Tag Archives: sheep

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?)

Bloomin’ Cold!

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It was my turn to walk the dogs today.  OH had gone to town, shopping, as we were down to our last carrot – apparently it was pandemonium in our two supermarkets.  As fast as the shelves were being filled, they were being emptied again.

Anyway, I was on dog duty so off we went into the hill field, recently vacated by the Shetland ponies and where the sheep like to spend their day, good weather permitting.

I found everyone at the far end of the field sitting in the heather.

A few came running up to see if I had brought chocolate cake with me. I hadn’t.

Dear little Maggie. Always a lovely surprise.

‘Ster, because if anyone is having chocolate cake, he is not going to miss out.

And not-so-small Gussie who is probably now my biggest sheep.  He maintains his figure by travelling with food in case of emergencies.  Somewhat like a woolly St Bernard dog.

Even Dahlia came up to be stroked.  These days, it is more of a case of where Gussie goes, she follows.  I wonder if she is glad he is still with her.  Probably not.   He can be very annoying.

I saw another potential album cover.

And the others were far away refusing to be hospitable so I left them to it.

It was far too cold to be hanging around being nice. I was freezing and my hands were cold despite new gloves (the kind with a second lining that is determined to turn itself inside out the minute you take them off and you can never get them back on properly again – the fingers will always be just that bit too short with a muddle of lining at the tips!)

Sheep, “Fit the Second”

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Last night after supper, I went back to the sheep shed in the pitch dark (I am scared of the dark) and quickly checked there was no more fighting.  Everyone was peaceful.

This morning the weather remained truly revolting.  Not to be trifled with.  Floss and I threw food at everyone and ran back indoors as fast we could.  We did the whole lot in under 3/4 of an hour, which is quite an achievement.

Later, I went out again.

Even though I had left the field gate propped open, the sheep hadn’t gone out, preferring their shed along with three full haynets, and two lick buckets.

They were happy and calm, so I found myself a spot and sat down on the straw.

(Even Barrel was behaving himself).

First up were the new double-act – Maggie and Gussie.  They are the best of friends.

Lambie is in love with Dahlia, who is not in love with Lambie…..

… even though he is an obvious catch.

And this was as near Madge got to me.  The words “Hell freezes over” sound familiar.

But Gussie was surprisingly chatty.

And this is as near as Lambie got to me today.

Maggie was also demanding attention.  She smiled so sweetly, it was hard not to be her friend.

Bert snuggled up on my left side.  I gave him many hugs, pleased to see he was feeling happier.

….. while these two were on my right.


And then Gussie plonked himself down and settled into the task of chewing his cud.

And then Bert plonked himself down on my left and was very settled too.

Lots of cuddles and stroking.

I stayed for an hour, playing classical music on my phone so we could relax.  I always enjoy being with the sheep like this.  So peaceful, even though it was raging outside.  The gap between Gussie and Bert was where I was sitting, propped up against the wall.

Barrel vs. Bert

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When I went to feed the sheep their breakfast, I found Bert and Barrel knocking seven bells out of each other (fighting). It was serious.  Bert was almost unconcious, wobbly on his legs, his sides heaving while Barrel kept having another go, refusing to give up.  I separated them by pushing Bert into Lambie’s private diningroom (oh, the vapours from Lambie) and gave him a bowl of food.  Even then, Barrel was waiting by the gate trying to get in.

So I shut the door on them all and went to help Floss feed the horses and ponies.  We are currently in the middle of a three day gale with lashing rain and lowering temperatures.  I needed to think what was the best thing to do next.

I decided to separate them.  My plan was to keep Bert, Lambie and Ster back around the house/stable. They could have a Duvet Day with haynets while the others went outside to enjoy the revolting weather and Barrel could calm down a bit.

I took my bribery (rattly food box) and the rest of the sheep followed me into their field. Hastily shutting the gate, I shouted at Barrel to “cool down or you’re outside for life!”

Lambie, Bert and Ster now had free run of the place all day.

Later I went to visit them.

I sat down but Bert wouldn’t come and chat. But that was ok. He was happily eating the haynet.

Ster never left my side and Lambie came past for a scratch.

After a nice chat with Lambie and Ster, I gave them all a second breakfast which was received gratefully.

Bert happily tucked in.

The others have just come home, the weather is vile now and I watched Bert and Barrel in the shed together.  Nothing.  Apparently, they are now good friends. I think I will go out later to double check, though.

 

In My World

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This is my Night Nurse who finally turned up having cleared up the supper things first.

And this is my Day Nurse, who likes to sit on my arm, gaze at me (probably to check I am still breathing) and ruin my sweater with his pummeling claws.

I went for a little walk this afternoon, and met a kind friend bringing us hay to replace all that the horses and ponies ate while living in the shed.  We had run out and were down to nothing. I am so grateful for the kindness of everyone who has helped during this difficult time.

And then there are the sheep who came home tonight to a lovely new bed – four bales of straw were also delivered (2 now down) – and the horses’ old haynets to finish up.

Now, the snow has gone things are beginning to get easier as there is less work for me to do.  Floss is still here and she does all the daily lifting and carrying, which is helping hugely.

I am still spending most of my day lying on my bed resting up and listening to a very good version of Lord of the Rings on Spotify.  We are just leaving the Shire and entering the Old Forest.  The Black Riders have not arrived yet but they’re coming……

(I wonder if I could have LOTR wallpaper in the bedroom – or maybe even a map?)