Jess and Naomi have both been pony mad this year!
It started when they were offered the loan of a local pony on condition that their mum come with them and learn how to tack the pony up (to those uninitiated that means put the saddle, bridle, and reins on). Alison rose to the challenge although a little nervously at first and was gradually brainwashed along with the girls and is now showing symptoms of a most fatal disease– PONY MADNESS!
Jessica and Naomi were further infected when their great grandma Bell offered to pay for a pony riding holiday. The offer was immediately accepted and it did not take long for the holiday to be booked.
Great Grandma Bell will live in the girls memories forever now, because their riding holiday at the Cornish Riding School, was described on their return as the holiday of a lifetime. Pony madness had now reached an incurable stage and there was nothing to be done but agree that they needed a pony, if and only if they could prove commitment to the upkeep and care of a pony. Jessica duly accepted and met the challenge, getting up every morning at 6am to go up to the fields and provide Breeze with a welcome carrot. Unfortunately Naomi suffers with lying in syndrome and preferred her warm and comfy bed.
The search is now on for a friendly riding pony for Jessica (and Naomi to assist). We are hoping to re-home a pony and have made links with a number of horse and pony re-homing charities. So watch this space for next year!
Our year ended in style with a trip to the NEC in Birmingham to see the Spanish Riding School of Vienna., the oldest riding school in Europe. To put that in perspective Great Grandma and Grandad Bell saw them in Vienna 50 years ago! Jessica and Naomi loved the show but their highlight was seeing the Metropolitan Police horses jump through hoops of fire. Guess what they want to do when they grow up?
The eggs were due to hatch on Monday evening, however, come bedtime only 2 eggs were pipping. We all went to bed hoping for perhaps 2 or 3 chicks come Tuesday morning. 
But much to Ed's supprise, at 5.30am there were 11 chicks hatched.
Then by 9.30pm the following night we had 18 little lovelies! Quail hens begin to lay eggs as early as 6 weeks, so if anybody wants a dozen fresh eggs then they are only £1.00. For all international postage please send an extra £22.00!
On Friday evening 12th of Jan we at Smale/Minett poultry set our incubator up and running for the first time in 2007. 24 Japaness quail eggs were set at 16.00pm. In 17 days we hope to post a blog of pictures of our new brood of future laying birds, but.......................lets not count the eggs till they are hatched!!!!! In the above picture are our 2006 team of layers, who are still hard at work to this day!!!!!
Jess and Constance
Naomi and Constance
At the Christmas party for Constance and all of her friends, guests were shocked, elated and surprised when Santa himself came to visit the children. He rolled into town with a might HO HO HO, kindly giving presents to all the kids. Mothers of baby's were heard to say "WOW ISN'T SANTA HANDSOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
After the success of 2006, we at Smale & Minett Organic Produce are delighted to inform all customers that fresh and pickled eggs will be on sale as early as February. After a successful winter moult our chickens and quail are all slowly coming back into lay for the new year. Chicken eggs will be on sale first, however unfortunately quail eggs won't be available until early April. This due to eggs being used for breeding. Incubators hope to be running in late February. This year as in 2006 we will be breeding Japanese quail for eggs laying. However, we are also pleased to be adding 2 new breeds of quail to our dedicated team of hard working layers. These breeds are Chinese Painted quail and Italian laying quail. Both eggs will be available fresh or pickled. 2007 should be a very tasty year! There is no mistaking the unique flavours of SMALE & MINETT pickled Japanese quail eggs. Each egg’s flavour should be savoured as an accompaniment to all kinds of rustic farm house meals. To ensure unleashing maximum flavour, wash down with a good Cabernet Sauvignon. Ingredients; Japanese quail eggs, white wine vinegar, secret spices. 
