The alarm goes off at 3am, but strangely I am usually awake shortly before 2:59. The temptation to hit snooze is great, but I can only get away with that once as someone might be needing care and attention.  Farmer Ian will have gone to bed somewhere between midnight and 1am, assuming no major dramas, and we try to see the sheep roughly every two hours. I pull on yesterday's smelly clothes and am then greeted by Harry and Scout, up and wagging.  Jeb and Ned are not amused by the constant to-ing and fro-ing, and the latter doesn't even deign to raise his head. While S and H have a quick wee outside, I drag on (yet again) wets, wellies and a coat appropriate for the weather - which at this time of year can be anything from artic kagoul to light sailing jacket (if I had either of those). On with the glasses to read the notes Farmer Ian has left, detailing who needs to be checked to make sure they have sucked, who needs a top-up and any other salient points. As Cassiopeia gently glides across the sky outside the back door (even on a cloudy night I know she's there), I gird my loins and go down to the sheds.

The first job is to make sure that no-one is struggling to give birth.  My heart sinks when there are pitiful bleats as it usually means that a supine ewe needs a pair of strong hands, and who will sure as heck still have enough energy to jump up and lead a merry chase around the shed, ending with a rugby tackle, much swearing, and me in a complete sweat. After getting what's inside out, the next struggle is to try and move a sheep that sometimes weights more than me into a pen, with her digging in her heels and me riding her rodeo clown style. It's like trying to shift a Sherman tank. After copper sulphating lamb navels, checking the ewe for milk, and tightly tying closed the gate (you only forget to do that once or twice) … who's next? Some nights (but rarely) there's nothing to do, but others there might be a melee of lambs and some very confused mothers, with ewes who have not yet had their lambs (but are feeling quite hormonal) sharking in to steal one away. Meanwhile, as I move around the pen, flighty sheep scatter hither and thither, while big fat contented older ewes lie stubbornly in front of pen gates, especially enjoying being there for you to go bottom over breast backwards as you try to coax a mum into a pen by holding out her lambs and making daft bleating noises.  When they finally do get up, you then have to wait for them to have the longest wee in ovine history before they reluctantly move a few steps. It's a relief there is no audience, although having said that, two rats sat on a wall about a foot away from my head as I lambed a sheep, totally engrossed. They only scarpered when I waved my hand at them, no doubt passing comment as they left.

Why the ewes all decide to birth together in a large shed passes me by, but then sheep are not known for their brains. This year one gave birth through the barn gate into the alley, while another managed to shoot hers through a relatively small gap in the tin out into the bottom yard. Then again, it's not only the stock that are acting stupidly - Farmer Ian heard a crash the other night and came into the top yard to find the cat Barney handing from the electrical wire between the sheds, having decided that she could walk the tightrope.  After a rescue mission, he had to take ten minutes out of his busy schedule to give her a cuddle as she was awfully embarrassed. She has taken to following whoever is working around the sheds like a shadow, completely ignoring any rats that appear, and has now decided that she only likes the yellow scrunchies in her food, leaving the rest for the blackbirds and robins to eat. One female blackbird has a nest somewhere in the sheds, and comes hurtling in with a mouth full of worms. Two collared doves, even more mentally challenged than a piece of rock, clockwork around the place and get in the way, seemingly fearing nothing.  Barney ignores them.  I think she's a bit of a mooch and isn't earning her keep. I'm even less impressed when she sits on my windowsill at night and yowls. During all of this, the cattle sit quietly, snorting steam.

When I come back in, Scout and Ned usually have a quick bark before being glared at, but Farmer Ian and First Mate Irene are dead to the world. I record the night's happenings in the notepad for the next person (which might be me again, depending on the time … some nights the early shift takes an hour, others several) - or at least I try to record things as my glasses invariably steam up. Then it's either bed for an hour's kip, or a nice cuppa and watching the sun come up and the partridges potter by before I take the hounds for their first walk. Then it's back to day lambing and all that entails.  If we're lucky we all get a bit of a break at lunchtime and can sit looking at the daffodils that are doing really well this year, and catch up with the coming of spring. Wonderful Irene arrived earlier than planned as she could tell we were struggling, and Ann has been coming to help let out into the fields so we can get on with cleaning pens. It's all a bit muddy out there, so she's having to do a bit of rally driving. At one point we had 47 full pens, 11 ewes with their lambs in the mothering pens (for several at the same time, lambs a bit older), and two stuck in alley ways - so getting them out into the fields when possible is vital. Harriet and Amy also pitch in, which is much appreciated.

