Category: Winter

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Sunset

A glorious sunny day, very warm in a sheltered spot, even contemplated putting on shorts for a moment or two. Finished clearing the greenhouse floor and washed the glass. All the tools have a place in the shed, emptied the bottom two trays of the wormery ready for use in the bottom of the tomato pots, will have to take out a few worms first, they’ll clump together in a corner in a week or two and can be taken out as a wriggling ball and put back in the wormery. Late lunch at The Crown in Marnhull before laying a few more mudstones and watching a lovely sunset.

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Sheep

Exploring the fallen oak, it’s always hurdled off to stop them chewing at the bark, but the grass does need eating occasionally. They have run of all the paddocks, apart from the Square, which has been fallow for a while, they’ll move in there once the spring has stopped running and the ground has dried out. The donkeys watch them with envy from their stable block. A cloudy start to a lovely sunny day.

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Wet Wet Wet

Torrential rain has left the willow rods very happy, most of them are standing in running water in the meadow strip. Sprouting from several buds the shoots are a pale green, and haven’t been eaten, which is good, they’d be a tasty treat for a passing rabbit. The fields in the vale are flooded, forming a huge lake, will have to avoid the lowlands for a few days. Collected straw bales for the donkeys and one hay bale for the sheep, all unloaded in a light shower. The sky cleared at dusk and the birds were singing.

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New Toy

William and Toby have a new distraction, a ball with a hole in it, inside are pieces of carrot and donkey balancer so as they nudge it around the treats fall out. Toby got the hang of it quite quickly and William lost interest and waited for Toby to get the goodies out. Still too wet for them to go in the paddock, the ground is taking a long time to drain. Laid a few of the mudstones and finished clearing the greenhouse and started cleaning the glass. A sunny cloudy day with light winds.

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Sunset

A glorious end to a sunny day, almost springtime. The fish are swimming closer to the top of the pond and the birds are singing. A rook spent a few minutes sitting on William’s back pulling hairs from his coat, he’ll soon be moulting so there’ll be lots of nest lining material available. The paddocks are still too wet for the donkeys, they watch the sheep move around and want to go through the gates themselves, they make a grunting noise before working up to a short bray. A warm, sunny day with light winds.

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Ivy

Showing off a good set of bottom teeth, not sure they should be as pronounced as this, probably just her age, she’s nine this year and the matriarch along with Winnie. No problem with eating, fortunately, and sits and chews the cud with the rest of the flock. Bookings are open for the shearer, it was done the middle of May last year so will go for the same time again, they’ll be pleased to get rid of the weight by then. A cloudy day with strong winds.

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Farrier

William and Toby Ready for the farrier, an early start for them at 0730 on a very wet day, their hooves were ok, just needed leveling off, William’s seedy toe is no worse. They always get a ginger biscuit before work starts and they were relaxed enough to be held and not tied to a rail. The paddocks are very wet so no time on the grass, they had to make do with nibbling silver birch logs and eating apple twigs. A wet day with strong winds.

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Sheep

Always curious about what’s appeared in their paddock, the sheep like to taste everything, so the wheelbarrow and the slabs inside were of great interest, they’re now in the gateway. Laid a few more grids for the pathway and turned the rubber mats over by the sheep shelter. A sunny start to a day that ended with torrential rain.

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Salt Lick

Taking the donkeys’ attention in the corner of their stable, they didn’t notice the apple twigs hanging in the corner until much later. The vet gave them their flu jabs and wormer, it wasn’t absolutely necessary to worm them because the count was low but as the vet was here anyway….! Planted tomato seeds which are now on top of the boiler. A sunny morning with cloud and drizzle later.

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Rubber Mats

Left in the driveway, would have been better in the paddock entrance, so put them in the car and took them as far as the gate into the Square paddock, didn’t want to take the car in and get stuck as the ground is still a bit boggy. They’re now unwrapped and lying outside the sheep shelter to lose the smell of rubber before going inside on top of the plastic grids, the combination should make a durable, mud-free floor. A cloudy, sunny day with a cold wind.

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Sheep

Heads down and grazing in Willow, apart from Pixie who is looking to see if any treats are available, we will collect a load of apple branches today so they can have a few of those. Let the donkeys out into Willow for a run, the ground has dried out enough, have put a couple of slabs in the bottom gateway where the sheep have started digging a hole. The rooks have started nesting, carrying bits of twig out of the paddocks although they’re not roosting in any of our trees. A cloudy sunny day with light winds.

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Cycle

A 20 mile route through North Dorset with coffee at The Crown in Marnhull. Stopped to see the donkeys as we were passing, but they weren’t happy, too much hi-vis and too many helmets. Toby brayed and William turned in circles, would have walked down to Laneside to talk to the sheep but decided to move on. Cut the grass for the first time this year and laid a few mud mats. A sunny cloudy day with a cold wind.

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Apple Leaves

These were in the bottom of a bag of twigs, a crispy sweet treat for the donkeys, the last of the twigs will be eaten this week and luckily there’s a load of apple tree pruning available a few miles away. The donkeys will watch them being unloaded and know exactly what they are and who they’re for! The fish are starting to wake up in the pond, the water is clear but I can’t see any toad spawn. A cloudy day with late sunshine and a lovely orange sunset.

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Mudstone

Collected from a farm a mile away, it took several trips in the car to collect a pile of stone that will make a path past the water butts by the shed, and round the back of the stable. The donkeys watched the activity, not sure if the contents would eventually be something edible. The tower of mud mats is gradually getting lower, the path has reached the driveway and is settling down, the ground is still wet enough for them to bed in. A cloudy day with some sunshine and a cold wind later.

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No Worms

The nil sheep worm count was a pleasant surprise, all the poo picking and paddock rotation has paid dividends, so no treatment required this year. Let them onto the small patch of fresh grass behind the stable for an hour, any longer will give them runny tummies. Pixie still thinks the grass is greener on the other side! The paddocks are still very wet so the donkeys stayed up by the stable, they had a new branch to nibble. A cloudy day with a spell of warm sunshine.

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Poppy

She now has a bald patch on her side where a matted area of fur has been expertly removed by one of the nurses at the vets. Stern words were exchanged, with Poppy being the loudest for longest, she’ll be going back in a few weeks to have all her fur cut short for the summer. A cloudy, drizzly day with light winds.

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Donkeys

William and Toby horsing about on the straw area, the paddocks are saturated so they can’t go out for a run, they do their best to get up speed running round in circles chasing each other. Delivered samples of sheep poo to the vets to check for worms, will get the results in a couple of days. The woodpecker spent ten minutes feeding on the lawn, must have found an ants nest. More rain overnight, a misty, cloudy, drizzly day with a cold wind later.

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Sheep

Making their way down to Laneside, Walter is in front and just walking through a gateway, there was a lot of heavy rain overnight so the paddocks are puddling up. Need to collect poo samples for a worm count, hopefully the burden will be low and they won’t need dosing. The donkeys will have to spend the day by their stable block as the ground is so soft. A cloudy day with light winds and rain later.

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Apple Twigs

William and Toby with a few crunchy treats to keep them occupied for a few minutes after their donkey balance treats. Cycled from Moreton to Kingston Maurwood past Hardy’s cottage, had coffee and a sausage roll in the cafe and then made it back before the rain started. Donkeys and sheep were wet when they came in for the night. A cloudy day with rain showers and light winds.

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Witch Hazel

The flowers blossoming alongside the fruit that’s on the stems from last year, the capsules explode eight months after flowering and throw their seeds more than thirty feet away so hope to get more plants popping up in the border. The sheep spent the day in Fallen Oak and the donkeys in Willow. A day of marked temperature difference with a cold wind, it was about five degrees warmer in a sheltered spot in the sun.

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Sheep

A lovely day for the sheep to be out and about, they moved down to Laneside so that the donkeys could run around in Willow. The Ash trees are budding and so are the Willow rods, a few have been planted in this hedgerow to fill in the gaps between the trees already there. Sorted the tools and moved them from the greenhouse to the shed. A cold, sunny, day with a brisk wind.

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Donkeys

Sitting on their straw in the sunshine, William and Toby were relaxed and chilled, moreso than during the last few days of wind and hail showers. Groomed them and then they went out into Willow paddock for the afternoon, Toby ran around and William ate the first clump of grass he came across. The sheep spent the day in Laneside. A lovely sunny day with blue skies, light winds, and fluffy white clouds.

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Tumbling Weir

The energy in the falling water was enough to drive the machines in the woollen mills in 1850, now it’s a local tourist attraction in Ottery St Mary. The buildings are now residential and the industry long gone. Walked to the top of the headland at Burton Bradstock and had lunch in The Hive. A day of hail showers and occasional sunshine with a cold wind.

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Donkey Sanctuary

The main barn at the sanctuary, home to thirty donkeys and a few doves, none of the donkeys are out in the paddocks and as there are no sheep grazing there the grass looks green and lush. Had a ride on the open-top Seaton Tramway through the wetlands nature reserve, lots of oyster catchers, waders and herons to see, luckily it didn’t rain but the ind was a bit cold. A cloudy day with the occasional sunny spell.

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Daffodils

Swathes of yellow on the cliff tops above Sidmouth, the walk to the beach was winding and steep, worth it for the views of the dark red cliffs. The storms have thrown large pebbles up onto the promenade, covering the railings in some places. An early dinner at The Greyhound in Fenny Bridges was tasty, didn’t get round to a game of mahjong. A sunny, windy, day with occasional heavy showers.

