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Always reassuring when the Crofter comes into the house to tell me “Well, at least the chicken coop isn’t demolished!”. Yes, to be fair, the Crofter does work and today’s job has been to remove ‘a few bumps’ from the top field. All well and good but the term ‘tip of the iceburg’ comes to mind. Just small stones, until you start digging and hence a machine digger was used. And after three were placed in the tipping trailer, two were too big and had to be rolled. One being pretty flat sided so needing nudging all the way; the other, just a wee push and it headed straight for the coop. At the last gasp it swung wide and came to rest in front of the coop. Thankfully there were no chickens in that one at the time (its their winter house while they are currently residing in their summer abode).

Just a few more stones to shift if anyone wants to join in the rolling stones competition? Reward: you can keep the stone you dig out.

Wild thing…makes my heart sink! Breena, you over-hormonal cow who gave birth to the first of our calves this year, caused my stress level to hit jackpot. One charging beast and I quickly left the byre! Mini Crofter was dropped off at our lovely neighbours who had to make out what I was asking for while in tears (laugh if you want but don’t come running to me if you get charged by a hormonal cow post calving while on your own with a toddler bawling his head off while watching…he can get his counselling once he’s older, I was working on strong coffee and prayers…).  Back to the byre to try and pen the beast. Still wild and my nerves on a very fine balance. With that I did the unthinkable, I called for help. Two local farmers…however, how do you keep cow-cred with a situation that you know fine rightly what needs done but don’t want to go anywhere near one of your own cows? My thought: stuff cow-cred! Breena, your future’s not bright, it’s burgers at this rate! Phone advice: leave her alone for a few hours…So, at lunch time along came Farmer Ian. A man who’s confidence had not been shot to pieces and has years of experience. And wee stories of similar situations help you feel less of a baffoon.

Seeing a calf get a good stomach full of feed helps to know all is well. Not witnessing this means you look for clues, but clues can be deceiving. Having someone to compare observations can help. Often with our cows you tread carefully but they let you help the calf on or you see it happening. No such luck with this one. We tried several options but she wouldn’t allow much and a near miss meant we figured we’d leave them for another few hours.

This evening, after the Mini Crofter was asleep I was back in the byre, a night in with the girls. Breena was not head butting gates although was still occasionally shaking her head at me, three other contented cows munching on hay, and a wee bull calf sleeping. If he had been sucking I oils have been sleeping easier tonight. But as it is, the Mini Crofter and I will be back out before breakfast to reassess the situation. Oh well. If only cows could communicate…

Move ‘em on has been what we’ve done. Renoir and Fearghus were let out of the byre to allow the girls to have their own maternity unit. A frolicking bull dancing in the spring sun…great, as long as you’re on the other side of a solid fence! Fearghus did trot gallantly through the electric fence but eventually headed back to the approved playground and off the hay field. Getting them to the far field required some nerve and a food bucket. Walking through a field with two hefty size boys being high as kites is not for the faint hearted. Soon they were joined by last year’s steers, two boys that I have been working with so a bit more chilled and have a stature more attuned to frolicking around,

Their new quarters is the ‘Rough field’, a field that is one of my projects of improving. This all meant the tune of Rawhide was whistled while the ring feeder was moved through two fields to join them. Never mind the hassle, they all looked at me saying the only thing on their bucket list was a bucket of nuts!

Yes, our three newest additions to the croft have arrived: Wilma, Julia and Marcia. They have got quite an undertaking of land that I wish for them to dig up for me over the summer but they have made a fair impressive on their arrival. Introductions with last year’s calves required no formal process…although they looked more suited for a ‘touch, pause, engage’ rugby scrum between the nearly all blacks and the nearly all blacks…best behaviour by both parties though.

What: Poly and Barbie Party.

When: Thursday 19th April, 1pm

Where: Ours…if you need directions, let me know.

Why: The weather is set to be tropical and the plastic cover needs to be put up over the polytunnel frame in +15 degrees C, which happens rarely for us so we have one day this year to complete the job and this is no small frame…

Who: Everyone, no gardening experience or qualifications such as having a B & Q card required. Just the ability to lend a hand.

What, just work? No, the BBQ will be planned from 5pm so families with younger kids can come too (not everyone has to help).

Whay-hay: You’ve got the day free so can come? Great, let me know so I can plan food quantities. If we get enough volunteers we’ll plan on the spit roaster being back in action (apologies to all vegetarians regarding the spit roaster but hey, come and help us to be able to grow more than just tatties and turnips!)