Nibbling the willow.
Jago
Black Sheep
Walter, making the most of the hay that’s left.
Clik
The sheep were corralled into the Avenue and the hurdles moved to gradually make the space smaller. They’ve all had a pink stripe of Clik to guard against fly strike. A cool start to a sunny day.
Sheep
Pixie reaching for a freshly cut Hazel branch, cut from the Laneside hedge. The donkeys will eat whatever is left tomorrow. Picked cucumbers and tomatoes and stewed the Bramley apple fallers. A cool start to a sunny day.
Digby
King of the Castle for a few minutes, the rain of the last week has drained away and the grass has started to show signs of green growth. Picked tomatoes, cucumbers and apples for the donkeys. A cool, cloudy day with a brisk wind.
Sunset
The sun managed to get through even though it was still raining, have had a deluge which will make the grass grow. The donkeys didn’t mind getting wet but did stand under the willow during a thunderstorm, the sheep all ran into their shelter and stayed there. Picked tomatoes, cucumbers and the last of the plums.
Greeting
Jago and Pixie gently head butting each other during their early evening runaround. Their fleeces are growing and the lanolin content is increasing as the nights get cooler, but no rain to speak of so the grass is still crispy and the standing hay in the paddock is gradually being eaten. A warm, sunny day with a fresh wind.
Finish Line
Preparing for the sheep race, the course starts at the bottom of Willow paddock and snakes back and forth and finishes at the top, the whole race will probably be over in forty five seconds. The sheep have had a practice so should know what to do for the main event. A sunny cloudy day with light winds.
Sheep
Grazing in the Square, not eating any green grass as the paddock has turned into a dry hay, the grasses growing shorter than last year, the seed heads still tasty for the sheep. Delivery of straw for the donkeys, and we’re preparing for the country show event scheduled for the weekend, a chance to let the sheep have a run around an unfamiliar course. A sunny cloudy day with welcome rain overnight.
Walter
King of the castle, while all the others, apart from Ivy, are chewing the cud. The sheep have moved into the Square paddock and will stay there for the next few weeks while Fallen Oak recovers, rain showers overnight should help. A fresher feel to the air in the mornings and the nights are beginning to draw in, the bat is out and flying over the pond by 8.30. A sunny day with cloud rolling around over the hills.
Sheep
Eating a branch from the Laneside hedge, the Hazel has developed fruits and they need to be removed before the sheep get hold of them as the husks can be an irritant. The grass looks really dry and there are large cracks developing across the paddock, rain is needed urgently, but the sheep don’t seem to mind, they eat whatever is there and have a daily treat of smallholder mix. A hot sunny day with light winds.
Sheep
Let into the Square Paddock which has been fallow for a few months, and with no rain for weeks the grass has turned to hay. Started bagging the excess on the donkeys straw area, it usually treads down when it’s wet but it’s getting thicker and thicker. Cycle from Pamphill to The Anchor for coffee. A hot, sunny day.
Elton
Able to move his head in various directions to get a good view of any treats that may be available, the willow tree branches are just out of their reach so have to be pulled down so they can eat the leaves. A warm sunny day with light winds.
Pixie
Usually the first to come and see if there are any treats available, the sheep spent most of the day in the shade under the Willow in Fallen Oak. Their fleeces are growing well, although their legs look spindly. A hot day with the promise of rain.
Sharing
The donkeys managed to knock down a few hurdles and moved into the sheep’s paddock to get at the willow tree. The sheep didn’t mind and the donkeys walked round them. A warm sunny day, no rain.
Sheep
In there somewhere, the area around the fallen oak hasn’t been grazed for a few months and is starting to be taken over by the hedgerow, not sure the sheep will make much impact. A warm sunny day, need more rain for the garden and paddocks.
Sheep
Not that worried about being in the shade, a cloudy, cool morning meant the grass was wet and the Willow within reach (with a bit of help). The sheep are slowly being moved into Fallen Oak where the grass is longer and still green in places. A warm end to the day with light winds.
Sheep
Tucking into a fresh beech branch, they spent most of the day in the shade of the willow. Watered the beans, peas and greenhouse. A calm, quiet end to a hot sunny day.
Sheep
Moved the row of hurdles to give the sheep a little more fresh grass and the electric fence to give the donkeys access to the field maple. Topped up the pond and watered the peas and runner beans. Cycled 15 miles from Blandford through Spetisbury to Shapwick for coffee in a cool breeze that turned warmer at lunchtime, there was a sheep going for a walk with a dog along the trailway, not seen that before! A sunny end to the day.
Caterpillar
Brown Tail Moths live in Hawthorn and Blackthorn hedges, this caterpillar has crawled it’s way onto the peas a little early in the season. The hairs are toxic so decided not to touch it without gloves. Moved the hurdles to give the sheep a bit more grass and the donkeys access to the hedgerow. A cool cloudy day with heavy showers.
Sheep
All nine sheep had their heads down nibbling the leaves when a new branch arrived, the Laneside hedgerow has blossomed, and doubled in size since being laid a couple of years ago, so there are lots of branches to cut for the animals to enjoy. A cool, windy day with late warm sunshine.
Beech Branch
A favourite snack for the sheep, when they’ve stripped the leaves and some of the bark the donkeys will finish the rest. A warm sunny day.
Walter
Standing with his front hooves on the fence rail to eat the Willow, the tree looks to have grown wider in the last year, and reach lower to the ground. Arranged for regular delivery of straw bales to save collecting them, moved a stack of paving so the truck can get into the Square paddock and turn round. Fixed a few hooks in the tack room for the rakes and brooms, makes a big difference to the available floor area. Picked three mini cucumbers. A sunny cloudy day with a chilly wind.
Pixie
The first to sneak past the hurdles to have a look at the modified shelter in Willow, it has a new roof and a new tarpaulin over the top. The only paddock without a shelter is Fallen Oak and that has the moveable arcs so that should be the end of shelter building for a while. Pixie tried to chew the stepladder a few times which proved not very appetising, so she moved on to the grass round the edge of the fence. A sunny cloudy day with light winds and the threat of rain.
Blackthorn
Walter tucking into a branch cut from the hedgerow, the rest of the flock wandered over to finish eating the leaves and start nibbling the bark, the donkeys will have what’s left in a couple of days. Jubilee cream tea at The Baker Arms, the scones were delicious. Sat outside on the terrace until a thunderstorm passed by and then played Mahjong. A blustery cloudy end to a sunny day.
Ivy
Trapped in a set of hurdles so that her feet could be inspected, she was limping a bit but there was no sign of an injury or stones so a quick hoof trim and a dose of purple spray all round should help. She’s a good weight, it’s easier to tell condition without the fleece, the marks from the shearer’s clippers are quite obvious, I wonder how long it will take for the pattern to disappear. A sunny cloudy with a chilly wind.
Morning
Misty in the Vale, but not over Bulbarrow, let the sheep into the small overgrown paddock behind the stable, they disappeared from view as the grass is three feet high. Could hear them chomping away, they ate the sorrel first and some of the docks which they’re not supposed to like! Late home last night so the donkeys were waiting at the stable for their balancer. A sunny day with a chilly wind, lovely in a sheltered spot.
Sheep
Maybe feeling the chill without their fleeces, they almost disappear when lying in the longer grass, the wethers have fluffy bits of wool round their horns. Cycle from Kingston Lacy to Shapwick and back along Sweet Briar, coffee at Pamphill and spicy prawns for lunch at The Anchor, a cool wind meant eating indoors. A break in the clouds let the sun through to lift the temperature late afternoon, but only briefly before the clouds came back at sunset.
Shearing
Bianca losing her fleece, there was a lot of lanolin in the fleece close to the skin so although the sheep were shedding their wool round their necks it was a couple of weeks too soon to shear them. Shearer’s talk about the grease ‘rising’ up the fleece away from the body so the clippers can get underneath, the temperature has stayed low at night so that will have made a difference. They were all finished within an hour and let out into the paddock to graze. A cool start to a warm sunny day with light winds.
Dry and Warm
The sheep are being sheared tomorrow and they must have dry fleeces, so they’re staying in the workshop tonight. All manner of things have been stored elsewhere; the sheep (dog) crate, ladders, stools, bailer twine, tables etc. It’s a reasonably sized space for nine sheep to roam around, the door is open so they have a view of the vale, just through a hurdle to stop them escaping. I think they’ll settle down after a few hours. A showery windy day, a lot cooler than yesterday.
Dreadlocks
Bianca and Nola are shedding wool from their necks, the shearer is booked for Saturday; haven’t received the rug made from last year’s fleeces yet, will be sending some more next week! Strimmed the verge the other side of the laneside paddock, the willow rods planted to fill in the gaps in the hedge are doing ok, the cow parsley was over four feet high. A warm cloudy day with rain late afternoon, no watering.
Jago and Elton
Snuggled up by the water trough, keeping cool in the sun. Welcome rain overnight so no watering required, a cool start to a sunny cloudy day with the occasional heavy shower. Pinched out the side shoots on the tomato plants in the greenhouse and potted on a few more young plants, pulled rhubarb and cut a few pear twigs from the top of the tree for the donkeys. A cloudy end to the day with the promise of more rain overnight.
Digby
Eating the leaves from a bramble that’s grown out from the hedgerow, planted a few willow rods to supplement the ash trees in the hedge. Collected four bales of straw, the fields around the farm are being used as leys, producing a sileage crop for the cows that has matured twelve weeks after sowing, the ryegrass may be left to grow and produce another two cuts, or it could be ploughed in and replaced with maize. A cloudy sunny day with light winds.
William
Lying down on the straw until it’s time to go out into Laneside, I did wonder why they didn’t come up for their balancer later and then discovered they’d managed to shut the gate that leads out of the paddock… The sheep are shedding fleece, especially the white ones, looks like they have dreadlocks, hope to have a date for the shearer soon. A warm sunny day with light winds.
Ouessants
They were all in Fallen Oak waiting for another gate to be opened, and always think it’s worth exploring another paddock. They’ll move into the Square paddock in a couple of days and then Willow and Fallen Oak will be fallow for a month or two. The donkeys browsed the hedgerow in Laneside, not able to reach the newest willows and poplar. The water butts are full after heavy rain overnight, so the grass should be growing well. A cloudy start to a sunny day, and the wind is still cold.
Winnie
Surrounded by hay that she doesn’t like much, it’s difficult to tell her condition under the fleece, it’ll be another month before it comes off, she could be a little underweight. No sign of the rug being made from last year’s wool, they did say it would be a year. Finished laying the soaker hoses in the hedges, need more connectors to use the same water supply hose for all of them. A sunny, cloudy, day with a chilly wind.
Digby
Chewing the cud in the sunshine, Digby is sitting by the logs in the middle of the small paddock, the rest of the flock are sitting round the edge by the fence. William has had his second injection for stomach ulcers, he’ll have the last one next week. Collected some grids for the only paddock entrance that doesn’t have them, and a dismantled wood store. A bright sunny day with light winds.
Digby
Watching Jessie and Mackerel through the fence, this patch of grass by the oak tree and wood pile is prime ground for mouse hunting, visited frequently by the cats and the sparrowhawk. Digby’s horns curl inwards so need trimming regularly, a hacksaw does the job! The sheep spent the day in the Small Paddock, returning to Fallen Oak for the night. Cycle ride from Pamphill to The Anchor for coffee and chocolates, a misty start to a mild, cloudy day.
Ivy and Jago
The sheep have moved into Fallen Oak for a while so the donkeys can walk down the Avenue into Laneside, have a run around, and browse the Hazel in the hedgerow, they are starting to relax, William keeps checking everything is where it should be. Ivy’s teeth look more prominent than ever, they came over to see if I had any treats, which I didn’t! The Sparrowhawk spent most of the day hovering beside the hedgerow, not sure it caught anything. A rainy start to a cloudy day with a brisk, cool, wind.
Sheep
Taking it in turns to be king of the castle, Jago has settled on one of the slabs making it difficult for the others to run along them all. Visited William and Toby in the equine hospital, William’s tummy impaction has all but cleared and his cut has healed so they should be home early next week, the Donkey Sanctuary has transport standing by. William has been allowed to eat a handful of grass and they both may be allowed out into a small paddock for some exercise tomorrow. A wet start to a cool cloudy day.
Ouessant Sheep Society
This month’s banner on their Facebook site is one of my photos, Walter, Digby and Elton, posing when the grass was greener and lusher. A bit of a traumatic day yesterday with William spending a long time being treated by the vet, and then transported in a Donkey Sanctuary ambulance, with Toby, to an equine hospital with an impacted colon. That’s resolved itself, but following a gastroscopy he does have a bolus filling a third of his stomach that needs dissolving, and an ulcer. Hopefully the cut at the top of his leg will be healing. A cool, cloudy, windy, day
Nola
007 having a nice day in the paddock with a supplement of hay to eat, the younger sheep in the flock are always more interested in the hay and Nola usually hangs back so there can’t be much sweetness in the grass. Planted a white Viburnum in the garden to fill a gap in the border and put a trowel full of worm casts in the bottom of each tomato pot. William’s Cut is healing OK, may let him out onto the straw today. A cloudy day with a chilly wind.
Walter
The sheep have moved into the Square Paddock where the grass is longer, it’s been fallow for weeks so is well rested. The donkeys have followed on from the sheep and are grazing half of Willow, once they’ve been in there a week they can move into the other half and the grass can be topped to remove any remaining seed heads, ready for the new Spring growth to take over. A sunny warm day with light winds.
William
He’s absolutely fine after a rather traumatic day – spooked by efforts to catch Winnie, who’d escaped the sheep pen, he tried to jump the hurdles at the top of the Avenue. He’s not a good jumper and didn’t quite make it, but with some momentum and considerable body weight he ended up on his back, four hooves in the air and looking rather surprised, so he just rolled over and stood up! Once Winnie was secured in the sheep pen William was able to walk down the Avenue and into Willow paddock, a graze at the top of his leg stopped bleeding quite quickly and the vet was able to have a look and dose the area with antiseptic spray. A not very relaxing sunny, warm, day with light winds.
Silver Birch
William and Toby like eating the bark, their teeth make a rasping noise as they bite the logs, if it’s a really tasty piece they’ll eat all the way through to the centre. Moved hurdles to the corner of the small paddock ready for the vet’s visit, now the weathers warmer the sheep need Clik solution applied to their fleece to avoid fly-strike, it’ll be another month before they’re sheared. A sunny warm day with light winds.
Digby
The sheep are making the most of the lush grass at the back of the stable, they graze in there for an hour late afternoon before returning to the small paddock for the night. Digby came over to see if any treats were available, he’d already had hay and a handful of a country mix that looks like muesli, his fleece is thick and soft, still waiting to get the rug made from last year’s fleeces, hope it arrives soon. A warm sunny day with light winds.
