Shearing / Show / Smokey - The Accidental Smallholder

Posted: Monday 26 May, 2025

by Rosemary at 2:49pm in Smallholding 18 comments Add your own

Monday 19^th May

Cool this morning, and overcast; the sun got out by lunchtime but a very brisk breeze kept the temperature down.

The polytunnel strawberries are doing well but will need repotted in the autumn.

Polytunnel strawberries.

I moved the sheep into Near Top; my plan is to move them every Monday. Didn’t do much outside, but got beds changed and washed.

Sheep into Near Top.

Tuesday 20^th May

Murdo was here, so he cut a load of wood that had accumulated in the barn. Dan had to work, but he got out to put up the fly traps and plant out peas and lettuce. And I notice a bit of the retaining sleeper wall of the sunken garden is in place. Don’t know if it’s fixed though.

Alistair came over and sheared the eight ewes. They’ll appreciate it – it’s been really warm today. 

Shorn sheep.

I brushed the ponies (well, manes and tails) – it’s so hard picking their feet out when it’s this dry. I’ve decided to sell my saddle. Time to face reality.

Wednesday 21^st May

Dan did some weeding; I tidied up the greenhouse. One of the four melons has died, so Dan’s planted the other three out in the polytunnel. Hope it’s warm enough for them.

Pauline, Laura and I were labelling some survey cards. With help from Diesel.

Diesel helping.

Thursday 22^nd May

Still warm. Still dry. Still a cool easterly wind.

Started cleaning up my pony tack and getting it on the marketplace.

Delivered survey cards to Barry Downs then spent a happy hour planting up pots for the sitooterie – or Knitooterie, as it has become. I want to get the cosmos, geraniums, bacopa and salvia out at the weekend.

One of my favourite plants.

Heuchera sanguineum "Firefly".

Friday 23^rd May

Spent the day at the Scottish Garden Show with Karen and Aileen. Blethers, plants, cakes, sunshine – what’s not to love.

Dan repaired the wall of the fruit garden, whihc Smokey had knocked down a couple of years ago.

Saturday 24^th May

Rain last night, finally. Puddles on the drive for the first time in ages. Pretty blowy too, but from the South, so very warm.

Sunday 25^th May

Very windy; more rain overnight and a few showers during the day.

Went to bring Smokey in and saw that he was swollen along his underline. Not moving very freely either. Called the vet. It appears he has an infection (raised temperature) in his sheath, hence the swelling. Old men and their waterworks *rolls eyes*. He’s had IV anti-inflammatory / painkiller and an antibiotic. He’s such a brave soldier. And he has antibiotics and Bute to take over the next five days. Vet will see him again Wednesday or Thursday.  He looked easier after 15 minutes of the anti-inflammatory being given so fingers crossed.

Dot's hot spot.