some useful rain

10 mm rain overnight so far and still raining. Hopefully enough to persuade the grass to grow and the game cover to germinate. It is colder than we are used to and Gig the pony was shivering at 6.30am. Half an hour inside his warm stable with some hay and a rug on and he is much recovered.

Meanwhile we must plan what to do with the 35+ ladies from the WI who are coming on a farm visit at 10.30 today if it remains wet.

This photograph is from a previous educational visit by another WI group on 23rd May. The tractor has stopped and Jon is explaining all about new hedges and beetle banks.

EDIT: Update at 11.15am, another 3 mm rain making 13 mm in all since 6pm last night, that is half an inch in 'old money' and enough to make a difference says farm manager Jon.

The lovely WI ladies have braved the weather and set off on their trailer tour of the farm whilst the rest of us continue with routine tasks and organising things for Open Farm Sunday.

Gig having a bit more soaked hay inside and his rug is now off, he appears to be restored to his normal greedy self.

EDIT: 5.50pm. Jon is very pleased with the rain, the WI ladies were just slightly damp after their trip and their tour ended with Jon lambing a ewe. Unfortunately the lamb was stillborn, but that is farming for you.

Next Monday we have another WI group and Offley First School Reception Class after lunch. We look forward to both these visits.

Back to reality

We are back from a lovely break in Cornwall and already the holiday seems long ago.

Jon injected a lame calf this morning for suspected joint ill and we have been planting out brassicas in the garden and weeding the carrots.

Tomorrow morning we host the first of three planned visits by Hertfordshire Women's Institute.

The weather is so dry with blustery drying winds and we have had several threatened showers today but received nothing more than a few drops. It is becoming worrying as everything desperately needs rain.

Must dash now as we've had a phone call about a broken gate in a field with livestock in.

WI visit and walk

The local WI came on an outing last week. It was a lovely evening but became very cold as we walked back to the farm.

The pigs lined up beautifully for their photos to be taken!