Changing seasons and bonfire night music ||

On the farm the rhythm has definitely changed to Autumn mode. The field work - preparing the ground and sowing the crops for next year - is now largely done until the spring. The deer, turkeys and pigs are still keeping us busy, and with the clocks having now gone back, it feels like the days are shorter - but it's a great excuse to get the fire lit in the evenings!

Classical Turns || As you may recall from previous years, this is the time of year we introduce the turkeys to Brahms, Haydn and Tchaikovsky to get them used to rousing changes in volume and loud bangs ahead of Fireworks Night, so they are not alarmed by new noises. They have been curiously tuning in. It's peaceful walking around the paddock hearing the strains of classical music as the sun goes down - though the turkey serenade is arguably louder than the radio!

Tatties and jam || The potato harvest is in and the new crop sown, which will be a huge relief for tattie farmers across Scotland after the very wet and wild October last year which prolonged the work for several weeks. It was so quick, in fact, we missed our chance to 'glean' the fields of potatoes left behind which is always a fun last minute forage for supper. We've also been picking aronia from the hedgerows around the farm - its foliage is so vibrant and beautiful for a really short burst at this time of year - mainly for nibbling the berries as we go, but they are also great for gin and jam.