58mm of rain for January mostly during the second half of the month and enough to stop the muckspreading however the recent snow fall and frost should see a few loads spread tomorrow. The disabled toilets are finished barring the electrical wiring so we will now be ready for the new season.

We have been joined by Flora from the Lyon vet collage and Edward from the more local Greenbank for work experience. Last Monday saw heavy snow in the afternoon and the 9 heifers that were still outside had come up onto the back yard that morning and was positivel co- operative at being got in to the sheds for the rest of the winter. Nobody out there can tell me animals don’t have clever instincts. Five are in with the cows and the other four in the 10 shippon. This includes Snowy named during one of our roadshows in 2007 . Speaking of roadshows we are fast filling up our 2009 schedule so book soon to avoid disappointment. The same for our on farm visits. The facilities are now improved with a much better toilet arrangement together with a proper disabled  all now fully working all they now need is a coat of paint.

Flora returned to Lyon and I think she has enjoyed her stay with us. This was her first ” hands on ” experience of cows as where she actually lives near Cannes the drier climate suits vineyards and olive groves. She has as usual for the Lyon students been an excellent ambassador. We did our Salt Museum tour and also we spent a very interesting day visiting a cheese factory click here to learn more. Flora took all the pictures.

Here she is dressed for our visit along with fellow visitor Purnell ( Flora is on the right ). Now on to Andy who is now at home recovering from an operation to correct the damage sustained to his shoulder. This injury has been a great problem for him as he has been unable to carry out his usual paramedic duties and has therefore been doing clerical work for the months awaiting the op. This hasn’t helped his web mastering as his free time was limited as he wasn’t on his usual work pattern. Hopefully a fully fit Andy should be soon back to both jobs soon. Andy visited yesterday as we have a new attraction to show off HOLLY the collie has now arrived and Smidge is currently spending her time growling at her (establishing her place in the pecking order no doubt). She seems a friendly little soul and we have chosen her name as she was born on Christmas day and it is less confusing for Smidge (we hope) the weather is drying up with a cold wind blowing this morning so I suspect more muckspreading next week.

We have had another dry week and no muckspreading due to breakdowns. Also this week we have seen Edwards second week of works experience and he is interested in planting and growing so he was very interested when we collected 4 apple trees for the orchard restoration project. This is the first phase and they are now planted on the picnic area.

More planting again this week from the Middlewich High School as the planted the hedge on the banking of the back yard we are using as a machinery park. Next week will see us siting another shipping container there as it is our aim to keep most things in a safe secure store thus protecting our visitors. Holly is growing fast and becoming increasingly active and as she doesn’t yet respond to commands such as come here properly unfortunately is disappointed when she sees me and Smidge disappearing down the yard. The sharp eyed amongst you might notice the tether we had while she was watching the Middlewich High school planting the hedge Hopefully next week will see Peter fix at least the ford 6600 and I can get on that muckspreader.

More soon PHIL