I can't believe it's the other end of the summer now and only one measly post since the beginning. Well I think that tells you how busy it has been. Where do I start? The Old Piggery has been fully booked since our very first week and seems to be going down very well with guests. The website www.eastrustoncottages.co.uk has been regularly updated with new bookings and kind guest comments in the online guestbook. We are delighted, particularly as so many people have booked again for next year. We've met some lovely people and their very lovely dogs. Apart from the ironing and cleaning it's a really enjoyable experience!!

The piglets are growing away well if a little slowly but that's what we expected from the cross with the Wild Boar. They are so much fun to deal with - like having a load of really big squeally puppies in the field!

The sows are not such a happy story. I am not sure that either are pregnant after their boar visit and one of them has arthritis now and went to the abbatoir today. Such a shame but she cannot now be put into pig with such a strain on her joints. We are very sad about it but it comes with the turf.

The lambs on our field are as fat as butter and looking really well. The others are on poorer grazing in an attempt to control and fertilise it and will need to be moved soon. They have had their poop analysed and have worms and cocci - all needing dosing. Ho hum. More stuff that goes with the turf I guess. I've been busy this last week penning them, flipping them onto their backs (hasn't done a lot for mine!) and getting a double dose of goo down them. With an extra dose spread over me too.

Chickens are all over the place. We have some really nice pure breed youngsters - Light Sussex and Welsummers - and some cross breeds from our own and friend's eggs. The Old Piggery pair of hens are laying well and being moved regularly to give them fresh ground. They seem to be regularly producing an egg a day each - a glorious olive green one and a pale cream one. Bless them!