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      <title>Black Sheep Blog</title>
      <link>http://www.fwi.co.uk/blogs/black-sheep-blog/</link>
      <description>Daily musings of an agricultural journalist</description>
      <language>en</language>
      <copyright>Copyright 2008</copyright>
      <lastBuildDate>Fri, 08 Jun 2007 14:23:29 +0000</lastBuildDate>
      <generator>http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/</generator>
      <docs>http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss</docs> 

      
      <item>
         <title>Goodbye and farewell!</title>
         <description><![CDATA[They say all good things must come to an end and this is indeed true for another member of the Mighty Black Sheep. I, Disco Stu, am moving to new adventures and therefore this is my final posting.

We have had some good times together; remember the <a href="http://www.fwi.co.uk/blogs/black-sheep-blog/2007/02/not-so-pancake-crazy-anymore.html">pancakes</a>:

<img alt="pancake1.gif" src="http://www.fwi.co.uk/blogs/black-sheep-blog/pancake1.gif" width="200" height="150" />
<img alt="Yummie.gif" src="http://www.fwi.co.uk/blogs/black-sheep-blog/Yummie.gif" width="200" height="150" />

Or maybe my shameless <a href="http://www.fwi.co.uk/blogs/black-sheep-blog/2007/02/we-couldnt-get-kate-moss.html">modelling</a>:

<img alt="Stu.JPG" src="http://www.fwi.co.uk/blogs/black-sheep-blog/Stu.JPG" width="235" height="314" />

Embarrassing moments aside, it has been a pleasure and i hope you enjoyed reading this blog as i much as i have enjoyed writing it.]]></description>
         <link>http://www.fwi.co.uk/blogs/black-sheep-blog/2007/06/goodbye-and-farewell-1.html</link>
         <guid>http://www.fwi.co.uk/blogs/black-sheep-blog/2007/06/goodbye-and-farewell-1.html</guid>
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category">Anecdotes</category>
        
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">disco stu</category>
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">fwi</category>
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">goodbye</category>
        
         <pubDate>Fri, 08 Jun 2007 14:23:29 +0000</pubDate>
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         <title>Olympic  logo farce</title>
         <description><![CDATA[<strong>For the final day, Miss Alice Serras:</strong>

I've never been much of an artist but I think even I could have come up with a better design for the logo representing <a href="http://www.london2012.com/">London's 2012 Olympics</a>.  

This appears to be a sentiment echoed throughout the country with 38,000 people signing a petition for the logo to be scrapped.  One of my favourite quotes, found online, was: "I've vomited better logos." 

 For those of you who haven't seen it yet, (where have you been?) picture the <a href="http://www.tiswasonline.com/">Tiswas</a> logo and you're half way there.  On top of all this, the 'geniuses' behind the idea have managed to spend £400,000 on a promotional video that triggers epileptic fits.  

Farmers Weekly has decided to embrace this artistic outpouring by running a competition to design a logo for the <a href="http://www.rase.org.uk/">British Agricultural Society</a>.  To find out more and to enter <a href="http://www.fwi.co.uk/logo">click here</a>.]]></description>
         <link>http://www.fwi.co.uk/blogs/black-sheep-blog/2007/06/olympic-logo-farce.html</link>
         <guid>http://www.fwi.co.uk/blogs/black-sheep-blog/2007/06/olympic-logo-farce.html</guid>
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category">Anecdotes</category>
        
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">fwi</category>
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">logo</category>
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">olympics</category>
        
         <pubDate>Thu, 07 Jun 2007 14:26:42 +0000</pubDate>
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         <title>The Full Monty</title>
         <description><![CDATA[<strong>It was so successful yesterday, that Alice has continued her blogging today:</strong>

It's not been unusual (pun intended) to hear strains of Tom Jones' 'You Can Leave Your Hat On' in the office all morning.  Thankfully it's not his 'Best Of' album but a video of six hunky farmers getting their kit off. 

Don't judge us though, it's not what you think!  It's all in the name of charity.  It may not be everyone's first thought for a fundraiser but six Cumbrian lads have decided to strip off Full Monty style on 16 June to raise money for their local hospital.  

