I bought our tuff spot a few years ago and it has been one of the best things I have ever bought. I bought it with a stand and I usually use it for the children in the garden when the weather is fine. We have had sand, water, shaving foam-basically a whole host of…
We love picnics. There is something to be said for relaxing on the floor-totally at one with nature, enjoying a shared meal with family and friends. Since joining the National Trust, we have packed a picnic at most visits and we always troupe off on the farm to eat al fresco. I recently bought an…
In the last month, lambing has just about exploded. We have pet lambs coming out of our ears and the lambing shed is actually starting to look a bit quieter which is a relief for us all. All in all, it has gone well. You have to be pragmatic about it sometimes. Remember my post…
This month’s sibling’s relationships is largely sponsored by lambing. The children are playing lambing when they are inside and helping with lambing when they are out. Our middle boy is a natural with animals but his little brother is yet to have the gentle gene kick in. We have to watch him closely as he…
If you had asked me in my teens and early twenties what I thought being middle aged was, I would have probably said owning a chest freezer, driving a family car and being members of the National Trust. Indeed I think I offended an older work colleague once when I joked ‘you’ll be National Trust…
At the farm, I like to think we live and breathe seasons. I really think children enjoy reading stories that they can relate to and books can be a really lovely alternative to chocolate gifts at Easter. I have come up with our favourite books for Spring time and Easter at the farm. Emma’s Lamb…
A lesson has been learned at the farm this week. We have had loads of rabbits over the years and I have always been forced to give them away because of over zealous terriers at the farm who would love nothing better than a bunny bagel for lunch. Recently I decided that the children were…
Rapeseed oil is my number one choice for cooking at the farm. Lower in saturated fat and higher in monounsaturated fat than olive oil, it has a high smoke point which means it can be used to cook at high temperatures and it turns everything a beautiful yellow colour. I think I originally started buying…
We are well into lambing now and I think most people are aware of what happens. We are lambing inside this year so the farmer goes into the shed each morning to see if any have been born. If he is lucky, all the new lambs are with their mothers and he pens them up…
It’s tough at the farm at the moment. Some would say we are currently experiencing being victims of our own success. You see, we really wanted our children to love the farm and, I am sure if you follow my social media feeds, you will see that they actually do. It is something natural in…