Well there are still a few viewers out there!

Not a bad count I must say - 47 viewings several from old pals - thanks folks - it's good to know you don't clear out your cookies too often!!

The smallholding is progressing nicely - we had the addition of 7 goats this week. I'm going to get back into making goats cheese and butter. I had the opportunity when a gent in Surrey (far from the foot and mouth) decided to get rid of his whole herd. I stepped in and am now the proud owner of two golden guernseys, two toggenburgs (well one now), two gg x anglo nubians and one Saanen whether (castrated male to those un goaty people amongst you).

Unfortunately one of the Toggs decided it was a good day to die on Tuesday - absolutely no idea why - she was rudely healthy as they all are - and in the middle of 'no movements' orders from the Animal Health people it has left us fighting for special licences to bury her - she pongs by now!!

Never mind we will go on fighting - this autumn they will get mated up and we will be milking from the spring hopefully. I've even got my first commercial order if the cheese is good - a local restuarant has put in their order as there are no other local producers - watch this space!!

On top of that we have decided to dedicate some of the land to rare breed poultry so David has stoically been applying his carpentry skills to creating an 'all mod cons' poultry house that is fox proof and we have reserved a clutch of mixed rare breed chicks for Sunday.

I guess that puts us firmly in the farming slot??

I bought my first harrow this week too! - It's all just too much!

Dylan the baby (pony) is in terrible two's mode and still trying to bite at most opportunities. He is cracking now at playing rugby though. I've got a weeks holiday coming up soon and its going to be spent mostly working Zebedee and Boris to get them driving, trimming hooves (they ALL need doing - aaargh my back!), and teaching Dylan to lead on a headcollar - now there will be a challenge. I wonder now if I will get to the end of the week without amall bite sized bits missing all over the place!!

Never mind - onwards and upwards plebs!