Shackleton's back!

Dear my-humans

I hope you are having a wonderful time in foreign lands - I would be lying if I said I wasn't missing you, but to be honest, there is little time to sit and mope, what with walks, bashing up Harry, working my way through acres of rawhide chews, and devising cunning plans to inveigle my way onto the sofa, or even better, the bouncy chair. And I'm not sure that I fancy seaweed for dinner, so I'm content not to fly the world.

Why do they call me Lord Muck?  Is it because I am dirty? Ned was jealous ... ha ha ha

Anyway, since you, Luna and the spare Oli dropped me off, I've fitted right back in to the pack and only had to sleep in the hall for one night before being allowed to take over a bed in the Utilitarium again. I did have one almighty donnybrook with Harry (I tried to steal his piece of sheep poo and he was not happy) and Scout came to his defense. Fur really did fly, but there was no damage and we are all getting along now that I know not to eye up another's dung treasures.

Me and the gang. Neddy always looks a bit worried on camera. (OP)

The weather has been wet and windy, but Badgerbeard and Gingerbeard are getting stuff done.  All of the cattle are in the sheds, and thankful for it. There was a day or two of drama when the older calves were weaned and their mothers fog-horned all night for them, but everyone is now calm. If the rain is not too dramatic, the bull and the autumn calvers are allowed out in the daytime to mess up the already stodgy field, but they mostly like to sit inside on the toasty straw and chew whatever it is they chew.  I am allowed to look at them but not bark, and surreptitious licking of pats is frowned upon and curtails love and cuddles later in the day with complaints of bad breath.

Some of my new friends. (OP)

The sheep are all still outside, and slowly the lambs from last April are being taken to a magical place where Farmer Rob lives and where they will be fattened up.  I dream of being fattened up, but food is definitely rationed because apparently porky border collies are an offence to the eye and to decency.

Ewe lambs eating oats (not my cup of tea really, too dry and scratchy). (OP)

We did have a small break in the rain when it decided to snow.  It caught us all by surprise, and I was unable to eat as much of it as I would have liked ... not for want of trying, though. Down at the house it was not much more than a light coating, but up on the high fields there was quite a bit!  Ned came back from an emergency run to deliver hay, full of tales of cold winds and the quad bike struggling to get across the field with a loaded trailer.

It was definitely colder halfway up the hill.

The ewes appreciated the care package from lower down.

The humans have been doing lots of fencing (I gather the field edge kind rather than the en-garde kind, but as I am not allowed to help, I can't be entirely sure). I can watch them doing the hedge-laying below the house, but again am unable to join in ... something to do with being untrustworthy around chainsaws, steep drops and falling trees. A bit of a cheek really. I have learnt a lot though. For example, bloody cows does not have anything to do with any bodily fluid leakage as I originally thought (and salivated over), but rather is a statement of opinion from Badgerbeard when the cattle have come along and spread his nice piles of branches all over the place, stomped big holes in the earth that are trip hazards, and dropped cowpats five to every square metre so he gets covered in crap while working (and slipping).

I have also been told that I am incorrigible, which is a lovely new word that means I am an amazing, handsome and intelligent dog! I learnt it while watching Rocketman with the gang.

Anyway, I hope you are enjoying yourselves and that Luna is behaving at grandma's.  With all my love.

Your Shackie

PS - a note from Badgerbeard. The photos with OP are from Oli Prince (my dad!) and so much much better than the normal pictures. He's available for weddings, bar mitzvahs, and any other occasions! It was a pity he missed out on an awesome sunrise the other morning.

Who needs a cuddle?

Oli, Steph and Oli visited recently, bringing Luna and Shackleton! Anyone else think that the five dogs are spoilt?  (All photos Oli and Steph)

Neddy

Scout

Luna

Harry

Shackie

Ann’s at it again

The rams are in and red bums are appearing in the fields as autumn creeps across the countryside. While we take a short break to visit Kat, Nanni and the boys in Sardinia, Ann takes charge. So as we watch sheep obediently follow a farmer and his dog along a track, neatly in single file, Ann juggles the chaos of cows that just won’t give birth, break-out sheep, and sofa-sneaking dogs.

