With a slightly milder approach and things beginning to thaw out, we were once again braced for the arctic weather and both the sheep and birds will need an extra hand.
Both Jane and Mark have coped admirally from the idiots who stole from them, keeping their chins up and still helping people like myself, their selfless act should be rewarded, not hindered or devalued.
When I was coming back from Melton Mowbray (the pork pie capital of the world, the best pork pies ever!) our train had been delayed by 45 minutes after thieves stole cabling disrupting all services to the south of the uk.
But thankfully, the sheep and birds, along with other livestock are being well looked after.
It is only whilst I`ve been working on the farm I see how they (Jane and Mark) take pride in everything, something we all take for granted and I hope I can pick up on their good traits (may take a while!)
They treat all their animals with a kindness and reassurance I`ve not seen before, the animals trust them, they walk over to them and take food from them and are even fussed by them, I`m learning and yep, the sheep now come to me for a fuss aswell as food, and it really is quite an uplifting moment to know your animals trust you........
Tuck in girls, whilst we have the sunshine
Family outing!
Who needs a sheepdog? not us, just call them and walk them.....
As the cold weather returns, our feathered friends need help too...
A bullfinch enjoying the pile of logs
And finally food, melted fat and peanuts and both are happy!
Lets look after them both this year and we`ll have more next year!
Even with the cold weather, it was clear there would still be a show on where sheep, cows and pigs would be presented and the best ones would win prizes.
It was the 104th show at Uppingham and the small market town was still a hive of activity and farmers from around the county and beyond would present their small stocks with fluffy,shiny coats and on their best behaviour!
Jane, Mark and myself had taken several months in preparing the animals to be shown.
We would brush them and handle them every day and get them used to different noises which they wouldn`t normally here and feed them good food, but the weather over the past few weeks had not been kind, but we were determined to get them ready and eventually the efforts put in would be rewarded then cruelly snatched away......
It was a bitterly cold morning and it had been snowing, and then it began again. Meanwhile the pigs didn`t mind this morning, they were cuddled up together in their straw beds, but soon it was time to get them ready, their coats gleeming, they were ready.
The last of the brushing and Bella would be ready, but we would continue with brushing at the show as Highland Cows have very thick coats.
Well, Princess couldn`t wait to go!
At the show, brushes in hand and the young heffers were in fine fettal!
Other animals were also ready and hoping to win.
The shiny coats of the cows and bulls and white coats stood out proudly whilst the judge makes his way around the beasts before giving the ribbons of 1st, 2nd and 3rd.
And our two heffers came in a respectable 2nd as the best matching pair, Bella was quite overawed at the ribbon!
Whilst the Heffers came in 2nd, the Gloucester Old Spot Mark and Jane put in also came in 3rd.
But they too would be going home as it was not a farmers buying market today.
And Jane was clearly very happy with the rosette for the matching pair, thats the heffers dear, not the other matching pair!
Sadly, the day turned sour as we returned back to the farm.
Finding all the gates open we new someone had been and left in a hurry........
Thieves had stolen handtools, lead and anything else they could get their hands on and sadly this is not an isolated incident and those so called people deserve to be hung by the short curlies then they would know what it is like to lose something that they need.
These good people are hard workers and have earned everything they own, they didn`t steal it and on numerous occassions have gone without to earn their living and provide for others and it saddens me that there are people willing to take from others whilst those who work hard and for little reward have it snatched away, I`m afraid my words are of little comfort to my friends but I only have contempt and strong unrepeatable words for those who show contempt.
Winter has descended upon us and although picturesque is proving quite a problem on the farm, hence a delay in blogging.
But with a highland cow with a poorly foot, peacocks and hens getting cold and water freezing to the point where the old style of fetching and carrying water comes into play, the days have been long and frustrating, but other days rewarding and enjoyable.
A beautiful view showing the snow and cold so far this year, but this is the best side of winter.
Poor old Tuppence struggling with a back leg injury coping with falling snow as we lay hay on the floor for him to eat and he enjoys lying on it too.
Everyday we take buckets of water out to him to help keep him hydrated.
Although snow contains water, animals don`t see it as that, so it is necessary to ensure they have plenty of food and water.
Our sheep are just the same. We take extra nuts and water out to them whilst others take cover from the cold.
The geese are not too bothered, but there is no pond for them at present.
Whilst the Peacocks and hen rush to the sun whenever it is out to keep themselves warm.
Again, we feed them nuts and they come to the back door to ensure a good feed.
And as usual the dogs always enjoy a good playtime in the snow!
It maybe -7c out here, but these guys don`t mind if its -15! Throw them a snowball or show them a rabbit and they`re more than happy!
The end of the day and still some lovely scenery to be admired, but the cold weather still keeps going and we`re all feeling it.
But we are all doing our bit, to keep the community spirit going and taking care of one another.
I love the snow, but with the farm and seeing the other side where people are struggling, things don`t seem as enjoyable, but we keep each other going and looking after the animals is first and foremost and if it wasn`t for the farmers who keep us going, the uk would not be able to look after itself.
So, lets keep the stiff upper lip and show everyone else how we can do things and still bloody smile!!!
Manton in Oakham, Rutland, is only a small village, but it has a big heart.
Community spirit is evident with people come far and wide to experience an event that happens once a year and raises much needed funds for the village hall and other enterprises.
This year, Manton received a very special award.
The Gold Award for Manton is a very special achievement award and Mrs Barbara Camp receives the prestigious award from the High Sheriff Sarah Forsythe.
