, as we seem to collect so much clutter over the year which has to be sorted and tidied away before the sheep pens can be erected. The biggest job this month has been to bring home a massive oak tree which fell a few 
months ago. The tree was huge and it always seems such a shame when they fall down. The boys have been chainsawing for what seems years but finally we are nearly there. There is plenty of oak to keep our open fires burning for years. To ensure that there are plenty of trees for future generations to enjoy, we have planted another 50 trees to include cherry, oak, birch and some firs.
It just remains to say thank you to all of you in the community who have supported the farm this year by purchasing beef and lamb and our lovely apple juice and also for sending your friends and relatives to stay with us in the Bed and Breakfast.
Janet East
