Because the sheep are becoming increasingly lame as the wet weather returns, I decided to muck out the sheep shed which was not its best. It was only meant to be a quick job. Nothing huge.
But, like most things, this small job turned into mammoth task.
Sheep poo has a unique formulation that it sticks like concrete and we had to chip the welded blocks off the rubber matting from the whole area.
Ugh.
A few weeks ago, our electric wheelbarrow arrived and I cannot tell you just how much easier it made the task of lugging everything to the muck heap.
Dumping the old bedding was effortless and for those of you wondering how I can possibly have this – I sold a field and the proceeds have gone into making our lives (and backs) easier this winter working with the animals.
Anywho, we scraped and shovelled all morning and eventually we could see a change.
My afternoon was spent packing vegetables but when I came home…..
….. I found OH had continued with this job and the place was looking even better.
You could eat your supper off the floor.
Dahlia and Gussie were around, occasionally popping by to give encouragement.
OH had spent the afternoon cleaning and relaying the rubber mats, which had migrated and curled up over the years. Some needed trimming.
I laid out two bales of wood-shavings first.
And then two bales of straw on top of the shavings. The perfect sheep bed.
I ache therefore I am so I am going to take every known painkiller in my possession and go to bed now. That was one huge task. Never again.
I can feel your pain across the Atlantic. Nice Ninja moves by Pepper in the straw. Never heard of an electric wheel barrow before – it seems to really help.
Having mucked out more than my share of animal stalls when I was younger, my heart goes out to you. But what a wonderful job you’ve done! Lucky sheep!
A truly mammoth task! I hope you’re not too stiff tomorrow.
What a horrible herculean task! And you tackled it so well and your wonderful OH even put in an extra shift! Too bad you had to toast yourself with painkillers, maybe there is an extra large gin tonic possible tomorrow? I often wondered how you are managing with the girls off to their futures and your backs not getting younger. And I’m glad that such an amazing thing like a motorized wheelbarrow found its way to you. Almost as wondrous as hill sheep petifying (Is that even a word? It should be around you !) themselves.
Looking at Dahlia and Gussie I’m surprised how different their faces are, whereas Harrel just looks like a male version of Maggie. Oh well, why should sheep be different in that aspect from those woolless two-legged people?
I hope your back won’t be too bad tomorrow and gets better soonest!
Wowie zowie: I never saw an electric wheelbarrow before. Coolest thing ever! You two did an amazing job cleaning up the sheep’s bedroom – 4 stars at least.
Frances you are so right, what huge task to undertake. I am amazed at the very hard work you both put in. Congratulations on a job well done.
We also feel your pain across the Atlantic. This being “less young” (we don’t use the word old) really does have its drawbacks. We can relate to matts being buried under layers of muck. What lucky sheep!! Hope you both survive the night and get some pain relief. The downside of our labors of love usually last for three days. (DOMS) delayed onset of muscle soreness. Love the find of the electric wheelbarrow. Don’t want to give my hubby any ideas. So far we can manage the old fashion low tech way, but good to know there is advanced technology when we are ready.
Not that you have enough to do, but someday please add pictures of Gussie and Dahlia to the Thordale website crew. It helps me keep the sheeples straight. I know Bert, Lambie and Ster but get the others mixed up. Although Dahlia is unique. Thx
Lovely your muck-barrow, could do with something like that.
Can I ask what sort of speed it moves when you are ‘driving’ it from the stable to the muck heap? Is it brisk walking pace, slow shuffle?
It can go fairly swiftly (brisk walk) down to very slow. You have a throttle on side of handle that you adjust by pressure.
Frances, thanks so much for that, I may have to go and talk to Mr Google!
First of all, no one wonders how you can decide/afford/justify buying tools to make your life easier. Especially you with the bad back. I’ve never seen an electric wheelbarrow either and it looks wonderful.
Yes to electric wheelbarrow – gamechanger! I’m over 80 and been struggling for a few years with feeding out and all poultry/sheep jobs. I think the push-button barrow buys at least another five years of mobility with a small load to move. Needed to time out recently with hip replacement surgery, but now back behind the barrow (in Australia, Victa brand, looks similar).