So.. What did YOU do for Christmas?

What a wonderful time has been had by all! Lots of days off, lots of very dry (mostly clear) weather and lots and lots of food and drink!

Even we humans have had a bit of a rest and a surfeit of food!

It all kicked off with our 'Christmas with the Piggies' Open Day on the 21st. An opportunity for friends and customers to collect their Christmas orders (virtually everything was sold out in advance), have a drink and a nibble and, most importantly, visit Ginger's new family. Who obliged by either playing or suckling in public throughout the afternoon. Stars to the end!

After that it was time to concentrate on the household - which was blessed with a weeks' visit from the Dowager Duchess (AkA the Big Boss's mother-in-law). The highlight of her stay was surely the visit to the piglets as a special Christmas day treat. Arriving at Ginger's quarters we found that some of them had gone off in search of their pressies................ which, clearly, Santa Swine had left on the other side of the fence! (A case of Deja Vu - almost the very same thing occurred with Ginger's first litter last Christmas - she's obviously too good at bed-time stories!). Just a few moments of panic (the Dowager D. not us!) before Ginger's insistent grunts had them scampering back through the gap they'd made..... Which we then blocked off.....

They've been investigating the fencing in great detail ever since...........

The Bestest Gundog in all the World and his two pals enjoyed their special treats - which mostly took the form of seasonal additions to their dinners (Goose, ham, pork and pheasant trimmings) although they had new balls to play with in case they got bored. (Gunner decided to hide his and Pilot's in his bedding - for a rainy day perhaps)

The biggest treat of all though was taking the B-G-i-a-t-W out for his first bit of work since the termination of the tail..... the day after Boxing Day just for the afternoon. He was delerious with joy. His feet hardly touched the ground and he was just a little bit wayward for the first hour - but then he settled to the job and by the end of the day was pleasantly exhausted. And not a spot of blood anywhere.................

We are both looking forward to a busy January.

And then we'll have to devise a plan to keep him switched on and learning until the next Season starts.....................

In the bleak mid-winter

The big freeze in the financial markets is being matched by what is turning into one of the coldest, wettest winters in many a year. Perhaps not quite as bad as 1708 when extreme conditions hampered the Duke of Marlborough in his fight with an Austrian force against the French during the War of the Spanish Succession. Rivers froze, livestock died and thousands of people perished from cold, famine or disease. Nonetheless, racing at Cheltenham was cancelled, for the first time in 23 years, last Saturday.

Our own bleak surroundings (shooting delayed and finally cancelled today due to dense fog - so dog's not missed much) are much cheered and heartened by the sight of Ginger's fast-growing brood. They seem not to mind the chocolate soup which is their world and quite enjoy romping around in the copious quantities of hay we put down for them to scamper about in. They are very inquisitive and lively and end up looking like hairy coated Gloucester Old Spots! They'll be 4 weeks old on Friday but already seem much more roly-poly than Ginger's previous two litters. Maybe it's the combination of being thrust into a cold wet world and Ginger 'doing' them better to compensate. She also let them eat hard food earlier than the others; not that that stops them frequently dashing back into their ark for cuddles and comforting milk!

And then to make life even more cheerful we heard that Christmas had arrived early at Abbey Farm, Stixwould. 'Little Polly Piglet' (from Ginger's first litter) and her 'husband' Tang are the proud parents of a bundle of at least 7 squirming piglets. The Nice Mr Barlcay rang to tell us the news literally hot of the press even as they were entering the cold and windy world yesterday morning! He was ecstatic. No doubt Polly will be too when she surfaces!

Not such a bleak mid winter after all.....

Cur-tailed

So-- there were many sleepless nights. Much soul searching. An awful lot of trying to guess a dog's psyche. Would he or wouldn't he. Miss it? Forgive me? Be traumatised? Ever be himself again.

Be able to communicate without it? Be able to work with it?

In the end though he was so miserable with it - pottered about with it stuck out at right angles most of the time - and it showed no sign of healing no matter how much rest he had from the field.... bloody and sore all the time..

So in the end the decision made itself. Off with the damned thing and let the poor dog get on with doing what he loves best.