The event is already a sell out, with local women beating down doors to get tickets to see these burly young men.  Their practice video can be seen on <a href="http://www.fwi.co.uk/monty">fwi.co.uk/monty</a>  and it's definitely worth a watch.]]></description>
         <link>http://www.fwi.co.uk/blogs/black-sheep-blog/2007/06/the-full-monty.html</link>
         <guid>http://www.fwi.co.uk/blogs/black-sheep-blog/2007/06/the-full-monty.html</guid>
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category">Anecdotes</category>
        
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">farmers</category>
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">full monty</category>
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">fwi</category>
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">stripping</category>
        
         <pubDate>Tue, 05 Jun 2007 16:45:56 +0000</pubDate>
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         <title>Poltical correctness gone mad!!!!</title>
         <description><![CDATA[<strong>From guest blogger (and internationally renowned writer and work experience attendee) Miss Alice Serras</strong>

Gingerbread 'people', midday supervisors (as opposed to dinner ladies), lollipop 'person' - just when you thought political correctness could go no further, common sense has finally been pushed over the edge.  

The <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/">RSPB</a> has banned the use of the work 'cock' to describe male birds on its online forums and appears to be phasing out its use throughout its website.  Any user who attempts to use the offending word will find it censored. 

The RSPB claims it has put this into practice as a lot of children visit the website and it wishes to avoid embarrassment.  Surely the bigger concern should be why children would realise this could be an embarrassing word in the first place?!?  However fans of blue tits need not worry, there are no plans to rename them...yet.]]></description>
         <link>http://www.fwi.co.uk/blogs/black-sheep-blog/2007/06/poltical-correctness-gone-mad.html</link>
         <guid>http://www.fwi.co.uk/blogs/black-sheep-blog/2007/06/poltical-correctness-gone-mad.html</guid>
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category">Anecdotes</category>
        
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">bird</category>
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">fwi</category>
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">political correctness</category>
        
         <pubDate>Mon, 04 Jun 2007 16:29:36 +0000</pubDate>
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         <title>Blind date: The final</title>
         <description><![CDATA[<img alt="watts.gif" src="http://www.fwi.co.uk/blogs/black-sheep-blog/watts.gif" width="320" height="240" />

All this week we have been running a feature that highlights the pros and cons of finding date in the countryside. 

Mr Food Chain Andrew Watts volunteered (reluctantly) to be our eligible bachelor, as we went to a <a href="http://www.pointtopoint.co.uk/">point-to-point</a> and found three lovely ladies for him to go on a date with.

It's been a long and emotional journey but Mr Food Chain has chosen and now it is time to see how his final date goes.

Will they get on?Will love blossom?<a href="http://www.fwi.co.uk/Articles/2007/06/01/103855/farmers-weeklys-blind-date-watch-the-fifth-and-final.html">Watch to find out</a>]]></description>
         <link>http://www.fwi.co.uk/blogs/black-sheep-blog/2007/06/blind-date-the-final.html</link>
         <guid>http://www.fwi.co.uk/blogs/black-sheep-blog/2007/06/blind-date-the-final.html</guid>
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category">office</category>
        
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">countryside</category>
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">date</category>
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">dating</category>
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">fwi</category>
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">mr food chain</category>
        
         <pubDate>Fri, 01 Jun 2007 14:15:06 +0000</pubDate>
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         <title>Animals fight back!!!</title>
         <description><![CDATA[After last night's <a href="http://www.fwi.co.uk/blogs/black-sheep-blog/2007/05/in-royal-protest-corgi-for-sup.html">Corgi</a> story shocked the office, we were even more horrified by the animal kingdom's response...they brought out the <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hereford/worcs/6703451.stm">hamster</a>, and then an <a href="http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30200-1268134,00.html?f=rss">elephant or two</a>. Lord help us!!!!]]></description>
         <link>http://www.fwi.co.uk/blogs/black-sheep-blog/2007/05/animals-fight-back.html</link>
         <guid>http://www.fwi.co.uk/blogs/black-sheep-blog/2007/05/animals-fight-back.html</guid>
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category">Animals</category>
        
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">animals</category>
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">attack</category>
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">corgi</category>
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">fwi</category>
        
         <pubDate>Wed, 30 May 2007 17:06:06 +0000</pubDate>
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         <title>In Royal protest - Corgi for supper </title>
         <description><![CDATA[<strong>The following may offend dog owners or vegetarians. If you are a dog loving vegetarian i  definitely wouldn't read the following:</strong>

This performance artist shows a more extreme method of <a href="http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30100-1267818,00.html?f=rss">protesting</a>. The office has been discussing about how much meat you would get from a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pembroke_Welsh_Corgi">Corgi</a> but i would say that all Corgi's that i have seen are chubby little things. Miss Business Reporter said that she thinks it will taste like lamb but i am not sure.]]></description>
         <link>http://www.fwi.co.uk/blogs/black-sheep-blog/2007/05/in-royal-protest-corgi-for-sup.html</link>
         <guid>http://www.fwi.co.uk/blogs/black-sheep-blog/2007/05/in-royal-protest-corgi-for-sup.html</guid>
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category">Animals</category>
        
