January 2012

Can’t believe we’re nearly at the end of January already and how warm has this winter been?! Christmas came and went with both me and Glyn working on the radio, he in Bristol for the Beeb and me on Sunshine in Herefordshire and Monmouthshire. We managed to have our ‘works doo’ though which is just me and him, but never quite sure which one of us gets to sleep with boss!

Been a bit hectic on the animal front, we said goodbye to Rocky the Ram who visited for a couple of months, I managed to escape with only one experience of a sore left buttock when I turned my back on him for just a moment (thankfully he didn’t have horns). Here’s hoping the colour green on the ewes will turn into lambs end of April, especially for Shirl who had to have the vet out for a rather nasty abscess in her foot.

It appears I’ve still ‘got it’ when it comes to milking cows. It has been well over 10 years since I last milked one and 14 since I used to do it for a living, but I’ve been helping out on a local estate whilst they’re a person down and have to admit it was like riding a bike, yes the job all came back to me but I’d forgotten just how physical it is, so for 2 days I did walk like I’d ridden a bike for the first time in 10 years! One thing that was lovely to remember though, was just how friendly, helpful and genuine people are who work with livestock, they made me feel very welcome, were very complimentary and infact I’m doing a couple more weekends for them until their new chap starts. Great for me as it’s our quiet time with no shows going on although I’d forgotten also just how much the smell of cows linger! 

I’ve just finished writing my March column for Worcestershire, Herefordshire & Wye Valley Life Magazines which will mention our situation with TB as that is when our cows are tested. It’s very difficult to put down in words your emotions and thoughts, especially because of the way others may interpret it, especially with the recent announcement of 2 pilot badger culls in Somerset and Gloucestershire, with the latter including parts of Malvern Hills, Wychavon and Forest of Dean.  All I know is if my ‘girls’ reacted to the test and I had to lose them: a) It would break my heart b) just by taking them off the land doesn’t address the problem and c) there’s no way I’d have cattle again. TB has been allowed to spiral out of control and to not do anything about this disease which reared its ugly head in the mid 90′s is beyond me. I love my wildlife, and I love to see badgers and if you have them and you don’t have TB on the farm, then you leave well alone but something is dreadfully wrong in the countryside and we have to look at all causes. It’s no good just declaring that cattle spread it to each other, especially when many ‘closed’ herds have been lost so where has it come from when they rear their own breeding stock, have no close neighbours with cattle and don’t buy anything in? TB is already spilling out into other species including wild deer, goats, alpacas and yes cats and dogs. I like many would vaccinate tomorrow, but sadly we’re several years away from that. Until then, we will see many more Dairy and Beef Farms forced to give up, not just because of saying goodbye to animals which can be traced back to the family farm from a 100 years or more but because of the stress and heartache it causes and then there’s the cost – once a farm has TB they are in effect, unable to trade. On a personal front, I no longer want to feel physically sick each March when the Vet feels the necks of Blossom, Ruby and now Gracie to see if they have reacted to the test. It’s more like a lottery and believe me when I say that if you hear the words ‘clear’ you feel as if you’ve won a million pounds.

Too old now for early mornings!

Not sure where the time goes, but goes it do and can you believe Christmas is now less than 4 weeks away!

Been up early the last couple of mornings writing my new look columns for Worcestershire, Herefordshire & Wye Valley Life Magazines, think I was on my third cup of tea by seven o’clock! We’ve been out and about a bit of late too, Ellenden Farm Shop near Evesham hired our mobile cookery demonstration unit so popped over there to see it in action. I also caught up with some former listeners from Pershore who I’d not seen for a few years, the lovely Butcher, Ken Tallis and Darren from Revills Farm Shop who used to pop in every year with a bunch of Asparagus for me along with some homemade Hollandaise Sauce, happy memories.

One thing I have learnt recently is that no longer can I be a dirty stop out and get away with it. Friends of ours run a Restaurant and having run into them at a meeting, we were invited back to theirs where they ‘rustled’ something up to eat. Now, my rustling would end up as toast perhaps, or just a biscuit, believe me it would look nothing like what arrived on our  plates which was out of this world. Anyway, long story short and all that, we got home at two in the morning and didn’t it show the following day!!!

