Autumn Breeding Sales

'Tis the time of year when farmers have been busy spaening (weaning) their lambs and sorting through their breeding sheep. There are sales every week at the moment for breeding sheep of one type or another at the auction marts across our area.

The sales season can start quite early with the downland breeds being the first to come upon the market, hill breeding sales tend to be slightly later in the season. Friday 14th September was the KELSO tup fair, where almost every type of downland tup (ram) was on offer, by October we will be flat out with the hill tup sales, some farmers and shepherds travelling miles to view and buy sheep.

It isn't just the tups who are finding themselves being paraded around the sale ring, the females are also on the market. Ewe sales are commencing, specific sales where females of all ages will be going under the auctioneers gavel. From draft ewes (retiring off the hills) right down the scale to the younger end being the ewe lambs (spare female lambs).

Shep was at the ewe sale at Lockerbie recently, funny white faced critters they were - yup! Cheviots! but only a handful were present of the type I am accustomed to, the remainder of the sale was taken up with those bigger creatures, the north country variety. The Blackfaced ewe sales are advertised throughout the farming press, Shep nearly found herself at Castle Douglas rather than Lockerbie but navigational skills and sheep breed found Lockerbie easier to negotiate. The sales at Longtown and Hexham are yet to come, just a fortnight away though and many sheep to prepare for sale before then.

Sheep find themselves being dressed for sale, not in the sense we would imagine, they don't get wrapped up in frilly frocks or anything of that ilk, they just find themselves getting a tidy up, any raggy edges smoothed over, a cut and trim to help them look respectable. Dolled up a little bit, touch of bloom dip to brighten their fleeces, dab of paint where necessary and off they'll go to the mart. Hopefully the next posting will help explain some of this to you all.

Autumn rise?

 

What's that?

A tick, taken off old Glen on 26th November, one was taken off a sheep just a day or two previously. There is often a fresh rise of ticks in the back end but I'm not too sure about finding them at the end of November. The mild weather is the reason of course, yet another pointer to just how unseasonal the weather has been.

I took the tick off the dog and laid it on the palm of my hand whilst trying to photograph the beast. I soon gave up as it was trying very hard to bury it's mouth parts into my hand, I could actually feel it trying to do just that - ugh! It found itself deposited on the back of an envelope before being cremated on the fire - yup! cruelty to living animals, dare say I could be locked up for that.

Springing into Winter

 

'Tis just a few days since this picture was posted, red sky in the morning, shepherds warning as they say. How true that has been. Taken last Sunday morning whilst gathering, within a week the weather has deteriorated. We've had a great spell of weather but it now feels that the spell has been broken.

 

For the time being I'm going to look back, back to last Sunday. Sheep were finally gathered up and were heading for home, it had been a cracking morning, mist did roll in and headed back out again and for once we were fairly confident we had all sheep off this cut forward and cornered.

 

Looking back (as you do when gathering) I couldn't help but take this photo into the sun. Looking towards the east the sight was almost spring like, sun burning through the early hours of the morning promising a good day to follow, even though we had had the red sky just an hour previous.

We weren't to be disappointed that day, on any counts. Two cuts of sheep had been gathered succesfully. All accounted for which is nothing short of a miracle, especially the cut which often sneak into a planting and hide from the gatherers. Moral was high.

The sheep were sorted and moved to respective pastures in readiness for the tups been loused (let loose), even whilst driving the quad bike the temperature was quite balmy, I was thinking I really didn't need my fleece jacket on as I could feel the heat of the sun through my clothing. The whole day went smoothly, no hiccups or problems, the sun shone, the air was warm and you couldn't have asked for anything better.

I mentioned to the shepherd that this ought to be our last day out here, a day to hold strong in our memories, a perfect day. There are changes afoot on this particular farm, a parting of the ways. Neither of us knows if we'll ever be out here again to gather, let alone be in each others company doing so. This was the first day of many to gather sheep forward for tup time, wouldn't it have been perfect if it had been the last day of many. Regardless, it will be a day which I wont forget in a hurry. 20th November, more like a day in springtime, a gather which generally sees one of us heading back out to collect waifes and strays saw all present and correct, fit and healthy. Was I dreaming?

