At this time of year all farmers in this hemisphere are shuffling animals into their winter pens, arranging their outside access. Dragging out the heated water bowls, stopping up drafts, creating an extra feed pile in case we get snowed in, checking the generator and finding the heating lamps.
We always prepare for the most extreme weather. Making sure the animals can get out of the ice storms, and snow storms, and freezing winds. Digging doors free that have stood open for the whole summer, oiling hinges, cleaning windows for maximum light, repairing the Poppy holes in the fences. Repairing holes in the loft floors that we might fall through when working fast in the dark. All the things we cannot do when the temperatures drop well below freezing.
I have been running this small farm for almost eight years now and so I have learned to prepare for the WORST. Think about every tiny detail. Spend time imagining what could go wrong so I do not get surprises and am ready. Then visualise my procedures. I pay great attention to the small stuff. If I Prepare for a disaster of mammoth proportions (like no electricity for a week which did happen once) and then I can deal with all the little problems as they come.
It is very important to have a plan, a detailed plan for every eventuality. Plus with this many animals in two barns I need to have my head screwed on right and my work has to be transparent with good systems so if I twist my ankle, or have to travel, anyone can take over and things continue to run smoothly. So everything is placed and labelled. We have been lucky with the weather so far, it is still very mild.
And today we prepare Hugo to travel tomorrow, so it will be a busy day. Parting this boy from his dirty laundry is like pulling teeth! But last night we wrote a plan for today so we will do just fine.
Manu was transported yesterday to the winter barn and got on and off the trailer with ease and little fuss. I had planned that move very carefully and it went without a hitch. He is going to be in his bedroom area for a few days to get his bearings before he goes out into the big inside run. He loves his deep bed and after a drink and an apple he found a soft corner and lay down with a sigh Like I do at the end of every day.
I hope you have a good day!
Love celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
61 responses to “A Jigsaw Farm with a Plan”
The picture looks like a city scape with all the silos… 😀
Fence posts I think and yes you are right – it really does look like a city scape – well caught! c
Down here, we are preparing in a somewhat similar way for summer. The start of the Wet, the beginning of storm season, cyclone season. Checking roofs, gutters, shutters and fences. Replacing rusty roof screws with new galvanised ones. Clearing out a season’s worth of leaves and gunk in the gutters and downpipes, clearing leaves and junk out of the storm drains. Putting together the Cyclone Plan, checking we have water and emergency supplies for 3 days without power or water.
I am fortunate, though, I am not responsible for a wonderful array of animals and their welfare. I don’t think that howling wind, lashing rain and large hail are quite as deadly as your insidious, penetrating cold, nor do they go on as long. I love hearing about all this preparation, about lists, and battening down the hatches…
May we see another photo of Manu soon? I want to see if he still has the Eye of Horus I noticed when he first arrived as a youngster.
Plus one from me 😉
Oh yes, i will take a shot for you today! he is such a nice boy . c
Me too. Thinking the very same thing.
Yes, a plan for any mishap that may happen is a brilliant idea indeed! And with that knowing there is space for peace and relaxation on the part of you, the farmer. xo
Farmers! We are quite mad. c
Thank you for the pics. They give me some comfort. – Interesting to follow you and your business plans (it’s a very severe thing). But most of all I love how you are telling us about our friend Manu. He’s such a cutie….
Love, Irmi
Oh, I nearly forgot – have a very well and safe return home, Hugo! Bon voyage!
I will Irmi – thank you!
Late autumn skies are such beauty.
They are aren’t they – our skyline is always stunning.. c
If Hugo’s leaving, Sheila will be wanting the guest room 😉
Bon voyage Hugo!
The turkeys spend an inordinate amount of time staring through the doors of the guest apartment (probably looking at themselves) so i think Sheila has some competition.. c
I don’t think turkeys should stand in the way of a big fat pig this close to Thanksgiving 😉
I will remind them lest the pigs demand a Thanksgiving dinner!
Sounds like a good idea 😉
Please tell Hugo I wish him a bon voyage…and my heart goes out to him as he crosses that very emotional bridge back home.
Especially now.
It is emotional – we had a long long talk last night, with our feet up on the windowsill watching the tractors til the fields in the dark. I will worry about his forever now – like another son.. c
That’s so sweet, Celi. Worrying about his forever. Much love, Gayle
I love the planning part. And if you have everything covered, voila! The solution is easy to find. This gives you comfort when things go wrong. I can picture Manu climbing into his lovely prepared nest. Lucky pig. Enjoy your day.
Yes, it does help to deal with all the little things ahead of time – but I will never be totally ready for the winter.. c
You are an example to everyone with your Girl Guided Preparations. Here’s hoping that the worst won’t happen and winter will be kind to you.
Bon route, Hugo, et bon retour. Vous allez nous manquer.
love, ViV
Bon voyage to Hugo. You have woven him into the fabric of the farm I just accepted his plans. Safe travels.
I felt a dark nostalgia reading this. I don’t miss it but it feels strange not to do it anymore. Like an unresolved anxiety. I hope your winter is calm.
Dark Nostalgia – what a wonderful turn of phrase.. I hate that feeling that you should be doing something but you don’t know what it is..
Arriving home, Hugo will appreciate a suitcase/backpack filled with clean laundry. Maybe his Mom too.
Yes, I would hate to send him away with smelly boy clothes.. c
We’re expecting a blizzard tonight. Hope it fizzles out before it reaches you!
We have nasty weather forecast for tomorrow – lets hope it does not affect the flights!
That would be what we’re supposed to get tonight. It’s moving fast!
Safe journeys Hugo. It was a pleasure to have met you and cooked with you. Remember to take your Banana Pudding recipe home with you. Adios!
Yes he has it – he loves the banana pudding! c
Bon voyage Hugo. And you do have to be so organised. Something always crops up that you just didn’t see coming, but hopefully with all the experience you have you can just leap in and deal with it (as you do)!
yes, it is the Out of the Blue thing that gets me – most problems you can head off – but the ones you don’t see coming are the horrors.. c