This week

Franklin is now much better, with his wounds healing nicely. Being able to put weight on his paw means he has been caught a few times this week sniffing out anything that may of been left on the work surfaces.

Maude didn't come back, fearing the worst I think Mr Fox has been around so Mabel is now own her own wondering around. Caught on camera resting with our old duck I'm hoping they will pair up and be friends.

I managed to get in the veggie patch which has major weeding issues, the weather has been dry and mild still so Jerusalem artichokes were dug up. It has been windy here on two fronts this week the weather one with incedible winds and the digestion type with so many fartichokes being eaten. I'm hoping I got them all but cant be confident that next year there will be more. Gorgons happy, he loves artichokes and I found a recipe from Mark Diacono book a Year at Otter farm which had artichokes as a magic ingredient, along with brandy soaked sultanas it was really tasty (and healthy??)

Were now up to three female calves, so sweet,  soon they will be getting into mischief no doubt, mums are taking turns to calf sit. Portiche, our own cow without horns and getting on in years finally gave birth. It looked like a visit from the vet was booked for tomorrow as she had a retained placenta, fortunately all was well this morning with no trace of placenta left so no vet, only for Tyser who's booked in for THE op tomorrow in the hope it will make him a bit happier and less grumpy now his getting on in years or the hope that he will not be fighting for top dog position and will be able to move back into the kitchen as his sleep patterns in the hall are keeping waking us up during the night.

The ducks are in for a treat, hopefully no more swimming in drinking water trays. Work in progress on the pond it hopefully will be finished next week.

While its been dry farmer J has been out in the tractor tidying the edges of the fields where the brambles had gone a little wild.

I have been doing a bit of crafting with Christmas projects, watch out you lucky family members  what may be hiding in your stockings this year!

Farmer J has had an ongoing battle with the hot water tank for more than a month now, it sprang a leak which he patched  a few times with epoxy resin but being as old as this house it had seen better days. No more kettle boiling for washing up or sprinting to the gite for a hot shower we now have a electric water heater, a cheaper option than replacing the fuel one.