Wiltshire Village Meats Farm Diary - Jan 2009 -

	Wiltshire Village Meats Welfare - - Quality				In association with Walter Rose and son Family Butchers
OCT/NOV 2009 SEP 2009 AUG 2009 JUL 2009 JUN 2009 MAY 2009 APR 2009 MAR 2009 FEB 2009 JAN 2009 DEC 2008 NOV 2008	FARM DIARY THE EVERYDAY STORY OF LIFE ON A WILTSHIRE FARM
	Links to other pages HOME FARM SHOP FARM SHOP - Greeting Cards WALTER ROSE ABOUT OUR FARMING FARM DIARY RECIPES QUESTIONS CONTACT US		Rams, kittens and broadband On the 18th December my computer decided to lose its ability to connect to the internet via a broadband connection. I have to say this has been rather trying especially as I haven't had much time for contacting helplines. I have been having to retrieve emails and use the internet on an old laptop with a dialup connection. This is painfully slow and made more difficult as the old laptop doesn't work with our newish printer or communicate with our main computer. The computer is one of the most important machines on the farm and we use the internet for many business uses. Fortunately, we're not totally lost without it and don't worry we are picking up internet orders still although it is making it difficult to update the website regularly. I hope soon I will have time to ring the helpline and hope they can sort me out. We have some new arrivals to the farm. On the 14th December we borrowed three rams from a neighbour to visit our two pet sheep. It may be too late in the season (or they may be too fat) to get in lamb but the rams seemed keen! The ewes were not impressed at being chased around the field and spend quite a lot of time hiding in the hut. Fortunately they all calmed down after a day or too. The rams are a Hampshire Down breed - they have very woolly faces like teddy bears! On December 28th Maggie finally had her kittens. We were sure she would have them before Christmas as she was so large - we now know she was so large because she had eight kittens. All were born safe and well. Mainly black kittens with white paws - company colours! Our larder may never be the same again but at least they are warm and secure in there!! 5th January 2009 Broadband reconnected and snow At last I have a broadband connection back and can update the website. Over the last week I have rung at least seven helplines and been told at least three possible different reasons for my broadband failure. The purchase of a new router and a very helpful and patient man on the support helpline I am back in touch with the world! This is good news as the fax machine has given up as well so at least I can go online to order a new one. I have tried to be clever and have a wireless connection so that I can work in the warmth of the kitchen instead of the artic conditions in the office. Unfortunately the distance is too great (should have bought a more powerful gadget!). As forecast we woke to a decorative covering of snow. The icy conditions since New Year have made life hard going with the outdoor pigs. Little cat diary The new kittens are doing well all except the smallest who needs to be bottle fed to supplement whatever natural feeds. The poor little thing was just being pushed out by her bigger siblings and was very touch and go for a day or two. I only need to feed her once in the night (2am yuk - just like having a baby again!). We hope she'll make it. The kittens eyes are opening now so soon they will be crawling about getting in the way.
	For further information on anything on this site please contact Muriel Naughton Email: Naughton@Farming.co.uk