Thirty Eight Years Ago Today

25th July 1970

Stricklandgate Methodist Church

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a few images - from long ago and farway

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Another Day Another Stack of Bales

We had thought of making hay of one of the fields we rent in (Garth's "Top Field) but in the end took the easier (and quicker) option of big bales. It's about 6 acres (2.5 hectares) we had 60 bales off it. These photos show the new rake in action.

If we had made traditional small bales we would probably still be outside carting them, instead of enjoying a leisurely barbecue and a cool drink.

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And - if you thought that Rob would never update his Blog again - check the link on the left!

First Results of the Season

Despite the Royal Lancashire Show being such as wash-out that it was almost all cancelled (only livestock classes were held on the first day, with no spectators and the other two days completely cancelled) we had a very good day.

MAIDEN HEIFER under 10months - 2nd- Strickley Annabella 140
MAIDEN HEIFER, 10-15 months - 1st - Strickley Athena 3
COW in calf - 2nd - Strickley Dainty Princess 3
HEIFER in milk - 1st - Strickley Goldie 175
COW in milk - 1st - Strickley Dairymaid 2

The Joseph Hutchinson Perpetual Trophy for the Best Dairy Shorthorn - Strickley Dairymaid 2
The Eaton Challenge Cup for the Reserve Champion Shorthorn - Strickley Goldie 175

Watch for for photographs as soon as it's possible

Only Half a Show

James rang us late last night, from a tent at the Lancashire Show (where he is bedding down with the cows) to say they had just been told that the show would be closed to the public today (Friday) because of heavy rain. They don't have much luck with the Lancashire Show, last year the whole lot was cancelled at a few days notice and in previous years have suffered with poor access. But watch this space for news.

It's Show Time

We’re gearing ourselves up for another busy few days (not that any of them are idle).
This morning James got a lift down to the Shorthorn Society (Stoneleigh) for a Council meeting. He will get back (we hope) late afternoon/early evening on Thursday. He’ll then do a quick turn round and load 5 cows and heifers into the trailer and take them down to the Royal Lancashire Show. Meanwhile Henry will have been busy getting the cows and all the show gear ready. James and the cows will be spending a peaceful night in the cattle tent at the show ready for final preparation and judging on Friday. It’s our first time at the Royal Lancs for a long time (maybe 20 years). We nearly made it last year, but the show was cancelled at the last minute because of the waterlogged site.
When James comes back on Friday night he has one more busy day getting ready for the next outing – the Wellbank family are going on holiday. I’m not sure it will be the most restful few days as they’re going in our caravan.
So for next few days I will be removing all the junk we’ve accumulated in there (to make way for toys and games) and trying to make it look a bit cleaner and brighter, then demonstrating the modern conveniences that weren’t there the last time James was in a caravan.
Then it’s Show Time again – Penrith on 26th July.
And in between all of this we may mow some grass and grab a few big bales.

New toy gets ready to work

Yesterday we cut a couple of steepish banks for big bales. The cows were supposed to have grazed them, but as there was plenty of grass lower down the field they never bothered to climb the hill. And now the grass "has got away from them", so as soon as we saw that there was a chance of two fine days together, James was whizzing through the grass with the mower.
It's also given us a chance to test the new "Helipede Rotary Windrower" (aka the rowing-up machine). The photographs show how it unfolds from the travelling to working position. (These were taken in the Teapot Field as I'm rather like the cows when it come to walking up hills).

Self Portrait

Not just a puzzle, but a computer generated self portrait - but who is it?