Visiting Southdown Farm

New puppies need to be exposed to loads of new experiences, smells, people and animals, which is why Uncle John and I took him on a day out to Southdown Farm, Witney which is run by farmers Paul and Michele Tomlin.

I thought that he would be really excited and simply adore meeting the goats.  Not so. The poor little lad was terrified, he couldn't stop shaking when he saw the first one.  Paul is a kindly farmer however and he gently lifted the quivering little fellow into his arms and introduced the creatures, each to the other.  It was indeed a lovely moment.

Meeting the pigs was a quite different experience.  Barnaby was delighted - rushed over to greet them and spent some considerable time conversing with the piglets.
After that he really perked up, wandering about the farm with confidence, even spoke to the turkeys!


What a lovely day we had, despite the mud.  Paul and Michele gave us the royal tour, showed us the milking parlour and the little shop where you can buy fresh goats milk, soft and hard goats cheese, honey and joints of pork and lamb.  It's all very low-key, no shop assistant, just an honesty box where payment can be left.  Should visitors want to speak to someone, there are loads of helpers around all eager to do what they can to make your visit to the farm memorable.
Barnaby certainly loved it in the end, that initial fear when he saw the goats soon vanished - well they were the very first livestock that the little fellow had ever met and so much bigger than him.

Must admit he was rather muddy by the time we tipped him back into the car, but what's a bit of mud between friends.
I used the soft cheese to bake a tomato and goats cheese tart to which I added several sprigs of  Rosemary for extra flavour it was simply delicious.

Harvey and Buster

Helen says: "Harvey Sweetie-Pie & His Royal Highness Buster are the cats that share Barnaby's home - his bed too sometimes.


When Barnaby first arrived at the cottage there was much hissing, claws were out in strength and both cats went into a real huff. Now (mainly because it's very cold at the moment) they all sleep on the same bed (mine) which is rather sweet, except that it doesn't leave Barnaby and me with much room!.

Buster is a Burmese, which means he is rather arrogant and has visions of grandeur, whereas little Harvey Sweetie-pie is just a lovely little ginger mog who is now 13 years old.
The main problem we all face at the moment is Barnaby's increasing size - it won't be long before he is able to jump onto the kitchen table where the cats eat their food. Where I place their little food dishes when this happens I really don't know. Any suggestions are welcome."

Barnaby's blog

My name is Barnaby Peacocke.  I am a purebred Border collie with merle eye who was born in the Cotswolds on September 29 2012.

I now live with Helen and two pesky cats, Harvey who is ginger and very old and Buster who is a Burmese and therefore rather high and mighty because he believes he comes from royal stock. Helen? Oh  she is just Helen. Nothing special about her, except that she is particularly fond of Border collies which suits me well.

Apparently I am very lucky to live with her as she writes books about dog-friendly pubs and walks in Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds. Her previous Border collie, who she loved  beyond measure was Pythius-Peacocke.  Sadly he died on 12 November 2012.  His death broke Helen's heart - which is where I step in.  It seems that my task is to fill her life with puppy antics and ensure that she is as happy with me as she was with Pythius. He left big paw marks to fill, I do so hope I can manage to fulfil my role as her constant companion. Only time will tell.

The books that she wrote with Pythius were: Paws Under the Table, Paws for History, Paws Along the Way and Paws for the Cotswolds.  Published by The Wychwood Press, @ £9.99. Her special friend, artist Sue Mynall created the illustrations, Helen took the photographs.  I have suggested that together she and I write Paws for a Puppy, but she said I have to prove myself first, though I am not quite sure what that means.  How does a puppy prove himself?