Tuesday October 22^nd

Away day. What an amazing sunrise. I had a busy morning getting my head around everything that needed feeding. The pack each had their turn in helping out, although as Richard was in a mood to chat, Scout got a little bored. Richard said that David’s place is going to be a holiday home – not another one! The fields had a fine covering of spider webs so the weather should be set fair for a few days. I saw a green woodpecker heading towards David’s cleave. The afternoon brought clouds of flies looking for somewhere to hibernate – or for me to open a window! The dogs had a second walk at noon and then I fed the cows and calves their hay before heading off to Barnstaple to see Matthew Bourne’s Romeo and Juliet. Still light – just – when I got home so I rushed out to see what the lazy cow was doing – nothing! The gang got a third walk in the dark. All quiet in 13 Acres with everyone sleeping near the top gate.

Wednesday October 23^rd

Not a restful night, but was finally asleep when my alarm went off at 6am. I walked up to the top of the garden to peer over the bank with the torch. Four bright eyes were shining back at me, with some gentle humming coming from mother – yes!! I took the gang for a daybreak walk. Really still and quiet except for a couple of owls chatting towards Burch. Too quiet for any stags to be roaring. Mist is filling the valleys as it gets brighter. The calf hadn’t managed to find a teat so I phoned Tony to see if he could help me give it some colostrum. I spoke to Farmer Rob too. After that good start to the day, my helpmates came out in turn. Ned joined me to feed the lambs, and Scout to feed the calves and see Richard’s. Not a single barren ewe in sight! Someone had opened the gate between them and the blackfaces – Scout walked beautifully as we moved them all home to the yard for sorting out. Harry came to Common and Raceground with me. Tony came and we fed the calf from the bottle. Hopefully he will work it out by the time Farmer Rob comes this afternoon. It didn’t take long to run the ewes out and put them back where they were supposed to be with another piece of baling cord keeping them in. Rob had a look round the cattle and then tipped the trailer for me – now I have enough cake to last until Saturday. The cow seems to have damaged her hip during calving so is a bit reluctant to walk far. The calf still hasn’t found the teat so Rob milked her front quarter and we fed him with the bottle. He is keen to suck so I hope he will find where it comes from soon. I took mum some hay for the night. After walking the dogs, I whizzed back home to have tea with Alan. I managed to pick some raspberries today!

Thursday 24^th October

A walk in the dark this morning. Mizzling so no moon and stars to light the way. There was still an owl scritching, quite close to the house. I nipped out to see the calf, who was not empty, before heading into town. The girls came to the Corn Dolly with me. Amie’s day playing with a friend had gone pear-shaped, so she came back to help me feed and see everything, and to move Tony’s lambs. She was extremely helpful and was delighted when I gave her £2 pocket money for her efforts. I carried an armful of hay out to the cow as she is still very sore on one leg. I mixed up a litre of milk as the calf is not getting on with the udder too well. It doesn’t help that mum is favouring her nearside leg, which means her calf has limited access to the best teat!

Friday 25^th October

I managed to walk the dogs before the rain set in, but not quite as lucky while doing everything else! I think Wales had the brunt of this morning’s weather. All was done by 9:30 and I took the executive decision to feed the cows out front twice today as they were very vocal at first light. I went home to go to the Harvest Market with Alan – a craft market really. I had a quick shower and came back to get all done before the heavy rain and gales picked up. The cows were queuing at the gate so it was a good decision! I was delighted to see that the cow had managed to get herself and the calf into the shed out of the weather. The fire is now going and I’m settled in for the evening. Harry is comfy on the armchair, Scout has a chew, and Ned is keeping my feet warm.

