We must begin today with sunny birthday wishes for Anne – 21 today… and for Alice, who was also 21 earlier this week, and for Brendan, who will also be 21 next week. It is only Boots and Rosie who are yet to reach the 21 years’ old threshold!

The sun is out, blue sky has been sighted by more than one person, for more than one moment, and doesn’t the farm feel better for it! The wisteria near the house is glorious, and the Hawthorn is cascading down the hedges, and where it felt too early 10 days ago, now it feels ‘just right’.

The fields are still squelchy in places, but the grass is growing well, as are the dandelions, which this year feel rather celebratory – the wet spring survived. As soon as the tractor can get on the fields, we will be rolling and muck spreading.

The cattle are all out of the barn. 14 of the young stock have gone to Fordhall Farm, making that herd considerably smaller. Thistle continues to be a constant curiosity for the young stock. The Suckler herd are all enjoying being outside – always joyful to watch the calves born in the barn overwinter adjust to this new world of grass and open skies above them. 

Alice is triumphantly learning to shear, and the Shetland flock have already benefited from her newly acquiring skills. It is a massive bonus that we won’t have to wait for the shearers to be available to fit us in. Especially when, as we know, the hot days arrive with little warning, and the urgency to get the animals sheared and more comfortable becomes more and more pressing.

Success in the barn – the last ewe lambed. Our three bottle supplemented lambs have already left for Willowdene, to join the gang from last year. It was a bit tricky to let ‘lamby’ go – he had made quite an impression on Alice. As children we remember a very cute lamb belonging to our cousins becoming a fully-grown head-butting menace, so we know we have to be brave here. If we felt a ‘Sheep-Pig’ Dick King-Smith moment was possible, we might be swayed, but sadly reason has to prevail. It can be so tedious being grown up can’t it!

The Foraging course that took place two weeks ago was a great success – we were worried Alice and Brendan might have eaten it all, but no, there was plenty for the course group to find – and they have booked 5 more dates for courses this year. Well done woods! Also in the woods, the bee’s swarmed earlier this week, and we think have colonised the wild hive we put up in the tree. Fingers crossed they will be happy there.

In the garden, slugs aside, the soil is drying, and warming. We were somewhat relieved to see this from Clarkson’s Farm – at least the slugs aren’t just here in their billions. We have visiting chickens – back for a few weeks while their humans are away. Sadly, they don’t like the slugs either.

On the business park, the ever-present issue of dog muck remains – just as it does on our streets. Interestingly, in the letters section of the RHS magazine this month an apology by the RHS was published regarding previous advice to put pet hair out for nesting birds. They have been made aware, and now changed their position on this in the light of research that has proven that the majority of pets are treated not just with wormers, but also with a topical systemic pesticide against fleas and ticks. Scientists have discovered that these chemicals are found in every cell of the animal from fur to poo. Even letting dogs swim in waterways is now recognised as an additional contribution to insecticide pollution in our rivers and streams.

We are constantly challenged by this through not just the business park but also the footpaths and bridleways through the farm. It is always hard to think in the round, but here more than ever, to have insecticides in reaching distance of our organic livestock and fields because of visiting family pets’ is a significant challenge. Picking up after your dog is a massive support and positive contribution, not only for a nicer relationship with neighbours, but to also support this farm’s hard worked endeavours.

To return to brighter thoughts, and with our birthday trio in mind,

The Children’s Song by Louisa May Alcott

The world lies fair about us, and a friendly sky above;
Our lives are full of sunshine, our homes are full of love;
Few cares or sorrows sadden the beauty of our day;
We gather simple pleasures like daisies by the way.

Oh! sing with cheery voices,
   Like robins on the tree;
For little lads and lasses
   As blithe of heart should be.

The village is our fairyland: its good men are our kings;
And wandering through its by-ways our busy minds find wings.
The school-room is our garden, and we the flowers there,
And kind hands tend and water us that we may blossom fair.

Oh! dance in airy circles,
   Like fairies on the lee;
For little lads and lasses
   As light of foot should be.

There’s the Shepherd of the sheepfold; the Father of the vines;
The Hermit of blue Walden; the Poet of the pines;
And a Friend who comes among us, with counsels wise and mild
With snow upon his forehead, yet at heart a very child.

Oh! smile as smiles the river,
   Slow rippling to the sea;
For little lads and lasses
   As full of peace should be.

There’s not a cloud in heaven but drops its silent dew;
No violet in the meadow but blesses with its blue;
No happy child in Concord who may not do its part
To make the great world better by innocence of heart.

Oh! blossom in the sunshine
   Beneath the village tree;
For little lads and lasses
   Are the fairest flowers we see.