- 13 hours ago
Fletcher's Family Farm - Season 3 Episode 8
Category
😹
FunTranscript
00:00And we've fallen for this way of life, hook, line and sinker.
00:08Oh, can you keep this?
00:11Right, Milo, let's get some jobs done.
00:14Farming's a breeze, compared to having four kids.
00:19We're surrounded by the spectacular peat district.
00:23As far as an office goes, it's pretty good, isn't it?
00:27With ancient woodlands...
00:30What about Dad there?
00:32..and rolling hills as their playground.
00:35Ready?
00:37This year, we've big plans to increase our flock...
00:42No, Mum!
00:45..and herd.
00:47Can I ride on him?
00:49Oh, you can't ride on him, no.
00:51..whilst continuing to diversify.
00:53What about if we created some sort of farm musical?
00:57Kevin, we've got enough to do without creating a farm, I'm sorry.
01:00..and we're excited about what our next chapter might hold.
01:04I can't think of something that would beat this for me.
01:07This is my version of a happy, full life.
01:09Right, let's get some cup of tea, then.
01:11This week on our farm...
01:22..Operation Wedding Barn is in full swing.
01:25Jemima's kindly invited the children, and I said,
01:28Are you sure?
01:29Why are you doing a smoochy kiss?
01:32Are we going to do a smoochy kiss?
01:34Yes.
01:35Not in front of you, no.
01:37Liz and I attempt to relocate a rather delicate ornament.
01:41I hope this isn't a Del Trotter moment.
01:44I know.
01:45So do I, I'm up a ladder.
01:47And it looks as though the farm will soon be welcoming
01:50its newest family member.
01:52All eyes on the cows now.
01:54We're all so excited not if it could happen any minute.
01:57Fingers crossed for a smooth, smooth calving.
02:00And fingers crossed we get a heifer calf.
02:05Smell it there.
02:07Smell it there.
02:08Smell it there.
02:09Smell it there.
02:10Smell it there.
02:11Whoa!
02:12My goodness!
02:13Whoa!
02:14Ah!
02:15Since the fire at the farmhouse, we've been living in temporary accommodation.
02:27But our mornings haven't slowed down one bit.
02:30Getting breakfast ready for a family of six is still as hectic as ever.
02:34Right.
02:35Who wants marmalade?
02:37Me!
02:38These are not our eggs.
02:43On the farm you just go into the garden and get your eggs.
02:47But we've been giving our eggs to the guests in the cottage.
02:50Whoever's in the cottage have had the best scrambled eggs.
02:53And we've had to settle for some, some eggs bought in.
02:58So, that's it.
03:00Can I mix them?
03:02Oh.
03:03Yes, isn't it?
03:07Here you go.
03:08It's on all you think.
03:09Would anybody be liking the scrambled eggs before I eat it all?
03:12No, thanks.
03:13No?
03:14Renovations to the farmhouse are still yet to start.
03:18But we're desperate to get back on the farm.
03:20So, Liz and I are now on a mission to find a solution.
03:24Think about the farm every minute of every day.
03:27It's just weird not being there.
03:30There's a worry, there's a...
03:32Are you a demon?
03:33It just doesn't feel the same.
03:35Have you heard?
03:36Yeah.
03:37Can I help you?
03:38Yeah.
03:39I knew.
03:40I was thinking.
03:42It won't be long before I've got a...
03:45A little munchkin sat on my knee making all my food.
03:54The twins are three now and I've not finished a meal in three years.
03:58Why is that?
04:00Well, I mean, you wish to have three boys.
04:04What always surprises me is when the twins say they miss the farm,
04:10because I was never sure that they fully understood where they live,
04:14but they do.
04:15They always just want to be there.
04:17It's a funny time for everyone, really.
04:19Just have to go through it as it's happened, I guess.
04:22Max, do you miss the farm?
04:25Do you know what happened to our house?
04:27Burned down the jacket.
04:30Burned down.
04:32And what are we going to do now?
04:34Fix it!
04:35Daddy go fix it!
04:37And I go fix it with daddy!
04:40Yay!
04:41This is just a chart on the life.
04:43And I'm just so grateful that we get to have temporary accommodation
04:48and the plan is to rebuild the house, be back in, and it'll just be a story to tell.
04:54Liz and I want to see if there's a way we can create a temporary home on the farm.
04:59That'll work for us as a family until the farmhouse renovation is complete.
05:04We'll have breakfast, we'll get straight over to the farm, and we're there all day,
05:08and we don't come back until late for tea.
05:10There's no kitchen or anything now at the farm, obviously. Nothing works.
05:13You know, there's no base for us, really, at the farm. We're outside all day.
05:17So, it's a case of packed lunches every day, which, I have to say, aren't my foresay.
05:23Erm, I do my best. Try my hardest.
05:31Come on, go get your shoes on so that we can just get going.
05:34Dad, I got spin.
05:37You got spin.
05:39Come on. I'll just climb in.
05:40No.
05:41Wait!
05:42Who's going in the front?
05:47Me!