The pudding competition itself involved, obviously, making a pudding!
There were 26 in all and alot of tasting going on!
70 people in all enjoyed trying the majority of all 26 puddings, which consisted of mousses (not the animal kind with horns!) cheesecakes, chocolate sponges, flans, banoffe pies (my favourite with mars bars cheesecakes!) gateaux and the ultimate winner orange ice-cream.
My little Mars bar cheesecake effort went down well (better than the rice pudding!) but no awards - oh well, maybe next year?
All 26 puddings together before devourement!
Many a willing "eater" came to taste.
And after?
A welcome cup of
tea (a typically english tradition)
and lots of empty and half empty dishes.
Orange Ice-cream (the winner) at the bottom of picture in bowls.
Recipes are available, but I have not been able to contact people yet to see if I can display them, so for now, pictures only, but well done to everyone who participated and those who walked out like the weeble wobbles, round and pleasantly overstuffed - me included, I think it could be several days yet before I recover from the sugar overload - still, it is only once a year and I could only manage to try 10 puddings and I`m called a wimp! All in a good cause!
It was supposed to be an easy dish,
destined to feed 35 people, but you didn`t make it, I didn`t give you time for the 12:30 deadline!
You should have been mouth wateringly creamy with a zingy nutmeg topping, but you were still swishing about with your rice still hard and not edible.
It wasn`t my fault - the cookers were not working, I tried to rescue you, but you did not rise to the challenge.
You see, it was not only the cookers that let you down, but I failed to add on the extra hours to compliment your dish.
You should have taken 4 hours to cook, but it was nearly 7 before you had your crispy topping, I`m so sorry.
All those people that ended up with undercooked apple crumble instead and not the succulent rice pudding that was promised.
Well, I couldn`t let you go, you were too good to go elsewhere, but by eck, 4 days later and topped with jam or honey and the odd extra cream, you went in our tummy all 35 portions between the three of us!
So the moral of the story is never let anything that`s worth waiting for go to waste, enjoy and savour it!
Now for the recipe!
Ingredients:
For 4 portions!
50g Short grain rice
25g Sugar
1 pint of milk
25g cream (for that creamy touch!)
A Sprinkling of Nutmeg or Cinnamon for the topping
Method:
Heat the oven on gas mark 2.
Place the short grain rice, sugar, milk and cream in a heatproof dish and sprinkle the nutmeg or cinnamon on the top and place in oven and cook for 2 - 2:30 hrs and enjoy!
They are a wonderful fluffy flock,
Tall and a hardy stock.
They originate from Friesland, Holland, But are wonderful to handle and can be very sociable and friendly sheep, as you are about to see.
We went to Worcester to bid for a few, and came back with three all willing and friendly, they walked out with me with no tether or rope, trusting my friendly, guiding hand and voice at a stroke.
And with Jane and Marks soothing comfort it was a breeze to get these new ones home.
But their journey started somewhere else, another loving farm, we could tell.
But the next point of call was the auction house where the farmers bid for new stock, whether for breeding or sadly for a few the pot!
With Mark and Jane looking pensively on, they wanted the best and friendliest of stock.
People think that sheep are dumb, but just like humans they are characters too!
When the three were bought, they were only gently coaxed through, as though they new they were going to pastures sturdy and true.
They would soon mix with other friends
And just like Marshmallow here, enjoy a good scratch and a cuddle!
How close can you get to a sheep without it running off?
The three are now settled, one is called "come in No 10", the other Phylis and the other, well, you decide, it is a girl and she is in lamb, so a nice name won`t go amiss!
The farm is always busy, with loads of things to do.
There is the feeding of the animals and mending of fences too, With Mark and me amending, Jane is attending the cattle!
It is a small farm, where the animals come to you,
Not a large farm where the animals are afraid of you because they are not handled.
That is the difference between commercial farming and small holdings farming.
Princess the Highland cow is enjoying her daily brush from Jane.
What I`m about to do is provide an unusual blog and introduce you to farm life whilst the walking is on hold.
I will introduce you to the people and animals and a true story will unfold!
I hope you will enjoy the difference and now that the introductions are over, it is time again to enjoy some culinary delights!
Cherry Almond Cake
I currently cook for around 20 - 40 people.
Country life is different to city life and even the cooking is different, something I have yet to master, but with Jane`s help, it is coming - slowly!
But this recipe is one that has been handed down through generations, so I hope you enjoy it!
The texture should be light and "bouncy" to the touch
Although the cherries have shrunk to
the bottom on this photo, there is a trick which will keep them "afloat"
Ingredients:
8oz butter, softened
8oz caster sugar *
You can use normal sugar. With caster sugar, the cake mixture is more dense, but with normal sugar it will help raise your cake and make it lighter and your cherries will "rise!"
4 medium eggs (preferably a week old as this helps with texture of cake)
8oz plain flour
Several drops of Almond Essence ( I put in about 8!)
1 tsp baking powder
200g carton glace cherries, halved
4oz ground almonds
4 tbsp milk
2oz flaked almonds
Method:
Beat sugar/butter together until light and fluffy, followed by the eggs, 1 at a time with a spoonful of flour and almond extract.
Sift remaining flour and baking powder over mixture and fold in cherries, ground almonds and milk.
Put mixture in tin (approx 20inch lined tin) add flaked almonds and put in oven gas mark 3 for an hour 15 mins - an hour and 30 mins and enjoy!
