- 5 weeks ago
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00:00And we've fallen for this way of life, hook, line and sinker.
00:07Can you keep this?
00:10Right, Milo, let's get some jobs done.
00:13Farming's a breeze, compared to having four kids.
00:17We're surrounded by the spectacular Peak District.
00:22As far as an office goes, it's pretty good, isn't it?
00:27With ancient woodlands...
00:30..and rolling hills as their playground...
00:34..this year, we've big plans to increase our flock...
00:41..and herd...
00:46..whiles continuing to diversify.
00:53What about if we've created some sort of farm musical?
00:57Kevin, we've got enough to do, we're not creating a farm phantom.
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, we find out if all our hard work over spring and summer has paid off...
01:25..as harvest day finally arrives.
01:28If we got two tonnes per acre, you'd be happy?
01:30Yeah.
01:31Would you be doing a dance?
01:32We'll have to see.
01:34Right, OK.
01:35I mean, what if it got three tonnes per acre?
01:39I'd definitely be doing a dance.
01:40I'd be getting naked if it does three tonnes per acre.
01:43At market, Liz's maths is put to the test to work out if this year's lambs will turn a profit.
01:49When he gives me the price of the sheep, let's say it's £2 a kilo.
01:54I have to quickly in my head work out, well, how much is that?
01:58That's 42 kilos.
02:02And after weeks of preparation, the sound of wedding bells echoes around the farm.
02:07What do we say when someone gets married?
02:10Ooh-la-la!
02:12As far as big days go, this one's huge.
02:36We're taking delivery of our new lodge.
02:39The final step in getting us back living on the farm.
02:42After a year of renting following a fire in the farmhouse.
02:47It's here.
02:48It's here.
02:49Part one.
02:50This is the first bit.
02:51The other bit's on its way.
02:53It's in a couple of sections.
02:55But it's done well to get that down in Windy Rose.
02:57I know.
02:58It's done really well.
02:59Looks good, doesn't it?
03:00It looks so good.
03:01And these things, you know, dealing with the fire and everything,
03:03it takes so much longer than you could ever have imagined.
03:06Full-time job.
03:07It's a full-time job.
03:08It's a full-time job trying to go through the whole process,
03:10the surveys, everything that needs to be done.
03:12As well as then.
03:13We've not even started the point of clearing the house out
03:16and actually making a style on that building work.
03:18So this just feels, although it's temporary,
03:21it just feels like it will help us make those steps a bit more efficiently,
03:26a bit more not having to be in two places at the same time.
03:30After everything we've been through this year,
03:33the hardest part has been feeling so disconnected as a family.
03:37Being back on the farm brings us together again,
03:40and we couldn't be happier.
03:42It feels like it's been so long since, like, we've lived here now.
03:49It feels like a bit of a weight is lifting, but it's still there a little bit.
03:53But just the thought of being back at the farm 24-7 is...
03:57It just feels like the best feeling.
04:00It'll be so good.
04:01We just cannot wait to be back here, can we?
04:03It'll be so good when we're here.
04:05We've got the rest of it coming.
04:07They said there might be a couple of fence panels that,
04:09you know, fence posts and whatnot that need to come out.
04:12So we'll wait and see.
04:13I need to get the quad.
04:15Bring them in.
04:16Yeah.
04:17It's like an escort.
04:19Yeah, yeah.
04:20So...
04:22And then we'll get it in
04:24and just start prepping it.
04:26Can't wait.
04:27Back at the farm.
04:29Living in a caravan.
04:31It's a nice caravan though, isn't it?
04:32It's a posh caravan.
04:34Right.
04:35Well, come on.
04:36We need to get ready for this next piece.
04:37The piece is coming.
04:38Erm...
04:39And I need to escort it in.
04:41And then get it...
04:43Get it connected.
04:53These guys are amazing.
04:55They're skill.
04:56Literally only just...
04:58You're talking an inch or so, either side.
05:04Just incredible.
05:26Still a little bit nervous.
05:28There's still a lot to go.
05:30You know, a lot to do, yeah.
05:31But yeah, first impressions are very, very good.
05:34It looks amazing.
05:35Erm...
05:36And we got the log!
05:38This is going to be our home, darling.
05:41Wow.
05:43Yeah.
05:44We don't do things by halves, do we?
05:47Ironically, this is a dwelling that comes in half.
05:51But it's definitely got the Fletcher seal of approval.
05:54I'm starting to relax a little bit now.
05:58There's still a lot to do.
05:59There's a lot to do.
06:00It's been a long road, but our dream of returning to the farm is finally taking shape.
06:06But before we dig in, we've got to adapt to lodge living.
06:10And with four kids in tow, that's a whole new kind of challenge.
06:14Don't they got it?
06:16It's pretty bougie.
06:17It is pretty bougie.
06:19It is.
06:20It is.
06:21Not your average carry-on, that's for sure.
06:24But there's six of us.
06:26You know?
06:27And it'll just take the edge off the upset of the fire, I think.
