A busy sheep day

What a good way to start the week off – I needed to bring all the gimmers in so we could have a look at them. They were in a field miles away and they weren't pleased to be taken away from the sun and grass, but I didn't take any nonsense from them and soon had them on the way. We had a bit of an upset when a great big lorry zoomed up the road but apart from that, I really enjoyed it. Unlike Skye, who stayed firmly sat on the bike – she said she was in reserve in case I needed help. I think she was just being idle, but I don't mind - I'm happy to do her sheep work as well. Can't get too much of it, but I'm a bit stiff now.

Lunchtime didn't go quite so well. Whilst I was pleased to see a Bonio biscuit coming my way (Skye got one too – they're our favourites), I wasn't so pleased to be receiving it in our new day-time kennels outside. We were pretty mucky though. Anyway, during the afternoon we had a good look through them I soon forgot I'd been out all day, and Skye managed to get indoors before we started up again after lunch so she was really pleased with herself. All in all, a pretty good day – the sheep went back to their field and I came in for a snooze. I went out like a light, dreaming about sheep until my supper turned up. Joy...

Here's a picture of some gimmers looking like they are cooking up some mischief.

Take care.

Getting ready

We've had a busy day today getting the sheep pens ready for next week. It's a great feeling looking forward to a few sheep days. The only slight cloud on the horizon is that the barley looks like it's also ready now, so I bet that we'll end up getting that combined first, but hopefully it won't take too long. Skye isn't too pleased to see the pens up again, but both she and Daisy are wondering whether the barley might be edible. Daisy says she's definitely going to give it a go and find out

One piece of REALLY GOOD NEWS though – the caravan door was left open for a while today and I managed to get a sneaky look in. Had to be quick so I couldn't be too sure, but it looks like I'll be very comfy this year when it comes to lambing – lots of chairs and a carpet. Bliss.

Anyway, I'm off to bed – lots to look forward to tomorrow

Take care

Apples

Ho hum, holiday cottage changeover day again.

We had a busy start this morning with sheep back in with the steers and heifers. I didn't mind though as it gave me a chance to have a run out and to teach the sheep who's boss. I quite enjoyed myself.

After that it got a bit quieter though – changeover day isn't my favourite as everyone is busy in those wretched cottages. I can't see how it takes so much time to get them ready. We kept ourselves busy though Skye, Daisy and I catching up on a bit of rest. Daisy was still working on her list of favourite foods from yesterday but struggling with her spelling – she's only a puppy still, and Skye was no help snoozing away all the time. After a while I took pity on her and helped her write it out. I certainly got a shock as top of a VERY long list was apple. I had to check it with her. Twice. I mean, apple – crunchy fruity things that grow on trees. Who ever heard of a dog eating apples? Skye probably would do but she eats everything.

Here's a picture of Daisy as a puppy.  I think this might be where the apple problem started...

I despair of those two greedy little devils, but tomorrow's another day and let's hope it's a busy one (I wonder if there's a job we could teach Daisy to do?)

Take care

Things are looking up

After all my recent worries, at last a bit of good news. Today they both went off to a sheep sale AND I saw them put the chequebook into their bag. I didn't go as I get a little excited and have to stay in the car. I know what goes on though – lots and lots of sheep are brought past and you pick the ones you like best. My problem would definitely be leaving any behind so probably best not to go in. Anyway, it looks as though I might be getting some more little playthings if it's true that my gimmers are going to be sold.

I watch all lorries coming to the farm very carefully at this time of year. Especially the big ones that could be carrying lots of sheep – it's so exciting. Definitely collie Christmas, and I've got my list sent in already. Skye's wondering why we need more sheep if we're going to be lucky enough to get rid of some. As far as she's concerned the only good thing about the sheep market is the canteen, which has got Daisy interested – she's busy making a list of her favourite food to take in with her in case she can't read the menu. I'm sure they just do things like this to annoy me, but it won't work. Well, not much anyway.

I'll be up good and early tomorrow. Plenty of jobs to keep on top of – joy, joy, joy

Take care

Breakdown

Today started off pretty well. I managed to get some sleep last night and no more talk of selling my gimmers, which is a relief. When we looked round this morning, everything was fine.
Brendan was round again and we got a good start on chopping up wood for the winter. That's a pretty good job to see started as I really like a good fire after being out on a winters day – even so, I'm always amazed how close Tinker and Skye can get to a fire without setting themselves alight.
Then - disaster!! My quad bike broke down. Skye and I were just riding home at the time, so I blamed her which made her pretty cross. I just couldn't help myself, but I didn't really mean it. It looks pretty serious as Jerry was taking bits off it for quite a while. How can I check the sheep now? I took myself off to get some thinking done just in case it can't be fixed by tomorrow. I mean, I've got a big responsibility looking after everyone and I'm not sure they can quite see how serious it is!
Anyway, after a phone call and a long anxious wait the broken bike was collected sometime after dark and we've got a replacement to use while it gets repaired. I wasn't able to get out to see it, so I hope it's a nice one. What a relief though...
I'm not sure my nerves can stand much more -  it might be me that breaks down next, so here's a nice picture of Skye and me in happier times – when the bike was behaving and we had just caught a sheep we wanted to check.  A very satisfying day...

Take care

A new worry

We had a little lie in this morning – didn't get going until about 8-ish. Skye was in heaven and was having such a good sleep I didn't think she would ever wake up. I don't much like a lie in, even though I knew it wasn't a day off you just can't be sure. Anyway, once we were up and about we had a good look round, and found that the cows we moved yesterday seemed to have lost the use of their legs they were so full. Every single one of them (including the calves) were lying down. Lazy devils I say, but I could see that Skye was envious.
Daisy came out to see us this morning – usually she potters about at home, but this morning she made such a fuss she was brought out for a walk. She had clearly just had a bath - looked like a Persil advert she was so clean, but she didn't look so good when she went back in again I'm afraid. She's a mucky little pup really, so it looks like she'll be down with us again tonight.
Not that I'll get much sleep. Skye said she thought she heard chat this evening about selling some of my gimmers. It always happens to me in September – out they go, to be replaced by ewe lambs. I don't understand why I can't have both - I've just got the gimmers nicely behaved (if we've got to get rid of some sheep, I say let the pet lambs go.  They're nothing but trouble). And what happens if the lorry that brings my new lambs gets lost? It's just one worry after another, but let's hope Skye just misheard. Yes, that's what I'll tell myself – she must be mistaken, after all we've just bought a lambing caravan so we must be keeping all the gimmers...definitely...
Here's a picture of some of them looking happy to be here.  I'll run a "bleat if you want to stay campaign" just to make sure...

Take care

Moving cattle

I've had another busy morning. We've been thinking about moving Flakey and his cows for a day or so, and yesterday we finished repairing the fence in their new field, so today we opened the gate for them and stood back. They were ready to move, that's for sure and got their heads into the new grass straight away. Chomp, chomp, chomp.

Flakey is one of our Charolais bulls and he's huge – really, really huge (the others are pretty big too). He's a nice old fellow but I keep my distance from him. I think he's a bit spoilt as well – often he gets a long scratch when we check the fields in the morning even before we check the sheep. I don't really mind but usually I'm keen to finish my jobs before we get too distracted.

Here's a picture of Flakey looking for a scratch. What a big soft lump he is.  Don't you think?

Take care