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Bianca

Leading the flock out of Laneside, through Fallen Oak and into Willow. The grass is thinning out and needs some sunshine to start growing, collected a bale of hay for the sheep, and three bales of straw for the donkeys. Too windy for cycling so had to settle for a pub lunch instead. A cool, cloudy, windy day with the sun trying to break through occasionally.

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Apple Twig

William and Toby like to compete for apple twigs, these were cut a couple of months ago and are still a tasty bark-stripping treat, they sheltered in their stable most of the day, which is unusual, the wind getting stronger as the day wore on. The sheep roamed around the paddock grazing as usual, ending up in two clumps in the shelter of the hedge. A cloudy day with rain showers and strong winds.

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Beach

Sand piled on the promenade after the storm, and a foaming sea that’ll take a few days to calm down, the winds are still strong and the showers race through. The donkeys were on high alert, churning the straw as they moved around, the sheep were much calmer, grazing the paddock and sheltering in the Lea of the hedge. A showery, blustery day with spells.

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Stormy

Everything that wasn’t tied down was on the move, the winds were strong enough to blow a couple of the sheep arcs over to rest against the fence and the poo picking had to wait until late afternoon when the wind had started to drop. The donkeys were spooked and the sheep stayed in a sheltered corner of the field, a couple of them had small branches stuck to their backs, pleased to escape with no real damage to the trees in the hedgerow. There was a brief orange sunset before a squall moved in and the wind picked up again, all quiet by midnight.

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Narcissus

Flowering by the side gate, must be sheltered there as none of the other clumps have sprouted yet. Checked the fencing and found a gap by the ditch where the spring comes out, must remedy that before the sheep find it, something must be coming and going through the hole. Collected four bales of straw from the farm. A sunny day, promise of storm force winds later so checked everything was battened down.

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Walter

Leading the rest of the flock from the Square through Laneside and Willow into the Small Paddock for the night. Cut branches from the hedge for them to eat tomorrow. The paddocks are still very wet so the donkeys didn’t go out. A cloudy day with more heavy rain later and strong, gusty winds

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Donkeys

William and Toby had to stay out of the paddock after more heavy rain overnight, if they’d been allowed through the gate they’d have chased around and churned the ground into muddy patches. They spent some time dozing, grooming each other, and nibbling their logs. After a brief spell of sunshine the rain set in for the rest of the day with strong, gusty winds.

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Primrose

Flowering in the front rose bed, the snowdrops are still out but there’s no sign of the daffodils. Moved the sheep from the Square where the spring is making the ground very wet, they’re back in the Small Paddock which is much dryer. A cloudy, wet day with strong winds.

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Cycle

Verwood loop through Ibsley to Hockey’s Farm Shop for coffee and a bacon sandwich, mostly on gravel tracks the muddy sections were fun, had to clean my bike before the mud set in the tyres. Sawed wood and stacked it under cover. A cloudy morning with torrential rain in the afternoon and evening.

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Donkeys

Galloping round the paddock with their halters on, they bucked and ran off during a walk down Willow, took a chance on getting them to the bottom rail on a cold and windy day and it didn’t work out as planned! They ran around, Toby braying, until they were breathless, walked them back up to the stable once they’d calmed down and then let them go back out, for another run around. Sorted wood ready for sawing. A windy, cold, cloudy, day.

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Sunset

A cold, frosty, start to a sunny day, the donkeys had to wait a while to go out into the paddock as frosted grass has high levels of fructans, a soluble carbohydrate that can trigger laminitis, a painful inflammation of the hoof. Had a couple of tyres replaced on the car so with the addition of paving slabs these will make a play area for the sheep in the small paddock. A bright cold end to the day with a lovely sunset.

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Sheep

Moved into the Square for a few weeks to let the other paddocks rest, there’s more grass and they’ll probably have access to the Avenue during the day, Jago and Elton investigated the hay in the rack before it was put up in the shelter. Laid a few more mud mats and a load of compost. Started filling the gaps in the front hedge with the nibbled donkey sticks, it’ll take a while to make a difference and stop passing dogs from running in to the garden. A cloudy start to a cold, sunny day.

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Oops

Donkeys and sheep meeting in the same paddock, the sheep were curious, especially Walter, and the donkeys happy to be in close contact. The sheep wandered through into their own paddock after a few minutes. Laid a few more mud mats and sorted a woodpile, coming to the end of this year’s logs, will have to cut more in the summer. A cloudy, cold, day with light winds.

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Alpine Rose

Rhododendron ferrugineum is supposed to flower in the summer but has had at least one flower blossoming throughout the autumn and winter and now is in full bloom. The leaves have a rusty coloured coating on the underside which is why it was named ferrugineum. Groomed the donkeys and booked the farrier for next week. Laid a few more mud mats and moved compost. A cloudy, sunny, cool day with light winds.

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Donkeying About

William and Toby playing around on the straw before going out into the paddock, they hold on to each other with their teeth, favourite areas for hanging on are legs and neck, ducking under each other to gain an advantage, no harm comes to them and they’re eventually distracted and go back to eating their straw. The sheep spent the day in the Square. A cloudy day with light winds.

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Cycle

Cranborne to the Sticky Bun Tea Rooms at Wolverton for coffee and a toasted tea cake, back via Damerham along country roads and forest tracks. A faster pace than usual in a strengthening wind, a cloudy day with some sunshine, we made it back before the rain started.

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Elton

Trying out the high point in the Square, the sheep have gone off eating their hay since grazing a paddock with more grass, and aren’t interested in the silver birch branches, will have to cut them some hazel from the lane. The donkeys wandered about all day in Willow. Snowdrops and Primroses are in flower and the Magnolia is getting ready to burst into life. A day of sunshine and showers with light winds.

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Sunset

A day of cold winds and heavy showers, the sheep didn’t go in the re-purposed shed when it rained, preferring to stay at the top of the paddock. Walked the donkeys from their stable into Willow and through the slalom poles into Fallen Oak, Toby was excited to go further afield, he bucked and ran a few yards before stopping to eat the grass. Led them back up to their stable for carrot treats before letting them out into the paddock again. A quiet end to a blustery day with a very colourful sunset.

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Square Paddock

The grass in the other paddocks needed a rest so the sheep spent the day in the Square, which hasn’t been grazed for a few months, fenced off the Hazel and Willow so they didn’t get eaten. The sheep all had a good run around on the return journey back to the Small Paddock for the night. There’s enough grass in Willow for the donkeys so they spent the day grazing the hedgerow. Laid a few more mud mats. A sunny, cloudy, cool day with light winds.

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Donkeys

Toby moving in to steal the dry nettles that William got to first, he can move quickly when he wants to – not that William made much effort to move away. They like to share treats, eating side by side most of the time. Lunch at The Dancing Man micro brewery on the waterfront at Southampton, a couple of cruise ships were dockside. The new flood light proved invaluable when feeding the sheep in the dark. A sunny day with light winds, warm in sheltered spots.

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Jago

Still looking cute and smaller than the rest, even Elton who was born around the same time is much bigger, or maybe it’s just the fleece? Will find out in the summer. Sawed wood, moved compost and found a few more carrots in the raised bed. Wound up the tape for the electric fence and left some of the poles to create a slalom walk for the donkeys ready for the next time they’re groomed. A cold, cloudy day with strengthening winds.

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Carrot

A little bigger than the average, one that escaped the harvest last year, it’ll keep the donkeys happy for a week or two. The garlic in the raised bed is looking ok but the strawberry beds need tidying up, brown leaves and more runners are spreading everywhere, a job for a sunny day. Moved a load of compost. A cloudy, col, sunny day with light winds.

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Hedgerow

Toby grazing the hedgerow at the side of Willow, the electric fence down the middle of the paddock makes the donkeys walk the furthest to get to the brambles, although two of the posts holding the tape have to be moved to get them back to their stable at night. Moved a barrow load of compost and then went out for lunch. A cloudy, cold, sunny day with moderate winds.

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Cycle

From Pamphill through the Tarrants for coffee at The Anchor, a few hills with lovely views, passed the old airfield at Tarrant Rushton, one of the old hangers is still standing and part of the runway, which is good for cycling. Moved a load of compost and pressure washed part of the stable yard, looks a lot cleaner. A sunny day with a gusty wind.

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Sheep

All walking through the gates on their way up to their night shelter, their fleeces offer such good insulation that the frost sits on their backs until it melts in the sun. Moved compost from the heap to one of the raised beds, the level has dropped by half so it’ll take a few barrow loads to top them all up. The only thing left growing is the Cavolo Nero, which is doing quite well despite being eaten by caterpillars earlier in the year. A cold cloudy day with late sunshine.

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Logs

Toby and William coming round the corner to inspect the new birch log, yesterday’s has been stripped of it’s bark so no longer of any interest. The visit from the Donkey Welfare Officer went well, the boys are in good condition and not overweight, which is good, leading them out of the paddock was easy although they were pleased to go back and be closer to the sheep in Fallen Oak. Had coffee and cake and watched the sun go down. A drizzly start to the day with late sunshine and a bright orange sunset.

