Pigs & Poultry

I noticed the snowdrops were through towards the end of January; a sign new life is stirring beneath ground. There are some early lambs further down the valley and the mild weather gave some of our ducks the idea spring was around the corner. We wonder if the geese will be laying this month. Traditionally [...]

2012 Arrives!
As the shortest day has passed at least the days seem to be lighter for a little longer. Having said that the weather is so disgusting it doesn’t make you feel much better. Of course, this time last year we were battling snow, ice and incredibly low night time temperatures. Now, at least here [...]

After a wet September I don’t think November was too bad. Pretty mild and with rain mostly arriving at night the days were quite pleasant. The same cannot be said of this week. A definite drop in temperature and short days with plenty of rain and hail makes me feel winter may be on the [...]

As the days get shorter and the forecasters warn of snow showers there can be no doubt winter is around the corner. The autumn colours have been lovely but there have been few crisp autumn days when you could enjoy them. We can only hope the colder temperatures bring a drier spell.
The mild weather has [...]

Well, I guess we wouldn’t be the Lake District if we didn’t have rain but what a soggy September. It is hard to believe some areas are still suffering drought conditions. Here the grass is still growing and the farmers have been busy taking the last of their grass as we have had a dry [...]

I can’t believe it was May when I last managed to update you on what’s going on at Crook Barn. The year seems to be rattling passed. Is it because I have been really busy or am I just getting old and the days shorter? Maybe both!
Anyway, when I wrote last Matilda was due to [...]

Matilda is due to have her kids very soon (and I say kids as she is enormous again). Technically, she is due at the end of the week but I will be surprised if she goes that far. She lies down looking very uncomfortable, especially if the weather is warm and has a definite wobble [...]

Who would have thought Russia would get to host the World Cup? I am not a football fan and really don’t care who hosts it but did Russia have to thank us by sending its weather our way?
Here in Cumbria we got off reasonably lightly compared to the East coast but I wonder if we [...]

As the clocks went back it was great to have some light again in the mornings but the afternoons still seems to catch me out. Especially when it rains all day and never really feels light.
There has been frost some mornings but as the first anniversary of the flooding in Cumbria approached we had some [...]

What an end to this years showing season! Our homebred January gilt took the Lop of the Year title at the final in September.
Throughout the year there are qualifying classes at the major county shows for British Lop boars and gilts born after the 1st of January. The final is then held at the Melton [...]