Yoohoo – she’s here!

I had been checking all morning – my alarm set for every hour.  By lunchtime, nothing but Edna had sent everyone away to another field, including Madge who didn’t put up a fight or seem to mind.  She was also pawing the ground and getting up and sitting down.

My alarm went off just as I had eaten my last bite and off I trekked to the furthest point of the field to find the new addition to our family

It started to rain so we made the decision to take the little family nearer the house. I led Edna and Daisy carried she-who-has-no-name.

We were slightly concerned that little lamb had not found the milk-bar but after some sage advice from a neighbour, we left them to it for a few hours.

I am now happy to report that little lamb has got the plot.  Phew – the worry is immense, I can tell you.

So, that’s one hurdle over.  I will let Edna introduce her baby to Madge tomorrow, I think.  She is suprisingly calm and unstressed about not being her Mum.  When separated she usually shouts her head off.

And I think I am in love!  (little lamb is already trying out her legs – she does small bounces – and comes up to talk – oh my heart! ❤️)

In answer to your first question, the answer is nope, nada, nuffink, not a dicky bird though Edna keeps taking herself off and then Madge shouts for her to come back and being a good mum, she does.

On a different note, I saw a lovely clump of dog-violets today on my daily walk.

And yesterday we saw some Whooper swans (apparently a rare breeding bird for the UK – I did not know this) on the loch as we drove to see the Icelandic mares.

All the horses and ponies are fine and enjoying the slightly warmer weather, losing their coats.  Hair is everywhere.

In other news, I am still making sheep-that-no-one-wants.  I put them in groups this afternoon.

And added the next line.

And the next.

I think, if I count correctly, I have made 25.

And then I made another one.

It is my therapy.  Most days, after lunch, I walk BeAnne in a field and then we go to my shed.  BeAnne has a good sleep and I make a sheep listening to something good like a podcast or  radio play or an audiobook.

When Her Maj wakes up and tells me she wants to go inside, we then go and check the sheep – ie walk down the hill and back up again, which means she is hungry for her tea.

It may seem very boring but that’s how we are rolling in our Shire these days.  It is enough excitement for me.  Now all we need is for this lamb to appear……

Still no lamb.  Every morning I ask OH, when he feeds the ducks and chucks, if there is an extra little lambie around and the answer is always no.

We are all waiting.

I think Edna has changed shape now.

Things have slipped downwards and she walks with a distinct waddle, holding her tail slightly outwards.

I check her every ruddy minute. Oh the worry, I can tell you. Despite my best efforts to keep the Girlzens around the house, Edna wants to be with her “flock” and so I have reluctantly come to the conclusion that it is better for her to be calm and happy and where she wants to be rather than cooped up and agitated.

And, of course, she insists on resting, sitting, and probably giving birth, beside the stream.  My greatest fear.

We have had a discussion about this and she assured me all will be fine.  I tell myself (as does the family) that Edna is an old and experienced ewe so she knows what she is doing.

Madge is possible evidence of this theory (doesn’t she look good now?)

The Boyzens are about.  ‘Bert told me he was fat and not about to give birth.

He did say that with a lovely smile.

Lambie refused to talk.  He was bissy stuffing his face.

And ‘Ster continues his mission of just looking gorgeous all the time.  It’s 24/7.

And so we wait and check and wait and check ad infinitum.

I almost put money that today was the day but, so far, it isn’t.

I will keep you posted.

I took my big camera into the Minion field today.

First up was Waffle who was doing his leg-in-each-corner impression.  Well, at least he wasn’t swimming around the water buckets.  It makes a nice change.

I asked him if he was a Reformed Character.  He remained mysteriously silent.

And then it was Newt’s turn.  He was nearby.

And it was most odd, but I found next to him a tiny strip of paper.  So I picked it up and read it.

Is this Newt’s fortune cookie, or a motivational message he keeps with him for times of uncertainty (possibly due to his lack of height or his rescue history)?  Who knows and who gave it to him?

Sóley was in the distance.  She suits the landscape.

Next up, Silver.  Always beautiful.  It’s the eyes and his expression.

Albie – maybe Newt was looking after his “motivational message”?  It could easily be his.  He has low self-esteem issues at times, when things change. He hates change.

Tiddles – looking particularly grubby – it is raining on and off.

Storm was pulling a face – of course, he was!

Lilja gave me her full-on stare of seriousness.

Another one far away – Fivla.  She had just had her TurmerAid so she didn’t need to talk.

And lastly Vitamin who, although is looking greyer, she is one of those old ladies who is 100% on the ball, going to have the last biscuit and would elbow you out of the queue for the bus!

And so we left them to it still wondering who owns the piece of paper. Most odd.

Daisy and I walked over the hill to my other croft, Clothie, which I can see from the house – where the old men and Klængur (I refuse to call him old because he isn’t. He is only 17) live.  Iacs is 25.

and Haakon is 26.  Iacs and Haakon are cousins.  You can sort of tell.

Her Maj came too.  There was enthusiasm and delightful running with a hint of bounce over the tussocks.

Daisy brought carrots and some cauliflower stalks (Haakon and Iacs’ favourite) – and there was more enthusiasm for them too.

BeAnne asked if could continue our walk and, as we are close to lambing time now (I won’t take her on the hill or the road) we went through the garden and down to another field.

There’s a bit of colour just starting in the garden and OH did his first grass mow of the year.  He needs to let me put the ponies in. That would save him the effort. Sadly, he does not see it like this.

And down to the stream to check on the wild primroses which are in full bloom now.

So that was us.  Tomorrow is rain but I tell myself it will make the grass grow.  We haven’t had proper rain for a while.  I almost miss it!