06:30And when we do the renovation, we're here.
06:32We're on site.
06:33We're back.
06:34We're back on the farm.
06:36One thing we do need to improve on is keeping our kids clean,
06:40because that is the impossible.
06:42No.
06:43I think they should be.
06:44This is perfect.
06:45This is what kids should be.
06:46I know, but I don't want them going in there like that.
06:48We could just walk in there.
06:49Where are they going to live?
06:50Well, I don't know.
06:51We'll have to just...
06:52We'll have to get a kennel or something.
06:54Just a few months ago, one of our nine acre fields
07:13started its transformation into our first crop.
07:17And after watching the seedlings turn to ripened oats,
07:27I'm hoping today is the day we can finally harvest
07:30our first arable crop.
07:32And I have to admit, I'm both nervous and excited.
07:36It's a big day.
07:37Well, let's...
07:38I mean, I love the part, first of all, don't I?
07:39With my new stick.
07:40This is it.
07:41This is...
07:42I pictured this day.
07:43Just to come in.
07:44I'm going to look at my crop.
07:48This is what is...
07:49You can just sit here and perch
07:51and just have a good whale.
07:53But it's not sheep I'm watching.
07:56It's...
07:57It's my oats.
07:58Depending on how it's grades, this could be...
08:01I'm hoping.
08:03I really am.
08:04I genuinely hope that this is a success
08:06because I would love this farm to be a proper little mixed farm
08:11where you're growing a bit of crop, rearing livestock,
08:14a nagging wife, four feral kids, you know, a grumpy farmer.
08:19That's...
08:20Isn't that what it's supposed to be?
08:24As he has been throughout this journey,
08:26our agronomist Ben is here for moral support
08:29and he might just be the only person more nervous than I am.
08:33Also joining us is Phil, who will be on harvesting duties
08:36if the crop passes one final test.
08:39Are you happy?
08:41Yeah, I am, yeah, yeah.
08:43Slightly apprehensive, to be perfectly honest.
08:45Oh, right.
08:46At least weather's with us.
08:47Yeah, weather's with us, yeah.
08:48Is that normal, to be apprehensive for you, or is it...?
08:50Yeah, I always am, to be honest, yeah.
08:52You never know, do you, until now?
08:54Yeah.
08:55That's the worst part.
08:56Isn't it weird, that, that you could spend months and months
08:58of planning of work
08:59and then to still get to a point where you still don't know?
09:02I know.
09:03Well, you don't even know what price you're getting for it,
09:04that's the thing.
09:05Yeah.
09:06Until you come to sell it.
09:07Until they rock up, yeah.
09:08So...
09:09No, it's weird.
09:10No.
09:11Farmer's the biggest gamblers around.
09:12Yeah!
09:13Yeah!
09:14Yeah!
09:15I might go bingo tonight.
09:17Yeah, yeah, yeah.
09:18If we got two tonnes per acre, you'd be happy?
09:20Yeah.
09:21Would you be doing a dance?
09:22Yeah.
09:23We'll have to see.
09:24Right, OK.
09:27I mean, what if we got three tonnes an acre?
09:29That's only an 18-some truck.
09:30I'd definitely be doing a dance.
09:31I'd be getting naked if it does three tonnes.
09:35Well, here's hoping we come in just under three tonnes.
09:40Luckily, we've got a whole bunch of clever gadgets to tell us
09:43if the crop's actually ready to go.
09:45That...
09:46Is this the moisture meter?
09:47That is the moisture meter.
09:48So, we fill that up with grain, empty it in there, wind it round, press the button,
09:55and it tells us we either look happy or sad.
09:58And what are we going for?
09:59What's the ideal?
10:00Well, maximum's 15 and a half.
10:03Percent?
10:04Yeah.
10:05Percent, yeah.
10:06Percent, what, 16, 16 and a half?
10:07Would that just be a nightmare?
10:08Just to wait.
10:09Oh, relatively, yeah.
10:10Yeah.
10:11With the sunshine, say we're around 16, you know, it might fetch it down in a couple
10:15of hours.
10:16Yeah.
10:17Oh, right, OK.
10:18If we get to it where the sun's on it, a clue.
10:21A moisture reading above 15 and a half percent would be bad news.
10:25And if the crop isn't dry enough, it can't be stored here on the farm.
10:29And the harvest would be delayed.
10:31All you do is press test.
10:34And wait.
10:3713.6.
10:39Wow.
10:40Very good.
10:41You could be cooking on gas, eh?
10:42There we go.
10:43Very good.
10:44Yeah.
10:4513.6.
10:46Perfect, innit?
10:47Yeah, that's ideal.
10:48Are you happy, Ben?
10:49Yes, that's what I was hoping for.
10:50All he wants now is to come.
10:51Yeah, I've got one of my numbers.
10:52We're good.
10:53We're happy.
10:54We're smiling.
10:55We're smiling.
10:56Let's get combining.
10:57Right, real well.
