Being a devil for punishment - we did a hog roast at our Open Farm Sunday this year.  Although the weather was not at it's best, the event was well attended and there was great interest in what we're doing here - the butcher did a demonstration, I talked about biodynamics, the sheep were on hand to be cute with anyone who would look at them and everyone made positive comments about the hog roast... I'm still NOT going to do anymore!  You can catch up with news and reviews on the day here...

In talking about this month, I want to use that famous quote from the film Four Weddings and a Funeral, I think:  "bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger, bugger...."!

I find it very difficult when my plans go to hell in a handcart.  Whilst the June weather has been very disappointing, summer is filling the days to bursting - there's things to do in every waking moment of the day (and sometimes those that should be spent sleeping).  It's hard for us to find time to rest and recuperate - fields need topping and harrowing and spraying, preparations need making and stirring, animals need moving, fencing needs fixing or reworking, new arrivals need to be planned for, the garden needs weeding, plants need transplanting, nettles need harvesting, silage needs cutting, tractors need servicing, machinery needs fixing.... exhausting isn't it!  We are so grateful for the good WWOOFing help we have here to keep things moving along.

So, our field and paddock rotation is going well, but our stirring and spraying leaves a bit to be desired.  There's just too much going on and I'm not sure right now what, if anything, we can drop.  I've been taking our burgers to local festivals and carnivals - that's been great fun and lucrative (both important!).  The dock tea is brewing deliciously and I hope to be able to use that next month on the square field - although the cows are doing a great job of grazing the docks down this year... they didn't eat them at all last year... wonder what that's all about?  I'm trusting that we're doing our best this year and that's better than we did last year... hopefully next year will see another improvement.

The already over-stretched system is further pressurised when the animals are sick.  Our dear little bull, Monty, is lame... again.  We managed to get the hoof trimmer out to him and, along with some homoeopathic treatment, he's just coming sound, but it's leaving us with a difficult decision.  He's not got good feet and there is a possibility that he could pass this trait on to his offspring, and its' really bad news having breeding cows with bad feet.  So the sensible thing to do it to send him off to the great bull ring in the sky.  We've also had 2 cows give birth to his offspring, but I really would have hoped for more from him by now, so perhaps he's not working as well as he might... difficult to say on that score without having all the cows tested.  Looks like we'll be after another new bull in the next couple of months.

Then of course, there's always the wonderful stuff...

We have a wonderful homoeopathic vet, Edward, he's from Belgium - well, he lives in Marlborough now!  We go through periods of not speaking with him - not because we've fallen out, he's a very nice chap, but this month, we have been on the 'phone a lot.  A lame bull, calves with weeping eyes, sick pigs and a horse with a sore foot.  I hate it when the animals are sick and the great thing about homoeopathy is that it looks at the whole picture.  Edward has been here a couple of times this month and spent a good few hours looking at the animals individually and together and relating that to the whole farm experience right now.  Some of the remedies he's suggested are weird and whacky, but if anyone is in any doubt about the efficacy of this aspect of medicine, let them come and see our bull skipping round the field, the piglets getting pink and fat, the calves and cows shining in the sun (when it's out) and the horse, back on all fours.  It happens as if by magic - the Great Edward, Homoeopathic Magician!

And the monthly report can't be completed without mentioning "Dinner in the Field", which is an increasingly popular and rather mad way to spend an evening!  This year it was held on the 21st of June which turned out to be rather grey and damp round the edges.  Drinks and nibbles were served in the conservatory - hastily cleared for the occasion(!).  Mark took the hardy guests for a saunter round the farmyard to see the animals before arriving in the field where the marquee provided a cosy shelter and the horses put on a good galloping display in the field whilst the diners enjoyed our home cooked, local produce and had a jolly time.  We're doing another one in August this year, so if you want to find out more, click here.

Onwards and upwards as they say, whoever "they" are!