Then I have a few hours to catch up with everything else, prepare dinner and then to bed in time to have a decent amount of sleep before it all happens again the next day … and the next … and the next.

Footnote

Some ewes seem to know that you are there to help - I had one come up to me and stare, then follow me around until I realised that she was wanting a hand with a stuck lamb. Then the next day, I was hunkered down tying up a hurdle when a sheep came and pushed me to the floor, then stood over me. I had to call for Irene as I was wedged by the wall like a turtle on its back. Poor dear thing (the ewe, not Irene) wanted some TLC and knew where to get it.

Team Lambscombe: Ann, Amie, Irene, Harriet, Farmer Ian, Scout and Barney (on the bale).

Twins

"What's going on through there? Any cake?"

Sigh

No room for me or Jeb on the sofa during the evening!

Jeb makes the most of it when everyone is elsewhere.

Useless damned cat does nothing helpful!

Scout and Harry share a bed ... but when H wanders off ...

... we find out that Princess has taken all of the bedding and fashioned her very own chaise longue, with poor Harry relegated to the plastic.

A confession

Barney is a girl! 

We just never checked properly. 

Better late than never

Alas, no blog post for a while, due to velleity. Farming carried on as usual, with a touch-and-go situation during the dry summer as to whether or not we’d have any water … just made it through. A few photos at the end, and Farmer Ian and I managed to get a week away with lovely Cathy in October, so Ann and Alan looked after the farm and pack. Over to Ann…

25^th October – it feels like we are going on holiday, or at least the car looked well loaded as we moved in. After settling, Dad appeared with his lunchbox. We fed the cows a bit early so that we could use the bike to get the 13 Acres sheep in. Somehow we managed to leave one behind when all were loaded – not even out in the field, but in the top yard!! We pinned her behind the gate, read her ear-tag, and let her back out in the field. She is now in Cleave. Alan cooked tea and we settled in for a quiet evening. Chilly enough for a fire. [Alan had a play with the ovens and both seem to be working now and getting up to temperature.]

26^th October – I forgot to say yesterday that the puddle you warned me about is big enough for Geraldine Grainger! It makes a great paddling pool for Jeb – but he couldn’t see his stick floating. All good around the sheep, and all rams present and performing. The lambs in Big Field seemed to have moved themselves so I laid the electric fence down along its length. Scout had first trip out and thought she was going to sit on my lap and drive. Ned helped me with Raceground and Common – putting the cake out worked really well. It was very windy up there but so warm, all the way from the Azores! I then had a quick look round all the newly fenced-off wildlife areas. We moved the cows into the other half of Sonnyside this afternoon. The fish pie you left was a treat.

27^th October – Not a great night as the gang started barking after we were both asleep. Very quiet outside and in the shed when I looked out of the back door. Stick Man (aka Jeb) is now exhausted (for 5 minutes) after our early morning walk. Ned disgraced himself by seeing off two horses by 7-Acres. Thankfully he responded to my bark! Everything ok around the lower fields except for a very small white lamb in 8-Acres, now deceased. We both nipped back to South Molton to get a few bits and pieces. Back again for lunch, and Ned came with me to Raceground and Common once the morning fog had lifted. I made the Christmas puddings, ready for steaming tomorrow. We took up your offer of a joint of pork from the freezer and it was lovely, with enough for tomorrow too. Still extremely mild and any rain seems to be overnight.

28^th October – Lots of mooing going on outside before daylight so I found a torch and went to investigate, walking to the top of the garden and peeing over the bank. One cow was on her own up there, and moaning. Nothing happened all day but she has bagged up a bit more. There was a stag roaring from the valley, and owls hooting, so quite a treat to be up so early. The gang had a great run around the fields. All good on Sonnyside, but overnight rain is making the field entrance slippery and without enough tread on the tyres I have to keep my fingers crossed. Scout had first ride around the lower fields. We found a sh*tty barren ewe with maggots on her tail. Ned came to Raceground and Common with me, again having to wait until the fog lifted. Dad came out with two bags of cake at lunchtime, and the bin is now full. Harry helped get the ewes into Cleave shed to deal with the maggots. An executive decision was taken that the ear tags were worth more than the two tiny lambs, so they were left untagged in 8-Acres when we moved the others into 5-Acres. Dad also moved the creep feeder into Cross Field, where I will feed the cows tomorrow. Yet again it has been a lovely warm day, but with flies queuing at the windows. All the Christmas puds had a good steam.