Now he sports the latest fashion in short tails. And looks like a real, grown up dog. Yes. He was in pain and miserable for the first two days and 3 nights after the op. Nobody got much rest. Him wingeing and whining - clearly in some pain (Nb: to do-gooders - a tail docked soon after birth is so small as to be almost non-existent so feels no pain). But by day 4 he was 'up and at it' again and, if anything, since then has been far more ebullient than I can remember. And he can still wag for England. So no problem there. Only problem we do have is keeping him on lead exercise for 10 days - or more - and strictly no running around loose for 2-3 weeks. His compensation? Being allowed to sleep upstairs for the first time in his life (just so's I can keep an eye on him at night - naturally). Downside? When he's not being kept an eye on, he has to wear a nasty big plastic hood thing to disable him from chewing the new tail - as if he would!

Boy, is he going to have some energy when we finally get him back to work! Meanwhile, with little else to occupy his ever-active mind he has turned his attention to the gadgetry again. The latest victim - one of my computer flash-drives. He said he was only trying to put it back on the desk when it fell on the floor, but then it sort of fell to bits.........

Sooner he's back to work the better.....

Christmas Holidays!

It's been a bit of a week weatherwise: pea soup fog, rain, driving snow, ice: impossible paths and impassable roads: cars going off-road all over the show and tractors towing stranded lorries up the hill. Unexpectedly, Friday dawned just a little damp and turned into a glorious sunny day - for a few hours.

Which was just as well as some of our piggies were off on another adventure. And where they were going would have been totally impossible had the snow or ice continued. The four that came back a little while ago from the Butterfly Park have been quarantined since then in the Old Stalls and were missing the adulation of their public - not to mention the fresh air. Ever mindful of the needs of his growing herd, therefore, the Big Boss arranged a sort of extended Christmas Holiday for them. So they've gone over the hill and down into a nearby valley, which is very lovely, and are housed in a delightful, traditional crew yard.

They must have had an inkling 'cos they walked straight into their limousine at this end and out at the other - and then proceeded to dash madly around their new home inspecting all the nooks and crannies ... of which there are many! They were truly impressed. And will be more so when they realise that the accommodation comes complete with family and doting children... They will love that!

(And since we can never move one set of pigs without re-arranging a few of the others, Samson has moved in with Scratchy and Delila - more of which another day...)

Of piglets, pork and poultry!

There's never a dull moment in the rural idyll that is Rectory Reserve! Last week witnessed a flurry of activity in preparation for the first public outing of the Pork Victualler on Sunday. The Village Church of St Andrew's was staging a Christmas Market to raise ever needed funds. Lots of stalls were present so a great opportunity for the PV to strut his stuff. Five different types of sausage, air dried ham, pork pies and pates, apple sauce and brawn were all on sale alongside hot dogs and plenty of sausages to sample while passing or waiting. The damp and cold did little to deter the happy shoppers and a good time was had by all - and the PV happily sold out of almost everything!

Ginger's brood meanwhile are 10 days old and now allowed out of the ark for brief spells when the sun - which explains the 'brief' - deigns to shine. They scamper and tumble about all over the place then collapse in a heap indoors and wait for the bar to open. What a life!

And where there is life there is also the after-life... to which we bade a sad farewell to Merlin on Monday..... After a proud and happy life strutting about with his hens for some 4 or 5 years he suddenly fell ill and popped his clogs. He was a character and will be long remembered.

The Gundog's Tale

Throughout the ages man and dog have worked together, each developing habits and customs which, over the years, have optimised the job and benefited the relationship. So it was that the custom to 'dock' some working dog's tails within 2 days of birth developed. The dogs were mostly those whose work necessitated running through dense woodlands, hedgerows and pastures where brambles, thorn and briar prevailed. In such undergrowth long tails were prone to scratching and tearing at best, catching fast and/or lacerating at worst. Far kinder to have only the shortest of tails, which was unlikely to get caught, than to suffer the inevitable pain with its accompanying risk of infection or, at worst, amputation.

Man and his short-tailed dogs worked and lived harmoniously for many years.

Until the 21st century when people in positions of power, and ignorant (one has to assume) of the facts, decided that docking was 'cruel' and made the practice illegal. All dogs must now sport a 'natural' tail. Exceptions can be made where it can be satisfactorily 'proven' that the pup will definitely be used for work in the field. It is virtually impossible to prove this within 2 days of birth, thus rendering such exception clauses useless.