By the 25th November I could have been forgiven for imagining it had all been a dream. The weather became seasonal at long last. The final days gathering saw us taking shelter, getting wet and worse - getting cold! I'd forgotten what it felt like to get cold!

 

The last cut of sheep to be gathered in for tup time. As seen they have to cross a burn, unfortunately the photo barely does justice to the depth of the ford. The sheep did cross but a fair bit of persuasion was needed, they weren't too keen on receiving a belly wash! Whilst gathering my face had been dropped, chin tucked in, an attempt to relieve the pain of the hailstones which were ferociously lashing down, driving into them just helped the driving force of the stinging little blighters, the wind giving them extra strength. A wind which saw hats blown off and dogs missing commands.

On cornering a planting where the path of the two of us would cross I found the shepherd tucked into the edge of the trees, the hail had given way to sleet, again driving sleet and shelter had been sought. He was probably also waiting to see if I ever turned up or whether I had done my usual and got bogged somewhere, regardless, shelter was appreciated for a short spell, unfortunately the weather didn't look like blowing out straight away and so the gathering resumed, chin tucked in and collar pulled high up my neck off we went again.

The above photo doesn't show the 'orrible conditions we'd travelled through, the weather did finally blow over and sheep were cornered and penned. The wind felt cold. A strong one at that and from a fairly mild art but cold, maybe being wet didn't help, allowing the wind chill to bite deeper. I had forgotten what it felt like to get cold. The usual two layers, a fleecy and a top coat, gloves and hat. Definitely time to hunt those winter jumpers out, the mild conditions of late had led me into a sense of false security, I was not wearing as many clothes as I ought for the time of year.

 

This photo doesn't really portray what I would like it to, it looks like mist coming in but in reality it is a shower and a snow shower at that. Driving white stuff came out of the sky. I watched it land on the sleeve of my top coat and its lumpieness melt off as more fell, the ground remained green as I looked skywards again and saw without doubt it was indeed snow, if not it had to be very thick sleet. Brrr.

The shower passed and there was nothing to show for it's unsocialness (is that a word or have I just made it up?) Anti social behaviour! (Where's Megan when I need her??) The day was coming to an end and homeward bound was becoming a high priority. I was nithered (very cold),I had forgotten what that felt like but quickly remembered! On getting home the wet coats were chucked off and a jumper was put on, whilst the fire was set into motion to try and heat the house and myself, I'm pleased to say the jumper was finally removed as the evening wore on.

So, there you have it, life in Tarset has returned to normal, the seasons are upon us, let's hope not with a vengeance, I wouldn't like to think winter has some catching up to do. I spoke to a shepherd just over the border in the direction of my lambing and learnt we had got off lightly, the ground whitened where they are and right into the house at that. Brrrr. Fortunately it also shifted and is now nothing more than a memory. The 25th November rings a bell from last year..............

Lost?.......... and found.

 

Where the hell am I?

 

Is that a landmark?

Shep was having one of those days.............

 

I had gathered sheep earlier in the morning, mist rolled in and out but visibility was bearable.

I was now heading out to neighbouring ground. A farm which has an open march, in other words no fence between neighbouring hill ground, and my task was to head to that neighbouring hill ground and set any sheep back onto their ground ready for gathering the next day. Unfortunately the neighbouring hill ground rarely has any sheep on it these days due to environmental schemes, therefore the ground is fresh and sweet and no fence to stop sheep from wandering over and having a good old munch - hugely frustrating but that is 'modern' hill farming for you. Take my word for it 'modern' hill farming is a pain in the proverbial, one day I might get around to letting vent on such issues, for the time being we'll content ourselves with the task which faced me this particular day.

Head out onto neighbouring ground and set sheep back home, the following morning they would hopefully still be at home and we could gather them ready to set the tups out. Easy! Except.......