Sheep Shed
The old potting shed with a new opening for the sheep, have also removed a panel in the back wall to increase ventilation, it’s certainly cooler inside. The rubber mats are hanging on the fence to get rid of the smell, it’s taking a while. The spring has stopped running and the paddocks have dried out in the last couple of days so the donkeys were able to go out for a few hours. True to form, William stopped and ate the first clump of grass and Toby had a run round. A warm sunny day with light winds.
Sheep
Exploring the fallen oak, it’s always hurdled off to stop them chewing at the bark, but the grass does need eating occasionally. They have run of all the paddocks, apart from the Square, which has been fallow for a while, they’ll move in there once the spring has stopped running and the ground has dried out. The donkeys watch them with envy from their stable block. A cloudy start to a lovely sunny day.
Ivy
Showing off a good set of bottom teeth, not sure they should be as pronounced as this, probably just her age, she’s nine this year and the matriarch along with Winnie. No problem with eating, fortunately, and sits and chews the cud with the rest of the flock. Bookings are open for the shearer, it was done the middle of May last year so will go for the same time again, they’ll be pleased to get rid of the weight by then. A cloudy day with strong winds.
Sheep
Always curious about what’s appeared in their paddock, the sheep like to taste everything, so the wheelbarrow and the slabs inside were of great interest, they’re now in the gateway. Laid a few more grids for the pathway and turned the rubber mats over by the sheep shelter. A sunny start to a day that ended with torrential rain.
Rubber Mats
Left in the driveway, would have been better in the paddock entrance, so put them in the car and took them as far as the gate into the Square paddock, didn’t want to take the car in and get stuck as the ground is still a bit boggy. They’re now unwrapped and lying outside the sheep shelter to lose the smell of rubber before going inside on top of the plastic grids, the combination should make a durable, mud-free floor. A cloudy, sunny day with a cold wind.
Sheep
Heads down and grazing in Willow, apart from Pixie who is looking to see if any treats are available, we will collect a load of apple branches today so they can have a few of those. Let the donkeys out into Willow for a run, the ground has dried out enough, have put a couple of slabs in the bottom gateway where the sheep have started digging a hole. The rooks have started nesting, carrying bits of twig out of the paddocks although they’re not roosting in any of our trees. A cloudy sunny day with light winds.
No Worms
The nil sheep worm count was a pleasant surprise, all the poo picking and paddock rotation has paid dividends, so no treatment required this year. Let them onto the small patch of fresh grass behind the stable for an hour, any longer will give them runny tummies. Pixie still thinks the grass is greener on the other side! The paddocks are still very wet so the donkeys stayed up by the stable, they had a new branch to nibble. A cloudy day with a spell of warm sunshine.
Sheep
Making their way down to Laneside, Walter is in front and just walking through a gateway, there was a lot of heavy rain overnight so the paddocks are puddling up. Need to collect poo samples for a worm count, hopefully the burden will be low and they won’t need dosing. The donkeys will have to spend the day by their stable block as the ground is so soft. A cloudy day with light winds and rain later.
Sheep
A lovely day for the sheep to be out and about, they moved down to Laneside so that the donkeys could run around in Willow. The Ash trees are budding and so are the Willow rods, a few have been planted in this hedgerow to fill in the gaps between the trees already there. Sorted the tools and moved them from the greenhouse to the shed. A cold, sunny, day with a brisk wind.
Bianca
Leading the flock out of Laneside, through Fallen Oak and into Willow. The grass is thinning out and needs some sunshine to start growing, collected a bale of hay for the sheep, and three bales of straw for the donkeys. Too windy for cycling so had to settle for a pub lunch instead. A cool, cloudy, windy day with the sun trying to break through occasionally.
Apple Twig
William and Toby like to compete for apple twigs, these were cut a couple of months ago and are still a tasty bark-stripping treat, they sheltered in their stable most of the day, which is unusual, the wind getting stronger as the day wore on. The sheep roamed around the paddock grazing as usual, ending up in two clumps in the shelter of the hedge. A cloudy day with rain showers and strong winds.
Walter
Leading the rest of the flock from the Square through Laneside and Willow into the Small Paddock for the night. Cut branches from the hedge for them to eat tomorrow. The paddocks are still very wet so the donkeys didn’t go out. A cloudy day with more heavy rain later and strong, gusty winds
Primrose
Flowering in the front rose bed, the snowdrops are still out but there’s no sign of the daffodils. Moved the sheep from the Square where the spring is making the ground very wet, they’re back in the Small Paddock which is much dryer. A cloudy, wet day with strong winds.
Sheep
Moved into the Square for a few weeks to let the other paddocks rest, there’s more grass and they’ll probably have access to the Avenue during the day, Jago and Elton investigated the hay in the rack before it was put up in the shelter. Laid a few more mud mats and a load of compost. Started filling the gaps in the front hedge with the nibbled donkey sticks, it’ll take a while to make a difference and stop passing dogs from running in to the garden. A cloudy start to a cold, sunny day.
Oops
Donkeys and sheep meeting in the same paddock, the sheep were curious, especially Walter, and the donkeys happy to be in close contact. The sheep wandered through into their own paddock after a few minutes. Laid a few more mud mats and sorted a woodpile, coming to the end of this year’s logs, will have to cut more in the summer. A cloudy, cold, day with light winds.
Elton
Trying out the high point in the Square, the sheep have gone off eating their hay since grazing a paddock with more grass, and aren’t interested in the silver birch branches, will have to cut them some hazel from the lane. The donkeys wandered about all day in Willow. Snowdrops and Primroses are in flower and the Magnolia is getting ready to burst into life. A day of sunshine and showers with light winds.
Square Paddock
The grass in the other paddocks needed a rest so the sheep spent the day in the Square, which hasn’t been grazed for a few months, fenced off the Hazel and Willow so they didn’t get eaten. The sheep all had a good run around on the return journey back to the Small Paddock for the night. There’s enough grass in Willow for the donkeys so they spent the day grazing the hedgerow. Laid a few more mud mats. A sunny, cloudy, cool day with light winds.
Jago
Still looking cute and smaller than the rest, even Elton who was born around the same time is much bigger, or maybe it’s just the fleece? Will find out in the summer. Sawed wood, moved compost and found a few more carrots in the raised bed. Wound up the tape for the electric fence and left some of the poles to create a slalom walk for the donkeys ready for the next time they’re groomed. A cold, cloudy day with strengthening winds.
Sheep
All walking through the gates on their way up to their night shelter, their fleeces offer such good insulation that the frost sits on their backs until it melts in the sun. Moved compost from the heap to one of the raised beds, the level has dropped by half so it’ll take a few barrow loads to top them all up. The only thing left growing is the Cavolo Nero, which is doing quite well despite being eaten by caterpillars earlier in the year. A cold cloudy day with late sunshine.
Sunset
Sheep in the Small Paddock for the night, they passed the donkeys on their way up and Walter touched noses with Toby before having a chew on the ‘not switched on’ electric fence. It’ll be a bit of a shock for them when the battery’s connected! Moved the fence a little to give the donkeys more room. A cold cloudy day with lots of colour in the sky at sunset.
Sheep
Most of them like to grab hay from the bucket, Nola is the one that stands back and waits until everyone else has eaten and they all like to be hand fed. They spent the day in Laneside before coming back to the Small Paddock for the night. The donkeys had been in Willow, the electric fence stopping them from churning up all of it as they ran around, pleased to be out on grass. A cloudy, cold, day with light winds.
Sheep Shelter
The hay racks are hanging on a couple of hurdles in the shelter extension which gives the sheep more room when they’re feeding. The grass in the small paddock is still long and the sheep love running up and down the mound. Cut branches for them from the hedgerow, Walter was more interested in licking the loppers. Laid a few more mud mats and finished fixing the bench to the wall in the shed. A cloudy cold day with light winds.
Small Paddock
The sheep have moved from Willow into Small to give the grass a chance to recover, the extended shelter has room for the hay feeders and the rising spring doesn’t affect this paddock as much as the others. The Ash trees look ok at the moment, have planted a few willow rods along this stretch of hedge to replace them if they show signs of die-back. A frosty start to a sunny day.
Salt Lick
The first thing the sheep do when they’ve lost interest in their new branches is to go over to use the salt lick, the amount in the tub is a lot less than a few weeks ago, the winter grass must have less minerals. The tub is light enough for Walter to pick up and move around, his fleece is getting very long, your fingers can get lost in it! Booked a slot at Pocket House Studio for wool rug making next year, looking forward to receiving this year’s rug soon, A frosty start to a cold, sunny, day with light winds.
Bianca
Making the most of fresh hazel branches from the hedgerow, the sun was going down when I cut them, and the sheep and donkeys knew exactly what was happening at the end of the paddock and were all keen to have their share. Saw the heron sitting on top of the oak tree. A cold, bright, sunny day ending with a panoramic flame red sunset.
Winnie
Eating the hay that’s been pulled out of the bucket and left on the ground by the rest of the sheep who are all heading off looking for richer pickings elsewhere. Cut half a dozen branches from Laneside hedge for the sheep, the donkeys will have them tomorrow after the catkins and smaller twigs have been eaten. Collected four bales of straw. A wet, cloudy, day with light winds.
Sheep
Grazing Laneside and liking a branch cut from a part of the hedgerow that had fallen over, it’s root completely rotten, wasn’t sure they’d like it, will cut logs from the trunk. This part of the hedgerow was laid a long time ago and I think the rest will fall within the next year and need replacing. A clear, frosty, start to the day before the temperature rose and wintry showers and heavy rain moved in on a brisk wind.
Ivy
Took more than a mouthful of hay and moved away from the rest of the flock, the younger ones like to stay with their heads in the bucket, only moving when pushed aside by one of the others. The grinding, chewing, chomping noise from nine sheep is nice to listen to for ten minutes or so. They all escaped into the small paddock when the gate snagged on a large tussock of grass, they spent an hour eating fresh grass before returning to their arcs for the night. A cloudy, mild, day with heavy showers and light winds.
Pixie
Always enjoys the grass in Laneside or Fallen Oak with the rest of the flock before returning to the arcs at dusk. Toby brayed with excitement when he had his vitamins, it was later than usual and followed by a handful of dried nettles. A delivery of wood and stirling board will help finish the sheep shelter extension. Pleased to say the days are getting longer, not long before seeds will be sown, a drizzly cloudy mild day with a strong breeze.
Sheep
All liking the hay, they ran up to the bucket and round the field, jumping and twisting when what was left was taken to the hay rack in their shelter, it’ll all be gone by the morning. Walter likes picking the bits off the others heads. This was a brief respite from the wind and rain, the paddocks are very wet so the donkeys had to stay up at the stable, a new branch kept them amused, their coats too wet to be groomed. A wet end to a wet day.
Sheep
Waiting to go back into Willow for the night, Walter, Elton and Ivy leading the flock. The hurdles fencing off the area of paddock under the oak tree were opened to let them graze fresh, long grass, hardly any acorns this year so no need to pick them up. Cleared the area at the back of the stable ready for the new shed and garden room which are scheduled to arrive tomorrow, will have to let the donkeys out early. A cloudy day with a cold breeze.
Sheep Shelter
Already in use although not finished, the sheep don’t mind as long as the hay feeders are at the correct height, it has a tarpaulin roof that needs more support, the planks just need to be fixed in place. The sides will be finished with stirling board to keep out the worst of the rain and I may put a perspex panel at the far end, instead of boarding, to let in the light. Gave the sheep a run through to the Square, the donkeys joined in over the fence in The Avenue. A cloudy day with a cold wind.
Sheep
Ivy showing off a fine set of teeth, all the sheep were out and about, skipping and jumping when the donkeys ran into Fallen Oak, the paddocks could do with a few more paving slabs for the animals to stand on when the ground is wet. Made more holes are ready for the willow rods to be planted,they fill with water immediately so the spring is still running. Cut a few more apple tops. A cloudy, mild, day
Sheep
Winnie, Ivy, and Elton, with Jago inspecting the loppers. All very different in features and colour; they move together as a flock, especially when they think something edible is about to arrive. Willow and a beech branch were their tasty treat, freshly cut from the hedgerow, in a couple of days the donkeys will benefit from what they haven’t eaten. The paddock was too wet to let the donkeys out, maybe tomorrow. A showery day with light winds.
Field Maple
Cut from the Laneside hedge, and being nibbled by Elton, whose horns are getting bigger; the sheep spent a few hours eating the fresh grass before returning to their arcs in Willow. The spring trickling down the Avenue from the paddock entrance is losing its strength, could plant a few willows at the bottom of the Square paddock to help dry out the ground. Topped up the soil round the young palm tree with compost from the heap. A drizzly day with light winds.
Run Around
Jago and Elton inspected the upturned arc and then ran round and round, stopping to head butt each other occasionally. Heavy rain overnight, Willow paddock isn’t too soggy but the Avenue has a puddle where the donkeys roll over, and the spring has surfaced again. finished planting the Poplar rods then lunch at The Crown Hotel in Blandford. A showery, cold, day.
Black Sheep
Walter nibbling Digby with Elton standing by, there’s usually a bit of stray hay hanging around on their fleece so a bit of grooming helps keep things neat and tidy. Did more work on the sheep shelter, discovered some useful cladding planks at the bottom of the log pile, the flock came over to watch, not bothered by all the hammering. A frosty start to the day, a layer of ice stayed on the drinking troughs all day despite the occasional sunny spell. Dry, cloudy and breezy.
Sheep Q
Waiting to be let through the gate into Willow paddock, Walter, Elton and Digby are at the front with Jago just behind and Pixie and Bianca standing to the side. Pixie is turning into a barrel-shaped sheep with a fat tummy and a thick fleece, they all had a run round before settling down for the night. Dodged the showers when mucking out, cut more apple tops and lunch at The Baker Arms. A cold, cloudy, day with strengthening winds.
Pixie
Looking to see if there’s anything edible in the wheelbarrow, building sheep shelter Mk 5 is underway and all the sheep are very curious. Elton and Jago picked up bailer twine, nails and cable ties for a taste and then stood in the nail tin, fortunately without knocking it over. Had to shut the hurdle entrance to keep them out of the way as hammering didn’t scare them away. Most of the sidewalls are in place, need to think about the roof assembly. A bright, sunny, frosty, start to a cloudy day.
Winter Jasmine
In full flower on a north-east facing wall, with very little soil, occasionally watered and fed with a mulch of compost, hopefully it will flower until the Spring. Herded the sheep and called the donkeys in from the paddock in the dark, Toby was ready for his vitamins and brayed as he walked onto the yard. Poo picking will have to wait until tomorrow. A misty start to a drizzly mild day.
Nola
Has had her head in the salt lick or she’s turning ginger on top! It’s very noticeable against the rest of her creamy – coloured fleece. The sheep spent the day in Willow before returning to their arcs in Fallen Oak for the night, a bucketful of hay was available but they didn’t seem that hungry, it’s warm enough for the grass to still be growing. The leaves of the Hazel hedge have turned orange and most of the Beech leaves have fallen, could be time for more hedge laying. A cloudy mild day with light winds.
