There was a busy day ahead with market at Blackmill as well as a large morning walk and an afternoon visit. We had to divide and conquer. Neil was at Garth hall before me, getting the wethers ready when I turned up, he was just putting in them into the pen. With them in securely, I was able to drive in and reverse up to the trailer. I shouted over to ask if I could leave the main gate open. Neil gave me the thumbs up, let me through the paddock gate and then disappeared 🤦♀️ When I found him, he was shutting the gate, he had just told me I could leave open. Typical. His reasoning was he decided to swap out one wether for a bigger one. That meant we had to chase the rest of the sheep through to sort them out. “The one we want is the big one with a brown patch.” In front of me, there were two with a brown patch and when we got closer, they were both ewe lambs. 😂We got them in the pen first. The one we wanted was sprayed and I went to let the Peckys out. As I was walking back with the eggs, I could hear rattling in the trailer. Neil had already loaded them in. We finished the paperwork by putting the time on and he left.
I went over to the barn and as I was coming back, I heard loud voices. Someone had arrived and they were early. That’s not normally a problem but it was a big party and Emma wouldn’t arrive until about 10.15 because she was at the gym. I let them in and we chatted while we waited for the rest of the party. I put my waterproof trousers on because the forecast was for showers. My logic was that if I wore those, it wouldn’t rain! I held off as long as possible and they met the Peckys but it was time to head down. The boys were on their worse behavior. Casper, Popcorn and Vader refused to come down. I got a bucket and they came a bit closer but would not come in. At one point, I had Vader in. I tried to get Popcorn and the git went in the other field through the other gate. FFS 🤦♀️My visitors found it hysterical. I went in the other field and they all started following me, making it worse. 🤬 I was beginning to despair when I saw a flash of red in the distance. Emma 👏 She shouted “Hello!” and passed the visitors. She went to the top gate and sent the boys down. Even that only partially worked. Vader went to the other pen and got shut in there. We got Popcorn and Casper in the main pen. Then I chased Tex around the field trying to entice him with the bucket. It took ages. When I finally got him in, there was a cheer from the visitors 😂 After that, everything went well. I even got a photo of Riley sitting in the market cafe. It was followed by a photo of him and Jordan by a big John Deere tractor.
After feeding the boys and the girls, I got a message telling me how much the wethers had sold for. I rang Neil and he was fuming! Apparently he felt he wasn’t treated fairly by the auctioneer. Jordan and I were pleased with the price. Not as high as others went for last time but good for us. We did the fairy door hunt and then gave out some keyrings. They thanked us for a great morning and left. They went to picnic at Clydach Lakes so I also recommended Subzero. We jumped into Emma’s car and drove out, both eager for dinner and a drink. At that exact moment, Neil arrived with the truck and trailer. Emma moved her car and I opened the gate. I then had the backlash that was really aimed at the auctioneer. Lucky me 🤦♀️ I switched off. I just wanted my food and a drink! 😂 Once he had finished his rant, I think he felt better and off he went. We went to the Coach House cafe and I had my usual – corned beef pie, chips, peas and gravy. Amazing 😋 I was boiling after that meal and the waterproof trousers earlier.
Not only did Jordan help at market, she also picked up my click and collect. While we were waiting for the food to be served, I rang my father. He said Jordan had been and the lambs sold for £50 odd. “No, way more than that. I’ll keep the extra for myself!” 😂 We went back to Garth Hall then. I put my shorts back on, the cool was a relief. I went to the barn to check for eggs. Sian was sitting propped up against the gate “Sorry lovely, you’ll have to move.” She flaming didn’t though! I pulled on the gate and she did not budge so I climbed it. On the way back out I decided to film it. She still wouldn’t move 😂 I only got a fairy egg again. It’s a smaller egg that’s not properly formed. It has no yolk. I took it with me anyway. As I was climbing the gate, Emma rang “You were right, they are early as well!” When I got there, they were having sandwiches in the car and were actually ready to start at the right time.
It was a mother, father and grandmother and two delightful little girls. When I got some of the girls in, Emma grabbed the blue rope and we managed to get Ffion in. There was a bit of an incident with the blue rope involving… Clara. Of course! 😂 I’ll post a video in the next few days. After feeding we did the fairy door hunt as well. I gave them the fairy egg to open and look at later but said not to eat it. I recommended Subzero to them too! If anyone from Subzero reads this or knew how many recommendations I gave out they should pay me. In ice cream! 😁 We locked up and left. When I got in I walked Skye and got caught in the rain. Then there was something wrong with the Firestick so I had to sort that for my father before I could have a much needed drink. “Jordan didn’t tell me there was stuff in a cool bag so it’s all in the freezer.” I thanked him. He meant well but I won’t be having that ham for tea. It’s rock hard! 🥶😂 I still need to put the shopping away but I’m shattered. I’ve got another big party tomorrow morning and I was hoping to have the rest of the day to, well rest. However, we have to go to Arthur John’s for fencing, posts and ear tags. While I’m there I’ll get a few bags of layers pellets as well.
Its a good job I have so much help. I couldn’t have been in two places at once and I needed Emma with me. It was great that Jordan and Neil could do the market, with Riley’s help, of course 😉
Helen x