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Sunset

Sheep in the Small Paddock for the night, they passed the donkeys on their way up and Walter touched noses with Toby before having a chew on the ‘not switched on’ electric fence. It’ll be a bit of a shock for them when the battery’s connected! Moved the fence a little to give the donkeys more room. A cold cloudy day with lots of colour in the sky at sunset.

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Sheep

Most of them like to grab hay from the bucket, Nola is the one that stands back and waits until everyone else has eaten and they all like to be hand fed. They spent the day in Laneside before coming back to the Small Paddock for the night. The donkeys had been in Willow, the electric fence stopping them from churning up all of it as they ran around, pleased to be out on grass. A cloudy, cold, day with light winds.

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Silver Birch

William watching what else may be on offer and giving the branch a sniff while Toby gets his teeth round the twiggy end. Their necks are covered in thick hair with their legs almost as well covered and very little comes out when they’re groomed. Heard the woodpecker knocking, it’s either to mark it’s territory or to find a mate. The hedgerow is thickening with bunches of catkins and swelling buds on the hawthorn and blackthorn, need to do the hedge laying before nesting starts. A cold cloudy day with light winds.

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Sheep Shelter

The hay racks are hanging on a couple of hurdles in the shelter extension which gives the sheep more room when they’re feeding. The grass in the small paddock is still long and the sheep love running up and down the mound. Cut branches for them from the hedgerow, Walter was more interested in licking the loppers. Laid a few more mud mats and finished fixing the bench to the wall in the shed. A cloudy cold day with light winds.

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Paddock

The donkeys went out onto grass for the first time in over a month and really enjoyed the extra space, Toby had more of a run around than William who was more interested in eating. The new garden room shows how much the wooden stable block has faded, it needs weatherproofing as soon as the weather improves. Fixed a light on the corner to illuminate the small paddock, saves wearing a head torch and makes it a lot easier to feed the sheep after dark. A frosty start to a cold, sunny day with light winds.

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Cycle

12 miles from Pamphill, a lovely ride in the sunshine round Badbury Rings to the Anchor for coffee, and then back along Cowgrove. A few muddy stretches in-between the ups and downs on grass, the tracks still wet in places. Planted the last of the willow rods and cleared a few brambles. Hoping to let the donkeys out in the paddock tomorrow if it stays dry. A frosty, sunny, cold day with a super sunset.

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Small Paddock

The sheep have moved from Willow into Small to give the grass a chance to recover, the extended shelter has room for the hay feeders and the rising spring doesn’t affect this paddock as much as the others. The Ash trees look ok at the moment, have planted a few willow rods along this stretch of hedge to replace them if they show signs of die-back. A frosty start to a sunny day.

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Sunset

A lot of colour in the sky at the end of the day, the oak tree has long lost its leaves and now just looks hairy. Electrical work has been taking place in the shed behind the stable, so the donkeys had lots to look at and listen to; they started eating their breakfast late, tempted by carrot peelings and sliced parsnips. The rain that started the day had moved on by lunchtime and the sun eventually made it through the clouds to end the day.

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Donkey Hay

William and Toby hoovering up a handful of hay that was destined for the sheep, a treat for them in addition to their branches and apple twigs. May let them out in the paddock in the next couple of days if it doesn’t rain, there’s always plenty for them to watch but they don’t get the chance to run around. The mowers were collected for their annual service, they get a lot of use so need to be reliable. A sunny, mild day after a sharp frost.

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Salt Lick

The first thing the sheep do when they’ve lost interest in their new branches is to go over to use the salt lick, the amount in the tub is a lot less than a few weeks ago, the winter grass must have less minerals. The tub is light enough for Walter to pick up and move around, his fleece is getting very long, your fingers can get lost in it! Booked a slot at Pocket House Studio for wool rug making next year, looking forward to receiving this year’s rug soon, A frosty start to a cold, sunny, day with light winds.

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Sunset

A foggy start to the day, groomed William and Toby, they’re keeping their thick winter coats and their feet were easy to pick out as the straw area is still very wet, the farrier is booked for the end of the month so we’ll find out whether William’s seedy toe has improved. A cloudy cool day with light winds and a lovely sunset.

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Silver Birch

Collected from Sherborne, this load should keep the sheep and donkeys happy for a while, they’ll nibble away and eat all the bark and then eventually it’ll end up on the woodburner. The sheep didn’t eat all their hay so the donkeys had some, they were very excited when the hunt passed by in the lane, keen to get out of the yard and join them. Laid a few more mud mats. A misty start to a cool, cloudy, day.

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Bianca

Making the most of fresh hazel branches from the hedgerow, the sun was going down when I cut them, and the sheep and donkeys knew exactly what was happening at the end of the paddock and were all keen to have their share. Saw the heron sitting on top of the oak tree. A cold, bright, sunny day ending with a panoramic flame red sunset.

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Weymouth

Bright sunshine and acres of soft sand beside a very flat sea. Walked past Nothe Fort on the coast path towards Portland before turning back towards the harbour, lunch in the sun at The Anchor. The animals are being well looked after at home, they’ll be enjoying the sunshine as well.

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Blue Sky

A lovely crisp and frosty start to the day after a week of rain, all the animals were out and about and the donkeys‘ coats felt really warm. The paddocks are still very wet but will start to dry out if it stays dry for a week or two. The temperature started to drop at this time in January last year, with snow later in the month, so it’ll be interesting to see if the weather follows the same pattern this year. Bright and sunny all day with light winds.

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Mud Control Grids

The pathway from the stable to the compost heap crosses very boggy grass where the spring rises, so that’s the first place the grids will be laid. The ground has to be reasonably level and flat and then the grids clip together and can be filled with sand and gravel. There’s fifty square meters of grids so the majority will be laid in the paddock gateways and by the side of the paddock drive to make a turning circle. A day of showers and light winds with the promise of sunshine tomorrow.

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Winnie

Eating the hay that’s been pulled out of the bucket and left on the ground by the rest of the sheep who are all heading off looking for richer pickings elsewhere. Cut half a dozen branches from Laneside hedge for the sheep, the donkeys will have them tomorrow after the catkins and smaller twigs have been eaten. Collected four bales of straw. A wet, cloudy, day with light winds.

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Ditch

Cleared of a lot of twigs, leaves and silt, and now running freely, a number of dams had developed to slow the flow. The biodigester outfall has a roll of chicken wire in the end to stop anything running up the pipe and this was home to a large stinging nettle that had roots over a meter long growing inside the pipe. Didn’t seem to be making any difference but it’s been removed. A cloudy cold day with light winds.

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Wet Wet Wet

Heavy rain overnight has made the paddocks even wetter, the spring has sprung by the compost heap and is running over the paddock driveway, so it’s another day staying by the stable for the donkeys. Toby is expecting some food, he often starts to grunt or display the Flehman response – he bares his teeth and looks up, just waiting… The new shed is looking good, the rain runs off the planks in beads. A wet end to a dark, wet, day.

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Sheep

Grazing Laneside and liking a branch cut from a part of the hedgerow that had fallen over, it’s root completely rotten, wasn’t sure they’d like it, will cut logs from the trunk. This part of the hedgerow was laid a long time ago and I think the rest will fall within the next year and need replacing. A clear, frosty, start to the day before the temperature rose and wintry showers and heavy rain moved in on a brisk wind.

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Fresh Grass

William loves fresh grass, even a few square yards is better than nothing when the paddocks are out of bounds. Had to build a barricade of hurdles just over the fence to stop the donkeys eating the end of the hedge. This patch of ground just outside the straw area includes the pathway to the muck heap which gets very muddy with the daily wheelbarrow traffic, so have ordered a pallet load of plastic grids that clip together and filled with sand and gravel to create a solid path. A frosty start to a cloudy day.

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Christmas Tree

The small oak has served two years as the Christmas tree, it was stored in the roof of the tack room over the summer and dried out completely and is now too brittle to last another year – will have to find another one. Planted a few willow rods in the Laneside verge, a Blackbird and Robin hopped around looking for grubs. A colder, frosty, brighter day with light winds.

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Giant Leek

The last of the half dozen sown last year, it had a few slugs and snails in the outer leaves, but there was lots left to make tasty leek and potato soup. There are a few carrots left in the same bed, will lift those this week. Part of the hedge laneside has fallen, it was laid a long time ago and it’s roots had rotted, cleared part of the bank so the last of the willow rods can be planted along that stretch. A colder, cloudy day with light winds.

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Rollover

Toby likes to rollover in the stable when most of the straw has been put to one side and he flaps his ears when he gets up, the donkeys can’t get to their usual patch because The Avenue is too wet. Planted a few more willow rods and cut the front hedge. The sheep have nibbled the soft bits from the hazel branches so the donkeys had them to eat overnight. A cloudy, dry day with light winds.

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Ivy

Took more than a mouthful of hay and moved away from the rest of the flock, the younger ones like to stay with their heads in the bucket, only moving when pushed aside by one of the others. The grinding, chewing, chomping noise from nine sheep is nice to listen to for ten minutes or so. They all escaped into the small paddock when the gate snagged on a large tussock of grass, they spent an hour eating fresh grass before returning to their arcs for the night. A cloudy, mild, day with heavy showers and light winds.

