COBWEBS were swept from the walls of the calf shed and colourful pansies were planted outside the dairy yard.
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It wasn't quite a welcome mat, but a truckload or two of woodchips kept the mud at bay.
The ladies from South West Healthcare's Woolsthorpe Auxiliary had been hard at work, preparing fresh scones, sandwiches and slice topped with blue jelly (of course red wouldn't be appropriate for the occasion).
But it was a red letter day for the township of Woolsthorpe as the Prime Minister and his entourage rolled up the country road for the launch of the long-awaited Agriculture White Paper at Briland Farm.
Glenn and Roma Britnell had their property in tip-top shape for the event, scheduled at 8.30am, which meant an extra-early start for the invited dairy farmers, needing to ensure their morning milking was complete.
Five-year-old Ariana Taylor and her brother Andrew, 4, of Framlingham, ran around the yard in their red puffer vests, a colourful relief from the sombre winter shades and several tweed jackets and flat caps.
Andrew was looking forward to meeting the PM after his first encounter with him during the 2013 election. He was the first child Mr Abbott hugged as Opposition leader during the campaign.
The PM appeared to be in relaxed country mode, turning up 40 minutes late after the Britnells ensured he had signed their visitors' book and ventured into their garden for a few family snaps.
He was quickly forgiven by the party faithful who were gathered in the shed to hear about the new rural manifesto and the detail delivered by Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce.
Once the formalities were over, there was plenty of mingling, kisses and photos and time for the nation's leader to head across for his favourite treat - a piece of home-made slice.
Coincidentally the slice was a rocky road - an apt treat considering the somewhat pot-holed journey he was facing on his drive back to the plane waiting at Hamilton's airport to jet him home.