November 2013

Hi all

Time for a catch up.

Firstly ... That cattle dog gains recognition for her improved behaviour .... a bronze obedience certificate....

Even better than that,  today she sneaked into the sheep field after me and when told to 'go back' she went back to the gate ..... sheep and I breathed a loud sigh of relief!
Bless her she really is becoming a diamond!







 Sam has been busy with the ewes ... lots of coloured bums .. some yellow some green and some red............... (and a few with 2 colours)    hopefully all now should be expecting .. so we will be  lambing  mid March.... .  (better stock up on sleep!)

Both sheep and cattle have decided it is time to start feeding them,  so the first bales of hay and straw have been transported out to the fields and devoured with enthusiasm. Lets hope we don't get a 'spring' like last year .... it will be a lots of bales by end of April!

We are currently hosting our third lot of people from a website called HELPX.  HelpX  matches volunteers wanting to work for board and lodging with people who have accommodation and work for them.   Lots of wood has been cut, ditches cleared and brambles removed.  We have met some great people and made new friends.  

Our new Shetland cow, Bonnie,  has asserted her authority over the other  bovine residents ... the others quickly learned not to push their luck with her (not sure I'm totally comfortable with close encounters with her either but she seems to respect humans so far!

Seen our first snow this week!........... bit early for my liking.. better get those helpers to cut some more wood!!



 

Cattle Dog Surprise

Just back in after a check on all the stock.  Kass as usual loses interest in just pottering about... spots a couple of large black 'sheep'.... and zooms off down the field.

 I watched with interest as she used various tactics to get these reluctant animals to move ... stopping to think between each attempt.  Eventually speedy darts towards the girls encouraged them to move... spurred on now Kass got more determined and I watched in amazement and amusement as my Dexters were moved up the field towards me at the barn.  I called the girls when they got closer and they walked through the gateway into the barn area .......... Kass thinking .... speeds round back of barn to head them off.... I expect her to come racing in and cattle to race out... but shouting 'no' loudly I was amazed to find her stop and return to stand by the gate whilst I give the girls a little treat for their troubles!     Wow!  The cattle dog has arrived!   

Bit quiet here today .... or it would be if the ducks weren't loving the rain! 

  HelpXers  left on Wednesday leaving a huge difference here.  Several trees have been trimmed or pollarded  opening up the veg garden to the sun.  The green house is emptied ready for housing some of the fushia plants for the winter.    The area by the pond is cleared and ready for a seat to enjoy its sheltered sun trap location (that is ofcourse if it isn't teeming down as it is at the moment!).

 The Dexter twins are easier to catch and handle .......... remains to be seen if this lasts.  Their latest trick is to wander in through the gate into the hen run .... they seem to stand there in the run wondering what they are doing there. Maybe they too would like a lovely house... but there would have to be a huge door flap!!


  The ewes are prepared and ready for tupping.   That reminds me I'm supposed to be out shopping for a raddle harness ..... bye for now!

It must be autumn!

The grass is still growing, the flowers continue to flower but the days are getting conciderably shorter.... so I guess it must be autumn.  Time of preparation for the winter.

We have acquired a new livestock trailer. ........









Lots going on here ..... apples being pealed and cored by the hundred. Blackberries being picked (and horsefly bites being accumulated in the process!).  Pies made and frozen.  Runner beans also being frozen daily.    Firewood being sawn. 

Yesterday I had my first attempt at plum chutney........... wow  what a success, it tastes delicious. (might be tempted to thaw out the stewed plums I put in the freezer to make some more. ) Recipe was  3lb  plums, 1lb apples 1lb soft brown sugar, pint vinegar, 1lb raisins  and some chillies, mixed spice, garlic  and salt.  boil for about an hour. 

Cattle fluke drenced ................

 

 

 

We have a couple helping us at the moment via an organisation called Help x.  It is great to be able to finish some of those jobs that we have started and make real progress.  They have been particular help clearing the pond area so we can access the pond which was rapidly being taken over by willow and aspen.  

The other job we are tacking together is reminding the Dexters they are halter trained.... half an hour each day will hopefully make things much easier.  I couldn't do this by myself so is great to have some keen and really useful help.