A mixed bag of weather has brought 32.5mm more rain, filling the streams and ditches to a level not seen for some time.

But on a cheerier note, Richard and I recently attended a wedding on the Gower Peninsula.

The Gower Peninsula projects westwards, jutting into the Bristol Channel from South Wales. It was the first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty designated in the UK and covers 70 sq miles, including some stunning coastline.

The climate and geology make it an important area for growing vegetables, including cauliflowers.

Livestock grazing the farmland and common land include Welsh black sheep and cattle, with the lamb produced on the salt marshes – grazing on sorrel, samphire, thrift and sea lavender – sought after for its quality and distinctive flavour.

Richard and I visited the village of Rhossili, where the highest point of the Gower can be found at the Beacon of Rhossili, overlooking the bay.

The view across the sea was beautiful, with a rocky, jagged causeway leading to Worm’s Head, only exposed for two-and-a-half hours either side of low tide.

We set out on our walk in bright sunshine, wondering how the sheep could look so relaxed while grazing on the cliff edge.

When we reached the coastguard’s lookout cabin, foreboding clouds advanced towards us and unleashed rain accompanied by hail, thunder, lightning and then a colourful rainbow.

We got rather wet, but found the whole experience wonderful.

Life on Chuggaton Farm over the last week has progressed well. Adele and Steve were pleased that all their cattle tested negative for TB, which was a great relief.

A recent bulk milk sample tested for BVD (bovine viral diarrhoea) and IBR (infectious bovine rhinotracheitis) also proved to be negative.

These diseases are highly contagious, causing many problems, including abortions, encephalitis and a weakened immune system, so it is useful to know if there is any evidence of them in your herd, as there can be carrier animals which do not always show symptoms.

There is a vaccination programme available, which necessitates the immunisation of calves at three weeks of age, again at six months and boosters later, if necessary.

The vaccine is marked to enable vets to distinguish any vaccinated animals from those with active disease.

On Manor Farm, the older heifers were brought into a covered barn in the week.

This is so they will be settled into their winter accommodation and new feed ration before they are artificially inseminated.

Lily, one of our dry cows, gave birth to twin Freisian/ Holstein heifers. Her mother has two other daughters in the herd and all are good milkers, yielding about 10,000 litres per lactation.

In preparation for cold days ahead, Richard has travelled around the farm switching off the water supply to field troughs.

We now have sheep on the farm again. They are good grazers and trim grass back so regrowth in spring will produce a better crop. After one small flock arrived, they began to show signs of infection caused by the common sheep worm, so we promptly got a wormer. Hopefully, they will make a speedy recovery.

Sadly, I have to report the ewe injured in a dog attack in Corsham Park has died. Despite having the best care, the injuries to her face proved too extensive.