Farewell Felix / Paddy / Beer / Beach rugby - The Accidental Smallholder

Posted: Friday 23 June, 2017

by Rosemary at 12:57pm in Smallholding 2 comments Comments closed

Monday 12^th June

Dry, sunny and windy today.

Got a message today from Bryn’s breeder confirming that Bryn’s mum is in pup to his dad, with the puppies due around 26^th June. Fingers crossed that all goes well and we get a wee sister for Bryn.

Bryn himself was at the vet today with Bertie and Felix for their annual check up and boosters.

Milking was “cowboy style” this morning as Blizzard’s hormones are clearly driving Ace to distraction and he’s continually trying to jump her. Hope it all calms down soon.

Tuesday 13^th June

Sadly, we lost our wee old cat Felix today. We’re not quite sure what happened, but he was out sunbathing, was found apparently fitting and he dies in my arms as we prepared to rush to the vet.

He was 17 past in November. Everyone will miss him tremendously, humans, cats and dogs.

Felix sleeping with Bertie, who adored him.

Felix asleep in the grass.

He was a house cat in the winter and an outdoor cat in the summer, but never slept outside at night. Mostly he slept on our bed, often on my pillow. He was the sweetest soul and so friendly.

Felix in his favourite place, cuddling Rosemary.

Hoof trimmer was here today doing Smokey’s and Bug’s feet.

The cow hormones are receding and milking was much easier today. Blizzard was milked for the first time – she wasn’t awfully keen, so tomorrow we’ll milk her first while she’s still eating.

Moved all the sheep back to Ravensby.

Wednesday 14^th June

Paddy got his ear tags in today. I’m feeling more confident about it now.

Dan started a new batch of home brew. He uses kits and usually gets excellent results, and it saves quite a lot of money. This time we’re trying a new kit – Woodforde’s Sundew Real Ale Kit.

Woodforde's Sundew under way, looking underwhelming at this stage!

Should be ready to drink in about 4 weeks. :-)

Thursday 15^th June

Headed off to my sister’s today to pick up a second hand trailer we’ve bought.

Booked the vet to come tomorrow to put a castration ring on Paddy. I can only get the testicles down by manipulation and I’m not confident that I can do that and get the ring on safely and correctly.

Dan took Bryn across to the golf course for a walk and discovered a source of Dryad’s Saddle mushrooms.

Type your caption here.

Unfortunately they are quite mature and only really palatable when very young, so we’ll be keeping an eye out next May to forage some for eating.

Bryn found the going a bit hot and cooled down in the wee loch at the golf course.

Bryn and his balls.

Friday 16^th June

Drove home with the trailer today; it was a better drive back than down, with no rain and less busy roads.

Paddy’s procedure went without a hitch and the vet student with our vet videoed it, so we’ll know what to do next time.

Paddy being castrated with a rubber ring.

Saturday 17^th June

Hot and windy today.

We were at the local Beach Rugby tournament with three sheep, eggs and yarn. Could have sold the sheep a few times but I guess June isn’t yarn-selling time. We did give out a lot of leaflets though.

Winter meeting a young fan at the Carnoustie beach rugby.

Still, it was lovely seeing kids (and some adults) getting up close with the sheep

Sunday 18^th June

Hot and windy again.

Did some fairly desultory tidying up and made a list for when it’s cooler.

For today’s excitement, Ace got into the ponies field. The cows and calves stood at the open gate and watched Lucy chase Ace then double barrelled him. Ace then decided that he’d prefer to be in with his girls and beat a retreat to his own field. Smokey and Bug took no part in the telling off of the bull.

Bertie, our oldest cat (we think) and the only pet that we now have that moved here with us, is living in a straw filled rubble bag in the barn. Or sleeping on top of the bale of hay. Or loafing in the polytunnel.

This is not unusual. He’ll move back indoors in the autumn.