29^th October – Awake early so the dogs had a torchlight walk. There was a surprise for me in the shed, which you know about – a new calf. We moved the cows into Crossfield this morning and there were mushrooms! Scout did the home run and Ned RG and C again. We dashed back to South Motlon to get to the vet before 12 for supplies, and Mole Valley for magnesium buckets. I went to see Ann and Graham’s new house – nearly finished! Another nice day, but we did have some light rain. The fresh calved cow has still not cleaned and I took her some hay so she had her calf tucked in the top of 13-Acres. Tucking into chicken thighs found in your freezer.

30^th October – All quiet outside this morning except for stags roaring and owls hooting. Alan got soaked while feeding the Cross Field cows this morning and I look like a drowned rat – and then the sun came out. I was a bit concerned about my new calf and so dad came out after lunch. We decided to put her in the lean-to along with the sick-looking one. Some of the showers were very heavy. Neil, Emma, the girls, Sue and Harry came for dinner – to celebrate the end of half-term and because we’ll not see them at Christmas.

31^st October – Much more autumnal today. Jeb had designs on half a fence post for me to throw again. Scout had the home run again, except that she barely gets off the bike now. It was a bit fingery up the hill so I wish I’d taken gloves. We dashed back home as I needed something to wear for a funeral tomorrow. A strong SE wind picked up late afternoon and after dark the heavens opened.

1^st November – Early morning walk, hoping to beat the rain – Scout and I got round in time. There was a covey of partridges chittering out in the field. We moved the 26 cows to Far Hill this morning. Ned came to Raceground and Common, and it was a bit cold and wet by the time we got back. I let the two cows in the lean-to up into the top shed to feed as I don’t think that they are impressed with the hay that I put in for them. The cow has now cleaned.  All rams working hard. One in Gratton and another in Raceground is a bit tender on the front foot. Lambs in Big Field kept coming through the electric fence so I laid it down. Other lambs are in 6-Acres. I have just spoken to you so you know where the ewes are and when they were last fed. The dogs have been good, hence very few treats left! Scout suffering as she only has eyes for Alan, but there is no reciprocal adoration.

One man and his dog (no, I definitely don't have favourites ... much).

Once again, a glut of courgettes this autumn...

...and mushrooms. Scout thinks she's a pixie.

Mission Unbreakable again ... raising money for the Hospice.

Harry stayed at Farmer Rob's gaff while we were on holiday, and took his guarding responsibilities very seriously.

Our 5-Star Deluxe Bug Hotel

We also had some snow.

The End(s)

A different kind of Hay

Farmer Ian and I went away for a week to Hay-on-Wye, staying at a lovely old water mill surrounded by … you guessed it … sheep. Of the huge pile of books I bought, only three were about farming.

At home, most of the shearing is done, and we’re in the middle of hay/silage-making, but this is all weather dependent. Of course, the nicest days were while we were on holiday – great for us, not so great for getting the hay in. Ho hum.

Ann (and Alan) came and stayed chez nous to look after the stock. We left Ned and Harry at home, but 4 dogs are at least 1 too many for a chaos-free visit, so Jeb and Scout went to the local Doggo Prison – admittedly five-star, with lovely amenities. It was a test to see if they would be ok, with the get-out clause that if not, Ann could collect them. They had a fine time, Jeb not seeming to be that bothered about whether he came home or not. Scout, of course, played the Princess for the next few days as she’d suffered so much, oh so much, by being gratuitously abandoned.

Naturally, while away, Ann kept a diary. So, for her adoring fans, over to Ann.

Friday 17^th June

OMG it’s so hot! We all sat out on the deck to enjoy the breeze, which was picking up. Even the leaves were turning up with the promise of rain – but nothing came. Very quiet here with only Ned and Harry. We enjoyed watching the woodpeckers. Dad phoned.

Saturday 18^th June

5am, it’s foggy and fair-weather spiders are all over Cross Field. No ball thrower for Harry, but his stare told me where his ball was hiding. Ned did all the stock with me – all fine except for one lamb in Burch Lane with pneumonia. I gave dad a call to find out what to inject it with, but I will be surprised if it’s still with us tomorrow. All finished in the cool. Watered the plants. Amie came back for a night, and we managed to see the cows before the rain started. Thankfully, I didn’t get a call from Jeremy! (1) Steady rain produced a puddle on your clover lawn.