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Rainbow

Toby out and about and having a stretch on the straw before the rain arrived, even that area has a few puddles where donkey hooves have sunk into the ground. Cut hazel branches from the lane for the sheep to nibble the twiggy bits and then they’ll be passed on to the donkeys in a couple of days, William and Toby will happily drag the branches around, stripping and eating all the bark. A dry start to a wet, mild, day.

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Happy New Year

William looking at the view from the top of The Avenue, the horses were trotting up the lane. The cycle ride from Pamphill to The Stocks for coffee was very wet and muddy, the tractors doing the hedge cutting run over the verges and pull the mud onto the roads, luckily there were no punctures. A mild cloudy day with a short spell of warm sunshine.

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Pixie

Always enjoys the grass in Laneside or Fallen Oak with the rest of the flock before returning to the arcs at dusk. Toby brayed with excitement when he had his vitamins, it was later than usual and followed by a handful of dried nettles. A delivery of wood and stirling board will help finish the sheep shelter extension. Pleased to say the days are getting longer, not long before seeds will be sown, a drizzly cloudy mild day with a strong breeze.

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Extension

To the sheep shelter in the small paddock so that the hay feeders will stay dry when it rains, the roof is a sheet of stirling board with a tarpaulin over the top held down with planks. Will need to board the sides, hoping the feeders will hang on the pallet walls. The sheep were curious about the activity. A cloudy, wet, rainy day, the donkeys stayed up by the stable.

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Sheep

All liking the hay, they ran up to the bucket and round the field, jumping and twisting when what was left was taken to the hay rack in their shelter, it’ll all be gone by the morning. Walter likes picking the bits off the others heads. This was a brief respite from the wind and rain, the paddocks are very wet so the donkeys had to stay up at the stable, a new branch kept them amused, their coats too wet to be groomed. A wet end to a wet day.

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Toby

Hoping for more apple slices, both he and William had to stay out of the paddock after more heavy rain overnight, their roll-over patch in The Avenue is a very big puddle. They ate the last of the fresh apple twigs after their vitamins, the bags of dried twigs and nettles will have to last the next few months. A cloudy, sunny, warm day with light winds.

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Christmas Card

Painted by my sister, the original is hanging up in the kitchen. William and Toby had lots of carrot peelings as a treat although the paddock was too wet for them to go out for a run around. A cloudy, cool, wet day.

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Happy Christmas

Salisbury Cathedral Christmas tree, looking lovely. Too wet for the donkeys to go out in the paddock on the grass, they had to make do with the last of the fresh apple tops and carrot peelings. The sheep were happy with their hay. A sunny, cloudy, drizzly day with a glorious sunset.

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Garlic

Planted a couple of months ago, the elephant garlic was planted a few inches deeper and has made the same thick top growth as last year. Need a few days of frost to make the clove’s split, expect January and February will be cold enough. Still have some bulbs from the last crop, they dried out ok and are hanging in the garage. Moved logs nearer the house to dry out under cover, getting through a basket full every day. A foggy start to a rainy day.

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Sunrise

A bitterly cold easterly wind accompanied a vivid orange sunrise, my hands were cold within a few minutes of being outside with the donkeys. Fortunately, I have some new gloves, and they worked a treat, keeping out the wind and keeping in the warmth. The new shed was delivered and assembled at the back of the stable, it’ll be useful to have it near the greenhouse. Will put the shelving from the old shed under the window. A sunny, cloudy, cold, breezy day.

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Vaccination

The sheep need protection from various diseases of the kidney and gut so an injection of Heptavac is recommended every year, it’s administered at the same time as a stripe of liquid Clik along their backs which guards against fly strike. The pink Clik stripe is repeated again a couple of weeks after shearing to give protection until the end of the summer. The sheep didn’t seem to mind being confined and then treated one by one, and were soon back grazing in their paddock. Collected more rubble and widened the driveway a little. Fed the fish, no toadspawn yet. A mild sunny day with light winds and a deep orange sunset.

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Garlic

Doing well in the raised beds, the elephant garlic has more space than the softneck, both varieties store well so the harvest in August should last most of the following year. Sowed sunflower, carrots, pumpkin, cucumber and lobelia seeds. Potted on the parsley plants sown six months ago, there’s a big difference between the plants, not sure why some are twice the size of others when they’ve all been treated in the same way. A cloudy start to the day with warm sunshine later, didn’t wear gloves first thing although the poo picker and wheelbarrow handles did feel quite cold.

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Ouessants

They spent the day grazing in the laneside paddock before coming home for their hay, Winnie, Walter and Digby ran over to investigate a fresh apple branch in the late afternoon sunshine. Enjoyed a lovely walk from Pamphill, fringing the River Stour to Walford Mill for coffee, the ground is drying out and the river has dropped so the swans should soon start nesting. Levelled rubble, have been offered some willow for the donkeys so will collect that later in the week, hope the ground will be firm enough to let them out into the paddock tomorrow. A wet start to the day with moderate winds.

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Driveway

Delivery of three tipper truck loads of mixed rubble should take the driveway to the paddock gate, not sure it’ll reach the straw. The area already leveled stood up to the weight of the truck very well, only the last yard suffered and sank a little, so more reinforcement required. William was spooked by the first batch arriving and was calmer for the other two loads, Toby just watched from a safe distance. The surface to the paddock gate needs to be finished by the end of the month so that the tree surgeon can drive round to the oak tree. A warmer day with moderate winds and no rain despite dark clouds arriving late afternoon.

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Itchy

William is scratching a lot, especially his neck and rump, he should start shedding his hair very soon, grooming will help, the fence posts and gate fixings are popular spots for him to linger. Collected more rubble, the tipper truck delivery has been delayed so there’s more time to prepare the edges. The pair of green woodpeckers are making the most of the soft ground and have found several places to feed on the lawn, the oak tree has a patch of broken bark so maybe they’re spending time there as well. A sunny cloudy day with lighter winds, the paddocks are still very soggy.

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Oak

A cold wind accompanied the squally showers that peppered the day, William and Toby stood out in the hail and carried the stones on their backs for an hour or more before they melted. The vale is filling with water and the spring in laneside is running into the ditch, no time in the paddocks for the sheep or donkeys, just too many puddles. The buds on the lilac are swelling and the elephant garlic shoots are a few inches above the bulb, trying to catch up with the softneck Marco Polo planted a month earlier, they need these cold nights to trigger splitting into cloves.

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Head Cuddle

William loves a cuddle, not always possible on very windy days as he’s not quite as chilled but today he was OK. Walked from Tarrant Gunville to Chettle for coffee and a sausage roll in the sunshine, only one squally stinging hail shower on the way back. Hurried across an open field and made it to the hedge line which gave some protection, the sheep and new born lambs in the field huddled together, most of the ewes had twins, their numbers clear to see in bright blue or red. Tomato seedlings have pushed through their compost which is a mix of mole hill and vermiculite, they’re doing well so far, sowed nasturtium seeds. The wind dropped at dusk.

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Grooming

Not exactly grooming, more eating the hay off each other; Pixie likes burying her head in the hay bucket and doesn’t take it out until she’s ready, so her head ends up covered, Walter likes to be king of the castle so they often play there and pause to pick the bits off each other. Did the weekly collection of bales of straw and hay, the donkeys definitely prefer wheat to barley. No damage from the very high winds, the water butts are all tied to something, the two on the greenhouse are the most vulnerable but they were ok. Dodged the showers and poo picked the paddocks, tasty fish and chips from the van in Child Okeford.

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Apple

William nibbling at fresh sticks before the rain set in and the wind increased to gale force, a day for waterproofs and gloves – a big change from yesterday, the water butts are full again and the paddocks are starting to puddle. The sheep stayed in their shelter, only venturing out for hay, they don’t like the rain. Sawed wood, shouldn’t be long before it can be stacked instead of being used, lit the woodburners early. Not many birds out and about, mainly the rooks, none of the buzzards were flying. Same weather forecast for tomorrow, hope everything stays where it should!

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Copper Bowl

Left in a bag of general purpose granular fertilizer for the winter, the copper has grown an array of bright crystals that are various shades of blue, white and purple, the fertilizer has been thrown on the garden in anticipation of a few days rain and warming temperatures, the water butt used mainly for washing down the stable yard is empty for the first time this year. Collected more rubble for the driveway, the current pile being given away is quite large so the owner has offered to deliver it on a tipper truck which would be great. A frosty start to a lovely sunny day, the first time this year that I’ve been too hot working in the garden and had to change into shorts and a polo shirt for a few hours.

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Owl Box

Made locally from weatherproof ply it’s a bit larger than I expected but I guess there has to be room for a pair of owls and their chicks. It’ll be put in the oak tree once the top leafy branches have been removed so not sure it’ll be used this year, the ground is drying out so the tree surgeons truck may be able to get in and out at the end of the month. Sowed cut and come again lettuce and basil in a few pots for the windowsill. A cold, bright, frosty start to the day, lovely in the sun, chilly in the wind.

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Dozing Donkeys

William and Toby start their day with a breakfast of fresh straw in their feeder and then like to relax on an extra large straw bed, nodding off in the morning sunshine. They rarely lie at full stretch but do like to rollover and then flap their ears from side to side. The birds are all busy nest building, choosing and rejecting twigs and bits of leaves, the woodpecker is tapping and the buzzard sits preening in the oak tree. Watered the hedge, the hose was frozen solid until spread out in the sun and left for half an hour, the addition of compost mulch continues. A bright, sunny, cold day.

