My first little adventure of the year and a day away from the cottage, to the other side of Shropshire where Friend One had arranged for Friend Two, her little girl and myself to visit a local sheep farmer who was in the middle of lambing. It was a chilly, wet day with a keen wind, but warmer in the shelter of the large hangar barn with the sweet scent of straw and wool scenting the air.
Not to mention the gentle bustle of dozens of sheep tending new born lambs, waiting to have lambs and ewes being jumped over (and sometimes on) by older lambs who had found their bouncing legs.
And of course, lambs copiously feeding from their ever patient mothers.
There was also a trio of orphaned lambs, being hand fed by the farmer who was on site all the time to look after his flock at this busy time of the year. Farming is a tough job and often gets a bad press, but this farmer dedicates his life to the welfare of his livestock, and it was very apparent from the way he cares for them. In fact, he almost persuaded me to adopt a friendly stray who followed us around like a little dog. I was a finger's width away from taking him home to keep the grass down, but came to my senses. Although I did decide he was called 'Henry'.
When we'd had our fill of woolly adorableness, we returned to Friend One's lovely house, where she provided us with a delightful lunch - lamb was not on the menu.
2 comments:
What a wonderful day on a sheep farm! Here in Norway the lambs are born later in the springtime, usually from around the first of April and for one month onwards. Both you and I are lucky people who enjoy the privilege to live in the countryside :-) Hugs from Hildegunn
I love this post--the lambs are so adorable, and the farmer's care apparent in every picture. What fun,too, to be out and about with friends. I do miss that. I hope another opportunity comes along soon for you.
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