Sunday 19^th June

What a relief – a cool walk around Cross Field and Sonnyside - there’s a stranger in there with a blue mark (2). Amie enjoyed helping me this morning, especially feeding the calves. Harry managed the early ride round the 13 Acres cows, but we took Ned everywhere else. As expected, the lamb hadn’t survived. Neil came to fetch Amie late morning, so I went up to Common then. I counted 34 cattle twice (3), but they were all by the top fence and there were signs that someone had been out, with several stakes snapped off. The afternoon walk frightened the s**t out of 7 hinds. As the first 6 hopped over the hedge, the last one was a near catch for Harry (4). Picked some elderflowers for making cordial tonight.

Monday 20^th June

Beautiful – walking in Cross Field and Sonnyside at 5:30am. I had a leisurely morning with Harry helping me. I moved Edwin’s cattle today. I switched the electric fence off and then went to the bottom to move the wire to the other side of the water. When I got back to the top, they had moved themselves. Ned came to Raceground and Common. After the heavy rain, there is water in the gully (for now). I put some metal posts in to support the broken fence on Common. I moved Cleeve ewe lambs to Gratton tonight, or rather, I opened the gate and they moved themselves (5). I saw your barn owl.

Tuesday 21^st June

I wasn’t quite there to see this morning’s sunrise, but the sky was a beautiful pink. Harry came with me on the first trip. Burch Lane getting extremely bare, as is the far end of Raceground. David came today to spread dung in Quarryfield (6). Too hot to do much, so I had a couple of hours with my book on the deck. I moved the cattle from Edwin’s as you suggested – they were desperate for more water and emptied the road-gate trough immediately, but didn’t remember that there’s another one below Rabbity Wood. I also opened the gate for Burch Lane to move themselves, as they were extremely vocal. One lamb has a bad foot, but is still too quick for me to catch.

Wednesday 22^nd June

Harry was thrilled to find more deer to chase in 8 Acres this morning. I managed to catch the one lamb in Edwin’s who has a very poorly foot and treated with blue spray. I took an executive decision and let Raceground out from the far end as some lambs were getting through the wire onto the hedge. The solar powered fencer is behind the water in the trailer. About 9 inches of water left. I had a go at spraying the C-section heifer, but she took one look at me with the blue spray and cleared the railings into the field from a standing start! Thankfully, no rails or legs broken. Tony came and sat with us on the deck until 9pm.

Thursday 28^th June

Dogs walked, calves and tame lambs fed by 6am! No red deer this morning, but there was a fox barking in Pulham Wood. Home from the market by 9am to see everything else. We did try to move the feeder from Burch Lane with the trailer, but found we couldn’t take off the tailgate so sorry, left that for you to do. I managed to negotiate the giant bin without getting stuck inside! Thank you for the sprayer full of dock killer for the orchard. I have finished off the dregs in 8 Acres.

Gosh, my writing is getting scruffy! I have just spoken to you about your return. Harry got the chance to chase another hind in 8 Acres. I have marked and injected the poorly tame lamb, who was left tucking into the straw.

The bath waste pipe in the bathroom is running sooo slow. You have too many friends with long dark hair! (7)

 

(1)  A neighbour, checking out whose calf was running about on the main road. Originally thought not to be ours, but read on.

(2)  One of our neighbour’s sheep, sneaking through a fence.

(3)  Ah, counting animals. Generally, this work by counting several times until the correct number is achieved, which probably isn’t the best way, but we all do it!

(4)  But Harry needs to be careful – they’ll give him a hearty kick before he gets too close.

(5)  Because of the lack of rain, grass is in short supply and, well, the grass is always greener…

(6)  The site of this year’s swedes. Currently covered in gulls and at least 3 red kites, all looking for worms in the ploughed earth.

(7) Ugg.

Footnote - learned a new local word from Farmer Rob this week - herrich (or hayrich) - the grass stubble left over after hay is cut. So now we know.

Schnooglegang

Schnooglegang (noun) a group of small calves sitting together for company and warmth while mother cows wander off to feed. Origin unknown, thought to be Germanic.

Spring is well underway