All’s quiet on the animal front, hens are coming to the end of laying for the winter, we’ve borrowed ‘Rocky’ the Ram for the sheep and I’ve had to increase Ruby’s food intake as Gracie is still very much suckling off her and it’s beginning to show. Lots of pictures of both Mum and little one on Facebook if you’d like to have a look.

 

 

Gracie at 11 weeks old

No legs eleven or indeed Elvis!

They do say (whoever they are) that by trying something new it keeps the old grey matter working, well I can honestly say my grey matter was in overdrive whilst hosting a Rock n Roll Bingo night for ‘The Caravan Show’ in Malvern! Should have known it was going to be one of those nights when the first thing to happen just as we got started was the lights going out so no one could see, followed by complaints that Robbie Williams and Rod Stewart doesn’t constitute the term ‘Rock n Roll’ and then just as you think that nothing else can go wrong, the CD sticks on the B 52′s and Loveshackkkkkkkkkkkkk! Having said all that, the few hundred that turned up (and stayed) seemed to enjoy themselves. The weekend consisted of quite a lot of gardening, catching up with the neighbours and going to see a patch of land that might be available to rent, so fingers crossed.

I managed to catch Strictly on IPlayer at the weekend, what a mixture of characters and isn’t that Nancy woman peculiar?! Anton will be having his patience tested for sure and I’m not being rude, but I reckon she’s doing what my Mum did when she got to the age of 49, she just stayed there!

 

Mixed bag – sums me up nicely!

Still recovering from what was a busy RHS Autumn Show at Malvern, lovely to work with the boys from River Cottage (Mark, Steve, John & Gil) who are just as super off the camera as they are on. I’m afraid a certain Italian Chef by the name of Gino has lost that ability and it’s sad as only 2 years ago I worked with him at Herefordshire and he was great, perhaps he caught something during his time in the jungle!

It was our Wedding Anniversary at the weekend too, and tonight we’re going out for a ‘posh’ meal to celebrate. I’m really proud of Glyn as this week he starts lecturing at Staffordshire University on their Media Course. He’ll be fab at that, he’s got a lovely way with him and has done training for the Beeb for many years, infact that’s how we met as he was asked to, and I quote, ‘train me on the desk!’

Looking forward to this sunshine they’re promising this week as I’m a bit behind in the garden and could do with the last bit of grass growth for the cows as the hay prices for this year are even higher than last.

I’ve got a new gig this week compering for The Caravan Show so looking forward to that and then won’t be long before Herefordshire Food Festival with the smouldering Jean Christophe Novelli – he’s not been in the jungle so we’ll be okay.

Gracie at 6 weeks

Gracie 6 weeks old

 

Cock a doodle – DONT!

I’m not ready for it to go cold yet thank you, here’s hoping we have one of those Indian Summers although I must admit to enjoying a log fire last night! It’s been a funny week, started off with an itch on my neck which kept me awake for a few nights, finally succumbed and ended up at the Doctors and I have an allergy. Now it’s either the cat or the other half so I may have to get rid of one of them - needless to say I will miss Glyn! Had a bit of a fright at the weekend when the lady who owns the rented field where the animals are at the moment knocked on the door in floods of tears, ‘come quickly Katie, there’s something wrong with the calf, she isn’t moving, I think she’s dead’ Well you can imagine the heart rate heading up the road, wondering what I’d find, but pleased to say ‘Gracie’ was just in a deep sleep and by the mark in the ground, a very long one too. Think of a crime scene on the tele when you see the chalk mark round the body – bit like that! It’s good to have people who keep an eye on them for me, I’d rather that than nobody notice anything but hopefully it won’t happen again! Moved the hens and Cockerel yesterday to a fresh bit of ground, have to say he’s on a dodgy wicket at the moment with his crowing as he seems to be doing it constantly, even in the middle of the night. Whilst I was sorting their fencing out in the woodland I noticed a Roe Deer so spent a good five minutes just watching her nibbling the undergrowth, it would have been longer but Mabel the cat suddenly decided to climb a tree in the style of a being chased by a huge dog, so that was it, she was gone. 

