Moorland Flowers

Now im into blogging I seem to be taking my camera everywhere with me and a couple of days ago I went with Chris up to the Moor to see the cows. Its fair to say everything is in full bloom but one thing we noticed in abundance was the little pink flowers, its just a carpet of pink in places.
However neither of us knew what the little flowers were so I sent the photo to Marion at FWAG/Nidderdale AONB and asked what it was and she has told me its Wild Thyme.
Before the farm went into the Environmental scheme, Higher Level Stewardship, we used to run more sheep on the moor than we do now. Now the head count is much less we are noting more and more of nature bursting back to life.
Thyme is a low growing plant up to 2 cm tall with creeping stems up to 10 cm long, with oval evergreen leaves 3–8 mm long.
The strongly scented flowers very in colour from lilac, pink-purple, magenta, or a rare white, and has a scent ranging from heavily herbal to lightly lemon, depending on the plant.
Its really beautiful to see it all !!

Pheasant chicks

How cute are these latest additions to the farm?? Hatched only 24 hours ago they are Pheasant chicks.
They were hatched, and are being lovingly looked after, by one of our Light Sussex hens who was feeling broody. She is a very protective mother and keeps them close all the time, sometimes you just cant see them as they are tucked up right into all her feathers.
At present they are in a run in one of the barns but will soon move outside. They will stay in the run, nice and safe for a while yet.

Great Yorkshire Show - The Wilsons of Blubberhouses

This week the Great Yorkshire Show took place in Harrogate. Its a
fantastic show, held over 3 days, and this year attracted amazingly large crowds.
The special guests on Wednesday were Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall.
My friend Daphne, Hearts and Flowers Florists, was commisioned to do a presentation bouquet for the Duchess, Yorkshire White Roses of course, and buttonholes. Quite an honour.

Daphnes husband Kevin, and son James, were busy in the sheep lines showing both Mule lambs and Dalesbred sheep. Chris helped Kevin with his lambs but unfortunately they didnt get placed.
However a very different story in the Dalesbred lines as Kevin won the Championship with his homebred Gimmer Shearling (a female sheep born last year, sheared once!). A tremendous acheivment, well done Kevin!!
James spent his afternoon in the Sheep Shearing competition. James is an accomplished shearer, has even spent winters in New Zealand shearing, and this year, not for the first time, he won the competition. Well done James. We are just hoping his prices arent going up on the strength of this!!
All in all a tremendous day for the Wilson family. I always knew I had talented friends, but now it seems they are famous too as all this got a mention in yesterdays Yorkshire Post!!

Hay baling!

Aside from the shearing its also Hay baling day. The weather has been so good the grass has dried very quickly. Chris has turned it three times and today we once again called on the services of our good friend David Pennock and his tractor and baler.
As we drove into the field to see how he was getting on it smelt absolutely fantastic, theres just nothing to beat the smell of new good day.
Tonight Chris will put the bales onto the trailer and take them and stack them in the barn ready for winter.
Hmm now theres a thought..winter. Best not to persue those thoughts right now I think .....

Christy Harker - What a star!!

Today has been so hot, almost tropical, and it was the day that the shearers came to town once more.
They have done most of the sheep on the farm at Fewston a couple of weeks ago but today there were 350 waiting for them here at Scaife Hall. I did go round and say Hello and take some pics but then hastily retreated back to my housework and ironing, which for once was preferable!!
The second picture shows some of the lambs which have been seperated from their mothers for the day to ease handling of the ewes. Theres an awful lot of shouting going on but they will soon be reunited.
Christy has done a fabulous job wrapping all the fleeces into the wool sheets and now they are ready to be sent away to the Wool marketing Board depot in Bradford.
Thanks Christy, you did a fab job!!