11:04Wow, this is amazing.
11:05I mean, the weather, we couldn't have asked for a better day.
11:11It's absolutely glorious.
11:12The biggest thing is seeing how much we've got, what it's yielded.
11:18We're hoping to get two tons per acre.
11:19So this nine-acre field, if we could get 18 tons of oats, then that's, you know, that'd
11:25be great.
11:26But we'll see.
11:27It's got to go to the mill yet.
11:28Let's not forget, they've got to grade it and they'll determine how good of a crop
11:30it is really.
11:31And they'll determine how good of a crop it is really.
11:32We've waited so long for this to actually see it here now.
11:48Wow, look at that.
11:52With the crop now harvested, all that's left to do is wait for the results from the mill.
12:01Fingers crossed it's porridge worthy and not headed for the feed bin.
12:04The porridge is in the wagon.
12:06Yeah.
12:07Well, fingers crossed we're hoping it's porridge.
12:09Yeah.
12:10Are you happy, Ben?
12:12A little disappointed in the yield, to be honest with you, but...
12:15What have we ended up with?
12:17About a tonne to the acreage.
12:18Really?
12:19Yeah, give or take.
12:20So not quite my two-tonne estimation.
12:22It's a bit weird because...
12:24You've got to take into account.
12:25Exactly.
12:26It's been a dry summer.
12:27Yeah.
12:28It's been on hillside.
12:29You know, places will dry out, places are wet.
12:32Yeah.
12:33You know, over that side at field, you'd have probably had what your expectations were.
12:37Yeah, exactly.
12:38Yeah, yeah.
12:39Like a seam that runs across the middle of the field, it's nothing exciting.
12:42And it's amazing, them bad strips.
12:44Yeah.
12:45How it can knock your yield down, you know.
12:48But, you know, you work with what you've got.
12:51Yeah.
12:52One thing's for sure, a tremendous amount of hard work has gone into getting this crop to
12:56harvest.
12:57And whether it's porridge or feed, I couldn't be prouder of what we've accomplished.
13:01All right.
13:02Good, good.
13:03Well, we're happy then.
13:04We're done.
13:052025 harvest done.
13:06Got the essentials.
13:09Wow.
13:10Done.
13:11I thought I'd come to celebrate.
13:13I'll let you do the honours.
13:15Oh.
13:16That's what you need after a hot day harvesting, isn't it?
13:19I've not done anything.
13:20Well, I know, but it's hard work watching, innit?
13:23Yes.
13:24Ah!
13:25Hey!
13:26There we go.
13:27Michael is visiting.
13:28Right, everyone, cheers.
13:29Cheers.
13:30The list is done.
13:31It's complete.
13:32Cheers.
13:33To us.
13:34To being arable farmers.
13:35That's it.
13:36It's an early start and a busy day ahead.
13:59As we're off to market.
14:00For farmers, it's more than just business.
14:03It's a chance to catch up, check prices and move stock that's been months in the making.
14:09So today, my name, we're going to Bakewell, which is a good little market.
14:13You've been to Bakewell before, haven't you?
14:14Yeah.
14:15So Bakewell's one of our kind of, one or two local markets for us.
14:20We've now got some fat lambs from our 50 or 60 lambs.
14:23We've just picked out eight lambs today.
14:27As the lambs are hitting weight, we just offload a certain number at a time.
14:31But the prices for livestock are very, very good at the minute.
14:35The best it's been in the four years we've been farming.
14:40But I'm not going to get too strong upon prices because every time I say that, we don't get
14:44a good price.
14:45Marnie helps get the best of this year's lambs loaded up for market.
14:49It's an important day out for us farmers and a great way for Marnie to get to grips with
14:53understanding how she can profit from her own flock in a couple of months' time.
15:10Lot 82 and Lot 83, so we've got a pen of three and a pen of five.
15:14So the pen of three were the heaviest three and they averaged 43.33 kilos.
15:21And the pen of five averaged 38.6.
15:24So you know how this works, when these buyers are feeling them and the bidder's going right,
15:29who's going to give me £1?
15:31£1.20? £1.30?
15:33They're talking how much per kilo.
15:35Weight and fat cover are the key at today's market and they will determine what price we get.
15:42So basically every single animal from their respective farms will be penned up accordingly.
15:47And they go through a weighing scale, they'll take a weight from that flock and then kind of work out an average.
15:54So we'll just head over there now, hand our paperwork in and then sales don't start for another hour.
16:01So you know what that means, Marnie.
16:03Before Mummy comes here with all the kids, me and you can get a cheeky breakfast.
16:08A cheeky breakfast? Me and you? You can have whatever you want. Come on, don't tell Mummy.
16:12Well this is good isn't it Marnie? Me and you? Here with some lambs.
16:19Having a quick break here before the boys get here.
16:24Even over the noise of the auctioneering sheep, I can soon hear the dulcet tones of Liz and the boys.
16:30Right, so guys, this is the farmer's market where we're going to sell our...
