Tuesday 29 April 2008

Is the Day I Post the Pictures of My New Lambs






Well, it's taken me long enough to get back to posting. The bug that the whole family had during lambing didn't help! But now I have no bug and three lovely, lovely lambs. Two of them are ram lambs, which isn't exactly ideal, but they are so beautiful I'm sure they'd win prizes (at least at the village fete) and we may end up keeping one of them to breed from the year after next.

We also have six new, little chicks. Photos of them are not so good! They're hard to get photographed well. But I've stuck a couple of pics up anyway, just so that they're here!

And, finally, it looks as though Spring may have arrived. Bit late in the day, I say. And I suspect we are going to miss out on most of spring and move pretty well straight into summer. It's been cold, not very wet and rather boring of late. The grass is not yet growing well, but the nettles are.

I have been much occupied with fighting them back!

Here you go. Lambs and chickens. As promised.

Monday 14 April 2008

Is the Day I Feature Blossom



Blossom is a Golden Sebright. Or at least, that is what she is supposed to be. But actually she thinks she's a person.

Not only does she come to the back door and tap on the cat flap at meal times, she jumps up onto your lap when you sit on the bench, to be hand fed.

And last week-end she marched in through the kitchen and sat by the Aga, eating toast off a plate.

We have tried to discuss this behaviour with her. We have tried to shut her out. She is immovable and insists on coming in, however briefly, once a day to pay her respects.

Now we are all more worried that one day she will get shut in and that we shall find her watching the tele.

She has no fear of the cats, tiny though she is, and will cheerfully give them a beak butt if they irritate her, or look as if they might pounce. They now treat her with great respect.

We have three of these lovely little birds, but she is by far the most audacious. Trinnie and Treasure are friendly too, but not quite as pushy!

That's all for now, folks, I can hear her tapping on the door - it must be breakfast time!

Friday 11 April 2008

Is The Day I Get Featured On Someone Else's Blog

What excitement!

Fame!

And on such a wonderful blog, too.

http://copperspringsleather.blogspot.com/2008/04/vicki-cockcroft-is-our-featured-artist.html

I am more than grateful to Tom and would urge you all to go and have a look!

However, I appear to have lost the ability to produce live links on here, so if anyone can remind me how to do it..................I'd be everso grateful.

Thursday 10 April 2008

Our Last Lamb Arrived



He hasn't got a name yet - because he arrived at 6.30 in the morning and the Committee couldn't get together to decide before some members had to go to school and work.

I should be able to inform you all by tea-time!!

If there are any geneticists out there, I would love to know how a white ewe and a black and white ram manage to produce a jet black lamb!!!

All I can remember is something about dominant and recessive genes and peas....I was really interested in Biology, but not terribly good at it!

Anyway, here he is, bless his little woolly legs.

Tuesday 8 April 2008

I Shall Reveal My First Attempt at Felting

So, I have sheep. I have wool. And I have a daughter who is doing Textiles A level.

And she wants me to try out felting.

And I have a lovely American friend who creates the most wonderful things with felted wool.

How could I not give it a whirl?

Here it is.

My very first (and possibly last) attempt at felting.

I find the process somewhat trying. Don't like the wet hands bit. But I was quite pleased with the outcome.

Someone is definitely getting this for Christmas.

And they'd better be grateful!!!

It's a brooch, just in case you feel like commenting and don't know what you're commenting on!!!

Monday 7 April 2008

I Can Confirm that Dorothy is Alive and Thriving

Very, very quick post in between jobs.

Dorothy spent the day undercover yesterday and was jolly wobbly.

But this morning she is out on the field, 'boinging' away and following her mum.

Breathing quite a sigh of relief.

Think she just had a rough time being born and needed to rest.

More later if I can get back here.

Saturday 5 April 2008

We Had Another New Lamb and She Is Called Dorothy



And I am absolutely exhausted.

This one wasn't as easy as the first. Young mum. Big lamb. We watched and watched and then we helped.

I thought for sure that we'd lost her, but she came out fine and got up quickly.

She has suckled and she is alert enough, but I'm not sanguine. She's wobbly on her back legs and not quite as I think she should be.

So....I'm hoping she is just taking her time to 'come round'.

I shall see what I shall see in the morning.

And I'll blog if I can.

All a bit dramatic and all on top of a morning spent clearing what is now known as 'The Wilderness'.

Bed, I think!