February 2001

This month has the saying ~ February fill dyke', as is often the way with country sayings it couldn't have been more wrong. We have had one of the driest months for a long time and frosts more nights than not.

We managed to complete the drilling of Winter Wheat in very good conditions, unfortunately all the Rooks in the area were watching very carefully, the field was black with them the next morning. So, off to buy a fancy new birds scarer. 2 bangs an hour seems to do the trick. The machine is controlled by a photoelectric cell so it only works in daylight. After a fortnight they seem to be getting used to it, so I move it around and reinforce the message with the shotgun..

Just routine work most of the month with the final preparations done for the final 3 months before we go Organic( all cows must be fed as well as managed in an organic way) Clearing up after coppicing and laying a hedge took a bit of time, its amazing how much stuff grows in an old hedge.

The last few days of the month struck fear into all of us. Foot and Mouth is a terrible disease and the consequences of getting it would be unbearable. Luckily we built a wheel wash for vehicles entering the dairy a few years ago so after repairs this came into good use. We rarely buy in any stock, and all the sheep left 2 months ago so we sit tight and hope for the best.

The Rooks (when they are not trying to eat our wheat) are busy building their nests high in the trees (that's supposed to mean a good summer-I wonder)The Cock Pheasants are scrapping over their harem. The Pussy willow (sally) and Wych Elms are bursting into flower, Daffodils are pushing out. Spring is definitely on the way!