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">dinner</category>
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">dogs</category>
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">fwi</category>
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">royal</category>
        
         <pubDate>Tue, 29 May 2007 16:40:38 +0000</pubDate>
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         <title>Cat-tastic</title>
         <description><![CDATA[<img alt="Nutmeg%20and%20Parsley.jpg" src="http://www.fwi.co.uk/blogs/black-sheep-blog/Nutmeg%20and%20Parsley.jpg" width="314" height="235" />

Mr Farmlife has been <a href="http://www.fwi.co.uk/blogs/rural-life/2007/05/meet-nutmeg-and-parsley.html#more">gushing over his kittens</a> since he got them last week. 

Pictures of his new pets in various cute poses have been circulating the office over the past few days, resulting in lots of "aaahs" coming from members of the <a href="http://www.fwi.co.uk">FW</a> team (Miss Poultry World in particular).

This afternoon, weekend visits were even arranged to see the pair, named Parsley and Nutmeg.

It seems as though it's not just Mr Farmlife who has given unusual names to his feline friends.

Mr Foodchain lovingly call's his housemate's cats 'Black Cat' and 'Other Cat', and when pressed admitted he couldn't actually remember their real names.

But my favourite names went to Mr News Editor, who, banned by his family from calling his cats Steve and Mike, instead plumped for Greg and Fergal.

Sadly I'm allergic to cats, which means I'll never have the opportunity to bestow a bizarre name upon one. Perhaps I should get a goldfish instead - I wonder if it'd appreciate being called Fluffy.]]></description>
         <link>http://www.fwi.co.uk/blogs/black-sheep-blog/2007/05/cattastic.html</link>
         <guid>http://www.fwi.co.uk/blogs/black-sheep-blog/2007/05/cattastic.html</guid>
        
        
         <pubDate>Fri, 25 May 2007 16:19:00 +0000</pubDate>
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         <title>Fears amongst the flock...</title>
         <description><![CDATA[I found an unwelcome eight-legged visitor in my sock drawer this morning. Not being a fan of spiders, I felt incredibly proud of myself when (albeit trembling and sweating) I scooped it into a glass and took it outside it into my garden. 

My triumph was short-lived though. While I wasn't exactly expecting to be applauded when I shared my gallant tale at the office, I didn't expect quite so much laughter from the <a href="http://www.fwi.co.uk">Farmers Weekly</a> team.

"It was only the size of a <a href="http://www.smarties.co.uk/">Smartie</a>?" Mr Web Editor asked incredulously. "You ought to be careful - it's probably <a href="http://australian.museum/spiders/life/spiderlings/care.htm">laid eggs</a> on your sports socks," he joked. (At least, I hope he was joking. Maybe I should check when I get home this evening...)
]]></description>
         <link>http://www.fwi.co.uk/blogs/black-sheep-blog/2007/05/fears-amongst-the-flock.html</link>
         <guid>http://www.fwi.co.uk/blogs/black-sheep-blog/2007/05/fears-amongst-the-flock.html</guid>
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category">office</category>
        
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">cows</category>
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">farmers weekly</category>
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">office</category>
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">phobias</category>
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">sheep</category>
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">Spiders</category>
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">wind turbines</category>
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">wool</category>
        
         <pubDate>Thu, 24 May 2007 13:55:19 +0000</pubDate>
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         <title>Moonbow</title>
         <description><![CDATA[Check out this picture of a <a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/local/lat-moonbow_ji9fzfnc20070521212156,0,4770224.photo?coll=la-home-center">moonbow </a>over Yosemite Falls, taken by photographer Brent Gilstrap. 

See we can bring you beauty here at the Black Sheep.]]></description>
         <link>http://www.fwi.co.uk/blogs/black-sheep-blog/2007/05/moonbow.html</link>
         <guid>http://www.fwi.co.uk/blogs/black-sheep-blog/2007/05/moonbow.html</guid>
        
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">fwi</category>
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">moon</category>
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">pictures</category>
        
         <pubDate>Wed, 23 May 2007 17:14:31 +0000</pubDate>
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         <title>Gay pride flamingo style</title>
         <description><![CDATA[A nice story of how two gay flamingos have become foster parents after taking on an abandoned <a href="http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30100-1266787,00.html?f=rss">chick</a> after their parenting skills were seen to be top notch. ]]></description>
         <link>http://www.fwi.co.uk/blogs/black-sheep-blog/2007/05/gay-pride-flamingo-style.html</link>
         <guid>http://www.fwi.co.uk/blogs/black-sheep-blog/2007/05/gay-pride-flamingo-style.html</guid>
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category">Animals</category>
        
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">flamingo</category>
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">fwi</category>
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">gay</category>
        
         <pubDate>Tue, 22 May 2007 15:51:29 +0000</pubDate>
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         <title>Sweets galore!!</title>
         <description><![CDATA[The office today has been like <a href="http://chocolatefactorymovie.warnerbros.com/">Willy Wonka's</a> chocolate factory, brimming with chocolate and sweets (well digestives and pear drops) that we have gorged ourselves on. 

