Sunday morning feeding

Scanning time again

I went to Skye for the weekend.  We passed feral Goats at Shiel on the way there. 

There was snow on the Cuillin. 

We came home via the Kingairloch road and saw feral Goats again. 

Farmer stayed at home because the scanner was coming to scan the ewes and he needed to get everything ready and gather the hill.  By Sunday evening, I was home again and he had all the ewes in the right places, except for 10 naughty ones who managed to escape being gathered. 

The tups were enjoying the morning sun in Scoma field, roused by the sound of the quad bike, and the rustle of the (feed) bag. 

The Cheviots and Zwartbles were in the Haunn field. Happy to follow the snacker in circles looking for the nuts it drops in neat piles on the ground. 

The weather has been dry and cold and sunny.  The dog walk on the beach this morning was beautiful, there were snow showers and there was even a rainbow. 

Hooded crows and gulls follow Farmer whilst the older ewes are fed in front of the farmhouse.   It appears the Hoodies are thinking about pairing up.  A lot of displaying and flying around in a big gang.  They can do such damage at lambing time, I have mixed feelings about them.

The scanner arrived after 2pm.  The sun was still shining.

It was all over in a couple of hours, and our percentage was up on last year, so we are pleased with that - just got to ensure they maintain good health and nutrition between now and lambing.  

Turkeys to tailors

We left the turkeys at home, and headed over to Inverness to see a play called The Tailor of Inverness.  It was great to get away for a night, but the weather was too good to waste and we headed home early Sunday morning so we could enjoy the rest of the day at home, and the last of the sunshine for a while... the wind is howling round the house tonight and it is to rain again tomorrow.  It has been nice to see the sun! 

Storm with no wind

Storm Imogen hit further south than us, and gave us our first sunny day in a long time. The day had a soft beginning, with baby blue sea and pastel clouds - and a rainbow over the Point!

The hens enjoyed the sun as much as we did. 

Down below the house, the waves breaking into the Bathing Pool were dramatic, from these beautiful rolling breakers.

Farmer's new friends ventured out today in the sunshine.  I am not sure I really understand turkeys yet.  These are Norfolk Bronzes and his feathers have an amazing metallic sheen. 

Sheep update.  The ewes are all back on the hill.  The cast tups have been sold, and the others dont stray far from the gate where Farmer appears to feed them.  The hoggs are in the cattle shed.  As the weather gets better Farmer will think about letting them out onto the hill again.  Probably after Scanning which is the next big thing in the sheep year.

Haunn update.  Middle is ready for me to hang the pictures!   East is waiting for the builders to finish the bathroom wall panels.   AMcK comes back to start painting very soon.