Longtown

The tup jumped over a 4ft ring feeder filled with hay, then rolled over, landing on his side upon the poly tunnel floor with a thud. Charlie had to re-enter the poly tunnel and repeat the previous process of getting him out. Donna the cade ewe lamb, I think she is a 1/4 Zwartble, Teeswater, she always asks for another mineral bucket.

One of the cade ewe lambs entered the trailer admits the confusion, her sister looked bothered, then turned towards the hay, began eating and forgot all about her.

We arrived at the market late, nearing 10am, most of the unloading appeared to have been completed.

The market cafe was crammed with customers, until the auction bell rang, then the cafe quickly emptied. Unearthing it is, when strangers glare as if you are known to them [there is no apparent reason for me to be known here], but you've never spoken to them before. I don't know whether I prefer the cafe full or empty; at least the breakfast is always plentiful.

Had a wonder around the pens, filmed some Herdwick sheep.

Always feels a relief to return to the 4x4, the 40 mile journey to Hawick doesn't seem so far returning.

Our 4x4, a freelander mk1, was the smallest vehicle there, but not the smallest we have seen, Charlie used to off load sheep, towed by a red Citroen Picasso!

The 40-mile journey along the A7 passes through Langholm, we often stop at Eweswater for a break, there are toilets and camper vans often bed down there overnight. The market was busy, the first sale of the year; Charlie off loaded the ewe and tup before we enjoyed breakfast at the market cafe. The tup and ewe made £110 and £95 at auction, a fair price.

Shrub in the farmhouse garden has bloomed, warming to see bloom during these colder midwinter months.

Healthy ewes, most in lamb, all eating together is how this flock should behave, sick animals don't eat, and distance themselves from the herd.