Smallholding
Fence / Secret Eggs / Buster
Monday 14 February, 2022
Monday 7th February
Bit of a drama in Sheepfold this morning. As I took hay out to the sheep, passing the gate to Sheepfold, I could see Gracie was through the track’s electric fence and in the middle (no grass though). Smokey was at the far side of the field, on the track. Euro was at the gate. Shouted Smokey and he didn’t move. Walked over and he had the rope of the electric fence wound fast round his near hind, just below the hock. His tail and feathers were also stuck in it. Phoned Dan to bring over the Jakoti shears – forgot to ask him to bring a halter. I stood at Smokey’s head, while Dan loosened the rope enough to get the blade of the shears down the side of his leg and cut the rope. Smokey never moved a muscle. The fence wasn’t on btw. Sometimes I forget how much I love my old boy.
Buster / Landscaping / Wildlife area
Monday 7 February, 2022
Monday 31st January
Can’t believe it’s the end of January already. Winter has been remarkably kind this year so far – let’s hope we don’t pay for it later.
Slipped a halter on Buster this morning while he was eating his breakfast. Baby steps.
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Buster with his halter on.
Tuesday 1st February
Today is the festival of Imbolc and St Brigid’s Day – the first day of spring, as winter releases its grip on the land.
Malik / Corrie / Woodstore
Monday 31 January, 2022
Monday 24th January
Weather holding – dry and sunny, but a cold wind. Busy, busy today – Dan away for two loads of hay; Lorna’s car to the garage; bills and paperwork done (including three attempts at putting last week’s diary on the website); hay to the steers at East Pitkerro. If I mend Dan’s trousers and make ginger nuts before bedtime, I’ll have done everything on my list for today.
Five years since Meggy died. Still miss her; she was one of a kind and the dog of a lifetime.
Teapot / TB / Rhubarb
Monday 24 January, 2022
Monday 17th January
Lovely day again – full sun! It made office work a bit challenging because the sun was in my eyes but no way was I shutting it out.
Vet was here early doors to do Grey’s TB test. Back on Thursday for the results. He’s from a TB4 area and a herd with no breakdowns, but can’t help being a wee bit anxious.
Finished updating our cattle website. I’m a bit of a technodullard and a technopanicker, so across the day, I’m both relieved and happy.
Weeds / Carrots / Nestboxes
Monday 17 January, 2022
Monday 10th January
Why does it feel colder when it’s dull, even though it’s not?
Tuesday 11th January
Had to shut Tom in the office tonight, to starve him for his vet visit tomorrow. Not a happy cat.
We should have been husky sledding today but the ground is too hard. Took Smokey out for a walk instead.
Wednesday 12th January
It’s been a day of beautiful sunrises and sunsets.
Sunset.
Frost / Bean / Wood
Monday 10 January, 2022
Monday 3rd January
Bit grey and overcast, but the strong overnight winds have dropped. Back in the office this morning – and discovered that most places are closed. Hey ho – items transferred to Wednesday’s to do list.
Did a bit more tidying in the barn and pulled some netting of the brassica beds. Gwenna thought it would make a nice bed. I think she was channeling her inner street dog!!!
Street dog Gwenna, roughing it.
Hogmanay 2021
Monday 3 January, 2022
Monday 27th December
Had a bit of a relaxing day, indulging my Lego habit.
Tuesday 28th December
Nicer this morning than forecast – broken cloud and a hint of sun. Planted out some narcissi bulbs (Jack Snipe and Tete a tete) in front of Meg’s patio, to naturalise there. I also found a tray of miscellaneous bulbs, so I’ve put them in the raised bed beside Meg’s patio. If they come, good and well; if not, well, they had a chance.
Christmas 2021
Monday 3 January, 2022
Monday 20th December
Cold and dry. Calves a bit loud this morning – I think they just realised there’s no milk for breakfast. On the plus side, Bronte discovered beet pulp and both she and Baby got halters on. Baby has now joined the “line” with Blizzard in her usual place, Rora moved up next to her mum, then Baby. Bronte will join the line shortly. Buster thought he might have some of Bronte’s beet pulp but she was having none of it.
Last day in the office until 3rd January. Yay!
Niamh / Annie and Rosie / Gotcha Days
Monday 20 December, 2021
Monday 13th December
Oh, my goodness, I had lovely day out – in a dress with perfume on – having afternoon tea at Inglewood House Hotel. It’s a glorious building, built as family home early in the 20th century by the Paton family – it used to be a business centre and Dan had an office there (in the servants quarters, I think). I took the train, which was relaxing. I don’t like driving in the dark much.
Dan bought me a new brush for doing the cow shed floor – the old one finally gave up the ghost and broke in two this morning. The new one is FAB! How easy pleased am I?
Murray / Niamh / RPID inspection
Wednesday 15 December, 2021
Monday 6th December
Raw weather today – cold and damp. Now that all the leaves are off the trees, Dan went off to start clearing the ditch. He got about half done, so he’ll do the rest this week.
I had a wee tidy up, did some paperwork, put up the Christmas tree and some of the decorations. Then I made a start on the hen houses. I’ve taken out the perches and will pressure wash them; I managed to get the nest boxes cleaned out in both and the brown house shovelled out. I’ll finish them tomorrow -
