Happy New Year Everyone! We're getting a proper winter for a change, so let's hope it'll be followed by a proper summer, with plenty of sun by day and the odd refreshing shower by night.
I'll start with some sad news: Basil the Shire had to be put down before Christmas because his heart was giving up and he was filling up with fluid. He was put down at home, munching on his favourite food.

Dear Old Basil
Now for the good news. We had a great Christmas, and 18 people (four generations of the Eveleigh family) sat down in the dining room for Christmas lunch.

Sarah on Bella and Chris on Tempo at the Boxing Day meet

Calving started on 2nd January, with three calves in one day! Two bull calves and one heifer. Mothers and babies are fine. It's always a thrill to see new life appear as if by magic.

On Tuesday David Kennard came to West Ilkerton with his sheepdogs, Mist and Gail, to film a scene for his latest Mist DVD with our singing Exmoor ponies! You'll have to watch Channel 5 at Easter to hear the full story. See www.mistthesheepdog.co.uk for further details. If you haven't seen the Mist stories on Channel 5, you've missed a real treat. The DVD is one of the most watched in our self-catering cottage.



David Kennard filming at West Ilkerton