When the wind blows

Winter arrived early today and unfortunately a bitter north wind, rain and snow coincided with a visit from Mr20%, his lovely wife Annie and their friends and sproglets. They were en route for the Red Kite feeding centre and called in to meet and greet the animal clan of Rock HQ.

Things started well, some Ryelands looked suitably cute chomping their way through the haystack, Apollo wandered lazily around looking gorgeous and Trevor didn't bite the hand trying to feed it. Geisha goatfully stood up when they oooed and aaahed over the stable door absolutely milking the sympathy vote by limping over so she could be fussed.

The guided tour was cut short by the weather, sloshing round in freezing mud, avoiding stepping into various animal pooh whilst patting belligerent animals is an acquired taste that's not made sweeter by driving rain and biting winds and I could see that extolling the virtues of a self supporting lifestyle to captive visitors with drips on the ends of their noses was not the way to make new friends or influence people.

Trevor scuttled back to his stable, the lambs hid and I could see my guests had suffered enough so I relented and let them adjourn to the comfort and warmth of Rock HQ. Spirits were raised by hot beverages provided by Bethan and bacon rolls provided by Gerty. The adventurous amongst the group tried the venison and smoked garlic burgers courtesy of Bambi. Having convinced them all of the benefits of home cured bacon I managed to sell some plastic bags with free bacon and free pork in, the bags are so expensive to replace so I have to charge for them, whilst the children watched videos on the blog of the main ingredients.

Busted!

Gerty hastily trying to get to the right side of the fence. The tunnel discovered, their escape thwarted they go back to eating apples.

And plotting.

Six days to go.

Happy munching!

This is Gerty spoilt for choice amongst the apples. I don't think I will ever tire of watching the pigs happily munching. I have to admit to playing name that joint while watching, hock, trotter, bath chap, leg, my mouths watering already!

Big girls and DIY

These are the pigs, they have grown very well, the one closest to the camera, Gerty, is trying desperately to achieve pet status by being the nicest pig in the history of sty's. They are big girls now, Gerty is clearly the biggest.

They currently gobble up four pounds of food a day given in two feeds and this will be supplemented by windfall apples as soon as they are ready.

The sun has shone all day on Rock HQ, this meant only one thing, the rabbits house should be finished, taking priority over all jobs. I was made to feel like a small child by the nice men at Kington Building Supplies, they have a knack of making you feel totally useless, which when it comes to DIY I am, but they pile on the agony. I rehearse what I want in my head so that when the knowledgeable one behind the counter enquires if he can help I can demonstrate my DIY prowess by asking for what I think I need without hesitation. He who hesitates in the DIY world gives himself away as one who is incompetent. Thus having measured, rehearsed the name and quantity of the corrugated metal sheet roofing, twenty six inches by seventy eight, four pieces mate and a bag of Dowty Spats, I fell at the final hurdle when told it doesn't come in 78's mate its 72's or 84's, whattle it be?

Damn! As I started the bunny penthouse I wondered about the roof size but was convinced they did 78's. The pressure was mounting, 84's and cut it he sneered knowing my ability with a disc cutter would, even if I found it intact after the Beagles have finished playing with it (which was why we cut up a static caravan with a junior hacksaw not a power tool) inevitably lead to another spell in casualty. Erm. Decide, decide, he who dares DIY's. The whole of the counter staff were now looking at me wondering which way I would go, bets were being placed, 72 and bodge or 84 and plasters.

Erm.

Four 72's mate and a I'll stick a bit of wood on the end. World order restored I left with the just too short roofing and on return to Rock HQ attached them to the bunny palace. Being as good as Karl at measuring the 72 inch pieces of metal roof were just a bit longer than my 72 inch rabbit house so it fitted no problem. Aside from smashing my thumb every other hammer blow it all went rather well.

We took a break as my back felt like it already had and as I sat in agony on the sofa, consoled by a glass of beer and a cheese and onion sandwich the phone rang. Our bales were being made, could we collect them.

I did the only thing I could do.

Finished my sandwich and hid. The bales will have to wait until next weekend.

A pigs breakfast

We took some time this weekend to get the pigs used to our company. If we are as planned going to keep one pig it has to be the friendliest pig possible. The one closest to the camera is Gerty who is the largest and lead pig, definitely in charge of the group. She is an excellent Berkshire pig, and seems to be getting the most tame so she may stay instead of Tiny who is actually tiny and the most highly strung of the bunch.

All our animals have a good life here, we try to make it as stress free and as enjoyable as possible for them. People often ask how can we get so close to animals and then eat them. What we set out to do here was make sure we knew where our food came from , especially our meat, and so what we eat has been produced in a humane way with Tracey and I totally committed to their welfare. We value their lives and make sure the animals that are produced for meat have a happy if somewhat short life.