Dorset lifestyle
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.
Everything that wasn’t tied down was on the move, the winds were strong enough to blow a couple of the sheep arcs over to rest against the fence and the poo picking had to wait until late afternoon when the wind had started to drop. The donkeys were spooked and the sheep stayed in a sheltered corner of the field, a couple of them had small branches stuck to their backs, pleased to escape with no real damage to the trees in the hedgerow. There was a brief orange sunset before a squall moved in and the wind picked up again, all quiet by midnight.
To the sheep shelter in the small paddock so that the hay feeders will stay dry when it rains, the roof is a sheet of stirling board with a tarpaulin over the top held down with planks. Will need to board the sides, hoping the feeders will hang on the pallet walls. The sheep were curious about the activity. A cloudy, wet, rainy day, the donkeys stayed up by the stable.
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.
The team that dismantled, moved, and reassembled a rather ‘past it’s best’ garden shed, it’s now in the Square paddock ready for the sheep to use next Spring. The bottom foot was a bit rotten so has been reinforced, it’s bolted to three posts so shouldn’t move in the gale force winds and comes with guttering which will fill a water trough. Managed to dodge the showers and the roof was easier to put on than expected on a breezy, cold day.
Dry paddocks, so the donkeys are still going out in the afternoons, walked them down and round Laneside for a taste of the willow and then groomed them. Did more work on the sheep shelter, a sunny day with light winds, so attached the tarpaulin and nailed down some of the roofing planks, half of it should be waterproof. A bright orange sunset to end the day, rain promised for tomorrow.
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.
The old shed taking on a new lease of life as a shelter in the Square paddock, the height was reduced to remove the rotten frame round the base, and the ground slopes so the back corner had to be raised on four concrete slabs to keep everything level, hope the roof goes back on OK. The working party was rewarded with lasagne and garlic bread for lunch. A mild cloudy day with light winds.
The sheep investigated the paving slabs and bits of wood that will be used to support the old shed / new sheep shelter, they’re always keen to investigate anything new. Mowed the Fallen Oak paddock before the promised rain, the donkeys will move from Laneside and graze there in a week or two. Opening and closing the gates to allow the mower through was a challenge at times, the sheep always want to run through an (almost) open gate. A cloudy day with strengthening winds.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Moved the Ouessants into a different paddock so they can use the new shelters from Solway Recycling to hide from the rain; not too sure at first they had a helping of hay to help them settle in during an afternoon sunny spell. These arcs are heavy enough to stay put in the wind and light enough to be moved around the paddocks. William and Toby stayed near their stable today to protect the saturated ground in the avenue. They watched the activity in the lower paddocks with interest and we’re excited to receive a couple of beech branches from the hedge. A wet morning gave way to late afternoon sunshine, picked and ate the last courgette.
William and Toby love them and they’ve closed their eyes to savour this delicious treat. Fortunately, thistles grow in the meadow strip and could be available all year round, perhaps I should plant some in pots and move them into the greenhouse just to make sure. Started to dismantle the temporary sheep shelter, Walter started to nibble at the waterproof cover when it was on the ground, luckily he couldn’t reach it when it was on the roof. The cats brought a mouse into the dining room, managed to trap it and release it outside. A cool, misty then sunny day with light winds and a lovely sunset.
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.
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.
A temporary shelter In the bottom paddock, not really a Mk III, just enough to keep the rain off until the new arcs are available, hopefully next week; they’re made to order by Solway so take a few weeks to arrive. Collected more rubble for the paddock entrance, need someone to drive on the bumpy surface to see if they get stuck, may try the ride on mower when the box is full of grass. Getting through a few logs every day in the woodburner so cut some pallet wood to get them burning well at the start. The rose bed has been weeded, must give them a scattering of manure before the frosts. A windy showery day with a glowing sunset.
Moved the Ouessants into the square paddock for a change of scenery and greener grass, it was fine until it started raining and then they all ran under the sheep shelter, it’s smaller than the one in their usual paddock so a couple of them moved outside and were dripped on. Before the storm arrived the donkeys moved alongside the shelter and then they all got very wet. Tucked them up for the night during the thunder and lightening downpour and then half an hour later the rain stopped! Picked courgettes, runner beans, blueberries, windfall bramleys and sloes.
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.
Eaten first by the sheep and now by the donkeys, not as neat a finish as a hedge trimmer but much more interesting and satisfying for them. There’s a big difference in the grass, a month ago it was much greener. Found two tiny swallows on the tack room floor, they must have fallen or been pushed out of the nest, hope there’s more in there, the swallows are still flying in and out regularly. A stiflingly hot day with none of the promised thunderstorms, the new hedge is going brown and curling at the edges despite being watered every couple of days and the sheep have stayed in their shelter all day. The Texels are running out of grass so gave them a few apples as a supplement, hoping for rain tomorrow.
Poppy, in common with two thirds of household cats, likes chewing the leaves, it’s both a relaxant and a sedative so she has to sleep it off under a bush. Fortunately, deer don’t like it much and it needs very little water to survive. Photos of the donkeys have been entered in the Ellingham Virtual Donkey Show, there were 13 classes, William and Toby were entered in 3 of them – Portrait, Ears and Boys over 4 years. I’ll be checking ellinghamshow.co.uk for the results and will look forward to next years show when we may enter a couple of the Ouessants. A cloudy start to the day with low cloud and a warm wind, too hot for the sheep who stayed in their shelter. More watering, may get a thunderstorm tomorrow.
As soon as it started raining Toby ran down the paddock to the sheep shelter and stuck his head under it, that’s all that’ll fit as it’s too low for him – the donkeys are supposed to walk back up to their stable when they want to stay dry! William joined Toby and reversed up to the shelter – he likes standing in the rain. Enjoyed a rather wet cycle ride with a coffee stop and sausage roll at Marcia’s Farm Shop in Spetisbury. Ouessants are messing about today, the lambs are happy enough together; not sure about the ewes wanting the new lamb around so the two flocks have been separated for the night. Picked runner beans, water butts full, no watering required.
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.
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.
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.
Eyes tight shut, smudge likes sleeping outside on the woodpile. Poppy prefers to be under a hedge and being a long haired cat she has a lot of grooming to do. Finished the sheep shelter today and had to add another rail to the softstanding as William managed to knock off one of the middle rails in an effort to reach through the fence to get to something tasty. Luckily, he didn’t step through onto the paddock driveway and into the little copse. Always need to keep a few spare rails and posts, I think. Collected fish and chips from the travelling van in a heavy and persistent drizzle, no watering required.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Donkeys love thistles, and would eat them all day if they could. Lots growing in the garden so no shortage of supply. The sheep were not impressed by all the noisy chomping so wandered away. Interesting end to the donkey day when they walked through the workshop, past the pile of straw bales and into the long grass. They didn’t go far and were soon coaxed back with more thistles and donkey biscuits. Warm day with more cloud, it may rain tomorrow. Donkey poo bags have gone from outside the front gate so will need to restock.
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.
