Misty, Damp But Mild

The Fencing Battles Contiune

 Because the cattle spent yesterday in the fields next to the gable end of the cottage I went out to have a look if the fencing had survived .. it hadn't! For the second time in just a few months they have completely battered the fencing along this section. Previously we had chain link fencing there, which they broke, Linda and I had attached a puppy pen to the fencing and strengthened it as best as we could. But with the weight of a just a single hungry cow thinking the grass was greener, well it didn't stand a chance. Of course the concern for us is Zeus so Steve and I have spent some time out there again this morning trying to make it safe. I suggested barbed wire ... Poor Steve ended up bleeding to death and needing several plasters! lol

There was great interest from the dogs in the bottom corner of the bottom field. Everyone apart from Siska spent some of their time with their front paws on the wall looking and sniffing over the wall. I couldn't see a thing, apart from Darla and Wispa in their field. This is where the sheep have been going out, but it's far too high on the other side for them to get in, still I decided to do another very temporary job to see if there is any activity on this section of the wall. So the plastic pipe is wedged down by the huge stones which the sheep have knocked off the wall. There is no way I can lift these back onto the wall so I think in time we need to consider our plan. 

Like I said yesterday, I'm also finding unravelling the fencing at the bottom of the field really hard going, but it has to be done. Unfortunately, some GSD are a little bit thick ... or maybe just young and inexperienced? But I was surprised that Meerah didn't manage to figure this out for herself!  

Out In The Afternoon

Steve told me this morning to slow down, he can't catch up with me, and he's finding it frustrating. But I can't, in the morning I have always had to work quickly. In the Ozanam Centre I could have up to 90 people waiting on me for their breakfast, speed was essential. It was a similar routine at Freshfields, again about the same amount of cats and kittens waiting for breakfast, a clean toilet and a cuddle. It's just not in my nature to take it slowly when there are hungry faces waiting for me. 

After a damp, drizzly but warm morning we all had some time out this afternoon. I much prefer to walk in the mornings, I still find I have much less energy in the afternoon. I dread the shorter days, but my routine will soon change to give everyone as much time as possible. 

There's a chance of getting the van back on the road on Monday - here's hoping eh! I miss it so much. We have a very young calf about, he looks only a few days old, that makes me more wary than every of walking the mountain, especially with all the "Aunties" looking after him. Busy body Beti noticed him of course!!!

No sheep today and I'm gradually pulling up the wire from around the trees, I'm finding it really heavy work so being careful how much I do a day. There is enough wire to secure the bottom wall, I hope, and then we'll give it a couple of weeks before closing the exit! 

Jamie

I couldn't resist taking this last night. Our precious old man will be 16 next month. When he joined us I still worked at Freshfields, we had a very different family of dogs and cats then. Asha and Mikey were the youngsters, and of course Louis was still here, among other cats Tia, Billy and Oliver were here too. The years fly past, he's a constant presence that can not and should not be ignored. As Steve says, "You gotta love the guy!"

Today On The Hill

Sammi trying on her new "Thunder Coat," though due to the weather being much less severe than forecast, we didn't have to use it. The face on her, you have to laugh don't you!!!

It's going well with Sammi in the bedroom at night, I see no reason to change the routine, apart from the night before a dog show, and there's only one of those left this year! Sammi loves shows, and I think she's likely to have a total paddy if she knows I'm going and she's not. 

Yesterday I noticed our battered little oak was covered in what I know as "Marblis Coed." These are something that I've been aware of from being a child, but I had no idea what the English name was for them, so asked on Facebook. Some interesting information. "Oak apples are not real apples but a type of oak gall, which is a plant growth on an oak tree caused by an insect like the oak apple gall wasp. Galls form when the wasp lays an egg in an oak bud, and the larva's presence triggers the plant's cells to grow into a protective, spongy sphere that looks like a small apple. These galls contain the wasp's larva and later turn brown, eventually falling from the tree after the adult wasp emerges."  Every day is a school day then!

This morning I walked around the sheep free top field with pride at our work. Nothing moved or bent, happy days. I looked down into the bottom field and could see nothing, so I opened the gate for Orin and Siska to go down there. Orin had it on him and was dive-bombing me and Siska so initially she hid behind me. I told him to piss off and he eventually charged off onto the boncan. Oh shit, a woolly arse on the wall right at the bottom of the field. I called them back, thankfully these two are so good and even though they were full of enthusiasm for their walk, they both came back. I reported in to Steve and went down the field on my own. 

