From the Edge of Exmoor: January 2023

Alas, no blog post for a while, due to velleity. Farming carried on as usual, with a touch-and-go situation during the dry summer as to whether or not we’d have any water … just made it through. A few photos at the end, and Farmer Ian and I managed to get a week away with lovely Cathy in October, so Ann and Alan looked after the farm and pack. Over to Ann…

25^th October – it feels like we are going on holiday, or at least the car looked well loaded as we moved in. After settling, Dad appeared with his lunchbox. We fed the cows a bit early so that we could use the bike to get the 13 Acres sheep in. Somehow we managed to leave one behind when all were loaded – not even out in the field, but in the top yard!! We pinned her behind the gate, read her ear-tag, and let her back out in the field. She is now in Cleave. Alan cooked tea and we settled in for a quiet evening. Chilly enough for a fire. [Alan had a play with the ovens and both seem to be working now and getting up to temperature.]

26^th October – I forgot to say yesterday that the puddle you warned me about is big enough for Geraldine Grainger! It makes a great paddling pool for Jeb – but he couldn’t see his stick floating. All good around the sheep, and all rams present and performing. The lambs in Big Field seemed to have moved themselves so I laid the electric fence down along its length. Scout had first trip out and thought she was going to sit on my lap and drive. Ned helped me with Raceground and Common – putting the cake out worked really well. It was very windy up there but so warm, all the way from the Azores! I then had a quick look round all the newly fenced-off wildlife areas. We moved the cows into the other half of Sonnyside this afternoon. The fish pie you left was a treat.

27^th October – Not a great night as the gang started barking after we were both asleep. Very quiet outside and in the shed when I looked out of the back door. Stick Man (aka Jeb) is now exhausted (for 5 minutes) after our early morning walk. Ned disgraced himself by seeing off two horses by 7-Acres. Thankfully he responded to my bark! Everything ok around the lower fields except for a very small white lamb in 8-Acres, now deceased. We both nipped back to South Molton to get a few bits and pieces. Back again for lunch, and Ned came with me to Raceground and Common once the morning fog had lifted. I made the Christmas puddings, ready for steaming tomorrow. We took up your offer of a joint of pork from the freezer and it was lovely, with enough for tomorrow too. Still extremely mild and any rain seems to be overnight.

28^th October – Lots of mooing going on outside before daylight so I found a torch and went to investigate, walking to the top of the garden and peeing over the bank. One cow was on her own up there, and moaning. Nothing happened all day but she has bagged up a bit more. There was a stag roaring from the valley, and owls hooting, so quite a treat to be up so early. The gang had a great run around the fields. All good on Sonnyside, but overnight rain is making the field entrance slippery and without enough tread on the tyres I have to keep my fingers crossed. Scout had first ride around the lower fields. We found a sh*tty barren ewe with maggots on her tail. Ned came to Raceground and Common with me, again having to wait until the fog lifted. Dad came out with two bags of cake at lunchtime, and the bin is now full. Harry helped get the ewes into Cleave shed to deal with the maggots. An executive decision was taken that the ear tags were worth more than the two tiny lambs, so they were left untagged in 8-Acres when we moved the others into 5-Acres. Dad also moved the creep feeder into Cross Field, where I will feed the cows tomorrow. Yet again it has been a lovely warm day, but with flies queuing at the windows. All the Christmas puds had a good steam.

29^th October – Awake early so the dogs had a torchlight walk. There was a surprise for me in the shed, which you know about – a new calf. We moved the cows into Crossfield this morning and there were mushrooms! Scout did the home run and Ned RG and C again. We dashed back to South Motlon to get to the vet before 12 for supplies, and Mole Valley for magnesium buckets. I went to see Ann and Graham’s new house – nearly finished! Another nice day, but we did have some light rain. The fresh calved cow has still not cleaned and I took her some hay so she had her calf tucked in the top of 13-Acres. Tucking into chicken thighs found in your freezer.

30^th October – All quiet outside this morning except for stags roaring and owls hooting. Alan got soaked while feeding the Cross Field cows this morning and I look like a drowned rat – and then the sun came out. I was a bit concerned about my new calf and so dad came out after lunch. We decided to put her in the lean-to along with the sick-looking one. Some of the showers were very heavy. Neil, Emma, the girls, Sue and Harry came for dinner – to celebrate the end of half-term and because we’ll not see them at Christmas.

31^st October – Much more autumnal today. Jeb had designs on half a fence post for me to throw again. Scout had the home run again, except that she barely gets off the bike now. It was a bit fingery up the hill so I wish I’d taken gloves. We dashed back home as I needed something to wear for a funeral tomorrow. A strong SE wind picked up late afternoon and after dark the heavens opened.

1^st November – Early morning walk, hoping to beat the rain – Scout and I got round in time. There was a covey of partridges chittering out in the field. We moved the 26 cows to Far Hill this morning. Ned came to Raceground and Common, and it was a bit cold and wet by the time we got back. I let the two cows in the lean-to up into the top shed to feed as I don’t think that they are impressed with the hay that I put in for them. The cow has now cleaned. All rams working hard. One in Gratton and another in Raceground is a bit tender on the front foot. Lambs in Big Field kept coming through the electric fence so I laid it down. Other lambs are in 6-Acres. I have just spoken to you so you know where the ewes are and when they were last fed. The dogs have been good, hence very few treats left! Scout suffering as she only has eyes for Alan, but there is no reciprocal adoration.