They are arriving at a steady trickle ………lovely new born lambs. It never ceases to amaze me how new life is as thrilling now as it was when I started shepherding millions of years ago. I think the rams must have taken it a bit easy, hence the steady flow, in fact they must have had a few days off for sure as we haven’t had a lamb born for a few days now. After the terrible winds and rain, we have just turned out the first few ewes and lambs and, as you can see from the photo, its heads down straight away for the ewes as they haven’t seen a …
[Read more...]

We deserted Devon in mid-February for a 70th birthday celebration in a cottage at RSPB Arne in Dorset. The weather was marvellous and we saw many of the species for which this reserve is renowned: Spoonbills, Dartford Warblers, Goldcrests, Firecrests, Sika Deer, the strange woolly coated Mangalica pigs and a few thousand over-wintering Avocets. Returning via Weymouth we met up with our co-grandparents. Here there are two urban bird reserves, Radipole and Lodmore, and quite unlike most RSPB reserves, you can actually get close to the birds. We …
[Read more...]

Our March meeting began with the customary short AGM which was followed by a practical session of seed sowing and pricking out. Amongst the seedlings pricked out were 4 varieties of tomato, lobelia and lupins. These are all being grown on in prepartion for the annual Plant Sale which will be held on Saturday May 11th in the village square. Plant sales will begin at 10am prompt and a very busy 2 hours is expected! Donations of plants are very welcome but please remember to label your contributions as we can’t always recognise what it is! If you …
[Read more...]

Last month, joy was unconfined (again), when three other local WIs joined us in answering quiz questions on subjects from mushrooms to cheeses and beers. Cornucopias of cake were eaten with enthusiasm, then more questions were asked. Not many people knew that. The Many a mickle makes a mickle, and if anyone knows what this means, " We'll take a right good willy-waught, for auld Lang syne," I'll be very grateful. April 9th at 7.30 pm at Broadhembury Hall It's that time of year again!!! The annual meeting is here, and we shall bid goodbye to …
[Read more...]