Hi, It's Thursday again, that means it's wool workshop day and the sun shines - wer've noticed that Thursdays are often sunny. Wool workshop went well, we tried out a new loom and did some spinning. We talked about selling what we've made - I think we'll have an Easter event.
A second pig, Cleo, has 8 babies. She's a bit stressed, so, apart from feeding her, we're leaving her in peace. She made a nest in the calf house, so the cattle can't come in for another week. We have 2 more expectant sows, I hope they are a bit more cooperative than the first 2 - they're still out in the field, pity we can't leave them there but it's a bit too cold for new piglets. The 2 pork pigs are going to the slaughter house on Monday, together with 2 highland bullocks, so there will be space to bring the other 2 sows in. I'm going to be swimming in meat! Fortunately the beef hangs for 3 weeks, which produces its great flavour, so I should have sold, or frozen the pork by then.
Thursday 24 February 2011
Thursday 17 February 2011
Thursday, my first blog
Hi, this is my first blog and I'm not sure if anyone will want to read it, however, here goes.
We have 4 Gloucester Old Spot sows, and we woke up to find one of them, Boadicea, had produced 11babies. Fortunately we had brought her in from the field yesterday, but she had broken out of her pen and was free in the big shed. Unfortunately, she had lain on some of them and 9 are left. We have left her out today, but will have to try and get her into a pen, because she and her babies are right in the way of where the highland cattle come into feed with their calves. We also have 2 pork pigs in there, nearly ready to eat. The others went to Thirsk market last week and sold abysmally - there were only about 4 buyers for about 300 pork pigs. We will have to find a better way of selling our produce.
Today, was the wool workshop (WWW, meaning Wensleydale Wool Workshop). We breed Wensleydale sheep who have long curly fleece. Some friends and I spend Thursdays together turning this wool into all sorts of things from clothing to cards and jewellery. We sit in the cart shed spinning and weaving, round the wood burning stove, drinking tea and coffee and chatting. Today, we had a dyeing day, which was great fun and very messy. We ended up with some wonderfully coloured wool. At lunch time we had homemade soup and bread and discussed the possibility of selling our produce to raise funds for the "hayshed experience". No one is very experienced in selling but that was why we were originally set up so we need to make a start. Possibilities include farmers markets, craft fairs and online, the problem is finding the time.
The "Hayshed Experience" is my daughter Lucy's company. She gives work experience and training on the farm to disabled people. Our trainees come every week and enjoy the activities we can offer and help to create the produce which includes eggs, beef, pork, lamb, woollen goods, fruit flowers and vegetables all in season. The problem is selling!
We have 4 Gloucester Old Spot sows, and we woke up to find one of them, Boadicea, had produced 11babies. Fortunately we had brought her in from the field yesterday, but she had broken out of her pen and was free in the big shed. Unfortunately, she had lain on some of them and 9 are left. We have left her out today, but will have to try and get her into a pen, because she and her babies are right in the way of where the highland cattle come into feed with their calves. We also have 2 pork pigs in there, nearly ready to eat. The others went to Thirsk market last week and sold abysmally - there were only about 4 buyers for about 300 pork pigs. We will have to find a better way of selling our produce.
Today, was the wool workshop (WWW, meaning Wensleydale Wool Workshop). We breed Wensleydale sheep who have long curly fleece. Some friends and I spend Thursdays together turning this wool into all sorts of things from clothing to cards and jewellery. We sit in the cart shed spinning and weaving, round the wood burning stove, drinking tea and coffee and chatting. Today, we had a dyeing day, which was great fun and very messy. We ended up with some wonderfully coloured wool. At lunch time we had homemade soup and bread and discussed the possibility of selling our produce to raise funds for the "hayshed experience". No one is very experienced in selling but that was why we were originally set up so we need to make a start. Possibilities include farmers markets, craft fairs and online, the problem is finding the time.
The "Hayshed Experience" is my daughter Lucy's company. She gives work experience and training on the farm to disabled people. Our trainees come every week and enjoy the activities we can offer and help to create the produce which includes eggs, beef, pork, lamb, woollen goods, fruit flowers and vegetables all in season. The problem is selling!
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