16:37What are we selling?
16:39Sheep.
16:40Sheep.
16:41So come on, Dad's already brought them.
16:43Oi!
16:44Hello!
16:45Before you can see them, you can hear them.
16:49There we go.
16:50Well, Marnie, it was nice while it lasted, darling.
16:52Yeah, it was.
16:53It was nice while it lasted.
16:54It was nice while it lasted.
16:59Look at you two.
17:01Hello, guys.
17:03Here's a cuddle.
17:05It's great having the whole family here today.
17:07I think it's important they see how this side of the farming business works.
17:11Plus, it gives me a chance to check out what the other farms are bringing in,
17:15and maybe even pick up a tip or two along the way.
17:20The market is still a massive part of our farming journey,
17:24and I just couldn't...
17:27I couldn't kind of rule this out, so...
17:31Yeah, still coming to market selling livestock is...
17:34I think it's great for the kids,
17:36and I just think it's getting that happy balance, really.
17:39The auctioneer will assess each lamb
17:41before giving an average weight of the entire pen.
17:44Ours feel good.
17:45That's what I mean.
17:46You go and feel the backs of these compared to some of ours.
17:48And all these, they'll have had loads of corn thrown off.
17:51Because no one's got grass.
17:52We've had to throw as much corn because we've got loads of grass.
17:55You've got to be good at maths as a farmer.
17:5792 in the coming, 2,290.
18:00Actually, 2,90.
18:01Because when he gives me the price of the sheep,
18:02it'll say it's 2 pounds a kilo.
18:06I have to quickly, in my head, work out,
18:08well, how much is that for that 42 kilos?
18:12markets are crucial and there's far less markets now than they were 10 20 50 years ago so it's
18:22important i think we've almost got a bit of responsibility to keep markets going you know
18:26so to keep selling livestock here is good you're never going to get as good a price if you were
18:31to sell to direct to consumer you know or direct to restaurants or slam boxes but
18:36if we'd have sold these lamb boxes we'd have made a lot more and maybe double so eight lambs sold
18:48we're going to the office now they'll work out the game total and we'll go on with a nice check
18:55and uh on to the next so the pen that had five lambs and the pen that had three lambs both went
19:02for two pounds 84 pence per kilo and that's a total of 868 pounds 10 pence so 114 quid ahead that's
19:13quite a lot which we've had less that's a good price happy with that it's always a numbers game
19:21makes you realize farming is a numbers game the bigger your flock
19:26um what money there is we didn't quite hit our target price today but it's still been a really
19:35worthwhile day great to be out plenty learned and all part of moving forward for next time
19:41in the four years living here it's fair to say liz and i haven't been the best at throwing things away
19:54but you never know when that discarded piece of wood or old tire might find a new lease of life
20:04and for the kids these things open up a whole new world of things to play with
20:10so obviously a tree swing has to have rope coming down from the tree and then somewhere to sit how can
20:17we get to the tree first of all we need a seat i've got it i know where to sit well i had an idea what a tire
20:26tire use a tire as the seat oh i know what you mean so you can put your body in it
20:35because i've kept these old tires i knew they'd come in handy one day
20:38we've got normal car tires like this
20:41or we've got a tractor tire
20:45and then we've got a little skinny tire
20:48the skinny tire might be good
20:50should we go with that one yeah right then so come on carry that now we've got to go and find some rope
20:57my lord why do you always walk through puddles
21:06i've never made a tree swing before have you
21:11yeah i'm gonna get you a little rag
21:14and you can give it a good scrub yeah
21:17so give it a bit of a wipe and wipe all the dust off okay i'm gonna get some rope for us
21:26good swing makes good seat good tree and comfy
21:37there all
21:48done
21:50right now i've got to relax till daddy's here
21:53right milo we've got some rope mate
21:58are we ready
22:00yes
22:01are we ready right
22:03i've cleaned it
22:04what are you cleaning let's have a look
22:05oh very good
22:08so we've been wanting to make a tree swing for a while now
22:11and hopefully it's for the whole family
22:13i reckon this is perfect
22:15so let's take this up
22:17bring it up here
22:18i'm just gonna wrap it up now so it's easy
22:21i'm bringing you in
22:24i've caught something
22:27i've caught a fish
22:30i would like to tell you
22:32you get a swing
22:33we're the lucky custodians of around 40 acres of woodland
22:40and some of the trees have stood on this land for centuries
22:45and one of our favorites is at the heart of the farm
22:52so we want to try and go in that middle section there
22:59are we ready
23:00one
23:02two
23:04three
23:06oh nearly
23:08nearly try again
23:10one
23:12two
23:14three
23:16three
23:17yes
23:18yes
23:19yes
23:20yes
23:21yes
23:22get ready
23:23get ready
23:24last one
23:25you got it
23:26yay
23:27good lad
23:28one more time then we know it's definitely secure
23:30two
23:31three
23:32there we go
23:34there it's hot dad
23:35it's got stuck a little bit
23:37hey dad
23:39i think you might be right there
23:42that is a good plan perfect
23:46i think you can grab it now
23:48there we go
23:50there we go
23:51that's just cool
23:52sorry
23:53oh brilliant
23:55right so we get our tyre
23:57time to get the tyre on
23:59so
24:00how high do we need this
24:03stop
24:04right
24:05there we go
24:06done
24:08tree swing is ready
24:10climb on
24:11okay
24:12climb on
24:13wait can you like swing this
24:14try it like this
24:15okay
24:16so i'm gonna go up this way