The Bestest Gundog in all the World is the latest victim of this piece of misguided lunacy. Without fail, every day he 'works' the end of his tail becomes torn and bloodied within minutes. And, because the long tail whips from side to side, his flanks also become bloodied. The repeated scratching and tearing over the first month of his working life have resulted in an extremely sore tail. To the point where, though he works joyfully, between 'drives' he cringes and whines with a sore bloody tail.

In an effort to alleviate the problem the vet shaved the end of the tail. No more long hair to snag in the undergrowth. Good for airing and healing the wounds; bad for increasing exposure to more scratching and bleeding than previously. The result? More pain and soreness. And he was traumatised for several days by the 'missing bit'; after all, that's his main tool of communication. He had to be literally dragged out of the house on his lead to ensure he 'did what he had to do'!

The only remedy now is to 'rest' him until the end of the tail heals.

Then we have to find a way of protecting it from further damage.

If that proves impossible there are probably only two options: (a) retire him or (b) dock his tail at the end of the season.

So instead of the 'law' protecting the animal it has made his life a misery or a mockery. But do the do-gooders or those in positions-of-power care?

Mother's Pride

Ginger's done it again!

On a bright, cold, quiet Friday afternoon when just Linda was about, Ginger decided 'the time was right' and calmly delivered 9 piglets!

We'd been watching her closely for the past 10 days but, as ever, she gave no obvious signs. I arrived home at dusk from a day 'in the field' with - and without - the bestest Gundog in all the world (but that's a tale for another day) to find Linda positively bubbling with excitement. At feed time she was surprised - and slightly anxious - not to see Ginger waiting for her meal.

Hearing grunts and squeaks, she tiptoed quietly up to the ark and peered inside.

And it was better than being 3 years old and seeing the real Santa Claus:

there in the straw was a wet, slimey, wriggling mass of literally just-born piglets!

How she managed to count them, goodness only knows. But she did; and she was right!

Seven cream striped and 2 ginger striped.

What Joy! And what timing: on the coldest day of the year so far! So this afternoon we put lots more chunks of straw outside the ark and Ginger eagerly carried several inside for the little ones to snuggle up in.

Whilst taking these photos I was amazed to see them, one by one, going off into the corner for a brief sojourn - housetrained at such an early age: who'd have believed it???!

Home for the Winter

November signals the end of the Visitor 'season' at The Butterfly and Wildlife Park. So off we went to collect their porcine attractions - Curly, Duchess, Bubbles and Philip -and bring them home to Rectory Reserve for the winter.

We found them looking extremely woolly, healthy and inquisitive! Originally the plan had been to bring them back early in the New Year but they scuppered that. As seems to be the habit with our Curly Coats, they decided one day to trash their fence and go in search of adventure with the Water Buffalo, Llama and other residents! It was just a few days after the visitors stopped so maybe they were just a bit bored and went to find out where everyone had gone to! So that earned them an early ticket home before their nosiness led them into serious trouble.

Their 'Boss at Butterfly' was rather sad to see them go -as was the Water Buffalo who came over to watch their departure!

They'd been a great hit with their public; rushing to and fro to speak to as many visitors as possible, trashing their pen in true JCB fashion and charging so enthusiastically up to one of their 'volunteer helpers' that she was literally bowled over! Overpowered by a posse of pigs - what an adventure!! Such lively antics put them at No. 3 in the 'hit parade' - behind the Butterflies and the Birds of Prey! Next year's intake will be given flying lessons before they leave Rectory Reserve then we'll see who's No.1 !

Anyway, they were very good to load up into their limousine having taken a very keen interest in their 'B-at-B's attempts to raise a rampart! By the looks on their faces, they would have been only too delighted to lend a trotter or three......

Once in they settled quietly for the journey and, on arriving home, tucked into a healthy fruit and veg. supper!

(And we haven't managed to work out yet which of the 4 is the Camera-shy piggie - probably Philip!!!?)

Musical Pigs?

The whole of last week Rectory Reserve was submerged under a gloomy grey drizzly fog; which occasionally cleared to allow for some real rain, before the dismal fog returned. Friday morning was no different. Waking up to the sound of pouring rain we heaved a sigh!

Must we really move pigs today?

Yes, we must.

It's all because of those who turned out not to be pregnant! Can't breed Precious back to her father, so a 'new man' has been secured for her. Which meant transporting her to his place at that nice Mr Barclay's who took her sister, Polly. She is to be mated to Tang, the Blonde boar who has hopefully put Polly in an 'interesting' condition - as well as a Gloucester Old Spot! And probably a few others along the way.

