tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13313028.post6587862627814895619..comments2024-03-21T23:14:27.787+00:00Comments on Middle of Nowhere: The Malvern ShowGretelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00399585879728373265noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13313028.post-34166341123161312282008-07-15T21:28:00.000+01:002008-07-15T21:28:00.000+01:00What amazing pictures!! Those cows are just ENORMO...What amazing pictures!! Those cows are just ENORMOUS!!! I nominated you for a little bloggie award - I hope you don't mind xAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14060734981147545844noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13313028.post-26766931150395140502008-07-11T23:41:00.000+01:002008-07-11T23:41:00.000+01:00What a great post...makes me think of my Dad. He o...What a great post...makes me think of my Dad. He owned a set of Clydesdales that loved him back just as much as he loved them. They would nip at each other to vie for his attention :)<BR/>..that has got to be the largest bull I've ever seen!Deborah Lambsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09727337169993608781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13313028.post-66483511376028396902008-07-10T04:42:00.000+01:002008-07-10T04:42:00.000+01:00What a perfect day away. The red bull is awesome, ...What a perfect day away. The red bull is awesome, the sheep beautiful, the pigs delightful and the honey to die for! I've so missed visiting your extraordinary and magical blog.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13313028.post-3349526134774272972008-07-09T18:02:00.000+01:002008-07-09T18:02:00.000+01:00Such a heartfelt post. Thanks so much for sharing ...Such a heartfelt post. Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful story and photos.Debbie Miller of Onion Patchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12368218699592335958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13313028.post-67167470666473575322008-07-09T08:32:00.000+01:002008-07-09T08:32:00.000+01:00That sounds like a fantastic day out - I'm off to ...That sounds like a fantastic day out - I'm off to see if there's something similar in Dorset.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13313028.post-48946083609927723582008-07-06T09:32:00.000+01:002008-07-06T09:32:00.000+01:00Dear Gretel,I am wide awake, I loved your tales fr...Dear Gretel,<BR/>I am wide awake, I loved your tales from the country show. :-)<BR/>Imagining that what I grew up with, in the country, with cows and pigs and a flock of hens, which seemed so natural if not taken for granted, was only a dream for your mother, makes me wish we'd know her, and be able to try to help her make that dream come true. What cruel neighbour! I hope she never ever tasted a really good egg again, after reporting on your mother. <BR/>I am so glad your outing went so well and brought you a wealth of new ideas. One really needs a break every now and then, the time taken off work comes back manifold, doesn't it?<BR/>Hugs from V.,<BR/>MerisiMerisihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16781937797213521146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13313028.post-64943522094414264882008-07-04T18:30:00.000+01:002008-07-04T18:30:00.000+01:00I came across you via hen;s blog and just had to s...I came across you via hen;s blog and just had to say that the bird of prey pics are wonderful! thank you!<BR/><BR/>Leanne xLeannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09573431221299174647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13313028.post-968793909909311742008-07-03T18:30:00.000+01:002008-07-03T18:30:00.000+01:00HellooOOoo,I was absolutely gutted I missed the sh...HellooOOoo,<BR/><BR/>I was absolutely gutted I missed the show, so a bigthanks for putting it on your blog, it's fab!<BR/><BR/>hen<BR/>xx<BR/><BR/>p.s. Thank you for making me your site of the week, it means a lot on a blog like yours!! *shuffles away all rosy cheeked*henhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14862469963939581449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13313028.post-72279678032159251042008-07-03T15:39:00.000+01:002008-07-03T15:39:00.000+01:00Sheep shearing at an evening class??! And I though...Sheep shearing at an evening class??! And I thought I'd seen just about every kind of course possible in our adult education booklet! <BR/>What an hilarious idea having elaborate attachments made of felt on a sheep...antlers? fancy hats? another head at the other end to confuse? What about a whole creature riding on it's back? <BR/>I do hope that one day you fulfill your dream of having a smallholding. These sorts of days out are food for the soul aren't they?xAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13313028.post-480869798738435502008-07-02T19:24:00.000+01:002008-07-02T19:24:00.000+01:00I spent quite a while reading your post, and enjoy...I spent quite a while reading your post, and enjoying a virtual trip to the show. Isn't it amazing how our mothers influence us long after they're gone? I like your characterization that you've "gone feral" living in the country.