Maternity

My grandfather's pride and joy was the pedigree herd of British Friesian cattle that he established in 1922. Accredited pedigree status required the birth of each calf to be registered with the breed society within a limited time period - 3 months, I think. Registration required the name assigned by the breeder; we had matrilineal inheritance, so Daffodil 73 would have a (female) calf called Daffodil XX - the number depending on how many other Daffodils had been born since her mother (or 'dam', in pedigree-speak) 

As well as Daffodil, I remember Pearl, Moss-Rose, Nettle, and families named after each of his 6 daughters, including one who died of 'flu aged less than two. Registration of male calves was rare - I think the sire's name was taken into account, but not necessarily copied exactly

As well as a name, in those days, a registration card needed to include a sketch of the pattern of black and white markings on the calf. Blank cards included an outline of the body (two sides) and a front-on view of the head, to capture the white blaze or star. Sketches were completed in ink. For a time, this was my job - though I think my lack of talent was recognised early, and I didn't last long

This is one of the most striking views in the area, that greets us every time we drive from home to the apiary/orchard. In a photograph, it needs something in the foreground to highlight the steepness of the drop into the valley, and the distance to the fields on the other side. Despite the hazy light, this sort of works