As we all know, Precious does not think too much of limousines: she was the one who refused to go to the show earlier this year. In fact, she never goes anywhere she doesn't want to. And when it's raining, she's even more stubborn.

So there we were at the crack of daybreak on Friday, in the pouring rain, trying to cajole the sweet little thing into the limo; Linda-who-loves-pigs patiently teased her with tasty apples and the odd morsel of 'real' food and gently got her as far as the ramp; several times. Each time, dear little Precious swivelled round on her heels, barged through Con-the-handyman and made off back towards her pen. After half an hour of that we decided "no more Mr Nice Guy" and followed her forcefully - where L-w-l-ps led - with a hurdle up her backside. So, in she went and off she went to her temporary home.

By which time the rain had eased! And everyone was soaked. It could only get better.

Which it did. Gunner and I left for our 'day in the field'. (During which, incidentally, he 'picked up' at 6 or 7 big cock pheasants, including one which had fallen into a stream. Clever boy!)

We returned at dusk to find our colleagues looking even muddier and more tired than we did!

In our absence they had moved Delila and Scratchy from the field to Precious's pen in the woods. Ginger was transported from her woodland haven to her old home up near Mangal.

Samson, Three and Five were transported from the quarantine stalls to the paddock vacated by D and S.

And Mangal and Lily were moved to Mangal's original quarters alongside the Paddock.

In the intervals between movements, all the Arks had to be swept clean and new bedding put down, all the water containers scrubbed and refilled and - in view of the mud underfoot - clean hay put down in the pens...... Luckily the rain had stopped and the sun shone from mid-morning.

Which helped everyone's mood enormously. Lily's included. Being the inquisitive Miss Pig that she is, she decided to leg it over the fence to meet the three boars snout-to-snout. So, for a while there were 4 blonde pigs in the paddock. But, having satisfied her curiosity, and doubtless realised that the young chaps were still far too young she legged it back over the fence to Mangal. And Con-the-handyman reinforced the height of the fence. So, no more of those antics young lady!

By the next morning, all were happily tucked up in their new quarters. So much so, in the case of Delila and Scratchy, that they were 'tucked up indoors' almost the whole day.

No doubt enjoying the luxury of their 'new' large ark.

What a life, hey!

The penny drops

October has been a truly amazing month!

It might seem certifiable to enjoy traipsing uphill and down dale, through bramble and briar, stumbling through kale, maze, beet and other cover crops, in fine weather and foul. But, surrounded by glorious scenery and with The Bestest Gundog in All the World as close companion, it is the closest thing to a perfect way to spend time. The Gods have clearly enjoyed the spectacle too for they have blessed us with 7 'days' of almost perfect weather. And even though we had some rain and sleet at the start of last Friday, the sun came out during the first drive and a glorious rainbow formed itself directly over the line of 'Guns'. Life really couldn't be any better!

What of The BGiAtW?

Well, he hasn't yet learned to bluff his way through the labrador's boundless enthusiasm but in all other ways he has, in the words of our eminent Gamekeeper, "Gone from strength to strength with each passing week". He has truly amazed!

The penny dropped with a resounding Thud! after his first day. He's still the same lovable, laid back character but when he is 'in the field' it's as if someone's switched the light on: he absolutely loves it. Then he gets back into the Beater Bus (towed by the red tractor)and switches off, "almost appearing to meditate" as one of our companions put it - till the next drive. The moment his feet hit the ground again he starts to quiver. With up to 8 drives a day, that's a lot of switching on and off!

Meanwhile, the accolades continue to rain down on him. Bob, in the photo with him, keeps up-ing the price he's prepared to pay - he started with a fiver and is up to £75 now! cheeky blighter! -and the Keeper and one of the other beater's are conspiring behind our backs to mate him with the latter's prize young bitch. Pretty she may be, but "Dream on" I say....

The biggest test for the young dog was his third day out - not that he knew it. We 'got the call' to beat on the same shoot as Rory-the-trainer! Talk about being under the spotlight....

It was a very strenuous day with some difficult hilly and overgrown terrain. But Gunner put not a single foot wrong. Even Rory had to admit at the end of it - particularly with everyone singing the BGiAtW's praises - that he never thought that "He'd turn into such a good dog". Praise indeed! And we've been invited back which is better than any number of compliments.