We have begun taking bookings for our cookery demonstration unit which is exciting, and quite a few of the chefs we work with can’t wait to get it dirty! If you want to have a look at what we’re up to, the website is www.wotscooking.co.uk

Very moving watching the news of late, the incredible bravery of Gemma Redmond at the funeral of her new husband Ian who was killed by a shark on their honeymoon. How she found strength to speak I just don’t know, and my heart goes out to her, and then Royal Wootton Bassett as it will now be known, saying farewell to repatriation. The people who stood in silence and dipped their heads as a mark of respect for each of the 345 servicemen and women who gave their lives are truly wonderful, human kindness at its very best.

September is upon us and it will be a busy one so trying to get the house and garden sorted – starting today judging by the sunshine, reckon we’ll be able to wear a T-shirt for a little longer then.

 

I used to catch the 3F

I’ve decided my blogs are like buses, none for ages and then 2 come along at once, perhaps more the fact that I’ve got loads to do and I’m just delaying for time, it’s either this or have a cup of tea which will then include a biscuit, so writing this is the low-calorie option. Libby the Golden Retriever is obviously happy we’re both home today judging by her tail wagging, I’m going to have to put a cardigan on at this rate.

Heading to Ludlow once I’ve got myself into gear, that’s if I can get in. We’re definitely in ‘spot the tourist’ season which is fantastic for the shops and local trade, and wait for the Food Festival in 2 weeks, you’ll not be able to move!  We’re very lucky where we are in as much as we are close to 2 super towns, but dear old Tenbury is struggling, not helped once we lost the cattle market several years ago and then of course the floods, and from January next year the bridge is closed for repairs with only a footpath alternative for those who want to shop! I know there is huge resistance to Tesco coming in, but the town needs something, personally I wish it was a Marks & Spencer or Waitrose as that wouldn’t be in competition with what the town offers and it would then attract out-of-town visitors. I’ve always felt Tenbury would benefit from belonging to another council in all honesty. It comes under the same banner as Malvern and Upton, and try as it might, it can’t compete with towns who have the facilities they do. Having said all that, it offers its own charm and I for one shop at Bowketts, buy my fruit & veg from Moody’s, the Doctors and Dentist are second to none and try as you might, you’ll not be able to walk through the town without someone smiling at you or passing the time of day – which reminds me …… lots to do!

News to Noose!

August in the world of media is usually known as the ‘silly season’ as normally there would be very little news happening, but this year it’s certainly not the case. Turning the television on today with news from Libya, seeing people coming together en mass in search of freedom, I can’t help think of the world-wide coverage of our country a couple of weeks ago when again people came together, but this time having the privilege of being free, yet all they wanted to do was destroy and abuse everything that goes with it, including their own towns and communities! 

Having grown up in Lincolnshire, The Red Arrows become a part of being a ’yellow belly’ so to hear of the death of Jon Egging was very sad and our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and all the team.

Away from the headlines and life is busy getting the new addition to our services up and running, if you want to have a look at our new trailer, it’s on Twitter @wotscooking

Gracie the calf now resembles a proper Highland Calf and not only has Stan the Cockerel found his voice, he’s using it from 3 o’clock in the morning, so not sure how much longer Stan will be with us!

Next event is Ludlow Food Festival which we love, and Glyn and I are again looking after both stages so if you’re heading over that way, please come and say hello.

 

It’s a girl!

Ruby our Highland Cow had her heifer calf last Friday and did it all by herself so you can imagine the past few days have been taken up with lots of gate leaning and watching. Had a bit of a scare on her first day though with ‘fly strike’ which I’ve never seen in a new-born calf but fortunately saw the eggs in time and with the work of a flea comb and a dose of ‘Spot On’ managed to kill both the eggs and can you believe the maggots which had already hatched – horrid. When we’ve been able to tear ourselves away it’s been all systems go for a new venture Glyn and I have started, which has seen not only the design and building of a brand new mobile cookery demonstration unit but also the purchase of a trailer which wasn’t supposed to happen just yet, but it’s ideal for what we want so it’s now living in the drive until we can figure out where to put it! Basically it means we can offer Food & Drink Festivals a unit which can either go into a marquee or building or if they prefer, stay outdoors in the trailer. Hoping for a run out at Tenbury Show but if not quite ready, it’ll be our pal Miranda with her camping stove!