We're in transit most today, transporting ewes and lambs; our grass keep is ready 1st of April, it will be a relief to have some peace from the endless jeering of sheep.
Having completed a year of sceaphierde (one of the world's oldest occupations) I know Charlie will be pleased to see the flock return. Cade lambs are well, seven cades are consuming eight bottles three times a day, today reduced to eight bottles two times daily; supplemented by nibbles of lamb pellet and haylage. Although I am clear of periodontitis, toothache is attempting to return.
A lamb watches three ewes and their lambs being loaded onto the trailer to be taken to grass keep; maybe one of the lambs was her friend.
Charlie took four sheep to Longtown, two were ewe lambs, the other two failed mother ewes. After enjoying a cooked breakfast we observed auctions and waited in the truck for our lot to be called. Sheep sold for £380, but £350 of money made from auction went to repayment of debt / arrears, leaving £30; the belt is tight. We also made £30 auctioning a stoneware sink, but collected an enamel sink that failed sale; we have another seven of these sinks, thinking about marketing these sinks as horse troughs, during Hawick's Common Riding event.
Stick is used for reach of guidance, Sam the sheep dog did most of the work here.Donna the cade ewe lamb looks on with her tup lamb boyfriend.Just around the corner awaits transport to grass keep.
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Charlie and Sam usher three ewes and their lambs into the penned trailer.
Cade lambs have a heat lamp because they don't have a mother to snuggle. These lambs are enjoying oats, whilst their mothers feast on ewe nuts.
Cooling bottled milk on the ole tractor, half an evening meal for seven cade lambsLambs playing upon and eating haylage.
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Sam the sheep dog, getting covered in mud, Charlie bathed him tonight, he came into a warm farmhouse from a cold kennel.
We don't usually eat much throughout the day, so look forward to a cooked evening meal; it is a treat to have a fully cooked breakfast at Longtown, usually we don't eat breakfast. We drink far too much coffee, partly due to Charlie being an avid drinker, as before I met him I would mostly drink tea. I am concerned that coffee drinking is exacerbating underlining stomach problems. Years ago I read somewhere that pancreas problems declined during the shortage of coffee during WW2. Every night slipping into sleep feels as if I'm going to die.
Having completed a year of sceaphierde (one of the world's oldest occupations) I know Charlie will be pleased to see the flock return. Cade lambs are well, seven cades are consuming eight bottles three times a day, today reduced to eight bottles two times daily; supplemented by nibbles of lamb pellet and haylage. Although I am clear of periodontitis, toothache is attempting to return.
Charlie took four sheep to Longtown, two were ewe lambs, the other two failed mother ewes. After enjoying a cooked breakfast we observed auctions and waited in the truck for our lot to be called. Sheep sold for £380, but £350 of money made from auction went to repayment of debt / arrears, leaving £30; the belt is tight. We also made £30 auctioning a stoneware sink, but collected an enamel sink that failed sale; we have another seven of these sinks, thinking about marketing these sinks as horse troughs, during Hawick's Common Riding event.
Charlie and Sam usher three ewes and their lambs into the penned trailer.
Cade lambs have a heat lamp because they don't have a mother to snuggle. These lambs are enjoying oats, whilst their mothers feast on ewe nuts.
Sam the sheep dog, getting covered in mud, Charlie bathed him tonight, he came into a warm farmhouse from a cold kennel.
We don't usually eat much throughout the day, so look forward to a cooked evening meal; it is a treat to have a fully cooked breakfast at Longtown, usually we don't eat breakfast. We drink far too much coffee, partly due to Charlie being an avid drinker, as before I met him I would mostly drink tea. I am concerned that coffee drinking is exacerbating underlining stomach problems. Years ago I read somewhere that pancreas problems declined during the shortage of coffee during WW2. Every night slipping into sleep feels as if I'm going to die.
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