Sheep wrangling

Back blipped on 31 January 2024

Here’s Farmer Stephen, having caught a Houdini sheep. This one had somehow managed to get herself between two supposedly sheep-proof fences, where the reward is lush and tasty growth of grass and herbs. I was impressed with Stephen’s catching skills. Once caught, she was gently handed over to his Dad, and she had a trip down the hill in the back of the Land Rover.

I was helping with rounding up the flock to take them down to the farm for worming treatment (if I remember correctly). My farming skills are somewhat underdeveloped, but at least I can be of some use when an extra body is needed to keep the flock moving in the right direction.

Stephen has previously appeared in this journal in the days when he was the Little Fella. He’s a bigger fella than me now, though looking very youthful in this shot.

As I write this 6 months later, he has just embarked on a lads’ trip to Fuerteventura with three of his college mates. Who knows what they will be getting up to, but goodness he deserves a break for all the hard work he puts in on the farm. The timing is to take advantage of one of those rare periods on the farm when he can be spared for nearly a week. He will be back in good time - hopefully refreshed - for the start of the lambing season in a few weeks.