April 2018

Diary

Lambing starts / Fencing / Dishcloths and cards

Monday 2 April, 2018

by Rosemary at 9:57am in Smallholding Comments closed

Monday 26th March

Another lovely spring day, but it’s not forecast to last so housed the three ewes due 1^st / 2^nd April, and Winter, because she’s very calm and will settle the other three who are less well handled.

Popped to Forfar for more licks – bloody sheep are inhaling them – and some shopping for us.

Dan worked in the orchard for a wee while then helped me bath Annie with the pressure washer. She was absolutely fine and we got a lot of muck off her. We tried the washer on me first, to make sure it wouldn’t hurt her.

Lambing / Steamed Pud / Fencing / Pig Prep

Monday 9 April, 2018

by Rosemary at 3:10pm in Smallholding Comments closed

Monday 2nd April

Dry and sunny start, but getting colder and windier, with a stiff east wind. Sleety showers by evening feeds.

Came out this morning to a surprise – No. 8 had lambed in the field. Not sure what had happened – she had one black lamb with her and there was a white lamb about 3m behind her, not licked and very cold.

She’s a first-timer and I guess she had the black one, had the white one and the black one’s wandered off and she’s followed him.

Lambing / Fencing / Pressed Flowers / Cheddar

Monday 16 April, 2018

by Rosemary at 11:21am in Smallholding Comments closed

Monday 9^th April

Mild and cloudy, after early morning sun. Turned out No. 5, No. 6 and Winter with their lambs. Still a bit bothered about Winter’s boy, but if he struggles, we’ll bring them back in.

Turning out lambs Turning out the lambs.

Spent most of the day doing paperwork and the year-ends. Be glad to get them finished. Ran off entry forms for the forthcoming poultry sale and horse / tack sale at Forfar – planning a clear out!

Birthdays / Planting / Clouties / Mucking out

Monday 23 April, 2018

by Rosemary at 7:40am in Smallholding Comments closed

Monday 16^th April

Dan has embarked on a tidying of the workshop. He may be some time.

I visited a local primary school today to talk about wool (they’re doing a topic on Mary Queen of Scots, so it was about wool as a fabric of the time). We also discussed sheep keeping and dog worrying.

And I made cheese apple and walnut mini loaves.

Tuesday 17^th April

Wet overnight but clearing mid morning. I’m writing this on Saturday and have no idea what I did on Tuesday.

Lambing over / New hens / WC refurb / Harvesting

Monday 30 April, 2018

by Rosemary at 9:32am in Smallholding Comments closed

Monday 23^rd April

Sunny but really windy – out of the wind it’s really nice.

No2 lambed – a black tup and a white ewe. Did it all by herself; nice lambs, no entropion and all are well. Sadly, they’re going to be stuck inside until No14 lambs.

Popped up to Forfar for some feed. Took the opportunity to drop off my entry forms and “goods” for the forthcoming poultry sale and horse sale.

Met Ruth Watson, who started the fantastic “Keep Scotland the Brand” campaign. Very impressed.