William and Digby
Making contact through the gate to the Avenue, the sheep had spent the morning wandering round from the square paddock. Their hooves are pushing the sand down into the mud mats, so scattered more gravel to fill the holes, will add sand later to form the top layer. Moved the sheep arcs into Fallen Oak and let the donkeys into the Square. The woodpecker spent a few minutes pecking at the lawn. A mild, cloudy day with light winds.
Jago
He’s growing a beard as well as longer horns. The paving slab had warmed in the sun, it didn’t seem to matter that it wasn’t as comfortable to sit on as the softer ground of the paddock. Overnight rain has made the Avenue puddly, so the donkeys coats have a covering of mud. The mud mat steps are holding up well, need a few more to finish the job. A showery breezy day with late sunshine.
Elton
Sitting in the morning sun, it was a misty start to the day with no frost, and the sheep were up and about early. Fieldfares landed in the paddock and stayed for a while before flying west. The crows are noisy, sitting in the tops of the ash trees and calling to each other; the rookery is in the field across the lane near the pond and late afternoon they swoop and fly in a noisy murmaration. The donkeys spent the day in Laneside, grazing the hedge. A warm and sunny Autumn day with light winds
Sheep
All sitting in the morning sun chewing the cud, there’s still lots of grass for them to eat so when the hay bucket comes out they don’t all rush forward, the young ones keener than the matriarchs, Winnie and Ivy. Picked the last of the Bramley’s, there aren’t as many as last year, and a couple of bags of apple tops to dry for winter forage. Still need to pick the Darcy Spice and the Sloes. Lunch at The Baker Arms followed by several rounds of Mahjong. A sunny warm day with a cool breeze.
Shed
The sheep are curious when the first part of the dismantled shed arrives in their paddock, their new shelter has plastic roof panels which will make poo picking easier. As the other panels and various power tools arrived the sheep were shut in a smaller enclosure until the donkeys wandered up from Laneside late afternoon, and then they were let in there for a couple of hours until dark. A frosty start to a gloriously sunny day.
Resting
The donkeys are confined to their straw area until the paddock dries out, and because it’s been raining so hard they’ve been spending more time in their stable at night and eating more straw. A hazel branch or thistles every day makes their diet more interesting. The sheep grazed Laneside before returning to the Square paddock at dusk. A cloudy cool day with light winds.
‘Hug a Sheep’ Day
Jago getting the lions share of hugs with Walter, Digby and Elton waiting their turn. They’re all a bit tubby after a summer spent eating grass, and their fleeces feel thick already, shearing is in late May or early June so they’re going to feel a bit hot by then. More torrential rain overnight has flooded the fields in the vale and the newly installed gates have closed the road to Hammoon. Water is pouring out of the pipe at the bottom of the paddock and into the ditch. A sunny windy day with hail showers
Fencing
Dismantled In Laneside paddock, the donkeys have access to the grass up to the line of hurdles that protect them from the oak leaves and acorns. The posts and tape are now in the workshop for the winter, Digby and Elton had a nibble of the posts and the donkeys enjoyed the fresh grass. Collected four straw bales. A cloudy warm day with light winds and the occasional shower.
Sheep
Grazing in a row; Elton, Digby and Walter, there’s still lots of grass for them to eat, although the sugar content will have dropped. Their fleeces are growing and the wool is starting to hang down around their legs, ready for the winter. Made a few modifications to the sheep shelter in Laneside, the tarpaulin roof had collected rainwater so needed some support. A sunny, warm day with light winds.
Sheep
Running back to their shelters in the Fallen Oak paddock at the end of the day, shadows long as sunset approaches. Torrential rain overnight filled the vale with water and made the Avenue a bit muddy. The donkeys found the gate to the Fallen Oak paddock open so took full advantage of a different outlook, fresh grass and a hedgerow full of berries. A bright sunny day with a chilly wind and bright orange sky at sunset.
Jago
Growing up, he’s looking a bit tubby, as are all the sheep, and he’s growing whiskers on his neck, may have to confine them all to the Fallen Oak paddock where the grass is shorter. Toby in the paddock behind the fence had been over for a nose rub, William hadn’t quite got that close. Emptied a couple more barrowloads of sand on the mudmats, the gradient at the edges is significant so may fill it with rubble and then a concrete mix so the mats don’t slide sideways. Another sunny warm day.
Delivery
Sand for the mud mats, stirling board and gravel boards for the sheep shelters. Fixed a board to one side of the shelter in Laneside, the other side needs a section cutting out for the sheep to pass through, they prefer using a side entrance rather than the opening at the front. The donkeys weren’t bothered by a bit of noisy hammering and the sheep just wanted to see what was going on and be back in their shelter. A foggy start to a sunny, warm day.
Jago and Elton
Not quite a headbutt, but Elton is trying to teach Jago what to do, not sure Jago will ever get the hang of the process – three paces back, on your hind legs and then CHARGE! Gentle rubbing of foreheads will have to do. Jago may be bottom of the pecking order but he’s first in line running for a willow branch. A misty start to a cooler day that ended with a lovely sunset, some of the leaves on the trees are starting to develop Autumn colours, they may stay green for a few weeks yet.
Elton
Loves to be scratched under his chin and down his neck, he’ll stand still for ten minutes or more, the wool on his head feels like velvet. Jago’s horns are growing back and his legs are getting longer, he’s definitely part of the flock, now. Adjusted the gate to give a little more clearance over the mud mats and collected four straw bales from the farm down the road. A sunny warm day.
Sunshine
The sun is rising later so the shadows are long well into the morning, it’s still warm but the wind is chilly. Lunch at The Baker Arms. Cut hawthorn for the donkeys and some soggy blackberries for the sheep and moved their arcs to a fresh patch of grass in Fallen Oak. A sunny day with strengthening winds.
Whoops!
The donkeys and sheep have never shared the same paddock, until yesterday when I let William and Toby into Laneside. The sheep were all in the shelter so I didn’t see them until Pixie came out to touch noses with William, and then the rest of the flock followed. William wandered off and both donkeys did a few roll-overs and a bit of running around before settling down to graze. Managed to herd the sheep through the gate into Fallen Oak without the donkeys getting through so it all worked out ok. A cool, sunny, windy, cloudy day with a few sharp showers.
Deluge
Ivy and Elton sheltering from the rain which was a constant downpour all day, the sheep eventually came out of their arcs to graze, although Elton can feed from Ivy anytime he likes. The entrance to the avenue is full of puddles so it’d be a good time to start laying the mud mats. The fish pond is full of clear water and the water butts are overflowing. The rain stopped at dusk and the sky cleared to reveal a pale pink sunset.
Flock
All nine grazing happily, Pixie thinks there may be treats available, she wandered off when none was forthcoming. Cut the hedges and started emptying the shed ready for dismantling and delivery of the new one next month, would be good if it could be reassembled in the square paddock and used as a sheep shelter. The big willow tree is browning off at the top, it lost a few twiggy bits in the wind so the donkeys and sheep enjoyed eating those. A cool blustery day with the occasional sunny spell.
Jago
Has had his feet trimmed, Walter and the others came close to see what was going on, his horns are re-growing ok. Managed to do Walter and Digby as well before a random kick drew blood! Moved the electric fence to give the donkeys more of the hedge to forage, they’ve nearly reached the area of paddock that has acorns, so will have to check the ground before letting them in to graze. A warm sunny, humid day with a bright orange sunset.
Willow
The sheep and their arcs have roamed into a different paddock, they started grazing immediately, heads down and munching, they come running when the willow branches are pulled down within their reach. Trimmed the nettles along the fence so that the donkeys can work their way down a new piece of hedgerow, enjoying the blackberries as they progress. Picked mange tout and courgettes. A lovely deep pink sunset at the end of a sunny cloudy day.
Mineral Lick
Digby getting his daily dose of minerals, donkeys and sheep both choose when to have a lick, they combine the minerals with a drink from the water trough to give themselves the correct balance. The donkeys have to walk up to their stable to get their lick, and the walk uphill helps to control their weight. The sheep usually find theirs close to the arcs, the block may need to be relocated as they’re starting to look a little tubby. A warm sunny day with light winds, the balloons were out early and drifting across the vale.
Meeting
Toby and the lambs made contact through the fence, they like to touch noses at some point during the day, Elton had a tug at Toby’s fringe as sheep like to chew everything, William wandered over to see what was going on but didn’t get as close. Started building a sheep shelter in Willow paddock, time the sheep moved out of Fallen Oak. A sunny cloudy day with the odd shower but not enough rain for the vegetables, so more watering, picked runner beans, mange tout and courgettes.
Courgettes
Three plants growing on top of the compost heap, the poo/grass combination is more than a year old and still generating a bit of heat so they need regular watering. As always the courgettes come all at once or not at all, and the flowers are usually chewed by the snails. Rained this morning, but not enough to water the runner beans or top up the fish pond. William is still eating the blackberries in the hedgerow, no need for the fly masks today as much cooler and fresher. Time to move the sheep into another paddock as Fallen Oak is looking patchy. A cool, mizzly, day.
Jago
Squeezed in behind Elton, up against the fence, with Ivy keeping an eye on what’s happening behind her, just in case…. Elton’s injection site on his neck has been a bit swollen but it’s calmed down after a few doses of antiseptic purple spray. Jago still hasn’t got the hang of head butting, Walter and the rest of the flock make a few half hearted attempts to get a contest going but soon give up. Watered the hedge and the vegetables, the ground is very dry and the water butts nearly empty. A hazy start to a very hot day with light winds.
Sunset
A very misty start to a humid day, with no wind, the sun took a few hours to break through and then the temperature rose steadily until falling again at sunset. The donkeys came up from the paddock for salt lick and water several times and the sheep lay against the fence, panting in the sun, despite various areas of shade being available. Watered the vegetables and the hedge, picked mange-tout, runner beans, courgettes and most of the tomatoes.
Willow
The tree next to the fallen oak paddock is out of reach for the sheep, so a branch has to be pulled down for them to eat, Elton gained extra height by jumping on top of Bianca and they all had their share before wandering off to graze. The donkeys were pleased to see us back from a few days away, wandering up the avenue to say hello, they recognised the sound of the car so were watching the house from the paddock. A cloudy day with light winds.
Donkeys
Enjoying their vitamins at the end of the day. The hedgerow is looking neater in laneside paddock where the donkeys have grazed the Hazel, Beech and Hawthorn, as a result they’re eating less straw in the morning and overnight. The sheep are eating as much as they like and still not making much impact on the grass so there should be lots left for winter. The balloons were up and drifting across the vale in the morning mist, a cool, cloudy day with a lovely sunset.
Ivy and Elton
Always curious, Elton inspected the hedge trimmer and Ivy had a good look at the box of cable ties. Needed to move the stock netting higher on a couple of the gates to stop the bottom squares dragging on the ground. Cut the brambles away from the hedge to stop them rooting in the paddock. Topped up the raised bed from the compost heap and picked runner beans, tomatoes, courgettes and carrots. A cool start to sunny day.
Resting
Nola and Bianca chewing the cud, they like to lie close to each other and always up against a fence or one of their arcs. The sheep have been moving between Laneside and the Fallen Oak paddock, there’s still lots of grass in both. The sound of haymaking and cutting grass for silage has lessened, most of the harvest is cut and stored ready for winter and the remaining fields have cows grazing. A cool and cloudy day with late sunshine and a glorious sunset.
Sheep
Running up from the bottom paddock towards the stable, they love new places to graze, and quite happily run back to their arcs later in the day to spend the night. Willow paddock needs a permanent shelter so materials are being gathered, will buy sterling board to line the sides and gravel boards to hold down the tarpaulin roof, it’ll be at the back of the shelter in the small paddock so will provide more shade in there as well. A cool start to a sunny day, warm in the sunshine.
Onions
In the raised bed, the soil level has dropped by six inches in just a few months as the compost continues to rot down, the onions have done well to stay well rooted and not go to seed. The tomatoes in the pots outside have been affected by blight and consigned to the compost heap, the plants in the greenhouse are ok so far. Moved the arcs into fallen oak paddock, the sheep followed, they’re always excited to run through a gate onto fresh grass, Willow will be rested for a while. A cool start to a windy and warm day with a pale pink sunset.
Jago
Chewing the cud by the fence and ready to rejoin the rest of the flock in willow paddock. Once the gate was opened he needed a bit of encouragement to roam around, and then matriarch Winnie gave him an occasional head butt to remind him of the pecking order. They ended the day grazing together and will hopefully settle down for a quiet night chewing the cud in their arcs. Picked apples, tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, runner beans, carrots and courgettes. A cloudy start to a sunny and warm day.
Vet Visit
A busy day for the sheep, Digby had his horns shortened by an inch or so as the points were starting to get too near his neck, Ivy had a swelling at the sight of a previous injection which needed checking, and a dose of purple spray. Elton needed his annual booster vaccination against pneumonia, and young Jago was castrated. Getting the right sheep in the right pen at the right time was a bit of a challenge, Jago was easiest as he quite likes being picked up. A handful of treats for all of them after the vet had left. A sunny day with light winds.
Milk
Ivy has been separated from her lamb for a few days and looked to have a lot of milk so she was reunited with Digby, he practically upended her in his enthusiasm to suckle but he was happy to return to the adjacent paddock and keep Jago company later in the day. May have to repeat the process later in the week. Picked tomatoes and runner beans. A day of heavy showers and blustery winds.
Sheep
Tucking in to a beech branch, they’ll eat all the leaves and strip some of the bark, the donkeys will finish eating the rest. Lots of grasses growing in the paddocks although the donkeys don’t seem to like the laneside grass very much. Poppy is improving, eating a lot more and interested in what’s going on, her fur is a bit of a mess after several random clippings. A sunny windy day with a few heavy showers.
Jago
Is now separated from the ewes, he spent the day with the flock and during the end of day play session he mounted Ivy a couple of times, which was a bit of a surprise! It’s likely that Jago was asserting his authority as he’s still too young to be a proper ram, but taking no chances the vet will castrate him next week. It’s tempting to let him be the dad of the year but birthing at Christmas is not a good idea. Picked mange tout and courgettes, a day of torrential short-lived rain showers and hot sunshine.
Grooming
Toby getting his teeth into William’s back, just to show he cares, or maybe to floss his teeth, William is doing the same to him and it’s become a daily occurrence, like rollovers. Jago is settling into the flock, Walter and Digby have spent time with him today, there’s a lot of bleating when they think there are treats available. Picked tomatoes and cucumbers and cut off the numerous runners on the strawberry plants, the ones in pots are rooting. A cool day with heavy showers and a brisk wind.