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Bianca

Ahead of Winnie through the gate, leading the run up to the hay feeder at sunset, which is unusual, Winnie must have been distracted by something….? Bianca has a streak of lanolin under both eyes so is easily recognisable. The sheep spent the day in the lane paddock and they watched the donkeys as they wandered down the avenue to the fallen oak, taking their time and grazing as they went. Moved several barrowloads of black compost onto the budding hedge, it’s full of worms and will help keep the moisture in the ground. Raked the raised bed, not warm enough for sowing carrots. A sunny day with a chilly wind.

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Sunshine

A lovely sunny start to the day with blue sky and light winds, the sheep are still enjoying the fringe of greener grass and escaped for a time into the garden. Soon coaxed back with hay they wanted to explore and run around somewhere new. The owl box has arrived, it’ll be positioned in the oak tree with its entrance away from the prevailing winds once the tree has been cut, the lower limbs are hollow so the higher branches must be removed. Light by six in the morning, the flower buds on the wisteria are starting to fatten. Another vivid orange sunset.

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Fresh Grass

The area under the oak tree has been out of bounds to the sheep because of all the acorns concealed in the undergrowth, now they’ve been removed from the fringe and the hurdles moved a foot so the lush green grass can be grazed, with Winnie leading the way. The night-time paddock is starting to look more brown than green, especially where they sit and chew the cud on the hillock. Fleeces are looking longer with the wool hanging down over their legs, it’s time to book the shearer and the annual dose of Clik to protect against fly strike. A cloudy misty day with a chill wind.

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William and Toby

Enjoying the sunshine in the fallen oak paddock, the fog soon moved in and there was low cloud and the threat of thunderstorms for the rest of the day. Raked the raised bed ready for sowing carrots, not quite warm enough for the seeds as the nights are still cold. Sifted the worm casts to remove the worms as they won’t survive the summer in the tomato pots. Collected rubble and shingle for the driveway, have reached the bottom corner, just need to make it to the paddock gate. A day of light winds, the sun tried to break through the cloud at sunset.

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Cycle Paddle

From Pamphill, a twelve mile round trip on quiet lanes and dry tracks until the last mile or so when the muddy path turned into a foot deep puddle that lasted longer than expected. Walking turned out to be the only option, waterproof shoes are great until submerged! As Jenny was cycling behind me she suffered the same result, a cold and gloopy walk. Collected hay and straw bales and groomed the donkeys who were content to doze most of the day. Fencing work in the field opposite continues. A misty day with a chill wind, noticeably lighter in the mornings.

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Home Time

Winnie looking through the paddock gate, wanting to lead the rest of the flock up to their shelter and the recently filled hayrack. The donkeys enjoyed the grass in the paddock and took little notice of the hedge cutting in the field the other side of the lane. The new trees have had their protection refitted, it had to be removed to clear the grass from around their trunks, a layer of mulch from the compost heap will help settle the soil. A chilly start to the day, warmer once the mist cleared and the sun came out. The sky glowed bright red at sunset.

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Rhododendron Ferrugineum

First flower of the year, this evergreen is also known as the ‘rusty leaved alpine rose’ because of the brown spots on the underside of its leaves. The frosts made it wilt and the sun has made it shine and blossom. Collected bags of pea gravel for the driveway topping and emptied a barrow-full of compost from the heap onto the hedge. A peacock butterfly was out and about in the border, the nettles they like are only a few inches high, heard the woodpecker tapping. A misty start to a sunny day, light winds and an orange sunset.

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Cycle to Chettle

The endless view from the Long Barrow above Pimperne, part of the Dorset Cursus which once stretched for six miles along Cranborne Chase, three times the length of the Great Cursus at Stonehenge. Saw two Brimstone butterflies making their way along the ivy filled hedgerow where they will have been hibernating over winter, the warm sunshine waking them, they need to survive the still cold nights. Walked the donkeys down to the bottom paddock, the sheep had to take a different route to get to their grazing, proved to be problematic with Nola and Pixie deciding to take an alternative route! A cool misty start to a warm day with light winds and a lovely sunset.

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Misty Morning

A very foggy start to the day, the moon was very bright and the light diffused before the sun rose and the mist cleared in the vale. The sheep were happy to relax on their hillock before gathering at the gate to run down to the bottom paddock. Walked William and Toby down the avenue to graze by the fallen oak, at the end of the day they had a coating of mud and grass from rollovers. Saw the first bumblebee of the year and a bat flew over the pond at dusk, Poppy was interested but much too slow to pose any threat, fed the fish. A sunny warm day with a lovely sunset.

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Plantbritain.co.uk

Countryfile have created an interactive website for recording the planting of trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables across the UK, data collection will continue for two years and aims to encourage planting for wildlife and to combat climate change. Over 500 shrubs, native hedging and trees have been planted in our two acres so the entry should boost the Dorset total. Groomed the donkeys in the sunshine, hope they can go out on the drying grass soon, the spring has stopped running into the ditch; they watch the sheep grazing and want to join them. A drizzly start to the day with light winds and late warm sunshine. Fish and chips from the van in Child Okeford.

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Owl Barn

Saved by public appeal, a barn that’s next to the trailway running from Sturminster Newton to Blandford, this used to be the railway line, now it’s a cycle route. The barn owl was out and about in the field behind. Found four thistles large enough for the donkeys to eat and the goose grass is growing steadily so should be ready to pull in a couple of weeks. Levelled the mole hills, used the excess soil to fill in the gouges left by the donkeys when they ran round the paddock. Collected a load of rubble for the driveway. A very windy mild day with some sunshine and the occasional shower.

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Donkeys

William and Toby enjoying the sunshine in the fallen oak paddock, they’ve not been able to run around on grass for a couple of weeks so were overjoyed to be out for a few hours. The ground is still very wet but the strong winds have dried the puddles. Their coats are at their longest and William especially is starting to scratch himself on any available post or latch, they’ll soon start to lose their hair in handfuls and the nesting birds will be on the lookout for lining material. A very windy dry day with light cloud and sunny spells, not as warm as yesterday.

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Seeds

Sorted the numerous packets of seeds, these will probably be the first to be sown. Have collected a few mole hills from the bottom paddock and left the soil in pots in the greenhouse to warm up, it’ll be mixed with some compost for the seed trays. Carrots and outdoor lettuce will be sown in the raised beds which need to have their covers removed and be raked several times to give a fine crumbly surface. The trees and hedging on the other side of the lane have been cut in half to reveal the hills to the north-east, should give an earlier view of the sunrise. A wet start with increasing sunshine and light winds, the end of the day was warm.

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Winnie and Nola

The sheep ran down to the bottom paddock for a few hours of grazing fresh grass, remembering the route from yesterday; as the sun set they lined up along the fence ready to run back up to their shelter for their hay. Picked up more leathery oak leaves, in the wetter patches the grass needs to see the sunshine and the leaves gather together in piles to block out the light. The water lilies are unfurling new leaves under the water in the pond, fed the fish a few pellets, no sign of toad spawn. A mild cloudy day with light winds and a brief spell of sunshine.

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Witch Hazel

Growing in a very windy spot and flowering better this year than last the yellow bronze flowers will produce fruiting pods that mature and explode, scattering their seeds, in October or November. Collected oak leaves from the bottom paddock, the sheep followed the wheelbarrow down and enjoyed nibbling fresh grass for an hour or so in strengthening winds. A squall sent them back to their shelter encouraged by a bucket of hay. The donkeys watched from their stable, just too wet for them to be on the grass. A wet day with late sunshine and a bright sunset.

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Bianca

Managed to get a photo during the running and jumping keep fit session, all the sheep join in although Nola is the least energetic, Walter and Digby lead the charge with a pogo and sidekick routine that may or may not involve Pixie, and includes head butting anyone who wants to meet them square on. Disassembled the small area of paddock formed by the electric fencing, the donkeys aren’t interested in going in there and it is very boggy. A lot of rain overnight and a wet start and end to a mild day.

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Sunshine

William and Toby enjoying a handful of hay in warm midday sunshine, I had an ice-cream on the terrace. Collected oak leaves from the bottom paddock, there’s a boggy patch in the centre but the edges are ok, may let the sheep run there in a few days if it drains a little, the spring is running into the ditch and down the lane. Moved some wood from the pile behind the stable, ready for cutting, stacking and burning next year. A mild day with sunny spells and light winds, watched the owl fly across the field at dusk.

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Silver Birch

Planted here to provide shade for the straw area and the small paddock in the summer the first tree didn’t survive so this replacement is a year older and has a much better root system. Doubly protected from the sheep it should straighten up as it grows taller. A poplar was planted in the lower paddock where it should thrive in the puddles. The movers were collected for their annual service, the ride-on was used to control large areas of buttercups in the paddocks so the cutters definitely need sharpening. A very wet, mild, day with some breaks in the cloud, light until after six o’clock.

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Nola

Standing away from the flock some of the time, drinking more than usual and not eating unless fed by hand, Nola was upended and checked over. Nothing unusual, cleaned and trimmed her feet and applied the purple spray. Happy to eat from the bucket afterwards and much livelier this afternoon, so not sure what that was about, just wanted some personal attention, maybe? Added donkey poo to the bank in the meadow strip, would be good to sow flowers along the top once it’s rotted down. Everywhere still very soggy underfoot, heavy rain last night and a cloudy mild day with the occasional sunny spell.