As the first two photos show, the fog (or is it mist) really rolled in. I knew where I had to head but got lost. Lost? Not exactly, I knew where I was, as in I was out on the hill, I knew where I was meant to be heading, I just wasn't succeeding. Visibility turned atrocious, landmarks were none existant, sense of direction seemed fine, until I came upon a spot, a spot I realised was not where I was meant to be heading, I turned and fifty yards further on came to another spot which I realised was no where near the spot I thought I was at fifty yards back...... Oh hell!

It was time to turn back, confusion was setting in. I found a bike track which I was convinced was taking me back on my route. I bumped into some sheep, the red keel mark on their shoulders immeadiately told me which part of the hill ground they belonged upon and that wasn't the hill ground I ought to be upon - Shit!

There is no doubt, going round in circles does happen in the fog or a blizzard, something I am well aware of from past experiences. There was company out there in the grey nothingness, my dogs, some ghostly apparitions of sheep and the odd grouse, a cackle as they rose up infront of the dogs and vanished into the grey nothingness beyond. I have proof........

 

You didn't seriously think I could manage to photograph them did you? Be content with their droppings, proof in itself that they were there. There were also a couple of deer, lying resting in the gloom, almost giving me heart failure as they sprung to their feet and shot off, white backsides standing out before being swallowed up in the surrounding greyness.

I stopped the bike, switched off the engine, rolled a fag and took five. 360 degrees around me and the sight was the same, grey, bland, quiet. Like a wall. It felt like an impenetrable wall, solid, ungiving, unrelenting but peaceful. Panic wasn't setting in but concern was, I needed to get a grip, set out in the right direction, homeward bound was my desire, which way is that? I had 7,000 acres to roam around on, I needed to make the right decision.

The weight in my pocket reminded me I had a 'buddy' on board. A GPS emergency gadget, it had been insisted that alone on the day the gadget went with me. Press the help button and certain 'phone numbers would receive a message that help was required, along with a grid reference. Press the emergency button and probably air sea rescue would be scrambled, again following a grid reference. Useful gadget should I still be concious if I happened to roll the bike or such likes, not a great deal of use when lost but not lost if you get my meaning.

I turned the headlights on on the bike, a usual occurence when two of us are out there, easy to see whereabouts of the other person from a distance. I was alone, why turn the lights on? Was I hoping the beam would cut through the gloom and offer me some visibility - a shining light to follow? No, the 'buddy' had got into my head and I thought if I did happen an accident mebbes I'd be found easier if the lights were switched on, a beacon for rescuers to home in on. Was I beginning to feel vulnerable?

Eventually I turned the bike, I'd made a decision, head in THAT direction, away from those sheep, that has got to be the way home.

 

Boy! was I pleased to stumble upon this trig point. A landmark at long last. Not where I thought I was going to be but who cares - I knew where I was! I was at the trig point. Yipee. Now which way?

 

It seemed a long way through the gloom but this sight really lifted my spirits, a well worn bike track and a well known cairn, at last, I really was heading home.

 

The cairn a humble pile of stones, probably built by a shepherd who is long since forgotten. I could have hugged it, relief, ecstasy, a mixture of emotions. At long last I really knew where I was and where I was heading.

 

The gloom was lifting, there was greater visibility 'home' is over there, but not before I took five, and spent some time with the cairn, I doubt she has ever been scrutinised so closely since she was built, more on that to come.....

 

Heading back in I turned to look back on the ground which had caused so much grief, the mist (or is that fog?) was lifting, there was blue sky. What had all the fuss been about? Ought I not turn back around and resume my journey, try and complete the job in hand? After all, it doesn't look anywhere near as threatening any more.

I had had enough. What if the grey stuff returned? we were heading into the afternoon, daylight hours were getting shorter, time was getting on, I had clocked up 13 kilometres (about 8 miles), used up two hours and achieved absolutely nothing. Time to quit.

 

Thankfully my decision had been the right one, an hour later and conditions had once again worsened, I had set some sheep down off enclosed land after lunch, but had I? I saw some, then the greyness returned, I bumped into them, huddled up and hiding in the gloom, they moved on, never to be seen again. Did I set them off one enclosure and into another? I honestly don't know, only time will tell.