Saturday 26^th October

Gales and rain all night. The dogs had their early walk and I went down to check on the calf – all good but you will have to get him sucking more than the front teat. He is just too heavy for me to manage. I went into town and to the market with Alan, hoping that the rain would give up. Alan said we’d had an inch of rain overnight! Still pouring when I got back, so headed out and got drenched – but, surprise, another calf! The cow was busy with it and very vocal, so I left well alone as I didn’t know what her temperament is like. Harry had the first trip this morning to feed the cows out front, and they were all tucked under the hedge. All ok at Richard’s. Scout helped with everything on the higher side, and Ned got to go to Burch where we met some beaters – however, a good day for pheasants methinks – too wet to fly! Cloud still enveloping Common and Raceground early on. North wind eventually picked up to clear the clouds “up top”. All sheep ok. Two random mules in Raceground – look like winter sheared, with a blue mark? One hind and a yearling in the rushes on Common.

Here ends the epistle as I have just spoken to you as you have landed.

PS – confession time. It was me who ate all of your Liquorice Allsorts!

Ann's Diary 4

After a busy few months, we went off to Kefalonia for two weeks to relax, swim and catch up on some reading. Which of course means … Ann’s Diary! Back by popular demand! Without further ado, over to her …

28^th August – Away day! The dogs got three walks, walk two after lunch and just before the rain really set in. Walk three at 7pm after I got back from South Molton. Scout came with me to put a Magnesium bucket in Edwin’s. All three then kept me warm in front of the TV.

29^th August – Amazing autumnal view from the window, with Whitcott Woods swathed in mist. All good outside. Buddy seemed to be happier with what I gave them this morning, and tucked in – no more drooling. Ned had the first ride around, Harry helped with Edwin’s, Richard’s and Little Field, while Scout enjoyed a trip up to Common and Raceground.

30^th August – Recycling day. Still only T-shirt weather! I fed everything quickly and headed home to go shopping with Alan. A361 packed and full of accidents, so we went via Swimbridge and Landkey on the old road. We had grayling for lunch at Instow. Went home via Farmer Rob to collect the Land Rover. Ned came to see the cows with me. Harry and Scout came to Raceground and Common in the Land Rover, and I made the mistake of taking them blackberry picking. Scout was straight under 5-Acres gate, followed by Harry, and then pretended that she couldn’t get back again. Fun over, they spent the next half an hour in the car.

31^st August – I had got everything ready yesterday, so after walking the dogs I fed the lambs quickly, beat the rain, and went to town for Saturday Market and coffee with Alan. I moved the lambs when the rain had cleared. Now, how do you sneak up on a blind lamb who has ultra-sensitive hearing??? First attempt saw it slip through my legs and left me end up on my bum! I hope no-one saw. This afternoon the dogs had a run around the front fields, exercising the pheasants. As with every other day, the cow was busy grazing but her tail was up so I kept looking out. End result, calf stuck half out by the hips. Tony was away playing skittles, Andrew no answer, Matt no answer. Finally, phoned Lin who found Matt who came over and we managed to use the quad-bike to pull the calf out gently. The cow was on her back after that, so Matt tipped her over and pulled the calf away to encourage her to get up. I stayed on the quad ready to get both of us away if she went mean (she has that look). All good, and left her in peace. Having a glass of rosé to celebrate!

1^st September – Brrr, a bit fresher this morning! Cow and calf all good. Thank goodness she had an easy udder, and it was a heifer calf. Scouring the grass to find the calving winch leg strap – no joy yet, sorry! Ned fed the lambs with me, Harry helped around the lower fields, and Scout enjoyed a trip up the hill. Water still running fine in Raceground. We followed a red kite from Quarryfield to just above Kensall Cross. No sign of Pusskin over the last week – I hope Flossie didn’t scare him off. I have been back home this afternoon taking 5lb of blackberries with me. I have also realised that Scout is a right trollope parading around the sofa, occasionally checking that Harry is in pursuit. All comes to an amusing end when Harry hides and then meets her on the corner.

