Newsletter - May 2008

Well Spring has come at last to Annaharvey, we have had a long cold spell,  but within a few days the sun warmed us up and everything is on its way to full bloom! It is a joy to walk out through the farm walks and smell the furze bushes in all their glorious yellow, and to hear all the birds singing at the top of their voices, one of our guests even heard the cuckoo the other day.

We have also had the excitement of 3 of our mares foaling over the past couple of weeks – 2 fillies and 1 colt and they are all out now in the paddock running around and playing with each other, totally ignoring their anxious mothers who do their best to discipline them! We still have 2 more mares to foal but not for a few weeks yet, so for the moment we are getting a full night’s sleep!

Zulu, Sam and Aisling’s black cocker spaniel has also produced pups – 3 in all, 1 male and 2 females – she isn’t too sure as to whether she is enamored of them or not, as she is very independent minded and as we all know, motherhood rather changes all that for a while at least!!

As you can tell from all this activity it is rather like being in a permanent labour ward at the moment here in Annaharvey, but the other side of it is that we never cease to be amazed at the miracle of birth and the speed at which the foals in particular get so independent.

We are busy with guests coming and going and it is great to be that way – we have an IHTS event coming up on the 18th of May, and we also have a party that weekend for my father who is 80 yrs young – and I put the emphasis on "young" as he would put us all to shame with his ability to enjoy life and participate in activities. His latest thrill was a trip on the back of Henry’s new motorbike – another Goldwing, – the 2 of them headed off up the mountains last Monday and had a great spin.

Sam is busy getting the course ready for the event and has more new jumps up on the hill, with repair work done around the water fences, while Henry has been busy spraying the crops and paddocks and shaking manure – I think most people are totally unaware how much "husbanding" of the land takes place in order to keep the farm in full production and looking well – there is no doubt but that both Sam and Henry have a great knowledge and feel for what they do, and it is great to see the results of their work.

We are looking forward to a good summer this year – the eternal optimists, we are convinced there won’t be a repeat of last year and there will be loads of sunshine!

We are running a good few summer riding camps this year and in July we are running an eventing camp for young people seriously interested in improving their riding – this will be residential and we are looking forward to it as there has been a strong interest in it and we feel it is going to be something we will be building on in the years ahead.

That’s about all for now –
Best wishes from  the sunny midlands!!





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