The third shoot we've worked has no other dogs 'beating' so Gunner had the whole field to himself - and that really boosted his confidence. Again he was the subject of admiration and has been invited back.

One of the Guns at our regular shoot has also asked us to beat elsewhere.

So we have no shortage of 'work' for the young dog; much as he loves it, though, we don't want an over-worked dog so he's restricted to a maximum of 2 outings a week. He's got alot of learning and growing still to do - don't want to wear him out in his first season.......

And being the laid back, contemplative character that he is - he needs plenty of me-time after his outings to sleep, dream, re-live and learn from his day. Aaaaaaahhhhh!

Samples, Silver and Gold

In the expectation of piglets (Precious this time) we had planned another Open Day for the 26th: despite the lady's lack of co-operation, we went ahead anyway and used the opportunity to enable our guests to sample other wares from the Pork Victualler! New on the menu this time were 'Curlies' - slightly hot and spicey sausages made to an old Hungarian recipe - and hand-made Pork Pies. They must have been good 'cos we sold out. The home-made liver pate was well received and we managed to sell the majority of that too. Following the heavy early morning rain, the sun came out; people enjoyed the food; enjoyed looking at the pigs; pigs enjoyed looking at the people. In all, a good time was had. Next Open Day 20th December: will there be piglets by then? We shall have to wait and see --- as ever...!


Meanwhile, we awoke yesterday morning to news that London had witnessed its first October snowfall since 1934: The country as a whole hasn't witnessed October snows since the 1950's. "Snow before Halloween?" unheard of. Local reports were of snow to our North, snow to the West of us, snow to the South ... snow everywhere but here. Instead we had an unseasonably sharp frost which transformed the landscape into a winter wonderland.... all crisp and silver in the shade; glorious and golden in the sun.




That golden theme has been more than echoed in the orchard this autumn.


We bemoaned the lack of damsons and plums earlier in the season, but nature has more than compensated with a bumper harvest of apples. All containers have been brought into service to contain the crop: all the animals - 2 and 4 legged - are reaping the benefit; all friends and visitors are being pressed to "help yourself to apples - please"!

Forget "5 pieces of fruit and veg. a day" - if you can't eat at least half a dozen fresh apples, plus stewed apples for breakfast and an apple pudding for dinner - well, you're just not doing your bit!

Now, if you're a pig or a horse, eating copious quantities of apple is not a problem, but the rest of us are beginning to groan just a little bit.


However, Gunner and I discovered last week that some of our fellow beaters are keen apple eaters - there's another outlet........ and - with all this frost and cold - they'll be even hungrier this week.....

A Husband for Delila

It has now been declared official - ie. by The Boss - "Young Precious is not 'in pig' either".
So no pitter patter of tiny trotters will be heard at Rectory Reserve for a few months yet. Shame.
No matter.
The Boss has other ways of making things happen. Turning disappointment into opportunity he has been in the 'Mangalitza Marriage Market' to secure a husband for Delila (not that she has any inkling of, or necessity for, such things yet). Not only does this make good sense (to find a husband well in advance) but also makes good use of the unexpected space now available.
After much research and discussion (not just any young man would do) 12 other trotters arrived here from the North East of the county on Wednesday. Samson (Delila's Intended) and his brothers 'Three' and 'Five' were born 4 months ago. After their initial bewilderment, they've settled in well and are as pleasant a bunch of Blonde Curly Coats as you could wish for.
Mind you, one of them fair blotted his copybook when he arrived: unloading from their trailer into the Old Stalls, two young chaps duly wandered into the correct area whilst the third decided to go 'The Other Way' and found himself trotting around the premises - doubtless looking for his home.
What he found was Mangal! So he stopped for a chat. And got himself cornered. Thankfully for his pursuers!
Young Tracey Jane, his breeder, deftly grabbed hold of a leg and before he knew where he was (though he did let loose a prodigious amount of squealing) his front legs were both in Tracey's safe hands and The Boss had grabbed the back pair. In that - very undignified - manner he was carried off to intended Stalls. Put down on the ground, he was most indignant and stood stock still for several minutes - glowering menacingly (well, slightly).
He is now easy to identify, being the tallest of the three.
He will make nice sausages!
Meanwhile, we are seeking an alternative husband for Precious... of which more news in due course.
On a different theme - the Bestest Gundog in all the World has now had 5 days 'in the field' during which he has gone from strength to strength. More news on that in due course also.......