05:56Our lovely ladies, Cherry and Ruby, are both in calf and maternity leave is fast approaching.
06:03So, while they're out enjoying the spring grass, it's the perfect excuse to give the cow shed a proper spring clean.
06:10After all, every expectant mum deserves a clean, peaceful space to go into labour and give birth.
06:17This is, er, this is the job I quite enjoy, actually.
06:21We've basically got to get this shed mucked out, get it as clean as possible,
06:25and then get it all disinfected as well.
06:27Erm, obviously we've had the cows in here so they've made quite a bit of mess,
06:30but we're going to bring Cherry back in because she's due to calf kind of any day now, really.
06:36So, we want to get her inside, erm, get her comfortable and just so we can kind of keep our eye on her, really.
06:43Ruby isn't due her calf for a couple more months, but we'll bring her in to keep Cherry company.
06:49So, the shed's going to be full, we're going to have the boys down at one end,
06:52and then at the other end, the girls will be anywhere due to calf.
06:55A maternity suite, that's what we can call it, a nice maternity suite,
06:59and then hopefully any day now, we can, erm, we can expect a calf.
07:03You get a lot of job satisfaction from this type of work.
07:06So, we just get all the muck out now, we're going to scrape the middle out,
07:09and then we'll scrape the beds out, get them all in the mudkeep,
07:13then we'll get the sweeper on it and then we'll get it all re-bedded up, ready for Cherry.
07:20And it's not just the barn that's getting a spruce today.
07:23Next door in the old stables, the bride-to-be Jemima has joined Liz and the kids
07:28to start preparations ahead of the big day.
07:32Can you do it? Do you want to get up the ladder more?
07:34Are you cleaning the ladder?
07:36How have we done that?
07:41You can come up the ladder more.
07:43There you go.
07:45I'll hold on to you. There you go.
07:49Is that good? Yeah.
07:51Is it fun? It's that big.
07:53There you go, good job.
07:56There's a lot going on today, it's all hands on deck,
07:59we're just cleaning the walls, getting everything, you know,
08:02this has been a stables for a long time,
08:05there's a lot of cobwebs, it needs a good brush down,
08:08making it nice and clean, still with that rustic feel.
08:11We don't want any cobwebs on the day.
08:13We'll get them all cleaned up, get the walls cleaned up, washed down,
08:17and then we can slowly start bringing the decorations in.
08:21In a few weeks' time, this dust-laden barn will be hosting the first wedding on the farm.
08:27And it's made Liz and I realise that this space has got so much potential for other events too.
08:35And it's all thanks to friends of the family who saw the potential in this space before we did.
08:40Jemima and Christian always wanted to get mine in a barn,
08:44and as our gift to them, we've said,
08:46would you like to do it here?
08:48So our very first wedding on the farm, it's very romantic,
08:52and they're just getting stuck in, stuck into making this how they want it to be.
08:56I like the fact that we've got our own touch on it,
08:59we've picked the food and everything, and we've picked the bars,
09:03so it's a bit more personal than a normal venue.
09:06Yeah.
09:07And yeah, it's just really exciting.
09:08And to get it stuck in like this, you don't get to normally do that.
09:11So it's nice.
09:12Yeah, exactly, you get from start to finish, don't you?
09:14Yeah.
09:16The groom's not here today, but his mum Gloria is.
09:19And we've known each other for so many years that it feels like a real family affair.
09:23Gloria's worked with us for about, is it three years now?
09:27Yeah, three years.
09:28And whenever we do events, anything, Gloria is the decoration queen.
09:33You've got such an eye for everything.
09:35She's amazing at cooking, amazing at decorating.
09:37You are! You're talented at everything!
09:40She's like family to us now. We couldn't live without Gloria.
09:43We're really, really honoured that her son and her daughter-in-law
09:46are going to get married here.
09:48Jemima and Christian can't wait to put their own stamp on the barn.
09:52And with the help of even the youngest members of the Fletcher family,
09:55this space will be looking good in no time.
09:58Do you think it's going to look good?
10:00Yeah.
10:01Are you excited?
10:02Yeah.
10:03Are you going to dance?
10:04Yeah.
10:05Are you going to be on the dance floor?
10:06Yeah.
10:07The kids are huge fans of Gloria.
10:09So they, whenever she's around, they're always like clinging to her legs
10:12and just wanting to get involved with her.
10:14So it's really nice to see them getting involved and helping out cleaning.
10:19They wouldn't do that for me, you know, but for Gloria they'll do anything.
10:23Next door, I'm making good progress cleaning out the barn.
10:30This job is oddly satisfying, although not without its drawbacks.
10:35The main one being the pong.
10:38As far as smells go, I mean, yeah, you get a whiff.
10:42I must have that stench now.
10:43I must have that farmer stench, especially when you've been mucking the cows out.
10:46You must smell of it.
10:48I just have to make sure in the school run I don't stand next to any parents.
10:51But it's a smell I've become very familiar with and, dare I say,
10:56I quite like it, but I just, you know, it's familiar.
11:01It reminds me of the home.
