This year's Scottish Smallholders and Growers Festival was a busy day for everyone. We took Solstice out for his first ever away day and he thoroughly enjoyed meeting the public and all the other horses (not to mention the alpacas in the pen behind him!) He walked around in the Equine Parade like a pro. Caesar also had a great day meeting an appreciative public and representing Brackenbrae Flock and the Zwartbles Sheep Association, as well as being the hands-on demo in the SAC Vet's "Sheep MOT"

Solstice and Winnie checking out the Fell on her way out to the Parade

Solstice meeting the neighbours

Culriach Czar (Caesar) getting ready for the public to arrive

We also bought some more ducks, 14 week-old Khaki Campbells this year, to join the flock

In what seems somehow a fitting end to 2020 we lost one of our old friends, Dunn the Dexter cow who came to us as a calf with her mother Dexie in 2007. Dunn has been a friendly character, very easy-going apart from her annual foot-trim, who loved a good scratch and a cuddle. We will miss her.

Dunn at 4 months old, shortly after she came to us

We have settled well and truly into the winter routine now and three weeks earlier than usual after such a wet autumn. The horses are all staying in overnight and half go out on alternate days to give them all a day in to dry out their legs. Cori and Sparky had to have a few days inside over the weekend because Cori had an abscess which has thankfully burst quickly as Sparky was getting a wee bit fed up having to stay in with his mum while Winnie was getting out.

Sparky and Winnie helping with the daily routine of bedding the barn

Tim is leaving us and going to his new home in England. He went out for his last walk around the area with Angus at the weekend and has had the family around to say their goodbyes, although I don't suppose that he realised the significance. We will miss his sunny nature and know that he will be loved by everyone he meets down south. Bon voyage Tim

Tim and Angus

With the easing of lockdown Tim's potential new owner could finally come up from England to meet him and they seem to have hit it off. Hopefully he will be away soon to a happy new home but we will miss his sunny exuberance and his half-brothers will miss their playmate.

Tim and Eleanor saying "Au revoir"

Folds Pearl produced a lovely filly foal for us this week, we are calling her Winnie. By Thomsonbrook King William (Bill) she is Pearl's second purebred CB foal. We are very excited as we have been waiting for a pure-bred filly for eleven years since Crystal was born, with eight colts in between. Mother and baby are doing well and Sparky is looking forward to playing with his little half-sister once her mother allows her.

Folds Pearl and Brackenbrae Winnie already walking on a halter on her second day

Brackenbrae Bright Spark at one month old showing how clever he is picking his feet up