Daisy’s exercise plan

We've been busy overnight, Skye and I, working out how we can get Daisy some exercise to keep her nice and trim. She's getting very worried about all the talk of getting her weighed. To be honest, Skye was snoring slightly and had her eyes closed while she was meant to be thinking (and got very cross when I suggested she might not be pulling her not insubstantial weight).

Anyway I've come up with a cracking plan which involves Skye letting Daisy jump all over her in the back garden, while I go out and get on with all my work (I can't look after the farm and be Daisy's personal trainer).

To be honest, Skye is looking a bit broad in the beam as well and could do with the exercise – two problems solved. Skye disagrees and reckons she's just big boned. Big boned between the ears if you ask me...

I think she'll do it for Daisy though. She certainly hasn't come up with a better plan and likes the idea of staying at home for a bit each day now it's getting a bit colder.

Which reminds me, I must get my list of jobs out – I always enjoy looking ahead to my work

Busy, busy, busy

We've had such a busy time over the last couple of days – I didn't have any time at the computer yesterday at all. Well, I would have had plenty but the day kennel in the yard has reared it's ugly head again. Apparently I was too dirty to come in yesterday lunch-time, so I had my lunchtime rest in there. Skye and Princess la-de-dah somehow both managed to get inside, but I think that shows who does all the work around here. It's not a bad little spot really – I've got a room (with cushions) and a yard in a nice sheltered corner, and I managed to get a good rest.

We had lots of cows in yesterday morning – once we'd finally got them out of their field, and we kept one back in as she was a bit poorly. Oh, we kept the bull back as well – he needs to come out now and he's a bit grumbly about it, but he doesn't scare me with his rumbling on. Plenty of things do scare me, but not these lumbering old devils.

Then in the afternoon, we got on with finishing putting up all the barriers in the cattle area, mending fences and hanging a few gates. We're planning to be getting the sheep in again soon so it's nice to see that all finished.

Daisy is worrying again – there was talk last night of giving her a weigh in on the scales and the 'D' word (diet) was heard. Poor little thing – she loves her food, so with luck Skye and I can run it off her in the garden instead. She likes that.

Take care

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