11:06Like many jobs on the farm, it's dirty work.
11:12But every pile has a purpose.
11:15It's all part of the natural cycle that keeps the farm and life thriving.
11:26This muck is actually crucial to our farm.
11:30Because the muck that we have here is what we use to feed the grass.
11:34And we spread this on the fields.
11:36So yeah, in that sense, this is liquid gold.
11:40The amount of nitrogen and all the stuff that plants and grass needs
11:44to grow, it's pretty much all in here.
11:46It's the waste product of the animal.
11:48Nothing's wasted.
11:50Every poo is used.
11:53I do love a tidy farm.
12:02So while I've got the chance, I'm going to break out all the tools.
12:05A quick change into my overalls and time to make this shed glisten.
12:10That's the thing with cows, clothes and sheep.
12:13But cows just seem to poo everywhere.
12:15All at the side of the walls, on the gates.
12:17And it's just one of those things that, a job you look kind of thing.
12:23I need to do that soon.
12:24Before you know it, it's everywhere.
12:26This job does have its perks though, as it gives me the chance to use one of my favourite bits of kit.
12:32This is our little yard sweeper.
12:35It was actually a birthday present from my parents from my 40th.
12:40That's the type of stuff they kind of buy me now.
12:42Probably a bit big for the job we need it for, but it can't be any bit of convenience, can you?
12:47It's even got a family name on it.
12:53She's alive.
12:55Let's go sweeping.
12:57I feel like I'm looking for a council here.
12:59Might go and do a little bit on the highways.
13:01There we go.
13:08From racing cars in the British GT Championship to sweeping barns in the Cheshire countryside,
13:14it's been quite the gear change.
13:16Might as well do a quick sweep up in here, haven't we?
13:25There we go.
13:37Shed cleaned out.
13:38Jet washed.
13:39Disinfected.
13:41Ready for two pregnant cows.
13:44And hopefully,
13:47some newborn cows.
13:50As I move on to my next job,
13:52Liz and the kids are still hard at work with their cleaning.
13:56Oh, my God, it's spotless already.
13:59Yeah.
14:01Glory, you guys have done a great job.
14:05Were you excited to clean this?
14:08I'm more excited to decorate, but, yeah.
14:10What is your thought?
14:11What is your plan?
14:13So, it's quite informal, I suppose, and rustic because of it being a barn.
14:18We're going to have the top table here, that's why we're cleaning this wall, ready to paint.
14:22And we're going to have fairy lights and flowers all over and bunting, and I've got some lanterns as well.
14:28We've got Kelvin's gin bar and then another bar maybe there.
14:31And we're going to have the hay bales in the corner as, like, a cosy, chilled place to sit.
14:35Nice.
14:36We've got a lot of kids coming.
14:38How drunk do you think you're going to get with two bars?
14:40Yeah, everyone's going to be very drunk.
14:42Why are you doing a smoochie kiss?
14:45Are we going to do a smoochie kiss?
14:47Yeah.
14:48Not in front of you, no.
14:49Jemima's kindly invited the children and I said, are you sure?
14:53Are you sure?
14:54Yeah, because the wedding is really like a celebration.
14:57It's not really, you know, sitting down.
15:01We're not doing, like, a formal sit-down meal. It's going to be quite relaxed.
15:04So, it's like a party.
15:06Yeah, it's like a big party.
15:07You want to put that on, Milo?
15:09Do you want to blast the cobwebs?
15:12Yeah.
15:15Not at pink, Milo, not at people.
15:17No!
15:18Not at people.
15:19It's the cobwebs.
15:20Go there.
15:23That's it.
15:28There, look.
15:29Right, that's enough now.
15:30I think we're going to make it worse.
15:32Well, good job, Milo.
15:33That looks better, doesn't it?
15:34There you go.
15:35You have that cloth.
15:36Yeah, that's it.
15:37Get it nice and wet.
15:38Ooh, there we go.
15:39Wow.
15:40You want to get up, Mum?
15:41I want the bucket.
15:42You want the bucket?
15:43Hang on.
15:44There you go.
15:45Get it in.
15:46Ooh.
15:47With a wedding just over a month away, it's fantastic to see everyone doing their bit.
15:53That looks better.
15:54To make sure the bride and groom's big day is a special one.
15:56We've not got a lot of time.
15:57There is a deadline, so we do need to get cracking.
15:58But I think we can do it.
15:59We love a deadline.
16:00It makes us work harder.
16:01We won't miss it.
16:02We've never missed a deadline yet.
16:03We won't do for this, I'm sure.
16:04We won't do for this.
16:05We won't do for this.
16:06I'm sure.
16:07Wet days like this have been few and far between this year.
16:08But when we're doing so well, it's not as easy as we can do, we've never missed a deadline
16:09and we don't do for this.
16:10We love a deadline.
16:11It makes us work harder.
16:12We won't miss it.
16:13We've never missed a deadline yet.
16:14We won't do for this, I'm sure.
16:16Wet days like this have been few and far between this year.
