WITHOUT the school run, the days have begun to blend in to one another and I have to think hard to remember what day it is.

Spring is a busy time on the farm, a time of hope and promise.

Our heifers have new calves, named Dragonfly, Speedy Red and Sprouts by the children. We don’t hear the perpetual “I’m bored” anymore, it seems boredom is what our children needed most.

Instead they are reading, writing stories, digging the garden, playing and bird spotting, doing what children in the countryside have done for generations.

A real lesson that sometimes with parenting, less is more. It has reminded me of the old African saying, ‘it takes a village to raise a child’.

As so many organisations are jumping to to provide home learning activities and materials, and children are missing their time with grandparents.

We are quick to pass responsibility to others for so many aspects of our lives and yet I think we are all beginning to realise that we have a shared responsibility for so many things, our health, our well being, our food, and that by helping others we enrich our own lives.

On my rare trip out for essentials this week it was wonderful to see local families on their bikes, riding round the lanes for their daily exercise, something none of us would dare to do normally for fear of being knocked down.

Soon we will begin to see foals appearing on the open Forest, their youthful exuberance always a joy to behold. Next year it is likely that there will be fewer foals, for very sensible reasons of welfare and economics there will be fewer stallions turned out in 2020.

There has been no stallion passing this year, so only stallions approved in previous years can be selected.

We are keeping a record of the birds we see on the smallholding in the children’s Natural History journals.

Our favourites so far are the elusive Merlin, Red Kite and Firecrests. We are waiting to hear the Cuckoo- which has been heard already in Downton and at Holly Hatch by two other members of the family!

Other migrants are also returning - the first swallows have been spotted sitting on the lines above the farm, and we are looking out for the Blackcap and House Martins.

Although, I have read that many migrants have suffered in adverse weather conditions over the Mediterranean.

The wildflowers are spectacular this year, particularly the primroses, wood anemones and violets.

I crouched down to have a closer look next to a stream and noticed some movement in the gravel, to my surprise I saw four Brook Lamprey spawning.

These strange creatures are another once common species which now find the New Forest a refuge from modern day pollutants, management and disturbance.

A magical moment to share with the children. Enjoy the green and beauty of spring wherever you are.

Lyndsey Stride

Commoning Family

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