The Athletic World Championships are taking place amidst a certain amount of controversy. We have seen some top athletes being disqualified for false starting. The biggest surprise being Usain Bolt, did his fellow team mate twitch enough to set him off?? One thing I do know is that when it comes to getting out of the starting blocks our new hens are dab hands. They are not afraid of a little pushing. Yes they are enjoying plenty of fresh air and freedom. At the end of the day, like Jessica Ennis after day 1 of competition in the heptathlon, they are ready for bed.

Do you remember those school sports days when there was the good old wheelbarrow race?? Well we have a very good wheelbarrow, made by a company called Tolo. We have recently got it in so I thought I would tell you a little about them.

Tolo, have the catch phrase Trust Tolo. They were established in 1985 and are a British owned company. Their head office is in Hong Kong. The company promote fair labour throughout the supply chain as well as being ethically accountable regarding manufacturing and its social and environmental impact. They also hold certificates for consistent superb quality standards.

We have the wheelbarrow and a selection of garden tools in stock. Tolo’s tools are not only just fun and educational, but they are also real gardening tools that have been custom made to suit children. Each design is lightweight and easy to manage but has all the practicality and durability of high-quality adult gardening tools. Children love to be involved in the garden and see things grow, to be responsible for their own little plot. However big this is. Being outdoors teaches them about nature, the different animals and insects that live there. It is hard work so it will tire them out and there is no greater satisfaction than eating something you have sown, nurtured and harvested. A sense of pride. Just what Jess will feel when she stands on the podium to receive her medal.

Here's hoping, Julie

LET US EAT CAKE

last week it was Jules and Rita's birthdays. We wished them both another year of joy, health and prosperity, quickly followed by, you have brought in a cake? Before the year is out we may need to invest in some new candles. We have those that keep relighting, those that just won't light, and those that melt their wax so fast the cake develops another frosting. The solution has been created, we do sell a wooden birthday cake with candles which are ideal for playgroups, nurseries and young children. A towering inferno and toddlers are not a good mix. Us, we like the real deal. Chocolate cake always goes down well particularly if it is homemade, and has icing or cream on. You can't use the weekend, holiday, or working part time as an excuse, we will still expect our cake, so Jules we haven't forgotten!! Don't get me wrong we are not entirely single minded, but we did wonder if we were like the queen, and had an honorary birthday, how many each of us would need to have, to have a birthday every week!!

This made me think, we all have a recipe that we particularly like, that we are maybe associated with, or that we enjoy making. So why not share them with you. It may tell you an awful lot about us. Mine I can remember making since I was at primary school when I used to go to my Grans and baking days took the best part of the day. There is something about the smell of home baking.

SPONGE CAKE

• Butter to grease


• 4 large eggs


• 4 oz of golden caster sugar


• 4oz self raising flour


• Filling


• 8fl oz of whipping cream or double cream


• 1 dessert spoon of icing sugar optional


• half a jar of strawberry jam or jam of your choice


• Fresh fruit - optional

1. Oven on 180 degrees or 170 for fan assisted


2. Grease and line an 8 inch loose bottomed cake tin


3. Put eggs and sugar in a large bowl, whisk, you can use a hand whisk as I used to do at my grans, but that was maybe to tire me out and it takes ages. Ideally an electric one. Whisk until pale and creamy, thick enough for you to be able to write an initial on the top and it not disappear.


4. Sieve in flour and gently fold until all incorporated.


5. Pour into tin.


6. Bake in the middle of your oven for about 30- 35 mins. It will have risen, be golden on the surface and will be leaving the sides of the tin. The cake will spring back when lightly pressed in the centre. Ovens vary


7. Turn out, cool on a wire rack.


8. Split the cake in half with a sharp knife. On the bottom spread a generous helping of jam. Whip the cream with the icing sugar and place on top of the jam. Add fresh fruit if desired. Place sponge half on top.


9. 
   Enjoy!! You can't help but lick your fingers. There may even be a dash to lick out the bowl.

Julie

THE WHOLE IS GREATER THAN THE SUM OF ITS PARTS OR LITTLE TIKES SPARES

What a week!!

Unless you have hibernated I don't think anyone could possibly have escaped the news that has dominated this week. There have been some high points. Communities uniting to help each other and work together to clean up their streets. England are now three games up in the test match thanks to Alistair Cook who seems to be able to keep his head and achieve "daddy" and "grandaddy" hundreds. ( I did have to check what they meant, double century and triple century) Why it wasn't mother and grandmother I don't know, maybe it's a man thing!! Yes, the football season has officially started so grown men will no doubt be throwing themselves on the floor, while the remainder take up residency in front of the big black box. Saying that we do have our share of female football supporters, so Manchester United, Maureen is expecting you to do well again. We all have our own individual talents, but its maybe when we pull together that we can achieve so much more.

A good example of this is our spares department. There is not one member of our staff who is not involved in one way or another. So I thought I would tell you a bit about it. We are the sole United Kingdom supplier of Little Tikes spare parts. So if you have lost a crucial part while moving house, the dog buried it, it has broken, or you just assembled it the wrong way (it does happen), or it was missing, we will do our best to provide you with a replacement. The prices do vary, and we do ask for proof of purchase, so its best to hold onto those receipts just in case.

We receive requests by e-mail or by telephone, from yourselves, the customer or stores or both. If you know what your toy is called it does speed up the process. If you don't have a look on our web site. If you are not sure which part you need and have lost your original instructions, go to Little Tikes (their American website) scroll down to the bottom of the page, and half way down the column on your right is download instructions. We will invariably have ours out as well, so we are both talking about the same part! We then start to process your order and do all the admin before it goes off to the spares department. The parts are then selected, wrapped, packed and then put on a carrier or prepared for the post. Where it is weighed, measured, stamped and a proof of postage completed before popping it in the sack ready for our friendly post man.

The majority of the spare parts are shipped in from Little Tikes sites around the world, so unfortunately on occasions there may be a delay with our supply.

I'd better go and wrap some spares, speak soon, Julie.

ALL COMBINES GREAT AND SMALL

We have some new additions to the farm, twelve to be exact!! These are of the feathered variety. They have settled in well, but unfortunately for the time being they will have to remain inside. They will be free range and will have the run of the place, so they could turn up anywhere!! As soon as the rape crop in the neighbouring field is combined we will be able to let them out. The foxes are hiding in the rape and are very grateful for an easy, convenient meal, which is why we are keeping our new hens safe inside for now. Not quite your Pizza in front of a film on the television on a Saturday night, but who knows!!
At the moment our combine is tucked up in the shed ready for action after having its annual makeover following a long rest since last harvest time. Not that we want it to look its best; more we don't want it to break down within the first hour. At this time of year you become obsessed with the weather, every waking moment you are either thinking about it, watching the weather forecast or looking at a computer prediction for the next five days. When the sun does shine, (on the law of averages it cannot rain continually) you are truly relieved and ready for action. Here's our Wow, Harvey Harvester Combine, he will not break down, and he does not depend on the right climatic conditions. If only we could all do our combining from the comfort of our living rooms!!!

If the next time you see us we have weather symbols in front of our eyes, you know why!! I will keep you up to date with our progress . Julie