2^nd September – The sounds coming from the Link Road suggested it would rain soon. After breakfast I got wet! Not a good morning really. One barren ewe with maggots and at four of the bigger lambs with the wriggles – warm and damp, ideal for flies. Another with its head stuck in the wire – with all that grass, it wanted hedgerow herbs!! It took a bit of removing as I have hardly enough strength to pull the skin off a rice pudding now. I did phone Farmer Rob to ask what to do. After meeting Neil and the girls for brunch, I went to fetch him and between us we sorted everything. Hopefully it will get a bit cooler and the maggots will not be a problem for much longer. We drove around everything else on the way home. Alan came to fetch me as Bun and Scott were having vehicle problems, so leaving the Land Rover there helped.

3^rd September – You have a mole in the lawn – cheeky! All good outside, no sign of any more maggots. Ned helped feed the lambs, Scout did lower fields and pheasant training, and Harry helped move the rams from the orchard to Little Field – he did well, even thought they knew where they were going. They had a lovely afternoon watching the stock out of the window while I prepared apples for Luncheon Club tomorrow. They also helped pick blackberries to go with those apples.

4^th September – Quite a bit of rain overnight and the wind picked up from the north-west. Ned helped me with the lambs and I then headed to North Molton for Luncheon Club. Scout did lower, Harry came to Common and Raceground … where we got caught in a passing storm! Had to nip into South Molton to get some coarse mix for the calves. Did some baking for Harvest Festival, with the dogs running around the garden. Very tired tonight.

5^th September – The day didn’t start well as the phone rang at 5:03. Thinking it was Alan, I got up quickly to find it…turned out to be a friend who had accidentally pressed the wrong button on her phone! The dogs got a daybreak walk and I was in town at the market before the bread had arrived. I joined Ann and Janet at the Corn Dolly for coffee, and them came home to feed the lambs. The dogs helped me see everything as rain is forecast for tomorrow. I went home to have tea with Alan and to pick up flowers for the Harvest Festival. I had to let the cows out of Edwin’s as they were queuing at the gate. They seemed desperate for a drink, despite having water. Had a visitor tonight as Neil came to say hello.

6^th September – If I hadn’t overslept I would have beaten the rain, but I didn’t get too wet. I think you need to repair the fence by the gate into the lane behind the orchard. I have put some bits and pieces in the escape hole (or potential escape hole) but it won’t stand a concerted effort to get out when the grass falls back. Rain set in mid-morning and I did my flowers for Twitchen church, then took them over. I then made sandwiches and had a restful afternoon. Janet came with me to the Harvest Festival - there were not many there, but lots on elsewhere such as a charity auction at the pub in North Molton.

7^th September – Early walk for the gang again so that I could get to the market with Alan. The dogs helped with everything for the last time! One white calf out the front has a droopy ear, which I noticed a while ago. It may be my imagination, but it seems to be drooping a bit more this morning, but it’s sucking ok. Today has been lovely. Neil and the girls came out to have a bonfire in the orchard. Very therapeutic. Sorry I didn’t get around to unloading the straw, but we really haven’t had too much rain to soak in. The hydraulic pipes are not connected to the grab – I used the tractor and bucket to finish off the bonfire. I also opened a bottle of maple syrup from the pantry, only to find one in the fridge. I have enjoyed the rosé … last drop tonight!

Summer time and big tongue days

I started writing this post almost exactly a month ago, the day before Farmer Rob took an unexpected sabbatical from work.  In the interim, things have been pretty busy, with shearing, hay-making and other stock-related activities taking up much of our time. Our mornings now include Flossie, who is staying with us from the other farm, and a racing pigeon who has adopted us (along with the cat). I've told Farmer Ian that feeding said pigeon will only encourage it to stay, but he clearly has a thing for beady unblinking eyes.  