Woolly arse was still on the wall, but as I got closer I could see she was stuck. In her panic to get away from me, she tried to get off the wall, taking half of it down with her! She was then literally hanging off the other side of the wall and wrapped in wire. There was no way I could get to her without doing myself a mischief or knocking the wall down on top of her. I rang DJ the farmer. He was not at home, but he'd get someone up to me. To be fair it didn't take him long to appear at the gate and I sent him round to DJ's field as it was impossible to get her from our field. Luckily, we have wire cutters and with some cursing and swearing he got her loose. I'm not sure if she was one of the "usual suspects" but two others were waiting for her. One had horns ... hmm I'm not sure if it was them, but I did gather they would now be looking for new ways in. Anyway I asked this farmer for help to get some of the stones back up on the wall, and yeah, he did a little, but as I've learned they do the bare minimum. I went back down with Ross and Beti, taking a post and some wire with me, I did the best I can, for now! Interestingly, as I chatter to this farmer, he told me the roaming black cattle were his, but he hadn't seen them in a while!!!!!!

Wind And Gates

My main man Orin chilling on the chair.

This morning was OK, but the horizontal rain and gusty wind that was forecast set in after lunch. All the dogs came in. We took the tarpaulin down in the pen yesterday, so now with no shade for sun or rain, Orin and Siska will be spending minimal time in there. 

After a lazy afternoon, I let everyone out in their pairs or group, ha one step ahead I check all the gates before letting Zeus out. Then I heard a squeak the gate behind Ross, to the gable end, was moving in the wind. I went to look, the bloody frame was no longer attached to the wall. OMG a good gust or two and it would be over. Between us we got the wheelie bin up the steps and behind it as a temporary block. The last time Zeus got round there was from the front, thank god, for once I was one step ahead!  

Of course there was no chance of getting a photo of the gateway without a dog there ... as soon as my phone came out of my pocket the brown clown was there and his assistants jumped onto the bench without a request from me. They are so funny, I know they don't know what I'm doing, but as soon as I get that phone out they pose! 

We have a new nickname for Beti - but it's only one to use in her company when we don't want her listening. Anyone who's been in her company knows she constantly listens to everything being said, cocking her head and waiting to catch a familiar word. Similarly, if I put the handbrake on in the van she explodes with excitement .. because you only do that when you've arrived somewhere in this area ... it makes it painful on long journey! Lol So Elisabeth it is!!!

Number One

 Ian asked yesterday if I'd had any further thoughts on stud dogs for Siska. Well, no, but I'm still open to suggestions and the possibility of changing my mind. So still in first place is Reno, the French dog. Typically one of the dearest dogs on the list, but that can't be a consideration, I'll have to ask Orin for a loan! lol

Reno has been one of the top winning males in the UK over the last few years, gaining 9 CC's and numerous RCC's as well as high accolades abroad. He was the best male at Crufts in 2024 and 2025. I like his unexaggerated proportions and strong hind quarters. Of course no dog is perfect, and there are a couple of things that I wish were different, but as it happens, Siska should compliment in those areas. Reno is not much taller than Louis was, somewhere in-between him and Nico's anyway, of course that does not guarantee he will produce the same, but bringing size back down to say, Ziva size would be ideal. 

Reno has a masculine head with a good stop, his head is so pleasing and not overdone at all. He has dark eyes and well-placed ears. 

Out Early Before The Storm

Make a note in the diary, Orin investigated Siska's pee thoroughly today, though he didn't mark over it he spent some time reading the letter! Zeus also came to a stop in the same spot, that usually gives me a month or so, and would take her to bang on 7.5 months. 

What do you look like Meerah? LOL 

I started pulling the fencing up from around the trees today. The sheep have wrecked most of them and the wire will come in handy elsewhere. It will be a slow process!!!!

Day 3 of no sheep in either field - hell, I know we haven't won, the woolly four will be planning the next mission. 🐑🐑🐑🐑

My Favourite Photos Today

Orin

Beti

On My Own

Just some thought following a conversation with a lovely friend. The way I see it is people are entitled to their own opinion, and we are entitled to say it as it is, but as I'm sensitive myself, I try to be careful how I say something, we can still get to the point, though tactfully. I'm not going to be walked over, but I will take a lot, forgive and move on, and fight for a friendship that's worth fighting for, but like most people there is a point when you realise there is no coming back.

Orin and Siska

Meerah, Zeus and Sammi

We had an uncomfortable incident with Zeus today. I got hold of his collar to pull him away from the gate so Ian could get in without him escaping, he growled. Was it at me or Ian? Ian had previously been stroking him over the gate, and they get on well, so I have a feeling it was at me for getting hold of him! I didn't let go and walked him straight into the bedroom and closed the door. With his unpredictable nature I felt challenging him was not the sensible thing to do but he wasn't going to have the pleasure of Ian's company either. Fair? I think so!

Yesterday, we also had words as he chased and tried to grab at Isla. (Zeus not Ian 😁)If anything else happens to any of my cats there will be no coming back for him and me. It's over a year now since Choo's "accident" and I still can't come up with any other reason for what happened .. other than Zeus!

Ross and Beti

I was Billy No Mates as I carried on with some fencing today. One of my assistants had gone home .. the other didn't feel up to it today. I found one gap, I don't think the woollies have been coming through that way, but now as we go into war with them over the land, I think they will be looking for new gaps to invade our territory!