Walter and Jago
They have been looking at each other through the fence and today ended up in the same paddock with Ivy and Elton. After a bit of chasing around they decided to become friends for a few minutes! Walter returned to the rest of the flock after an hour and Jago settled down a few yards from Ivy to chew the cud. Did try Pixie in with Jago but the noise of her bleating was just too much so she went back in with the rest. Put up an electric fence to give the donkeys more grass, in a week or two they should be able to graze the hedgerow. A cool day with strong winds and heavy showers.
Sunset
Balloons would have drifted across the vale tonight, but the wind rose mid afternoon and the forecast is for even stronger winds overnight. Jago is coming to terms with his new flock, he chews the cud a yard or so away from Ivy and Elton, and although Ivy butts him he’s able to run away and keep a yard or so ahead of her so she soon loses interest. The heavy rain has flattened a lot of the taller grasses in the paddocks. Picked a few mange tout, runner beans and tomatoes. Chilly start to the day, warm in the sun.
Jago
Resting in the crate after his journey from Bodmin, it was a noisy few hours and he drew attention to himself at the coffee stop. Born on April 1st and bottle fed from three weeks old when his mother died, he’s a friendly little ram with broken horns. Light enough to carry into the paddock, the matriarchs in the flock wanted to show him who was boss, decided to separate them and he’ll spend the night with just Pixie and Elton, who are further down the pecking order. Picked tomatoes. A day of heavy showers and a brisk wind, feels colder in the mornings.
Close
William and Bianca communicating through the hurdles that separate their paddocks, they each lower their heads to the ground and William snuffles quietly. Lovely cycle from Child Okeford to Sturminster Newton and Shillingstone, tasty lunch at The Baker Arms. Seventeen miles in 27* is challenging but the route was relatively flat for North Dorset! Arranged sticks around the new pea plants, tied up the wayward runner beans, watered everything, picked tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce and mange tout. A very hot day, cooler at dusk, promise of thunderstorms tomorrow night.
Sheep Shelter
Mark IV, with one more shade-providing sides added, the tarpaulin roof withstood the last rains but developed a droop in places so will need supporting from inside to make sure the water drains away from the centre, it returned to normal after a few hot sunny days. Feeding the fish every couple of hours, they are very hungry, the water lilies are pushing up the heron proof netting, must donate some to another pond. The tractors are up and down the lane late into the night bringing in the hay. A hot, humid day with light winds.
Pixie
Feeling hot although her fleece isn’t that thick, Pixie sits by the fence in the sun and pants, if she moved a few yards she could lie in the shade of the willow tree, but for some reason that doesn’t suit! The wool on her face is really soft and smooth and often has brown patches from sticking her nose in the salt lick tub. Picked a tick off my arm, that’s the third this summer so must be lots of them in the paddocks, one result of letting the grass grow longer. A very hot day with light winds.
Ivy And Elton
Exploring the small paddock before joining the rest of the flock, Elton is nearly as tall as his grey fleeced Mother. The ash trees are still looking ok, will let standard trees grow out of the hedge, probably field maple and beech, just in case they need replacing. A piece of paneling has come off the side of the shelter, will replace it with another one. Picked blackcurrants, redcurrants and rhubarb. A warm sunny day with light winds.
Sheep Shelter
Work in progress in laneside paddock, the new Mk IV shelter will be big enough for all eight sheep. They all came over to have a look, Walter was especially inquisitive and walked on the bag containing the tarpaulin for the roof before nibbling the end, he also tasted the pallets; need to order more nails and lining boards to finish the job. Torrential rain overnight, a cool day with light winds.
Sheep
All eight enjoying the fresh beech leaves, the paddock still has lots of grass, and it’s growing quickly in the warm and wet weather. Clouds of Meadow Brown and Skipper butterflies are flying around and a White Admiral appears as the sun warms the grasses. A lot of rain overnight, water butts overflowing so no need to water the hedge. Picked cucumbers and sowed cut and come again lettuce seeds and the last of the mange tout peas. Tomatoes are getting bigger, feeding them twice a week. A cloudy day with light winds.
Formation Caterpillars
Each eating their own section of leaf the rose sawfly slugworms appear between June and October, hopefully the local finches and sparrows will keep them under control. Moved the sheep and their arcs to the fallen oak paddock to let willow lie fallow for a few weeks. Went down the lane to cut some beech branches for them and the donkeys, the hedge has grown really well since being laid a couple of years ago and is now wide, tall and bushy – more than enough year round fodder for the animals. A sunny warm day with light winds.
Ivy
In the foreground, head down and grazing happily with the rest of the flock, her fleece looks grey compared with the black sheep. The paddock is being divided by their trot tracks which is helping with poo picking, finding smartie size poo in the long grass is tricky. Strawberries are over, picked raspberries, mange tout and cucumbers, tomatoes have reached the top of the greenhouse. A sunny day with a cool wind.
Windy
William and Toby spent some time chasing each other around the straw, bucking and then biting each other, they’re heavy enough to push each other over, they both had a good try. A day of heavy squally showers that blew through quickly on the gale force winds, all the animals took cover from the rain, the donkeys returning to their stable and the sheep to their wooden sheep shelter. Painted a bench in the workshop, the rain hammering on the roof. A calmer end to the day with high cloud and a pale pink sunset.
Catmint
Poppy enjoying the scent and taste after standing on the pot and crushing the leaves, fortunately deer don’t like it so if the cats don’t destroy it the plant should survive. Started a new sheep shelter in laneside, the first arrangement of pallets isn’t quite right so will have to modify. The sheep spent all day in the same paddock and settled in the arcs together when it rained. Picked raspberries, strawberries and blackcurrants. A cool day with sunshine and showers.
Toby Yawning
A sleepy start to the day, the donkeys settled down on the straw and dozed off. Scratching and stroking woke them up a little but they weren’t interested in their breakfast. The swallows were in and out of the stable all the time, disturbed by mucking out and replenishing of water. The sheep spent the day together in laneside paddock, separating them for the night was challenging, would be good if they all came when they were called! A sunny day, very hot when the mist cleared. Rhubarb crumble was very nice.
Elton
Walking into one of the arcs, with Winnie on the left and Walter at the back; he managed to stay inside for a minute or so before being butted by Winnie. He tried again later with the same result so gave up and started moving around the paddock grazing before settling down to chew the cud. Ivy and Elton returned to their own paddock for the night with a shelter to themselves. Picked mange tout and strawberries, topped up the compost in the tomato plant pots. A very hot day with light winds and low level mist developing in the vale.
Rhubarb
A good harvest from the crowns planted earlier in the year, will make a lovely crumble. The cos lettuce and mange tout peas are crisp and tasty and the first strawberries and raspberries are sweet, the runner beans are still not looking very healthy although there are some flowers on a few of them. Walter spent some time with Ivy and Elton in their paddock before they all ran to the rest of the flock, separated them again after a couple of hours and some bleating. A hot sunny day with the threat of thunderstorms, light until after ten o’clock, with a pale pink sunset.
Walter
Grazing the meadow grasses in the laneside paddock, the tops of the buttercups were mown off a few weeks ago and don’t seem to be as vigorous as they were. The gate was opened and the new sheep met the established flock but they had to be separated again, Nola and Winnie constantly butted Ivy and tried to do the same to Elton, although he managed to swerve out of the way most of the time, will try again in a few days. A warm dry day with storm clouds over the hills.
Sunflower
One that survived the snails, a bright yellow flower looking up towards the clematis, not sure it’ll get any higher. The donkeys electric fence has nearly reached the bottom of the square paddock, they avoid eating the buttercups and don’t like the birds foot trefoil, either, so it’s good that there are lots of different clovers and grasses. The sheep are still looking at each other through the fence, may try opening the gate tomorrow. A cool day with heavy rain after a sunny start.
Ivy
Ivy likes the pink bucket which contains a handful of sheep mix, Elton is watching from a distance, he likes to sleep on the patch of paddock that is still bare from the last bonfire while his mother grazes the tall grasses nearby. She looks a bit like a smaller version of Winnie because of her big eyes, but with a grey fleece. All the sheep line up along the fence and lie close to each other, it’s nearly time to let them into the same paddock. A warm cloudy day with heavy rain later.
William
Tucking in to a fresh willow branch cut from the lane, the donkeys eat the twiggy bits first and then move on to stripping the bark. The sheep had a beech branch and in contrast to the donkeys they started with nibbling at the bark and left the foliage and twiggy bits for later, the wethers often getting their horns caught among the leaves. Ivy and Elton are settling in OK, looking at the other sheep through the fence and sniffing each other. A warm sunny day with light winds.
Ivy And Elton
Two ouessants in a crate in the back of the car on their way to their new home from Mill Farm. They settled on the bed of hay and Elton did a bit of wandering around, Ivy was very noisy at the start and end of the journey, poking out her black tongue every time she bleated. Their first few nights will be spent in a paddock next to the other sheep before joining the established flock. The donkeys watched their arrival, listening to the noise when Ivy left the crate first to leave Elton on his own while his collar was removed. A cloudy sunny day with cool winds.
Sheep Arc
Delivered to the fallen oak paddock today, a third arc for the sheep to share, Walter was the first to have a look, but Bianca wasn’t far behind. Mowed the avenue so the donkeys can graze there in a week or so when the square paddock needs resting, they had a trot round when the arc arrived, the horses in the field opposite whinnied their support. Tied up the tomatoes, cavalo nero and runner beans and picked roses and peonies before the promised rain flattens them. A hot sunny day with some late cloud.
Ouessants
Bianca happily chewing at an apple branch although it’s a few months old, and Walter always inquisitive, head on one side. Their fleeces are growing and they’ll need to be protected against fly strike in the next couple of weeks. There are lots of different opinions on how short to cut the grass so they will like to walk in it as well as graze, so will cut pathways through the paddock then they can stand on the short grass and eat the long! Perhaps there’ll be more grass for the winter and certainly less grass to deal with on the compost heap. A warm cloudy day with late sunshine and light winds.
Gone to Seed
Mizuna salad leaves and rocket, both sown before a cold wet April and now really tall and setting seed, the mange tout peas are yet to flower, the cos lettuce and carrots in the raised bed behind are doing well. Let the sheep into laneside paddock but they sat in the sun next to the fence instead of lying in the shade of the hedgerow, had to let them back into willow paddock and the shelter of their arcs. Saddlebacks are available locally, managed to negotiate half a pig for the freezer, it will have travelled less than 10 miles in it’s whole life, hope it tastes good. A warm sunny day with light winds.
Paddock
Full of grass, buttercups and sorrel, the donkeys eat everything except the buttercups, the electric fence is moved a yard every few days to give them a fresh strip. Mowed the tall grass in the oak paddock so the sheep will graze the new growth, they won’t eat the taller grass, possibly because they don’t like the feel of it on their tummies. Cycle ride from Pamphill past Badbury Rings to The Anchor for coffee, followed by fish and Chips from the van in Child Okeford. A cloudy cooler day with the occasional shower.
Sheep
Let through into the adjacent paddock they started eating as soon as they could although the grass looked the same in the paddock they’d just come from. The grass is growing really quickly after the rain and the sugar levels will be high until September so they should gain some weight before Autumn, Winnie especially could do with putting on a few extra pounds. The fleeces have arrived OK at Pocket House Studio. Collected more wood for the new sheep shelter in the square paddock, should have enough now. A lovely hot sunny day with light winds and a pale pink sunset sky.
Carrot Lolly
The first time Walter has been offered one and he was not impressed, he looked the other way and then ran off to join the rest of the flock. The donkeys gained from the rejection and crunched their way through the ice to get to the carrots. Mowed the long grass in the bottom paddock, it has too much sugar for the donkeys and the sheep have more than enough to eat. The hedgerow that was laid over a year ago is looking good, full of fresh growth and dense at the bottom. A warm sunny day with light winds.
Ouessants
Winnie and Digby sitting in the sun chewing the cud and dozing, their new woolly coats are a week old and they feel like velvet. They have access to two paddocks in the hope they’ll keep the grass short enough for the donkeys to be eat in them afterwards. Mowed laneside, the sheep won’t be able to eat their way through that field as well. The hedges are growing really well, some of the field maple trees are sprouting later than the others. A warmer sunny day with moderate winds, light until nearly ten o’clock.
Fleeces
Ready for packing into a box in paper sacks, six fleeces weighing a kilogram each, they are rich in lanolin and already going curly. A very wet day with strong winds, the sheep went into willow for a while before returning to their shelter in the small paddock. The donkeys tried to stay out of the wind by the stable and nibbled on a fresh apple branch. Mended a puncture, lit the woodburner.
Coby and Digby
Separated by a stock fence, Coby the bengal cat and Digby are still able to touch noses and have a good sniff, after a minute or so Digby went back to grazing the paddock. The sunflowers in the pot by the back door have been chewed off, not sure they’ll regrow, hope the plants in the border do better. Collected a couple of pallets to modify the sheep shelter in the square paddock. A much calmer day with lighter winds and warming sunshine, visited a local Dorset Art Week’s exhibition.
Black Sheep
Walter, Winnie and Digby look so different, longer legs and blacker than ever without their fleeces, they’ve been hiding from the wind most of the day, only emerging from the sheep shelter to graze the paddock and then return to comfort to chew the cud. The donkeys have been on high alert, chasing around and hanging on to each other’s necks. All the trees are bending in the wind, losing blossom, leaves and small branches, hardly any racemes left on the wisteria, they’re all over the grass, tied the bean sticks to the trellis. A cloudy mild day with occasional showers and gale force winds.
Shearing
Nola, in the process of losing her fleece, it was sheared off in one piece and is in very good condition, the lengths of wool have crinkled and when the strands are rolled they are impossible to pull apart, so this will result in a high quality spun product. The three white and three black fleeces will remain separate, wrapped in paper sacks and sent to the Pocket House Studio on the Isle of Lewis for making into a rug, there’s a waiting list so the rug should arrive within the year! The sheep were soon back in their paddock grazing happily and weighing slightly less. A fine start to a cold day with increasing winds and heavy showers. Lit the woodburner.
Winnie and Digby
Checking out the new accommodation, they’re not used to concrete floors, will have to give them straw and hay for their overnight stay. Wet fleeces are not good for the shearer, worst case electric shock! Managed to get them all inside and the door shut, will leave the stable door open so that William and Toby can keep an eye on them. The Sparrowhawk has been flying round the oak tree on a couple of occasions, and a pair of owls were flying in the field, hope one of them likes the nesting box. A cloudy sunny day with a cool wind and the occasional shower.
Rhododendron Ferrugineum
In full bloom, the alpine rose bright pink flowers and green blemish free foliage are a couple of weeks earlier than last year, it must have liked the frequent frosts and low rainfall. Started to dismantle the sheep shelter in the square paddock, nearly ready to raise the roof and cover with planks and a new tarpaulin. The end of the workshop has been cleared to create enough space for the shearer to handle the sheep, they need to be kept inside the night before to give the fleece time to dry. A cloudy start to a sunny day, lunch at The Baker Arms.