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Farrier

It’s ten weeks since the donkeys had their hooves trimmed, William’s seedy toe is improved in places and looks clean and white when the farrier has finished, Toby has an inward stepping gait so the hooves on his hind legs wear unevenly as steps one hoof in front of the other. After last nights rain the paddocks are full of puddles so no time for running around, the sheep were out of their shelter as usual even though it was a drizzly start to the day. Warm sunshine broke through the cloud so one less fleece required. Lucky to see a barn owl flying over the field at dusk, pancakes for tea.

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Greenhouse

The shelving has been in its box for the last six months so it’s good to get it off the floor and bolted to the frame, it’ll give the greenhouse a bit more stability in the strong winds and there’ll be lots of room to store all those essentials! The last of the trays can be taken out and the glass cleaned ready for this year’s tomatoes and cucumbers, a trowelful of the casts from the wormery will go in the bottom of all the pots. Cold driving ran all day, two wet donkeys mooched about near their stable and the sheep stayed in their shelter, a promise of sunshine tomorrow.

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Blandford Wood

Circular route from Durweston through Bonsley Common and back past the Mill, a few snowdrops along the way, bluebell leaves starting to push through the fallen leaves. Stopped for coffee and cake at the top of Shillingstone Hill. The water was flowing over the weir at the Mill but the pond was covered in a layer of ice, unusual for it to freeze, there was a slow ripple of movement beneath. The donkeys stayed in and around their stable, the sheep out and about as usual. A very cold day, slightly warmer out of the wind, sleet and snow showers in the afternoon.

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Ice

The paddocks are less squelchy underfoot, the wind has dried the ground and the frost hardened the surface so decided to lead the donkeys down to the fallen oak paddock for a run around. The water trough had a 3 inch slab of ice on the top that had to be lifted out – it very heavy and resulted in cold hands! The donkeys started grazing and then had a run around, bucking and chasing each other, falling over and running round again before settling down. The sheep watched and had their own fun and games. A very cold day with strong winds and bright, late, sunshine that developed into a lovely orange sunset.

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Flu Jab

William and Toby had their annual vaccination, they weren’t very enthusiastic about a rather tall vet approaching them but she was very patient; consolation was half an apple each and some hay, the water troughs were frozen and the ice couldn’t be broken so had to be defrosted with hot water. The spring has stopped running into the ditch and the paddocks are very hard underfoot, the grass looks to have wilted which makes poo picking easier. Another cloudy and very cold day with a strong wind and a few snow flurries, the sun shone for half an hour and almost lifted the temperature.

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Pond

Frozen at the end furthest from the waterfall and covered with a fine layer of snow which defrosted in the morning sunshine, no sign of the fish, they’ll be resting on the bottom. Very cold overnight, there was an inch of ice on all the water troughs, the donkeys had their bucket of warm water with their breakfast and a supplement of hay which the sheep had pulled out of their feeder and discarded. Nola in particular likes crunching the ice left on the ground next to the trough. A bright sunny day with a biting wind and a little cloud that disappeared to leave a lovely sunset.

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Icicles

All the water butts have icicles, the ice has forced the stoppers up a little so the water can slowly seep out. The water troughs in the paddock needed de-icing three times during the day and were topped up with hot water at dusk, not sure how long they’ll stay defrosted overnight. Keeping a watering can full of water in the greenhouse for the first water boiling of the day. The donkeys stayed close to their stable, the sheep preferred to stay outside and chew the cud in the frosted grass. Snow in the morning with a raw wind that strengthened in the afternoon.

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Driveway

Making progress from the lane to the paddock gate, it looks completely different to the photo which was taken in early November, the surface is relatively flat and driveable to the corner and doesn’t seem to have suffered a problem with sinking into the saturated ground beneath. Hoping for more bags of rubble to be delivered over the next few weeks. Collected more apple branches and the donkeys had their share, William and Toby jumped and chased around their straw area trying to kick each other, the paddocks are still too wet for them to go out. Snow flurries during the day with a strengthening wind.

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Donkey Cam

Dusk in the stable, William and Toby have had their vitamin mix and are tucking into their straw, the feeder will probably be empty in the morning – anything not to their liking will be nosed out on to the floor to become tomorrow’s bedding. A couple of hours later William was chewing on an apple branch he’d brought into the stable and Toby was at the salt lick in the corner. Finished preparing the ground for the runner beans, will fit in four short rows next to the raised beds. No snow overnight, a cloudy day with a biting wind, needed to wear thermals and two pairs of gloves.

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Ouessants

Chewing the cud in the morning, all the sheep sitting on a south facing slope in the sunshine on a frosty morning. Cut and bagged the chewed and bark-less apple wood for storing and burning in a couple of years time, it’ll mature in the shed. Moved hurdles down to the bottom paddock ready for the sheep moving there in a few weeks time, the acorns are still in the grass. Set up the wildlife camera outside the garage, there’s a birds nest, maybe the wren or a robin, hope to get some pictures. A mild sunny day, warmest of the year so far, forecast is for snow tonight!

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Cycle Ride

Along country lanes and through Child Okeford past drifts of snowdrops in the hedgerows. Stopped for coffee and cake at the Owl Barn and lucky to see the owl flying low over the field and moving from post to post, it must be hungry to be out at midday. Started later than intended to avoid a downpour and finished the ride in bright sunshine, lots of puddles, debris and potholes to avoid. Collected a few more bags of rubble for the driveway, the donkeys sand sheep had apple to eat, the D’Arcy Spice are keeping well. The day ended with another lovely sunset.

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Workshop

Looking better after a tidy up; the number of bales can be kept in single figures as there’s a year-round supplier of wheat straw and hay within five miles, so collecting four or six of what’s needed every couple of weeks shouldn’t be a problem. The hay is really soft and green and the sheep like it a lot, the wheat straw is golden and quiet tough so the donkeys prefer it to barley straw. Fitted bristle to the bottom of the doors to stop the rain driving underneath as the edges of the workshop are a bit damp, the donkeys noticed the new sweeping sounds. Heavy rain to start and end the day with fog and drizzle in between.

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Earthworms

This worm when it stretched out to move along was nearly a foot in length, it was on the edge of the hard standing where the soil is rich with manure and leaf litter, could be a Blackheaded Anecic? The new hay feeder stood up to the wind ok overnight and the sheep were running around enjoying their usual pogo / headbutt routine by the woodpile. Moved a rhubarb crown to a large pot by the greenhouse, it was planted between the hedge and an apple tree so was starved of light and water most of the year, hope it does better in the pot, have a couple more to move. A rainy start to the day with some sunshine and a lovely sunset.

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Hay Feeder

An addition to the original sheep shelter the hay feeders are attached to a hurdle and protected from the rain with perspex sheeting and a sheet of onduline roofing. A little confusing for the sheep who tried to eat the hay from the wrong side of the clear perspex sheet. A quantity of bailer twine was used to make sure the sheets didn’t blow away in the wind. Emptied a couple of layers of worm casts into a compost tray, over the next couple of weeks the worms will congregate in a lump in a corner and be returned to the wormery, the casts will be used in the bottom of the tomato pots. A windy but mizzly drizzly day.

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Candlemas Day

Custom says “A farmer should, on Candlemas Day, have half his corn and half his hay.” There’s six months to go until the next harvest so this day marks the mid point of a farming year. William watched as the sheep moved into the small paddock which will be their home until Spring, he’d love to graze in there as well but the ground would soon become poached. There’s has lots of lush grass so this may result in a few runny poos until digestive systems settle down. Light well past five o’clock, the days are lengthening and the cold is strengthening, a misty start and cloudy end to the day.

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Hay

Straw is too tough for the sheep to eat so they have a big bucket of hay between them twice a day to supplement the grass. More rain overnight so the spring is still running into the ditch and the puddles in the paddock are getting even bigger. Cut up the smaller branches from the oak tree to be stored and burnt as kindling in two years time, the rest went in the bin. The woodpeckers were on the lawn and a pair of pheasants were chasing round the borders. Didn’t spend much time outside, snow flurries most of the day with a cold biting wind.

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Wrench

All the fence strainers in the paddocks seem to have moved slightly so both hands are needed to open the gates, not ideal as always moving things around or carrying a poo picker. Invested in this wrench to adjust the nuts and bolts and so far it’s done the job easily, two gates done, ten to go. More torrential rain overnight, the donkeys stayed in their stable until breakfast time. The sheep must have spent the night in their arcs as the ground inside was well trodden and muddy, moved the arcs to fresh ground in one of the drier moments. A mizzly drizzly day with a freshening cold wind and falling temperatures.

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William and Toby

Not impressed with having to stay off the paddock and near the stable the boys refused their breakfast and wouldn’t venture off the straw, it was blowing a gale at the time so that may have spooked them. They nibbled on an apple branch and did eventually eat something from the feeder after lunch before having their vitamin mix at dusk. Their coat was too wet for a groom. A few bags of rubble were delivered at the same time so William was interested in watching the activity on the driveway. A mild showery day with very strong winds.

