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Written by Nigel
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Sunday, 25 May 2008 |
It’s been a while since I wrote about all the things happening around Alledal, so I thought I’d bring you all up to speed. We’ve been quite busy. I guess it’s the time of year there is just so much to do.
| There was quite a celebration when we hatched our first ever goose egg. The resulting gosling, named Webster, on account of his huge webbed feet is doing OK despite being a singleton. None of the other five eggs hatched which was a real shame. I still have a set in the second incubator and a couple of geese outside still brooding there own eggs, so I’m hopeful that Webster will have some friends before too long. He’s a cute and inquisitive little thing and full of character.
The incubator that was now empty after the goose eggs has been filled with some of our Black and Blue Cochin eggs, well it would be criminal to leave it empty now wouldn’t it? These Brinsea incubators are so reliable and really do earn their keep through spring and early summer being kept almost constantly in use. The ducklings we hatched out in April are almost fully feathered now and have been released into the garden to join the Alledal flock. It’s hard to believe they are just over a month old. They are so independent. I still have four ducks sitting on their own eggs too so there should be more to come yet. | | |  | The greenhouse is filling up nicely, the salad is growing really well and we’re eating that regularly just to keep it under control. The tomato and chilli seeds we planted are already all potted on into three inch pots and will soon be ready to be moved on again. We ordered seeds from the internet from a place called Nicky’s Seeds, and I can give them a wholehearted recommendation. The seeds have all done well above 85% germination 100% in some cases. We’re growing San Marzano, Rosada, German Red Strawberry and Snowberry tomatoes and Firecracker, Tepin, Garden Salsa, Fresno Supreme and Scotch Bonnet chillies. I’ll let you know how they go on through the season.
We went walking in Söderåsen with Troy last week, and it didn’t disappoint it was truly at its spring best. Everywhere was awash with the vibrant acid green of new beech leaves it was joy to behold. There were a few other cars in the car park when we arrived, but as usual once we set of walking it seemed we had the whole place to ourselves. The only sound was the wind, the river crashing through the gorge and the birds – pure heaven. | | |  | In a hole in the trunk the old apple tree that I can see from the study window a family of starlings has made a nest. I’ve been watching their activity for the last couple of weeks. They are noisy social things and I find their antics quite amusing. The nest has been discovered by the magpies though and I’m beginning to have my doubts that they can successfully raise a family. I started scaring the magpies away when I first saw them trying to get into the nest but they just kept coming back, and I can’t spend all my time on starling protection duty. It’s sad, but its life I suppose.
The cheese making has stepped up a gear thanks to Bluebell coming into milk. She is what is termed a maiden milkier. In high yielding dairy goats it’s not uncommon for this to happen, it seems to be a hormonal reaction triggered by increasing day length. Bluebell has however now upped our milk quota to over four litres a day and in order for this bounty not to go to waste we’re making ever more cheese and yoghurt. Most of the cheese will take a few weeks and in some cases months to mature so tasting notes will be awhile yet. | | |
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 20 May 2008 )
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