16:37but when the rains come it's harder not having the farmhouse to get dry in or
16:41just make a brew. As it's still uninhabitable since the fire Liz and I
16:47wanted to get some advice on whether there's an option to have a temporary
16:50home on the farm instead. My hair's not a fan of the rain so we'll get under shelter.
16:56This is nice, this is cosy. Oh look at this, a nice little barbecue area there.
17:01We couldn't just put walls in here and live in here couldn't we? Yeah put hot something.
17:05Yes, very good. That's the thing, there's always a spot for something round here.
17:09Paul is part of a team who builds lodges and cabins and he's come to help us
17:14figure out if our plans to build a temporary lodge on the farm while
17:18renovations get underway is even possible. So Paul with us having the fire on
17:25site we desperately need to be here just to look after the animals and make
17:29sure everything's ticking over and we thought if we could get a lodge the best
17:33place for us the flattest place that we could think of is the menage. Now ground
17:37wise could we put a lodge on that because it's not obviously concrete but it's not
17:42the concrete but we obviously could look at doing the ground screws with you so
17:46that can go in and obviously with that you're not putting something which is
17:49permanent because obviously you use them as temporary accommodation as well so
17:53they can be moved when the lodge is moved afterwards. Oh brilliant. So then it
17:57doesn't affect the ground. Oh great. So you could do that but yeah this is a
18:01good location to do it as well. We'll hopefully be getting, we'll still have a
18:05bit of summer to say, I know it don't feel like summer today but hopefully when we've
18:09got some good weather it's in a good spot that you can actually. You've got the
18:13views to sit there and sit out and enjoy it. Yeah it'll look pretty idyllic won't it?
18:16Absolutely, yeah. If it's there you know you're gonna have your own space away from everything because it's
18:21just that little bit away from everywhere isn't it as well hidden. What are you suggesting
18:25that I can just come and enjoy yourself? Hideaway? What and leave Liz and kids all in the farm?
18:31Sounds like a good idea. Yeah yeah with a nice book, a cup of tea. We'll put you in a nice little man cave in.
18:36Oh that would be good yeah. Hey that would be good. Well what I'm imagining you honestly is sat on the deck in because he'll be so close to his sheep now.
18:43I could just be checking on sheep can't I? You would just be like 24-7 sheep watch. I could be sat having a cup of tea just checking everything. I could get a walkie talkie to you. Liz just you know sort of, you'd be doing house reno. Yeah.
18:54And then I could just be here checking on the sheep so you're checking on the builders and I'm here checking on the sheep. It's your dream spot isn't it? Yeah it is actually yeah.
19:01After months of uncertainty it's exciting to be making plans to get the family back on the farm and for me the lodge can't come soon enough.
19:10What do you think the time frame is from us deciding kind of what the layout, what the interior is, the size, what do you think the time frame is on that?
19:18Once you've got that signed off and you're 100% happy with everything we could you know two to three months at like the timeline on that to get everything done, built in, deliver to site.
19:29Wow. That's quick.
19:34Brill. Yeah.
19:37Well brilliant, thank you for that.
19:39Can we get it saucy? Yeah exactly.
19:40Hey it's stopped raining. It has, yeah.
19:42It's stopped raining. That's right.
19:44That's a sign.
19:47It definitely feels like there's light at the end of the tunnel and the countdown to being back on the farm can begin.
19:54The work on the farmhouse is yet to start but we have been given the green light to salvage what we can and this is music to Liz's creative ears.
20:15Kelvin.
20:17Yeah?
20:18I've got a little job but a big job for you if you don't mind.
20:26Go on.
20:27You know the, the bronzy chandelier we've got in the house?
20:30Yeah.
20:31I want to try and salvage it and put it in the...
20:34Barn.
20:35In the barn so it's like the, we've saved something from the house to go into the stables.
20:40Alright.
20:41What do you think?
20:43Yeah.
20:44I'm just mindful that it's very high up in the house.
20:47Well I've got ladders, I've got a rope.
20:50Yeah.
20:51I'm not an electrician.
20:52I get the electrician to put it up.
20:55You just get it down.
20:57You got that?
20:58Yeah.
21:05Right.
21:06You look a bit too nicely dressed for this job.
21:09Shirt and trouser.
21:11You're good smart today.
21:13We'll need a qualified electrician to install it in the barn.
21:16But with the power switched off, I just have the small task of getting it down in one piece.
21:22Yeah, it's heavy.
21:24Erm, I'd say it's...
21:2825, 30 kilo.
21:30But I've got a plan.
21:35Right.
21:36First things first.
21:37I'm just going to connect the rope.
21:41So if you could pass me the rope.
21:44Just as a secondary hoist.
21:50So this rope is going to hold the chandelier up.
21:53OK.
21:54When I think of these jobs, they're not as big...
21:57They're not as big in my head as they are when you come to do it.
22:01No job, what you ever think of Liz, is big in your head.
22:05I'll tell you this all the time.
22:07Because anything's possible.
22:08The smoke damage from the fire has left everything in the house ruined.
22:13But we're determined to salvage whatever we can, especially items that have been here longer than us.
