[waterbuffalofarmer]

So for the past 2 months, things have not been going to well (relentless illnesses, sick bull, etc, etc). However last night everything got turned around and became brilliant I readvertised the 2 heifers yesterday afternoon, as a last time before we made reservations at the slaughter house (as no-one was wanting them ) Well out of the blue a lady got in contact, other people did too but were not serious, I supposed she was one (wrongly) we sorted out a sale within 2 hrs or less. She is coming for them on the 9th of Dec (all being well) and hasn't quibbled about price and is only 65 miles away ( couldn't be better). I have the TB test booked for 1pm today, as the vet said it is so quiet what with the winter fair and all So hopefully before too long they will have gone to their new home. I will be able to have a long talk with her when she picks them up, ask her what she plans to do with them, meat/milk, etc, etc. She sounds good, so I am sure they will be going to a good home, I will make sure I am 100% satisfied that they are going to a good home, before they leave. Also I have reserved a red welsh bitch puppy for Jan next year, from a lady I know; So yea very exciting times ahead!  As for the bull..... he is better now, all pneumonia gone now, although we still bring him in of a nightime.

[harmony]

All good to hear! How is your Father?

[waterbuffalofarmer]

He is keeping well thanks, no more episodes with his heart as of yet (which is indeed good).

[desertmum]

Great news - hopefully the good stuff will continue   

[Lesley Silvester]

Glad things are working out for you.

[Manaphy]

Great news. There's always a silver lining.

[devonlady]

Remember the old saying "It never rains but what it stops" I'm happy things are going well for you.

[waterbuffalofarmer]

Thanks guys! An update..... heifers tb tested clear so all steam ahead for the 9th. I let her know and she wanted the address. I will contact her on the 8th to see what time she will be arriving. Meantime having a difficult time trying to pursuade my younger brother out of carpentry apprenticeship until 2018, as we need him on farm when dad is in hospital. I feel it will be a long haul still that's life Everything is all good, dads heart is good and today we managed to get more ring feeders for the buffalo

[YorkshireLass]

Good stuff!
A note of caution though - I wouldn't be surprised to see cuts to education services and things like apprenticeships. If your brother is a carpenter in his heart, then he needs to go and learn the craft. Perhaps he could negotiate breaks when you need him? Just a thought

[Buttermilk]

Let your brother go, you will manage somehow and if he fails to get an apprenticeship next year he may never forgive you. I know as I found my dream job at 17 but was made to stay at school until 18.  By then I was too old to get onto the career path I wished for.  Forty years later I still feel my mother did the wrong thing.

[waterbuffalofarmer]

well we researched in apprenticeships, closest would be in Cardiff, Swansea and Bridgend. Not only too far but it requires him to have a degree in maths and English, which he hasn't got. He has decided to teach himself with his own ideas to make stuff of his own inventing, which is brilliant as he is very creative As a famous quote says..... Formal learning can teach you a great deal, but many of the essential skills in life are the ones you have to develop on your own. Hope I haven't misquoted there..... If I can I will try and find maybe a course he could go on to teach him better, rather hard for where we live though, but there should be something.....  I will keep looking. He wasn't too happy about the long distance either, it would mean having to live away from home. Because he can be (as many of us are at 16- 17) easily influenced, there is always a danger he could get mixed up in the wrong crowd as well, which wouldn't be good, I have known, lovely, creative and very gentle people who have gone that way and sadly haven't come back, when learning and ended up not finishing what they went to do

[doganjo]

I take it you don't have any agri colleges nearby that he could perhaps do a part time course?  Like day release. 

[waterbuffalofarmer]

I take it you don't have any agri colleges nearby that he could perhaps do a part time course?  Like day release.

hmmmm not sure, but will definitely check it out to see.

[doganjo]

WAC - Aberystwyth
http://www.emagister.co.uk/carpentry_courses_wales-kwpa-100-1704.htm

[waterbuffalofarmer]

WAC - Aberystwyth
http://www.emagister.co.uk/carpentry_courses_wales-kwpa-100-1704.htm

Thanks for that @doganjo I really appreciate it. Will show my brother it