All day members of the team have been pretending to come over to the news team (who have all the sweets) with 'serious agricultural issues', before returning with a sneaky chocolate digestive in their pocket. 

I have of course used no such tactic, just bounding up and stealing a biscuit before running off before Miss Deputy News Editor throws something at me. ]]></description>
         <link>http://www.fwi.co.uk/blogs/black-sheep-blog/2007/05/sweets-galore.html</link>
         <guid>http://www.fwi.co.uk/blogs/black-sheep-blog/2007/05/sweets-galore.html</guid>
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category">office</category>
        
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">fwi</category>
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">office</category>
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">sweets</category>
        
         <pubDate>Tue, 22 May 2007 15:35:15 +0000</pubDate>
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         <title>Mickey Mouse-shaped tomato</title>
         <description><![CDATA[We haven't had an unsual shaped fruit (or a vegetable) for a while, so <a href="http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_2341572.html">here is the story</a> of a tomato (which i think is a fruit!!) that is shaped like Mickey Mouse. It's not like our usual <a href="http://www.fwi.co.uk/blogs/black-sheep-blog/2006/10/amusing-vegtables.html#more">rude</a> standard, but any fruit shaped like a <a href="http://home.disney.go.com/">Disney</a> character is worthy of respect.]]></description>
         <link>http://www.fwi.co.uk/blogs/black-sheep-blog/2007/05/we-havent-had-an-unsual.html</link>
         <guid>http://www.fwi.co.uk/blogs/black-sheep-blog/2007/05/we-havent-had-an-unsual.html</guid>
        
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">disney</category>
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">fruits</category>
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">fwi</category>
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">pictures</category>
        
         <pubDate>Mon, 21 May 2007 14:57:48 +0000</pubDate>
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         <title>Balancing acts</title>
         <description><![CDATA[<img alt="grass.gif" src="http://www.fwi.co.uk/blogs/black-sheep-blog/grass.gif" width="320" height="230" />

Mr Europe Editor has been sent these two images of people who have unusual methods of carrying large quantities of material. I think the grass rider is trying to camouflage his/herself, but unfortunately the undergrowth 'look' is unworkable in a city street. As for the egg guy, it sure looks impressive, but if he has to stop quickly he is definately going to get egg on his face (sorry but it was too good of a pun to ignore)

<img alt="eggs.gif" src="http://www.fwi.co.uk/blogs/black-sheep-blog/eggs.gif" width="300" height="232" />]]></description>
         <link>http://www.fwi.co.uk/blogs/black-sheep-blog/2007/05/balancing-acts.html</link>
         <guid>http://www.fwi.co.uk/blogs/black-sheep-blog/2007/05/balancing-acts.html</guid>
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category">Submitted images</category>
        
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">eggs</category>
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">europe</category>
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">fwi</category>
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">grass</category>
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">pictures</category>
        
         <pubDate>Fri, 18 May 2007 15:46:14 +0000</pubDate>
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         <title>Fitness freaks!!!</title>
         <description><![CDATA[Here in the FW towers we pride ourselves on our physical prowess; you can often find us in the local pub playing darts, back-gammon and other such physical sports.

We have found a more unusual way of weight control however, using a computer game console called the <a href="http://wii.nintendo.com/">Nintento Wii</a>. 

This '<a href="http://www.wiiweightlossplan.com/">Wii Weightless plan</a>' allows you to lose weight by interacting with the computer. One person on the regime is even blogging about his <a href="http://nintendofatcamp.blogspot.com/">experiences</a>.

I think i would prefer to go for a walk to be honest but good luck to these guys.]]></description>
         <link>http://www.fwi.co.uk/blogs/black-sheep-blog/2007/05/here-in-the-fw-towers.html</link>
         <guid>http://www.fwi.co.uk/blogs/black-sheep-blog/2007/05/here-in-the-fw-towers.html</guid>
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category">office</category>
        
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">fitness</category>
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">fwi</category>
        
          <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">games</category>
        
         <pubDate>Thu, 17 May 2007 15:49:36 +0000</pubDate>
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