Make hay while the sun shines!

With the weather set to remain hot and sunny for the next few days, farmers have been busy cutting grass keep for hay and haylage (mix of hay and silage). The lack of rain has meant that some crops are fairly light but the quality should be very good for next winters feed.

Hearing the sound of the machines mowing the grass up brings back lots of childhood memories for me of helping (or hindering not sure which) my dad on the farm. Riding in the tractor cab with dad as he cut the fields of grass, turning it and then baling it. Perched on top of a trailer load of hay to the farmyard and then stacking it in the barn - health and safety would have a field day but no harm came to us. Mum bringing out flasks of tea and sandwiches for dad so he could keep on working late into the night. Things you take for granted and assumed that it will always be so when you are 10 years old. Life of course does move on and haymaking is far more mechanised but I am pretty sure that modern day farmers wouldn’t want to return to farming methods of 40 years ago!

We have had a very busy week with lots of bed and breakfast visitors all enjoying Exmoor in their own way. Some guests have been up and away early each morning to enjoy a full days walking while others have been bird watching. A couple staying with us wanted to hear a nightjar so Derek sent them up onto North Hill where they heard 2 if not 3 of these elusive birds last night. Others have been meandering exploring all the hidden delights of this special area – pretty thatched villages, clear beautiful streams and rivers, fantastic moorland views, plenty of red deer and of course the occasional cream tea – an ideal mix to relax and unwind with!

We were coming back late last night along the lanes, came around a corner and there was a stag trotting along in front of us. He was beautiful with his antlers in velvet. Although we see lots of deer, it’s always a thrill to see one so close. We went up to Cods End again this week where we saw a herd of hinds. As you can see they are loosing their winter coats and look very scruffy. Give it another couple of weeks and they will be looking sleek and beautifully red.

The views looking down the valley from Cods End towards Luckwell Bridge are very beautiful. The old ruined farmsteads just nestle in the little coombs and here the dogs love just to pootle especially when it’s warm. While Abby was taking a breather Derek caught her on camera – 16 years old and still very photogenic.