The lambs are here!

Well the lambs are here! The children and I stopped to take this photo last week of the ewes and lambs in one of our neighbours fields. Herefordshire is a beautiful county with rolling hills and it is fantastic to see the lambs gambling in the fields. Sheep farmers are facing a touch time with all the restrictions due to bluetongue and the foot and mouth outbreak last year - but some farmers have lived in hope of better times and begun the cycle again!

The first hints of spring

On Sunday we went for a walk in the lovely warm February sunshine and there are the first hints of spring in the air. The days are definitely getting longer and this will wake up nature again. I took some photographs as we walked and here they are - snowdrops, catkins and the first buds of spring. It is wonderful to know that the growing cycle has begun for another year.

February sun

Well the warm weather has got the wheat growing in the fields, the daffodils are in bloom on the drive and the birds are all busy pairing up on the farm.

Wet weather continues

The wet weather continues but we have seen some January colour in the garden. The gales have continued and it certainly is blustery!

Flooded again and longing for spring

Well, the River Frome has burst its back again - flood water everywhere in the valley and there seems no end to the rain. The warm hot spring last year now seems a long time ago. For those that have forgotten follow the link to the BBC website for a refresher on those balmy days. I cheered myself up a lot! I haven't posted any more photographs because at the moment the farm doesn't look as though much has changed over the last few weeks - a bit of sunshine and it will be a different story. The daffodils are peeking through on the drive though - I will take some photos when they are in bloom - the promise of spring.

H5N1 found in the UK again

H5N1 has been found in three dead mute swans near Weymouth, Dorset. A sobering time for poultry growers. Follow the link for more details.

Clun Castle

We also visited Clun Castle on New Years Day which proved a refreshing walk to the top of the castle mound! When we got there the views were magnificent.