A New Baby

Although Lily is still giving Mangal the run-around, which must be raising his fitness level, she at least now deigns to - occasionally - lay down alongside him! So perhaps when the right time comes she will allow him to do the necessary and we can look forward to offspring in around 4 months time. Meanwhile, Precious is looking extremely doubtful. She's at most two weeks away from the last possible due date and doesn't look in the least bit pregnant! Mind you that's what we said about Ginger first time round and she managed to surprise us. So, what do we know???

Precious did manage to surprise us in a different way yesterday; talking to someone on the drive, they suddenly remarked:

"Oh, look at that! I've never seen one of those before!"

Naturally, we looked round to see what he was referring to, and saw Precious nonchalently sauntering up the drive!

She was as surprised to be there as we were to see her there.... and very obligingly turned round and allowed herself to be led back to her pen in the woods - where we discovered she'd managed to open the gate. Presumably she'd heard voices and decided to investigate!!!

Although the long expected births have not yet materialised, an almost equally long expected event has occurred: our new website was 'born' and first saw the light of day at the beginning of this week. www.rectoryreserve.co.uk will keep the world at large up-do-date with our Curly Coats. It is also one of our chief vehicles for advertising pigs and products in the market-place. We think it's beautiful - but we would, wouldn't we!?

All Change

The Summer Season having ended, we travelled up to Elsham last week to see how Adolph and Andy had fared at their Stately Home over the summer. We learned that they had continued the tradition of breaking out of their pen to explore the wider Estate! A sturdier fence was duly erected! They also exploited their JCB characteristics and unearthed everything under the grass in their paddock....

"We had no idea all that stuff was under there!" exclaimed the young lady who's been looking after them. "I cleared it all away whilst they were in the stables when the new fence was being put up, but it just came back again...."

They also proved to be true Curly Coats in the matter of thriving on the attentions of, and treats from, all their visitors - so much so that when the 'Season' ended, they went into decline and quite went off their food! Unheard of in pigs..... They will now go on to the great Woodlands in the Sky but their spirits remain at Elsham in the shape of some delightful Wire Curly Coats, commissioned in their honour, who last week took over the old pig-pen in the Walled Garden.

Meanwhile, back at Rectory Reserve it's been all change too. Young Lily, who's been jumping up on her back legs these past months really has been saying "Look, no piglets!". The Boss consulted the diary and, sure enough, she's well past her 'deliver-by' date.

So, nothing for it but to send her across the Reserve to that debonair young boar, Mangal! Well, she's led a pretty sheltered life so far, in the woods and all that. So meeting Mangal was an absolute delight! We thought to introduce them slowly so put them in separate pens. Within a couple of hours she'd leapt the first fence and clearly continued to treat the others with equal contempt; by morning they were happily grunting along together! If she gets fed up with him I've no doubt she'll simply leg it over the fence and away!

As for Ginger, she's moved over to the woods to take Lily's place alongside Precious and seems to be enjoying the peace and quiet - not to mention the extra treats of apples! Hopefully, we now have two pregnant ladies in the woods. But Precious doesn't look all that convincing ........ so fingers crossed.

Last Thursday also saw the arrival of a rather splendid new Bantam cockerel - who's been christened Louis (after the Sun King of France) for his glorious golden plumage. He arrived late in the afternoon. We were just finishing supper - around roosting time - when our eyes were caught by the sight of our splendid new bird landing on the garage roof! Since the surroundings were all strange to him, he was bound to be fox fodder by morning if we didn't get him back in the pen.

Summoning my Trusty Poultry Hound (Lancer) I went off in pursuit. The TPH managed to quietly round Louis up to a little bush near the pen, where he landed on a low enough branch for me to reach him - Lancer guarding the ground! Much to my relief (and his by now) Louis was back in his pen in no time at all. And this afternoon for the first time I saw him having a dust bath with some of his hens...... so he must be feeling at home.

"And what news of the Bestest Gundog in all the World?" I hear you cry. Well, he had his second day out last Friday. He continues to grow in confidence and 'was allowed' to do some real work. Definitely the BGiatW!

The dog has his day!

Is he, or is he not, the bestest gundog in all the World?

