We were up at 5. Very quick breakfast on the go. I picked Chloe up so we could feed and water Elsie, Hennessey, all the sheep and all the alpacas. Josh went to Tregurnog to give water to the sheep and feed and water the chickens. I had a message from Rob wondering why I was so early and checking I was beating the heat rather than there being anything wrong. Good neighbours are marvellous. Can’t beat them! Then we were off we were all in shock from the early start but excited.
First stop bacon rolls, tea for me, water for the other two. Followed by crepes with Nutella although Josh just had sugar and lemon. Then, out into the heat to explore everything. First we had to find Chloe a cowboy-hat. It took a while but a hat was a must in the sun. We tried cheese and gin, more cheese, more gin. We got free bags and pens. We visited the livestock sheds and had a long chat with a couple that show Herdwicks. I like the idea of Herdies. We also had a long look at some Torddu (badger face) sheep. We saw a stunning ram but when we turned a corner we saw a really friendly one. Chloe spent ages scratching his chin. We went to sign the petition to keep farms for farmers in the Countryside Alliance. I was offered a cup of tea and some Welsh cakes while we waited for pheasant to be cooked so Josh couldtry some. Never turn down a free cup of tea or sit down!
While we were looking for somewhere to have dinner,w)e always go to the Welsh Black building), there was a kerfuffle in the show ring. There were shouts of “He’s loose!” And he was, a big bull had escaped his handler. He headed for the barriers. “He’ll go over that now!” Said Josh. He was correct. The big bull cleared the pedestrian barrier with ease. One of the quick-thinking stewards was ahead of him and he shut the gate. The bull cleared that and was off. From our standpoint we couldn’t see the bull anymore but we could see people running. A bit of excitement. After all that, Chloe wasn’t keen on the food in there so we went next door. They were very busy so the tables weren’t cleared. Chloe put all the previous occupants rubbish in the bin. “Where would you be without me?” Without missing a beat I replied “Eating next door!” 😁
It was hot. One of the best things we had, came with a free bag. They were fold up frisbees. You know pop up tents? Like that but a small disc. Perfect as fans. They saved us from the heat. We were all frantically fanning ourselves. Me to Josh: I’m surprised you haven’t clipped your nose fanning like that. Josh to me: I’m surprised you haven’t clipped your ego with your fan. Chloe to Josh: I’m surprised you haven’t been knocked out 😂😂😂😂😂😂
We also did some networking. We visited some places like farming connect for information on grants and Chloe asked them about shearing training. We looked at the solar panel stand and considered them for the barn roof. We went to Osmonds and bought some drench with vitamins etc in that we can give to Cooper. We’ve enquired about WiFi as well. The last place we went into in order to ask about grants for water and farm diversification. While in there, Mark Drakeford walked passed us to be interviewed directly in front of us. It was so hpt, he had ditched his ill fitting suit jacket but from the angle I had behind him, I can report his trousers don’t fit any better either. He’s not a fan of farmers so I don’t know why he was there. Enough said.
Exhausted and boiling hot, we made our traditional last stop – doughnuts and another cup of tea for me. We got the shuttle bus back to the truck. With all the windows open we began to cool down. I checked on my father. He was ok but there had been a phonecall from a Cardiff environmental health officer. It was in regard to a dead ewe. The ewe died on Saturday, as per farming protocol, she was put outside the gate in preparation for the fallen stockman, Layton to collect. On Sunday, Josh was met with a group of neighbours from the new house, complaining about it. We are not allowed to do anything except pay to have them taken away. The neighbours are not farmers, they aren’t familiar with the rules we are guided by. The picked up the dead ewe and threw it over the fence. This meant Layton would not be able to collect it. They were not satisfied with Josh’s explanation so then decided to complain. The environmental health officer rang my father and he was worried we were in trouble. In fact when we spoke to the environmental health officer, she confirmed we had acted in exactly the way we should have. Layton is supposed to pick up at farm gates rather than enter yards in order to prevent cross contamination. On this occasion e were advised to take the dead sheep to the local hunt. I didn’t think this was allowed any more but it’s on her advice. She was very understanding of the problem that people are moving into the country and then complaining about the things that go on in the countryside. Apparently there has been a steady rise in complaints from new countryside dwellers.
There was no answer from the hunt so this will need to be dealt with tomorrow. Layton is away at the Royal Welsh for the next few days but of course we couldn’t ask the ewe to die when it was more convenient for us. Just like I said earlier, you can’t beat good neighbours. Unfortunately you don’t always get good neighbours. All our neighbours at Garth Hall are eager for us to return. We have a great network there. It makes me think its not us that’s the problem…
A walk is booked for tomorrow morning. I’m off for a shower and an early night.
Helen x
