We had a late tupping in January, with our hogs, including Peewee, so we are lambing again.... it started on Bank Holiday Monday. We had been to the West Burton's May Fair but knew that several of the sheep were due any time, so I've been on a 3 hour watch during the day..... so at 9.00 p.m I went to the field to see if anything was going on.... Lottie was at the top of the field and had more legs that she should!!!...... there was a perfect little lamb with her, but she clearly hadn't finished!  She looked at me as if to ask for help and sat down to strain again.... and at there rear was a head with 2 little white hooves on either side... not the right position, and a little tongue hanging out... She let me pull both feet out and I delivered her second lamb.... I was so relieved when it took a huge breath and shook it's head......... I was just in time!

The weather was very nice for the next few days, until it started to rain of Friday evening, when we decided to get all the sheep inside.... it's no fun lambing in the wind and rain!!......... Lottie came down the field for the first time,with her lambs on either side.... she looked at me... I picked them both up expecting her to be agitated, but instead she gave be a back glance and trotted down to the barn without batting an eyelid....... we put her in a pen and will keep her there until the weather improves! As you can see she's sooooo happy!

When James bought me my Dorset sheep, I had no idea just how much I would love them... they gave me more lambing experience in two weeks than I had had in 6 years, and they gave me 7 little girls, including my beloved Ellie Mae.

So......... when it came to inquiring about the Dorset Horn and Poll Dorset Breeders' Association, it made sense, that if they were coming to inspect, then to purchase a few more before they came would save on a journey!!!! Well that's my excuse anyway....... 
We went back to Picton, where the first 6 came from and as they were just sorting their flock, they agreed to let us have some of their hoggs.... they are 18 months old, and are ready to be tupped for their first lambs....... as the others are also ready for the next batch, they can all go to the tup together! They are in desperate need of clipping and have so much of their first wool that they can hardly see!.... once it stops raining, we'll get them done!

......... Here are those beautiful babies!! and guess who can't resist popping up to see if I'm still there....... she's such a poppet! 

We have a lovely back garden here in West Burton, which Nigel and I landscaped when we moved into the cottage, over a decade ago.  It is a low maintenance garden full of all my favorite cottage garden plants, many of which came from gardens that I looked after around the Winchester area in a past life.

Last year we had a pheasant which tried to nest under the arbor, but didn't like the constant coming and going so moved on....... But this year a different location was found under the wire mesh that holds up a clematis along from the door of the outhouse... she has got used to our passing with washing and has been sitting there for a couple of weeks. At first she left the eggs for short periods to get a meal, so we placed a bowl of hen corn near her so she didn't have to go far and she has settled down to our routine without any problems..... even the mice which live in the wall next to her have benefited from the feast and now look at us when we replenish the bowl.

Last night Nigel called me over, he was wispering...... there were 2 chicks sitting at her side, tiny little mottled brown and yellow poppets. We retreated to the kitchen and left her alone for the night so that she could have some peace and quiet for the hatching.

This morning, after feeding the lambs, with Nanny McHawkins and friend Pat, who is in training for when we go away, I returned to find mum was missing! The nest was filled with empty shells, all 18 chicks had hatched and were now scattered on the path below the raised bed where the nest was located.  They had managed to hide behind all the pots and paraphernalia, and they were all cheeping at the top of their little voices.  I went back into the kitchen to watch if mum came back.... and no sooner had I closed the door when Mrs "P" popped her head up out of the flower boarder....... Nigel had come home, so we went back to pick all the chicks up and give them back to their mum who was now sitting, crouched in the sunshine, waiting to be joined by her brood... she hissed like a viper and fanned her tail but didn't move from her position. We gathered them all up, making sure no one was missing, then left them alone....
This is the result...... everyone where they should be and all accounted for!

We have no idea how they will fare, nature will have to take it's course... our garden is walled on all sides, so until they fly they will have to live with us!  We will keep them fed and watered, and see what unfolds! I hope the local cats don't come to call

Just along from Ellie's pen... Sarah and I spinning in ours!

Hello again Everyone!

It's a few weeks since I've blogged....... a breather was needed and time has been taken up with family and farming..... and a little time sneaked away to start spending more time in my shop... we only have 24 hours in the day!

In January I was asked to get involved with The Leyburn Festival of Food and Drink, providing a helping hand with the new link between sheep and "craft", rather than food........ This new part of the festival proved to be very successful and our display, which started with lambs Ellie and Pink, (now over 4 months old, but still recognizable)... showed how wool can be processed from shearing, cleaning, carding, and spinning into knitted items and woven cloth.. we even had a felt-maker from West Burton making hats and handbags!

Apart from being nearly frozen to death on Saturday, and drowned on Sunday morning, we had lots of interest in what we were doing and opened many eyes to what can sometimes be taken for granted... Thanks to Sarah, Linda, Anna, Rosie, Anne and John who took part over the weekend, together with all the stall holders who came to sell their beautiful hand made products at the show... I hope that everyone who made time to visit us, took some pleasure in what we were doing and were inspired to try something for themselves...

Ellie and Pink, although a little uneasy about the new surroundings of a marquee, and lots of people, soon made themselves at home, and were quite verbal when they thought a meal was due or a cuddle was required!! I think they were the most photographed animals of the whole festival, so if you took any pictures that you'd like to pass on, please pop them through on Facebook or by email......... I'd love to see them!

Ellie couldn't resist helping while I packed up at the end of the event.. finding a cardboard cup holder irresistible... in the same way as the information notice attached to her pen which only lasted for a few seconds before being rescued with a rather soggy corner!! Pink of course was perfect! ........ and when they were asked to get back into the trailer to go home, trotted in without any trouble whatsoever....... I'm so proud of them!