The Rain It Raineth Every Day

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I know all I do is complain about the weather but honestly, it hasn’t stopped raining for months now (or at least it feels like that).  We all live in a state of permanent mud, wet clothes/hair and are miserable.

The sheep were hanging around their field gate so I opened it early. I think they possibly never actually left to go and graze and I felt sorry for them.

So straight into their shed they went….

….along with some chickens who were also sheltering.  One even laid an egg!

Later, when I went back in the afternoon to shut up the hens and ducks for the night, Lambie followed me back to the house looking hopeful.

Obviously I let him in and sent Daisy off to find him a biccie.

Lambie knew this or at least hoped….

And I might’ve told him too (note the charming smile of happiness at the thought of the arrival of something nice and, even better, edible).

“Lambie, could you possibly manage a chocolate chip cookie?”

Oh, he thought he could (such beautiful manners too).

Sadly, I had to push Lambie back outside telling him to say nothing when he rejoined his biscuitless friends.  I think OH would have a complete hissy fit if I fed all his supply of elevenses’ biscuits to the sheep!

But I had one happy Lambie and that’s all I want.

(he has his mouth full so he can’t smile!)

Playing Rugs

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I spent a good part of my  morning in the rain looking at Haakon’s and Kolka’s rugs.  I was trying to find out exactly what weight they are.  I already knew the size – 5′ 9″.

I found some labels and took photos in case they would give me the information. I couldn’t see anything, though.

For us, Rambo rugs are the best brand.  I like everything about them – their fit, they stay on in a gale, their waterproofness, and they are very hard-wearing too.  I truly believe with rugs that you get what you pay for (I have been stung before).

I also like the high neck fit.  This is Haakon’s.  He is very comfortable in it.

At present, Iacs doesn’t have one that fits. So he is in an older- style Rambo with no high neck.

It is not ideal but it is functional, despite the patching.

Kolka is also wearing the same high-neck version as Haakon but…..

…. it is a size too small for her (her other rug wasn’t the best so we stuffed her into this one for the time being while I did the research).

My current plan is for them all to have high-neck Rambo rugs so they can spend their winters outside, warm and coping well.  Once indoors, I scoured the internet and have just bought the last (possibly in the world) 5′ 9″ high neck 200g Rambo rug (under £200) and it will be for Kolka. Then I will try her rug on Iacs and see if it fits him better. He always was a size smaller than Haakon and Kolka but this year appears to have somehow become bigger so now all his rugs don’t fit him anymore *** sigh ***.  Typical Iacs. Always different.  He played with my walking stick as if that makes anything better.

Lady of the Bucket

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First, let me say that in my head this all made perfect sense.

As you may know, I am listening to an excellent audio version of Lord of the Rings (Phil Dragash’s).  It is spectacular and I am enjoying it hugely. I last read LOTR on night duty on Bland Sutton Ward at the Middlesex Hospital in 1983 so am a bit rusty but still a keen fan.  There was also the BBC Radio version (also excellent) which I used to listened to while I sprayed/picked ragwort around 2000.  The films, I care less for and the Hobbit film(s), I consider a disgrace.  The book was so much better – I read it in my childhood.

Anyway, I digress. Due to balance issues, I currently walk supported by a thumb-stick. Mine is my mother’s and it is perfect for the job (robust wood with a well-positioned piece of antler for my thumb support).  I feel Gandalf would’ve approved.  It certainly gives me a Gandalfian feel as I potter about.

And then there are the sheep – all eight of them.

And you know where this is going.

Over breakfast, Daisy and I decided who the cast list of characters were…..

Frodo – obviously Lambie – a bit wet, not very brave and constantly supported by his friends.
Sam Gamgee – ‘Bert – supportive and cares about Lambie. Always there to help.
Strider – ‘Ster – again supportive and has secret knowledge (remember he found ‘Bert in the hill and brought him home).
Merry – Barrel – a close friend of Lambie.
Pippin – “Fool of a Took” – Gussie – a bit of an idiot but everyone’s friend.
Legolas – Maggie – nimble on her feet and quick thinking.
Gimli – Madge – tough as old boots and a bit stout.
Boromir – Dahlia – believes passionately about things and sticks to her ideas.

And so the Fellowship departed.

(I was taking them to their field where they spend the day).

Oh yes, and then there’s Smaug (from The Hobbit).

Lord of the Ring = Lady of the Bucket (see what I did there, geddit?)

A Certain Idiot

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A certain idiot has successfully managed to get one or even two front legs stuck in the electric fence (not on) three mornings’ in a row when outside in the field (one day off for snow).

Every time a coconut.

**** sigh, Iacs ****

So, after discussion with Daisy, I did what I didn’t want to have to do. I went outside and set up the electric fence to actually work where I wanted it to, and not short out on the bits that have blown away in the winter gales.

That piece (that Newt is considering) is deliberately tied off is so the Shetland ponies’ field is not attached to the energiser.  At the moment, they don’t need it but the night is young and I can always put it back, if required.

Meamwhile, Kolka was running around like a wild thing possessed.  I have no idea why.  She just took off and started galloping everywhere.

 

The others watched on utterly bemused at such ridiculous and unnecessary effort.

… especially during winter.  Is she mad?

But honestly it was Iacs I was talking to about his heinous behaviour. Seriously, the grass is not even greener the other side.  It really isn’t because it is just track and nothing exists there.

This lot can vouch for that.  They were intrigued and hopeful I was going to bring them chocolate cake – not a chance.

The fence the whole way around the field is now zapping fiercely and hopefully Iacs will get the message or get his legs stuck again and break the whole thing.  I am taking bets.

And nope, absolutely no chocolate cake. Go away you lot.  I’m bored of horses and ponies.

Edited to say I’ve just been out last thing before the light goes, and Iacs is standing equidistant away from every fence. Hah!

Snow Gone Today

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The snow has now just about gone from our fields, and so has the 4 hourly waitress service, much to the horror of everyone when we threw them back out into their fields this morning.

We put the oldies’ rugs back on and led them down to their field that hasn’t been grazed for two years. They seemed pleased to be back.  Freedom and food.

And yet, when they saw us putting the ducks to bed tonight, they came rushing over and assumed we would arrive with buckets of lovely food.  It didn’t happen.  Sorry, guys.

We put the Shetland ponies back in their old field, which started life as their winter track and they now have access to the whole place.

After a cursory glance at the grass, they spent their day in their containers grumbling, coming out only to ask for a spot of tea.

Daisy and I thought briefly about giving them some haynets and then decided no, it would set a preference, they are fat, they had a loads of hay yesterday and they can go and look for grazing in their field.  So, again, no.

For now, we stand firm on this decision and it’s not easy (though I would’ve secretly given them hay if I was on my own).