Sleepy Sheep
Lined up along the fence in the late afternoon sunshine, with Nola at the back, the sheep stayed there for an hour or so before stretching and setting off round the paddock for their daily head butt and pogo session. Most of them are shedding parts of their fleece, the shearer is booked for next week so they’ll have to be kept dry the day before, could be a bit of a challenge, will need to clear space in the workshop unless the weather improves. A wet start to the day with light winds and late sunshine.
Ouessants
The sheep are enjoying their new paddock, they nip the tops off the buttercups and leave the rest of the plant. The donkeys started their day playing tog-of-war with one of the collars, I think Toby won as he was banging it on the ground. A lone deer was in field, have finished the fence and gate around the raised beds and beans so it doesn’t matter if he/she comes in the garden. A damsel fly was circling the pond, not affected by the low temperatures. A sunny cloudy day with light winds.
Apple
The last of the apples went to the sheep, there are patches of long grass in the paddock they’re not keen on eating, mainly in the corners. Another frosty night with early morning fog, hope the apple and plum blossom survived. Planted a few tomatoes in the greenhouse, covered the oak woodpile with tarpaulin which will have to stay there for at least a year, dismantled the sheep hay feeder, there should be enough grass in the paddocks to last until autumn. A breezy day with sunshine and showers.
May Day
The ancient festival of Spring, first celebrated by the Romans to honour the goddess of flowers – Flora, and more recently, the day village greens were opened after the winter. April nights have been frosty but summer is nearly here. The sheep are visited most days by the Bengal cat which sits on top of their shelter, Winnie is usually the first to make sure there’s nothing to worry about. A foggy start to a sunny, cloudy, chilly day with heavy rain showers.
Pixie
Pixie is a big fluffy ball of wool just waiting for the shearer, tidier than Bianca who is shedding stylish strands just like dreadlocks. All the sheep were sitting in the morning sunshine chewing the cud before the rain arrived, Walter tidied up Pixie by eating any available hay from her fleece. Finished preparing the greenhouse for the tomatoes, all the pots have a spadeful of worm casts from the wormery in the bottom, the wind increased at lunchtime and the temperature dropped so didn’t move the plants in to acclimatise. A rainy end to the day with waterbutts filling ok.
Grass Cutting
Before the rain that’s been promised for tonight, the grass has had it’s first cut of the year, the meadow strip has been left to grow wild and has meadow cress mixed in with the buttercups and thistles. Finished part of the driveway, it’s ready for a load of scalpings to be delivered. Planted a few of the sunflowers outside in a warm corner, started the framework of canes in the greenhouse ready for the tomatoes and cucumbers. The donkeys have just about eaten all the grass in the bottom paddock so will soon move into the square, the sheep will move into willow. A sunny start to a cloudy day that turned colder, lit the woodburner.
Feeding Time
William paused in the avenue to look at the sheep over the fence while they had their hay. Fresh straw, warm water, apple sticks and a mug full of vitamins were waiting for him and Toby at the stable, as usual. Interesting cycle along the Sika Trail in Wareham Forest, slight delay when I caught the handlebars in a bramble loop and promptly fell off! Thankfully, no damage done and the ride continued with a coffee stop and then an ice cream at the Quay. Watered some of the hedge and the beans and the sunflowers in the greenhouse. A cold start to a sunny day with a chilly wind, no rain, water butts are nearly empty.
Ouessants
Grazing happily in the sunshine, the gate was opened later in the afternoon to allow them to nibble at both paddocks and use the arcs as well as the corner shelter for shade. Cycled from Pamphill to the golf club for coffee, all the hedges at the roadside are trimmed very neatly and some are growing new leaves, but not all – they need rain. Collected four straw bales for the donkeys, the farm is optimistically cutting grass and are also desperate for rain, there’s none in the forecast for the next week, we’ve had less than a fifth of the monthly average. A fine sunny day with light winds.
Bianca
Limping in the paddock this morning so rugby tackled and upended, four feet cleaned and trimmed and an dose of purple spray applied to each one. Still limping this afternoon, may take a couple of days to cure, she’s started shedding her fleece. Watered the hedge early, in the shade the hose was filled with ice, melted ok in the sun. Released the fresh green leaves sprouting on the young hedge plants, if they stay in the rabbit proof plastic wraps they overheat, turn brown and fall off. A very warm spring day with blue skies and sunshine with a bright orange sunset.
Ouessants
Running up the paddock in the sunshine for a handful of treats, they spent most of the day in the shade under their shelter, another reason to run is to be alongside the donkeys when they come back to the stable for the night. The first house martins swooped round the stable eating the insects, no sign of the swallows which must be here as well. A hard frost overnight helped form a ribbon of fog down in the vale which took a couple of hours to lift, the morning was warm and sunny with temperatures dropping as the chilly wind from the east moved in.
Different Paddock
The bottom paddock still has some grass but the small paddock by the stable with the mound the sheep love so much is looking bare and brown so they have been moved into the square paddock to allow it to rest and rejuvenate. To help them settle in they have a new apple branch and although it was cut weeks ago the buds are still bursting through the bark, the water trough has been cleaned as well. The shelter in the bottom corner needs the roof raising to make poo picking easier and the ground could be leveled at the same time. A cloudy cool day with some warming sunshine later.
Sheep
Grazing together in oak paddock, lower down the bank out of the strongest gusts of wind, it blew a gale all day under dark skies, the sun and a patch of blue did break through at lunchtime but soon disappeared, the hills all but hidden in low cloud. Planted redcurrants and blackcurrants and sowed mangetout seeds, all the sunflower seedlings are poking through the compost and some of the nasturtiums. Smudge is pretty much his usual self, going out and about and eating normally again. The donkeys stayed near the shelter of the stable and ate apple twigs. A cool end to the day with a promise of warmer days to come.
Ouessants
Running for home and their afternoon hay after spending the day in the laneside paddock. The view across the lane continues to improve as the hedge is thinned and fencing finished, the light is much brighter in the mornings, picked up some tree off-cuts that will be stored and seasoned for a couple of years before burning. All the activity in the field gives the donkeys something to watch before they walk down to the paddock. Collected slate chippings and pushed a few of the willow whips into the ground. A chilly start to the day with sunshine and a glorious sunset.
Hay
The sheep spread more hay on the ground than they eat because they take big mouthfuls and then drop most of it, so the donkeys benefit most mornings. A lovely walk from Pamphill fringing the River Stour to Walford Mill for coffee, the ground is drying out and the river has dropped to allow the swans to start nesting. Levelled more of the driveway, almost to the paddock gate, surprising how much is disappearing into the ground as it’s walked over. Watered the new trees which are starting to bud. A mild start to the day with cooling winds and cloud later.
Vaccination
The sheep need protection from various diseases of the kidney and gut so an injection of Heptavac is recommended every year, it’s administered at the same time as a stripe of liquid Clik along their backs which guards against fly strike. The pink Clik stripe is repeated again a couple of weeks after shearing to give protection until the end of the summer. The sheep didn’t seem to mind being confined and then treated one by one, and were soon back grazing in their paddock. Collected more rubble and widened the driveway a little. Fed the fish, no toadspawn yet. A mild sunny day with light winds and a deep orange sunset.
Ouessants
They spent the day grazing in the laneside paddock before coming home for their hay, Winnie, Walter and Digby ran over to investigate a fresh apple branch in the late afternoon sunshine. Enjoyed a lovely walk from Pamphill, fringing the River Stour to Walford Mill for coffee, the ground is drying out and the river has dropped so the swans should soon start nesting. Levelled rubble, have been offered some willow for the donkeys so will collect that later in the week, hope the ground will be firm enough to let them out into the paddock tomorrow. A wet start to the day with moderate winds.
Grooming
Not exactly grooming, more eating the hay off each other; Pixie likes burying her head in the hay bucket and doesn’t take it out until she’s ready, so her head ends up covered, Walter likes to be king of the castle so they often play there and pause to pick the bits off each other. Did the weekly collection of bales of straw and hay, the donkeys definitely prefer wheat to barley. No damage from the very high winds, the water butts are all tied to something, the two on the greenhouse are the most vulnerable but they were ok. Dodged the showers and poo picked the paddocks, tasty fish and chips from the van in Child Okeford.
Bianca
Ahead of Winnie through the gate, leading the run up to the hay feeder at sunset, which is unusual, Winnie must have been distracted by something….? Bianca has a streak of lanolin under both eyes so is easily recognisable. The sheep spent the day in the lane paddock and they watched the donkeys as they wandered down the avenue to the fallen oak, taking their time and grazing as they went. Moved several barrowloads of black compost onto the budding hedge, it’s full of worms and will help keep the moisture in the ground. Raked the raised bed, not warm enough for sowing carrots. A sunny day with a chilly wind.
Sunshine
A lovely sunny start to the day with blue sky and light winds, the sheep are still enjoying the fringe of greener grass and escaped for a time into the garden. Soon coaxed back with hay they wanted to explore and run around somewhere new. The owl box has arrived, it’ll be positioned in the oak tree with its entrance away from the prevailing winds once the tree has been cut, the lower limbs are hollow so the higher branches must be removed. Light by six in the morning, the flower buds on the wisteria are starting to fatten. Another vivid orange sunset.
Fresh Grass
The area under the oak tree has been out of bounds to the sheep because of all the acorns concealed in the undergrowth, now they’ve been removed from the fringe and the hurdles moved a foot so the lush green grass can be grazed, with Winnie leading the way. The night-time paddock is starting to look more brown than green, especially where they sit and chew the cud on the hillock. Fleeces are looking longer with the wool hanging down over their legs, it’s time to book the shearer and the annual dose of Clik to protect against fly strike. A cloudy misty day with a chill wind.
Home Time
Winnie looking through the paddock gate, wanting to lead the rest of the flock up to their shelter and the recently filled hayrack. The donkeys enjoyed the grass in the paddock and took little notice of the hedge cutting in the field the other side of the lane. The new trees have had their protection refitted, it had to be removed to clear the grass from around their trunks, a layer of mulch from the compost heap will help settle the soil. A chilly start to the day, warmer once the mist cleared and the sun came out. The sky glowed bright red at sunset.
Cycle to Chettle
The endless view from the Long Barrow above Pimperne, part of the Dorset Cursus which once stretched for six miles along Cranborne Chase, three times the length of the Great Cursus at Stonehenge. Saw two Brimstone butterflies making their way along the ivy filled hedgerow where they will have been hibernating over winter, the warm sunshine waking them, they need to survive the still cold nights. Walked the donkeys down to the bottom paddock, the sheep had to take a different route to get to their grazing, proved to be problematic with Nola and Pixie deciding to take an alternative route! A cool misty start to a warm day with light winds and a lovely sunset.
Misty Morning
A very foggy start to the day, the moon was very bright and the light diffused before the sun rose and the mist cleared in the vale. The sheep were happy to relax on their hillock before gathering at the gate to run down to the bottom paddock. Walked William and Toby down the avenue to graze by the fallen oak, at the end of the day they had a coating of mud and grass from rollovers. Saw the first bumblebee of the year and a bat flew over the pond at dusk, Poppy was interested but much too slow to pose any threat, fed the fish. A sunny warm day with a lovely sunset.
Plantbritain.co.uk
Countryfile have created an interactive website for recording the planting of trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables across the UK, data collection will continue for two years and aims to encourage planting for wildlife and to combat climate change. Over 500 shrubs, native hedging and trees have been planted in our two acres so the entry should boost the Dorset total. Groomed the donkeys in the sunshine, hope they can go out on the drying grass soon, the spring has stopped running into the ditch; they watch the sheep grazing and want to join them. A drizzly start to the day with light winds and late warm sunshine. Fish and chips from the van in Child Okeford.
Winnie and Nola
The sheep ran down to the bottom paddock for a few hours of grazing fresh grass, remembering the route from yesterday; as the sun set they lined up along the fence ready to run back up to their shelter for their hay. Picked up more leathery oak leaves, in the wetter patches the grass needs to see the sunshine and the leaves gather together in piles to block out the light. The water lilies are unfurling new leaves under the water in the pond, fed the fish a few pellets, no sign of toad spawn. A mild cloudy day with light winds and a brief spell of sunshine.
Witch Hazel
Growing in a very windy spot and flowering better this year than last the yellow bronze flowers will produce fruiting pods that mature and explode, scattering their seeds, in October or November. Collected oak leaves from the bottom paddock, the sheep followed the wheelbarrow down and enjoyed nibbling fresh grass for an hour or so in strengthening winds. A squall sent them back to their shelter encouraged by a bucket of hay. The donkeys watched from their stable, just too wet for them to be on the grass. A wet day with late sunshine and a bright sunset.
Bianca
Managed to get a photo during the running and jumping keep fit session, all the sheep join in although Nola is the least energetic, Walter and Digby lead the charge with a pogo and sidekick routine that may or may not involve Pixie, and includes head butting anyone who wants to meet them square on. Disassembled the small area of paddock formed by the electric fencing, the donkeys aren’t interested in going in there and it is very boggy. A lot of rain overnight and a wet start and end to a mild day.
Nola
Standing away from the flock some of the time, drinking more than usual and not eating unless fed by hand, Nola was upended and checked over. Nothing unusual, cleaned and trimmed her feet and applied the purple spray. Happy to eat from the bucket afterwards and much livelier this afternoon, so not sure what that was about, just wanted some personal attention, maybe? Added donkey poo to the bank in the meadow strip, would be good to sow flowers along the top once it’s rotted down. Everywhere still very soggy underfoot, heavy rain last night and a cloudy mild day with the occasional sunny spell.
Pond
Frozen at the end furthest from the waterfall and covered with a fine layer of snow which defrosted in the morning sunshine, no sign of the fish, they’ll be resting on the bottom. Very cold overnight, there was an inch of ice on all the water troughs, the donkeys had their bucket of warm water with their breakfast and a supplement of hay which the sheep had pulled out of their feeder and discarded. Nola in particular likes crunching the ice left on the ground next to the trough. A bright sunny day with a biting wind and a little cloud that disappeared to leave a lovely sunset.
Ouessants
Chewing the cud in the morning, all the sheep sitting on a south facing slope in the sunshine on a frosty morning. Cut and bagged the chewed and bark-less apple wood for storing and burning in a couple of years time, it’ll mature in the shed. Moved hurdles down to the bottom paddock ready for the sheep moving there in a few weeks time, the acorns are still in the grass. Set up the wildlife camera outside the garage, there’s a birds nest, maybe the wren or a robin, hope to get some pictures. A mild sunny day, warmest of the year so far, forecast is for snow tonight!