24:17are we ready
24:18yes
24:19are we ready
24:20for a swing
24:21one
24:23two
24:24three
24:25go
24:26what do you think
24:28come on
24:29is that good
24:30wow look how high you are
24:33look at that
24:34look at this for a swing
24:37has daddy done a good job there
24:39yes
24:40yeah
24:41yeah
24:42look at your little smile
24:45what do you reckon kit
24:47cool
24:48cool
24:49we can get so busy on the farm
24:51it can be hard to find time to do things like this
24:54but it's always worth it
24:56the other way
24:58is like sitting on it
25:00is you sit on it like this
25:01okay you get it
25:02i get it
25:03i get it
25:04come round here
25:07that's it
25:08that's it
25:09right you ready
25:10hold tight
25:11hold tight
25:12one
25:13two
25:14three
25:15go
25:16oh look at that
25:19you've got to try this before anybody else
25:25do that
25:26yeah
25:27well done mate
25:29good tree swing there
25:30you did well
25:31okay
25:32this can be our little secret for now
25:34okay
25:35don't tell them yet
25:36it's just for us
25:37okay
25:38come on
25:39come on
25:57one of the most rewarding parts of this farming life for me is rearing strong healthy livestock and our latest arrival new calf Ezra may only be a few days old but I'm already in the
26:00impressed with how well he's doing
26:01looks well though doesn't it
26:02looks well though doesn't it
26:03looks well though doesn't it
26:04that's all I ever find myself saying
26:05admiring my own livestock
26:07sometimes do that
26:08just come in the field and just look at them all
26:09just
26:10that looks well
26:11that shit looks well
26:12that lamb looks well
26:13that calf looks well
26:14wonder if any other farmers do that
26:15the choice we have to make is do we keep Ezra intact and rear him to sell as a breeding bull or castrate him as a steer and rear him for meat
26:28you always want to see how the calf looks and he you know
26:30but to me I'm still someone in the experience of a breeding bull
26:34every calf looks like it's a potentially a good calf
26:35we've not had a bad one yet so I can't really tell the difference between a good one and a bad one they've just all been great
26:37and what we can't keep doing is keep producing bull calves
26:38and then we've got a farm full of bulls
26:39we've already got stock bulls so certainly when it comes to our stock bull we've got a farm full of bulls
26:41we've already got stock bulls so certainly when it comes to our stock bull we've kind of already got the box ticked
26:54but if our ambition for the farm is to establish a beef herd
26:58we've got a farm full of bulls
26:59we've already got stock bulls so certainly when it comes to our stock bull we've kind of already got the box ticked
27:06but if our ambition for the farm is to establish a beef herd we will need more steers
27:13Ezra what are we going to do with you lad?
27:17he does stand well there look at him
27:20he does stand very well
27:23you know maybe this predicament we're in is a blessing in some ways
27:29we've got these cows to produce beef
27:32you know arguably the best tasting beef because they're native breed, grass fed
27:36but we're breeding such good calves you're almost obliged to keep them intact and
27:42then be responsible for carrying that bloodline on because it's such great examples so
27:47and you've got to think about value as well
27:49what would he get as a stock bull compared to what would he get in a meat box?
27:54I've become attached to every calf we've had here on the farm
28:01something I was warned never to do
28:04I'm going to need a few more days to decide Ezra's fate
28:08you're lucky Ezra
28:10you were about to lose your crown jewels then lad
28:13alright I'm going to sleep on it
28:16until next time
28:19we've been working on ways to help our lambs pack on a bit more weight
28:39so they'll fetch a better price come market day
28:42our new grazing system is doing the trick
28:45and today's rotation day
28:47so on the advice of Rob and Justin our grazing experts
28:51I'm going to give the golf ball test a go
28:53if we can see it the sheep come off
28:56if we can't they stay on
28:58so I don't know if you can see there but the difference of where they've grazed
29:02they've been here now four days
29:04I've got my golf ball
29:06Matthias
29:07you know this golf ball
29:09I want you to throw it for me
29:11over there
29:13and if we can still see it
29:15that means the sheep need to come off
29:17and then I want you to throw it into that field
29:20we shouldn't be able to see the golf ball in that field
29:22so throw it here first
29:23just throw it over there
29:25right can we see it
29:29yes
29:30good boy
29:34and then Max
29:36you throw it in this field
29:38you can see can you see the difference
29:40the difference in colour
29:41so on that side the grass is long
29:44and on this side the grass is short
29:46because the animals have eaten it
29:48so now they can go in there and they can eat all that grass
29:51so you can visibly see the grass
29:53not only short but it just looks
29:55it's a different colour
29:56so this is kind of that patchwork blanket the guys spoke about
30:02you're just starting to kind of see it establish here
30:05and what we'll do now
30:06so the sheep and the cows will graze
30:08we'll graze that side
30:10for another three or four days
30:11and then we'll set up another field for them to go into next
30:14and they'll just keep doing this
30:16every three or four days we'll come out and we'll move them along
30:19it's also sheep herding training day for the twins
30:22it's time to see if our youngest two are ready to be a help
30:26and not a hindrance while moving the flock
30:28say oosh oosh oosh oosh oosh
30:31that's it we'll say yes oosh oosh oosh
30:34what have they all gone?
