This week we had our first hard frost, good news for swede lovers and a sign that Ann and I can start raiding 6-Acres, which this year has been laid up for winter root forage. However, not good news for working outside as winter farming is harsh on the hands - gloves, hand cream and zinc and castor oil have come out of various hiding places. We also had our first hail, which happened to coincide with both of us being on the shed roof fixing leaks. Kismet or sod’s bloody law?
It’s been a bit of an annus
horribilis all round for farming (and note that second n … quite a
different meaning without that). Early on we had persistent heavy rain that
left the ground (and us) sodden. Just as it all dried up, the Beast from the
East made its appearance before lambing, with a week of desiccating freezing wind
that killed many of the plants and froze the water pipes, followed by two bouts
of snow (Frozen be damned), leaving
us with poor grass and all sorts of other (and udder) issues. June and July we
also had problems with no water…lack of rain meant no grass again, and poor
hay. It was touch and go at times as to whether or not we’d have to abandon
some of the fields, and it doesn’t help having to dish out winter fodder at the
height of summer.
August got rainy again, and a warm, wet and humid autumn
followed, ideal conditions for flies and pneumonia. We heard reports of October
lambs getting flystrike the day after being born. Where are the swallows when
you need them? Oh right, Africa.
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| How to get rid of grass cuttings from the lawn... |
The rams have gone in with the ewes now, so we can do it all
again next year…and this spring we’ll be lambing ALL of the sheep chez nous, instead of some being over
with Farmer Rob. I am sure there is method in our madness, instead of just
madness, but I’ll be devilled if I can work out what.
The pups are now almost fully grown, and occasionally doing
what they are told. We have also ended up with a stray cat in the barns - a
rather scruffy small grey fluffy thing that is helping keep the vermin down
(although the rats seem to be committing suicide on a regular basis in one of
our water troughs…I guess even rodents occasionally see the futility of life
and have existential crises).
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| Harry starting to learn the dark arts of sheeping. |
So onwards into a winter of hedge-laying and fence-fixing,
and the exciting arrival of my log splitter. Plus I bet I am heartily sick of
swede by Christmas!
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| Brand new chainsaw trousers...because Scout disembowelled the previous pair, which is why she looks so guilty. |
