Well the weather has significantly changed with more rain and a drop in temperatures. Early in the month we did some muck spreading of one of the fields, the rain then helped to break down the muck and get the nutrients into the soil.

As the month continued the rain softened the ground so thankfully we got the muck out before the tractor could damage the ground.

One of the benefits of the softening of the ground has allowed for us to carry out repair work to the field fences and replacing damaged fence posts. One of the problems that we have is that many of the tanalised fence posts that we have put in over the last 10 years have failed so we are replacing them with creosoted cundies as they have a better level of protection in the clay soil.

In the middle of the month saw Anne at the The Christmas Fayre at Swarkestone Garden Centre with her craft stall. While it was a cold wet weekend there was a good turn out on both days and saw a few good sales of her crafts that are made using the wool and fleece from the sheep and alpacas.

It also was also the first public showing of Anne’s newest product which is hobby horses – great for kids or for adults that are taking part in Hobby Horse Dressage.

The other major change on the farm is the addition of Patty, we’ve spent a year without having dogs so it is good to have a dog back on the farm.

while she was a bit nervous when she arrived she is settling in quite well and we introduced her to each of the animals. she is now quite happy being around Willow the Pony when she is in the yard, while learning all the smells of the farm.