Back Again

If you had been wondering if Triskelion Farm was still going strong then let me assure you we are alive and well, and running like the wind (the snow has gone but the mud remains)!  The year passed us by really fast and we find ourselves once again with two pregnant cows, but with a little more experience!  

Bessie and Rosebud are due in August, and we are hoping for their usual charming additions to the bovine world.

 Bessie                                                                                                       Rosebud

 "The Bug Patrol" (photo courtesy of Kate Follett our Intern)

Following on from our last post (geez was it May last year!) the Guineas have gotten bigger and look ready to combat the might of the crittur world.  Hopefully no more ticks, and a few less veggie eaters in the garden!
We have continued to add to our fruit trees and in addition to apples, pears, peaches, and cherries we have blueberries, walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts and chestnuts (hybrid Dunstan for disease resistance).  In a few short years (and critturs permitting) we should be getting a veritable cornucopia to grace our vegetarian table.

Well back in the saddle (or yoke, depending on your animals) again and hopefully posting more frequently.  A Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New year to all you cow and horse lovers out there, from all here at Triskelion Farm.

Welcome Flora

Flora after one hour

  

After 2 days

Triskelion Farm is proud to announce the arrival of Triskelion's Flora and our second heifer in 3 months.  Thanks to Rosebud for Flora, who is just about our smallest calf yet.  Measured the day after birth she is 22 inches tall and looks very like her very small sire Baby LP (son of Little Professor).  She came equipped with a good covering of hair as the nights had just dropped to frost level, but has acclimatized well to her new environment.  Irene is excited to see another calf to play with.

Welcome 2011

"Is it Spring yet!?"

The arctic temperatures have finally relented for a few days and we bask in the 50s and 60s for a while. Perhaps a portent that 2011 may be a better year! Amazing to think one decade of the 21st century has already gone by. We have learned a lot in the short time we have had our mini Jerseys, and while we no longer have "no experience" there is still much more to learn about them. The farm continues to be improved (yes we will finish painting the Red Barn) while at the same time we fight to stop the natural decay and bits falling off that is farm maintenance. Even in the cold and gloom of winter, we can look out over our small bit of the world and think how lucky we are. I have a commute of 400 yards, and am met at every step of the way with moos, neighs, bleats, cock-a-doodle-dos and miaows that signify their relief that breakfast will be served once again. Nothing like being wanted, even if it is the feed that is really important.

All at the farm hope that you and yours will have a happy, healthy and prosperous 2011 and, as the old Gaelic blessing goes:

May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

This isn't funny anymore!

Or in USA-speak "it's gotten old". That is the weather. We are standing by for more snow (already falling as I write) and Jorg is once again on snow removal duty. We have been promised wind this time, which may well make it the worse one yet. My sympathies to all you farms further north and west, who must feeling like it will never end.

So, if I have to retreat to the house and batten down the hatches, what better way to spend the time than watching Rugby. Good old BBC America has decided to show five of the Six Nation's matches live, including three of England's. A real delight (unless, of course, the unthinkable happens and we lose!) and provided the power lines stay up, and nobody colic's I shall be there tomorrow (Saturday) at 12 noon, beer in hand ready for the off. (If anyone else in the US, is interested it is Channel 264 on Direct TV). Obviously the next day's little affair (football match of some sort) pales into insignificance compared to England v Wales at Twickenham.

There is a silver lining after all, but it won't really be right until Jorg is safely back and the farm is complete again.