We sometimes feel that the current craze for ‘health and safety’ is becoming a little too pervasive. Kathy noted that the children of a local primary school now need reflective jackets to walk, on the pavement, in Uckfield High Street, up to the swimming pool. However, the worst example was two ladies going door to door in Isfield village, selling trays of remembrance day poppies, also wearing reflective jackets! Surely if everyone has to wear one to go out, their effect will be somewhat diminished?
On a more serious note, last Saturday, one of our butchers fell over in the shop and hit his head on the floor. As he was unconscious, we immediately called an ambulance and off we went to Eastbourne hospital. He took quite a while to wake up and they did keep him in overnight, although we are happy to report that he is now completely recovered and back at work. However, we decided that our lovely easy-clean floor might not have helped, so we have now repainted it with special paint with a sand-like grit in it. It is certainly very grippy now, although when we sweep up all the little bits of butchers’ string turn into clumps of wool!
We have re-christened Michael ‘The man who can’t say no,’ as he has agreed to so many meat butchering jobs that everyone is flat out and Kathy is spending eight hour shifts at the sausage machine. We tentatively asked the abattoir what was being delivered last Friday and were told - ’16 pigs and a lot more besides!’ It is good to be busy in the run-up to Christmas, but there is a limit! However, the shop looks lovely with all the gifts, crafts and Christmas goodies on show and the atmosphere is very jolly. We are now gearing up for the mad turkey rush next week, followed by a much needed rest.
In the meantime, we are trying to catch up with all the other jobs. Michael is busy cleaning out the cattle yards and the sheep need moving as usual, which necessitates dismantling and re-erecting the electric fence. Our local newspaper is writing a feature article about us this Christmas, focusing on how a farmer still has to work on Christmas day etc. Hope the cows don’t get out.
Merry Christmas everyone and best wishes for 2012!
Michael & Kathy
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