A few weeks ago it was scanning time, and the last of the
sheep had to come down from the higher fields.
Rob was visiting for his half-term break, so Ann and I thought it would
be a nice amble down the hill for him, while we drove the back route to guide
the girls across at Kensall Cross. Sonny
performed admirably, getting the flock to the gate, and off they went... rather
more enthusiastically than we had expected from a group of heavily pregnant
sheep. Rob and Sonny took off after
them, while we jumped into the van and did a rapid cross-country rally - only
to see the last of the girls dash across the road as we came round the
corner. Bugger.
So off we went again, to head them off at the pass - well, not
the pass exactly, but we needed to get to Tony's gate before they went into the
wrong farm. Just made it. Not long after, a very hot and bothered Rob
appeared, not amused. He'd wanted a
pleasant walk in the country, gently guiding the sheep down bucolic lanes. He hadn't actually seen a sheep once they set
off, and had pretty much run the whole way to try and catch up. Sonny thought it was delightful. It didn't help Rob's mood when I took of my
leggings and managed to flick them round his face as he was bending
down...covered in **** he was. Ooops.
All of the girls bar a few are now in the barns and lambing
rapidly approaches - 22nd of March is D-Day. They are happy to be inside, not just because
they now get fed cake. The weather has
been on-and-off pants. Least favourite
moment so far this year - mending the roof while the rain bucketed down on us.
No, not the log flume - my drive to work!
We also managed to finish our mammoth hedge-laying challenge
by the deadline of 1st March (those pesky breeding birds...). The new chainsaw helped (yes, we have already
killed one chainsaw in our time down here).
The fruits of our hedge-laying labour
Twice the work because it's a double hedge...
...but just look how much wood we have for next winter (hey dad, logs!)
No doubt someone will want to see a picture or two of cute
lambs later, so watch this space!
