Signs of spring

This was some of the Longhorn cattle on the way back from Kings Walden Park to the farm before Christmas.

The same cattle can now smell the grass and are looking hopefully at us to be turned out again. It is far too early to consider this for a number of reasons and the fact that we may yet be caught out with some more wintry weather.

However signs of an early Spring abound. Partridges and other birds are noticeably pairing off, grass and clover is growing in the pasture. The sheep's dung has changed completely in the last few days indicating the changes to their diet and pony owners need to be aware that this season the spring grass is already growing.

Three men in the snow

Today it took 3 men to feed and water all the livestock properly this morning. We are now taking hay out to all the sheep as the deep snow and continued frost means it is hard for them to get enough bulk to eat.
All the stock including Gig [pictured here this morning] will paw at the ground to clear the snow and then eat.
Mallards Wood Gigolo is a native New Forest pony and he has grown a very thick coat to cope with the wintry conditions. He has lived out all his life in the New Forest and never been rugged. I would rug him if I could [ because he is a very muddy pony] but as yet have not found a single rug to fit him.

Water for the animals remains the biggest problem with every tap and trough in the yard and in the fields frozen solid. Jon and the water bowser are constantly on the go with heaters running to stop the bowser freezing up while parked. Jon and I have non slip crampons attached to our wellies to help us cope with the treacherous ice that is lurking beneath the snow.

It is very wearisome for everyone as the feeding and watering, in these short days, take up so much time not much else gets done. The forecast also looks like we could be struggling like this for some time to come, just as we did last Christmas and for many weeks last winter.

The farm 4WD is broken down at the moment and we may have to use a tractor tomorrow to get the spare part. We are in urgent need of it as the Discovery broke down last week on the way to the abattoir with a load of pigs. Another vehicle had to be sent to rescue the trailer and the pigs are back here waiting to go again - vehicle and weather permitting.

In the meantime we have plenty to eat and a good fire burning in the stove if and when we can get back inside to enjoy it. I am off out again now to break and remove the ice in the troughs nearest the house and then Jon needs help to inject Poppy, our own cow, who has somehow split her udder and this is potentially a very serious injury as she is rearing twins this year. Then I will take out more hay to Gig and the three sheep who live with him before dark.

We had planned to go to the Carol service tonight to start getting in the mood for Christmas, but I think with the conditions as they are and the long, long hours worked every day to look after everything properly that it will end up with us listening to carols here instead.

The Offley Tundra

The ram lambs having some hay this morning after further snow last night. We are preparing ourselves and the animals for the long winter ahead and planning for contingencies.

At least, thanks to Jon's careful planning, we do have plenty of feed stocks. However winter has started early and we do not want another slow cold spring as it is hard on the animals and also on the people looking after them.

The TV says Luton airport is having delays. When the airport has delays, or is shut, you know that means life at Offley Hoo is a bit more challenging than usual. However Scotland and the North East have had a lot more snow and once upon a time that was normal, even for this time of the year. So perhaps the climate is changing back to colder winters? Who knows. It certainly makes for lots of news coverage and column inches!

Definitely snow

We awoke today to snow, when only rain was forecast. Serious chaos ensued with all major roads around the village closed for hours.

The forecasters insisted it would definitely rain by lunchtime and yet as I write this at 3pm it is still snowing hard.





THE OFFLEY TUNDRA !