What comes after lambing?
We've been lambing since 8th January when the first lambs arrived. I had no idea what I was doing then.
Although I'd spent some time helping Phil with the sheep, I had yet to deliver a lamb and relied on Phil for guidance. I've since spent many hours herding sheep, walking across water-logged fields, moving sheep from one field to another, and assisting with injections and chiropody.
Of course, there was Dot Dot, too, who adopted me. She recognised me as the bearer of food. Seeing her every morning brought me immense joy. She never ran away. She ran towards me. We often stood together, in companionable silence. She let me put my hand on her back or stroke her head. Then, when she had her twin lambs, she didn't forget me. Our friendship continued.
A month and a half later, with yet more lambing ahead of us, I've delivered several lambs. I've become adept at moving sheep into pens. I still have a lot to learn but I've acquired new skills.
Six grey-faced Dartmoors have arrived in the shed. In lamb, they're due to give birth in March. Although Phil is not a fan, they are very teddy bear-like. I'm guessing the lambs will be extremely cute.
Our nine hens are laying well and, despite being told that they wouldn't lay in Winter, have continued to provide us with eggs every day. Most are sold to neighbours now.
We're slowly beginning to think about planting and growing. The raised beds have been filled with soil. Phil is laying the hedge around our small holding which will provide more light and a better view. It's also given us an extra couple of foot of land to play with.
The orchard is planted. The rabbit spirals have been wrapped around the tree trunks. We'll spend another day adding the stock fence to keep the sheep away when they're grazing the orchard in a few months.
I'm starting to focus on other things. My plan for 2024 was around creating and writing. I've only scratched the surface so far. There's a lot I want to do.
As the Snowdrops make way for the Daffodils, and the Hawthorn hedge starts to green up, I'm thinking ahead to warmer days when I can sit in the orchard with my notebook. There's never a dull moment on the farm, which is now an integral part of our lives, and I'm sure there will be new tales to tell.