<BR/>I recently went to the San Diego County Fair which has a few token animals but these days is mostly cheap carnival rides, lousy bands and crowded tents filled with cheap kitchen utensils and crap. Thanks for a lovely post and pictures of a REAL fair.Weeping Sorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05617503185773155102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13313028.post-59931728688415985382008-07-02T16:32:00.000+01:002008-07-02T16:32:00.000+01:00Look at all the lovely jams and jellies! I have ne...Look at all the lovely jams and jellies! I have never seen a cow such as the black and white variety above. And seeing this bull makes me think he's got to be a sight to behold up close. Thank you for sharing al these photos. --DanaDana and Daisyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14006886855600007312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13313028.post-7087062496813505402008-07-02T08:55:00.000+01:002008-07-02T08:55:00.000+01:00I didn't realise that you captured a shot of me sh...I didn't realise that you captured a shot of me sheep shearing! Went to school at Malvern so I know the area well. Wonderful piccies as usual.Cotswoldgenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05975961140007400390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13313028.post-26846084801067723352008-07-01T09:05:00.000+01:002008-07-01T09:05:00.000+01:00We are a piggy-loving family here; hubby used to w...We are a piggy-loving family here; hubby used to work with pigs and would dearly love a styful in the back garden. He knows so much about them, their moods and tickly spots....sadly I don't think the neighbours would agree, which is strange as we live in a village of ex-farm labourers cottages, and every cottage had a sty in the back garden. Now they're all knocked down to make room for the conservatory or converted to a shed.<BR/>Thank you Gretel, for that lovely farmy blog! :-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13313028.post-40439089940462043772008-06-30T21:08:00.000+01:002008-06-30T21:08:00.000+01:00As you often do, Gretel, you have captured my hear...As you often do, Gretel, you have captured my heart with your personal insights and I once again feel a kinship with what you've written. I, like your mother, have dreamed of shearing sheep of my own someday and love that she actually got her certificate despite the lofty dream. Your country county show makes me want to go visit our local county fair that is going on right now. I, like you, just want to stand in the animal pavilions and drink it in!<BR/><BR/>By the way, there's a little something over at the Rosehaven Cottage blog for you.<BR/><BR/>Cindy at Rosehaven CottageCindy Garber Iversonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15543940998038589239noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13313028.post-3772332834427085242008-06-30T09:44:00.000+01:002008-06-30T09:44:00.000+01:00Hi Pina, thanks for your comment. You have misunde...Hi Pina, thanks for your comment. You have misunderstood the situation with the birds; some of them are working birds, they are used for hunting and allowed to fly freely when doing so. Others are rescued birds, who for various reasons could not survive in the wild. Others are not native to Great Britain and may have been smuggled in to the country. It is against the law here and in most countries to release non-native creatures into the wild, to protect the indigenous population, and so they are kept in good conditions in sanctuaries. Many are used for breeding programmes to keep the species alive, as sadly many birds of prey are still persucted over here and their numbers are low. They are not just kept for pleasure, which as you say, would not be kind.Gretelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00399585879728373265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13313028.post-24291657083478990672008-06-30T07:41:00.000+01:002008-06-30T07:41:00.000+01:00Very interesting. :)It is illegal to keep wild bir...Very interesting. :)<BR/><BR/>It is illegal to keep wild birds in captivity in my country and I think it is good that it is so.Pinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10920700366146517315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13313028.post-85133057242896852642008-06-29T13:16:00.000+01:002008-06-29T13:16:00.000+01:00Thank you, thank you, thank you!This was bliss.One...Thank you, thank you, thank you!<BR/>This was bliss.<BR/>One day I will have a farm with animals too - chickens and pigs especially.