Hay Feeder
An addition to the original sheep shelter the hay feeders are attached to a hurdle and protected from the rain with perspex sheeting and a sheet of onduline roofing. A little confusing for the sheep who tried to eat the hay from the wrong side of the clear perspex sheet. A quantity of bailer twine was used to make sure the sheets didn’t blow away in the wind. Emptied a couple of layers of worm casts into a compost tray, over the next couple of weeks the worms will congregate in a lump in a corner and be returned to the wormery, the casts will be used in the bottom of the tomato pots. A windy but mizzly drizzly day.
Candlemas Day
Custom says “A farmer should, on Candlemas Day, have half his corn and half his hay.” There’s six months to go until the next harvest so this day marks the mid point of a farming year. William watched as the sheep moved into the small paddock which will be their home until Spring, he’d love to graze in there as well but the ground would soon become poached. There’s has lots of lush grass so this may result in a few runny poos until digestive systems settle down. Light well past five o’clock, the days are lengthening and the cold is strengthening, a misty start and cloudy end to the day.
Hay
Straw is too tough for the sheep to eat so they have a big bucket of hay between them twice a day to supplement the grass. More rain overnight so the spring is still running into the ditch and the puddles in the paddock are getting even bigger. Cut up the smaller branches from the oak tree to be stored and burnt as kindling in two years time, the rest went in the bin. The woodpeckers were on the lawn and a pair of pheasants were chasing round the borders. Didn’t spend much time outside, snow flurries most of the day with a cold biting wind.
Sleepy Sheep
Chewing the cud must be exhausting as Bianca and Pixie both had a proper sleep afterwards, Winnie is usually the first to lead off, she and Digby are still happy to settle a little further away from the others in the flock. Nola has been bleating on and off all day and moved to the bottom end of the paddock; the sheep in the field across the ditch took some notice but didn’t reply, there doesn’t seem to be anything wrong, nothing untoward is happening in the ditch or the lane. Heavy rain overnight means the Vale is starting to flood, a mild showery day with increasing winds.
Sunset
Dramatic skies over the hills have everything; low cloud, rain and blue skies, paddock rails bathed in winter sun. A pair of woodpeckers spent half an hour feeding on the frost free lawn and the pheasants passed through on their way to the discarded stable straw in search of grain. Emptied more rubble bags onto the driveway. The spring is running into the ditch, paddocks too wet for the donkeys and the sheep are starting to forge favourite pathways to and from the hay feeders and their arcs. A milder dry day with light winds and rain later.
Ouessants
The snow lingered in places, very frosty overnight with ice outside the stable which needed salt, the concrete doesn’t get any sun at this time of year. The Ouessants munched their hay happily and poo picking yielded a lot less as it was hidden in the snow. The donkeys had a couple of hours in the square paddock which is still squelchy, the spring in the ditch has stopped running. Emptied more barrow loads of compost onto the hedge, a dry cube of grass cuttings in the centre of the heap has given way to more worm laden compost. A sunny day with light winds, gave the donkeys their mix in daylight.
Meadow Strip
Gave the sheep the opportunity of fresh grazing in the meadow strip, herding them there was less straightforward, they missed the pen made of hurdles and headed up towards the top paddock gate, the idea was to allow them to graze grass without nibbling the new hedge. Managed to get round them while they grazed and they were soon in the allotted area but they didn’t settle and bleated and head butted each other until they were released and happily trotted back to their paddock. Moved a few barrowloads of compost from the heap; checked the ditch which needs more work to clear debris, spring still running. A cooler day with light winds and no rain.
Waiting
For their morning hay, the sheep come up the paddock towards the stable as soon as they hear gates opening and closing, Winnie usually heads the charge with a lot of bleating. Walked the donkeys down to the fallen oak paddock where they chased each other around, braying and kicking up their heels before settling down to graze. The puddles have mostly drained away although the post hole by the compost heap is still full of water, rescued a ladybird which was floating about, put a brick in the hole to help them climb out next time. Warm in the morning sun, otherwise a cool day with a hazy sunset.
Bianca
One of her front hooves looked like it had split, there was a piece hanging to the side, almost detached, so upending required! It turned out that the lining on the outside of the hoof, the thickness of a nail, had grown very long and curled under and somehow been pulled sideways, it came off easily enough with a tug. Her other hooves had ‘curled under’ nails so cut all these level with the hoof with the dagging sheers, which did the job ok, and finished off with purple anti-bacterial spray. Must check the other sheep at some point, if they all need doing may invest in hoof trimmers. A colder, frosty, sunny day,
Head Butting
Walter and Digby squaring up to each other with Bianca watching, they each take a few steps back before rearing up on their hind legs and charging at each other with heads down, the sound of skull crashing against skull is a bit alarming. The younger ones especially like to play this game every day, usually just before dusk, and not just the wethers, Pixie joins in and occasionally Nola. If the older sheep really want to interfere they approach from the side in defense of their offspring. A cold and cloudy overcast day with light winds, the woodburner was alight and roaring all day.
Frost
The view down the paddock to the sheep where they’re having their daily portion of hay. The water supply to the tack room has been restored, the problem was actually in the joint below the tap where one of the washers was missing, the below zero night-time temperature was enough to stress the joint and result in a leak. Checking the water meter gave reassurance that there were no other problems, apparently a slow turn of the wheel every few seconds is normal. An easy remedy for the plumber who was wearing shorts and a t-shirt when he got out of his van! He soon put a hoodie on. A sunny cloudy day with a cold wind.
Dagging
Relatively easy to lift up, Digby was first in the queue for dagging, having the soiled wool and dry poo cut from around his back end. All the sheep’s fleeces are four or five inches long now and as the wool grows it becomes dirtier in places so is best removed and used as a fertiliser in the garden Although they’re not keen on being upended the process doesn’t take long and once on their feet they like to come and watch the next in line and are then happy to eat hay from your hand – sheep don’t bear a grudge. A cloudy cold day with a brisk wind and some sunshine.
Walter
The grass is really frosty except where the sheep have rested overnight and then it’s squashed flat and bright green. Walter has a frosty back because he stayed chewing the cud in the same place for a while, and has a fleece that’s a great insulator. Emptied more bags of rubble onto the drive which is progressing OK. The Woodpecker has been sitting up in the tree waiting for the ground to soften so that he can have his daily feed from the lawn. All the water troughs and bird baths needed de-icing and the basket next to the woodburner seems to need filling all the time, some of the stores have stayed dry which is good. A warmer end to the day.
New Years Day
A very cold foggy start to the day, and the frost lingered well past midday, never clearing in places. The sun helped raise the temperature for an hour or two but once past two o’clock it felt cooler again. The tap in the tack room had an icicle this morning and the stable yard was icy in places – all the drinking troughs were frozen over and had to be thawed. The donkeys had a few hours in the paddock and the sheep ate a couple of buckets of hay and didn’t mind whether they were in sun or shade. A clear sky at sunset with the mist rising in the valley. A very Happy New Year to all (both) my readers!
Tatty Bianca
Tatty was limping a little, looked like her front left hoof was painful so she was lifted off the ground and sat on her rump while her hooves were inspected. Apart from being a bit muddy they were all looked fine with no stones so a dose of the purple spray was administered to each hoof and she was soon enjoying the grass with the rest of the flock. Paddocks too wet for the donkeys so they stayed on the straw and hard standing, emptied a few more bags of rubble onto the driveway which held their attention for a few minutes. A cold cloudy day.
Poppy
Poppy is half Maine Coon so very fluffy, and at this stage of winter her fur gets tangled very easily, the ruff round her neck will have to be trimmed or she won’t be able to reach beyond it to groom herself properly, which isn’t easy without being scratched! The snow has nearly gone, a few piles are left where it blew under north facing hedges. Cold, misty drizzly rain most of the day so the hardstanding was easier to sweep. No time in the paddock for the donkeys, they did a bit of mutual grooming and had fresh apple branches. Puddles in the paddocks and the spring is running into the ditch again.
Christmas Day
Walter became a reindeer for the day, sporting a lovely pair of antlers. The rest of the flock were very curious, he eventually lowered his head and shook them off. The donkeys were having no such adornment and spent a few minutes cantering round their paddock churning up the ground. William took hold of Toby’s mane and held on, showing his teeth, Toby didn’t appear to mind they just ran round together hoof by hoof. A bright and breezy day with a bright orange sunset last night.
Apple
The Ouessants are getting a liking for apples, they come running when you go into their paddock, the only variety left for them to eat is the D’Arcy Spice and they’re stored in a dustbin in the workshop protected from any mice that may be interested. The donkeys ate half the new bale of straw opened for them yesterday, no steaming required! The pheasants and rooks like picking over the straw which is been thrown out of the donkey’s stable each day, there must be grain left to eat. Heavy rain all day.
Hay Feeder Shelter
Mk II; the first shelter has an old fence panel for a roof and is staying in the lower paddock. A shelter is needed in willow so this new one uses two hurdles, has a corrugated bitumen sheet for a roof and it will have plastic sheeting at the sides to keep the hay in the feeder dry. More rain last night so soggy paddocks and no grass grazing for the donkeys. The good news is that William and Toby like a newly opened bale of the wheat straw they’ve previously rejected, and emptied their feeder last night. A very wet day with driving rain and low cloud over the hills.
Corfe Castle
Bike ride in sunshine and showers from West Holme to Corfe Castle returning through Creech, some 17 miles. Soay sheep graze round the ruins of the Castle, originating from St Kilda they are extremely agile and traditionally take refuge on cliffs so the steep sides of the castle mound are ideal for them. Partly feral they don’t need shearing as their fleece is shed naturally in spring, very different from ouessants who crave company and need delicate shearing because they’re small. Overnight rain left a patchwork of puddles in the paddocks, a mild and sunny showery day.
Ouessants
Moved the sheep shelters to a different part of the fallen oak paddock where there is fresher grass, the sheep are sleeping in the shelters more often as the nights get colder and their footfall is creating a few tracks to and from their favourite places. They always enjoy a handful of sheep mix. The donkeys are eating steamed straw with a couple of slices of barley straw and ate a few leafy twigs from the top of the apple trees. Rain overnight meant watering of the new trees wasn’t necessary, a cloudy cool day with light winds. The owl was hooting at dusk.
Donkeys
William and Toby are still less than impressed with their wheat straw, they’ve been chewing at the big silver birch log and are still nibbling the rails and kickboards in the stable. My sister advised steaming the straw in a dustbin with a kettle of boiling water, and that has certainly helped. So today I bought two bales of golden barley straw and tonight they appear to be a little more enthusiastic about rummaging around in the feeder. A very cold day with persistent fog, the sun tried to break through but didn’t make it. The sheep had their usual portion of hay and an apple.
Pixie
Always has her head in the bucket licking out the last pieces of hay or biscuits. The rest of the flock are off to eat the new strip of grass, they get very excited when the fence is moved. Hope it doesn’t result in runny poos as they’ve been ok for the last week. More rubble was delivered, nearly finished arranging the bottom edge, just the infill to sort out. The donkeys were spooked by the guys delivering some trees, took a while for them to settle, they’re still picking at their straw and have started eating the tops of the rails. A cold day with sleet showers.
Straw
Good news, the donkeys have started picking at their straw again, they went straight into their stable from the paddock tonight and started munching, their reward was a few apple tops from the Bramley, which still has some of it’s leaves. Hopefully the feeder will be empty by the morning. Collected more rubble for the edge of the driveway and topped up one of the raised beds with donkey poo. The sheep are eating their way through a strip of fresh grass and bleat loudly every time they hear a gate shut. A chilly cloudy day with a bit of drizzle.
Smudge
Sitting in front of the woodburner keeping warm, Smudge doesn’t mind the bright frosty start to the day, there was a coral pink sunrise sky followed by bright warm sunshine. Spent a few hours sawing willow and eucalyptus branches which are now stacked and seasoning under cover, ready for burning next year. Cut several beech branches for the sheep and donkeys, William and Toby are still not eating their straw, they pick at their bedding while waiting to be let out into the paddock and trot back up to the stable for their vitamins when it’s getting dark. A cold and cloudy end to the day which may mean no frost tomorrow morning.
Walter
Runner up in the ‘Ouessant with a view’ photo competition organised by The Ouessant Society of Great Britain, handsome Walter loves the wood pile, literally eats out of your hand and, as all models, likes being the centre of attention and to have a good scratch, he’s a star! I’m always surprised by how sheep look at you; they really look, and hold eye contact for a long time, longer than any other animal I’ve seen – apart from the cheetah in Kenya who was eating a lump of meat provided and spotted a sleepy lazy tourist swing his legs over a wall. That was a scary moment, fortunately, the cheetah went back to eating the lump of meat.
Beech Branches
This is a photo from six weeks ago, some of the last branches with greenery, the sheep ate all the leaves and the bare stems were passed on to the donkeys, Toby especially likes to carry them around while munching the ends. The donkeys ate some of their straw yesterday and have no sliced apple to eat tonight so may eat even more, the straw smells fresh so apparently they’re trying it on! Cycling much colder today, frost last night and the mist persisted in the valley, sunshine later.
Hay Feeder
A gift from a neighbour, two ‘hang on a gate’ hay feeders are a success with the sheep, added a hardboard back panel to stop the hay from falling out, will probably use marine ply when that falls apart. The usual bucket feeding can be replaced by these if they’re in a sheltered spot, definitely need a lid of some sort to keep out the rain. Moved the sheep back to the fallen oak paddock and they all had their heads in the salt lick. The farrier spent a lot of time with William sorting out his seedy toe, Toby doesn’t have it so it’s hard to know where he’s catching the fungus, he must have softer hooves. A sunny start to the day with rain later.
Morning Sunshine
Most of the leaves have been blown off the oak tree, the ones left are on this eastward facing side, it’s mostly hollow so it’s good that it’s still standing. Collected most of the fallen leaves that were on the grass with the mower and added them to the sinking sides of the compost heap. Led the donkeys down the avenue to the lower paddock, they came back up to the stable mid afternoon and had a few beech branches to eat. The sheep made best use of their five o’clock playtime by pogo-ing round the woodpile, all four feet off the ground at the same time. A lovely sunny start to the day with a cool, fresh breeze and a little cloud later, no rain today.
Makeover
From Farnham to Gussage All Saints and back via Dean, riding through leafy countryside, passed this sporty little number that desperately needs a makeover; not within my skill set, unfortunately. Moved the sheep into the square and let the donkeys down the avenue into the bottom paddock for a couple of hours, still very soggy underfoot so not sure about letting them out tomorrow, and it’s time to book the farrier again. Trimmed the oak tree and gathered more leaves for the compost heap. A mild and sunny cloudy day with no rain.
Beech and Willow
Sheep and donkeys love to eat beech leaves and chew the bark of willow, there’s no chance of identifying the six ouessants competing for the best bits today, although I think Walter is at the front. The donkeys had the same choice of branches and ate them very quickly, tugging at the willow first. The paddocks have a lot of puddles and would benefit from a few days of warm sunshine. Today was filled with sharp showers, the raindrops had a sting that made me turn away from the wind. The fields are flooded in the valley and the river level at Hammoon is 2.7M which means minor flooding of the road.
