Rammy has been busy

The weather has certainly turned colder - on the hill!  At the rental house it is pretty mild outside and subtropical in the house.  We tried out the woodburner the other day but had to then open all windows due to the heat.  On the hill it is back to coats, jumpers and, the only thing that keeps my feet warm, alpaca socks.  The flower lady is busy knitting more so I can get the shop going again (it disappeared in the move and I have decided to start again).

The Ram has been very busy and I have lots of red marks on various sheep from the Raddle.  For each sheep it is a faint, tasteful mark - except Stumpy who looks like she has been in a road accident!  Even looking at her from the front you can see a red bottom - here she is with Teddy at the front, Little Pugsly and George behind, then Stumpy with her lamb following and Number 32 the only black one in the picture.

Even Grace has had an assignation with the Ram.  He looks far too big for her but The Shepherd says it will be fine.

Another lamb!

Early blogging today as we are hoping to go over to visit Irene and Si at Ashdale Alpacas this evening. 

We have just had another little boy lab born and he is huge!  He got stuck with one leg out and his nose.  We left it to see if she would manage but finally had to help.  a very tight squeeze for the poor girl but he came out and is already bigger than most of the older ones.

It has been incredibly warm here and we're getting through a great deal of water.  Luckily, Sam has hooked the bowser up to his tractor and is towing it round to fill all the waters.  Flamenco and Belinda have spent most of the day sitting by one water while Bert splashes them with her feet!  She has now managed to make it splash all the way up to her tummy and give Flem and Belinda a little shower on the way!

The Southdown now has a name - Grace!  It is not totally appropriate as graceful she is not due to stiffness in her back legs which gives her the most incredible odd, rolling walk.

And, finally, Stumpy's baby!!

Rain and wind

A sort of paperwork day today - and very wet.  High winds last night and there was a tree down across the road up through Bryanston into Blandford.  One tree had also come down in first field but it was quite small and we propped it back up again so it might recover.
All animals were totally drenched, as are all humans!  Despite the rain, Bert still fancied a bit of a neck rub which was probably more enjoyable for her than it was for me as she made me exceedingly wet.  I am pretty sure that she is holding her pregnancy as the cuddles are now only when she wants them - she is a little different personality wise to most alpacas!  It was far too wet today for any photos so here is one from a couple of days ago of Bert reclining.  Caroline is at the front and, yes, she is still a little on the hefty side!

It is soon time for the ram to come to call and Sam is quite excited about that.  I don't know how my sheep will get on; they too are fairly large as you can see from Stumpy.