Hay-making again

After lambing we thought things would calm down a bit, but calving carried on apace and we started catching up on the “round to it list” of chores that were put on hold. And suddenly we are in June, shearing done, with hay-making started and summer staring us down.

The wildflowers have been amazing as, once again, the early bloomers bloomed late and the late bloomers bloomed as normal. I blame the odd weather (too hot, too dry, too wet, rinse, repeat – there’s a theme here, given this is a common complaint in this blog – I wonder if there is something going on, say, um, climate change?) The veg garden suffered, and what with the mice, cold and wind, and a particularly persistent blackbird digging things over, there had to be several sowings to recover from failure. However, we’re now eating lettuce, radish and rhubarb, with the rest quickly catching up and promising to glut us out in a few weeks.

Shearing went well, although rain was predicted for the first time in three weeks on the night before - and you can't shear a wet sheep. So we spent the previous day playing sheep chess - bringing the girls down from the hills and trying to find nooks and corners to put them in so they'd stay dry. On the day itself, the lads brought along the big rig and got through the lot in quick time, another bout of rain starting just as the last ewe ran down the ramp. Must have been a bit of a shock going from fleece and sun to beach-ready-bodies and rain, but they seem a lot happier without the extra insulation and weight.

We did manage two nights away in South Devon for a mini-break, having a couple of amazing coast walks. We went to Prawle Point specifically to see cirl buntings, and were greeted by one sitting on the car park fence. There were plenty more, and a rock pipit was an additional treat. The sea was shockingly cold – an intended dip became exactly that. In and out. 

Harry helps bring the flocks down to the home fields.

David and Harry help roll the fleeces. The "lead sheep" looks bored - she's the first one in for her batch, then the last one out.

One ewe was left behind and Farmer Ian had to shear it himself, watched by her lovely lamb. A good job, but if he had to do the whole flock, we'd still be at it for Christmas.

Paddy remained unimpressed by all of the sheep shenanigans. He wanted to know where his cake was.

Elsewhere, the next generation was entering the world. 

Farmer Ian did some rolling of a ploughed field while it was very dry.

Rob escaped from his lockdown flat and came to visit. Thistle chipping is hot, but satisfying, work.

And on to hay-making. Farmer Ian and his new hay stirring device (not the official name).

Harry taking liberties with the garden furniture.

Scout doing the same indoors ... grrr.

Farming at Prawle Point would be quite different!

While we were away, Ann kept an eye on things. Inevitably and happily, there is an Ann’s Mini Diary to share…

June 15^th, Tuesday

As you know, it was hot when you left and was no different when I got back so I sat on the deck while Harry and Scout guarded their homestead from the bull – who frankly couldn’t have given a s**t! Ned sat on me. I decided to take them around the mowing fields – not the best idea, but they had fun. Our evening was great – after we had all had dinner, we sat out on the deck with a glass of rosé and some treats. I enjoyed an amazing concert - lead singer was a chaffinch with mainly bumble bees for the backing group. A dragonfly did a very quick turn on the stage. Owl, hedgehog and cat failed to appear though.

Wednesday

Foggy start – good cover for the rabbit on the lawn. Sonnyside was our walk this morning and it was cool enough for the ball thrower, although all were extremely hot when we got back for breakfast. Scout had first trip to Gratton and Burch Lane. I did manage to count the cows as they thought I was going to open the gate into Far Hill, so they walked off in an orderly fashion while I watched them from my viewpoint. I even got the right number of calves! One roan is a bit tender on a back foot, but it didn’t look swollen. Harry got a trip to Edwin’s and I manged to get the creep into the lamb feeder without getting mugged by the hoards. All good at Peek District, but I didn’t manage to count properly. Ned came to Common and Raceground after coffee. The fog had lifted and most of the stock were going to shade. The digger was gone from Raceground. Ned helped me get more straw from the silage pit. I also walked up to Cleeve Shed to peep over the door and one barn owl was sitting on the tray and dropped down into the box, so I came away very happy. Next door have been haying bales most of the afternoon and have also done the footpath field and the one past the orchard. Yours next, I guess. I have now also seen your cat, out for some sport.

Thursday

All done this morning. I managed to count to 31 twice over at Richard’s – but no guarantees that’s the right number. I was pleased I had decided to wear a coat up the hill as it was very cool (I can’t say cold in mid-June), and it started to rain. I have put the last of the petrol in the bike and I don’t think that the creep will last until Monday.

Ann and Ned take a selfie.