30:36right I need your help now boys
30:38this is going to be a slow burner
30:40we're doing it this way
30:42Max come on
30:43we want them going round this way
30:45so let's go round them
30:46right you ready?
30:47Ready?
30:48Oosh, oosh.
30:49Oosh, oosh.
30:50Oosh, oosh.
30:51Ginger, sit.
30:52That's it.
30:53Oosh, oosh.
30:54Oh, good work, boys!
30:59Yay!
31:02Yay!
31:03That's all of them!
31:04Anymore, are they?
31:05That's all of them!
31:06That was actually the smoothest we've ever moved sheep.
31:16Come on, look at that.
31:18Oh, look at him running.
31:19Yay!
31:21Weren't you brilliant then?
31:23We're in.
31:24The system gives the grass a chance to bounce back
31:27and keeps the herd grazing on fresh, green feed year-round.
31:31So, we won't...
31:33No animals will be back on this particular section now
31:36for at least 21 days, between 21 and 30 days,
31:40depending on how much rainfall we have.
31:43But, yeah, it's got 21 days to recover now.
31:46So, it's not been overgrazed, it's just been left.
31:49And any new growth that's coming through,
31:51I'll have a chance to establish and grow a little bit more.
31:54So, there's the science.
31:57I bet there's more pictures of grass on your phone
32:00than the kids nowadays.
32:02I know it's only grazing grass, but it's a big deal for us.
32:07It's a...
32:08We've really come on, if I do say so myself.
32:13Can we go yet?
32:14Yeah, we can go.
32:15Is Daddy boring you talking about grass?
32:18If you're bored by that, Matthias,
32:20prepare to be engrossed as I talk about this blue pipe.
32:23Alcathane pipe.
32:25I never knew of it before we moved here.
32:28But it's unbelievable.
32:31And there'll be a network of this piping throughout any farm.
32:35Obviously, it's taking water from the fields,
32:39to the sheds, to the house.
32:41And, er, it's a great little invention.
32:46I'm sure Liz can explain a little more succinctly.
32:50So, now we've moved the sheep,
32:52we just need to move the water to them.
32:55So...
32:57Bit of a DIY job.
32:59Bringing the pipe...
33:01Cos we've not got a trough in this field,
33:03so we've just kind of created one.
33:05So we're just bringing the blue pipe from the water system.
33:08You can fill it up.
33:09That'll be told in a more technical way by Kelvin.
33:12That's as simple as it is in my head.
33:15You know this water here?
33:17Feel it.
33:19Put your hand in it.
33:22You know where this is coming from?
33:24See that hill over there?
33:26Yeah.
33:27At the top of our farm?
33:28What?
33:29We've dug down there, and there's a well.
33:31So the water is coming from the top of that hill,
33:35in this blue pipe,
33:37all the way down the field, underground.
33:40And then it comes up here,
33:42and we turn the tap on, and all the water comes out.
33:45Do we make it full?
33:47We make it full, yeah.
33:48With the livestock thriving in their new field,
33:52and the trough brimming,
33:54it's satisfying to see the grazing system working just as planned.
33:57Today is wedding prep day, and typically it's absolutely throwing down.
34:13It's just making things way more difficult than it needs to be.
34:18We've got a lot to do.
34:19It's all hands on deck.
34:20It's a case of everyone getting on now, and getting on the job, and getting it done.
34:24Because the wedding is in less than 24 hours.
34:27From actors, to farmers, to wedding hosts, we'd certainly love a new challenge.
34:35Right, so we need to put the round bales here on top of the pallet, so we can make that area look better.
34:42In the last few months, we've renovated this barn into a space fit for a wedding party.
34:47And while this may not be our first time hosting here at the farm, it's certainly the first time taking the backseat in the organisation.
34:55We've done events before, we've done, you know, we've done little Easter events, then it was a big Easter event,
35:01and we've done a very big Christmas event, and we are very much hands on from the thought, the inception,
35:07then delivering it, everything, we were all for everything.
35:10Not that we're control freaks, we are control freaks, but in a good way, this is different because it's not our event.