22:19It's so disheartening to see the house like this.
22:21And it just...
22:22What isn't burnt is completely smoke damaged.
22:26And the smell in here is so strong that after a bit, it'll just give you a headache.
22:30But although things probably can't be used, you know, the sofas are just...
22:36Everything smells so strongly of smoke.
22:38But this chandelier was left in the house when we bought it.
22:42Probably because the owner didn't want to do this.
22:45And I've loved it ever since.
22:47And if we can salvage this and put it in the stables,
22:50then it'll just feel like a piece of the house has still been used.
22:55Get rid of the rope, babe.
22:57I'm going to undo it in a minute.
22:59I hope this isn't a Del Trotter moment.
23:02I know.
23:04So do I. I'm up a ladder.
23:08Right, are you ready?
23:09Yeah.
23:10The full weight of the chandelier...
23:12Yeah, but...
23:13..is on the rope.
23:14Kelvin never fails to impress me.
23:17Like, he can literally do any job.
23:19He's never done this before and he's just...
23:21I mean, he's lassoing a chandelier.
23:26I've never been regarded as being a handyman.
23:29I'm not that handy around the house.
23:31I'm not somebody you would call a DIYer.
23:33How do you know how to do all this stuff
23:34when you've been an actor for 20 years?
23:37Well, that's why I used to say I'm not an actor,
23:38I'm just a lad that can act.
23:40LAUGHTER
23:41That's what I always used to say.
23:45I feel like there should be a choir singing.
23:47Oh!
23:51Whey!
23:52Look at that!
23:56Beautiful!
23:57Wow, Kelvin, I'm so impressed.
24:04Done.
24:05There we go.
24:06That was amazing.
24:07Look how stunning this is.
24:12Done.
24:14Amazing.
24:15It's all intact, so all it needs now is just...
24:16I've left the connectors on.
24:17So, in theory, that full piece can be hung.
24:20It can just go straight up.
24:21Straight up, yeah.
24:22And it's no point even cleaning it.
24:24Oh, I'll give it a little look after.
24:25That's part of the look, isn't it?
24:26Just check all the bulbs.
24:27They work.
24:28Well, they did do.
24:29How do you know?
24:30Well, when we left the house before it set on fire, everything worked.
24:31How do you think they'll have blown?
24:32Erm...
24:33No, you can see.
24:34They'll be all right, then.
24:35We've never seen it this close, so Liz has certainly never seen it this close,
24:36because it's never been cleaned.
24:37That's never seen a duster, has it?
24:38But it will do now.
24:39And it'll be pride and joy in the sense with the stables.
24:41I feel like you should have...
24:42You should have got a little look after.
24:43That's part of the look, isn't it?
24:44That's part of the look, isn't it?
24:45Just check all the bulbs.
24:46They work.
24:47Well, they did do.
24:48How do you know?
24:49Well, when we left the house before it set on fire,
24:50everything worked.
24:51It's never seen a duster, has it?
24:52But it will do now.
24:54And it'll be pride and joy in the sense with the stables.
24:58I feel like you should have been a workman, babe, and not an actor.
25:03That's great.
25:05I feel like you enjoy being a really neat tradesman.
25:09Do you?
25:10Yeah.
25:11Like, even the way you carry the ladder,
25:13I know that you'll purposely not hit anything in the door.
25:16Right, I'll see you, love.
25:18I'll send you a voice in post.
25:20See you later, Om.
25:24Thanks for coming.
25:25Thanks for that brew that I didn't get.
25:27After some mixed weather, the sun is back and so are the kids,
25:45all finding fun and mischief on the farm.
25:48Oh, be careful!
25:52It can be all work and no play, and the kids never have to go far to find things to do.
25:58I love my dad more than I can see.
26:01I love just being with my dad.
26:05I love that he does acting and dancing and strictly and singing.
26:14And I love watching his videos from Emmerdale.
26:17But on the farm, what I love about my daddy is because he just gets stuck in.
26:23And I love how he just, he has no fear in anything.
26:27And if, like, somebody said, oh, can you get down that drain?
26:30Yeah, sure, I'll get down that drain.
26:31He literally just gets straight into it.
26:34He makes everything dead fun.
26:36So does my mum.
26:38What's your favourite animal on the farm?
26:40Um, poo.
26:41Poo?
26:42Tell me nicely, what's your favourite animal on the farm?
26:46Lamb.
26:47Lambs.
26:49It's just so beautiful to see them working out this, this farm life and just being kids
26:55and outside and messy and I love it.
26:58Marnie and Milo lived in Oldham with us before we moved to the farm.
27:02But the twins have known no different.
27:04This is, this is all they know.
27:07And actually, it's really hard to be indoors with them
27:10because they're just desperate to get outside.
27:13And when trying to then run the farm,
27:16now that they've got their freedom, they kind of follow me on the bikes
27:19or their little go-karts.
27:22They're now picking up on the jobs that we do and they do them.
27:26Like, they love feeding the animals.
27:28And that's where you think, wow.
27:30It's so special.
