Saturday 22 April 2017

Time is Racing on.

Well, I'm not sure where the time has been going but suddenly it's a couple of weeks since I updated you and lots has been happening here on the farm.
Our main exciting news is that the borehole has been done so we now have a water supply for our glampers. As it is it is not quite ready to come out of taps and showers but it is the first step. It now needs to wait a couple of weeks and then be tested to discover what, if any, treatment is required over and above an infra red light. After this they will be able to install the solar pump to bring it to our pipes and taps when the time comes.
We have also been doing a spot of shopping for our guests comfort. We now have some very nice pocket sprung mattresses on order, tables and chairs for a spot of al fresco dining are ready and waiting and an assortment of other goodies are appearing and being temporarily stashed as they wait for their new Shepherd Hut accommodation.
Alongside all of this life on the farm has also been quite busy with the arrival of a gorgeous new litter of piglets,

At 2 weeks old they are now very busy and lots of mischief!
We also have the welcome return of our beautiful Bluebells beginning. We have many Bluebells in our sheep fields and in the small wooded area in the field. This is where the name for our pedigree flock of Dorset sheep comes form as we are The Bluebell Dorset. We are also naming one of our Shepherd Huts 'Bluebell' so they are quite special and seeing them return each year is a pleasure. This year they were just peeping out at the same time as 18 new ladies joining our Bluebell flock. :) We have also selected which of our home grown ewe lambs will be staying with us as our next generation of breeding ewes so on my 'to do' list is to apply to the 'Dorset Horn and Polled Dorset Sheep Breeder's Association' to get them their pedigree registration numbers. With half the flock being sheared tomorrow it is a busy time!


Friday 7 April 2017

Busy, busy, busy!

Well the sun is shining and the world looks amazing in glorious mid Devon at the moment. If I was going on a glamping escape right now there is nowhere I would rather choose! Although we are enjoying the beautiful weather and the lovely countryside around us we are also very busy here on the farm just now.

 Blue skies and blossoming trees are a pretty sight to see on our way to check stock and carry out farm work. We are lambing some sheep for a family member who has been unwell at the moment so although our own flock won't be lambing again until October we are back on lamb watch for a while. I think this new mummy was wondering why her breakfast trough had a little foreign body in it!! Several of the babies like to hide themselves away in the patches of nettles and under
Strange Breakfast!
 trees!




In addition to lambs we have been waiting for our sow, Gunta, to farrow. In the early hours yesterday she produced 8 very spotty piglets for us.
Meantime, elsewhere work continues on our shepherd huts and the website and booking facility is all underway. Lots to keep up with. :)