June was a busy month of penning up and shearing our sheep as and when the weather allowed. The rain was like a tap turning on and off every few days, which meant that our contract shearers did not arrive before the 24th June to get through the main lot, and we finally completed our shearing in early July.
Much like June, in July the tap kept turning on and off which meant that the grass grew rampantly. Hay making did not even commence until the middle of July due to all the rainfall, there was so much grass we could have made grass everywhere if the weather had allowed. So, when we had sunshine and the fields were just about dry enough, we were out with our tractors busy cutting, tedding, and bailing hay and haylage. Small areas of groundwork were also achieved with discing and subsoiling ground (breaking up the soil into tiny pieces a little like raking) that had been a grass lay and had been cut in the middle of May and then again middle of June and it has been prepared now in readiness for winter wheat to go into the ground in September.
The children broke up the middle of July from school and have been helping us around the farm checking sheep, sweeping yards and moving bales - all part of living on a farm. Cleaning and maintenance of the grain stores were done in preparation for filling once harvest commenced properly.
Harvest was incredibly delayed this year as we usually start around Kent County Show weekend (around the 10th July) but this year the combine did not set off before the last few days of July, cutting some Oats and Oil Seed Rape. The winter Oats and Oil Seed Rape are all looking reasonable this year. Once the fields are drier it will be full steam ahead, mid-summer day has surpassed and will soon become a distant memory with daylight hours now on the short run, with a few minutes now being shaved off each day so August will no doubt be a terribly busy month.
Finally, we are delighted to report that we have had many happy customers continue to join us here on the farm, enjoying their stay with us in our Shepherds Huts, with some wonderful write ups and reviews, including the following:
I have just spent two of the most wonderful nights with my daughter at the Romney Marsh Shepherds Huts! We were so excited to escape the city and spend some time in the countryside with the sheep. The huts are exactly as described on their website and the reality far exceeded our expectations. They were clean, well-equipped, comfortable, and stylish. There was nothing that we felt was missing. You really wouldn't know that you were staying in a field of sheep if you didn't look out of the window; it was as good as a luxury hotel room. Throughout our stay, we experienced a range of weather conditions, all of which posed no problem for the hut. They are well insulated and stable, so wind and rain were absolutely no problem. In fact, we look forward to visiting again in the winter to make use of the wood-burning stove and hot water bottle! We spent most of the day just enjoying the company of the sheep and lambs, which was very calming, and we left feeling recharged. The sheep seem quite tame as they will come up to the huts while you are
sitting outside in the little enclosed area, which was exactly what we were hoping for. We can't wait to visit again in the near future!