Some people have doubted Humbug's capability as a highly trained, albeit abbreviated, collie dog. I'm here to set you straight...here he is rounding up silage bales. 
Who needs sheep when you have bales? Win every time! Clever Humbug.
More hay and silage gossip coming soon...
Thank you to everyone who braved the chill wind to join us for Open Farm Sunday. Despite the weather, we had 350 visitors and not one pig escaped amidst the excitement, so a good day all round!
One photo was missing from our barn restoration display, and mid clear-up this morning, it reappeared. As a thank you, I thought I would share it on the blog!
This is one of only two photos we own in which the barn is thatched. It was taken from the front garden of the farmhouse, looking across Water Lane (not to mention a rather lovely flower border) - can you imagine the cost to do that now! Or, as Dad wisely pondered, can you imagine taking on a farm with thatched barns today!?
Don't forget, you can submit your present day photos of OFS for the chance to win £100! http://www.farmsunday.org/ofs12b/visit/photographycompetition.eb We would love to see them too - share them on our Facebook page or e-mail them to farm@lowerdairyfarm.co.uk.
Huge thanks to all our helpers without whom the event would not have been possible: Lesley, Georgina, Mandy and Kathy who sold a record amount of cake - Mandy's gluten-free lemon ricotta cake was described as "the best ever" by our GF connoisseurs; Wayne, Paul and Brian for meeting, greeting and fielding questions about multi-colour cows; Will Wilson for bravely volunteering to help at OFS having never seen the farm or us before (very brave)! Becca, Naomi and Bridget for efficiency and cakes for the deprived Taylor girls; Liz for returning after last year and excellent freezer work, and the Wiston crew for the loan of "safe" trestle tables. Not forgetting the lovely other Taylor girls for all their help, support, obsessive drain-rodding and special commendation to the incredible Mrs Rogers for her superhuman pre-Open Day work. Thank you!
..'til Open Farm Sunday!
The cows are looking forward to greeting you!
Where's Hare?
For weeks, the cows stood at the gate bawling to go out to grass.
It's been noisy.
But finally, the cows have left the buildings.
This week, we waved them off into the distance for a long-earned gallop around the fields.
But this looks far too placid...here are the cows in action:
Run, Primrose..Run!
Come and see the real thing on 9th June at Open Farm Sunday!
The grassland looks beautiful this year, not with grass, but flowers. A variety of broadleaved plants have seized the opportunity afforded by the limited grass sward to populate the pasture. Some may call them weeds, but it is a wildlife frenzy out there this year!
Alongside the self-heal and aconites, Lady's smock or Cuckooflower (Cardamine pratensis L.) is out in force on Side Hill, adding a little delicacy to the pasture.
In folklore, this flower is considered highly unlucky, so one to admire from afar!
In the woods next door, an impressive bluebell display is building - Humbug and I took advantage of this on our way to vote yesterday.
Best of all, the kingcups (Caltha palustris L.) are brightening up the river bank, making this one of my favourite times of year. Without fail, however many floods and frosts are thrown at them, the kingcups return.
They may not be exotic or unusual plants, but it is a lot easier to haul water for the pigs and clean out water tanks when there's something pretty to distract you!
FARM SHOP OPENING
Normal AUTUMN/WINTER HOURS
WEDNESDAY - FRIDAY: 10am - 4pm
SATURDAY: 10am - 3pm
SUNDAY: 11am - 1pm
Outside these hours, please phone to arrange collection.