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Sleepy Sheep

Chewing the cud must be exhausting as Bianca and Pixie both had a proper sleep afterwards, Winnie is usually the first to lead off, she and Digby are still happy to settle a little further away from the others in the flock. Nola has been bleating on and off all day and moved to the bottom end of the paddock; the sheep in the field across the ditch took some notice but didn’t reply, there doesn’t seem to be anything wrong, nothing untoward is happening in the ditch or the lane. Heavy rain overnight means the Vale is starting to flood, a mild showery day with increasing winds.

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Sunset

Dramatic skies over the hills have everything; low cloud, rain and blue skies, paddock rails bathed in winter sun. A pair of woodpeckers spent half an hour feeding on the frost free lawn and the pheasants passed through on their way to the discarded stable straw in search of grain. Emptied more rubble bags onto the driveway. The spring is running into the ditch, paddocks too wet for the donkeys and the sheep are starting to forge favourite pathways to and from the hay feeders and their arcs. A milder dry day with light winds and rain later.

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Ouessants

The snow lingered in places, very frosty overnight with ice outside the stable which needed salt, the concrete doesn’t get any sun at this time of year. The Ouessants munched their hay happily and poo picking yielded a lot less as it was hidden in the snow. The donkeys had a couple of hours in the square paddock which is still squelchy, the spring in the ditch has stopped running. Emptied more barrow loads of compost onto the hedge, a dry cube of grass cuttings in the centre of the heap has given way to more worm laden compost. A sunny day with light winds, gave the donkeys their mix in daylight.

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Snow

Almost an inch overnight, it didn’t last long in the sunshine although some has lingered in the shade. The donkeys were spooked by the sound of scrunching snow underfoot, it does have a peculiar sound so maybe they’d not heard it before, they had a couple of hours on the patch of grass by the stable before their daily cup of vitamin mix. The sheep carried on as usual, eating the hay and visiting their de-iced water trough after a couple of minutes at the mineral lick. The spring is running in to the ditch again, must decide how best to measure the flow rate. A cloudy end to the day with sleet showers.

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Scratching Post

Smudge always walks to this dead tree whenever he goes outside, he likes to keep his claws nice and sharp, it’s main purpose is to keep the front gate open so I’m not sure how long it’ll be before it needs replacing. Checked the ditch, spring not flowing, ferried a few more barrowloads of compost from the heap to the hedgerow. Watched the rooks swooping around as the shoot scared the wildlife in the field on the other side of the lane. A frosty start to the day, early sunshine and light winds replaced with increasing cloud and falling temperatures with a promise of snow overnight.

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Sunny Day

Groomed the donkeys and walked them down to the bottom paddock so they could graze for a few hours in what felt like spring sunshine. The ditch has drained as well as it can, several dams are holding back the water higher up and the spring had stopped running. Finished a jar of delicious home made lemon curd. Lovely and warm in the morning, wore one fleece instead of two! The day clouded over towards dusk and a shower of hailstones lowered the temperature significantly. Turned off the water supply to the stable in anticipation of a frosty night.

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Meadow Strip

Gave the sheep the opportunity of fresh grazing in the meadow strip, herding them there was less straightforward, they missed the pen made of hurdles and headed up towards the top paddock gate, the idea was to allow them to graze grass without nibbling the new hedge. Managed to get round them while they grazed and they were soon in the allotted area but they didn’t settle and bleated and head butted each other until they were released and happily trotted back to their paddock. Moved a few barrowloads of compost from the heap; checked the ditch which needs more work to clear debris, spring still running. A cooler day with light winds and no rain.

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Ditch

Looked too full of water this morning, the paddocks all drain down into it so decided to clear a couple of downstream dams made of a few years of acorns, branches and brambles. Cleared the dams and then discovered a small trickle of water half way up the bank. Digging increased the water rate until a real gusher was cascading down into the ditch, hoped more digging of the bank under the fence would reveal a drainage pipe, but none discovered yet. There is a deep hole in the clay under the paddock out of which water is flowing, so maybe it’s a rising spring, had to clear the ditch several times to let clay and water run away into the lane. A two sets of waterproofs day with strong winds.

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Head Cuddle

William does love a head cuddle although it is a little back breaking bending down and lifting a donkeys head onto your shoulder and then standing up, they’re surprisingly heavy. Fieldfares in the paddock today and a song thrush in the garden eating the berries. Did more work on the driveway and a few barrowloads from the compost heap, moved the sheep arcs to a fresh piece of grass. The donkeys went onto the small paddock for an hour or so but came back to their stable when the wind increased and it started raining.

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Daffodil

The first to brighten the garden, this Narcissus has it’s back to the south facing wall and is in the shelter of the hedge, it survives the attention of nibbling animals when food is short because it contains poisonous alkaloids. Removed another rail so that compost can be removed from the front of the big heap, it looks really good, crumbly, and smells fresh, with a layer of leaf litter on top. A brilliant orange sky started the day and the sunshine was really warm for a couple of hours before the cloud increased, started to rain at dusk.

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Waiting

For their morning hay, the sheep come up the paddock towards the stable as soon as they hear gates opening and closing, Winnie usually heads the charge with a lot of bleating. Walked the donkeys down to the fallen oak paddock where they chased each other around, braying and kicking up their heels before settling down to graze. The puddles have mostly drained away although the post hole by the compost heap is still full of water, rescued a ladybird which was floating about, put a brick in the hole to help them climb out next time. Warm in the morning sun, otherwise a cool day with a hazy sunset.

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Fresh Apple

The donkeys and sheep all love chewing apple branches and nibbling at the bark, so collected another load from a village a few miles away, the donkeys were the first to sample this variety and gave it the thumbs-up. Not sure the roof lining in the car will ever be the same, and there’s some of the remnants of straw bales collected earlier in the week. Emptied the last of the bags of rubble onto the expanding driveway and levelled a couple more yards, I thought the recent heavy rains would make it less firm to drive on, but it’s ok. Heavy rain overnight, the puddles in the paddock are getting bigger, a bright and breezy day with some sunshine.

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Bianca

One of her front hooves looked like it had split, there was a piece hanging to the side, almost detached, so upending required! It turned out that the lining on the outside of the hoof, the thickness of a nail, had grown very long and curled under and somehow been pulled sideways, it came off easily enough with a tug. Her other hooves had ‘curled under’ nails so cut all these level with the hoof with the dagging sheers, which did the job ok, and finished off with purple anti-bacterial spray. Must check the other sheep at some point, if they all need doing may invest in hoof trimmers. A colder, frosty, sunny day,

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Small Paddock

Between the straw area and the new driveway, surrounded by an electric fence to stop William and Toby eating the hedgerow this small area has longer grass than in the square paddock and because it will become part of the driveway it doesn’t matter if it’s poached. Not big enough for a run around but it’s ok for a rollover. As the days are milder the fish have emerged from the bottom of the pond asking for food, mustn’t add too much to the water or the nitrogen content will increase, they should eat everything within the first minute. A cloudy mild day with increasing winds.

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Native Hedgerow

Planted in autumn 2019, the Field Maple trees, Hornbeam, Hazel and Beech hedging plants have had to withstand both drought and deluge, so twice weekly watering and having drainage ditches was vital. They’re budding now, so spring should mean a big difference in terms of new growth. A pair of Green Woodpeckers were yaffling their way down between the trees, coming back up and picking around on the lawn for ants, they particularly like licking the grubs out of the nest and have a long tongue that can loop round the back of their necks. A wet start and finish to a mild day.

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Wet William

It rained a lot last night, a couple of inches in the wheelbarrow. William must have been standing outside as he’s very wet, the raindrops run down and fall off his eyelashes, and he’s rolled over in the stable to have so much straw on his coat. Toby is not as wet, and neither is very impressed with having to stay out of the puddly paddock. Started work on the compost heap, removing a couple of rails and part of the liner to make an opening for the wheelbarrow. The compost is about eighteen months olds at this end and will be good for mulching and topping up the raised beds. A wet morning, drier in the afternoon, milder.

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Pear Tree

Severely pruned to a more productive shape the tree is much more open and the idea is that a bird should have enough room to fly straight through, and it looks like this has been achieved. The cut branches and twiggy bits have been saved for the donkeys and sheep to eat, the lichen and bark are chewed to reveal a deep orange core. Moved the last of the compost out of one of the raised beds and started filling it with donkey poo; the compost will go back on top ready for planting carrots in a couple of months. A milder day with a brisk wind and the threat of rain; the cloud gave way to a stripy pink sunset.

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Ice

The water troughs in the paddocks are used by the donkeys and the sheep, so when the night has been cold the troughs need to be cleared of ice. This pile of ice is the result of two cold days / nights; it doesn’t melt away in the foggy day with temperatures only just above zero. Occasionally there are rooks and pigeons drinking, garden birds choose the smaller bird baths in the garden. The fish are resting at the bottom of the pond and have stopped eating, the waterfall is still running so there’s enough oxygen for them. A warmer day with some sunshine.

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William and Toby

Happily grazing in their stable. Toby forages to the bottom of the feeder and then tosses straw out onto the floor with his nose for browsing later. The square paddock is looking a bit cut up with their chasing around, the frost this morning cleared by lunchtime and they were able to go out after a good scratch. Power in the workshop tripped off last night so the timer for the light string had to be reset, I wonder if the donkeys noticed they weren’t on. A frosty foggy morning with light winds.

