Daisy’s trim trail

It was a little bit warmer today and we had a lovely morning pottering about catching up on some jobs and tidying up a bit. Skye even helped again today – couldn't help herself – so she'd better not grumble that she's not well...

There's always something to help with, either that or I've got Skye and Daisy to keep an eye on.

Daisy was down with us again last night – she got absolutely filthy, but give her credit she doesn't grumble about it. She's a proper little terrier, never happier than when she's pottering about in the mud. We had a lovely game in the garden later in the day – Daisy has these toys she keeps in there and we all played 'Grab it and run like mad until someone catches you up'. Fantastic fun, but I have to let them catch me every now and then. Then Daisy set off on the 'trim trail' she's got set up in the garden. Round the weeping willow, touch a toy, round the pond, touch a toy. On and on and on she goes. It looks exhausting, but I just let her get on with it as I can't risk pulling a muscle. Skye is worried she couldn't keep up so just gives her some encouragement while she catches up on her beauty sleep (surely a waste of time, ha!ha!). She loves that little dog and has done since it first arrived. Needless to say, I wasn't too keen on her and growled for a long time, but I can't help not liking other dogs can I? I only growl now if her little white pal comes to visit (I can't tell them apart when they start jabbering about under my nose)

I've got a feeling this will be a busy week. Sheep, barley to cut, topping, spraying, collecting straw, more sheep (with any luck). Better get my beauty sleep anyway

Take care

Wet weekend

We had a wet, cold and rainy day today. It must be a bank holiday...Emigration is on the cards again. Definitely. I might leave Daisy behind though – she's still grumbling about having her chip put in, and that was Friday. She's trying to persuade Skye to bite the vet next time we go in, but even Skye is brighter than that and just ignores her. I said we'd only do it if Daisy gave us her tea one night. Daisy switched the subject pretty quickly after that, I can tell you. She's got a lot to learn.

Yesterday was wet as well. We went out fencing (again, but I'm not grumbling) and got very wet. Well, in fact, I got myself under the pick-up when it started getting bad, but Daisy and Skye were scampering around for ages in the wet. Eventually they saw me in the dry and came in all wet to ruin my rest. We don't usually take Daisy out but she seemed to enjoy it – she even seemed to enjoy getting soaking wet. She's a strange one alright, but I'm getting to quite like her. She certainly seemed to enjoy her day more than Jerry, but he can be a grumpy old devil. Mind you, I'll be as pleased as he is when the fence is done!

I had a night off last night – too wet to concentrate, but up bright and early today raring to go. When it's cold I just run about even more, and even Skye got off the bike today (for a while anyway) so she must be getting better – although she says not. I think she might be swinging the lead. Daisy thought that sounded like a good game and could she play too... oh dear, oh dear the things I have to put up with. Anyway, even the cows were feeling the cold this morning and would have come in with us if they had a chance, so we had to be a bit nippy in and out of the fields. Oh, and we had a couple of poorly lambs to inject yesterday that seemed a bit better this morning

This afternoon we three just relaxed together on our comfy new beds. Even I think that's not too bad a way to spend a wet Sunday. Dreaming about sheep, almost a shame to wake up for tea (Daisy ate hers all up herself for the record, so the vet can relax)

A worrying trip to the vet

We had a right carry on this morning – the steers and lambs were all muddled up again, the little devils. I should be careful wishing for more work in future I think because I certainly had plenty of work to do sorting that out. I don't think they'll be doing that again.

Later on we were all bundled into the pick-up for a trip into Berwick. I was a bit suspicious about it, but I quite enjoy a trip so I wasn't too bothered. Skye loves the car more than all of us and was enjoying herself, and Daisy was just pushing her luck hopping up and down most of the way. When we pulled up I knew exactly where we were. The vet. Uh-oh.

I always drag my heels going in – I don't like other dogs. Any size, shape and age are all a worry so I let Skye and Daisy go in first. Skye is ever so brave and rushes straight in – no one ever gives her any trouble so I stick close to her. Daisy thinks everyone is her friend so really likes the vet's – getting under everyone's feet. In fact the vet was quite nice and we only had our booster so it wasn't too bad. Skye really liked her. Daisy had her chip put in as well as her jab – what a fuss she made about that – I thought we'd be thrown out she was yelping so much, but no such luck! (I can't think we ever made as much fuss as that). She didn't like the vet as much after that, the little rascal and looked relieved to be back in the car.

I was really pleased to get home, I can tell you. Even if we have a quiet few days I won't be grumbling.

Getting a list of jobs

Well, that's it! I'm going to put in a complaint. It's been another lovely day, and we've got a list of sheep jobs as long as Skye's tail so what have we been doing today? Finishing off the fence, that's what. At least it's nearly done now – at last!!! Skye says she likes fencing and I should be more patient, but it's hard watching when you just want to be doing something – both Skye and Daisy say it's the other way around – it's hard doing things when you want to be watching someone else doing them instead. Seems to me the only jobs they don't delegate is eating and sleeping. It just as well I like them.

