Busy remedying fall-out from dry spells

Read Anton’s column every week in the Western Morning News

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As we've moved into August, so the backend of this topsy summer is within sight.

The sheep are mostly sheared - with one most distant group to fetch from their vast wilderness. A pretty fair crop of lambs are coming on, and the first group have been sold already. Cows are all in with the bulls, and all seem settled.

‘The hay crop is steadily being put to bed, albeit using more wrap than I'd prefer - this week at least looks settled enough to get more hay dry - so we've got another 45 acres on the go. Straw has started to arrive, put away for winter bedding after its long wagon trip from Eastern parts, and difficult struggle up narrow lanes from the dual carriageway.

Obviously, my hospital visit - and its attendant recovery period - and a daughter getting married, has interfered somewhat with the smooth running of such operations, although both are natural enough ‘impediments’ I might anticipate. In fact, on reflection, both are part of the journey really. So relax, Coaker, enjoy the ride.