Tuesday 14 October 2014

The Sheep Arrive.

The over-Wintering sheep have arrived today all ready to eat the grass off all our fields as the Winter months progress.   They have come considerably later than usual because there has been plenty of grass for them in their Summer home on the tops.  Their Summer home is on the Buttertubs (anyone who watched the British stage of the Tour de France when it came through Yorkshire will know that the riders came over the Buttertubs).   Many of the sheep are grown lambs that were here earlier in the year - they will all stay here throughout the Winter (if it snows and the grass disappears then the farmer will feed them every day.   They are a very hardy breed - Swaledales.)   It's nice to have them back.

15 comments:

Frugal in Derbyshire said...

Must be nice to have them back. I know I am strange, but I love the smell of sheep!

Jane in Cumbria said...

I love sheep, but Swaledales are my favourites.

Sue in Suffolk said...

I used to like leaning on a gate and watching our sheep and it was a legitimate job too!

Bovey Belle said...

We miss the sheep we used to have on tack here. This summer it has been Next Door's cattle - just some youngsters, not part of the milking herd yet.

Enjoy the Swaledales.

Barbara said...

Yay for sheep!
I've always wanted to see a real Swaledale. They look like they are wearing little masks.
And, I am glad to read the comments and see that I am not alone in liking the smell of sheep.

Em Parkinson said...

Everyone's sheep are still out on the moor here Pat. It'll be interesting to see how much later they come in than yours so much further North.

Joanne Noragon said...

Sheep are so docile appearing. Are they curious of people, or do they keep a distance?

mrsnesbitt said...

Mutton? Can we still get it?

Maureen @ Josephina Ballerina said...

Hi Pat,
There's a sheep farm just around the corner from us. They Are a sweet sight to see. Smiling at you from Maryland, home of the annual Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival each May.

Cloudia said...

Nice to see old friends.
Winter sheep for you-
snow birds for me!


Cheers & ALOHA from Honolulu
ComfortSpiral
=^..^= . <3

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

I'd like to live near a field of sheep - their voices are so great.

Cro Magnon said...

It's known here as 'La Transhumance', a real pointer of both spring and autumn. The animals are often dressed-up for their voyage... lovely sight.

Frugal in Derbyshire said...

I remember the term "transhumance" from school, in connection with bringing animals down off the mountains for winter. memories came flooding back then!

Heather said...

Before we moved into our present home we had a paddock at the back of our house which was used by a local farmer and I loved it when he grazed livestock out there. They completed the rural scene for me.

The Weaver of Grass said...


Mutton? Can we still get it? I am not sure about that but suspect that some of the 'lamb; we buy might really qualify as mutton.

Swaledales seem to be favourites - not surprised.

As to whether they are curious or keep their distance - if they think there is a bag of sheep nuts involved, they will be there and will follow.
Thanks for calling in.