A new year

It is taking a little longer every morning for the sun to make its way over Calgary hill and down on to the bay.  A month until the winter solstice and the shortest day.

The tups 'going out' is a significant event in Farmer's calendar.  They went out this afternoon, in batches of one or two - into a field of 50 to 100 ewes.   It is also significant in the wild flower calendar, as mob grazing the fields is a good way of clearing up any rank grass, and preparing the way for next year's flowers.

Snow on the Skye hills. And the ewes beginning their mob grazing, before they were joined by the tups.

The Cheviots and Zwartbles will tup in the fields below the house.  Nice and easy to see from the window too!

The Blackies will be in the fields around Haunn.