Working through a bucket list that will last far longer than I will walk this earth is a tall order in times of Covid I can tell you. However, I managed to tick off the “try Lebanese food” recently at a restaurant in Harrods in London.

Very light and refreshing – I like Aubergine and Peppers but..

you can keep the coffee thank you!

so beautiful here at all times..

I saw a number of things on Mums birthday, the first following the sad loss of my Dad, her lifelong partner..

my granddaughter growing up so fast and learning so much in such a short space of time..

and a sign that said it all – Happy birthday Mum, so proud of you and your progress

Welcome beautiful October with still vibrant blood moon, sunrise and sunsets here in the Cotswolds

Well September ends today and October will bring a whole new ballgame for our farm here at Kensmyth. Acorns long fallen and removed as poisonous to the livestock.. said goodbye to some of our homegrown Alpaca as they went on their way to new homes where we wish them well and at last..

water on the ground after hot dry months.. yes really after all that watering of those darn courgettes..

Fly cannot decide what colour he wants to be still but has grown enourmously.. what a handsome chap..

Hot humid nights after an Indian Summer draws to a close and now a fuel crisis – what will October bring?

well I had to laugh at these in Tesco just recently, in fact I bought a couple for my one year old granddaughter who loves bags and bright colours.. but I do wonder why the financed marketing department of Tesco get it so wrong sometimes..

This “No Probllama” is absolutely an Alpaca not a Llama and

I am not convinced by the shearing on the neck that this is not an Alpaca too.. what fun!

Nature provides for all in its own way but fresh fruit is in abundance this year at Kensmyth.. apples, plums, blackberries, hazlenuts you name it.. but what a lot of work Plums are LOL..

picking

removing stones

making the pastry and pie before cooking ..

but then YUM the lovely eating LOL

I must be getting old, I have been complaining about being inundated with courgettes yet again and now they are dying off, I miss them LOL

GOTCHA – these are cucumbers above! courgettes below – well heading for marrows actually !

PLEASE NOTE this photograph was taken off facebook, apologies to sender I could not find to acknowlege and THIS IS NOT ONE OF OURS.

However, it serves as a very poignant reminder to those starting out in alpaca farming why you DO NOT USE HAYNETS with alpaca. This one clearly nearly hung itself but equably when empty they drop down to lower levels and likewise feet can get caught up in them.

Word to the wise on foals – high haynets over haybars can work but foals can also get teeth caught in them when playing and haynets used in stables likewise can drop catching little legs.

If in doubt – put it on the floor or create your own box for the hay

Well I totally understand the need for no one going into the Feed Stores now but I do object when feed is thrown into the back of my car so carelessly that I lose half a sack on the way home – into the boot that I then have to clean out!

Did I complain, no it is someones job and accidents happen but it is SO annoying and time wasting not to mention expensive!