Month: February 2025

Sheep

The Gap

croftingwifie

The Sheep Gang found the gap. Not the Watford Gap, but a gap in the fence. I had spotted one on the wrong side of the fence last week so went to check how it had gotten through. Having rattled the treat bucket, the whole crew came running; no issues with the fence buster culprit getting stuck on the wrong side. With them all distracted by treats, I went to explore. And what I found was a fairly large gap between an old gate and a strainer post. I made the executive decision to shift them to another field and ignore the gap. All grand. Then, I got the message one night that the dung spreaders would be arriving first thing the following morning. Now I needed to shift the sheep again.

Bright and breezy (if that’s how you define sheets of rain coming off the hill) and I was trudging across the field, another bucket of treats with the Crew making me look like the Pied Piper. This time I convinced them to go into the Old Woods.

The Dung Spreaders did their work which meant I then had fewer options for the sheep. No problem, I gave them hay where they had been initially and let them back.

But this was where in the short space of time, I had forgotten about the gap. And it was only a few days later that a neighbour spotted their adventures. Something needed to be done.

Baler twine, a knife, and a mobile sheep gate, and I went to see what I could do. The result was satisfactory. Whether it could be classified as fencing or weaving, I’m not sure. But no sheep have been successful getting past this new border patrol.

Tractor

Flat tyres

croftingwifie

After dropping Tim off at the station to head back to work last week, I asked the boys how long it would be until we got a flat tyre. We had a few options; mine had been one. In reality? Three. Yes, it was only three days into solo parenting/farming that I discovered a flat tyre. No, not the car; I’m not too bad at changing that now. But the tractor. The byre needed another bedding bale. An hour had been spent moving sheep to a different field so that I could rig up electric wire to allow the cows access to the top field. Sun shining, chilly, but lovely. It was only as I walked back that I spotted it. It was well and truly sunk.

Out came the compressor and slowly the tyre went back to its normally shape. I was hoping that this would just be a really slow leak. Now, compressors are pretty noisy. So it was only when I switched it off that I could hear the angry hiss from the wheel. The brain coggs started ticking. I decided that if I went quickly, I could surely jam a straw bale and another hay bale into the byre before it went flat again, and I wouldn’t need to move bales for a week. It was a race against the angry hiss and the countdown clock was ticking. I also realised that I would need to park the tractor in a way to ensure there was access to the tyre as I was unsure if I would be able to get it back up, how you jack up a tractor, and figured nobody would be happy if I parked it right up against a wall.

Cows bedding sorted, extra hay jammed in, one parked tractor, and one flat tyre. Now, I’ve never had a flat on a tractor. So what else to do when I don’t know what to do? I rang George McLaren in Dingwall where we got the tractor from. They have been great with us, and I know I can ask any question. And the conversation went the usual way:

Me: George, I’ve got a flat tyre, what do I do?

G: Tyre places can do them (names a few), give them a ring. We can do it too but they’ll be cheaper. Any issues though, get back in touch and we can sort you out.

Me: Great. What tyre do I need?

G: What type is your tractor? It will be a (lists two types of numbers) or a (lists another set of numbers).

Me: Hmm, not sure, can you look it up for me?

G: I’ll just take a look…

And so, with the needed info, I called Ness City Tyres, the place in town I think needs to do loyalty points for those of us who seem to be the frequent flatters. And, by 3pm, the tractor was back up on all fours. I found out how to get the tyre off, now know what pressure it should be, and also found out that my dislike of compressors is very reasonable in terms of safety.

So huge thank you to George at McLaren’s, and Duncan at Ness City Tyres. Just in time for the next lot of snow forecast.

Food, Garden

Baked Apple Season

croftingwifie

We are nearly at the end of our apple supply from last autumn. Some varieties keep better than others, and the last remaining box seem to have the ability to keep their youthful glow. No shrivelled up, wrinkly ones, or fusty minging ones in this box. They look the same as when they were picked last autumn.

And they are great for doing baked apples with. Simple coring, then adding raisins, butter, sugar and a pinch of cinnamon before going in the oven. Served with some cream, and it is one satisfying dessert.

This last box should last us for the next month. We will then be appleless until the autumn. But we still have heaps of potatoes. Which is not quite the same as apples, but both can be baked; just think I’ll leave the sugar and raisins away from the potatoes though.

Crofting Life

Steak Mince and Sausages

croftingwifie

At the moment, we do have a small amount (six packs) of steak mince and two flavours of sausages available (only five packs of each!). Great for all kinds of meals/dishes. If you would like to order, just send me a message and I can get it sorted for collection.

And, we will soon have the full range of beef back on our Shop page. So keep an eye out here for news updates. If anyone is wanting rib roasts, please get in touch soon as we will need to let the butchers know. This is our yearly beef from our micro herd so if you have any special occasions, including those that happen near the end of the year, now is the time to request those rib roasts to ensure no disappointment. All other usual cuts are planned.

But in the meantime, if you fancy some steak mince or sausages, we can get them delivered locally.