I have seen many beautiful and lasting friendships, growing and blossoming, but the strong loving friendships between different species of the animals always make me smile. Bratchet is our young sheepdog. She is a sweet and affectionate little girl with a warm heart. Harriet is a feral cat who doesn’t really trust people and is generally pretty shy. Harriet absolutely and utterly adores Bratchet, more than anybody else in the World. Harriet is always looking for Bratchet and goes running to lavish love and affection on her. Bratchet, on the other hand, is a bit aloof with Harriet. She will stand still to be rubbed against and kissed but if she has a job to do, she’s off. In this little film, Bratchet is keen to know what is going on in the hedge. Harriet has no interest in the hedge but is delighted that Bratchet is keeping still for some cuddles. #dogandcatlove #beautifulfriendships #cute #cutecatanddog #catlove #doglove #catsanddogs #catcuddles #dogcuddles
It’s not always easy to get comfortable when you are enormously pregnant. Esther spends the days munching the grass and hay and sleeping and she goes to bed on fresh straw every night. She is probably expecting twins and you can see them moving about inside her. It won’t be long now until she has some little baby lambs to love and look after. Maybe tonight? #lambing2025
Three years ago the big excitement was the loofas in the greenhouse. Here is a tour of my little but rather fun greenhouse with the loofas and a few other plants I grew that year. #loofa #loofah #growingloofahs #englishgreenhouse #tourofthegreenhouse #greenhouse #greenhouseplants
The Winter straw has been collected from Gavin. All great fun catching up on all the news
We have this most marvellous old bale elevator which wobbles the bales along and up into the top of the barn. It’s frightfully noisy and a bit Heath Robinson but it make a huge difference to the stacking of the bales.
We will have lots of nice fresh straw for the sheep and geese and hens.
#strawbales #stackingstraw #farmwork #farmelevator #funonthefarm #collectingstraw #strawforthehorses #straw
ROYAL THREE COUNTIES SHOW. The show ground is nestled in the Malvern Hills in the most beautiful setting. This show mainly revolves around country life and is a most enjoyable day out. #countryshow
It not only horse racing at Cheltenham Racecourse. There’s even a life size snow globe to thrill and excite the race goers. I will be there tomorrow selling Timeform racecards. Well filmed, Debbie Friedman
Morning rainy dog walk with the sheepdogs, Pomme and Bratchet, after a night of heavy rain. You would never believe that this lake used to be a stream. Our visitors who stay in the cottages often enjoy a walk in the countryside with us but today, I expect they are staying warm and cosy in the cottages. Very wise!!!
Absolutely stunning outing seeing the Severn Bore at the Severn Bore Inn at 9.35 this evening. It is so exciting standing on the river bank with lots of people waiting for the Bore. Canoeists and surfers tried to ride the wave but many fell by the wayside. Nature is truly wonderful. It was interesting seeing the river rise after the Bore had passed and several trees floating past at quite considerable speed. You can read more about the Severn Bore on:-www.thesevernbore.co.uk/
THE PANTALOONS
PERFORMANCE OF
ALICE’S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND
Thank you so much, Cherry and Andrew, for treating us all to such a wonderful evening last night with your favourite theatre company, Pantaloons Theatre presents - Alice's Adventures in Wonderland!
We all went off to see The Pantaloons in the gorgeous outdoor setting of Abergavenny Castle.
We had a lovely picnic together in the grounds before the performance started. It was a beautiful night with the Welsh mountains in the background and paragliders floating overhead.
The Pangaloons describe themselves as a company dedicated to making theatre which is self-aware, playful and accessible.
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is a marvellous story and so refreshing to watch - especially after all the gruesome murders that seem to be so popular on the television at the moment.
The Pantaloons gave a fun and energetic performance and engaged the audience. It was really delightful, happy evening and I am looking forward to seeing The Pantaloons again.
www.thepantaloons.co.uk
Hellens Manor hosts a fabulous World Textile Bazaar every July. Laura and I always go and we join the craft classes which we absolutely love.
We were taught how to make Twinkling Seashore Broaches by Angie Hughes and Concertina Sketchbooks by Jeanette McCulloch. Angie and Jeanette are both based locally and they run a variety of art classes. They are both truly inspiring teachers; well worth booking if you need some arrimés in your life - we all do!!
Sellers bring a wealth of fantastic textiles from all over the World. They are for sale in all price ranges and am absolute joy to experience.
Hellens has a large and very beautiful garden which you can walk around and enjoy and they do fabulous tea and cake as well.
For more information:
World Textile Bazaar https://www.textilefairs.co.uk/
We met all these lovely people with their lovely dogs on the walk this morning. Lots of gorgeous dogs and a joy to spend a little time chatting. Our sheepdogs, Pomme and Bratchet, do have the run of the whole farm every day but this doesn’t mean that they don’t need to be taken out for walks. Their time on the farm certainly is work and even when they are resting under the shade of a tree, they are permanently on alert to see off a fox that may be taking an interest in the poultry. Also, they have to be ready to eagerly leap into action at any time if they are needed to move livestock. Pomme and Bratchet get taken off for a walk first thing every morning. It’s usually about an hour in beautiful Gloucestershire countryside. It’s a wonderful start to the day for us all; a good chance to think about the activities on the farm and prepare one’s thoughts & plans for the day. Pomme and Bratchet know that this is their time, the walk is entirely for their enjoyment and they look forward to it very much. every day. Visitors to the cottages are all most welcome to join us for the walk if they would like to.
CANAL WALK AT OVER BASIN. Pomme and I had a beautiful early morning sunny walk at Over Basin, just off the A40, near to the Over Roundabout. This is an absolutely beautiful little stretch of canal maintained by the Canal Trust. There are pic box benches and interesting notices giving information about the canal. A very beautiful local walk.
Two beautiful self catering holiday cottages in the unspoiled Gloucestershire countryside near to Cheltenham and Gloucester. 
