Sørlandet – Oldest Tall Ship in the World

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Ted had an appointment with his hair-dresser’s so I dropped him off and went on to town to get a few things.

It was a lovely calm day and the harbour looked gorgeous.

While I was driving in, I noticed there was a beautiful old ship in port so obviously I had to go an investigate.

She was the Sørlandet, a Norwegian heritage tall ship – the world’s oldest and most authentic fully-rigged ship.

I wandered around on the pier side and admired her beautiful lines and rigging.

From Wikipedia – “Construction on the Sørlandet was started in 1925 at Høivolds Mek shipyard in the city of Kristiansand on the south coast of Norway based on a £25,000 grant from ship owner O.A.T. Skjelbred. Completed on 28 May 1927, she measured 210 feet in length and 577 gross tons. She was given the name Sørlandet after the Norwegian region from where she originates.”

From Sail Training Website – “The objective of the ship’s sailing activities is to offer the general public an experience in traditional life on board a tall ship, as well as maintaining the ship by active use.

Our trainees will be divided into three watches; Port Watch, Midships Watch, and Starboard Watch. The watches work in shifts during the voyage. our sail trainees become a part of the crew onboard the Sorlandet. Everyone will receive training and guidance from our professional crew members regardless of previous experience or knowledge. It is exciting and rewarding to be in charge of the important tasks that are to be solved on board. Trainees get and overview and an understanding of life aboard Sorlandet during the sail. “

While I am not a huge fan of boats, as you may be aware, even I might want to have a go (but only might, mind – boats and me are not a good combination. I would much rather ride a horse!)

Outside. All of You!

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The horses had their breakfast and then they just stood there in their shed not going anywhere like outside.

Plus some chickens arrived.

By 10.30 it was quite a nice day outside.  The back door was wide open.  It had been all night so everyone could come and go.  We were pretty sure Iacs had worked this out.

Haakon poked his nose outside to see if I was telling the truth about the nice day.

And then a bit more appeared and in the end all three horses filed out and went off to eat some grass.  Huzzah!

The day got nicer but I found Iacs standing around, waiting to help with any food-related chores.

I was trying to feed an errant duck who told me he had missed breakfast so could he have some now.  I stood determinedly stood guard.

After lunch, I decided that the safest place for everyone was the lower field.  Floss found  Kolka had a cut to her forehead (as well as her back legs from the accident) – we have no idea how she did that.  I sprayed it with antibiotic spray, gave her last a/b injection and we led all three down to their new field telling them to stay out of trouble.

The horses were last seen stuffing their fat faces.  I can’t let Fivla and Vitamin in there yet because the grass is that bit too good for them, so they have to content themselves being next door where they can all see each other perfectly well.  Anyway, they have the shed all to themselves so that must count for something.

I’ve had enough of the drama now.  Thank you very much.  Can everyone stop hurting themselves.  The sheep will be pleased, though.

Kolka Update

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Kolka seems a lot more like her strong 32 year old self today.

She is alert, interested and eating better, although still stiff when she walks but there is more range of movement in her hind legs.

She remains on twice daily painkillers, an injection of antibiotics (which she is very good about – it’s a big one with a large needle), probiotics and is mostly living outside with her waterproof rug on.

Her eating is more enthusiastic too, which is encouraging.

Fivla and Vitamin are close by shouting for their herd but they have to stay where they are as the grass around the house is too rich for them, especially this time of year.

However, the sheep are very unimpressed with this new set-up.

I have barred the entrance to their shed so they can still come and go if they want with no horses inside.

And opposite, the horses can do the same if they want shelter.   There is food and water there too.

So, turn left if you’re a horse and right if you’re a sheep.

As I write, absolutely no one has worked out my marvellous piece of shed management.

But I think the long rich grass, the pottering about with her friends is what Kolka needs to keep her mind and her guts active.

So, keep thinking and praying for Kolka as I keep forgetting she is 32 years old. Yesterday’s drama was not something an old lady should have to go through.  I thank the Gods we got to her when we did.

Live, Please Live!

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Oh, crikey, where to start.

This morning , no Kolka appeared for her breakfast.  Haakon and friends denied all knowledge (useless lot). So Floss and I set off with Kolka’s bucket and found her lying down, motionless tangled up miles away in the back fence.  She had been there some time and was slowly giving up.

We tried to untangle the fence, but it was no good – her hoof was stuck tightly in the wire. I told Floss to go back and get some fence-wire cutters.

It was a long wait – it’s a long way, and I stayed with Kolka telling her we would do this and she must keep going and live.

(Flossie sensibly asked OH for the right wire-cutters and brought them back to me.)

Once we had cut all the wire around and free’ed Kolka’s back hooves, Floss and I tried to get her up but she couldn’t. She had dug a hole with the fronts, was exhausted and now starting to leave us – shaking and her eyes were dull.  Floss went back (and it’s a very long walk) to get some rope and OH.

While Floss was gone, I moved Kolka’s back legs to prove to her that they were free and then I had an idea – to put Kolka’s bucket in front of her for inspiration.  That did it and after many, many attempts she weakly stood up.  Her last bit of effort.

I held Kolka’s bucket and she ate unsteadily while the Cavalry (OH and Floss) arrived.

We let Kolka get her bearings, settle and think.  She was still very unsteady but she had a determination I knew was still in there.

We walked slowly over the hill, through the back gate and into the field.  The long walk actually did Kolka good and she got used to her legs working. She also did two poo’s which was encouraging.

The others came to meet her.  Useless lot, I told them, again.

Once home, painkillers, anti-inflammatories, another bucket and I washed Kolka’s legs, examined them and sprayed with antibiotic spray.  I also put a rug on her as she was still shaking.  She spent her morning around the house, resting and eating with Haakon and Iacs for company.

Monika from Sandness Equine Services kindly visited for Jin Shin Jyutsu healing (a huge thank you).

This afternoon, I dithered, worried and decided to put the horses in the shed – it was raining sporadically.  I wanted Kolka to rest as much as possible.  The boys had to go too, for company.

I had been to the vet and got antibiotic injections too and more painkillers.  He is very aware of the situation.

The haynets are not really being touched, but I am giving the horses fibre-block every 2 hours to keep their guts going and Kolka will get another painkiller and a probiotic tonight too.  The next few days will be worrying.  Kolka is stiff, sore and really feeling it.  The possibility of colic is not ruled out either so thoughts and prayers for Kolka, please.  Everything you’ve got.

(The nursing staff are also on-call – ready and waiting.)

Gussie and ‘Ster

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I would be lying if I said it’s been a busy day.

The same old, same old – just as I like it.

That was until the sheep came home.

It started with Maggie wanting in the house for a biscuit.  She asked so nicely. How could I refuse.

Note, Gussie and ‘Ster were behind and about to have a row.  Lambie wanted no part of this (just his biccie, pelase) and everyone else is hoping they will stop. I was rather worried for my Eggbox parked close by.

There was a clash of horns but nothing much.  At this stage, Lambie has disowned them and Barrel was hoping they would stop now.

So I shouted at Gussie and ‘Ster telling them to “pack it in”.   I love the look of them both almost denying all knowledge – “who, us?”

But then Gussie was spoiling for another go – he had that look in his eye – one of steely determination.

Gussie started squaring up to ‘Ster who did not need this grief but would give as good as he gets.

I decided on a diversionary tactic and called ‘Ster over. I told him to let it go, Gussie was not worth it and then shovelled biscuits in as a reward for being the bigger sheep about it all.  Lambie’s raging face was a picture.  He hates hassle, rows and roughhousing.

The sheep all settled down again.