I was right about the lambs last night – they had got into the steers field again so we had more work first thing putting them back and securing the gates a bit better. That's the trouble if they think the grass is greener in the other field, they'll keep trying. It doesn't help that the steers have got better grass than them either! One thing is for sure though, they'll get fed up of it before I get fed up putting them back into the right field.

Anyway, I think I'll get myself a notebook tonight (if I can keep awake) then put all the sheep jobs into it,put down a date to do them, and then leave it out at breakfast as a bit of a hint. Skye and Daisy say they'll help decorating the cover, to make it hard to lose, and they've been whispering about what to put on it ever since. I might regret letting them help.

Take care

Sheep troubles

Another nice sunny day. We were up early to make the most of it, even Skye, but not the Princess – not coming out with us in the morning means she gets a lazy lie-in every day. Boring, boring, boring...

Just as well I was so full of beans because there were lambs in with the steers (last year's male calves). Looks like the cattle had chewed away at the gate until it came open and let the sheep in. I didn't let them stay in there long though and soon had them all rounded up and sent packing back where they belonged. Fancy them thinking they can just roam about – but in my experience that's the trouble with sheep, they just don't seem to appreciate all the hours that go into fencing fields off to make them safe...ungrateful little sods.

I'm not sure, but I thought I heard a commotion coming from them again this evening – I'm going to be really cross with them if they've barged their way though again.

We've nearly finished the fence today. While we were working away, we spotted a lamb stuck in the fence so Brendan and I went off to free it. Silly great big thing was properly stuck, but one sight of me on the back of the bike soon freed it and it went bleating off to find it's mum as if it hadn't been fed for days (and it wasn't stuck this morning when we looked round, so it hadn't been there long!)

Oh well, a farm assistant's life is certainly a busy one, but I do enjoy it and always sleep well ready for tomorrow (still very impressed with my new bed).

Take care

Grass

We all got plenty of sleep in the end – Tinker was too tired to keep us up. Just as well as we were up early to finish cleaning the sprayer and have a good look round.

I'm pleased we did as the cows up with the Angus bull were pushing at the fence to get some extra grass. We decided to move them into the old hay field later in the day so no doubt they'll be overeating even as I write this. One of the cows in the field is 20 years old and was one of the first through the gate so clearly she's learnt quite a lot in her life – must be a lot brighter than they look. I quite like them though and Skye and I are both pleased they've got plenty to eat – after all they do pretty well on just grass. Don't ask me how they manage it – I certainly wouldn't thank you for that to eat. In fact, Daisy still doesn't believe that they get that big eating grass, and she is convinced they've got big bowls of biscuits tucked away somewhere (she's only a puppy).

Brendan was back again today. I was worried at first though Skye was happy enough – we thought it was Thursday, his usual day. I thought the week couldn't possibly have gone past that fast, and Skye was hoping it had and that the weekend was ahead. Once I realised it was still Tuesday, I was pleased to see him (so was Skye once she was over her disappointment) and we went off to get some more fencing done. I'm getting to quite like it now, as I just doze on the bike until I see lambs being mischievous, then I spring into action like a coiled spring. Well, I get off the bike and round them up at least.

Here's Brendan with Daisy, Skye and Tinker, his fan club organisers. Looks like they're up to no good if you ask me.

Daisy was asking Brendan today if he eats grass to get so tall – just give me strength! I told her Brendan would eat her if she wasn't careful, but for once she didn't believe me and hopped up onto his knee. Maybe, like the old cow, she's starting to learn some things – I certainly hope so.

Take care

Tinker

Up bright and early this morning - nice and sunny again. Monday's a great day – my favourite – with a whole week's work ahead and no breaks or days off or other nonsense (like holidays). I love my work.

We had our usual good look around everything today – a couple of gimmers I need to keep my eye on tomorrow, and the steers were MILES away at the other side of their field, but otherwise all OK. Skye had a rest on the bike again. She definitely does not like Mondays, and grumbles her way around until about Thursday as far as I can tell. I don't think Daisy has worked out yet that some days are different than others and just barrels around all day every day.

Today we have been getting some more fencing done and also getting the barley ready for combining in a couple of weeks time. I sit in the tractor and keep an eye on the sprayer.

Our cat, Tinker, has been coming in a bit more recently so I reckon it must be getting a bit cooler at night. She sleeps in with Skye and me when she is in and has all sorts of stories about what she gets up to during the day. You'll never believe it, but she catches a lot of her own food and often turns her nose up at what she's given to eat indoors. Imagine that. Skye and Daisy just can't believe it and say they would just worry all the time about ever getting enough to eat if they had to find some themselves. Daisy thinks Tinker is just amazing. I think she sometimes exaggerates, and poor old Skye just worries about her all the time and is much happier when she's indoors. Anyway, tonight it looks like she's indoors, so all's well and it looks as though we'll get another evening of stories.

Here's a picture of Tinker looking happy

Take care