Silage is done, fantastic! It is even possible to get through various gateways without the need for full length wellies. This is how it was supposed to be, so we`d better appreciate it while we can.
I have had way too much fun with the newly acquired tractor. I`ve been like a big kid with a new toy and have experienced problems with sharing it amoungst family members. I hope that I grow out of it eventually, they are all a bit fed up with me. 
With all this newly found dry weather, the cubicle shed roof is finally getting its long awaited repairs. There is something very satisfying about watching a roof go on a shed, especially when in foreman mode ~ I don`t do heights. It seems that all the dry weather jobs have just backed right up so a good fortnight of trying to catch up would be most appreciated.
No1 sons Saddleback pig has seriously settled in. She has decided to go completely free range and has what can only be described as a kind but assertive personality. I am pleased that he has developed a farm based interest and have a feeling that next year, he and his pig may need transporting to shows.
The pre-Christmas build up on the website is in hand, new babywear including more muckspreader items are due to be uploaded this month. I enjoy the pre-Christmas workload but have learnt that I do need to set myself deadlines, the planning really does start in August (yeah! sorry but it does!) and builds steadily during the autumn. I definately work best under pressure ~ sad but true!
Well, so much has happened, where do I start? The Royal Welsh was fantastic, as ever. Many to thanks to all who came to the stand to say `hello` and stocked up on Tractor Mad clothing for their children.
We sold the store cattle privately, which seemed to be better for all of us, cattle and humans alike.The weather was good and sunny at that time ~ ah yes! that would have been June.
The silage went well and we are now waiting for a weather window (yeah!) for second cut. To ease the winter cash flow we are looking at hosting some tack sheep this year. Its been many a year since I have done a bit of shepherding, and I am quietly looking forward to it.
We sold the Marshall tractor and have taken delivery of a rather smart John Deere of the monthly repayment variety. It certainly focuses the mind but at least the jobs such as clearing the sheds which are usually done in May can now be completed. Our other tractor, safe in the knowledge that it had worked through its final monthly payment, had a serious breakdown. Oh dear, it sat in the shed in three pieces whilst the calculator went into overdrive.
Number 1 son has had a summer of over exposure to pigs which has resulted in his 12th Birthday present from his Grandparents being Muddy Lane Gertrude ~ a pedigree saddleback who arrived yesterday and settling in nicely. I have experienced the additional paperwork and extended the filing system accordingly. He is well chuffed and they seem to be getting along famously.
The Ecoflow enterprise has really taken off due to the rising price of fuel but also my new venture of hiring Bioflow Magnotherapy Horse Rugs. Talking of which my 32yr old horse is still very much with us, heavily magnetised and being fed on an `all-you-can-eat` basis. If only I had a diet like that!