 

Occasionally a watery sun smiled down on the dogs and I, beautiful in it's own right but not strong enough to give much help, although useful to take directions from when the need arose. There was no doubt that Monday 21st November had been a frustrating day, it felt like little had been achieved. I eventually departed the said farm, took 'buddy' out of pocket and pressed the button which relays the message "shepherd is okay" and set of to do the 'night' shift.

 

The days are short, a farmer a few miles away required lambs sorting and tagging for auction the following day, thankfully there was a shed and artificial light, I got out of the gloom of the day and into a shadowy existence commonly experienced on dark winters evenings.

Upon finishing the job, letting lambs out to the field, tidying up and leaving the shed I was reminded of Sherlock Holmes films, crossing the farm yard the mist was swirling around in the glow of outside lights, shadows, greyness, darkness, a mystical beauty.

Spring into Autumn

I've found myself looking back through past postings with regard to the weather. I had looked back in last years diary to see what I had written for the month of November, most of my inserts in the diary concern where I have been working, the hours put in etc but occasionally when the weather upsets me it gets noted. For November 2010 I have found entries which read "piss wet", "wild showers, very cold.", "atrocious day & and full of cold" (obviously feeling under the weather!), "crap day" and three entries which say "shit day".......Oh dear, November 2010 must have been a bit rough http://blog.tarset.co.uk/2010/11/optimism-waning-or-should-that-be.html This past posting probably says as much.

This year has been the absolute opposite, unbelievably so infact. Mild to the point of almost spring like, almost surreal but a pleasure none the less. I cannot recall when I last got wet, my diary tells me it was on the 18th October "piss wet" was the 17th "very windy, very cold, heavy showers" was the 18th - I recall now, that was the day I met my 'new' car and yup! it got quite wet in the afternoon. Was that really the last time I got a soaking? We have had some rain during the evening/nights but my memory fails me when I try to recall a wet day recently.

The following is a photographic journal of the past few days

 

Gathering on Wednesday morning, probably the last ewes to be tailed ('bikini' lines trimmed to keep the tups happy) this year.

 

Hard to believe we've had little rain when you see the clart (mud) in the sheep pens, for all the drier mild spell we've been experiencing the ground is saturated, well and truly squidgy everywhere and sheep pens which aren't concreted are a right slutter.

 

Thursday saw dogs and I trying to hunt down some stray sheep, from right to left we have Glen, Moss and Kale looking like they feel a tad hot, all dogs are casting (moulting) their coats at the moment, the two which live outdoors in kennels are loosing their dense undercoats which I hope will grow in in time for winter.

 

Gorse in flower on Friday

 

and another flower in flower (I need to get a copy of the Tarset Flower book then I might be able to work out what flower this is) Added on 22/11 Thanks to Dafad I have received the following reply regarding the above flower "Shep's mystery plant is Stellaria palustris, The Marsh Stitchwort. It does not always have red anthers as there are many mutations. It should not normally flower now. It is on the rare side. It could be sub.species fennica but without the plant could not tell. It is a lovely perrenial and Shep should find it in the same place next year". Great help - thank you Dafads Dad.

 

A heron, waiting patiently for fish to swim up or return back down to the sea.

 

A dead sheep - not what you were expecting at all! Where there's live ones there's dead ones, just the same as people y'know. I was away assisting the shepherd from out bye to innoculate his hoggs which were away on winter keep. 406 went over there, there'll be at least one less coming back in the spring. Do you see what I see? Do you need a closer look?

 

MAGGOTS! Could you believe it?

 

And more being lain - good grief!

 

More creepy crawly company in the sheep pens - a ladybird. What ever next?

 

Gathering on Saturday, ready for putting tups out.

 

The view on the way home on Saturday afternoon.

 

Sunrise on Sunday (today), taken at 8.15am whilst gathering. How is it the saying goes? "Red sky in the morning - shepherds warning" Will the weather break? Of course it will, don't know when although rain is forecast for the coming week but hey! enjoy it whilst it lasts, the winter is shortening so to speak. Lets hope it doesn't do what it did last year. 24th November 2010 the diary read "snowy", the 25th said "snowed all day" by the 27th November my car couldn't travel in the snow and the diary entries became almost unrepeatable as time went on...