Back by Popular Demand ;)

I can't believe it has only been a month since I last wrote on here; so much has happened, I don't even know where to start!

Firstly, the Commons Day hosted here at the farm went really well, with over 75 people attending and several subsequent news articles in the Henley Standard. After the celebrations and a brief, hard-earned period of relaxation, it was back to the grind as we sheared the rest of the sheep and treated them to prevent fly strike. Since then we have been working on fencing for pigs, cows and sheep, as well as moving animals to various different places. I have also been surveying many different places with Tony and Will, where we saw interesting plants including four or so species of Orchid.

At the end of June I went back to Kent for the Monkton Nature Reserve AGM. It was nice to see everyone again and hear all the plans and hopes for the future. We had a barbeque and I took some photos with my film camera; fingers crossed they come out OK!

Will and I have been using the weekends to try different traditional skills and see new things in the area. We made some delicious Elderflower cordial using flowers from the common and some felt scarves (which we are yet to finish) using the wool from the shearing. They are pretty impressive, although I won't be able to wear it in any kind of wet weather for fear of smelling like a sheep! We also visited the Chilterns Open Air Museum for the heavy horse show. We are hoping to go fishing soon, a sport I am yet to try; photos will follow!



Most recently I have been redesigning the farm website with Will (see the link above). At the weekend I visited Henley for the Regatta when Fran came for a visit; it was a revealing day (some of the dresses truly were) with everyone in their best frocks, drinking in the sunshine and watching the boats.

Last night a brown long eared bat flew into the shed while I was getting ready for bed- it gave me quite a fright! It settled on a bucket and spade before flying off into the greenhouse (it obviously wasn't a good day for 'batty')! I hope it has left now, I'm certainly not looking forward to nightfall tonight.

Next week Robin and the family are off to Spain for their holidays and so Will and I shall be left to run the fort with Tony. We will be continuing our survey work if this glorious weather holds and writing an article for a land management publication.

Phew!