Foot and Mouth returns...

Foot and Mouth Disease has broken out again in my home town Guildford... it feels far to close to home for any sort of comfort. My dear friends Russell and Luke own a small farm just 3km from where the cows tested positive. I am so worried for them, it would be so upsetting for them to have to cull all their animals. They have a lovely pig called Margo who I have grown especially fond of, and many lovely goats all full of character, not to mention the cows who have just had 2 baby's.

The boys would be devastated to loose them all. Today they tell me the official Vets are coming to take the tests, they will find out the results tomorrow so I will keeping everything firmly crossed until good news arrives.

I remember when it swept the whole country in 2001, that was a very sad year. I flew to America in the December and upon my arrival at the airport I was asked if I had been on a farm whilst in England. I was a little unsure of my reply because most of Surrey is a farm and pretty much all of the footpaths had been closed for most of the summer. I replied telling them that no I had not been directly on a farm. What would they have done if I had? I was soon to find out, because the couple next to me were asked the very same question. They were American and it all felt very dramatic, when they replied - "Oh my gosh!! we went to London Zoo only last week" .... they were quickly ushered away into another room. I wonder what happened to them.

I am supposed to be going away for a few days in Exmoor today with my friend Russell, but after all this upset and worry on the farm I am not sure if he can make it.

Happy as a Pig in shit ...

I was, on my friends farm. I went to help them with alot of clearing that needs doing. Many hands make light work, or so the saying goes, however in this case it will be years of work, but well worth it I am sure. I will admit to getting sidetracked after being very kindly fed to take these photos ...