We recently took the opportunity to have a weekend away on Dartmoor, staying at The Three Crowns in Chagford, which means that someone had to cover the beasts, domestic and domesticated. That someone, of course, was the wonderful Ann. Here's her mini-diary!
Friday pm
All settled in. Scout decided that I looked good enough to eat, in small nibbles. The owl flew past the window and I was able to watch it quartering Sonny's Patch. It also sat on the shed roof for a while, then headed off to check the next patch. The sky was amazing when the gang went out for their last wee - cold though!
Saturday
A lovely sky greeted me, and I took the dogs out and walked as far as Rabbity Wood (more news on that in a later post) - got drenched on the way back by a lone small black cloud! Tony came at 8 to help tube the calf that refuses to suck, and things went well feeding the others. Ned had the first bike ride - all was fine. Harry came to Burch Lane, and then Scout joined me for Richard's fields. I saw some deer in the field above Holt's Cleeve. I could have done with some binoculars as it looked like they had a beautiful stag in attendance.
Sunday
The reds were up this morning when I took the gang out. Tony came early and was bedding up the calves when I arrived at the sheds. We got the poorly ewe up and I offered her some of the tasty calf mix to tempt her. She liked that and then had a nibble of hay. I had a few light showers on my rounds. Ned again had the first trip, followed by Harry and thne Scout. Farmer Rob came with calf cake. We move the smaller lambs in Little Field into Gratton, but had to catch the blind one as the rest of the flock rushed out of the gate too quickly for her to follow*. A few cows managed to get through to Far Hill as the gate was open, but they came back easily with Harry in charge! Neil and Amy came at calf feeding time and they went to have a look at the new Goyle and Rabbity Woods. Amie would like to come and help plant more trees if there are any left to do during half-term. I picked the apples in the orchard - sadly not too many left on the trees, but the ones that were there are beauties.
Monday
Tony wasn't able to come this morning so the calf has not been tubed yet - you'll need to do it when you get home. I managed all other jobs, except going over to the Peek District as I was getting wet and cold. Scout was a bit short-changed and could do with a little excitement later. The salt lick from Little Field is by the bottom Gratton gate waiting to be taken up over. Neil brought up the trailer for me to get a bit of dung for the roses, but it was too wet this morning so I'll come later in the week. It's been left in 8 acres. Sorry, but I brought part of a bale of straw into the house during my stay!
* the blind "lamb" is the same one from two seasons ago, born with no eyes and a cleft palate! After keeping her alive for a few days and expecting the worst, she has thrived and is still here 18 months later, hanging out with this year's smaller lambs. Who says farmers aren't soft-hearted sometimes?