27:32Mummy, what are they?
27:35They're mushrooms.
27:37But they're mushrooms?
27:39They're not mushrooms that you eat.
27:40This is more like a fungus.
27:42Come on.
27:43Duh, duh, duh, duh, duh.
27:45Come on, Matthias.
27:47So, I've finished it and it says,
27:51I love my dad more than that I can see.
27:58What's this?
27:59I wrote a note.
28:00Is it for me?
28:01It says,
28:02I love my dad more than that I can see.
28:11We are always here for you.
28:13Kiss, kiss, kiss.
28:14And then my love, kiss, kiss, kiss.
28:17And then it gives love from Marnie.
28:21Love heart here.
28:22And then...
28:23Well, there's a lot of kisses and a lot of love hearts, isn't there?
28:25Oh, thank you.
28:26I love little messages like that.
28:31Should I add to it a little bit?
28:32Yeah.
28:33You can add at the top.
28:34Should I add at the top?
28:35I'll close my eyes.
28:36Marnie can be so thoughtful at times,
28:39and I often find little handwritten notes for me and Mummy
28:42left by her around the farm.
28:44Today's canvas is just a little bit bigger.
28:47Marnie, don't tell Mummy but you're my favourite.
28:52Kiss, kiss, kiss, kiss, kiss, kiss, kiss, kiss.
28:56Daddy.
28:59Being parents of four kids, Liz and I know a thing or two
29:15about waiting for a baby to arrive.
29:17And with both cows in calf, Liz especially likes to keep a close eye
29:22on them as they reach their due date.
29:25Every pregnant woman out there knows that that last two weeks of
29:29pregnancy feels longer than the nine months.
29:32And you're just waiting and you think, when is it going to come?
29:36And when it happens, you're like, oh, no, I'm not ready.
29:40After cleaning out the barn, Ruby, who's not due for a couple of months,
29:46is being nurse mate to Cherry, whose calf is due any day.
29:50I think there's three main things, three main things to look out for
29:53when she's about to calf.
29:55One, she'll start to bag up, where a rudder literally starts to fill with milk
29:59and the kind of hip bones somewhat will just start to sink, just kind of here.
30:06They'll start to drop here now.
30:08So all the signs are telling us that Cherry is ready to give birth,
30:12but it's still a waiting game.
30:14I don't know if we're 24 hours away, if we're five hours away,
30:18if we're an hour away.
30:19She's with her friends, she's got a bit of company.
30:21She seems, you know, she seems pretty calm, that's the important thing,
30:25not to stress her out.
30:27Erm, I'm just really excited.
30:30I'd love if she calf today.
30:33For the twins to be here and watch it, it'd just be...
30:36When the babies eat it.
30:39Yeah, then they feed the baby in their belly.
30:42Just like when you were in my belly.
30:44I was... your belly was getting big.
30:48It was getting bigger.
30:50Because you two monkeys were in there.
30:53Weren't you?
30:54Yeah.
30:55Do you remember being in there?
30:56What was it like?
30:58A ball.
30:59A ball.
31:00Aw, you're so cute.
31:03It's so different.
31:04The last time we calf, it was panic.
31:07You know, we'd caught the calf.
31:10We thought we'd lost the calf.
31:12The calf was stuck and, bless her, Ruby had been struggling all night.
31:17And it was, you know, it was a sunrise and it came to us still asleep.
31:21And me and Liz were just instinctively pulling the calf out.
31:27And, you know, it was a success.
31:29But it was really quite traumatic.
31:31Especially for the cow and calf.
31:33Hopefully this time round, it's a little bit more plain sailing.
31:36But we're not leaving anything to chance.
31:39And as we're still not living on the farm because of the fire,
31:42I want to make sure we don't miss a thing.
31:45What I might do is put up our little camera.
31:48Yeah.
31:49Anyway, just so we've got a bit of reassurance.
31:51Yeah.
31:52By putting up these CCTV cameras,
31:54we can keep an eye on Cherry any time, day or night.
31:58Still looking really calm, really relaxed, which is good.
32:01Erm...
32:03So, it's still a waiting game, really.
32:06Could be in the middle of the night.
32:08So, having something like this camera
32:10just gives you a little bit of reassurance, really,
32:13that you're not going to miss anything.
32:15So, we just keep checking this as much as we can
32:17through the night.
32:19All eyes on the cows now.
32:22It's exciting, though.
32:24And weirdly, I think we're so used to no sleep now
32:27that it's not a problem.
32:30It's erm...
32:31We're so used to it.
32:33And the adrenaline kind of kicks in
32:35because it's what I've been waiting for for so long.
32:38We're all so excited now.
32:39It could happen any minute.
32:40So, just on standby.
32:43The good thing is, is that Cherry has calved before.
32:46So, this is not her first...
32:49Her first calf.
32:50So, she's experienced.
32:51She knows what to expect.
32:53It's a nice, calm setting.
32:57She's looking in really good condition.
32:59Fingers crossed for a smooth, smooth calving.
33:04And fingers crossed we get a heifer calf.
