The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Community => Introduce yourself => Topic started by: The Unexpected Shepherd on March 29, 2013, 10:03:57 am

Title: Hi from a snowbound Welsh hillside
Post by: The Unexpected Shepherd on March 29, 2013, 10:03:57 am

Hi to everyone,

Firstly I extend thanks to all the people who have posted on this site. I was unexpectedly thrust into farming life with the arrival of nearly 18 inches of snow last Friday night and for the last week have been assisting a neighbour whose flock has been devastated by the unseasonal weather. I have been left alone at times with the responsibility of making decisions in a world which is a million miles away from my own background... I'm a south east London born marketing director!!! The posts on this site have given me confidence and I haven't felt as though I'm the only person in the world who doesn't know how to alleviate constipation in a lamb or how to revive a pretty "deadish" newborn!

This last week I have witnessed some of the saddest things I have ever seen but amongst the tragedy also some of the most wonderful things. Thanks to everyone.

Title: Re: Hi from a snowbound Welsh hillside
Post by: Clarebelle on March 29, 2013, 10:10:17 am

Hello! This site is a goldmine of useful information. Well done you for helping out your neighbour in what is turning out to be another year of hell for the farming community. I'm sure your neighbour will appreciate your help no end!  :thumbsup:

Title: Re: Hi from a snowbound Welsh hillside
Post by: Bionic on March 29, 2013, 10:49:18 am

Hi   :wave: and welcome from Carmarthenshire where the weather has been very cold but much kinder to us than where you are.
Once the snow has gone (I am sure it will go sometime  ;D ) and the need for your help disappears I hope you stick around.

Title: Re: Hi from a snowbound Welsh hillside
Post by: Blinkers on March 29, 2013, 10:58:44 am

Hello and welcome from Carms/Pembs border where its currently gloriously sunny and dry but very cold.   Heart goes out to you with what you've had to contend with - the very toughest side of farming.....but it WILL get better.
 
 :thumbsup:

Title: Re: Hi from a snowbound Welsh hillside
Post by: Victorian Farmer on March 29, 2013, 11:02:10 am

welcome from a minus 8 highlands of scotland             :sunshine:

Title: Re: Hi from a snowbound Welsh hillside
Post by: Rosemary on March 29, 2013, 11:08:41 am

Wow - you've had a hell of a week; glad TAS could help  :thumbsup:

Welcome from  :sunshine: /  :cold: Carnoustie  :wave:

Title: Re: Hi from a snowbound Welsh hillside
Post by: suziequeue on March 29, 2013, 11:56:08 am

Good to hear from you from another snow-bound north facing hill in Wales.


We haven't started lambing yet........  :fc: :fc: [size=78%] the weather will start to ease.[/size]

Title: Re: Hi from a snowbound Welsh hillside
Post by: The Unexpected Shepherd on March 29, 2013, 01:09:39 pm

Thanks for all the great replies but not just from me but also from a small lamb that has been constipated...

...a warm enema and some oil did the trick!

It's the first time I've seen a lamb smile! 

Title: Re: Hi from a snowbound Welsh hillside
Post by: ballingall on March 29, 2013, 01:41:03 pm

Hello and welcome from central Scotland.


Sorry you've had such a stressful start to learning about sheep, but as you said, there have been good times too. The conditions in some bits of the UK have been just horrific.


Beth

Title: Re: Hi from a snowbound Welsh hillside
Post by: FiB on March 29, 2013, 05:57:46 pm

wow baptism of fire (or snow!)... hi from another very snowy corner (Bala) - I have also been helping neighbour, it is a real tough job in the snow - she is absolutely knackered as I'm sure you are!  Hope you enjoy the rest and afterglow of a good job soon, Fi

Title: Re: Hi from a snowbound Welsh hillside
Post by: Lesley Silvester on March 29, 2013, 10:35:38 pm

 :wave: and welcome from  :sunshine: :cold: Shropshire where the snow has almost gone.  A hard start but at least you know you've seen farming at its worst.  Now the only way is up.

Title: Re: Hi from a snowbound Welsh hillside
Post by: fairhaven on March 30, 2013, 08:42:13 am

Hi from Norfolk,  It's neighbours like you that can really make a difference.   :thumbsup:

Title: Re: Hi from a snowbound Welsh hillside
Post by: feldar on March 30, 2013, 11:05:24 am

Hi from South Coast :wave:  we've watched the news and seen how dreadful the weather has been. We've really felt for all those caught up in it.
They're a good bunch on here, so keep posting and stay safe

Title: Re: Hi from a snowbound Welsh hillside
Post by: Mammyshaz on April 03, 2013, 08:18:54 am

Hello and welcome from Durham where we have got off very lightly weatherwise.

Title: Re: Hi from a snowbound Welsh hillside
Post by: Backinwellies on April 04, 2013, 08:27:06 am

So have you seen enough to put you off .... or maybe now you too  have 'the dream' ... with maybe a little less snow?!?

Title: Re: Hi from a snowbound Welsh hillside
Post by: darkbrowneggs on April 04, 2013, 10:23:54 am

Well done, and welcome  :wave:  from still white in patches and trying to snow Worcestershire  :thumbsup:

Title: Re: Hi from a snowbound Welsh hillside
Post by: Chris63red on April 05, 2013, 12:10:37 am

Welcome from Mid Wales  :thumbsup:

Title: Re: Hi from a snowbound Welsh hillside
Post by: tizaala on April 05, 2013, 06:25:28 am

Well done that man, you can make a difference in this difficult time. I have spent the week watching my landlord drive by every day with a grab-full of dead animals, he must have lost more than fifty ewes in the snow so far. Hard times for everyone on the hills.

Title: Re: Hi from a snowbound Welsh hillside
Post by: Brijjy on April 05, 2013, 02:15:26 pm

Hello from a slowly thawing hill in Mid Wales. :wave: I'm not too far from you. A friend of mine lives at Lake Vyrnwy and she says the snow there is still horrendous, trees down all around the lake. When the sun eventually shines, you'll see what people mean when they couldn't give this life up.