I Can't Stand Sheep

There comes a point every year when I decide I can't stand sheep. Not that you could tell from this picture of the two lovely lambs that arrived last week, when all was well.  But sadly this idyllic scene was fairly swiftly followed by three dead lambs, for which I could find no real reason. One ewe was a first lamber and rejected her lamb even though she had a plentiful supply of milk, and that's really annoying. Well there are still three more to go so let's hope for an easier time with them.

On a jollier note I came across this Australian Permaculture music thing, aimed mostly at kids but great fun for anyone. Not at all the usual let's all plant a seed together type of thing, but much more edgy and fun.

 My favourite is My Dad's Dunny, (you have to explain that Dunny is Australian for toilet) and No Such Thing As Waste, both of which have great videos to go with them. Highly recommended.

Spring has sprung!!

Well according to the Met Office it may have been the start of Meteorological Spring last week, (when we were knee deep in snow) and it may not be the Vernal Equinox until the end of the month, but for me, the first lambs to arrive mean that Spring is finally here in Ashleworth, especially as the snow is all but washed away, and the sun is putting on a halfway decent performance as well.







There's nothing quite like a ewe with her new lambs, in this case twins, one boy and one girl, to make you feel that winter is at last, if not over, then on the way out.

 This ewe is a Wiltshire Horn, a traditional old breed that sheds its fleece  naturally so needs no shearing, which I'm hoping will mean less work for me in the summer.

Being pretty hardy types they can lamb outside with no assistance, which is what this one did as I found when I went out to feed them this morning. I will put her in the barn tonight as the forecast is for frost and maybe some snow, but they seem good strong lambs and I think they will do well.