There are 2 tiny yellow fluffy chicks over in the hen house. Hatching out in October, they are really late so we will have to keep them in for a while until they feather up a bit. I feed them on a few chick crumbs and refill their water dish a couple of times a day. Spotty, the Jack Russell terrier is fascinated by their antics and always comes with me to see them.

The ducks from the pond just down the hillside track up every day so I leave some rolled barley out for them with a container of water. I'm sure they could survive on the duckweed but they have developed a taste for the barley and I love to see them waddling along every morning. The fox has nabbed some of them but the 3 that are left are wiley and so far have defeated any of his efforts. They are a mixture, one is a large white Aylesbury, another is an Elder and the last one has an interesting pom pom of feathers on its head but I can't remember its name. Perhaps someone will remind me http://www.walesholidaycottages.com/.

The sun is shining and it is a perfect Autumn day. As it is Saturday we are going to get up a little later, have a long lazy breakfast in the conservatory with some home made blackcurrant juice, my own bread, eggs from the hen house and some of our neighbour Lil's famous strawberry jam. We had so many strawberries this year that she made pounds and pounds of jam. I don't know how she does it, but the colour is rose red and it is not rock hard like many others. Actually the best way to eat it is with clotted cream and just baked scones.

The dogs, Stripe & Spt, have put on a bit of weight so we are going to get back to a good regime. Just lately we have slipped a bit, getting up later, not doing so much active work and spending too much time on the computer. Today we are going to walk over the green road to visit our neighbour Trevor for a cup of coffee, Might pick a few of the last blackberries on the way. That's a good couple of miles and we can walk and talk while enjoying the countryside.

Yesterday we planted out the big greenhouse with 4 different types lettuce, carrots, beetroot, parsley, and other vegetables for the Winter. It will be interesting to see how it fares over the winter months. Normally we only plant in the traditional growing seasons, but with the warmer winters it may well give us year round vegetables as well.

Woke this morning to go mushroom hunting. We were talking with Trevor our neighbouring farmer to see if he had seen any this year while inspecting his sheep but he has not spotted any at all. We have had loads of horse mushrooms popping up in the large greenhouse but they do not have the flavour of field mushrooms.

Loads of scarlet rose hips and hoar berries in the hedgerows add a touch of colour now that the leaves are starting to turn and the paths and drive ways have drifts of autumn leaves that will need gathering up. I might take the American blower out and make short work of this task. The small tractor and large rolling brush will clear the drive. http://www.walesholidaycottages.com/

Only a few weeks now until our Anna Maria Island Florida holiday. If you want to see where we are going take a look at the gorgeous new web page at http://www.amisland.com/

Apparently it has all the new features including online booking, up to date availability calendar and the house, Villa christina, looks divine. I told a friend about it and they phoned to tell me they booked Villa rosa as it was such a good deal in November.

I have apples and pears from the orchard stored in the garage and made a smashing dessert with pears poached with just a little water and a sprinkling of demerara sugar. Remove pears, reduce syrup, add a good splash of Courvoisier and allow to cool to just warm. Toast some almonds in a dry pan and sprinkle over. It is quick and easy

Annie phoned. She is going over to Florida soon. Last night she made a reservation on http://www.amisland.com/

The web site is interactive and you can make the reservation right there online. Judging from the photos every property they have for rent is gorgeous. Annie said it was so hard to choose, but in the end it boiled down to Villa Serena and Villa Tuscany. In the end they plumped for Villa Tuscany as it is least expensive and leave loads of dollars free to spend in the local restaurants and attractions.

She says to expect a postcard next month letting me know how she is getting on. Apparently November is the least expensive times to go over there, both for flights and accommodation, yet it is also the nicest weather. Not too hot, the weather is settled, plenty of sunshine and the island is peaceful. She says there is a white sand beach running the whole 7 miles of the islands coastline.

In the meantime they are coming up to Bwlch Tre Banau http://www.walesholidaycottages.com/ this weekend, so I can catch up with all their news. They are booked into Barley Cottage as I have already rented Meadow Barn and Wheatsheaf cottage.

I'm sitting by a crackling log fire, relaxing watching the X-factor. It was a really busy day, we went down to Mumbles on the coast, about an hours drive. I have never been there before - what a perfect place for a day trip. Lots of small, pretty shops and along the seafront is a great array of restaurants. We stopped and had an early dinner in Patricks, arguably the best fillet steak we have ever tasted and the desserts were divine. Definitely one to add to the list of Best Places to eat. http://www.walesholidaycottages.com/

Had a great evening last night. Some farming friends came up from the West Country and we had an uproarious evening of tall tales, Dartmoor ghost stories, reminiscences of growing up in and around the village of Chagford high upon Dartmoor. Fuelled by a couple of bottles of wine, a good dinner of our own roasted free range chicken, crispy roasted potatoes & onions laced with chopped rosemary from the rockery by the back door and vegetables freshly picked from the kitchen garden.

One of the highlights of the evening was the story of the bumptious DEFRA representative who called at the farm, flashed his DEFRA identity card and demanded to inspect all aspects of the land. The farmer said he could go everywhere except the top field. The DEFRA rep said that he was legally entitled to go anywhere he wanted on the farm. 15 minutes later the farmer heard screaming from the top field and looked over the gate to see the DEFRA rep running across the grass with his best bull in hot pursuit.

The farmer shouted over the gate "Show him your card!"

The Carmarthenshire hills and mountains are very similar to Dartmoor and so are the respective farming communities. They are resilient, incredibly hard working and have a sense of humour that sees them through adversity and uncertain times. it's like being a member of a private club that you can only join through shared experiences. http://www.walesholidaycottages.com/

Woke up to the sun streaming through the window and the remains of a rainshower glistening on the garden. When I look out it could well be Spring, everything is growing. Bearing in mind it is the end of September we have been so lucky with the weather this month. I hope it continues on into October. I trimmed back the honeysuckle around the walkway unter the pergola and brushed up the bricks. The rose that Cassie gave me for my birthday is blooming for a second time. It always comes out in June and is a pale pink edged with a raspberry tint but it is unusual for it to bloom a second time. Called "Birthday Girl" it always reminds of her when I walk past it on my way down to the greenhouses.

I cut long strands of mint and took them into the lean-to greenhouse to dry in the sunshine. Why buy mint tea when it is so easy to make your own. I should have enough for the Winter as it is prolific. Can't wait until the "Chagford" mint really gets going next year. The leaves are huge and fluffy looking and the smell and taste are divine. Mint also looks great mixed in with cut flowers and makes the room smell divine. http://www.walesholidaycottages.com/