You are currently browsing the monthly archive for August, 2007.
I’m back…
I went to see my eldest son and his family. Unfortunately little Camille, my granddaughter, had her first fever. Worrying and tiring for Ben and Berengere too. But despite feeling very under the weather Camille still tried her best to smile, laugh and engage us.
I am completely overwhelmed by the response from you following the Countryfile Summer Diaries. Thank you, all, for your enthusiasm, encouragement and good wishes.
I’m away from the farm for a couple of days visiting my son and his family so am unable to write my usual posts. Bear with me until I get home.
Read on, though, for a extraordinary experience I had last Thursday afternoon that I’d like to share with you. Read the rest of this entry »
The sun is shining again and the whole countryside is thrumming with the whining moan-drone of tractors franticly mowing.
Uncut pasture
Ness – my wolf dog…
Ness – a throwback… Read the rest of this entry »
I have three dogs – all bitches at the moment – Skye, Jill and Ness. Read the rest of this entry »
These FMD scares scare me, that’s for sure. I feel myself becoming relaxed, complacent even, then I catch a little snippet on the news about another, and, oh no, another suspected case. Read the rest of this entry »
I can’t think straight. My brain’s like jiggling jelly. My body’s disassociated itself completely and my eyes, nose and lungs feel as if I’ve been burrowing deep in one of those sawdust lucky-dip bins….but I feel so relieved! Read the rest of this entry »
We’ve done it, we’ve done it, we’ve done it…we have actually done it!! Read the rest of this entry »
(click ‘read the rest of this entry’ for latest fmd news)
I made the decision on Monday evening…to cut (our forage) on Tuesday after the predicted early morning rain. Monday had seen another farm go down with FMD resulting in a further cattle cull. The original source of the outbreak was still under investigation. Read the rest of this entry »
Yesterday was my day for working in the shop in Exeter. Inevitably I talked with customers about foot and mouth. Read the rest of this entry »
Last night it rained – heavily.
This morning it rained – heavily.
Suddenly the sun came out; there was a breeze, blue, blue sky and cotton-wool clouds. It looked as if it had never rained at all… Read the rest of this entry »
Yesterday was a bad day. I was a strumming bag of nerves.
My initial reaction to hearing that FMD was back in the country was like a vicious kick to the solar plexus bringing all the fears, horrors, controls and constraints of the 2001 outbreak flooding back. This, coupled with the extraordinarily difficult summer, was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Read the rest of this entry »
We were out last night.
I’ve just turned the computer on (8am) and here was an email from a customer and friend
‘Dear Paula
The news last night can only have had one reaction throughout the country, “Oh no, not again!”
Our thoughts are with you and your lovely ‘boys and girls’, and we fervently wish your area and your farm are spared in the weeks to come.
We wish you the very best of luck.
With best wishes
David & Lizzie’ Read the rest of this entry »
Yes, sun, sun, sun. Warm, bright, glorious sun!
Berengere returned from Marseille and brought the sun back with her. And little Camille has returned home to Norwich…we miss her. Read the rest of this entry »
