Oh well, Camping with Pigs and Pigstock are nearly upon us, and our old and young sows are getting anxious! The bad habits their offsping picked up last year have scarred them.

Nevertheless, they are prepared to put up with you all again, and are looking forward to the first arrivals on Thursday August 12th.

The state of play is this:

We are FULL on Saturday night, Aug 14th, for pig arcs and straw bale tents. If anyone else wishes to come along, to our glorious Cottage Field at the top of the Wiltshire Downs, they can do so with their own tents or motorhomes. Beware, it's a lumpy old track to this part of the farm. The charge per night is £18 for adults and £12 for children, whichever accommodation you are using.

Facilities include 30 grassy acres, enough space for several simultaneous games of football/cricket; perfect biking country; the Flying Pig serving food almost all day long, on your doorstep - oh, and beer, and soft drinks; and some loos, not many, and showers; a gents loo made of giant straw bales, very attractive we think. We will also be encouraging the gents to pee in the hedgerows to deter the foxes! Land Rover taxi service to the village almost every hour, if you want it.

This is wild-ish country - you are about 2 miles from the village on a plateau just below the top of the downs. Nothing around you but hedges, sky, some trees, lots of livestock, hares (shy) and the most varied birdlife, from song birds to raptors - harriers, falcons, buzzards. At night you will see, or hear, or feel, badgers, deer, rabbits, foxes, mice, weasels, stoats - and livestock. If the sky is clear, the stars will amaze you. People do not normally live in this part of the farm. You will be quite a novelty

There is space on the Thursday night in pig arcs and straw bale houses, and possibly a few on the Friday. Please check with the office over the next few days.  (01793 790460)

Pigstock is the music bit - we have at least four bands lined up, and quite possiby six, although dealing with their agents is a nightmare, ho ho. We are hosting this event at our pub, The Royal Oak, in the centre of the village, from 6pm on Saturday August 14th. From London via Hartlepool and Adelaide come Uncle Fruity (skiffle/indie/ folk); they are playing in exchange for a pig arc and a decent pint of beer. From Bishopstone itself come three other acts - the amazing Boy Done Good, all original stuff; the ageing Cheesehouse Band, getting better every year; and Ian Thompson and Jo Selbourne (folk/jazz/motown), limited set but remarkable and charming. Two other bands will be announced later when they have replied to my letters!

For those who are camping with us, the music is free. For those of you just popping by for the music, we are making a token charge of £5 to get into our garden (or £2 for children 12 and under). We are building a simple stage; there will be a real ale bar from three local brewers; there will be organic  fast food from The Flying Pig.

Every day will be farm tours; anytime is play time; certain times are play time with pigs; walking on the farm (or biking) - just use common sense. Close gates behind you; don't make too much noise when animals are around; don't take dogs anywhere near cattle; in fact dogs must be well behaved and on leads all the time, we think. Yoga in the field if anyone wants it; campfire at night run by us; your own cooking we would like to restrict please, at the request of the fire safety people (there is tonnes of straw around you).There will be a marked area for you to use.

We have a food shop/deli at the pub, where Jasper will organise your supplies; he will make up hampers if you wish; he can provide all sorts of goodies.

And we have a pub that would love to feed you.  (Booking strongly advisable - 01793 790481.)

More details when you arrive. If you still want to come and stay on the Thursday or Friday, please get in touch!