“Since my last update I have not stopped working, so consequently I am only just getting round to writing about the last few months on the farm here at Godlingston.

I have carried a camera with me and I thought the best way to show what we have been doing is to again create a series of small videos.

Henry causes havoc

Henry the calf still creates great amusement, although he doesn’t particularly want to stay with the herd, preferring to return ‘home’ in the evening for food, a hot toddy (warm milk) and company. Even in the worst rainstorms he will spend the evening standing with his head through the kitchen window, happy to be with his family. He is no longer allowed in the house, but occasionally breaks in when we have left a door ajar, and causes havoc. His reverse gear is somewhat retarded and his three point turns are nearly non-existent. Consequently if he does make it through the door he requires a wide turning circle. Unfortunately where a bucket and wet wipe used to suffice, his contributions to climate change now require nothing short of a JCB and a fire hose. When my wife finally gets her new kitchen, I anticipate armed guards at the door!

Help from the kids

Summer is always busy on a farm and having no labour means that it all has to done by my wife, my PA and myself. We make an odd trio but with the aid of the children and the odd passer by, we seem to manage to keep the farm on an even keel. 

Honey, I blew up the helicopter

The children are now back at school which means a trip across the water to Bournemouth twice a day, but as you will see on the video, it is a beautiful journey and I quite often manage to make phone calls while my wife drives. There are some lovely shots from the air on this video although we had to get a lift back as I unfortunately blew up the helicopter engine. Highly expensive and more than a little embarrassing! 

We had our Horse and Dog show here in August. It poured with rain, but surprisingly quite a few people and their horses and dogs turned up. Many thanks to all who helped put on the show, especially Becky Mack who doesn’t even have a horse here!

A visit from the dentist

Finally, whilst going through some of my video footage I came across a short video I took last year when Peter Aitkin, one of the equine vets, did some dentistry work on “Molly”.  Warning, if you don’t like fingernails on a blackboard, don’t watch this!”