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Frosty

Very foggy and dark this morning, the daylight hours are definitely getting longer at the end of the day but the mornings still seem to be dark until the same time which feels a bit odd. The day brightened briefly at midday before the foggy gloom settled again. The water in the troughs had half an inch of ice and all the bird baths had to be defrosted. The wren is still flying about singing and the rooks could be heard but not seen in the fog. The donkeys waited to go out in the paddock, the mix of wheat and barley straw seems to be to their liking at the moment.

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Head Butting

Walter and Digby squaring up to each other with Bianca watching, they each take a few steps back before rearing up on their hind legs and charging at each other with heads down, the sound of skull crashing against skull is a bit alarming. The younger ones especially like to play this game every day, usually just before dusk, and not just the wethers, Pixie joins in and occasionally Nola. If the older sheep really want to interfere they approach from the side in defense of their offspring. A cold and cloudy overcast day with light winds, the woodburner was alight and roaring all day.

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Frost

The view down the paddock to the sheep where they’re having their daily portion of hay. The water supply to the tack room has been restored, the problem was actually in the joint below the tap where one of the washers was missing, the below zero night-time temperature was enough to stress the joint and result in a leak. Checking the water meter gave reassurance that there were no other problems, apparently a slow turn of the wheel every few seconds is normal. An easy remedy for the plumber who was wearing shorts and a t-shirt when he got out of his van! He soon put a hoodie on. A sunny cloudy day with a cold wind.

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Dagging

Relatively easy to lift up, Digby was first in the queue for dagging, having the soiled wool and dry poo cut from around his back end. All the sheep’s fleeces are four or five inches long now and as the wool grows it becomes dirtier in places so is best removed and used as a fertiliser in the garden Although they’re not keen on being upended the process doesn’t take long and once on their feet they like to come and watch the next in line and are then happy to eat hay from your hand – sheep don’t bear a grudge. A cloudy cold day with a brisk wind and some sunshine.

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Cycle

Trailway and quiet roads in the sunshine, one puncture and several hills in the 20 miles, the seasonal hedge cutting continues to take its toll on tyres and tubes so we carry the spares and tools to get us out of trouble. Doughnuts half way round were welcome as the temperature started to drop towards freezing and we upped the pace to keep warm. The donkeys looked at the straw entrance to the paddock before wandering in and grazing, the surface is dry but the inches deep hoof prints are puddled with water that doesn’t want to drain away, the last few dry days have helped, hoping for more sunshine.

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Walter

The grass is really frosty except where the sheep have rested overnight and then it’s squashed flat and bright green. Walter has a frosty back because he stayed chewing the cud in the same place for a while, and has a fleece that’s a great insulator. Emptied more bags of rubble onto the drive which is progressing OK. The Woodpecker has been sitting up in the tree waiting for the ground to soften so that he can have his daily feed from the lawn. All the water troughs and bird baths needed de-icing and the basket next to the woodburner seems to need filling all the time, some of the stores have stayed dry which is good. A warmer end to the day.

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Hydrangea

With flowers still attached to protect from the frost it withstands the cold as does the Bergenia behind which wilts its huge leaves. The water tap in the tack room had frozen overnight and broken one of the connections underneath so as it thawed the water started to leak out. The water supply was turned off nearer to the house and the repair will have to wait for a plumber. As the water butts are all full this shouldn’t be too much of a problem as long as they don’t stay frozen. A very cold day with mist and light snow showers.

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New Years Day

A very cold foggy start to the day, and the frost lingered well past midday, never clearing in places. The sun helped raise the temperature for an hour or two but once past two o’clock it felt cooler again. The tap in the tack room had an icicle this morning and the stable yard was icy in places – all the drinking troughs were frozen over and had to be thawed. The donkeys had a few hours in the paddock and the sheep ate a couple of buckets of hay and didn’t mind whether they were in sun or shade. A clear sky at sunset with the mist rising in the valley. A very Happy New Year to all (both) my readers!

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New Year’s Eve Grass

William and Toby can’t graze the soggy paddock so a few square meters of grass by their straw area has been fenced with hurdles, William especially loves eating grass. Perhaps when the paddock driveway is finished they’ll be able to walk up to the gate. The hunt horses were ridden along the valley and up the lane with the dogs chasing and barking in the field opposite, the donkeys looked in their direction as their route circled our paddocks. The sheep paid attention but didn’t seem unduly worried. A cold frosty sunny cloudy day with light winds.

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Cycle

From Witchampton to Farnham and round the Gussages, about 20 miles. Groundwater levels are high after the recent rain so the fords were a step too far for bicycles and some of the ditches couldn’t cope with the volume of running water so the road became part of the ditch. Everyone made it through OK, we just kept peddling! The donkeys had to stay out of the wet paddock and eat straw and apple branches. A cold cloudy day, when the sun broke through the temperature lifted a few degrees.

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Tatty Bianca

Tatty was limping a little, looked like her front left hoof was painful so she was lifted off the ground and sat on her rump while her hooves were inspected. Apart from being a bit muddy they were all looked fine with no stones so a dose of the purple spray was administered to each hoof and she was soon enjoying the grass with the rest of the flock. Paddocks too wet for the donkeys so they stayed on the straw and hard standing, emptied a few more bags of rubble onto the driveway which held their attention for a few minutes. A cold cloudy day.

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Christmas Pudding

Made by sister and flamed with brandy, was soon eaten and tasted really good. The reindeer head on the wall usually looks really effective but has blurred a bit in this photo. Planted more hazel in the meadow strip to plump up the hedge, the Wren was flying about round the hornbeam and the Robin was watching to see what was changing, they’re all looking well fed and are singing well. Another deluge overnight so the donkeys couldn’t go out into the paddock, the puddles are quite obvious now and will take a few days to drain. A colder day with the odd sunny spell between showers.

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Poppy

Poppy is half Maine Coon so very fluffy, and at this stage of winter her fur gets tangled very easily, the ruff round her neck will have to be trimmed or she won’t be able to reach beyond it to groom herself properly, which isn’t easy without being scratched! The snow has nearly gone, a few piles are left where it blew under north facing hedges. Cold, misty drizzly rain most of the day so the hardstanding was easier to sweep. No time in the paddock for the donkeys, they did a bit of mutual grooming and had fresh apple branches. Puddles in the paddocks and the spring is running into the ditch again.

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Chewing the Cud

The Ouessants spend most of their time eating grass and chewing the cud, they sleep for about four hours a day and are highly social animals that like to be with their flock. The frosty start to the day made poo picking easier, they’ve got over their runny bottom episode, helped by a daily helping of dry hay. The donkeys were out in the paddock until it started drizzling and then they came back up to the stable yard for their salt lick. The straw bales are sometimes being rejected so ‘steaming’ has resumed. Lunch at The Baker Arms.

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Boxing Day

The donkeys had their edible Christmas tree and liked the carrots and pieces of apple the best, it was was soon knocked over in search of the treats hidden in the straw and then quite quickly abandoned. The sheep had a very similar tree and stayed interested a bit longer, actually eating some of the twigs and chewing at the bark. The paddocks are still very soggy, a couple of dry days will help dry the ground, there’s a rising spring in the avenue that’s still creating puddles there so that area won’t be used until water levels fall. A lovely sunny day after a hard frost.

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Christmas Day

Walter became a reindeer for the day, sporting a lovely pair of antlers. The rest of the flock were very curious, he eventually lowered his head and shook them off. The donkeys were having no such adornment and spent a few minutes cantering round their paddock churning up the ground. William took hold of Toby’s mane and held on, showing his teeth, Toby didn’t appear to mind they just ran round together hoof by hoof. A bright and breezy day with a bright orange sunset last night.

Happy Christmas
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Primrose

Must like the warm wet weather as it doesn’t usually flower until after Christmas but there are several plants with rain-dropped petals surrounded by dark green leaves. The donkeys were spooked by an engineer in a high vis jacket working on a telegraph pole over a field away and had to be released from their halters. They circled round a few times and were on high alert for the rest of the day, they’d rather be out in the paddock but more rain overnight has left already saturated ground with more puddles. Heavy showers on and off all day, promise of sunshine tomorrow.

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Willow

Blown off the big willow in the bottom paddock these twiggy branches are a treat for the donkeys, Toby especially likes to eat the smaller pieces with buds and come back for the larger pieces later. Any particularly desirable branches will be eaten by both donkeys in a tug of war moment. Moved the sheep arks higher up the paddock to a fresh area of grass near the hay feeder. Several Robins are sitting on top of the trees singing and the rooks are flying around calling to each other. A warmer sunny cloudy day with a couple of showers, fed the fish.

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Cycle

Along very muddy roads, drains clogged with hedge cuttings and soil from the fields, through very big puddles at Hammoon to Sturminster Newton and back through Child Okeford to Shroton for lunch. Lucky the rain eased off for a few hours before setting in again at dusk. The hay feeder in the sheep field needed more support for the roof after last nights rain. Another apple tree has been pruned so the donkeys had more sticks to nibble. Looks like the car needs a wash!

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Winter Solstice

A sunrise without rain, very welcome! The shortest day heralds the start of winter but as the days lengthen the sunshine will more than compensate for the the lower temperatures. The paddocks are saturated so colder temperatures and a frost would harden the ground, the donkeys were out for a couple of hours in the late afternoon for a bit of exercise. The latest bale of straw is not to their liking so it has a topping of barley straw to encourage them to eat. A sunny dry day with light winds.