Stormy
William and Toby have been standing out in the rain for most of the day, the drops fall off William’s eyebrows so his waterproof coat must be doing it’s job, he certainly feels warm, their bedtime treat after their vitamins was a sliced apple with no pips. With over an inch of rain there was no time out in the paddock today, the puddles were very obvious and the ground squelchy underfoot. The sun set behind a mass of rolling grey cloud that turned orange, briefly. The sheep made use of their shelters and the fish were hungry as ever – I did a jigsaw puzzle.
Oak Leaves
Leaves are falling in the lower paddock that’s out of bounds to both the sheep and the donkeys, unfortunately they don’t stay in that paddock, they drift everywhere else. They’re not very tasty and a last resort for the sheep, to be this interested they must think there’s sweeter grass under the leaves, and it’s bleating Winnie who’s standing guard. Three large barrows of leaves are now on the compost heap, filling the sides where the sinking donkey poo is leaving gaps. A delivery of several bags of rubble for the driveway was dropped off ad spread out. A bright sunny day with light winds, the fish in the pond are still hungry as the water is still not cold.
Walter
Likes the woodpile and posing for photos. The hay feed has cured most of the runny poo but Pixie was the one that needed a closer look. Corralled into a small space with tempting treats, the hurdles nearly did their job but Pixie wriggled and squirmed until turned onto her back. The new dagging shears were very sharp and easily cut through the soiled wool, which is useful as a plant pot fertilizer. No sign of any flies which was good, and the shears can be used for topiary as well…! A sunny cloudy day with light winds, cooler later.
Ouessants
The sheep compete for slices of apple, Bianca loves them, Walter and Pixie nearly as much, Digby and Winnie won’t fight for them and Nola is not too sure, I think she’ll get to like them eventually. The last of the eating apples are stored in the garage and should last until next spring. The dagging shears arrived so will have a go at cutting soiled wool from the rear end, it’s not so important to remove it during autumn and winter but must be done in the spring and summer to avoid fly strike. The shelters are being used occasionally, the mild weather means sleeping outside in the paddock is still the preferred option. A wet start and end to the day with light winds and overcast skies.
Windfalls
A tray full of some of the Bramleys brought down by the strong winds, the grass under the tree usually gives them a soft landing so as long as they’re collected the same day they can be peeled and stewed. Heavy rain all morning, the donkeys had their breakfast before mucking out and weren’t allowed to go out and about in the paddock as the ground was full of puddles. Did manage to pick out their feet when the rain stopped and then gave them their worm treatment. The sheep have finally started sheltering in their new accommodation. Started clearing the greenhouse.
Worming
The results of the poo samples from the donkeys revealed that William has a lower worm count than Toby, so this is the recommended treatment for both of them because the worms will be in the pasture, and it’s possible that Toby just has a lower resistance to them. The donkeys grazed in the lower paddock, it’s likely that they won’t be able to venture out for a couple of days if the forecast for heavy rain is correct. The sheep are still in two minds about their shelter, gave them their hay inside again, perhaps it’s just been too warm to be inside. Made a stew using the local Red Devon beef, really tasty, expect the dumplings helped!
End of British Summer Time
Dark mornings turn into dark evenings as we move towards the winter solstice. A red sky to start the day, and a lovely sunset. The woodpecker spent more than ten minutes pecking at the good things to eat in the grass this morning while a plump pheasant sat on the fence calling. A day of sharp cold showers and warm sunshine after yesterday’s rain; the rising spring in the paddock has formed muddy puddles which the donkeys paddle through to get to their favourite hedge. As always, the sheep run for cover when it rains. Runner beans for tea.
Tatty Bianca
Tatty has lost an ear tag which will have to be replaced if she ever moves, she’s not as tatty as she was after shearing but the name suits her. Gave Winnie the purple spray treatment on her front left hoof, she has developed a slight limp and the leg above feels warmer than her other three; will have to check it again tomorrow, couldn’t see any sticks or stones that could be causing discomfort. All the sheep have been eating a little hay every day and the runny poo from Nola has improved. Rained a lot overnight, all the water butts are full again, no need to water the hedge for the next few days. Another lovely sunset.
Head Butt
The sheep definitely have a daily playtime. Usually starting around 5 o’clock they chase each other round and round and over the woodpile and up and down the paddock, jumping as high as they can with all four feet off the ground. Tatty Bianca and Nola stop for a while to head butt each other, Tatty retreats a few steps before rushing headlong, head down, into Nola, the sight of two skulls in contact made worse by the noise – neither sheep is harmed and Nola eventually breaks eye contact with Tatty and is rewarded with a nose rub. All part of life in a flock! A cloudy day with some sunshine and fresh winds.
Speckled Wood
Today this butterfly ventured indoors, it may be the last sighting of the year although the caterpillars could overwinter and emerge as early as January, if not here then further southwest. A very warm and sunny day encouraged a lot of butterfly, insect and bee activity – the wasps were still dopey and flying near the ground. Moved the sheep to the square paddock and the donkeys to laneside once the oak acorn area had been fenced off. William and Toby were overjoyed to be in the avenue again and chased up and down braying and nudging each other before moving into the paddock for a few hours of gentle grazing.
Sunset
Every night this week there has been a lovely sunset, and tonight was no exception. Cycle ride from Pamphill to The Anchor for coffee in the sunshine returning along Sweet Briar. Nola had runny poos so was unceremoniously upended, her fleece trimmed and her bottom washed, good news – no sign of maggots! The rest of the flock watched or grazed and she was happy to eat the mix afterwards. Must buy dagging scissors as the ones from the kitchen drawer were not up to the job of cutting a lanolin enriched fleece. The donkeys enjoyed another strip of fresh grass and a handful of summer hay before eating their vitamin mix.
Bramley Apples
A bumper crop of red and green apples that fall beautifully when cooked and taste delicious. There are a lot more to be picked and stored, hopefully lasting until after Christmas. Moved both arc shelters in with the sheep, they had a nibble of the edges with no success and settled down between them to chew the cud before moving off to graze. A family of four deer were in the field until quite late, they had to watch out for traffic in the lane before crossing into the copse. Trimmed the wisteria, some of the leaders had grown 20 feet or more outwards and sideways. A cool showery start to the day with bright sunshine later and a clear red sunset.
Animal Arcs
This arc designed for use by two pigs will be home to the ouessant sheep. Two were delivered on a pallet, one ready assembled and one flat (curved) packed. Assembly was delayed from yesterday because of the strong winds, so two hours of drilling, screwing and manouvering pieces of plastic into place resulted in an arc that’s ready for use. The sheep were very curious and although Nola and Digby had a look Walter was the first to go inside; it’ll be interesting to see whether they choose to sleep in and around this one or prefer the temporary shelter further down the paddock. A sunny cloudy day with light winds and warm sunshine. Picked Darcy Spice and Bramley apples.
Roe Deer
Still sitting under one of its favourite bushes at nine o’clock this morning, would have stayed there all day if it hadn’t been disturbed when I fed the fish in the pond, I think the windfall apples are the real attraction. Too windy to assemble the animal arc, mowed the rest of the laneside paddock instead and added the buttercup and grass cuttings to the compost heap which is warming up nicely, turned a few feet of steaming straw. The sheep poo is slightly less sloppy today and there are no mucky bottoms so the drier grass must have helped. Picked runner beans and tomatoes, a dry windy sunny, sometimes cloudy, day.
Willow William
William and Toby love eating willow, it’s medicinal aspirin for them so the quantity needs to be sufficient without promoting an overdose. This small branch and a few smaller pieces came down in last nights storm, the sheep ate some of it out of curiosity and left this for the donkeys, with William getting first bite. The rain was torrential this morning so mucking out was a little delayed and the donkeys had made a mess of their stable, which is unusual. Washing the hardstanding was easier and the day brightened to allow apple picking in the sunshine. More rain after sunset, the days are definitely drawing in, time to light the woodburner.
Ouessants
The sheep have enjoyed their time in the square paddock and especially liked the new wood and stone obstacle area that held their interest for at least half an hour….! The grass is getting shorter so they’ll soon be moved into oak paddock where the grass is much longer, it mustn’t get too long before they start to graze or it’ll become too tough and they won’t eat it at all. Straw delivery today, 24 bales unloaded and stacked in the dry before 0930, which should last the donkeys until mid November. A sunny start to the day with rain later, picked tomatoes, runner beans and Bramley windfalls.
Winter Feed
The hay bales are ready to fill a hungry gap if the grass stop growing in the paddocks and the sheep need a supplementary feedstuff. Grown locally they’re a grassy meadow mix that is softer than the hard dry grass which was cut in the last month. If kept dry the bales will last for five years and still be good to eat. Sitting on top is a bunch of apple tree shoots that were cut today, they’ll be hung in the roof of the workshop and, if still edible, fed to the donkeys as a treat when the paddocks are too wet to be used and they can’t browse the hedgerow. A breezy day with warm sunshine and no rain, watered the beans which are still flowering. Picked tomatoes and a water melon.
Ouessants
The donkeys have never played with the orange horseplay ball so it’s now in the ouessant’s paddock. Digby treads on it and gives it a headbutt to move it around. Pixie and Walter like to watch and run around in circles. The red football isn’t as popular, maybe in a couple of weeks? The worm test results are back from the lab, the tapeworm we found in the field and put in a jam jar is not an issue for the adult sheep as they develop immunity, and they’re only a problem for lambs if they are losing weight. There’s no evidence of roundworm so no treatment required, the sampling and testing will be repeated in December. A cool showery day with rain later. Picked runner beans
Black Sheep
Arrived at the gate together, Walter, Digby and Winnie, expecting their treat mix, they don’t have it every day but the sound of a gate opening is enough incentive for them to gather round just in case. Cut the hornbeam hedge and gathered together another bonfire pile, cut the hornbeam which is much too dry and already losing its leaves. Watered the hedge, picked runner beans, courgettes, tomatoes and blueberries. Went to turn off the electric fence that’s stopping the donkeys grazing the acorns to find it hadn’t been turned on! Useful to know it serves its purpose whether on or off. A cool start to a sunny day with a fresh warm wind.
Silage
The field behind us has been harvested for silage, the yield is down but it couldn’t be left any longer, the combine did the cutting two days ago and yesterday the neat rows were turned and gathered ready for the bailer which finished the job in an hour today. Walked through the sheep paddock several times, managed to give all of them a scratch apart from Winnie who ran off and was bleating for Digby to join her. Considered additional space and waterproofing for the Model 1 sheep shelter as they don’t all fit in the original space. A sunny cloudy day with a chilly wind and another bright red sunset. Picked blueberries and a cucumber.
Worms
The Can O Worms wormery lives in the shed and produces excellent liquid fertilizer and worm cast compost all year round. The worms like living in eggshells and love eating cardboard and anything sweet, like apples. They don’t like acidic waste like citrus or onions and regulate their numbers according to the amount of food available. What’s left after they’ve finished eating is the plastic from the teabags and the gluesticks from the cardboard boxes. The lambs bounced around the paddock today and Nola joined in, donkeys watched, nodded and went back to eating grass. A mild day with light winds and the odd shower. Picked tomatoes, conference pears and ribston pippin apples. Watered the beans.
Pixie and Toby
Walked over to the dividing fence and stared at each other for a while before Toby put his head down and Pixie poked her head through and licked his nose several times, they both like the contact. There was a squashed frog outside the stable, must have been trodden on by one of the donkeys, hope it’s not a favourite migration route. Tied up the spare stock wire in the lower paddock, will bring it up in the trailer, it’ll be useful somewhere. A lovely warm sunny start to the day with light winds, colder by early evening. Picked tomatoes and a cucumber, voted for the Dorset Remedy Oak to be the Woodland Trust tree of the year.
Ouessants
Definitely more approachable than when they arrived, the lambs like a good scratch under their chin and even the ewes are touchable near feeding time. Walter and Digby like to run around together in the paddock, Digby bounces around with all four feet of the ground and Pixie joins in with them occasionally. Their paddock adjoins the avenue where the donkeys are free to roam and they interact through the fence. Walter licked William’s nose, he didn’t move away so must have liked it. The runner beans have more blossom, which is great, just have to step inside the tangle of stems to pick them. A warm mizzly start to the day with rain in the afternoon so no watering, no swallows either.
Windy Day
The runner beans have nearly fallen over, the supports have been strengthened with more canes and bailer twine – it will have to be a metal frame next year, it’s become difficult to pick the beans in-between the rows because of all the foliage dropping down. The greenhouse has been shut up all day but it’s still warm enough for the autovents to open. There are lots of windfall bramleys to pick up and prepare for the freezer. The donkeys don’t like strong winds so they’ve been unsettled for most of the the day. No rain, this shower passed us by with a colourful rainbow and differing shades of grey on either side.
Bottom Paddock
The donkeys were let into a different paddock today and chased each other round and round the perimeter before settling under the willow tree and feasting on the branches. Looks as if William has lost weight, not sure about Toby. The Texels happily walked down the lane to join the rest of their flock, we’ll have some of them back in December after tupping to keep the grass down. Mended the gate into the meadow strip as it was impossible to open, not sure about any more adjustment if the posts relax any further. Fixed plastic sheeting to the back of the sheep shelter to stop the rain driving inside. A windy and sunny day, no watering.
Ellingham Show
The donkeys didn’t win any prizes in the Virtual Donkey Show but they have been given special rosettes! William and Toby weren’t too disappointed at the result and seem happy enough wearing their new decorations. A lovely walk from Spread Eagle Hill towards Fontmell Magna started in a heavy rain shower and ended in bright sunshine, followed by lunch at Compton Abbas Airfield. Took down the electric fence and moved the Texels for the last time as they leave to join the rest of their flock tomorrow, the Ouessants will miss talking with them. Promise of a day’s rain tomorrow.
King of the Castle
Pixie is on the top of the woodpile with Walter and Digby waiting for their turn, Digby soon got bored and left to inspect the new addition to the sheep shelter – a side panel to help keep out the rain. Moved the lemon trees to the other end of the terrace out of the wind, the wren has been hopping about in the branches, I hope she’s eating the bugs. The donkeys were let out later in the day and browsed the hedgerow picking out the beech leaves. The day started with rain and light winds and ended with no wind and lifting temperatures, the mist in the valley may develop into fog in the morning. Jupiter, Saturn and The Plough were clearly visible tonight together with a few criss-crossing satellites.
