Good old British weather, it never fails to surprise one. It is June in Tarset, anyone visiting Tarset at the present time could be forgiven for thinking we are heading into winter, we're not however, we are rapidly heading towards the longest day and the height of summer - honest!
Since lambing time the weather has been playing catch up. The spring weather was kind and many did question whether it was too early, although gratefully received all the same. Are we now getting the weather we ought to have had at lambing time? We have had very strong cool winds, the sort of winds which stop you from raking (moving) the sheep as they bounce off leaving their lambs in shelter and then can't hear their lambs bleating and the lambs can't hear their mothers calling either.
We had a twenty four hour spell of rain and gales, gales which took lives and sent trees crashing to the ground. We had a two day heatwave, temperatures in the 20's and feeling very hot with it, a sudden downturn saw us replacing all the layers of clothing which had been discarded on the two hot days. Not good for man nor beast as stock found themselves sheltering from the burning rays of the sun then sheltering the following day from cold winds and rain.
I am sitting in the house in the very early evening, rain lashing against the windows, electric light on in the room and the wind whistling down the chimney causing the smoke to billow out into the room from the fire which is roaring in the hearth in a bid to keep ourselves warm. This is a June evening, it ought to be warm and light, not dark and cold. I ought to be outside doing, not inside not doing. Good old British weather!!
Farmers further south have been suffering a drought, crops are spoiled, some haven't even been sown, the government have been holding meetings with farming bodies to discuss irrigation issues, water shortages and presumably what could ultimately be food shortages, whilst here in Tarset we have grass and moisture - there's something to be thankful for!!
Much work has been done since Shep returned from the lambing. Lamb marking has finally almost come to a close, this being the first time ewes and lambs are gathered to deal with any medicinal needs of the flock. Hogg shearing has commenced with Shep relieved to find my body still works and bending over to shear sheep is still possible, the shorn hoggs aren't quite so enthused tho' as any dust left lingering on their naked bodies is either blown or washed off their backs, they can be seen hiding behind dyke (wall) backs trying desperately to gain some shelter from the elements.
You could be forgiven for thinking it is gloomy times and indeed there is much could make one gloomy if one would allow. I, however' am a great believer in finding something to cheer yourself up, I have always said there is beauty all around, regardless of the weather, you just have to open your eyes and see it. So I trotted off with camera in hand in desperate need of losing myself in another world, a world away from grey days.
I hope the following photos will express how anyone may find wonderment and beauty regardless of what ever the real world might throw at you.
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