35:16We've had to kind of take a step back, we're just essentially providing a space.
35:20So that feels a bit weird.
35:21Normally, we decide where everybody's going and what everybody's doing.
35:24But this is what potentially it could be like, so you've just got to embrace it, haven't you?
35:39Oh, look at the browning green.
35:40Oh.
35:41Do you remember when we got married? Do you remember when you used to love me?
35:44When we got married?
35:45Long time ago, that.
35:46Did you still love me as much?
35:48Long time ago.
35:49Hey, we've been married ten years this year.
35:52Is it?
35:53Ten whole years.
35:54Has that been the best ten years of your life?
35:56We've actually been together about 20.
35:58Is it ten years this year?
35:59Ten years.
36:00But today isn't about us.
36:04It's about bride Jemima and groom Christian, and making their dream venue a reality.
36:09While Liz helps Christian's mum Gloria with decorations, I've been tasked with blocking the entrance with hay bales, to stop any draft coming in.
36:26There are the bales.
36:27How many seats is it to a table?
36:41Pretty much all eight.
36:42I'm happy that I'm not in the wet moving hay bales, I'm here doing the nice pretty jobs of putting seat covers on.
36:54Three more.
36:55Can you go a bit more flat?
36:56There you go, yeah.
36:57Yeah, there you go.
37:10In just 24 hours time, this barn will be filled with over 100 guests and a couple of happy newlyweds.
37:28It looks so pretty.
37:30That is a transformation, isn't it?
37:33Yeah.
37:34Yeah, it looks really good actually.
37:35You've done amazing.
37:37Yeah, it looks beautiful now.
37:39Yeah, it has been a proper team effort, but we've done it.
37:43They always wanted a barn, so now they can have a barn wedding.
37:46Got it, you got your wedding.
37:48So all you need to do now?
37:50Is relax.
37:51Is relax.
37:52Put our feet up.
37:53Tomorrow, feet up.
37:54Feet up and just get ready for your wedding day, yeah?
37:57Exciting.
37:58It's going to be cute, isn't it?
37:59Yeah.
38:00Aww.
38:01Very excited.
38:02You two are too cute!
38:08It is amazing what you can do with a barn, isn't it?
38:10I know.
38:27We've had plenty of memorable days on the farm this year, but none quite as momentous as today,
38:37as the barn hosts its very first wedding reception, and as the guests gather to welcome the newlyweds,
38:43there's nothing left for us to do but enjoy the day too.
38:47She's going to come in a beautiful dress.
38:50They're going to be all kissing, so don't be looking.
38:52Don't be looking.
38:53Don't be looking when they're kissing.
38:55I wear...
38:57What do we say that someone gets married?
39:00Ooh-la-la.
39:01Ooh-la-la.
39:02Ooh-la-la.
39:03Ooh-la-la.
39:04Ooh-la-la.
39:05Ooh-la-la.
39:06Ooh-la-la.
39:07Ooh-la-la.
39:08Ooh-la-la.
39:09So, when they come out, they're about to come now, okay?
39:11They've just got married at church, so now they are husband and wife.
39:17So, when we see them, everybody's going to throw confetti, and they're going to clap
39:21and shout, congratulations!
39:24And you're going to get little hand of flowers and throw them at them.
39:28Yeah.
39:29Yeah?
39:30And she'll be in a beautiful dress, and she'll be like a princess.
39:34I can't believe we're here.
39:36This is, er...
39:37It looks amazing.
39:38It looks...
39:39It looks...
39:40It looks...
39:41It looks incredible.
39:42It's so pretty and so beautiful, and...
39:45Just, you know, today it's not our farm.
39:48It's someone's wedding venue, and it just feels really special.
39:51Everyone looks amazing.
39:53And we've never been this dressed up on the farm.
39:56It feels so weird.
39:58But, yeah, I can't wait for them to come, arrive, throw the confetti,
40:02and get the wedding started.
40:04Jemima and Christian, the happy couple at the heart of today,
40:07have poured so much love and care into this once-weary old barn.
40:11Standing here now, it's hard to believe it's the same place.
40:14Wow.
40:15There we have it.
40:16The newlyweds.
40:17In the stable block.
40:19Wow.
40:20It does feel really special, having everybody here, and...
40:23It is.
40:24Looking so well.
40:25Everyone's smiling, and...
40:26Everyone loves their looks immaculate.
40:27No, it's great.
40:28Hopefully this...
40:29Well, who knows, this could be the first of many.
40:33We pulled it off.
40:34Our first wedding at the farm.
40:48I know.
40:49I actually can't believe it.
40:50Do you remember how hard it looked?
40:51It had a massive hole in the roof, there was just straw and hay everywhere.
41:09It was, you know, you had to have some vision to think that it could become this, didn't
41:14you?
41:15Yeah.
41:16And look at it now.
41:17There's more to come.
41:18We've just got to keep going.
41:19We've just started.
41:20I say this every year, but I honestly feel like we're just starting.
