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!