13th april

Perfect guests, the four boys helped collect all the 250 eggs, feed all the animals and then pack and stamp the eggs for sale. They want to do it again tomorrow, which is brillant!

12th April 2011

Today we got a taste of our first asparagus of the season. There is something very exciting about this event as it is the first new green crop we  harvest after rhubarb from outside and a definite sign of activity within the vegetable patch.
We are still harvesting leeks, carrots, parsley and chervil  that have overwintered in the vegetable garden and are now enjoying delicous spinach, pak choy, lettuce and mixed leaves from the poly tunnel.

This is a one of our favourite recipes

Grilled Spring Asparagus Parmesan and Balsamic Dressing.
For the dressing mix 60ml good olive oil 30ml balsamic vinegar sea salt and pepper and a tablespoon of chopped chives
Coat washed and trimmed  asparagus about 750grms  in 2/3 tablespoons of olive oil heat a griddle pan until hot and sear asparagus all over.
Alteratively roast on baking tray in the top of an aga or hot oven 200c for 5 to 8 minutes.

Put the asparagus on a serving plate drizzle with the dressing, sprinkle grated parmesan,  chopped chives, sea salt and ground black pepper over. Enjoy -Yummy!

11 th april 2011

We have just finished dry curing our bacon, which will be sliced tomorrow. We are nearly out of bacon and sausages so we are not going to be able sell any this month, apologies in advance!

The puppies eyes are still closed, bets are on for the weekend! All very much looking forward to observing their first glimpses of the world, special moments to be had.

We have a lovely family staying with us at the moment from Belgium. They are helping us collect the eggs and feed all the animals. Through collective efforts we managed to catch a small chick that made a chance escape, in the words of Borat- Great Success!

The flower and blossom are all out, love time of year. Lets hope this is not the only good weather we get!!!!

9th april 2011- puppy update!

Puppies, getting cuter and cuter every day! We have 6 in total, 3 black and 3 light brown.Eyes still closed, but going to open any day now!

9th april 2011

What a beautiful day, guests enjoying breakfast out side in the courtyard. All the animals sunbathing! Egg production record high. Over 220 eggs collected today must be the sunshine. Found  that scattering grass cuttings around the chicken huts is making the eggs yolk yellow orange .

Good luck to all the girls including Andy and Antony who are cycling from Windsor to Cardiff this weekend in aid of Alzheimers.  Keep going!

3rd April 2011

We had a weekend in the garden. Vicci asked the girls that instead of going out to lunch, she would prefer we all worked in the garden. We weeded, planted sweet peas, seeded lettuces.

The cows love their new barn.  The sheep are happy as they have claimed the old cow shed!  The piglets enjoyed the sun shine, they were either fast asleep or chasing round the field.

Tiger lily puppies are all well and growing at the rate of knots!  Aunt Dora and Aunt Rosie are still waiting to be allowed in to see the new arrivals!

Chicks arriving tomorrow.. photos to follow

1st April 2011

We woke this morning to find no puppies, we were really concerned as she was 3 days late and the puppies had stopped moving. we rang the vets for advise and they told us to take her in.. We had to wait till surgery opened at 8.30...It was now 7.30 by 8 o'clock she began to get very restless, and then the contractions started.. It was her first litter so the 1st puppy caused her alot of pain! The first puppy was a very large black boy and we thought there can only be 2 or 3 puppies, but she went on to have 6! (3brown and 3 black).  5 boys and the last one was a girl.  It took 5 and a half a hours in all.. they are now all resting