Since the demise of Storm Angus a week ago, the weather has been very dry and is now getting colder and colder. This is all VERY good. All our livestock can cope with cold: they all have thick coverings of fur, fibre or feathers - lucky things!! The cold is also great because it kills off germs, bugs and unwanted beasties. We are sooooo hoping for a long, dry winter.
The mud created due to last week’s rain is much drier and as this photo shows, the bottom 3-acre field is holding up well despite all the rain and hundreds of kilos of cow running around on it (and at times they really do run.. usually when they see Jack with their hay..).
Feeding hay to the cows in the evenings has to be one of the best smallholding jobs: it's a time when we get to spend time with them all, touching them, talking to them, checking them over. They are so chilled as they stand there chewing away and our trolley continues to be perfect: there is never any wastage!!
Some great news is that the largest of Thyme’s warts (in the middle of her face) has now almost all fallen off. She still has lots more but none are as big or obvious and we are sure they too will eventually disappear (just as the vet said). Parsley's calf is sporting a few now but unless they impinge on his ability to move, eat or drink, we won't worry about them!