The sheep are learning to eat food inside the field shelter ( they are led by the mighty, and rather tiny, Tufty).  We want the animals to get used to coming in so that when they lamb and calve they will be comfortable with their surroundings.  I have already lined up a trainee midwife to help in the spring only she doesn’t know about my plans, as yet.

The cats have finally been allowed out of their cage.  They are to live in the old barn for a few days until they get their bearings and then they will have “the right to roam” anywhere at The Gables…..outside and in any of the farm buildings but NOT in the house.  We rubbed butter into their paws so that, by the time they lick off the fat, they will be used to their new found freedom.

As the Cats Protection League van left so the architects and engineers arrived to size up the barn complex and to show us samples of terracotta roofing tiles.  Somewhat premature as we haven’t even decided what is to be done with the buildings! Then Jason swung down Mill Road with a very expensive piece of hedge cutting equipment with which he carries out contract work for several local farmers.  He offered to trim our hedges and we jumped at the chance so now we look “respectable” once more.