Yesterday was a long long day! Chris and I started out very early as he had to go and round sheep up for the Sheep Dog trail that we were hosting. Chris set the course up the day before so once the sheep were in the holding pen they were ready. Competitors came from all over the region and over 40 dogs ran through the day. The picture shows Chloe Cropper, the youngest competitor of the day, from Lancashire just about to pen her sheep. The entry fees for the day are to be put towards the World Trial 2011 which is to be held at The Lowther Estate in Cumbria on September 15 - 18th.
I had a mad day of guests checking out and others checking in, rooms to service and on top of that the catering for the event. Luckily my very good friend Denise came to help out and was busy making sandwiches whilst I did the cleaning. If she hadnt come down I darent think how my day would have been!! We served all sorts of sandwiches and home made cakes and tasty Weegmans of Otley Pork pies, which always go down well!!

We packed up our Cafe about 5pm and then once the clearing up was done we ventured out to the Mill 67 Bistro, as they have just started a Thursday evening carvery which as always was wonderful and after a very long and tiring day it absolutely hit the spot!!

Intrepid Cyclists

Last nights guests are two to be admired. This is Howard and Phil who arrived on their bikes having cycled all the way from Bridlington. Their very sensible wives arrived by car having had a paddle in the sea in Brid followed by a visit to Beverley and then onto Blubberhouses.
The idea was to continue today to Blackpool on the bikes but due to a knee injury this idea has been shelved and instead now a visit to Harrogate and lunch in Bettys!! Very wise!

I preferred yesterday!!

Yesterday I had a wonderful time, once all the cleaning was done, and I went to see my friend Gill Lishman at Castley - www.Castleytreatments.co.uk - and had the most relaxing facial Ive ever had. So much so I almost nodded off.
What a contrast today was!! The shearers were back in town. This time Brad and James were joined by Steven Robinson, who has a sheep shearing and sheep showering busines, and its his trailer thats being used. Wonderful Amanda Douthwaite came to help and to wrap the wool. I was trying to keep a very low profile but ended up helping to push the sheep up the race as Chris had to go and rescue a sheep that had got itself stuck in some fencing. Quite why sheep do this I have no idea! There just didnt seem to be a chance to escape after that! Then Amanda had to go so as you can see I ended up being Chief Wrapper. Oh but it smells!! and the flies and the bug things that pester you are just awful.Well I think so anyway. These chaps just seem to get on with it. I managed to stay cheery but was so glad when the last sheep came through and we could stitch up the wool sacks.
We had a few walkers through this afternoon , some came close to have a look as they had never seen shearing before and were amazed how quick these chaps do the job and how quietly they go about it, slowly turning the sheep as they move the shears around the body,, no pulling or fuss. I think they make it look so easy, although I know its not.!!
So thats it for this year for the shearing, a job well done. All sheared, all packed and its ready to take away to Bradford to the Wool Board.

Farmer Chris

As an addition to the last Baling post..... This is hubby Chris, who I inadvertently failed to give a mention to!!Stacking bales.... and the stack half complete.

As the day has gone on the weather has got worse. Its quite cold and very windy. I have trellis in the garden with Roses and Clematis on in full flower and thats been ripped off the house wall from its top fixings. Its not completely gone and can be refixed but I hadnt realise just how strong the wind was. Good job I didnt peg the washing out, that could have been halfway up the Washburn valley!! The local cricketers have picked today to have a working party session in preparation for next Sundays Annual Duck Derby Event, sooooooo not a good day to be on the cricket pitch. The rain is now lashing down.
Anyway Ive done my jobs and I cant go out into the garden, and its Sunday afternoon I may as well go and watch Come Dine with Me. I think the voiceover man on there is just brilliant!!

Baling

Yesterday more Big boys toys arrived as the silage was ready to bale. The weather has been perfect, warm and sunny with a breeze to dry out the grass. Tim has turned the grass in the morning and then Stuart arrived to 'row it up' into tidy lines ready for the baler. The top picture was taken out of the cab of the baling tractor, as I got in to have a chat with David ,and Stuart called over the CB to make sure I got his good side!! I havent actually seen this chap close up so Im not sure if I achieved this or not!!

David baled the silage into big round bales and then its wrapped into black plastic and stacked ready for the cows and sheep in winter, which we dont want to think about for some time yet!! Today the forecast is for a gloomy day with rain so its a good job done that its all safe.

Silage Time

This is my kind of silage making!! Get the chaps in with their big boys toys and let the machinery do the work. We used to make a lot of hay into little bales and as theres only Chris and I it was back breaking work. Now we give our friend David a ring, who gives his friend Tim a ring, and they come along and see to it!! Its wonderful. They will be ready for a pint in the Hopper tonight!!
This afternoon they have both been mowing the grass on the other holding we have at Fewston, tomorrow morning they will turn it and then either late tomorrow or Sunday it will be baled and wrapped. After this Chris will make a stack and it will sit and wait for winter.
All was going well today until David hit a stone with the mower and its completely sheared off the blade!! He wasnt too happy when I saw him at half past three but new parts are arriving in the morning and he'll be on his way again. It could have been worse I guess!