Category: Simon’s Blog

November 2019 I began October’s news with its wet, wet, wet out on the Farm and I begin November’s news with same, same, same, I have never known an Autumn so wet. I was out walking the dogs down the field last week and I almost got stuck in my own wellies, lets hope for...

It’s wet, wet, wet out on the Farm, so there’s not really too much to report farming wise. I decided it was a good opportunity to take a break and get away for a few days. Hence, I’ve just returned from a fantastic long weekend in Cornwall, golfing with the pups! They make excellent caddies...

On the farm the oil seed rape is back in the ground, but is being attacked by flea beetle, which is a nuisance to put it mildly. Most of the land is now prepared for reseeding and the wheat seed has arrived and is ready to go. We’re just waiting for fairer weather. We needed...

This month’s news will just be short as harvesting is in full swing and I barely have the chance to get a moment at my desk. After a miserable start to August, this amazing weather has been so welcome in time for harvest. Yesterday we finished harvesting the wheat and we now move on to...

I’ve not long returned from a well overdue break, spent in France. We visited Versailles, Avignon, Bordeaux, Brest and Lake Geneva to name a few. I enjoyed some delicious food and wine and took in some stunning scenery. The natural wonders of the world never fail to amaze me, and a sunset like the one...

The rain has come at the right time for the Farm, but definitely the wrong time for the Farm Shop. Our Butcher’s counter is famous for its fantastic BBQ meats and it is where a lot of our summer trade comes from. We remain optimistic though and I’m glad to see the weatherman reporting better...

I find it fascinating that this is my 40th year at Becketts! Stepping back to the 1st of January 1980 our largest tractor was a John Deere 3130, 2-wheel drive with 91 horsepower. Fast forward 40 years and we have just purchased a John Deere Still 6250R, 4-wheel drive with 250 horsepower, how times have...

It’s that time of year once again when the oil seed rape is in flower, and doesn’t it look fantastic. It’s good to see people enjoying taking photos with the fields in the background, even if one of them this year had some nudity to it! I’ve been enjoying cooking again and am building up...

I’ve just returned from a few days in southern Portugal, in Tavira on the Algarve coast. It was a beautiful place to visit and I was there to celebrate the 70th birthday of a close friend. The celebrations were great. Why was I stood on a chair? I was singing happy birthday of course! We...

Aren’t we having such glorious weather for February! On the farm the weather has brought everything forward. We’ve managed to start with fertilising the crops which we’d usually not do until mid-March, but we’re a whole month ahead with it. It’s brilliant news! I’m sat looking out of my office window at the Becketts Island...