I was looking forward to the hottest day of the year so far. I got dressed in shorts and a t shirt to walk Skye. I put my sunglasses on and we left the house. It was over cast the one way but lovely the other way. Unfortunately, the overcast bit was heading towards us. Still plenty warm enough though. Then the drizzle started. Charming. We were damp when we got back home because Skye doesn’t do ‘rushing’. It was hot in the house, so I dried off quickly. The weather apps said the odd bit of drizzle until 10am so the was good for the walk. The noise of rain on the conservatory roof was contradictory but I tried to remain positive. As I drove up the valley after emerging from Smilog, the mist was descending. Never a good sign. By the time I’d fed Rascal visibility had completely gone. Bugger 🤦♀️ I let the Peckys out and collected eggs. By the time I’d collected the laminated fairy door sheet, I felt the mist was lifting again. Then the visitors arrived. The mist did lift a bit more, not enough to see the views. It also brought drizzle 🤦♀️
The boys were up to their usual tricks. Casper has learned from Vader and he didn’t come in either. Tex and Popcorn volunteered themselves! I’d forgotten how great at walking Popcorn is. Maybe he’s just trying to get it over with 🤭 but his speed motivated the usually lazy Tex to get moving. The drizzle did stop on the way back and we fed all the alpacas in the dry. The couple had their young grandson with them and we did the fairy door hunt on the return journey. When we emerged from the wood, the sun had broken through. We walked back over the top so they could finally see the views!
They thanked me and they left. I rang my father to get the potatoes on and I rushed to get dinner done. I had dinner and went back to Garth Hall because the afternoon visitors were coming from Birmingham. I didn’t know if it was directly or if they were visiting family and incorporating the alpacas as well. I’d found an egg in the barn but nothing extra in Barry or the lawn when they arrived. By now the weather was glorious. The sun was out but it was windy so no way was it the hottest day of the year. Not by a long way! We had a great visit and they took loads of photos. Whilst they didn’t look for fairy doors, we did walk back that way and they petted a Pecky and had some goes on the swing. I was finished with time for a little rest and a drink before Neil arrived so we could sort the wethers for market on Thursday.
After I’d had a drink, I remembered that I needed to get the quadling and the little trailer. I walked down and then took about 10 minutes getting the bloody thing started. The plastic bag I use to sit on was damp so I wasn’t the most comfortable as I sat on it. I drove up and Neil was there. I had to abandon collecting the food to get the wethers in. With damp shorts I was walking like I’d weed myself 😂We got them in quite easily but sorting took a while. As we got the last lot in, Neil said “Your glasses case is on the floor!” It was also open. The glasses frame had split and one lens was out.😪 That was on hold until later. To take wethers to the market, they are better at exactly the same weight/size. Eventually we were happy with the ones we had. It then took a while to count them. Sheep move so it’s a nightmare to count them. Lastly they had their eartags put on so we were able to confirm there were 11. They will be going to market on Thursday. We put them in the paddock to keep them safe and separate.
I got the alpaca mix then and rode down. I unloaded that while Neil put water for the lambs in the paddock. We were both finished for the afternoon and he rushed off to do something at home. Back at home my father had now decided that the remaining bales at Garth Hall need to go in the barn in the morning. So, despite my objections, he insists on putting all those in the barn in the morning 🤦♀️ My father won’t wait for Neil but he is busy this evening. Nightmare, so I’ve got all that to organise in the morning 🤦♀️
While I was walking Skye, I had a missed call. I just didn’t get to it in time. Luckily she called back and they are now coming on Friday morning. On a positive note, I’ve superglued my glasses frame into place 🤞 that remains in ine piece. When I got to Garth Hall I had an email about booking the date for a voucher walk so I got that done too. The Peckys came most of the way up the drive to meet me. In single file. It was funny to watch in the rearview mirror as I reversed. They didn’t move for the car either. I revved up loads. If I’d wanted to park that far away I’d have left the car at home in Talbot Green and walked to Garth Hall 😂
It’s been a long day. I’ve burned over 2700 calories so far so it will be over 2800 for the day. Tomorrow isn’t looking good. Keeping the Peckys from under the tractor driven by a deaf 93 year old could well be my undoing 🙄
Helen x
