The last time we scanned our ewes (to see how many were in lamb, to single or twins, or not at all) the Farmer was flat on the floor with a chronic back problem and Daughter was a baby. Amazingly though, the New Zealander who came along to scan for us this week did our last scan on his first visit to Mull all those years ago. Scanning sheep in Scotland is part of his annual world scanning tour, and he has been doing it for 13 years.
We couldn't manage it without help. It means another gather, and then the sort out in the fank before and after.
.jpg)
This is D, mid scan. The system is fast and furious. He calls out Twin or Empty. Anything else is a single. Farmer had to quickly dob the right colour paint on the ewe depending on the call or lack of call. The results were good, and it was an important opportunity to condition score the ewes, and hold back any of the poorer ones for extra sustenance. This constant damp and wet weather is taking its toll.
But we have had a little bit of sunshine. R has been busy in the woodland cutting up trees that have been blown down in the storms. Farmer was keen to leave some nice messy piles of timber to rot for the wildlife!
The hens are enjoying the sun.
So are the older ewes, now in the Black Park for extra food.
We still have puddles and pothole filling is on the agenda to be completed before the beginning of April!
The fallen escallonia outside Toechtamhor is beginning to re-sprout.
Sunlight just hitting the Point this morning on the way home from the school run.
One of our winter regular visitors was arriving today to stay in West, it was lovely, as always, being down there getting the cottage ready. I always want to stay there myself.
The sun began to shine, which was blissful.
We did have hailstones the size of golfballs (well, perhaps just a little bit smaller) in between times though. Our wood chip arrived.
Coco and I walked on the beach. It was cold but exhilarating in the sun. Just us, a pair of hooded crows and some oystercatchers. Bliss.
We came home and the sun was catching the hens in a lovely gentle touch in front of the renovated trough.
.jpg)