The day of reckoning dawned cold and damp last Friday.

But we were there. Me and my dog. He leapt out of the car when we arrived at the meeting point ... then promptly jumped straight back in again when he saw a burly young golden labrador bounding up to him!

And he was a bit like that for much of the day really. Enthusiastic but overwhelmed by the sheer amount of "New Experiences" that kept throwing themselves at him! But slowly he came out of his shell and, as the day wore on, acquired a steady stream of admirers - some for his looks, others for his manners - along with his growing confidence. Most importantly, he never put a foot wrong or failed to hear a command.

"Keeps nicely close to you" said The Keeper halfway through the afternoon... High Praise indeed. Keepers have been known to shoot dogs who run riot.......

By the end of the day - and 9 'til 5 is a long day for a young chap - he was worn out but happy and fell asleep in the beater-bus back to the farmyard.

Doubtless dreaming of the scents he'd found and the birds he'd flushed.

So the answer for now is "Yes! Definitely the bestest gundog in all the world" ...

and now he's had a taste of it, let's hope he doesn't go AWOL next week.......

As if!

No Piglets - but plenty of sausages!

It was a week of frantic activity following Butch's last journey. Just as well really that Lily and Precious decided that September was not a good month for delivering piglets! In fact, it looks like Lily won't be delivering for many a month. But that's another story.....

Back to Butch. There were numerous trips to be made by the Boss - to and from the butcher, the smoker and the label maker. Products to be collected, bottled, wrapped and labeled.

And then there was the Open Day on Sunday to prepare for.

More products to be cooked, prepared and presented.

It was all a bit hectic.

We shared our Open Day date with every other Curly Coat owner in Lincolnshire and just about every Visitor Attraction too so we were delighted to welcome the 30 or so adults and children who turned up at Rectory Reserve.

And they seemed equally delighted to sample the delicacies laid out for them ---- "New" cold- and hot-smoked sausages, brawn and other tasty treats. A good time was had by all - not least the pigs who, as usual, lapped up the attention. Most importantly, pre-sold sausages were collected and and orders placed for the new lines.

Next Open Day, 26 October, when we hope to show off Precious's first litter (as well as have more 'new' lines available for the discerning gourmets locally!)

The first beating

The beginning of the shooting season came round suddenly after what seemed like months of waiting. "9 O'Clock sharp" was the Keeper's instruction for meeting. Keen as mustard I was there - minus the bestest gundog in all the world on this first occasion - a good 5 minutes early but there were others already donning waterproofs and exchanging muffled morning pleasantries and banter in the mist.

It being the first day of this particular shoot's season, there was plenty of catching up to do. Just as well really then that we were not 'off' much before 10 am. Sixteen good men and true, 2 females and 8 assorted spaniels and labradors clambered up the steps into the beater-bus and off we went to the first drive. Bacon butties were offered round as our trusty tractor towed us up to the appointed place. It wasn't far but by the time we'd decanted from the wagon the mist was clearing and the sun steaming the dew off the grass.

Given our instructions we all lined up and - with sticks and flags 'beating' the air and undergrowth - walked our way up hill and down dyke, through maize and kale driving the partridge in the general direction of the 'guns'. Who duly fired a few volleys. When the keeper blew his horn, we all found our way back to the beater-bus, waited for the 'pickers' to collect the birds and for the guns to finish their refreshments (!) - more banter and tales exchanged - and then off to the next drive. And so the day progressed. It became warmer and warmer; jackets, jerseys, waterproofs all soon discarded in the wagon.... dogs gratefully lapping up copious quantities of water and slobbering over everything! Lunch was taken al fresco - all us of stretched out on the grass in the sunshine, resting weary legs and watching four buzzards circling ever higher above us, whilst yet more tales were told and 'catching up' done. One of the 'guns' sent over a crate of cool lager - gratefully received by some - and a 'wife' sent round some high energy cake which was even more gratefully received by others..... And soon we were off again. More walking, climbing, beating, bantering, perspiring.......

And then suddenly it was over. Back to the yard, count the birds, dole out the kitty to the winning guess (£1 per beater at the beginning of the day to guess the number of birds bagged), a few pennies to everyone for their labours and off home, some via pubs and chip shops, with cheery shouts of "same time next week".

Who would want to miss it?

"You'll bring the dog then? Next time?" said the keeper

You bet....