Draco the ram has arrived. He is on loan for a couple of months and seems to have settled in well. We are now contentedly sitting on the couch contemplating the eventful day and our various aches and pains.
This morning Draco was roaming freely across 10 fenceless acres with a following of 10 ewes. We were warned that getting him into the trailer to bring him away would be a challenge and half way through the morning we were close to giving up. The biggest hurdle was the recently excavated, grassless paddock that stood between the loading race and the lush pastures the sheep much preferred. 2 hours and several uphill sprints later, hearts racing, breathing laboured, we finally managed to persuade them all to enter the race. Separating Draco off revealed his placid nature and then, came the fun. Having “captured” the ewes it seemed like a good time to give them some drench medicine. The wrestling match that followed saw Colin thrown to the ground in a double leg snatch which left him on his back in the mud, legs and arms flailing in the air. The sheep responsible then followed up with a move that a WWF wrestler would have been proud of, jumping in the air and planting itself on top of him leaving him winded and wounded while it lay cushioned by him, legs and arms pumping victoriously in the air. The watching crowd including myself had watched on, our only contribution being the helpful suggestion we shouted several time, “let the sheep go.” Badly bruised and grazed Col is making a good recovery and Draco is making his acquaintances with Hermione, Ginny, Lily and Lavender our ewes. We hope our efforts will result in the arrival of lambs come spring by which time we should have caught our breath. The pictures tell the story, the cat sleeps happily while the pile of salvaged washing is growing in the bedroom. I've developed a snatch and grab technique that has so far ensured I haven't come face to face with the mouse. However, the operation has reached a critical point. Left in the cupboard are 2 baskets of smalls, mainly socks that need sorting and washing. It feels a little like Russian roulette. Tomorrow I tackle the basket on the left, no, on the right, no, on the left............. will I find the mouse?
Well Percy has been rehoused. It has taken a number of weekends to finish the palace but her new home is a substantial step up the property ladder. It comes not a moment too soon given that she is growing so fast and is now taller than the doorway on her first, rather make shift shelter. Applying a waste not, want not philosophy the old shelter has also been put to good use and refashioned as a walk in slop pit. Percy thinks this is a divine idea. Bella, our 11 year old Labrador is jealous and confused. She sits dribbling at the fence watching and listening to Percy wallowing in her food.
Last night was Percy's first night in her new home and it went well. My mother-in-law gave a colorful blessing prompted by the electric shock she received as she accidently lent over the electric fence to peer in. She has a pacemaker checkup in a couple of weeks and she may have to explain why the battery charge is now higher than it was when last checked. She swiftly recovered her composure and we enjoyed delicious slow cooked pulled lamb with pomegranate glaze (see the recipe page). Natalya is immensely proud of the new house, having worked extremely hard on it. From the nailing to the painting she took charge and proved herself to be incredibly efficient. She worked under the supervision of Colin when using the nail gun and I was allowed to help with the painting. Needless to say we are incredibly proud of her. She has also taken on the feeding and egg recovery rounds morning and evening. |