33:08We want a female calf.
33:09We want to have some of our own breeding stock.
33:12Which would be great.
33:23Alongside our growing herd,
33:25our flock are looking great after spending time out in the summer sunshine.
33:29Filling up on the fresh grass.
33:31But they are also looking ready for their annual trip to the barbers.
33:36We shared our tups last year, me and Liz, and erm...
33:40It was...
33:42We said never again.
33:44Never, ever again.
33:46We've only done two and a half sheep.
33:49Oh, God.
33:51It looks like someone's been murdered.
33:53I'm absolutely human.
33:55I don't want to laugh or cry.
33:58These boys make it look easy.
34:00Unless you actually have a go, you don't realise that physicality and how taxing it is.
34:04Obviously, technique is there, but the strength and that stamina is...
34:09And you don't see them stopping for a tea break every two minutes like us actors do.
34:12We like to have a tea break.
34:14James and Sam have helped keep our flock trimmed since we bought our very first sheep.
34:20And while they take care of the shearing,
34:22it's down to me to make sure the flock form an orderly queue.
34:27Sheep shearing day on the farm is always a big family favourite.
34:30So Liz and the kids are on their way to help too.
34:34Why do we shear the sheep, Matthias?
34:36So we shear the sheep because they get too hot in summer.
34:39And then what do we do with the wool?
34:42Make covers.
34:44Make covers! We make blankets, yeah!
34:49So that's like taking their coat off.
34:51And they'll be like, oh, finally!
34:54I've cooled down.
34:56Do you feel it?
34:57You like that in your fingers?
34:58What does it feel like?
35:00Does it feel soft?
35:02This is an exciting part of farming.
35:05It's when we finally get to shear the sheep.
35:08It's a fascinating tradition, really, when you think about it.
35:10Like, these guys are so skilled.
35:13And it is, you know, it's a slog, it's a big, it's a tough job.
35:17And they do it and they're passionate about it and they love it.
35:20And it's really fascinating to watch.
35:22I never get bored of watching it.
35:23Ooh, four down.
35:25Fifty to go.
35:26And our best shepherdess, Marnie, is keen to get stuck in.
35:29Marnie, what you can try and do is when the fleece is done,
35:31fold the fleece up and put it in the bag.
35:33Do you want to try and do that job?
35:35Yeah, this is just, you know, there's a lot to do.
35:37Somebody bringing the sheep in, sorting the sheep out,
35:38just giving the shearers less to do, really.
35:39They've got enough to do, shearing all these sheep
35:40without having to, kind of, sort them out and everything like that.
35:42So...
35:43But I've got Marnie here, my little helper, so...
35:44She's on fleece duty at the minute.
35:45So as soon as the fleece are off the sheep,
35:46she folds it up and puts it in the bag.
35:48This is the best wool, black and white, like, look at it.
36:04So last year, we managed to take our wool to a mill that's in Oldham
36:10a mill that's in Oldham where we grew up and we managed to turn that wool into blankets
36:16and we did really, really well with it. I mean, look at that. That. Just gorgeous.
36:24And we can actually do something with it. And we sold out a lot. The whole stuff went.
36:30So this time we've got the core colours. I've kind of, this time I've worked with the mill
36:34a little bit more. I've actually looked at what's on trend. I mean, get me. I'm actually
36:40looking at what colours are coming out this season, what's happening at the fashion shows.
36:45The bag's really exciting. It's been amazing looking at different colour fabrics, colour
36:50swatches. Selling the blankets started as a side hustle, but it's fast becoming another
36:56important income to the farm. Get a few hundred blankets out of this. We're
37:00going to need a bigger bag. The next process for this is so exciting and interesting. Like
37:06this will get washed, it'll get dyed, it'll get spun, it'll get weak. Just so fascinating
37:12that that becomes something else. How many we got left? Four, five more, is there? There's
37:19a lot of blankets there. That's what you've got to keep thinking of. It'll be worth it.
37:23This is good though. This is the bit I enjoy, the farming that I enjoy is, you know, when
37:26you've got a bit of hard work, physical. And even though I'll never make a decent sheep
37:32shearer, I can't resist having another go. This time, under the guidance of the pros. So I'd roll
37:36that way. Yeah. Keep the head this way off? Head this way, yeah. And going down that way?
37:43Down here. Down here. Oh, that's good. So when, till there? Yeah, if you don't follow the skin.
37:51How do you feel the skin? Yeah, it's always good to learn, and at least attempt the skill,
37:59just in case. But that's precious wool, you know. I don't want it coming off in a little
38:06bit. I like it to come off as a full belief. Have some faith, Liz. I'm doing my best.
