Look who's all grown up!

Some of you may remember a little chap called Oliver who entered the world in very sad circumstances last year.Oliver is now 17 months old and is clearly thriving. He is living with Kath's stepmother's horses and was caught on camera the other day strutting his stuff in the field.

Isn't he a stunner?! Kath is hoping to event him in the future and has sworn that he will never be sold; well who would want to part with this little guy? Should I call him little? Looks like he'll make 16+ hands!

Just what I need!

My friends Di, Charlie, Simon and Bob came to pick me up for a cheer up and a beer by a fire. Nothing like sitting around a fire wrapped in a blanket to sooth the soul :-)

Back to Sheep

It is now looking as though the funeral will take a couple of weeks to organise. In the meantime, I'm staying put at Knapdale with the dogs and sheep and lots of friends to help me out. It looks as though my brother, Joe, and his girlfriend Lauren, will come up to look after us all either today or tomorrow.
This morning I received an e-mail that cheered me up somewhat. I've been chatting with Robin McEwen-King about a ram lamb of his for a few weeks now. Well, this is him, Galtress Ptolemy. Thanks very much to Robin for the photos.

He's grey,

he's spotty,
he has a fine crimpy fleece,
super conformation and he's just what I wanted.
It's a shame that he damaged his horns as a lamb, but this isn't a genetic fault so it doesn't matter. His horns were like his twin's (shown below) until he knocked them.
Hopefully I'll get down to visit soon and all being well he'll go in with the girls mid November with an aim to have lambs mid to late April. Something to look forward to!

The storms just keep brewing

You'd think that Chris and I would be front of the que right now for some good news but it isn't to be. Chris's dad, who has been disabled since he was 18 following a serious accident, is in intensive care. Chris has gone down to Liverpool to be with his family who are taking turns to sit by his bedside and I'll be attempting, one-leggedly, to get down to him tomorrow.

As I write this I've just had a phonecall to tell me that he has died. I don't know what else to say. Full stop.

Shetland Angel

It's a good job I've made such lovely friends up here in Scotland. I don't know where I'd have been this last week without Karen to look after the flock! Today she took me with her as a treat and I managed to hop-along to the gate. Everyone is finally putting on weight and looking well. Thanks Karen x

Poor old leg!

That's me out of action for a while!

Volunteer Beaver Ranger Mike MacIntyre and I were investigating some new tree felling activity on Sunday when I stepped on a slippery branch, that was cunningly hidden under some moss. Down I went to the tune of a sharp crack from my ankle.

Unfortunately we were on the opposite side of the Loch from the vehicle so I had to get myself back down through the forest on my bum, scramble into the canoe, paddle back to shore and then use the paddles as crutches back to the car! Luckily Mike could to drive me.

At the hospital they patched me up for the night and sent me home since they don't DO x-rays on a Sunday! As it turns out, the ankle doesn't seem to be broken but was almost dislocated and has severe tissue damage. It would be better if it were broken since breaks apparently take less time to mend!

It feels a bit odd sitting here issuing directions to the team of beaver trackers who are out in the field this week. Maybe I could get used to it! Though I doubt it :o(

I'm bored already :o(