Thursday 26 May 2016

Goose Eggs

Our neighbour gave us a brace of goose eggs.


The goose eggs are significantly bigger than a hen's egg; 175g to 60g. The shells are very thick too - I scored around with a serrated knife before cracking. Out of interest, I weighed the shells; 20g to 5g.


The goose egg yolk is very large in relation to the white, giving an even yellower colour to the whisked eggs.




We've never eaten goose eggs before, so put one of them into a quiche, with asparagus and leeks from the Yorkshire garden, and supplemented with a couple of our hen's eggs. I wondered if they might taste a bit "gamey" but couldn't taste and difference. Delicious!

Saturday 21 May 2016

A Flock in the Field

We arrived home to find a flock of Swaledale sheep in the field!


The previous owners had an arrangement with a local farmer to graze his flock here, and until we're in a position to put our own animals on the land, it makes sense for us to continue. He's going to teach us a bit about shepherding in return. I tried to count, but they wouldn't stay still, so our best estimate is 10 ewes and 21 lambs.


* with apologies to Kenny Rogers and Lucille

April in the Garden

When looking at a property to buy, the land was our most important consideration. Without a decent plot upon which to grow food, and raise animals, our project would not be viable. Sellers would be keen to show off their interior decoration, but we'd be itching to pull on our boots and take a spade to the soil. We rejected beautiful properties because the land was too boggy, too high elevation, too shaded, or just far less area than was advertised.

The Ladybird Farm is just right. The house is perfect for our needs, and the 4 acre field is ideal. What we weren't expecting, was a beautiful garden. It wraps right around the house, with most being on the east and south sides. It has been well tended, and there has been something in flower every month, so far. We are going to follow the usual advice and not make any major changes to the garden in the first year; we'll wait and see what comes up. We're going to record here what there is, month by month. There are a few plants we don't recognise, so any suggestions on plant names, or even varieties, will be much appreciated.

April in Teesdale, and there are plenty of daffodils still in flower (in Yorkshire they're pretty much over). There are some still in bud, too. I've counted more than 20 varieties, and plenty tucked away, ripe for cutting and having in the house.



 The pond is blooming, though the pump has given up the ghost. The pond is a future project for us.


 Anyone have an idea what this plant is?


Still plenty of drumstick primula in flower; many shades of purple.


 We have a beautiful yellow daisy; again, can anyone name the plant, please?


There are lots of primula around the house, interspersed with miniature daffodils and crocuses.


We have a medlar tree (commonly known as devil's a**e; if we get fruit, I'll show you why, later!). Looking forward to collecting fruit from this.


 Flowering currant in the walled garden, and a forsythia by the front gate. I'm not a huge fan, but they are out of the way, so stay for now.



Saturday 14 May 2016

Addicted to Sheep


This film, being repeated this week, is the story of The Hutchinson family, who are tenants on a sheep farm not far from us in Teesdale. The comments from the children in Forest of Teesdale school (a tiny village school, which has recently been saved from threat of closure) are extremely perceptive. Highly recommended. 

BBC 4, Wednesday 18 May at 8pm BST, and on the BBC iPlayer for 28 days. 

Wednesday 11 May 2016

Heilan' Coos

We've had several questions asking about the livestock that we'd like to keep. Poultry is an obvious first choice. Prof Brian Cockerel and his ladies will almost certainty be joining us, and we'd like to keep quail and guinea fowl. Oooh, and geese for Christmas.

As for mammals, more pigs would be good; Oxfords or Gloucesters are known meat breeds, with happy temperaments.

But when it comes to cattle, Simon is decided - a Highland is at the top of his list. So fancy, walking along the riverbank in Yorkshire, but what should hove into view than these beauties. My favourite is the calf (with the horns of his mum just visible). As a bonus, those horns will be just great for winding skeins of wool.