38:12That is the trick. When they shear, they have to shear the wool in such a way that it comes
38:17off almost in one piece. And that is the skill. I mean, the fact that you've got to hold the
38:27sheep as well, which is really strong. Make sure that they're safe and not moving. And
38:31then make sure the police comes off as one. There's a lot of things going on at once. And
38:36they do brilliantly at it. I must admit, this is not easy. And I've got even more respect
38:42for James and Sam being able to shear our full flock so quickly. It's difficult. It's a feeling,
38:49really. You just feel like you're going to nip it every time. You've just got the confidence
38:53to be right on the skin, really. What did you start shearing, James? About 16. Are you
39:01talking to your dad? Yeah. There you go. How did you get on with that last one? I missed
39:08it. I was terrible. Oh, right. I won't give up my day, James. James will always ring you
39:13then every year. I'd always said our excuse last year was because we didn't have the proper
39:16kit, but I had the proper kit and it's still hard. James, you've been with us since day one,
39:21now, haven't you? I know. I've shown every year since the... You have, haven't you? Have
39:24you? James has been with us since we had ten sheep. All of them coswalds. Two of them
39:29coswalds, yeah, yeah. Yeah. The price has gone up.
39:34Job well done, I think, yeah. They're all sheared. They'll all feel a lot more comfortable
39:40now as it starts to heat up. Lambs are looking great. All in all, a good day. And, more
39:47importantly, lots of blankets. You better get busy with designing some new colours. I've
39:53already done it. What colours are we on? Wait and see. Let me know if you want to put an
39:57order in. Right, come on. Well done, guys. Thank you for that. We'll see you down there.
40:04The flock are looking fresh. The bags are bursting with wool. And we're all excited to see it
40:11come to life and be used for something truly special.
40:17With Cherry's Calf expected any day now, I've been on night watch via the CCTV cameras we
40:36started in the barn. And at 5am this morning, our latest addition to the farm arrived without
40:49a hitch. And Cherry's maternal instincts kicked in immediately.
41:03Hello. You've always got to keep the calf in between you and the cow so that the cow can
41:23see its calf and obviously see you as well. What you don't want to do is stand between the
41:28cow and the calf. It's really important. You're a beautiful little thing, aren't you?
41:35Beautiful. You've produced a gorgeous little calf, haven't you Cherry? That's just...
41:50what an absolute privilege this is. I'd never have thought ever would I ever... would this
42:00be my life. How good is nature? It's just unbelievable, isn't it? Cherry had done amazing. She'd calved herself.
42:09I think the most important thing as well, the calf looks good. And instinctively they then go and look for a feed.
42:16That first few hours, just like a lamb, it's absolutely crucial for the... for the survival of the calf really.
42:24And Cherry's just been so calm. You've got to be really careful when you, you know, it's a newborn calf.
42:28You've got to respect the animal. And she's just been so calm. She's allowed me to check the calf.
42:35I've given her a little stroke, a little cuddle to say well done. And they just look so happy together.
42:43Every birth on the farm is special. And this young bull calf will grow up to play his part in expanding our herd too.
42:50Baby cow?
42:56Yeah, baby cow.
42:59Are you ready?
43:01Oh, baby cow!
43:04What do you think?
43:05Good. Why can't it not stand up?
43:08It's only just being born. It's just... You know, when you were first born, you didn't stand up straight away, did you?
43:14No.
43:15You had to be picked up. So, look. He stood up. And guess what it is? It's a boy.
43:24It's a little boy. It's a friend.
43:28Aww.
43:29And she did it all around. All by herself.
43:32She's a great cow, isn't she?
43:34So, another bull. Another boy.
43:36Another boy.
43:37We're not doing well with these girls, are we? We can see what we're doing with.
43:40A female. A female.
43:42A female.
43:45As Cherish seems relaxed having me in the pen, I can weigh the car so we can track his growth over the next few months.
43:54It's okay.
43:56It's okay, Cherish.
44:01Come on.
44:04Come on, it's okay.
44:0547.
44:06I said 45.
44:0747.
44:08Wow.
44:09Come on.
44:10Amazing.
44:11Well done.
44:12Well done, girl.
44:13Well done.
44:14Look at that beautiful little calf.
44:19That's your baby.
44:21Look at him.
44:22Good girl.
44:24Well done.
44:25Well done.
44:26Look at that beautiful little calf.
44:31That's your baby.
44:32Look at him.
44:34Good girl.
44:36Well, 47 kilo bull calf.
44:4047-kilo bull calf.
44:44That's a cracking little calf, that.
44:46Now we just need to think of a name.
44:49Maybe Barry. Barry the Bull.
44:52Barry's a good, strong name, isn't he?
44:55Barry the Bull.
44:57Oh, the cow just loves me, man.
45:03Let's go see your grandad. Come on, Ginger.
45:05I think it's safe to say the name is undecided,
45:11but I'm just thrilled to have another healthy calf join the herd.
45:19Next week on our farm,
45:21it's naming day for our new bull calf.
45:24The Milo first. Wolf King.
45:25Wolf King.
45:26Wolf King.
45:28Liz gets creative in the cottage.
45:31Have I gone delusional?
45:33Or is that amazing?
45:36And we get one step closer to living back on the farm full time.
45:40We didn't choose a caravan life.
45:42The caravan life chose us.
45:43We'll see you next time.
45:49We'll see you next time.
45:56We'll see you next time.
Be the first to comment