Flossie

Anyway, back to the original update and a load of pictures as an excuse for not typing more. [From early June] The rain teeming down outside rather dents my credibility when waxing lyrical about the beautiful weather we had recently. With clematis and roses ripped from the side of the house and all of us looking like drowned rats after moving sheep and cattle down the hill, those glorious days seem ages ago.  However, there is photographic evidence as Robbie, Pete and I took a day out to go to Braunton Burrows with the collies and Pepper the puglet in tow.

Harry and Scout are excited that we're off on a road-trip.

Ned - once a collie, always a collie.

Of course, rushing around in the heat means another Big Tongue Day...

[Back to the present] After the sun, then the rain and wind, we've now had almost no water at all in July. We're planting more swedes this year (Swede Carol reprise at Christmas!) and rolling with the tractor is dusty work.  At least the dry weather has meant that hay-making was easier.

Farmer Ian before shower.

Farmer Ian during shower!

Harry guards the hay.

Although it's a bit hot for larking about.

Elsewhere, the results of our hedge-laying look good, and in the woods we had an exceptional show of bluebells then foxgloves because of the increased light and air.

In a bit of a quandary about carbon emissions from burning the waste we are not harvesting for winter logs, anything by the woods was dragged in to rot down slowly, while the rest was burnt until charcoal rather than ash.  To cool it, Farmer Ian then had to bring it across the fields with the tractor, douse it, and put on the dung heap to be spread across the fields.

Our log piles continue to grow.

Shearing at both sites came and went, and we were mightily grateful to have help from Liz and Bryan, Ann, David and Oli (who always seems to visit when we have loads of work to give him).

Hard at work.

Perhaps not so hard at work.

We had baby bird week when everything fledged at once - sparrows, blue tits, blackbirds, dunnocks, wrens, swallows, goldcrests, and the great-spotted woodpeckers.  Magpies and crows were gently encouraged not to attend the party (by me banging on the window). Our swallows have had a brood of 4, one of which decided to throw itself out of the nest a few days early and skulk around on the floor.  Concerned for its safety, I caught it and put it back on our drying rack where they like to roost ... he promptly flew off, around the shed, past Farmer Ian's head and into the pile of pallets ... where the cat lives. After much faffing and cursing, we retrieved him and reinstalled him.

Goldcrests feeding on my sorrel.

Dad keeping an eye on Junior.

Finally, young Neddy was a bit of a noodle and ran into a sharp spike on the tractor that was sitting quietly in the yard minding its own business.  The unfortunate outcome was a foot long gash down his side and a lot of stitches (a picture of which I will spare you).  He's pretty bonny about it all, but hates the Cone of Shame.

Hopefully things will calm down a bit soon and we'll get a few more beach days.

Get a hankie ready

Last week, Farmer Ian was moving sheep from 8 Acres into Gratton. All of the ewes are doubles, and one has a blind lamb. As usual, the moment Neddy appeared they all shot off, lambs in tow, charging through the open gate...leaving the blind one behind, with no-one to follow.

Suddenly his brother appeared at the gate and called for him, leading him to the promised land (of milk and...erm...grass). How gosh darned cute is that?!

Caught in the act ...

… but not quite sure what she was up to?

Lambing is coming to an end

A mere handful of recalcitrant ewes remain in the sheds, holding on until the last moment ... most likely to make the most of the cake! We seem to have been at it for all living memory, and we now emerge blinking into the light. Without further ado, some photos.

Stockman Mack and a very Easter lamb.

Sporting the latest in ovine hairdos ... or don'ts ... the comb-over.

Irene and a very fuzzy lamb.

Kate, with Goliath. Mum was somewhat unimpressed with having to give birth to such a monster.

It may be lambing, but Buddy still needs his milk.

A lovely warm place to sleep in the sun. (Don't worry, the red is the paint brand...not anything more sinister.)

A first foray into the fields.

The team goes off to work ...

First batch moving on up the hill to summer pastures.

Beautiful misty morning across the valley.

The yellowhammers have been with us all spring.

After hedge-laying, an explosion of foxgloves in the now-open areas.

This rowan is already blooming, laid in the autumn.