The more time that I spend with our flock the more of a sense of humour I know they have..

Jonty, our cheeky chap seems to do anything he can to shake things up a bit and make us giggle... He knows exactly what he's doing!

At the weekend he excelled himself... Nigel was leaning over the gate in the barn, grabbing Jonty's nose, and shaking it for fun... he loves it... taking it a step further Nigel came into the pen and began a game of rough and tumble... Dangerous I think as it teaches small male beasts bad habits!!  

Anyway.... the two of them were having great fun, until Nigel sat on his heals and took his eye off the ball.... I watched as Jonty took 3 steps back and lined himself up for a full head butt... "Watch out" I shouted"... too late... what a corker, and a great aim..  straight at Nigel's forehead... "Stitch That!"..... I saw it, heard it and watched as the stars went round!..... Jonty thought it was brilliant and continued the game by trying to take Nigel off his legs by butting him at the back of his knees...... I gently grabbed his woolly little face to stopped him. "No" I said firmly... he knows with me that I won't tolerate such rough behavior and he relaxed his chin into the cup of my hands for a cuddle... Clever, bright little lad...

Trouble is, he now thinks Nigel is there for boy's games... the next day he tried to start it all over again.... they learn so quickly, just once and it's imprinted there... now we have to undo the damage...... It's just as well that he is so small... you have to be so careful! 

oh.... and the egg on Nigel's head is going down!!

Friends are the best thing in the world aren't they... What would we do without them!

The bad weather that we've had over the last few weeks does nothing to lighten the day or your spirits.... with the mud in the fields that we, me and the sheep, have to wade through to function at all is miserable, and it takes its toll on all our moods... Still January has passed and February might improve!!  

We did have a farm visit from trading standards, as we finally registered for our own holding number to separate us from James and record everything interdependently... and passed with flying colours... 

Today, things are looking up too..... We have a dry day for the first time in ages. Much of the barn has been cleared ready for lambing which starts in a couple of weeds time.  We are able to keep larger numbers inside when its forecast to be horrible.....the looks on their faces shows a good deal of relief... and it gives the land some rest-bite!... then there are the calls I've had today...

The first was to confirm my "Practical Lambing course" at the vets on the 18th February...... Its my fourth year of lambing so I've been reading up to help me but there is nothing as good as the real thing... This year I'll be doing the 4.00 a.m. shift on my own so I have to know what I'm doing for the safety of the sheep, the lamb and my own stress levels.... I'm really looking forward to it! Learning from Nigel is ok to a point, but it's like being taught to drive by a member of the family and is not ideal!!! I'll tell you all about it after the event!!!

The second came from friend Karen and we spent what must have been a good hour chewing the fat and catching up on the last few weeks...... She is such good company even on the end of a phone line!! 

Then the third came from Chris who had popped in last week and had caught me "having a moment"...... I needed a good kick up the bum and a good shake! Well bless her..... she's just popped back with a flowerpot full of mini Daffodils and a big hug!! Nothing like it is there!! 

Thank you everyone.......... it is much appreciated!!