Saturday 26 November 2011

The first batch of ladies have arrived.




They came this morning, walking over the three fields between our farms and so gratefully coming into the barn full of fresh, clean, sweet-smelling straw. They have already settled in - as you will see. Some of them are nibbling at the silage but most are lying down taking a well-earned rest after their walk. After all - they are all pregnant so need to take a rest now and again.

The farmer is off shooting with the syndicate today. Tess and I walked up the lane after lunch, accompanied by the black cat who succeeded in almost tripping me up on the return journey in the way that cats do when they want milk. I just happened to notice this lovely little beech tree on the lane. It is the only left with reluctant leaves still hanging on it and shining in the sunshine. Everywhere else is now bare and leafless. It is a year today since we had that really heavy snowfall and winter came with a vengeance. So far no hint of similar weather this year thank goodness.

11 comments:

Tom Stephenson said...

Are you - like Brian Aldridge - going to keep about 15,000 indoors next year?

Pondside said...

I love the thought of all the pregnant ladies making their way, daintily, to the fresh-cleaned barn where they bend their knees, gracefully, and sink to the straw. Ahhhhhh

Jinksy said...

hello - more Archers fans? LOL

Anonymous said...

Aren't they lovely!

Gerry Snape said...

I can see them tippy toeing across the fields mooing gently and encouraging one another!!!Yes I'm being a bit damatic...but how grand to get them in safely ..and no snow!

angryparsnip said...

Are some of the Ladies from last year ? If so maybe they remember the wonderful treat awaiting them and mooing the new Ladies onward ?

I have so been looking forward to this post ! Thank You.

cheers, parsnip

Heather said...

Your first pic is of a lovely landscape even on a cloudy day and at this time of year.
Nice to see the ladies in their new surroundings. I hope they all do well.
Even we had a light fall of snow this time last year. I'd be happy to forego that treat this year.

Dartford Warbler said...

I`m sure the Ladies will be pampered and contented until it is time to let them out onto pasture again.

Re: The Archers. I always imagine your farm to be more Brookside than Home Farm. A good traditional farm where animal husbandry and care of the landscape are more important than Agribusiness!

jill said...

Hi,how lovely to have all those ladies in waiting in your barn,I also can just see them wandering over the fields saying to each other "Its not far now".Love Jill xx

izzy said...

Charming ladies! glad to see the barn being occupied. Too many abandoned and empty ones around here.

The Weaver of Grass said...

No Tom, we are not going to keep 15,000 in next year!! We are quite happy with the few we have. I am told by the neighbour who brought them over the fields, that they came quite happily, trundling along at their own speed. It is always nice when they arrive.
Thank you for the comments.