Category Archives: Sheep

I Have No Dog

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It started well.  Bored of no one returning my phone calls, I decided to get some fresh air and set off over the hill with Pepper by my side to take some nice photos of the old horses and ponies, while they are still in their winter coats.

Pepper was all nice and clean(ish) for her too.

En route I took a few pics of Gussie and Dahlia who were around.

And also saw my first Common Butterwort (or it is a dog violet – anyone?) of Spring and that was more evidence to validate my claim that spring is really here.

Anywho, the girls were unavailable for photographs.

So I concentrated on the Icelandic horses.

After I topped up their water and threw everyone some carrots, I called up Pepper and went back home, but she never appeared.  So, I shouted and eventually a small Bog Creature came racing home.

Ugh.

Even Dahlia was appalled.

My little clean dog is not so clean anymore.

Pepper knew and I knew she needed a bath and, to be fair, she was very good about it.  A one-man bath is never easy and my back is fairly screaming at me.

But now Pepper is feeling hard done by and a bit put upon.  My heart is hardened. Tough.  If you can’t do the time, don’t do the crime!

Still, the photos came out well.

*** snigger ***

Glorious Spring Day

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It’s been a glorious spring day.  Seeing the sun shine and beautiful blue sky really lifted my spirits. I think we can all agree, it has been a long difficult winter and it is a good feeling to be finally coming out of it.

The dogs and I all appreciated the fine weather as we went on our daily walk around the fields.

I saw my very first “Blugga flooer” (marsh marigold or kingcup) and soon the wet bits in my fields will be carpeted in them. They are quite a determined plant here and no one seems to eat them.

As I wanted to make the most of the sunshine, I went into the sheep’s field to sit down on a rock.  Pepper immediately jumped on my lap and Gussie wandered up for a chat.

It must be coming up to Gussie’s birthday too (well, in fact everyone’s birthdays).  The only date I actually know is Lambie’s.  Gussie is 2 years old now and probably the biggest sheep we have.  Not fat, just tall. There is a lot of Gussie.

He is one big sheep and for a sheep born on the hill, he is the tamest.

And when I went inside, I got shouted at. Monster could’ve come too, I told him.  Maybe next time.

Not much today.  Yesterday was much nicer, weather-wise so I spent my morning waiting for a physio phone-appointment and trying to value stuff to put on Ebay.  I am finding that Google Image certainly has its limitations.

Anywho, I read somewhere that cats don’t see us as humans, but instead as a rather clumsy larger cats.  Knowing Monster very well, I can believe that.

I also often feel judged.

And yesterday Monster came on his first dog walk of 2026.  He is totally a fair-weather companion. He continued to shoud at everyone too.

And later, when I went into my shed, Monster turned up and paid me a visit, walking only on the path stepping stones, which I thought was rather clever of him.

After a lot of annoying, ie bothering me, deciding where best to sit, more bothering me, he settled in the spot I had made him by the window (mostly because I told him to sit down and shut up, because I had work to do).

I had to work around Monster. It seemed easier. Us clumsy humans have to adapt.

And then Monster found a better bed, which I wish he had found much earlier.

Later we all walked back together to the house for tea.  Another day, another dollar (or pound if we’re being pedantic).

(and Lambie turned up for his breakfast again).

The Grass is Always Greener

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Guess who turned up this morning, after going out into his field with his friends (he snuck back while I was finishing tidying their bedroom)?  Yes, I fed him and yes, I’ve realised I’ve made a rod for my own back but Lambie is a bit thin (that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it) and I luffs him.

After a very strong cup of coffee (my breakfast), I took the dogs out for their walk. I wanted to check the track’s electric fence, to make sure that when the ponies moved in, all systems would be go or at least zap!

Obviously, I had help.

And the ponies all came rushing over to see what I was doing just in case I had chocolate cake in my pocketses.

Despite having a bit of grass in their field, they all hanker to move onto the track.  I have absolutely no idea why.  There is not one blade of grass on it.

Where the ponies currently live has at least something to eat but apparently that’s not good enough anymore.  The grass is always greener, apparently, even if it doesn’t actually exist.

But I made the most of the nice weather and had a sit down spending some special time with Tiddles (‘scuse the many chins).

I am in two minds when to move the ponies over to their track. It is all ready and waiting.  We most certainly don’t want laminitis again and they have wintered well but there really is not one blade of grass there and I will only end up having to feed them very expensive hay, which seems ridiculous when they are ok where they are.  I dunno. I never know.  Answers on a postcard, please.

Channeling his Inner Edna

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Some of you may remember Edna.  A hobbit-like ewe who enjoyed her many breakfasts.

Always, Edna would follow me back after breakfast to have another one.  It was her routine and we duly obliged because she was very old, had no teeth and asked politely.  Edna was the only sheep ever allowed legitimately in the feed shed.  Others are not encouraged.

But now Lambie has decided to channel his inner Edna and, instead of following everyone else out into their field, like he has always done all his life since time began ….

….. he now doubles back and today I found him by the feed shed, looking hopeful.

That little face – how can I say no?  No one could be that mean, surely.

So, because Lambie is now the oldest of the sheep, and because he asked so nicely and because I think he looking a little thin, and because I have the word MUG tattooed on my forehead, I fed him another breakfast and he got fresh water too, because he is drinking more, I’ve noticed.

I can see this becoming a routine.  Edna would’ve approved.

Every morning, when I go back thinking my work here is done, and put the empty buckets back in the feed shed, there will be a not-so-little Lambie waiting for me looking hopeful.  I know it.

And just as Lambie was finishing up his second breakfast, ‘Ster appeared out of nowhere.

And then ‘Bert quickly followed behind him and Lambie left them to finish up the last crumbs.  I told them all to go back to the field like I had originally planned, please and they ignored me.