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 22nd
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 23rd
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 24th 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 25th 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 26th 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!
