I think it must have rained at some time of every day in the month, the river has been out several times depositing rubbish across the fields. I now feel like a beachcomber, finding hedge stakes, rails and posts also a ladder and even a beer barrel!

With most of the animals inside it hasn`t been too bad. They have taken to their Organic feed well and are looking and milking very well. The Herefords, still outside, provided they have some shelter and plenty of fodder, can tough it out easily, the sheep too, provided they have somewhere dry to lie, also seem fine.

With the last of the leaves coming off the trees and much of the other cover reduced, the raptors have a field day. I suppose the its natures way of stocking up (both fat and experience) for the winter. I have seen Buzzard, Brown (Tawny) Owl, Barn Owl, Kestrel, Sparrow Hawk, Peregrine and a lovely little Merlin doing 25 mph down the lane in front of the Landrover. The Herons, Cormorants and Ravens also become more evident

The ancient Welsh felt that Herefordshire was desirable for its Wheat, Wool, Water, Wood, Women and Wine(Cider) I think I would be inclined to agree. The last is still produced in vast, and increasing, amounts. The apples that are left behind attract the chattering hoards of Field Fares, these have come from Northern Europe, and will probably finish off all our Holly berries as well as the windfalls before most of them move off further South.