So, it’s Sunday evening, the sun is setting over the fields, the trees are casting long shadows over a mirror pond and lazy slivers of cotton wool clouds are suspended in a sky tinged with rosy pink. The end of another long hot day on the ranch.
The sheep, our formation eating team relax languidly in their pen whilst rambunctious lambs create havoc and mayhem, totally disregarding any half hearted attempts at discipline by the disinterested moms. Rodney the Black bellied Barbados ram lies resting, occasionally lifting his handsome head from Molly’s flank to curl his lip and test the air..just in case one of the ladies resting in the adjoining pen may require his services. Molly and Dolly, our bovine “ladies in waiting” are due to calve in two weeks and eyes eager to spot any changes in their swollen bodies (which may indicate a premature arrival) follow their every lumbering move. The sumo chickens, having been forced to behave like chickens lumber around their pen out in the sunshine. The automatic waterer has inconveniently sprung a leak and, very untypically, the gargantuans of the poultry world have been spotted apparently enjoying a wash and brush up in the water cascading from the little hole in the hose pipe. The egg chickens roost in the henhouse, taking advantage of every patch of shade or whisper of breeze. In the chicken pen, panting hens were lying, wings outstretched trying to keep cool whilst Adolf and Adolfs brother Adolf the resident Rhode Island Red roosters suspended “roostering” for the duration of the heatwave
.This is a bit like a trip on a time machine….it’s Monday now and I’m not sure where Sunday night went to! I remember going to bed ( I think !) but it surely didn’t feel like a long night. I guess that’s what happens when farmers take a day off!!!! We went to the birthday party and watched little Ava, just 1 year old enjoy her special day. I’m telling you, it’s taking longer than I expected for that little lady to pick up a pitchfork and learn to much out a horse stall. Thanks Avas mom and dad from all of us for a great afternoon, we had fun.
Lumpy Lady and Charm( beauty with attitude) got saddled up, Lady is beginning to get the idea that boot camp has arrived and the saddle thing is going to be getting dragged out MUCH more regularly than she cares to remember. Derek and Lesley now mount up with no evidence of trepidation ( horror) that showed within the first few seconds of their horse experience. Off they ride out the farm gates into the sunset looking confident and casual....it feels great to have been able to give them the draft horse experience!! Greg got back in the saddle with a big smile on his face and a grimace on Charms but he had fun. Quatra is back and ready for another week, welcome back friend!
Holly our new WOOFER intern arrives early this morning, we are going to be sharing the ranch experience with Holly for a week, hopefully it will be a memory that she is happy to keep and share. Welcome to Gentle giant Meadows Holly. Don’t worry Holly’s Mom and dad, we will take care of her for you.
Well, it’s time to get moving, the kettle just boiled so I feel another training session coming on,....how to make an English cup of tea coming on !! Take care, keep safe, M
The sheep, our formation eating team relax languidly in their pen whilst rambunctious lambs create havoc and mayhem, totally disregarding any half hearted attempts at discipline by the disinterested moms. Rodney the Black bellied Barbados ram lies resting, occasionally lifting his handsome head from Molly’s flank to curl his lip and test the air..just in case one of the ladies resting in the adjoining pen may require his services. Molly and Dolly, our bovine “ladies in waiting” are due to calve in two weeks and eyes eager to spot any changes in their swollen bodies (which may indicate a premature arrival) follow their every lumbering move. The sumo chickens, having been forced to behave like chickens lumber around their pen out in the sunshine. The automatic waterer has inconveniently sprung a leak and, very untypically, the gargantuans of the poultry world have been spotted apparently enjoying a wash and brush up in the water cascading from the little hole in the hose pipe. The egg chickens roost in the henhouse, taking advantage of every patch of shade or whisper of breeze. In the chicken pen, panting hens were lying, wings outstretched trying to keep cool whilst Adolf and Adolfs brother Adolf the resident Rhode Island Red roosters suspended “roostering” for the duration of the heatwave
.This is a bit like a trip on a time machine….it’s Monday now and I’m not sure where Sunday night went to! I remember going to bed ( I think !) but it surely didn’t feel like a long night. I guess that’s what happens when farmers take a day off!!!! We went to the birthday party and watched little Ava, just 1 year old enjoy her special day. I’m telling you, it’s taking longer than I expected for that little lady to pick up a pitchfork and learn to much out a horse stall. Thanks Avas mom and dad from all of us for a great afternoon, we had fun.
Lumpy Lady and Charm( beauty with attitude) got saddled up, Lady is beginning to get the idea that boot camp has arrived and the saddle thing is going to be getting dragged out MUCH more regularly than she cares to remember. Derek and Lesley now mount up with no evidence of trepidation ( horror) that showed within the first few seconds of their horse experience. Off they ride out the farm gates into the sunset looking confident and casual....it feels great to have been able to give them the draft horse experience!! Greg got back in the saddle with a big smile on his face and a grimace on Charms but he had fun. Quatra is back and ready for another week, welcome back friend!
Holly our new WOOFER intern arrives early this morning, we are going to be sharing the ranch experience with Holly for a week, hopefully it will be a memory that she is happy to keep and share. Welcome to Gentle giant Meadows Holly. Don’t worry Holly’s Mom and dad, we will take care of her for you.
Well, it’s time to get moving, the kettle just boiled so I feel another training session coming on,....how to make an English cup of tea coming on !! Take care, keep safe, M
RSS Feed
