[bib]

Hi - I think I was supposed to write something here on joining the site .. ? Can anyone tell me why my post in the marketplace forum has a different icon against it?  Like a page with an extra thing on it? 
Well, a little bit about my situation, - I am hopefully nearing the end of a >3year long process of getting planning permission for a house etc etc etc .. I now have foundations, which have been hidden by snow for a few weeks !  I'm looking forward to having a house of my own again - at the moment am living a gypsy sort of life to-ing and fro-ing hither and thither. I work in the local hospital in a techy/software sort of role, but hope to be able to reduce my hours and spend more time at the croft before too long.  Am fast heading towards retirement, and would like to manage to give up the 'day' job before I'm 60!
I started out with a few Hebridean ewe lambs, and now have more Hebrideans, some Castlemilk moorits, some Borerays, a couple of muscovy ducks, and 3 llamas - a baby was born yesterday to the mum who was pregnant when I got her. Also have her daughter who is about a year old.  I bought an incubator and tried some hatching eggs from ebay last year so nowhave some guineas, peacocks and aylesbury ducks too. #phew# anyway, that's enough asbout me.  Its a great site - easy to use and very informative - thanks TAS !
bib

[Fergie]

Hi Bib,

welcome to the site.

I live in Lanarkshire with a flock of Hebrideans & Soays, and it sounds as if we have similar jobs within NHSScotland, and it also sounds as if we are similar ages - both looking forward to an early retirement at 60!

 I see from your marketplace advert that you are based in the Black Isle - I was visiting Raigmore on Tuesday.

Are your Hebs registered?  I'll need to change my tup for next year, so I'm always looking for swaps / sales.

Once again, welcome to TAS - you'll find lots of information on the site.

Regards,

John

[bib]

Hi John!

The hebridean tup is registered, and last year was his second year with the ewes, so I could probably do with a swap. There's a pic of him on my website blackislebirds - (I'm a wannabe business rather than an actual one!)
Thanks for the welcome!

Rhona

[JulieS]

Hello and welcome 

[little blue]

hello and welcome 

[Rosemary]

Hi and welcome. Sounds like a great menagerie you have there.

[Fergie]

Hi John!

The hebridean tup is registered, and last year was his second year with the ewes, so I could probably do with a swap. There's a pic of him on my website blackislebirds - (I'm a wannabe business rather than an actual one!)
Thanks for the welcome!

Rhona

Hi Rhona,

nice pics.  Our tup has also just completed his second year with the ewes, so I may well be looking for a swap (or purchase) later this year.  I also have a registered ram lamb (2009) that may suit you as an alternative.

PM me if you're ever in the Glasgow / Edinburgh area (I'm halfway between them) or likewise I'll contact you if I'm working in Inverness.  I could probably be tempted by Black Rocks too.......

Regards,

John

[sandy]

Hello from CLackmannan, shame we have to do the "work bit" in life before we can actualy enjoy ourselves!!!

[bib]

Thanks smallholders!  Yes it is drag, but money's got to come from somewhere!  And yes too, it is a bit of a menagerie, but with some rhyme and reason in there eg llamas as guards, muscovies and aylesburies to brred and produce huge cross 'barbary' duck,  geese to produce lots of saleable goslings and sheep to keep the jungle down, all whilst waiting to get in a position to make an income from the place with black rock hens ... it might work.  I dont have an excuse for the peachicks and guineas, or really for the 3 different kinds of sheep .... apart from that my sister was absolutely itching to bid for something at the dingwall mart a couple of years ago, as highland calves and all sorts of tempting things went for not very much money, and the three boreray ewe lambs looked so cute .. that  was the time I was accidentally bidding twice as much as I thought for 2 Castlemilk ewe lambs .. price was per ewe not per pen - lucky there were only two!
Anyway thank again guys!  Im posting a question about the fox trap that someone (jameslindsay?) mentioned, and about mink, in the 'poultry' bit, maybe someone will have some ideas. bib x

[MiriMaran]

Hello from Derbyshire

[bib]

Hi! Ill need to get a signature pic! bib x

[Hilarysmum]

Welcome.

[HappyHippy]

Hello from me in South Lanarkshire