Summer is already mapped out

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There still may be frost in the air and not many green shoots in the fields, but our plans for a busy summer are in full swing. It's going to be busy at Strickley with something for everyone. Sometimes we just can't say no, and sometimes we have Big Plans ourselves. But there's going to be lots of clearing and tidying (and that's just outside).

We kick off in May with a Farm Walk for Kendal Farmers' Discussion Group (fine night preferable but not essential), followed by Grayrigg Show's Summer Barbecue at the beginning of July (fine night if possible please). Unfortunately this clashes with some football event somewhere and I may have to consider setting up a TV in the barn . . .

But these are just an excuse to make us tidy up for the Main Event at the end of July. Forty years ago it was cold and wet - when I look back at photographs everyone is wearing coats (or nice tweed costume and sensible hats). Will this year be any different? In the Olden Days weddings seemed to have been planned more by the parents than the Bride and Groom (maybe because they paid for it?) so having a Ruby Wedding party gives us the chance to do what we want. The plans are all there in my mind, but getting them to fruition has had a few setbacks. In retrospect we chose the wrong weekend to get married. We should have known that forty years on there would be other bigger events on the same day. We hoped to use a local caterer, but out first choice is committed to Cumbria Steam Gathering. (No disrespect intended to those we have booked, who will do a wonderful job). In my mind's eye I could see a pristine white marquee in the paddock (courtesy of Westmorland Show). But that is committed to Windermere Air Show. So if the weather runs true to type we will be in the barn (beautifully decorated of course), or if the unexpected happens and we have last year's promised "Barbecue Summer" under a row of gazebos.

I have a checklist which I'm ticking off -
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Hog Roast - booked

Marquee - alternative planned

Band - booked

Cake - decorator promised

Invitations - lots of creative thought being applied

Weather - nothing we can do about it

Everything else - not yet done

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Busy schedule maybe - but none of this is real farming business. It all has to fit around silage making and shows (showing and judging). And maybe even a few days holiday?