Texels
The six sheep borrowed to keep the grass cut in the paddocks will be going to rejoin the rest of their flock in a few days, they all need to get to know each other again before meeting the rams in September, and they need to be fattened up a little, the donkeys will miss them. Tupping will carry on for six or eight weeks before the rams are separated from the ewes for the rest of the year. All the sheep have been talking with the flock that’s moved into the cornfield across the lane; the sound of bleating carries a long way. A much cooler day with persistent mist and the threat of rain, not much watering to be done.
Rain
A lot of it, the thunderstorms arrived in the afternoon and filled up the water butts, very noisy on the stable roof and the gutters overflowed so the hardstanding has been swept clean. The sheep all preferred to stay in the dry whenever possible and shook themselves like dogs when they did get wet. The donkeys stayed out until their usual time, not bothered about the rain, although Toby would have stuck his head under a shelter if there had been one available. No watering required except in the greenhouse, hope the deluge has helped the hedge. Picked cucumbers, tomatoes and runner beans.
Ellisons Orange
I thought there were very few apples left on the tree after the frosts earlier in the year but I picked over fifty apples, crisp and juicy they may or may not develop an aniseed flavour. Topped up the hedgehog water tray, haven’t seen any poo on the grass recently so she may have moved on. The ouessant lambs are becoming more confident, Walter is the first to want a scratch and Pixie is eating out of my hand occasionally, Digby is licking the feed bucket so won’t be far behind. A very hot day, the flies are annoying the donkeys, may have thunderstorms tomorrow, the waterbutts are nearly empty.
Apple Picking
The Beauty of Bath apples are ripe enough for eating with lovely red and green skin, some were blown off in the strong winds and provide free forage food for the deer; there’s still enough to pick from the tree. The Donkeys and Texels like them, will try slicing them even smaller for the Ouessants, they’ll make a good alternative to the treat mix. I’m pruning the Bramley and giving the long lush leafy growth to the donkeys, there are a few windfalls and it looks like there’ll be a good harvest. A misty drizzly start to the day, the sun came out later and the temperature rose quickly, a very hot end to the day with light winds. Watered.
Ouessants
The ewes are feeding their lambs several times a day, the enthusiastic approach seems a bit harsh and could continue until the lambs are four months old. Pixie is almost the same size as Nola. Digby is the youngest at 8 weeks old and is called to feed by mum Winnie, his horns are fully grown and have lots of ridges. He lies down and sleeps in the paddock quite often and is only just licking the feed bucket, he doesn’t eat the treats like the others. The day started with low cloud and light winds, by the end of the day the wind was gale force and buffeting the runner beans. A pint at the local pub and fish and chips from the van was delicious.
Ouessants
The sheep are looking more like a flock, moving around the paddock as one when they’re grazing, Tatty Bianca likes talking with the Texels through the fence with Walter not far behind. Digby and Pixie definitely have round worms, they’re very obvious in their poo so the Vet gave them an injection. It’s likely they’re all going to get worms from grazing the same paddock even though we’re poo picking, so we’ll have to gather a representative sample for testing in a months time. Worming will probably become routine for them without bothering with the test. A warm sunny day with gentle winds, picked courgettes and runner beans.
Wildlife
This black beetle was swimming in the rainwater bucket, guess it must be a stag? Released onto the damp woody area close by. The tiny newt was in one of the water buckets by the greenhouse, I moved him to the nearby wildlife pond where the water was a bit low so I topped it up with rainwater. Hope they both survive. The Ouessants have moved about a lot today, nose to the ground. Have the vet visiting tomorrow, donkey teeth need to be checked and the lambs need worming, moved hurdles into the small paddock so that the Ouessants can be corralled. A sunny and warm day, watered the vegetables.
Sharing
All six Ouessants in the shelter together, they like resting against the lining boards, whenever they run around they have their noses to the ground all the way. The fallen oak tree now has the addition of a couple of extra hurdles to prevent sheep climbing on top and jumping into the ditch, it’s quite deep and full of brambles so we’d have trouble getting them out. Cut the nightshade in the hedge, can’t see where the root is so it’ll grow back next year. Will need to move the texels in the next week or so and then the donkeys can graze the hedgerow. Picked French beans and cucumbers, a cloudy day with heavy showers and strong winds.
Two New Ouessants
The two new Ouessants safely in a dog crate in the back of the car – forty minutes of loud bleating all the way home! I made a shelter in willow paddock with hurdles and a fence panel for Winnie and her lamb Digby. They actually joined the existing four in the small paddock quite quickly; thought it best to keep them separated at first, but there were too many heads poking through the stock wire just wiggling around trying to get stuck. When the gate was opened between the paddocks Nola butted Winnie several times and there was a lot of bleating. I made a third shelter next to the existing one in the small paddock so they could decide how close to sleep, it’ll be interesting to see how they get on tomorrow. A cloudy day with much needed heavy rain in the late afternoon, which filled up a few of the water butts and gave the garden a good soak.
Ouessants
The new sheep are really cute, have had them a week, now, Tatty Bianca bleats loudly every time she hears a gate open or sees me in another paddock. If I talk to them they all come running over to see if there’s any food available. When there’s no food they stick around for a while nibbling at your clothes and prowling around, three of them will eat out of your hand, Pixie is still too timid, so she hoovers up anything spilt on the ground. Walter likes a bit of a scratch. They return to their shelter often and like chewing the cud and resting in the shade of the willow tree. A hot day so watered everything, hope to have more beans ready tomorrow.
Produce!
A decent picking of runner beans and one cucumber today, the cucumber tastes very different home grown and one of my favourite meals is well seasoned runner beans with lots of butter and two soft fried eggs on top, absolutely delicious. The new sheep are settling in and like their daily cereal mix, not eating out of my hand yet is Pixie, I’m sure she will in a week or two. They’ve explored Willow paddock and grazed closer to the donkeys who stared at them through the fence. A really warm day at first following overnight rain, it clouded over later and there was a really cold wind.
Ouessant Sheep
New arrivals today, Nola with lamb Pixie, and Bianca with lamb Walter, who has horns! Four shy sheep that travelled 10 miles to get to us in the back of a pickup liked the comfort of their new shelter. They a rare breed originating from the island of Ouessant, off the coast of Brittany, and are the smallest naturally occurring breed of sheep in the world. Full of character and very hardy they’re easier to handle as they grow to a maximum of eighteen inches high. They were greeted by bleating from the sheep in the square paddock and William and Toby were very curious, they both brayed when they saw them being fed their daily treat.
Sheep Shelter
Model 2 Mk1 work in progress, made from pallets, reclaimed wood, and old fence panels, bought the tarpaulin that’s on the roof and the boards lining the inside. It’ll be ready for the weekend when the new sheep arrive. Two Deer were in the garden this morning, must have found a new route through the hedge, one had antlers a few inches long, they browsed the lavateria flowers, leaves from the plum tree and plants in the border before moving on to the apple trees. The barricade round the runner beans and the vegetables in the raised bed was sufficient, which I’m pleased about. A calm and sunny start to the day with increasing winds and cloud later, there may be rain overnight so will leave watering until the morning.
Sheep and William
William and Toby were both up close to the sheep in the shelter in the square paddock, they touch noses and set each other off running when they’re excited. A very windy day, need to put the roof on the new shelter when the wind drops. Mowed the grassy area by the stable, almost looks like a lawn, the lawn by the house has bare patches despite the rain so this ad-hoc grassy area looks much better. The tomatoes in the greenhouse are growing at last, removed the side shoots and gave them a feed. Hope to pick the first cucumber later this week. Late sunshine, still windy, no rain so watered the vegetables.
Fencing
Moved the electric fence from the square paddock into the lower paddock so that the donkeys have access to part of the hedgerow, can’t let them have the whole area as they’d eat too much sugary grass. They’ll have to walk a reasonable distance to get to the hedge which will be good, will turn it on tomorrow. One of the sheep managed to get her head stuck through the stock netting in an attempt to get at greener grass, she wandered off OK after being released. A windy, blustery day with weak sunshine and late rain.
Moths
A pair of Bright-line Bright-eye moths (I think) resting on a rubber mat in a warm and sunny spot close to their feeding ground of nettles under an elm tree. Sheep shelter progressing, ordered lining kick boards and fixed stock wire to a couple of paddock gates. Let the sheep into the lower paddock that was mown last week, they really do believe the grass is greener on the other side of the gate – any gate! The wisteria is flowering for a second time, there’s lots of new foliage to be blown around by the strong cool winds and after a cloudy day there’s evening rain, so no watering.
Sheep Manual
I was given the Haynes manual for one of my cars, which I did look at occasionally, good to see the brand lives on in other ways, lots of pictures, must do some reading. I’m building a Model 2 sheep shelter in the new paddock – it will be an improvement on the first one, William likes drinking from the puddle on the roof. It rained for most of the day, still cool and windy, nice sunset, no watering required. The deer has a companion, they were in the neighbours field most of the afternoon, and the hosta has tall flowers so I think the barricade is still working. The donkeys had a run down the paddock today, not enough to interest the sheep who were bleating in response to calls from a flock further away down the hill.
Cycle Dorset
Lovely ride north of Blandford, up to the long barrow and on to Chettle for coffee and a sausage roll. The wild flowers were in full bloom, including yellow and white Lady’s Bedstraw, used in the past to curdle milk as part of cheese making. A colder, windy day, sunny at times but still chilly, no rain. The last of the muck heap is now around the new hedge and the new heap is warming up with a mixture of grass and donkey poo. William and Toby were in playful mood, collar tugging and running up and down the paddock trying to nip each other, the sheep watched from the other side of the fence and joined in, jumping up and down with excitement.
Sheep
The six borrowed sheep are ewes that didn’t lamb this year, after a few weeks of grazing the paddocks they now come when you call, and creep up behind you when you’re fiddling with the electric fence. They were shorn before they arrived and are growing a new fleece. Weeded a patch of the border and fixed another camera to the stable to view the new paddock. One runner bean that the deer missed is 8 inches long, the second set are an inch or two. A very squally day, heavy rain and strong winds for at times, much cooler.
Eunonymous
Flies and wasps love it, but haven’t seen many bees. No thunderstorms, so more watering, there’s a promise of rain tonight. The new hornbeam hedge has a few bare patches which will be replaced in the Autumn, together with a few of the trees. The sheep are happy moving between paddocks to avoid the donkeys grazing and are putting on weight. A Southern Hawker dragonfly was caught in the pond netting this morning, it flew off ok once released. Dinner tonight was a tasty Ruby Red Devon steak bought from a farm three miles away, more of the same is in the freezer. Still very warm.
Hay
Finished mowing the buttercups in the paddock and moved on to the fallow field with the muck heap (which needs to be moved) and cut the very tall grass with the hedge trimmer. Collected the stalks and will dry them for winter forage for the sheep but not the donkeys as it’ll be too high in sugar. Moved the electric fence as the donkeys managed to reach the branches of the new willow tree. Planted out the French beans and fed the tomatoes and cucumbers which still aren’t doing much. Hot and sunny, watered the runner beans, think the barricade has deterred the deer. Thunderstorms tomorrow?
Electric Fence
William and Toby grazing, the fence was necessary to avoid them eating too much sugar rich grass in the square paddock. They had a few small branches of willow, hazel and hawthorn from the bottom hedge and loved eating them. The electric fence was easy to put up and connect once I figured out what all the bits did, deciding where to put it took a while. It’ll be interesting to see how the sheep react, the donkeys stayed away from it, expect they’re all wise to the effects of touching the white tape – some users don’t turn it on! Woodpecker spent ages on the lawn feeding tonight.
Dorset Countryside
As seen from my bicycle, stunning views and quiet lanes on a fifteen mile circuit, it was a nice temperature for cycling with not too many hills and headwinds. No rain at all today, the donkeys have been chasing each other up and down the paddock and were happy to come back up to the stable for their evening feed of vitamins and straw. The sheep are nibbling away, the grass there is still too rich for the donkeys, will have to get to grips with the electric fence so that we can strip graze.
Sheep
Mark IV sheep shelter has some vinyl attached to increase the amount of shade available, the sheep have the choice of two paddocks and like to come back to the shelter to chew the cud. The trees along the hedge line are very distinctive, will have to grow more in case the ash trees succumb to ash dieback, they seem healthy at the moment. Started laying out the electric fence so that the donkeys can be limited to a strip of the square paddock and not graze the whole area which has too much rich grass. A warm and sunny day with a late shower, still need to water so hopeful for more significant rain later in the week.
Saw Leaved Moon Daisy
Flops about in the wind, guess it wouldn’t if I staked it. Shorter than the Giant Scabious and has more petals than the Ox Eye Daisy, flowers are tightly packed with more foliage to fall over. Seeds everywhere so plants are growing all over the garden. A hot day with a slight breeze, no rain in the forecast so more watering. Did some cosmetic concreting round the edge of the greenhouse slabs. Sheep are doing their best to eat the grass in the lower paddock, donkeys are looking slightly tubbier than when they arrived – fish and chips from the travelling van was good.
Water lillies
Already established, these pop up each spring, they live alongside irises , elodea, tadpoles and the ever increasing numbers of fish, which need feeding several times a day. They change from brown to orange as they mature. Opened the gate from the square paddock into the lower paddock to let the sheep wander in for richer grazing, all was well until one of them became detached from the group. The bleating was LOUD, all calm once they were reunited. Sheep are now back in the square paddock overnight, don’t want to be woken up…! The noise made the donkeys a bit agitated, they wanted to see what was going on. Hot day today, veg doing ok, planted spinach, coriander and rocket in the raised bed with the courgette plants which are supposed to trail over the edge of the bed as they grow – I think some training may be required.
Sheep shelter success
Good news, they like it! Really foggy this morning, turned into a very hot day with light winds so most of the young plants came out of the greenhouse. Poo-picked the paddock and disturbed a partridge having a dust bath in one of the donkey roll-over patches. Planted sunflowers and sweet peas. Eating Mizuna salad leaves, not sure what’s happened to the nasturtiums, they usually self seed everywhere, may have to buy some.
Sheep shelter
Mark II version of the sheep shelter which will provide shade and protection from the rain once it’s finished. Mark I was a tarpaulin that was noisy when it flapped about in the wind and wouldn’t have lasted very long, will be interesting to see if the sheep ever use it! Moved the seedlings out of the greenhouse today and walked the donkeys to the paddock gate before letting them out onto the grass. Hedge watered and growing well, let some of the branches out of the plastic wraps, the leaves tend to go brown if scrunched inside. Looked for fruit on the Ellison’s Orange apple tree, very hard to find, the blossom must have caught the frost.
Sheep’s eye view
Of one of the oak trees, grasses and meadow cress in amongst the buttercups. The sheep are flattening as much of the paddock as they are eating, lovely sunshine, feels like the cold wind is gradually warming up. New hedge looks good today. Eating Mizuna and herb lettuce from the greenhouse. Potted on courgettes which have some flowers already, too cold to be planted outside. One sunflower seed has germinated. Donkeys happy to be out grazing the hedgerow over the fence.