<BR/>I'm so glad your mother bought you when you played at animal fairs.Elizabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03964291132366262298noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13313028.post-9683405480969780372008-06-29T08:17:00.000+01:002008-06-29T08:17:00.000+01:00There is not much I like better than a county fair...There is not much I like better than a county fair complete with farm animals galore. (Unfortunately my family does not share my enthusiasm - especially my husband. I only got him to agree to these chickens if he didn't have to do anything with them. Ever!)<BR/><BR/>And weren't those arms on the smith amazing? I want more pictures of those! (only 4??!?)tlchanghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10259427561396960607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13313028.post-19278945595510244612008-06-29T06:24:00.000+01:002008-06-29T06:24:00.000+01:00Oh, PG, thanks ever so much for taking us to the f...Oh, PG, thanks ever so much for taking us to the fair(that's what we call it here.) I grew up raising cattle for show, so this brought my own memories, but I do appreciate anddelight in yours with your mother, dreaming of someday and pretending that you were the last lamb... What a bittersweet tale. (I'm soon to acquire chicks, but like Andy wants pigs... I suppose, pigs being hefty and uncooperative. You're own sheep. Wouldn't that be splendid. (Oh and I'm right bneside you on beimng uncomfortable when out in a crowd. <BR/>Thank you, thank you,<BR/>Jenny.OldBagNewTrickshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18169579521843787157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13313028.post-20676596249182470052008-06-28T15:50:00.000+01:002008-06-28T15:50:00.000+01:00How sweet Andy is to know exactly what you needed!...How sweet Andy is to know exactly what you needed! I too would have taken millions of pictures of the animals. On our trip to the UK last year, I took multitudes of pictures of the standards from Canterbury to Stratford to the Cotswolds and then London. However, by far the most pictures were of some farm animals that we stumbled upon in the Cotswolds.Helen/Spike and Drusilla OK Citizenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06300294508816265173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13313028.post-44055061373857311752008-06-28T11:10:00.000+01:002008-06-28T11:10:00.000+01:00Well I just had the best time reading your post. ...Well I just had the best time reading your post. You did such a wonderful job in capturing the whole event.<BR/>Love hearing about your memories of your mother. She sounds like she was a wonderful person.<BR/><BR/>Sending you lots of hugs,auntpearlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18200555684340717816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13313028.post-75624256850862114632008-06-28T02:54:00.000+01:002008-06-28T02:54:00.000+01:00What a wonderful day! I can't wait to see the anim...What a wonderful day! I can't wait to see the animals that come out of your magic fingers:DMary Bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14236441806234261588noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13313028.post-71492192659412276042008-06-27T23:11:00.000+01:002008-06-27T23:11:00.000+01:00I love county shows, country shows, game shows, et...I love county shows, country shows, game shows, etc they really are wonderful days out. Have to confess that the shopping is usually awfully good as well, did I say that? Shame on me.<BR/>Suffolk Punches are my fav heavy horse, did you know they are as endangered as the Giant Panda? I have a friend who breeds Shires but It's the Suffolk I adore they are just so, how can I put it? Rounded and they have the sweetest of natures.carolynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02656637287438974853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13313028.post-47102594815947893062008-06-27T20:06:00.000+01:002008-06-27T20:06:00.000+01:00Gretel, such a lovely post.I'm sure you will have ...Gretel, such a lovely post.I'm sure you will have your smallholding, hopefully not too long off.<BR/>I showed my kids the picture of the bull and my little girl exclaimed 'oh my gosh, what is it?!'<BR/>Exactly, what on earth do they eat?green phoenixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13645469017837010286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13313028.post-34271361647188800862008-06-27T19:57:00.000+01:002008-06-27T19:57:00.000+01:00Thank you everyone - you are lovely lovely people....Thank you everyone - you are lovely lovely people. I did worry that I might be a bit of a bore with my farming enthusiam, not to mention the eternal pictures. <BR/><BR/>Chris, (Congrats on new job!) assuming that means your new commission needs farmy stuff, I can probably supply all the reference you need...at least as far as cow udders are concerned! :-)I took nearly 300 pics that day.Gretelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00399585879728373265noreply@blogger.com