Time to Say Goodbye

Today we are saying are final farewells to Joy whose presence on the farm is already dearly missed.

It will be a day of reflection, sadness and happiness at the memories she has left behind.

She will be missed by many people.

This little poem is something we found in her purse which will be one of the pieces read at her funeral which affirms her faith and outlook on life.

The Cross in My Pocket

I carry a cross in my pocket
A simple reminder to me
Of the fact that I am a Christian
No matter where I may be.
This little cross is not magic
Nor is it a good luck charm
It isn’t meant to protect me
From every physical harm.
It’s not for identification
For all the world to see
It’s simply an understanding 
Between my saviour and me. 
When I put my hand in my pocket 
To bring out a coin or key
The cross is there to remind me
Of the price He paid for me.
It reminds me, too, to be thankful 
For my blessings day by day
And to strive to serve Him better 
In all that I do and say
It’s also a daily remainder 
Of the peace and comfort I share 
With all who know my Master
 And give themselves to His care. 
So, I carry a cross in my pocket
 Reminding no one but me
That Jesus Christ is Lord of my life 
If only I’ll let him be. 
Her legacy will live on through her boys and granddaughters for many years to come as the sun goes down on her time on our farm.

Blossom

Looking back through my photos I realised that I haven't posted some of the photos I took of the beautiful blossom in the Bath Botanical Gardens earlier in the month. The cherry blossom has now all come and gone as has the apple blossom.

There was quite a range of blossom out.

All of which looked beautiful in the early morning sun.

Only in Bath

The city of Bath does like to show off its beautiful streets to it's visitors. This year it has some different ideas. When I visited the other day it was during The Bath Festival. This is mainly a classical music event over a period of two weeks. These crochets and quavers in Milsom St are a great advert for the festival.

 Further down the city in the Southgate shopping area there is an abundance of artificial greenery which certainly cheers up the streets. This is a fixture for the whole summer and includes a canopy of wisteria over one of the shopping malls.

The telephone boxes are growing triffids.

It seems that even the parking payment machines are 'dressed' accordingly.

All looking very snazzy!

A Sunday Afternoon Walk

My mum and sister joined us for Sunday lunch and then late in the afternoon some of us went for a stroll around the quarry. The sun had finally appeared and the flowers were bathed in late afternoon sunshine. This was encouraging some of the butterflies to rest in the sunshine. Some were in better condition than others.

The orchids are in flower amongst the mare's tails.

They always make a spectacular show.

However often we see them it is always rewarding.

Farmer Daughter drove mum down to see them. It is only possible to bring a vehicle as far as the gate so a bit of careful walking was needed to get all the way to where they are.

Apparently it was worthwhile!

Almost Grown

It's a while since I did a Poppy post although she has featured on a few other pages. She is now almost fully grown. She's 10 and a half months old and generally pretty well behaved.

She is still a little over enthusiastic about jumping up which is something I don't like. Nobody wants dirty paws on their clothes and it can be rather intimidating from a big dog.

She is proving to be a wonderful gardener. Her best skill is digging holes especially in the lawn.... She loves chasing and retrieving balls and sticks and is pretty good at it.

Like most Labradors she loves food. I dare not leave her alone in the kitchen if anything is on the unit. She needed firm holding onto when the sausages were cooking on the fire pit. We certainly didn't want the wrong kind of hot dog!

These are all the joys of bringing up a young dog!

A Photo a Week Challenge: Siblings

On Thursday Nancy Merill chose the subject of 'siblings' for her photo a week challenge. Last week my niece and her family came to visit. We headed after lunch into the woods to see the bluebells. The woods at this time of year  make an ideal background for portraits and I have many years of pictures of the children, the dogs and indeed my niece as a child taken here.

Among other combinations we tried to take some of my two great nephews alone. A great siblings portrait opportunity. The youngest who is generally a very smiley baby was rather bewildered by the situation.

It soon became too much for him!

We had more success with his mum holding them.

Then the whole of the little family.

Then some with student daughter.

We didn't forget the dog either.

An Era Ends

It has been a very sad week here at the farm with the sad loss of the central member of our family. My mother in law passed peacefully in her own home at the age of 91. It is a great loss to everyone.

Joy was born locally in the village of Backwell where her father was a local butcher. 

She came to the farm as a newly wed in 1954. 

Conditions were not what she was accustomed to with no bathroom and no running water but Joy was not deterred. She immersed herself totally in farming and family life bringing up their two boys.

Life was not easy for her. She was widowed over 41 years ago and she worked tirelessly to save the farm for her boys.

She became part of my life when I married 25 years ago and came to live on the farm.

She was a totally devoted mother and grandmother.

Family occasions meant everything to her. Christmas and birthdays were always spent with part or all of the family.

She thought the world of her four granddaughters and they all reciprocated the love helping to care for her in her final days.

We all have a lot to be grateful to her for and her memory will live on for many years on the farm. Without her none of us we be here today.  She will be dearly missed.

A Photo a Week Challenge: Livestock

Today I am joining Nancy from Nancy Merill Photography with her Photo a Week Challenge. When I saw that this week's subject was 'Livestock' I decided I must join in. Who remembers  learning about imprinting at school?  Birds by instinct will follow the first thing they see on hatching which helps to keep them safe. The ducklings and the balloon experiment is one that I clearly remember from my distant schooling. The ducklings on hatching were exposed to the view of a balloon which was imprinted in their memory then as they grew they followed it as if it were their mum.

Our hens would have been hatched in incubators with no sign of a mother hen. I often think that this is why they will race over to follow any human being crossing through the field. This gives rather a Pied Piper effect.

A Quick Comparison

Time soon flies by. These two photos taken by Farmer Daughter show how Poppy has grown.

Then:-

And now!

The Next Crop

This season is proving a little challenging to the farmers. The cold wet period delayed the preparation of the ground for planting the seed potatoes. They are normally in the ground by the end of April. This year several attempts to prepare the ground has been thwarted by more rain. Stress levels become raised when there is such a delay because of the concern about the success of the crop.

The dry warm weather has finally meant that the ploughed ground could be harrowed, the beds formed and the stones removed. 

The seed potatoes were then planted at the beginning of this week. This was not without problems. Some of the seed had begun to sprout which effects the strength of the seed and makes it difficult to feed through the planter.

Planting was well underway by Tuesday afternoon.

It is a relief they are in the ground. We will now soon be wanting some rain to help them grow. Farmers are rarely happy with the weather!

Take Three Thursday: Views from the Park

I am joining Mary Lou with her weekly meme Take Three Thursday where we display 3 photos that have some connection.

When I was walking through Victoria Park in Bath I passed by some very different features. There are several formal flower beds and this one is a popular photo spot being close to The Royal Crescent.

The Royal Crescent itself was not easy to see. A marquee had been placed on the lawn in front of the Crescent which definitely spoils the iconic view from the park. I am not certain what it was for but suspect it maybe a wedding venue connected with the Royal Crescent Hotel which is a very smart hotel in the central part of the crescent.

I always think it is amusing to see the "backside " to these beautifully ornate and elegant Georgian houses. This view shows the back of Marlborough Buildings which is the road at one end of the Royal Crescent. It shows a much plainer side to the houses but also a hive of industry in gardens and allotments.

Mode of Transport

Many of you will know that we sell some of our potatoes and eggs straight from the farm as well as various animal feed. We are used to customers arriving in different ways. The most traditional way maybe by car, van or lorry but we also have walkers and cyclists. Perhaps the most unusual was a man who used his lawnmower!

However on a hot sunny bank holiday what better to travel when purchasing sheep feed than by horse and cart. This local farrier is often seen out on the lanes with his children.