Kensmyth

Well we have had good days and bad days recently, I had a car crash (no one hurt) so that was not good but I passed my Exams so that was good!

and a long awaited baby arrived… nope not mine, a friends daughters and

our Valentines Walkers went ahead on Saturday – what a beautiful day that was.

so its birthing boxes ready, Vet meds all in date, towels dry and pristine… let Kensmyth birthing commence shortly – bring it on!

Everybody loves Alpaca cria and we cannot wait!

You can be imaginative even when its really cold and frosty on a lovely sunny day

As Farmers we go “out” when the opportunity arises and for Valentines 2018 found ourselves trying a Pub recommended to us by a friend… the Thames Head just outside of Cirencester on the road to Bath, just under the Tunnel and on the Right shortly afterwards.

Wow – the Pub has a great atmosphere with little nooky places to snuggle up to your loved ones rather than open plan “all eat together” like Wagamamas – ok in Wagamamas but not for a rare romantic night out.

Log fires gently burning without the smoke inhalation of “too small pubs” who try to put everything into the room to get the feel of a bigger pub and fail because you want to leave early as you can feel an asthma attack coming on!

Nope this place is the right size, the right balance, friendly staff, great food and great prices. We went for good old fashioned Pub Grub but you can opt for much higher level haute cuisine if you want!

Absolutely recommend it to everyone and the Sticky Toffee Pudding is just to burst for!

Well I was wondering about flowers and hearts for today BUT the sunrise this morning took my breath away –

• along with the frost lol – Happy Valentines Day everybody!

One must never forget to keep the machinery serviced, oiled and little trips to ensure that it is all working as well as the variety of MOT’s and check ups required… Farming is not ALL about the livestock…

well done to Ollie for keeping Farm watch whilst we did the machines and vehicles recently…

Brrr – I have survived my first winter without the remote use of an electric blanket whatsoever – stunning scenery all the time even if you do get cold toes…

Well with Winter well and truly making its mark, it is nice to cosy up with friends for some warmth

perhaps its time to lay off the Mince pies LOL

well the weather has changed yet again and wet feet have returned to ice buckets. so time for making more homemade pies – Farmers pies with everything in it!

bake the base blind using old crusts

leave the top for later

cook up all the pie ingredients and put into the dish

add the pie top and cook in the oven ready for the cold winter nights and – hey presto…

last year I wrote this poem and this year which has so much ahead for us all, I still think it apt to welcome February to one and all.. 2018 has come in the same way…

2017 came in with a blast and a roar
Wet, mizzy January we have now shown the door
Did you achieve anything in it? Or did you just moan?
Did you just sit warm and cosy in your little home?
Life is for living and making things matter
Time for friends of course but not all for natter
Take up the reins and show February the way
Waste not one minute, one hour or one day
Welcome your friends, new friends, nature, your life
Don’t get bogged down with others strife
Walk in the woods, breathe some fresh air
Show February it matters and that you care
The months pass too quickly and time passes you by
All of a sudden a loved one will die
Today is the start of a new month in a new year
Somebody somewhere will lose someone dear
If it is to be you and you will never know
Make sure that for each day you have had something to show
Something to live for, something to do and to say
And that you do not let February pass the same way.

I have to say that January intends leaving the UK like a Lions roar leaves its mark – the weather is challenging to say the least.

There is a song “if I knew you were coming I would have baked a cake” well, I don’t bake cakes, friends bring them round instead but I did find time to do one of my Farmers All pies recently.

You simply make short crust pastry and throw everything in that is warming when its cold!

Meantime with the gales having brought trees down, we have been busy as well as the all herd husbandry toenails and essential Vitamin ADE injections.

one supplier of ADE in the UK for livestock has ceased supplying to you have to order in advance. no problem with our Vets – George Vets at Malmesbury as they got them in for us in November 2017!

that’s reliability and organisation for you!