More calves have been born and one with a very appropriate name -  Noah -  after all the rainfall. Although rain is desperately needed across the country it would be nice to see some blue sky and sunshine.

Our usually empty duck pond actually had a couple of visitors and it was lovely to see but unfortunately the pond leaks so does not stay full for long so the ducks are in for a surprise!

The calves were castrated, dehorned and ear tagged yesterday which is not a particularly pleasant job and one which I think makes Farmer Chris’ eyes water. Thanks also to Farmer Rob (Big Red) and younger Farmer Ollie for their help with this.

The bed and breakfast is still very busy despite the weather and it was nice to welcome back Helen and Boyd who helped us move some cattle across the lane. Boyd will be remembered for two reasons- one that he has a calf named after him and the other one for his very trendy dance which he believed help the chickens to go to bed. One dance my daughter Isobella will never forget!

Hectors House cottage is now almost fully booked until the end of August with lots of repeat visitors and bookings already being taken for 2013.

Farmer Chris is persevering this year with the vegetable garden and his raised beds. At the moments the thistles appear to be winning but he is very proud of his five French beans , a dozen beetroot and spring and red onions. No sign of any carrots or rocket appearing on the raised beds- perhaps they are waiting for the sunshine too.

Machines have let us down this week. The starter motor packing up on the quad bike, the hand brake lever snapping on the tractor and the door handle falling off. We also had to purchase a new lawn mower and for me the delights of a new vacuum cleaner!

Seven of our beef steers have been booked in for a TB movement test and will be one their way to  South West Waitrose stores. One will be coming back for our own consumption having been hung for three weeks.

Here’s hoping for a flaming June so that we can all make hay whilst the sun shines!

Susan the Farmers Wife

  This is Boyd.

Farmer Chris read an interesting article in The Farmers Weekly last week which was a scientific study into pigs behaviour. Apparently the conclusion is that music is beneficial to their welfare. So this inspired us to create a Pigs Top of the Chops with entries submitted from our facebook friends at Haye Farm and our fellow tweeters following us on @Hayefarm.

Entries are in no particular order but these are some of our favourites.

David Bowie- Rashers to Rashers

Abba- The Weaner Takes it all

Led Zeppelin- Whole Trotter Love

Blur-Pork Life

UB40 – Red , Red Swine

Beatles- Eleanor Pigby , Lucy in the sty with diamonds, Bacon in the USSR

Lady Gaga- Porka Face

Elvis- Love me Tenderloin

Frank Sinatra- New pork, new pork

Commodores- 3 x a lardy

McArthur Pork

Stand by your ham

Hock around the Clock

Jailhouse Hock

The ham lies down on Broadway

Swill meat again

Rindstone Cowboy

Twist and Snout

Bacon up is hard to do

Piggie Sue

Pig Girls Don’t Cry

Hey pig Spender

Cracklin Rosie

Loin Eyes

Sitting on the hock of the bacon

Any further entries welcome!