41:22We're only just scratching the surface.
41:23Well, we are just starting.
41:24The more we do, the more potential you realise, the more things we think, yeah, we like.
41:29And we're just still learning, we're discovering, and we...
41:32Yes, we might have plans, we might have ideas, but they just seem to grow and change, and that's
41:37what I love, that sense of variety.
41:39No year's the same, no month is the same.
41:41Even year after, it's just still not the same as last year.
41:44Yeah.
41:45And there's just been so much, so much more, and it just keeps on giving.
41:49And I think the fire just added a massive layer of pressure that we weren't expecting.
41:55And there were so many times where we just...
41:58You really have to try and keep motivated, and we have to try and keep going.
42:01Yeah.
42:02But we have done, and when we look back, we were so tired and so, you know...
42:06We were taking it day by day, really, weren't we?
42:08How are we going to fix this?
42:10But there's light at the end of the tunnel.
42:11It feels like that pressure is lifting, and we're getting there.
42:16It's amazing to believe this all started with a half-baked dream.
42:20And four years later, here we are, hosting weddings in a barn that used to house horses and hay.
42:27So far, the gamble's paying off.
42:30Do you still love me after this year?
42:33I do.
42:34Do you still love me?
42:36Oh, I do, yeah.
42:37A tiny bit more.
42:39Tell the truth.
42:41I still love you.
42:42Do you remember what I said to you?
42:43When we first flew you there, and I said, Liz, do you want...
42:45I really want to live there. I can see us living there.
42:47And you were like, what? A farm? Kelvin, we're not farmers.
42:50And I said, no, it's not about that, Liz. There's so much more.
42:53I can honestly just imagine us there. Was I right?
42:56You were right. You were right.
42:59Kids just as feral as always. Nothing changes there.
43:02Kids always wild. Look if you can keep their clothes on.
43:05I know.
43:06Yeah, you've done well. We've done well.
43:08We've done well. We've done well. We've done well.
43:10We've done well.
43:11Two little kids from old on.
43:13Just got together.
43:15And built a farm.
43:16And built a little farm, yeah.
43:18Took a massive step.
43:19Never farmed in our lives. Never done anything like this.
43:21And look at us here. We've got weddings on.
43:23We've got wedding planners. Look at us.
43:25Wedding planners.
43:26Oh, my God, we were suppliers last year.
43:28Now we're wedding planners.
43:30Farmers.
43:31Something else to add.
43:32Let's see again.
43:33The more we're farming, the more things we can add to our job title.
43:36I used to just be an actor.
43:37Actor, farmer, wedding planner, horrible farmer.
43:41I mean, it's not like we can just sit down and relax now
43:43because we've had such a good year and a busy year.
43:46It's going to get even busier, babe.
43:47We've got a home to rebuild.
43:49For now, however, all that can wait
43:52as we've got a date with a dance floor.
43:55We've done well.
43:56Come on.
43:57Let's go and enjoy ourselves.
43:58Come on.
43:59Shall we go and request a song?
44:00Shall we go and request our wedding song?
44:01Can you still remember how to dance?
44:03Why don't you do the samba for us?
44:04Please.
44:05It's like riding a bike.
44:06Don't forget that.
44:08Wait till mum's had a few more drinks.
44:10This year's not over yet and there's still so much to look forward to.
44:23It looks like somebody's brought my bed down.
44:25Daddy brought the bed down.
44:27Is that daddy's bed?
44:28That's my bed.
44:29Especially now, we have a home back on the farm.
44:33We've finally got it.
44:34And so many more milestones under our belt.
44:40Wow.
44:41Now this is going in,
44:42I'm starting to feel like we're there with the transformation.
44:45It's that little bit of light at the end of the tunnel.
44:48Your first ever Jacob lamb.
44:51Oh, look at him.
44:54Can we keep this?
44:56I think the mummy has just been on a holiday while he's just had like a relaxing time on his own.
45:05Is that what you think?
45:07Yeah.
45:08The dad's been on a retreat while the mum's been looking after all the kids.
45:11Yeah.
45:12From the twins helping us for the first time during lambing.
45:16Did you like that?
45:17I said yes.
45:18Did you say yes?
45:20To Milo honing his farm hand skills.
45:23I've got to feed the chickens.
45:26Jump, jump.
45:27Come on.
45:29And Marnie showing sheep at the Royal Cheshire Show.
45:32Oh, that was brilliant.
45:35Absolutely brilliant, darling.
45:38Our new bull has been doing his job and carrying on the Lincoln Red Bloodline.
45:42That's just...
45:47What an absolute privilege this is.
45:49And our first foray into arable farming has been a success too.
45:53Right, everyone cheers.
45:54Cheers.
45:55Travis is done.
45:57It's complete.
45:58Cheers to us.
46:01I can't wait to see what new adventures lie ahead.
46:04I can't wait to see his dad.
46:20I can't wait to meet my dad.
46:27I can't wait to see you when he finds out of his family couch.
46:32You
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